2011 TEEN TRIP TO THE LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY
For Teens Currently in 6th to 12th Grades
LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY -- Class # 8389
Saturday, February 12, 2011
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Meet at THE UNDERGROUND (Veteran's Building -- 2203 Central Avenue)
Cost per person: $50 ($60 after January 22, 2011) Includes Lunch, Admission and Transportation
With a 4,000 sq. Ft. day-use lodge, the Leland High Snow Play has a huge supply of tubes to choose from, along with awesome tows (拖车) that will tow you up to the top of the hill! Our varied terrains (地形) have something for everyone, while the lodge provides a snack bar, video games, pool tables, five indoor rest rooms, a warm fire, and a sun deck with plenty of tables and chairs overlooking the play area outside. ADDITIONAL LIABILITY FORM REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP.
Be sure to bring warm clothing and prepare for the cold, but dress in layers in case it warms up. Wear dry boots, socks, and sunscreen. If possible, bring a mobile phone in case of emergency, as well as money for snacks and a light dinner: or bring your own food and drinks.
Meet at The Underground (Veteran's Building -- 2203 Central Avenue) -- don't be late!
Do not bring electronic or fragile items during the trip. The ARPD is not responsible for your personal belongings or money. REFUNDS ARE ISSUED ONLY IF THE ARPD CANCELS THIS TRIP DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Click here to download "2011 Leland High Snow Play" flyers and the registration form (PDF, 261KB)
Click here to download "Leland High Snow Play Liability Form" (PDF, 14KB)
1. You may register in person, or mail the completed form to Leland High Snow Play, Inc.
Send the liability form and payment to the ARPD Office, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, 94501.
2. Faxed registration and liability forms accepted with MasterCard/VISA, (510) 747--7566.
3. Online registrations available at www.arpdeplay.com. Make sure you bring your completed liability form on the trip.
【小题1】The purpose of the text is to ________.

2011 TEEN TRIP TO THE LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY

For Teens Currently in 6th to 12th Grades

LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY -- Class # 8389

Saturday, February 12, 2011

8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Meet at THE UNDERGROUND (Veteran's Building -- 2203 Central Avenue)

Cost per person: $50 ($60 after January 22, 2011) Includes Lunch, Admission and Transportation

With a 4,000 sq. Ft. day-use lodge, the Leland High Snow Play has a huge supply of tubes to choose from, along with awesome tows (拖车) that will tow you up to the top of the hill! Our varied terrains (地形) have something for everyone, while the lodge provides a snack bar, video games, pool tables, five indoor rest rooms, a warm fire, and a sun deck with plenty of tables and chairs overlooking the play area outside. ADDITIONAL LIABILITY FORM REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP.

Be sure to bring warm clothing and prepare for the cold, but dress in layers in case it warms up. Wear dry boots, socks, and sunscreen. If possible, bring a mobile phone in case of emergency, as well as money for snacks and a light dinner: or bring your own food and drinks.

Meet at The Underground (Veteran's Building -- 2203 Central Avenue) -- don't be late!

Do not bring electronic or fragile items during the trip. The ARPD is not responsible for your personal belongings or money. REFUNDS ARE ISSUED ONLY IF THE ARPD CANCELS THIS TRIP DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Click here to download "2011 Leland High Snow Play" flyers and the registration form (PDF, 261KB)

Click here to download "Leland High Snow Play Liability Form" (PDF, 14KB)

1. You may register in person, or mail the completed form to Leland High Snow Play, Inc.

Send the liability form and payment to the ARPD Office, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, 94501.

2. Faxed registration and liability forms accepted with MasterCard/VISA, (510) 747--7566.

3. Online registrations available at www.arpdeplay.com. Make sure you bring your completed liability form on the trip.

1.The purpose of the text is to ________.

A．explain the details of a school activity

B．introduce a famous tour agency

C．urge teenagers to climb a snowy mountain

D．advertise a trip to the Leland High Snow Play

2.People who want to take part in the activity need to ________.

A．pay for dinner themselves                B．climb the hill themselves

C．wear hats to protect themselves from the sun  D．pay for tows individually

3.From the text we can infer that ________.

A．the weather at the hill is changeable

B．the activity is very dangerous

C．12-year-old children are not allowed on the trip

D．the trip will involve outdoor activities only.

4.To save money people should ________.

A．climb the hills instead of taking tows

B．bring extra clothing

C．register for the activity before January 22

D．register on the Internet after January 22

2011 TEEN TRIP TO THE LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY
For Teens Currently in 6th to 12th Grades
LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY -- Class # 8389
Saturday, February 12, 2011
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Meet at THE UNDERGROUND (Veteran's Building -- 2203 Central Avenue)
Cost per person:60 after January 22, 2011) Includes Lunch, Admission and Transportation
With a 4,000 sq. Ft. day-use lodge, the Leland High Snow Play has a huge supply of tubes to choose from, along with awesome tows (拖车) that will tow you up to the top of the hill! Our varied terrains (地形) have something for everyone, while the lodge provides a snack bar, video games, pool tables, five indoor rest rooms, a warm fire, and a sun deck with plenty of tables and chairs overlooking the play area outside. ADDITIONAL LIABILITY FORM REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP.
Be sure to bring warm clothing and prepare for the cold, but dress in layers in case it warms up. Wear dry boots, socks, and sunscreen. If possible, bring a mobile phone in case of emergency, as well as money for snacks and a light dinner: or bring your own food and drinks.
Meet at The Underground (Veteran's Building -- 2203 Central Avenue) -- don't be late!
Do not bring electronic or fragile items during the trip. The ARPD is not responsible for your personal belongings or money. REFUNDS ARE ISSUED ONLY IF THE ARPD CANCELS THIS TRIP DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Click here to download "2011 Leland High Snow Play" flyers and the registration form (PDF, 261KB)
Click here to download "Leland High Snow Play Liability Form" (PDF, 14KB)
1. You may register in person, or mail the completed form to Leland High Snow Play, Inc.
Send the liability form and payment to the ARPD Office, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, 94501.
2. Faxed registration and liability forms accepted with MasterCard/VISA, (510) 747--7566.
3. Online registrations available at www.arpdeplay.com. Make sure you bring your completed liability form on the trip

1. 1.

   The purpose of the text is to ______.

   1. A.
      explain the details of a school activity
   2. B.
      introduce a famous tour agency
   3. C.
      urge teenagers to climb a snowy mountain
   4. D.
      advertise a trip to the Leland High Snow Play
2. 2.

   People who want to take part in the activity need to ______.

   1. A.
      pay for dinner themselves
   2. B.
      climb the hill themselves
   3. C.
      wear hats to protect themselves from the sun
   4. D.
      pay for tows individually
3. 3.

   From the text we can infer that______.

   1. A.
      the weather at the hill is changeable
   2. B.
      the activity is very dangerous
   3. C.
      12-year-old children are not allowed on the trip
   4. D.
      the trip will involve outdoor activities only
4. 4.

   To save money people should ______.

   1. A.
      climb the hills instead of taking tows
   2. B.
      bring extra clothing
   3. C.
      register for the activity before January 22
   4. D.
      register on the Internet after January 22

Alomada Racraotion and Fork Deportment (510)747-7529

2010 TEEN TRIP TO

THE LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY

FOR Teens Currently in 6th to 12th Grades

LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY-Class #8389

Friday, December3, 2010 (Non-Public School Holiday)

8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Cost per person: $50 ($ 60 after January 22,2011)-Includes

Lunch, Admission and Transportation

With a 4,000 sq. ft. day use lodge, the Leland High Snow Play has a huge

supply of tubes to choose from, along with awesome tows(拖车) that will

tow you up to the top of the hill! Our varied terrains(地形) have something

for everyone, while the lodge provides a snack bar, video games, pool tables,

five indoor restrooms, a warm fire, and a sun deck with plenty of tables and

chairs over looking the play area outside.

ADDTTIONAL LIABILTTY FORM REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP.

Be sure to bring warm clothing and prepare for the cold, but dress in layers in case it warms up. Wear dry boots, socks, and sunscreen. If possible, bring a mobile phone in case of emergency, as well as money for snacks and a light dinner; or bring your own food and drinks. Meet at The Underground (Veteran’s Building-2203 Central Avenue) – don’t be late!

Do not bring electronic or fragile items during the trip. The ARPD is not responsible for your personal belongings or money. REFUNDS ARE ISSUED ONLY IF THE ARPD CANCELS THIS TRIP DUE TO WEATHER CONDTTIONS.

Click here to download registration form and “Leland High Sierra Snowplay Liability Form.”

◆Register in person, or mail the completed form to Leland High Sierra Snow Play, Inc. Send the liability form and payment to the ARPD Office, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda.

◆Faxed registration and liability form accepted with VISA, (510)747-7566.

◆Online registrations available at www.arpdeplay. com. Make sure you bring your completed liability form on the trip.

The purpose of the passage is to                .

       A．explain the details of a school activity

       B．introduce a famous tour agency

       C．urge teenagers to climb a snowy mountain

       D．advertise a trip to the Leland High Snow Play

People who want to take part in the activity need to              .

       A．pay for dinner themselves

       B．climb the hill themselves

       C．wear hats to protect themselves from the sun

       D．pay for tows individually

From the passage it can be inferred that         .

       A．the weather at the hills is changeable

       B．the activity is very dangerous

       C．12-year-old children are not allowed on the trip

       D．the trip will involve outdoor activities only

Among the following items, what do the participants have to take?

       A．Their filled -in liability forms.

       B．ID cards and a small amount of cash.

       C．Their agreements with the tour agency.

       D．Their registration forms downloaded from the Internet.

Alomada Racraotion and Fork Deportment (510)747-7529
2010 TEEN TRIP TO
THE LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY
FOR Teens Currently in 6th to 12th Grades
LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY-Class #8389
Friday, December3, 2010 (Non-Public School Holiday)
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Cost per person: $50 ($ 60 after January 22,2011)-Includes
Lunch, Admission and Transportation
With a 4,000 sq. ft. day use lodge, the Leland High Snow Play has a huge
supply of tubes to choose from, along with awesome tows(拖车) that will
tow you up to the top of the hill! Our varied terrains(地形) have something
for everyone, while the lodge provides a snack bar, video games, pool tables,
five indoor restrooms, a warm fire, and a sun deck with plenty of tables and
chairs over looking the play area outside.
ADDTTIONAL LIABILTTY FORM REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP.
Be sure to bring warm clothing and prepare for the cold, but dress in layers in case it warms up. Wear dry boots, socks, and sunscreen. If possible, bring a mobile phone in case of emergency, as well as money for snacks and a light dinner; or bring your own food and drinks. Meet at The Underground (Veteran’s Building-2203 Central Avenue) – don’t be late!
Do not bring electronic or fragile items during the trip. The ARPD is not responsible for your personal belongings or money. REFUNDS ARE ISSUED ONLY IF THE ARPD CANCELS THIS TRIP DUE TO WEATHER CONDTTIONS.
Click here to download registration form and “Leland High Sierra Snowplay Liability Form.”
◆Register in person, or mail the completed form to Leland High Sierra Snow Play, Inc. Send the liability form and payment to the ARPD Office, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda.
◆Faxed registration and liability form accepted with VISA, (510)747-7566.
◆Online registrations available at www.arpdeplay. com. Make sure you bring your completed liability form on the trip.
【小题1】The purpose of the passage is to               .

Alomada Racraotion and Fork Deportment (510)747-7529

2010 TEEN TRIP TO

THE LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY

FOR Teens Currently in 6th to 12th Grades

LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY-Class #8389

Friday, December3, 2010 (Non-Public School Holiday)

8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Cost per person: $50 ($ 60 after January 22,2011)-Includes

Lunch, Admission and Transportation

With a 4,000 sq. ft. day use lodge, the Leland High Snow Play has a huge

supply of tubes to choose from, along with awesome tows(拖车) that will

tow you up to the top of the hill! Our varied terrains(地形) have something

for everyone, while the lodge provides a snack bar, video games, pool tables,

five indoor restrooms, a warm fire, and a sun deck with plenty of tables and

chairs over looking the play area outside.

ADDTTIONAL LIABILTTY FORM REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP.

Be sure to bring warm clothing and prepare for the cold, but dress in layers in case it warms up. Wear dry boots, socks, and sunscreen. If possible, bring a mobile phone in case of emergency, as well as money for snacks and a light dinner; or bring your own food and drinks. Meet at The Underground (Veteran’s Building-2203 Central Avenue) – don’t be late!

Do not bring electronic or fragile items during the trip. The ARPD is not responsible for your personal belongings or money. REFUNDS ARE ISSUED ONLY IF THE ARPD CANCELS THIS TRIP DUE TO WEATHER CONDTTIONS.

Click here to download registration form and “Leland High Sierra Snowplay Liability Form.”

◆Register in person, or mail the completed form to Leland High Sierra Snow Play, Inc. Send the liability form and payment to the ARPD Office, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda.

◆Faxed registration and liability form accepted with VISA, (510)747-7566.

◆Online registrations available at www.arpdeplay. com. Make sure you bring your completed liability form on the trip.

1.The purpose of the passage is to                .

         A．explain the details of a school activity

         B．introduce a famous tour agency

         C．urge teenagers to climb a snowy mountain

         D．advertise a trip to the Leland High Snow Play

2.People who want to take part in the activity need to              .

         A．pay for dinner themselves

         B．climb the hill themselves

         C．wear hats to protect themselves from the sun

         D．pay for tows individually

3.From the passage it can be inferred that         .

         A．the weather at the hills is changeable

         B．the activity is very dangerous

         C．12-year-old children are not allowed on the trip

         D．the trip will involve outdoor activities only

4.Among the following items, what do the participants have to take?

         A．Their filled -in liability forms.

         B．ID cards and a small amount of cash.

         C．Their agreements with the tour agency.

         D．Their registration forms downloaded from the Internet.

A 8.2-magnitude（震级）earthquake struck off the coast of northern Chile late on Tuesday, cutting power and leading to small landslides and a tsunami (海啸). Four men and one woman died —two who suffered heart attacks and three who were crushed（压死). About 300 prisoners escaped from the northern port city of Iquique in the immediate aftershock (余震).

The quake struck at about 8:46 p.m. local time, some 60 miles northwest of Iquique. It had a depth of 12.5 miles. Chile’s National Emergency Office asked coastal residents to leave for safe places. “The fact is, we will know the extent of the damage as time goes by and when we inspect the areas in the light of day,” Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet said early on Wednesday. “The country has faced these first emergency hours very well.”

Residents in the port city of Antofagasta walked calmly through the streets to higher ground as traffic became heavy in some places. “Many people are fearful after experiencing the powerful earthquake in 2010, so they immediately rushed to higher ground when they heard the tsunami warning,” said a government official.”There have been lots of aftershocks and communications have been cut off in many of the affected areas. So people are waiting in the dark hills, not knowing what is to come, and hoping they will be able to return to their homes safely.”

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center sent our several tsunami warnings, but called off all of them by early Wednesday.

Tsunami waves of more than six feet caused by the earthquake washed ashore on the coast of Pisagua. Iquique, with a population of more than 200,000, saw seven-foot waves.

1.The earthquake resulted in _____.

A. 300 prisoners being trapped

B. five people being crushed

C. many cars being damaged

D. some other natural disasters happening

2.How did the whole country respond to the earthquake when it happened?

A. They were so fearful that they were in a panic.

B. They went into the streets immediately.

C. They acted very calmly.

D. They drove to higher ground after hearing the warning.

3.What difficulty did people in the hills face?

A. The weather was terrible.

B. The communications were cut off.

C. They got lost in the hills.

D. Their houses were destroyed.

4.Which of the following statements is NOT true, according to the passage?

A. The government had estimated（估计）the damage of the earthquake by early Wednesday.

B. The tsunami waves in Pisagua were more than six feet high.

C. Several tsunami warnings had been called off by early Wednesday.

D. The earthquake happened in the evening and it had a depth of 12.5 miles.

5.What is the best title for the passage?

A. Chile Deals with Emergency Well.

B. Tsunamis Caused by Aftershocks in Chile.

C. A Powerful Earthquake Strikes off the Coast of Chile.

D. Tsunami Warnings Work Well in Chile..

Great Britain

“Great Britain” has several different names. Some people say “Britain”, or “the United Kingdom”, or just “UK”. There are four different countries in the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Everyone from Britain is British, but only people from England are English. People from Scotland are Scottish, people from Wales are Welsh, and people from Northern Ireland are Irish. Don't call a Scottish or Welsh person English. He won’t like it!
Altogether more than 56 million people live in Britain, many of them in big industrial cities like London, Liverpool and Manchester, but people are often surprised by how much of Britain is open country, with lovely hills and woods, quiet rivers, lakes and farmlands.
Everyone in Britain speaks English. But in some parts of Scotland and Wales people speak an older language as well. The Welsh are especially proud of their language, and you can see road signs in Welsh all over Wales.
Everyone speaks English, but they do not all speak it in the same way. A Scottish person has to listen carefully if he wants to understand a Londoner. And when a Welsh person speaks, everyone knows at once where he comes from!
Many people think that the weather is cold and wet in Britain all the year round. But it isn't! True, it sometimes rains and even snows for days and days, but every year there are weeks of beautiful sunny weather when the British put on their bikinis and go out to sunbathe.
Britain is only a small country, but every part is different. Scotland is a land of mountains, lakes and romantic castles. The winters are cold, with plenty of snow, but the summers are often warm and sunny. Most farmers keep sheep, and there are many small factories which make fine sweaters from their wool. In some parts of Scotland, there are very few people. Deer live in the hills, and the rivers are full of fish. But Glasgow and Edinburgh are both large and busy, with all that is good (and bad) in modern cities.
Northern Ireland has its problems, but it has beauty too. In the warm, wet climate, the grass grows a brilliant green, and much of the land is farming country. Belfast is a large industrial city with many fine buildings and a big port from which ships come and go to Scotland and England. But Belfast has had many difficult years, and it is not the busy place it once was.
In the north of England there are many old industrial towns. Now, a great number of factories have closed and thousands of people have no work. Some have moved to the new towns, built in the 1960s and 1970s, where the industries are more modern. Outside the towns, much of this part of England is beautiful countryside, with green hills, lakes and sandy beaches. Fishing is an important industry in the North East, and every night (except Sunday) the fishing boats go out to sea.
The centre of England (the “Midlands”) is also an important industrial area, especially near the huge cities of Coventry and Birmingham, the centre of the car industry. But everywhere, even in the heart of a modern city, there are buildings from an older Britain — cathedrals, castles, and houses built hundreds of years ago.
Wales is a special place, a country of high mountains and pretty valleys. But Wales has plenty of industry too, with many factories and coal mines. The people of Wales are very musical. Every year they have a festival of Welsh music and poetry called an “Eisteddfod”.
The west of England is rich farming country. It produces milk, cream, butter, cheese and apples, which go to make cider, a popular drink. In the villages, country people often grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Some areas of Britain are very crowded. Around Manchester, in northwest England, and Glasgow, in Scotland, are large city areas of houses and factories. The southeast of England, too, has many towns and cities, including London, the giant capital. But quite near London there are still some quiet villages and peaceful farms.
Britain is an island, of course, and you are never far from the sea. Some of the coast, especially in the west, is wild and rocky, with small, sandy beaches, and romantic old harbours. Other parts are industrial. The east coast of Scotland, for example, is busy with oilrigs and fishing boats. The most popular beaches are near the many holiday towns on the south coast, where the weather is usually warmer. It is here that Londoners come to relax.
London London has been a capital city for nearly a thousand years, and many of its ancient buildings still stand. The most famous of these are the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral, but most visitors also want to see the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace (the Queen's London home) and the many magnificent museums.
Once, London was a small Roman town on the north bank of the Thames, but slowly it grew into one of the world's major cities with more than nine million people. Fewer people live in the centre now, but the suburbs are still growing.
Places now in the heart of London, like Westminster, once stood in the middle of green fields. Many small villages, like Hampstead, Chelsea and Mayfair, became part of London, but they still keep some of their old atmosphere. Different areas of London seem like different cities. The West End is a rich man's world of shops, offices and theatres. The East End is the old working people's district, where there are many small flats and houses, some old, some new.
London is always changing. New buildings go up and old ones come down. Poorer areas become fashionable and people with more money move into them.
A hundred years ago, the river was crowded with ships, leaving for Java and Japan, New Zealand and New York, but now the port is nearly empty. People travel by air, and London's main airport, Heathrow, is one of the busiest in the world.
Like all big cities, London has streets and concrete buildings, but it also has many big parks, full of trees, flowers and grass. Sit on the grass (you're allowed to!) in the middle of Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens, and you will think that you are in the country miles away.
Many people live outside the centre of London in the suburbs, and they travel to work by train, bus or underground. Every day, nearly half a million office workers travel into the “City”, the business centre of London, a small area full of banks and offices. Some people come from far out of London, even from the coast, and spend up to four hours travelling every day.
Working hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From 8 until 10 every morning, and 4.30 to 6.30 every evening, the trains are crowded with people, and after the morning “rush hour” the shoppers come.
By day the whole of London is busy. At night, the City is quiet and empty, but the West End stays alive, because this is where Londoners come to enjoy themselves. There are two opera houses here, several concert halls and many theatres, as well as cinemas, and the pubs, restaurants and night clubs are busy half the night.
Many people think that London is all grey, but in fact red is London's favorite colour. The buses are red, the letter boxes are red, and the mail vans are all bright, bright red. London is at its best when people are celebrating. Then the flags, the soldiers' uniforms, the cheering crowds and the carriages and horses all sparkle in the sunshine —if it's not raining, of course! 
Edinburgh Edinburgh is Scotland's capital, and one of the most beautiful cities in Britain. The heart of Edinburgh is the thousand-year-old castle, where the kings of Scotland lived for centuries.
From Edinburgh castle you can see for miles, north over the beautiful old streets, an arm of the sea that pushes inland. Far away are the mountains of central Scotland, often covered with snow.
Edinburgh has a busy cultural life. Every year, in September the International Festival takes place. Musicians, actors and singers come from all over the world and thousands of visitors fill the city. In the evening, the opera house, the theatres and the concert halls are full. In cafes and pubs, small groups sing, act and read poetry.
The castle is at its best in festival time. Every night there is a magnificent military “Tattoo”. Highland soldiers wearing “kilts” play the bagpipes, and march to the music.
Tartans, the patterns of the kilts, have an interesting history. Since the fifteenth century, each Scottish family has worn its own tartan as a kind of badge. It was a useful way of recognizing people, especially in times of war. Many tartans date only from the nineteenth century, but some of the old patterns still exist. “Dress” tartans, worn on special occasions, have light, bright colours. ”Hunting” tartans are usually green, blue or brown.
Oxford What is so special about Oxford and Cambridge, the two oldest universities in England? Why do so many students want to study there?
Both of these university towns are very beautiful. They have some of the finest architecture in Britain. Some of their colleges and libraries are three, four and even five hundred years old, and are full of valuable books and precious paintings. Both towns have many lovely gardens, where the students can read and relax in the summer months.
Oxford is the older university of the two. The first of its colleges was founded in 1249. The university now has thirty-four colleges and about twelve thousand students, many of them from other countries. There were no women students at Oxford until 1878, when the first women's college, Lady Margaret Hall, opened. Now, women study at most colleges.
Oxford is, of course, famous for its first class education as well as its beautiful buildings. Some of the most intelligent men and women in the country live and work here. Oxford gives them what they need: a quiet atmosphere, friendly colleagues, and the four-hundred-year-old Bodleian library, which has about five million books.
It is not easy to get a place at Oxford University to study for a degree. But outside the university there are many smaller private colleges which offer less difficult courses and where it is easy to enroll. Most students in these private schools take business, secretarial or English language courses.
【小题1】Providing that you want to visit a most beautiful city and see “kilts” worn by men, you are supposed to go to ________.

Great Britain

“Great Britain” has several different names. Some people say “Britain”, or “the United Kingdom”, or just “UK”. There are four different countries in the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Everyone from Britain is British, but only people from England are English. People from Scotland are Scottish, people from Wales are Welsh, and people from Northern Ireland are Irish. Don't call a Scottish or Welsh person English. He won’t like it!
Altogether more than 56 million people live in Britain, many of them in big industrial cities like London, Liverpool and Manchester, but people are often surprised by how much of Britain is open country, with lovely hills and woods, quiet rivers, lakes and farmlands.
Everyone in Britain speaks English. But in some parts of Scotland and Wales people speak an older language as well. The Welsh are especially proud of their language, and you can see road signs in Welsh all over Wales.
Everyone speaks English, but they do not all speak it in the same way. A Scottish person has to listen carefully if he wants to understand a Londoner. And when a Welsh person speaks, everyone knows at once where he comes from!
Many people think that the weather is cold and wet in Britain all the year round. But it isn't! True, it sometimes rains and even snows for days and days, but every year there are weeks of beautiful sunny weather when the British put on their bikinis and go out to sunbathe.
Britain is only a small country, but every part is different. Scotland is a land of mountains, lakes and romantic castles. The winters are cold, with plenty of snow, but the summers are often warm and sunny. Most farmers keep sheep, and there are many small factories which make fine sweaters from their wool. In some parts of Scotland, there are very few people. Deer live in the hills, and the rivers are full of fish. But Glasgow and Edinburgh are both large and busy, with all that is good (and bad) in modern cities.
Northern Ireland has its problems, but it has beauty too. In the warm, wet climate, the grass grows a brilliant green, and much of the land is farming country. Belfast is a large industrial city with many fine buildings and a big port from which ships come and go to Scotland and England. But Belfast has had many difficult years, and it is not the busy place it once was.
In the north of England there are many old industrial towns. Now, a great number of factories have closed and thousands of people have no work. Some have moved to the new towns, built in the 1960s and 1970s, where the industries are more modern. Outside the towns, much of this part of England is beautiful countryside, with green hills, lakes and sandy beaches. Fishing is an important industry in the North East, and every night (except Sunday) the fishing boats go out to sea.
The centre of England (the “Midlands”) is also an important industrial area, especially near the huge cities of Coventry and Birmingham, the centre of the car industry. But everywhere, even in the heart of a modern city, there are buildings from an older Britain — cathedrals, castles, and houses built hundreds of years ago.
Wales is a special place, a country of high mountains and pretty valleys. But Wales has plenty of industry too, with many factories and coal mines. The people of Wales are very musical. Every year they have a festival of Welsh music and poetry called an “Eisteddfod”.
The west of England is rich farming country. It produces milk, cream, butter, cheese and apples, which go to make cider, a popular drink. In the villages, country people often grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Some areas of Britain are very crowded. Around Manchester, in northwest England, and Glasgow, in Scotland, are large city areas of houses and factories. The southeast of England, too, has many towns and cities, including London, the giant capital. But quite near London there are still some quiet villages and peaceful farms.
Britain is an island, of course, and you are never far from the sea. Some of the coast, especially in the west, is wild and rocky, with small, sandy beaches, and romantic old harbours. Other parts are industrial. The east coast of Scotland, for example, is busy with oilrigs and fishing boats. The most popular beaches are near the many holiday towns on the south coast, where the weather is usually warmer. It is here that Londoners come to relax.
London London has been a capital city for nearly a thousand years, and many of its ancient buildings still stand. The most famous of these are the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral, but most visitors also want to see the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace (the Queen's London home) and the many magnificent museums.
Once, London was a small Roman town on the north bank of the Thames, but slowly it grew into one of the world's major cities with more than nine million people. Fewer people live in the centre now, but the suburbs are still growing.
Places now in the heart of London, like Westminster, once stood in the middle of green fields. Many small villages, like Hampstead, Chelsea and Mayfair, became part of London, but they still keep some of their old atmosphere. Different areas of London seem like different cities. The West End is a rich man's world of shops, offices and theatres. The East End is the old working people's district, where there are many small flats and houses, some old, some new.
London is always changing. New buildings go up and old ones come down. Poorer areas become fashionable and people with more money move into them.
A hundred years ago, the river was crowded with ships, leaving for Java and Japan, New Zealand and New York, but now the port is nearly empty. People travel by air, and London's main airport, Heathrow, is one of the busiest in the world.
Like all big cities, London has streets and concrete buildings, but it also has many big parks, full of trees, flowers and grass. Sit on the grass (you're allowed to!) in the middle of Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens, and you will think that you are in the country miles away.
Many people live outside the centre of London in the suburbs, and they travel to work by train, bus or underground. Every day, nearly half a million office workers travel into the “City”, the business centre of London, a small area full of banks and offices. Some people come from far out of London, even from the coast, and spend up to four hours travelling every day.
Working hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From 8 until 10 every morning, and 4.30 to 6.30 every evening, the trains are crowded with people, and after the morning “rush hour” the shoppers come.
By day the whole of London is busy. At night, the City is quiet and empty, but the West End stays alive, because this is where Londoners come to enjoy themselves. There are two opera houses here, several concert halls and many theatres, as well as cinemas, and the pubs, restaurants and night clubs are busy half the night.
Many people think that London is all grey, but in fact red is London's favorite colour. The buses are red, the letter boxes are red, and the mail vans are all bright, bright red. London is at its best when people are celebrating. Then the flags, the soldiers' uniforms, the cheering crowds and the carriages and horses all sparkle in the sunshine —if it's not raining, of course! 
Edinburgh Edinburgh is Scotland's capital, and one of the most beautiful cities in Britain. The heart of Edinburgh is the thousand-year-old castle, where the kings of Scotland lived for centuries.
From Edinburgh castle you can see for miles, north over the beautiful old streets, an arm of the sea that pushes inland. Far away are the mountains of central Scotland, often covered with snow.
Edinburgh has a busy cultural life. Every year, in September the International Festival takes place. Musicians, actors and singers come from all over the world and thousands of visitors fill the city. In the evening, the opera house, the theatres and the concert halls are full. In cafes and pubs, small groups sing, act and read poetry.
The castle is at its best in festival time. Every night there is a magnificent military “Tattoo”. Highland soldiers wearing “kilts” play the bagpipes, and march to the music.
Tartans, the patterns of the kilts, have an interesting history. Since the fifteenth century, each Scottish family has worn its own tartan as a kind of badge. It was a useful way of recognizing people, especially in times of war. Many tartans date only from the nineteenth century, but some of the old patterns still exist. “Dress” tartans, worn on special occasions, have light, bright colours. ”Hunting” tartans are usually green, blue or brown.
Oxford What is so special about Oxford and Cambridge, the two oldest universities in England? Why do so many students want to study there?
Both of these university towns are very beautiful. They have some of the finest architecture in Britain. Some of their colleges and libraries are three, four and even five hundred years old, and are full of valuable books and precious paintings. Both towns have many lovely gardens, where the students can read and relax in the summer months.
Oxford is the older university of the two. The first of its colleges was founded in 1249. The university now has thirty-four colleges and about twelve thousand students, many of them from other countries. There were no women students at Oxford until 1878, when the first women's college, Lady Margaret Hall, opened. Now, women study at most colleges.
Oxford is, of course, famous for its first class education as well as its beautiful buildings. Some of the most intelligent men and women in the country live and work here. Oxford gives them what they need: a quiet atmosphere, friendly colleagues, and the four-hundred-year-old Bodleian library, which has about five million books.
It is not easy to get a place at Oxford University to study for a degree. But outside the university there are many smaller private colleges which offer less difficult courses and where it is easy to enroll. Most students in these private schools take business, secretarial or English language courses

1. 1.

   Providing that you want to visit a most beautiful city and see “kilts” worn by men, you are supposed to go to ________

   1. A.
      Edinburgh
   2. B.
      London
   3. C.
      Manchester
   4. D.
      Birmingham
2. 2.

   Oxford is one of the oldest universities in Britain, which is special because ________

   1. A.
      it has a big and modern library
   2. B.
      it has a quiet and friendly atmosphere
   3. C.
      tremendous of the most intelligent people in the country live and work there
   4. D.
      all of the above