【推荐2】Anyone who has children has likely heard "I'm bored!" too many times. When you're on a budget, it can be tough to think of ways to entertain the family that don't cost a lot of money.     1    

Head to the library, and not just check out books. Look at the library's community events calendar. Most libraries have everything from story times for children to game nights for teens.     2    

Camp in a national forest or build a sandcastle. A lot of the sites are free to use, though they do lack facilities.     3     If there's no beach nearby, do the same in the sandbox at a playground.

    4     Most cities have at least one local community center.There, you can pick up a park and recreation schedule, with information on free events taking place throughout the year, such as hikes,holiday parties, art festivals, outdoor movies and concerts in the park.

Tour the fire station. Most fire fighters will give you and your kids a free tour,as long as you call and schedule ahead of time.     5     For safety reasons, fire stations do not generally accommodate children under the age of four.

Check out a state park. Stop by the ranger station and ask about free programmes for kids, such as nature walks and hands-on science classes. Some parks have junior ranger badges(徽章)children can earn by completing conservation related activities.

A．Visit the local community center.

B．Go to the beach and build a sandcastle.

C．The time when children visit is very important.

D．Spend more time finding much free information.

E．Kids can learn about fire safety and tour the facilities.

F．Many libraries also have enrichment classes offered free of charge.

G．Fortunately, there are many options available to you if you know where to look.

【推荐3】Michigan youth summer camps focus on different ideas and experiences, but all include plenty of time spent outdoors in Michigan’s beautiful countryside.

Summer Discovery

This summer camp offers up both academic(学术的) and social activities to help with that transition(过渡) from high school to college The classes are small during these two-week and five-week sessions(课程). It’s open to students from 14 to 18 years old. Prices are from $4,800 to around $8,800. This camp made the top 50 list for best pre-college camps.

The Road Less Traveled

This camp offers wilderness adventure(冒险), and community service with activities like backpacking, environmental studies, and wilderness medicine. The sessions last from 10 to 25 days and the camp is open to ages 12 through 19.Costs are from $2,250 to over $6,000.

Cedar Lodge

This family-run camp offers general outdoor activities and also has a wonderful horseback riding program. This camp is good at helping kids learn riding and other skills. The camp is open to kids from eight to 16 years old. Camp prices are from $200 to $700 per week.

Michigan Tech Youth Programs

Over 70 courses help pre-teens and teens learn about different fields through hands-on, classroom, and in-the-field experiences. The classes are offered weekly, and if students want to attend several weeks, they can also have a “stay-over”. It costs $950 per week for students who stay there and $525 for students who don’t. Courses include writing, photography, robotics, engineering, outdoor adventures, and many more.

1. How much may a teenage boy spend if he wants to attend a pre-college camp?

A．$4,800.

B．$2,250.

C．$950.

D．$700.

2. Which of the following camps teaches campers horseback riding?

A．Michigan Tech Youth Programs.	B．The Road Less Traveled.
C．Summer Discovery.	D．Cedar Lodge.

3. What do we know about Michigan Tech Youth Programs?

A．They have a fixed price.

B．They offer monthly classes.

C．They provide many kinds of family activities.

D．They help to get experiences in different fields.

【推荐1】Best Toys for Kids

From wooden blocks to electronic games, the best toys for kids make their young users think and dream while building useful skills. Of course，they’re also tons of fun!

1. Educational Toys

Many of the best toys for kids combine learning and fun. The GeoSafari Talking Globe provides interactive geography games in a fun electronic format(格式). It was named to Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys List in 2006. Professor Noggin’s History of the United States is a fun and informative card game that made FamilyFun. com’s Toy of the Year list.

2. Pretend Play

Kids love to pretend, and the best toys for kids can spark their imaginations and lead to hours of fun. The Real Projects Workshop was a grand prize winner in the 2006 FamilyFun. com Toy of the Year Awards. With this pretend workshop kids can play with realistic tools while building projects out of foam “wood”. Dora’s Talking Kitchen won “Girl Toy of the Year” in the 2006 Toy Industry Association Toy of the Year Awards.

3. Stuffed Animals

Every kid needs a cuddly (可抱的) friend. Kids may ask for stuffed animals based on popular television and movie characters, but teddy bears, stuffed dogs, and other plush figures that haven’t appeared on-screen will have long-lasting appeal. For a unique twist on stuffed animals, the Lil’ Luvables Fluffy Factory lets kids stuff their own teddy bears. It was a Toy of the Year grand prize winner at FamilyFun. com.

4. Games

Games promote cooperation while encouraging everything from memory skills to exercise. Hullabaloo, from the makers of Cranium, won “Best Game” honors in the 2006 Toy Industry Association Toy of the Year Awards. The game gets kids moving and laughing as they follow instructions from the game’s audio console.

1. How can kids benefit from educational toys?

A．They can improve their studies.

B．They can enjoy geography games.

C．They can be active in doing homework.

D．They can gain knowledge while playing.

2. What prize did Dora’s Talking Kitchen win?

A．Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys List in 2006.	B．Girl Toy of the Year.
C．Toy of the Year.	D．Best Game.

3. Which toys can develop kids’ team spirit?

A．Educational Toys.	B．Pretend Play.
C．Games.	D．Stuffed Animals.

【推荐2】The Outdoor Centre

Opening times

Water sports: 9 a. m.—5 p. m.

Play Park: 10a.m. — 4 p. m.

Entrance/Car park fees

Low season: Weekdays £2.00 per car

Weekends £3.00 per car

High season: 23 July — 11 September

Weekdays and weekends £3. 00 per car

One-day adventure (冒险) course

This is a chance you have been waiting for. Come and try sailing, climbing and surfing(冲浪). This course is trying to introduce outdoor activities to adults in a fun way. You do not need to be very fit or to have had experience of the activities. All you need is to be interested.

Play Park

The Play Park is suitable for children from 2 to 10 years of age. It is one of the best of its type in the country. It has sand and water play, large ball pool, play castle and much, much more.

Group day and weekend courses

We also offer day and long weekend courses for groups. We receive regular visits from schools and colleges. There are three large rooms with twelve beds in each, which can be booked beforehand for groups of up to 36 people (12 at least).

Summer adventure holiday (for 8 —14 years of age)

Safety is of great importance at the Outdoor Centre. All our workers are fully trained in first aid (急救), and able to teach the activities on offer. We also make certain that all children only take part in activities that are suitable for their age and physical abilities. For this programme children must be able to swim 25 metres and be in good physical health.

1. How much should a family driving two cars pay when entering the centre in August?

A．£2.00.	B．£3.00.
C．£4.00.	D．£6. 00.

2. Which of the following is suitable for a group of ten children aged 6 to 8?

A．Play Park.	B．One-day adventure course.
C．Summer adventure holiday.	D．Group day and weekend courses.

3. Which of the following can be visited by college students reguarly?

A．Play Park.	B．One-day adventure course.
C．Summer adventure holiday.	D．Group day and weekend courses.

【推荐3】Four Underwater Cities You Must Visit

Dwarka-India

Dwarka is located 70 feet under the sea near the inhabited island of Bet Dwarka. It was built sometime between 9, 000 and 12, 000 years ago and those fortunate enough to visit can witness a diverse variety of buildings in addition to a seaport and protective walls made of sandstone. Furthermore, large stone anchors indicate that overseas trade took place in Dwarka during the Age of Antiquity all the way through medieval times.

Pavlopetri-Greece

Pavlopetri was founded around 5, 000 years ago, making it one of the oldest underwater lost cities in the world. Since it was rediscovered in 1967, archeologists and tourists alike have been fascinated by the well-preserved handicrafts. What makes Pavlopetri stick out is that it has a nearly-complete town plan, including at least 15 buildings. There is also evidence that it was once a major producer of textiles, with some of the equipment still complete!

Antirhodos-Egypt

This ancient underwater island was rediscovered in 1996 near the Alexandria harbor. In addition to being the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World that had been presumed(推测)lost forever, explorers can find a marble-floored 3rd century B. C. palace. The best thing is that the island is only a few meters under the water, which makes it easy to explore even for new divers!

Atlit-Yam-Israel

This underwater site was discovered in 1984 off the coast of Atlit near Haifa, and is estimated to have been settled between 6, 900 and 6, 300 B. C. This location offers the clearest evidence of where humans made the transition(过渡)from hunter-gatherers to settled farmers. Dive insurance is required, so make sure you are covered when you plan your trip.

1. What can we learn about Dwarka?

A．It has a historical palace.	B．It has various ancient buildings.
C．It has a completely preserved town.	D．It has the clearest evidence of hunters gathered.

2. Which place is easily accessible to divers?

A．Dwarka.

B．Pavlopetri.

C．Antirhodos.

D．Atlit-Yam.

3. What do visitors need to do before visiting Atlit-Yam?

A．Book the trip online.	B．Buy dive insurance.
C．Take a map and a compass.	D．Learn about the history of fanning.