If you want to attend the hottest events of 2014, don’t waste your time looking through dozens of hotel options or vacation packages. Instead, look to cruise ships that can ferry you to and from the most expected holiday, sporting, and cultural events of the year.
Here’s a look at the some of the most popular:
Australian Open in Melbourne (January 13–26, 2014)
Tennis fans worldwide are eager for the tickets to matches at any one of the four annual Grand Slam events: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. In January 2014, luxury cruise line Silversea will offer fans a three-night pre-cruise package to the 109th Australian Open in Melbourne. Silversea passengers will attend third round singles matches at Rod Laver Arena on January 17 and 18 before taking the 382-passenger Silver Shadow for a special 15-night Melbourne to Bali voyage.
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (February 28–March 4, 2014)
Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is one of the most popular celebrations of its kind in the world, drawing two million visitors each and every day of the festivities that include parades, street fairs, and costume balls. Holland America’s Maasdam will spend three days in Rio during Carnival as part of its 26-day Amazon & Carnival Explorer journey.
2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil (June 12–July 13, 2014)
If you’re a soccer fan that came up empty in the search for a hotel room for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Rio de Janeiro, there’s still hope. Book MSC Cruises’ 18-night Miami to Rio voyage aboard Divina. The ship departs Miami on May 24 and arrives in Rio just in time for the World Cup.
New Year’s Eve in Hong Kong (December 31, 2014)
Hong Kong is a magical destination and New Year’s Eve festivities and fireworks pull out all the stops to make a holiday trip to that city even more attractive. Crystal Cruises’ all-inclusive luxury ship, Symphony, will spend two nights in Hong Kong-- and celebrate New Year’s Eve Chinese-style—during its 15-night holiday voyage that leaves Bangkok on December 21. This roundtrip voyage also calls on Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam.
小題1:According to the passage, which of the following ships will take the longest time of voyage?

A．Silver Shadow.

B．Maasadam.

C．Divina.

D．Symphony.

小題2:The events that will take place in Rio de Janeiro in 2014 are ___________.

A．Carnival and FIFA World Cup

B．New Year’s Eve fireworks and Carnival

C．the Australian Open and Grand Slam events

D．New Year's Eve fireworks and FIFA

小題3:Where does this passage probably come from?   

A．In a sports magazine.	B．In a textbook.
C．In a science report.	D．In a travel brochure.

小題4:The main purpose of the passage is to ___________.

A．give information about the hottest events of 2014

B．introduce cruise ships to some big events of 2014

C．describe the most popular tourist destinations in 2014

D．persuade readers to take cruise ships for 2014 holiday

·The Hotel Portixol，a hotel that oozes(滲透) style and has thoughtful extras in Palma Majorca.
·Location
In the bay of Portixol，a 30-minute walk or 10-minute cycle east of the old town，overlooking Portixol port.
·Character
The square white building，with its blue shutters(百葉窗) and dark wooden balconies，stands out as you approach Portixol. Inside as well as out，Hotel Portixol oozes style － wicker(柳條) sofas in a shade deck. Thoughtful extras include free bicycle hire and telescopes in each room.
·Rooms
Thirteen of the 26 rooms have balconies，overlooking the sea. All have large showers and king-size beds. Our corner room had double glass doors on two sides which created a much-needed breeze.
·Food
Breakfast is a feast，with a huge selection of fresh fruit，yogurts，cereals，meats，cheeses and breads. The lunch and dinner menus mix traditional Mediterranean food with eastern and European classics.
·Why Palma?
Parts of Majorca have a certain reputation，but calm，sweet Palma is a far shout from the island's busy and sometimes tacky(俗氣的) beach resorts so popular with hen and buck parties.
The Majorcan capital is also one of the easiest short-break destinations in Europe. The old town is a 10-minute taxi ride from Palma airport，while the tangled(亂蓬蓬的)streets inside the old city wall combine the best restaurants，shopping and culture Majorca has to offer.
While very hot in summer，temperatures remain pleasant during the rest of the year.
·Getting there
Easy Jet flies to Palma from most airports in the UK，from ￡29.99 one way. A taxi from Palma airport to the city centre costs about ￡8; or you can catch a bus which costs a few euros.    
小題1:If you'd like to buy what you like，you had better go to________.

A．the old city of Majorca	B．Palma beach resorts
C．the city centre of Majorca	D．the east of the old town

小題2:How much will be spent if a family of three goes to the city centre of Palma for a round-trip?

A．Over ￡114.	B．Less than ￡228.
C．More than ￡180.	D．Only ￡76.

小題3:The passage is mainly written to those________.

A．want to travel to Majorcan capital

B．enjoy traveling out freely

C．will stay in a hotel in Palma

D．like to go shopping in the city centre of Majorca

小題4:What's the best title of this passage?

A．Hotel Portixol，Palma，Majorca

B．City Portixol，Palma，Majorca

C．The transport in Majorca

D．The view in Palma

B

Evening Workshops
Optional evening workshops will be held at small restaurants or other meeting places near the conference hotel. Meals and other costs are not included but are also optional. Locations will be announced at the conference site. Workshops are very loosely organized and most represent discussions that have been held at Society for Economic Botany (SEB) meetings over a series of years.
Workshop 1: Student Network
Date	Wednesday evening, Feb. 5th
Chairs	Hugo de Boer and Arika Virapongse
Sponsor	Society for Economic Botany
Description	Student members of the SEB hold a networking mixer each year in order to meet each other and to become familiar with a variety of educational programs and faculty advisors(大學(xué)指導(dǎo)老師). Faculty members who are part of training programs are encouraged to join the mixer to meet and talk with students.
Workshop 2: Botanical Film Making
Date	Wednesday evening, Feb. 5th
Chair	David Strauch
Sponsor	University of Hawaii
Description	Digital film making is a particularly useful tool of linking cultural information to recognizable plants. This workshop is aimed towards increasing the quality of material recorded by giving participants greater control over the medium. We will cover technical aspects (e.g. camera settings, audio), technical aspects (framing, lighting, focus), and some ways of presenting the material. Experienced filmmakers are encouraged to attend, and participants are welcome to bring their own camera equipment.
Workshop 3: Collections for Botany — Collections Development and Management
Date	Friday evening, Feb. 7th
Chair	Jan Salick
Sponsor	Society for Economic Botany
Description	SEB is a network of researchers who have been developing standards for the development of collections of artifacts, plant samples and related materials. Participants discuss successes, problems, and funding sources for solving management issues.

小題1:One of the purposes of a networking mixer held each year is to ________.

A．provide students with greater control over the media

B．link cultural information to recognizable plants

C．help the students to deal with most of the environment issues

D．help the students to be familiar with educational programs

小題2:Which of the following is true according to the poster?

A．Evening workshops will be held at small restaurants with meals included.

B．Participants have more than one option on Feb.5th than another night.

C．Workshops have nothing to do with the discussions held at SEB meetings.

D．Faculty advisers can join the mixer without training experience.

小題3:You are a college student, interested in plants and good at taking TV pictures. Which of the Evening Workshops is most suitable for you?

A．Botanical Film Making.	B．Collections for Botany.
C．Student Network.	D．Society for Economic Botany.

Christmas, Easter and birthday parties can be difficult times for grandmothers and parents as they rush around trying to arrange the perfect celebration or making everyone as happy as possible! What’s better than a birthday party that makes your grandchild smile throughout or a celebration that impresses relatives and close friends?
That is why Granny Look has supplied in this section, one of the most comprehensive guides to making these special occasions that happen perhaps once a year a real success.
From a selection of Advent calendars to party planning or Christmas-stocking fillers we have all the possibilities covered so that your children and grandchildren will really have a memorable time with attractive gifts and original ideas.
Bring that festive spirit to all those traditional days, and ensure you are always ready for any possibility. Granny Look’s extensive links are bound to make every special occasion an entirely different experience from the year before and allow everyone to feel entertained and content.
CHRISTMAS-STOCKING FILLERS
Look no further! Granny Look helps the family to prepare in time for FATHER CHRISTMAS. Give SANTACLAUS some ideas. He can fill all the children’s Christmas-stockings with goodies! Unique Christmas gifts for children –– stocking fillers.
A Granny Look favorite!
ADVENT CALENDARS
All children love the build-up to CHRISTMAS! What is better than choosing one of Granny Look’s selection of Advent Calendars! Here you will find a list of websites to buy traditional or fun Advent calendars for children at Christmas time.
A Granny Look favorite!
BIRTHDAYS
LOOKING for a SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GIFT? Explore Granny Look’s selection of PRESENTS, PARTYPLANNING, PARTY TOYS and PARTY GAMES for your Children and Grandchildren’s BIRTHDAYS.
Plan and organize the KIDDIE’S PARTIES ahead of time!!
Don’t forget the PERSONALISED INVITATIONS!
CHRISTMAS
LOOK and BOOK now!! Granny Look’s selection of CHRISTMAS GIFTS for children.
Some guides to “What’s on in your area”… for the kids, PANTOS, SHOWS, THEATRES… at Christmas time!
UNIQUE Christmas gifts for Children. Spend QUALITY TIME with your Children’s Children this FESTIVE SEASON (圣誕節(jié)期間)!
小題1:If you want to send some invitations to your daughter’s classmates, where will you search for the information?

A．At Christmas.	B．At Birthdays.
C．At Advent Calendars.	D．At Christmas–stocking fillers.

小題2:According to the passage, we can infer _______.

A．you can only get special ideas for Christmas, Easter and birthday parties

B．in Granny Look you can buy many traditional or fun Advent calendars for children at Christmas time

C．there is no personalized invitation in Granny Look for you to select

D．Granny Look provides a wide range of links for people to prepare for special occasions

小題3:From the text, we know that “Granny Look” is ______.

A．a(chǎn) website that helps you to prepare for special occasions

B．a(chǎn) company that sells all sorts of products on the Internet

C．a(chǎn) person who guides you to make your yearly celebration a real success

D．a(chǎn) magazine that helps the family to prepare for special occasions

Now hiring music teachers in Tarrytown

Location:	Tarrytown, NY
Company:	Musika LLC
Posted:	Auput3U 2013

  Company:
Musika-Muaic Teacher Organization has distinguished itself as the "go to" company for teachers looking for students. Founded in 2001, Musika has thousands of students already in the program and hundreds of calls are received daily.
Job description:
Musika is always seeking enthusiastic and friendly instructors. Teachers are independently required to instruct one-on-one lessons in the students' homes, as well as at their own teaching studios. Each teacher is able lo select which students fit their locations, schedules, and leaching levels.
Job requirements:
Applicants MUST be able to sign a contract and agree to teach for one year, provide at least three professional references, show a love of teaching!
Qualifications:
Applicants should have a Bachelor degree in music, 5 to 10 years private music lessons teaching experience, and a car lo travel to students' homes.
Pay:
Pay is to be decided depending on experience and other factors.
IMPORTANT: Musika conducts thorough criminal background checks and has a zero tolerance policy for any type of criminal activities.
小題1:According to the passage, Musika is______.

A．a(chǎn)n organization training teachers

B．a(chǎn)n organization providing musical tutoring jobs

C．a(chǎn) school in which students can get regular musical education.

D．a(chǎn) private school that provides professional musical education

小題2:Any applicant must satisfy the following qualifications EXCEPT ______to get a job.

A．a(chǎn) Master degree in music

B．no records about criminal activities

C．a(chǎn) car to travel to students’ homes

D．a(chǎn)t least 5 years private music lessons teaching experience

小題3:From the passage, we can infer that______.

A．teachers often divide students into several groups in class

B．different teachers for the same job may have different pay

C．students can choose their teachers according to their levels

D．teachers oust agree to teach for one year.

Little Brother
By Cory Doctorow, 382 pages, $19.95
In the very near future, Marcus Yallow is walking with his friends in San Francisco when a 9/11-sized terrorist attack occurs blocks away. Everyone around is secretly taken away by the Department of Homeland Security to see whether they're terrorists. However, during the investigation, one of his friends dies mysteriously. The friends try to find out the truth. If you read only one science-fiction novel this year, make it this one.
The Flying Troutmans
By Miriam Toews, 274 pages, $32
The heart of the book is a road journey in Canada made by Hattie，Thebes and Logan to find Cherkis, the kids' dad. It's rich in dialogue, sometimes funny, sometimes surprisingly sad, always character-true. Toews is an extraordinarily gifted writer, with tough-minded compassion (同情) for her characters.
Reading By Lightning
By Joan Thomas, 388 pages, $22.95
We're in 1930s Canada, where Lily's father arrived three decades earlier to be promised fertile agricultural land. But they had been cheated and thrown in the middle of Manitoba. Now William Piper and his wife farm their land and place little hope in this life.
What They Wanted
By Donna Morrissey, 325 pages, $32
A father has a heart attack; a brother and a sister leave Newfoundland and go to Alberta, Canada to work； a tragedy brings reconciliation (和解), but also terrible loss. Primarily a novel of character, it's also a novel of Canada, of two very specific and vividly drawn places. Donna Morrissey's characters are troubled, sensitive, quick to be moved to anger or pain, and just as quick to laughter and affection.
小題1:If Jim only has 20 dollars, which book could he buy?

A．The Flying Troutmans.	B．What They Wanted.
C．Little Brother.	D．Reading By Lightning.

小題2:According to the text, we know that The Flying Troutmans is      .

A．full of dialogue

B．a(chǎn) sad story

C．a(chǎn)bout tourism

D．a(chǎn) real story

小題3:In Reading By Lightning, why did William Piper arrive in Canada?

A．To carry out his promise.	B．To work in a big city.
C．To get work experience.	D．To seek his fortune.

The holidays are a time to give. These charities---and many more—are looking for volunteers and donations.
World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund is helping to protect endangered species through the Symbolic Species Adoption program. Those who “adopt” an animal will receive an adoption certificate and a photo of their species. Anyone can support endangered species year round by buying WWF apparel(服裝). worldwildlife. Org/giving
DoSomething. org
This month, Dosomething. org launched their holiday campaign, “Grandparents Gone Wired”. The goal of the campaign is to make it easier for senior citizens to keep in touch with their loved ones using the Internet. Teens can volunteer to help seniors in their community. Volunteers are able to win prizes and scholarships. dosomething. org/grandparents
Coins for Change
Disney’s Club Penguin, a virtual gaming site for kids, launched its annual Coins for Change campaign this month. From Dec. 15 to Dec. 27, Club Penguin players can donate virtual coins to real-world causes. If players reach the donation goal, Club Penguin will donate $2 million to charity projects. clubpenguin.com.
Toys for Tots
Each year, the U.S. Marine Corps Toys Program collects new, unwrapped toys for the holidays. Communities across the nation host Toys for Tots drives around the holiday season. The toys collected are given as gifts to needy children so they can experience the joy of Christmas. toyfortots.org
American Red Cross
All you need is a pen and a piece of paper. The American Red Cross Holiday Mail Heroes Program is collecting handwritten card to send to members of the U.S. Armed Forces during the holidays. The charity has also set up a Holiday Giving Catalog where you can buy personal gifts, such as babysitting lessons. redcross.org
The Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drive
The Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drive is a non-profit organization sponsored by ABC’s Good Morning America and Burlington Coat Factory. During the holiday season Burlington stores collect gently worn coats. The donated coats are given to people in need to keep warm during the winter. onewarmcoat.org
小題1:David, 8, is fond of playing virtual games. Which charity should he attend?

A．Coins for Change.	B．Toys for Tots.
C．DoSomething,org.	D．American Red Cross.

小題2:Handwritten cards for members of the U.S. Armed Forces are collected by____.

A．Disney’s Club Penguin

B．the Warm Coats& Warm Hearts Drive

C．the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program

D．the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program

小題3:From the passage we can learn that______.

A．Club Penguin donates $2 million to charity projects yearly

B．old toys collected are given to needy children as gifts

C．teens can help seniors contact their family members online

D．whoever donates warm coats is likely to win scholarships

We are looking for teachers for our private secondary school in Nigeria. This is a Christian school and we are looking for Christian teachers. Accommodations are provided and salaries can be discussed. Volunteers are welcome to apply but those with teaching qualifications and experience will be first chosen. Subjects: English, French or Art. Those who teach other subjects are also welcome.
Applicant 1 Modupe Bvuma
I have a master's degree in Managerial Psychology and know a little French. I'm looking for a job either as a teacher or as a personnel manager. I'm a Christian and live in Nigeria, Africa and I'd be glad to be given the opportunity.
Applicant 2 Rachel Moore
I'm an Australian and have experience in working with children in the local church, although I don't believe in Jesus. I have bachelor's degrees in both Art and Education. I have relinquished my job with my pupils and now have settled in Nigeria, Africa to look for a job teaching English or French.
Applicant 3 Mwanyimi Bushabu
I've been in Africa for 5 years as a banker. It is advantageous for me to teach French at your school since it's my mother tongue, I am a Church member and promise I shall keep the Christian standards at your school.
Applicant 4 Freddie Matthews
I am to graduate from the University of Nottingham, England. I have gained teaching experience by tutoring children in lots of families and will have a teaching qualification. I'm interested in your job.
Applicant 5 Adelaide White
I am an Egyptian living in San Francisco, the USA. I'm a Christian. I have been a teacher of English and French for 12 years. I am currently an advisor in schools. Besides my master's degree, my post bachelor's degree is in Pupils Personnel Service Credentials. I want to return to my continent.
小題1:According to the passage, for teachers to work in the mentioned secondary school in Nigeria, ________.

A．their salary will be determined by the school.

B．the housing issue is left for further discussion.

C．their religious belief ought to be confirmed.

D．they must have got related qualifications.

小題2:Supposing the school needs an African to teach French, who would be the best choice?

A．Modupe Bvuma.

B．Mwanyimi Bushabu.

C．Rachel Moore.

D．Adelaide White.

小題3: Which of the following can best replace the underlined word “relinquished” in the passage?

A．quit

B．discussed

C．reconsidered

D．shared

小題4:Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．Mwanyimi Bushabu is a Christian and works as a banker in his motherland.

B．It is not probable for Rachel Moore to be employed as a teacher by the school.

C．Adelaide White has 12 years' teaching experience but now is out of work.

D．Freddie Matthews has gained experience in teaching in a university.

閱讀下面短文，掌握其大意，然后從各題所給的四個選項（A、B、C和D）中，選出最佳選項。

BDU       www.chinadaily.com.cn/bdu C  H  I  N  A     D   A   I   L  Y     L  A  U  N  C  H  E  S B  D  U BUSINESS   DAILY     UPDATE Want to keep abreast of (了解…的最新情況) the dynamic pulse (有力的脈搏) of China’s economy? Get a glimpse of the most important business activities taking place here every day                                                             through Business Daily Update, a service offered by China Daily information via the World Wide Web. Placed under 10 categories, over 25 news items appear each day with the top three events highlighted all in English. Business Daily Update is just a few mouse clicks away. Subscribe to BDU for an annual fee of US $240. Email and fax services are also Available upon request. For more information, please contact Business Daily Update: Tel: (010)64941107, (010) 64924488 ext. 2000; Fax: +86-10-64941125 Email: bdu@chinadaily. com. cn;URL:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bdu

小題1:If you get into BDU, you can _____________.

A．know more than what you expect in China

B．get the most important business information in the world

C．get the information of the latest business activities taking place in China

D．get all the information in China Daily

小題2:This ad will be very helpful to ___________.

A．foreign business people	B．foreign travelers
C．Chinese people	D．China Daily reporters

小題3:To get the information from BDU every day, you must ____________.

A．understand Chinese

B．know something about the mouse

C．know how to operate a computer

D．how to use a fax machine

It must be something in the air as every company that possibly can is having a baby contest. Of course, babies are wonderful , and many parents would be the first to agree. Companies really bring in much money.
Walgreens Baby Contest
If you play the new Baby Milestones Challenge Contest by BabyCenter & Walgreens, you could be entered to win $1,000 in Walgreens & Beauty.com Gift Cards and Certificates. You can play the instant win to see if you get a $25 Walgreen’s gift card, but you have to plug in your email address and receive all their sales and other information for the contest.
Kids and Babies
Kids and Babies are accepting entries for May 2012 Free Photo Contest. Baby Photo Gallery with theme albums and age group albums is moved to the new website Cute Baby Gallery. Check KidsandBibs.com for their Baby Photo Contest blog’s latest update. Grand prize is $25,000. The catch: Winners are decided by the visitors coming to the site and voting for their favorite babies, so you have to advertise their site for them.
Parents.com
Perents.com has a website only for their members, but if you are into “baby” photos, it is well worth surfing. You could receive offers on free samples, money- saving coupons (優(yōu)惠券), and chances to win the latest contests.
Avon
Avon is another company that has a baby photo contest this spring. Avon is advertising their newest collection. It is Avon’s only collection for the photos of babies. Babies’ age: newborn to 2 years. Just go to TinyTillia.com and upload your recent baby’s photos. First place Baby will be featured in a Tiny Tillia Storybook and win a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond. The Cuties will win $300 in Tiny Tillia products.
The tip is to run a search engine for all the latest contests going on and start entering them today. You could be lucky and win enough to put “Baby” through college! Have fun!
小題1:In the author’s opinion, holding a baby contest __________.

A．is not reasonable at all

B．is funny and interesting

C．a(chǎn)ttracts parents’ attention

D．can cost a company much money

小題2:If your baby enters for the 2012 Free Photo Contest, you will __________.

A．have to help to advertise their site

B．take your baby to the gallery in May

C．a(chǎn)dvise the visitors to come to the site

D．see the Baby Photo Gallery’s update about Babies’ photos of the contest

小題3:What can we learn from this passage？

A．Free Photo Contest will be held in March, 2012.

B．Avon is a website that will hold a baby photo contest.

C．Parents.com only accepts the photos of its members’ babies.

D．You can upload your one-year-old baby’s photos to TinyTillia.com.

小題4:In the last paragraph, the author advises you to __________.

A．try your best to bring up your baby well

B．enter for all the contests as soon as possible

C．let your kid go to college when he grows up

D．get more information about these contests