Four Bookstores Worth Visiting Around the World
◆ Word on the Water
London, England
This floating bookstore in the Regent's Canal is known as "The London Bookbarge". Formerly mobile, it has now found a permanent home where visitors can browse all year round, warm themselves up by a wood-burning fire in the winter and enjoy the performances of music and poetry on the rooftop stage in the summer.
+44 7976886982, https://www.atlasobscura.com
◆ EL Ateneo Grand Splendid
Buenos Aires, Argentina
This theater-turned-cinema-turned-bookstore is an example of the connection between the performing arts and books. It preserves the traditional ceiling and special curtains of the former theater and books line the walls, including where the audience once sat in box seats.
+54 1148136052, https://www.atlasobscura.com
◆Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller
Melbourne, Australia
This shop sells only antique and second-hand books. Visitors can search for the strange collection of owl figurines (猫头鹰雕像) scattered throughout or they can check out the shelves to find classics，such as a collection by Jane Austen printed in 1833 selling for ＄15, 000.
+61 (0)396548506, https://www.kaycraddock.com
◆ Zhongshuge Bookstore
Hangzhou, China
Each location of this Chinese bookstore chain is architecturally unique, but the location in Hangzhou stands out. Stairs and seats built into round bookshelves combined with mirrored ceilings give the optical illusion (视觉幻象) of countless books. Other optical illusions include a tunnel of books and what appears to be a long roller coaster of books in the children's book room.
+86 057188003279, https://weibo.com/67661899
1.To appreciate poetry shows, you'll dial___________.
A.+54 1148136052 B.+44 7976886982
C.+61 (0)396548506 D.+86 057188003279
2.Which of the following once had different functions?
A.Word on the Water. B.Zhongshuge Bookstore.
C.EL Ateneo Grand Splendid. D.Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller.
3.What is the Chinese bookstore mentioned above famous for?
A.Its special designs. B.Its floating locations.
C.Its performing arts. D.Its second-hand classics.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
Dear Jack,
I remember the moment— it truly hit me that your autism (自闭症) lasted forever. I had already mentally planned our trips up north with the boys. I was going to spend endless hours playing baseball with you— like Grandpa did with me.
When we said goodbye to kindergarten I knew it was real. I spent some time being sad. Now you are 8. You still have no words. We have never had one of those father-son moments I pictured when you were a baby. But I'm learning that's OK. I still have unbelievable things to offer as your dad, even if they weren't the things I originally expected.
You have taught me to be patient. You have taught me that it's OK to be different and to be sad when life doesn't go as planned. You have taught me that it is OK to talk about those feelings and fight for what is right. Stand up and say this is wrong, and encourage others to stand up for you and say the same.
My job on this earth is to create a world for you and other kids like you. Be the voice you don't have, and build the kind of community which I want to see you grow up in. I used to shy away from contacting people with disabilities or just not consider them. Before you were born, I was so caught up in my own world that I probably wouldn't have even noticed. Now, I see things differently. I notice. You did that for me. And hope my example will do that for others.
Your mom and I have spent 8 years trying to find your voice. And honestly, we don't know if we ever will. I promise you I will spend my life keeping you safe and making this world better for you.
1.To whom is the text written?
A.The author's son. B.The author's wife.
C.The author's father. D.The author's friend.
2.What can be learned about the author?
A.He's at a loss what to do to help Jack.
B.He's to blame for Jack s present condition.
C.He has changed his attitude to the disabled.
D.He hasn't accepted the reality up to now.
3.How does the author sound in the text?
A.Sympathetic. B.Caring.
C.Regretful. D.Indifferent.
4.In which section of a magazine may this text appear?
A.Science. B.Entertainment.
C.Sports. D.Relationship.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
The TV series, The Longest Day in Chang'an, which was shown on Chinese online platforms last summer became a hit soon. Since then, it has been shown on partnering streaming platforms and TV networks abroad. Some websites overseas also offered the program to their users paying for it— the first time a Chinese series was broadcast as paid content abroad.
"I was amazed by the overseas audience's love for this show," Cao Dun, director of The Longest Day in Chang'an, told Bejing Review. "I was worried that they wouldn't understand the complex political structure of the Tang dynasty. But in reality the show is prompting foreign audiences to research Tang dynasty's history to better understand the plot. "
The unique culture in ancient China is not a barrier but a bridge to connect with foreign audiences. In the TV series, every figure is given enough space to flesh out his or her character. Telling stories of ordinary Chinese people that resonate (引起共鸣) with the audience might be the way to communicate with the world. "The success of the TV series shows that beauty is a universal language crossing borders," he told Beijing Review.
His ambition is to distinguish Chinese dramas from the TV shows in the rest of the world. "The TV series is a step in my plan to tell Chinese stories to the world," Cao said. "After describing the impressive beauty of the Tang dynasty, I am looking for several plays that tell stories of today's China. I don’t want to copy any country's production. Chinese dramas have to be built on our rich culture and Chinese people's everyday life," Cao added.
1.What do we know about the TV series?
A.It was put on overseas, when first released.
B.It can be appreciated for free.
C.It is about the development of the Tang dynasty.
D.It was very popular once it was shown.
2.What does the underlined word "prompting" in paragraph 2 probably mean?
A.Requiring. B.Reminding.
C.Encouraging. D.Informing.
3.What made the TV series a success?
A.Stories of ordinary people. B.Recognition of beauty.
C.Diversity of Chinese culture. D.Personalities of every figure.
4.What is Cao Dun’s ambition?
A.To tell Chinese stories to the world. B.To make a successful TV series.
C.To show China’s different nationalities. D.To learn the ancient political structure.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Very few animals except dolphins, chimpanzees (黑猩猩)，and elephants have ever passed the mirror test for self-recognition. Scientists believe they have found a fish able recognize itself in a mirror. The result is surprising because this ability is usually only found in animals with bigger brains. Even humans don't usually pass the mirror test until they are about a year and a half old.
To test the wrasse (隆头鱼), a small fish in the sea, scientists put each wrasse in a tank with a mirror. They gave the fish a chance to get used to the mirror and watched their reactions. At first, the wrasses challenged the "other fish" by swimming up to the mirror and "fighting" them with the mouth. But soon the wrasses seemed to understand that something funny was happening. They began to swim toward the mirror upside down or in other unusual ways. It was like they were testing whether the fish in the mirror were really themselves.
Once the wrasses seemed used to the mirror, the scientists gave the wrasses a mark by putting the fish to sleep and injecting something under their skin. Some of the fish got a brown mark. Other fish got a clear "mark" that didn't have a color and couldn't be seen in a mirror.
After looking in the mirror, the wrasses with the brown marks would rub the area with the mark against the sand in the bottom of the tank. Then they would go back and look in the mirror again, as if checking if the mark was still there. But when wrasses with brown marks were put in tanks without mirrors, they didn't try to rub their marks away. And wrasses with clear "marks" didn't either, even when they could see themselves in the mirror.
The unexpected results are making some people look hard for other ways to explain how the wrasses reacted. So even though the wrasses seem to have passed the mirror test, the scientists will need some time to reflect on exactly what that means.
1.Why do the scientists feel surprised about the result?
A.The fish has a big brain.
B.Elephants failed to pass the mirror test.
C.Chimpanzees are as clever as dolphins.
D.The fish succeeded in passing the mirror test.
2.What did the scientists take notice of about the wrasses at first?
A.They swam in unusual ways.
B.They were unaware of themselves in the mirror.
C.They thought the mirror interesting.
D.They wanted to challenge themselves.
3.How did the fish with brown marks react in the mirror test?
A.They would rub the area with the mark against sand.
B.They would pay no attention to marks.
C.They would rest in the bottom of the tank.
D.They would swim upside down to the mirror.
4.Which can be a suitable title for the text?
A.Why Are Fish Smarter than Expected?
B.Do Colors Affect the Experiment?
C.How Is the Mirror Test Conducted?
D.Can Fish Recognize Themselves in the Mirror?
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Impolite cellphone users are anywhere where there's a cellphone signal.1.. Could that be you? Follow our expert phone rules to avoid being rude and annoying.
●Know where not to use your phone. 2., so avoid talking on your cellphone or having it ring while in such places as hospitals, libraries and movie theaters. Turn your phone off if necessary.
●Don't talk too loudly. When in public, try not to raise your voice while on the phone. Generally you don't have to shout on the phone to be heard on the other end. In fact, doing so often makes it harder for you to be understood.3..
●Don't use your phone when having a meal with someone. If possible, turn it off. If you're waiting for an important call, let the person you're with know beforehand (事先) that you're expecting a call that you'll need to take.4.. If you have to, step away but don’t stay away any longer than a bathroom break.
●5..When you're in an enclosed space, or you can't put yourself 10 feet out of everyone's way, it's inappropriate to talk but it's potentially acceptable to receive and send text messages. But you'd better not text while doing anything requires you to be focused.
A.Learn to text
B.Focus on your messages
C.Some places are inappropriate for cellphone usage
D.Limit phone use during gatherings with your friends
E.Try not to hold a phone conversation at table
F.In addition, shouting on the phone disturbs people around you
G.Most people who are impolite don't even realize what they’re doing
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
When Pan Ruibin set up Panwallzer in 2010, he went against the trend of leaving the hometown to work in a big city for a large company. Pan _________the job as a Japanese translator, returned to his home village and turned his hobby of knitting（针织）into a(n) _______. "My dream is to build a first-class brand like Chanel, and that is the _______ of Panwallzer," said Pan. _______ for its designs and handmade sweaters, Panwallzer has done well on its way to _______.
Despite doubts about whether people would still _______handmade sweaters when machine-made ones are easier to produce and cheaper, Pan _______ his business idea. "The customers I met online _______ me, but my major motivation（动力）was my _______ for saving the handmade knitwear industry."
Pan ________ his talent for knitting from the age of 6. He was taught by his mother, and ________ his skills by entering knitting ________ and won several times. By the time he was 10, he could knit a sweater as ________ as the middle-aged women in his village.
Pan ________ some villagers to help him make the sweaters. The number of ________ grew from 7 in 2010 to 60 this year. Pan has no intention of ________ for mass production, even though new orders are flooding into Panwallzer ________ due to its popularity on social media.
He believes producing a superior product is the __________ way to keep steady growth. Pan wants to __________ a customized（定制的）service through his sweater designs. "People buy your sweater not only because it is ________ but also because it is stylish," he said.
1.A.got B.quit C.changed D.started
2.A.habit B.need C.business D.adventure
3.A.chance B.reputation C.principle D.goal
4.A.Responsible B.Famous C.Eager D.Cheerful
5.A.success B.freedom C.knowledge D.happiness
6.A.exchange B.buy C.remember D.collect
7.A.gave up B.thought about C.kept off D.stuck to
8.A.led B.attracted C.encouraged D.forced
9.A.plan B.enthusiasm C.preparation D.secret
10.A.showed B.tested C.hid D.ignored
11.A.shared B.discovered C.explained D.improved
12.A.ceremonies B.meetings C.competitions D.parties
13.A.well B.usually C.hard D.carefully
14.A.ordered B.required C.hired D.begged
15.A.companies B.machines C.customers D.employees
16.A.keeping up B.speeding up C.slowing down D.holding down
17.A.roughly B.totally C.mainly D.slightly
18.A.right B.conventional C.abstract D.amazing
19.A.enjoy B.choose C.judge D.offer
20.A.handmade B.expensive C.cheap D.machine-made
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
David Katz was upset by all the plastic going into the ocean. To help solve the problem, he had a 1.（create）idea to treat plastic like money. Mr. Katz calls his idea the "plastic Bank". The goal of the Plastic Bank is to use plastic to help people solve the problems 2.(gradual）. The Plastic Bank adds a value to plastic waste by paying people to recycle it.
The program began in 2015 in Haiti, a poor island nation with many 3.（problem）of waste plastic. The Plastic Bank has 30 "markets" in Haiti. At the Plastic Bank markets, people can exchange the plastic they've collected for 4.they need. The Plastic Bank markets sell lots of things that local people need. The stores also allow plastic collectors to use the money they earn to pay 5.health care or school.
To make sure that the plastic 6.（recycle）, the Plastic Bank works with partners, who agree 7.（use）the plastic that is collected. When customers buy these products, which are labeled "Social Plastic", they know that they are both helping people in other parts of the world 8.keeping plastic out of the ocean. So far, the Plastic Bank 9.（keep） about 7 million pounds of plastic out of the ocean. It makes a great 10.（contribute）to the ocean.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（︿）），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起)不计分。
At lunch in the first day of my high school, I saw a girl sit alone. I decided to sit with her and we had pleasant chat. Late, we became close friends in the following three years. One day, he shared something touching with me. "Do you remember the day when you come over and sat next to me, wearing a big smile?" she asked me. "I wanted you to know how much special you were. I was disappointing at that time, but your smile made my day," she added.
I can't help smile each time I think of the scene, that shows me that a simple act of kindness can change lives greatly.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假如你是新华中学的学生会主席李华，你校学生会应英国Westminster School邀请，下星期将到该校进行交流访问，向该校学生介绍中国传统文化。请你给该校联系人Mr. Smith写一封邮件，信的要点如下：
（1）感谢对方的邀请；
（2）询问食宿、活动安排和说明要介绍的传统文化内容；
（3）祝愿交流活动成功。
注意：（1）词数100左右；
（2）可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
（3）开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
参考词汇：食宿 accommodation
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am Li Hua, chairman of the Student Union of Xin Hua Middle School.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your attention! Best wishes!
Yours,
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析