1 . Global Essay Competition

The John Locke Institute encourages young people to develop the characteristics that turn good students into great writers. Our Essay Competition invites students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions beyond the limits of the school curriculum (课程).

All of our essay prizes are judged by senior academics from the University of Oxford. The judges will choose their favourite essay from each subject category and an overall “best essay” across six subjects: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology and Law.

Entry Requirements

Entry is open to students from any country. Candidates must be eighteen years old, or younger, on the date of the submission deadline, 30 June. Candidates for the Junior Prize must be fourteen years old, or younger, on the date of the submission deadline. Each essay should address only one of the questions in your chosen subject category, and must not exceed (超过) 2, 000 words.

Key Dates

30 June: Submission deadline

14 July: Short-listed candidates informed

26 August: Awards Dinner for the Junior Prize

2. September: Awards Dinner for the Economics Prize and other prizes

Prizes

There is a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category, and the winner of the Junior category, is a scholarship worth US $2,000 towards the cost of attending any John Locke Institute programme, and the essays will be published on the Institute’s website. The prize-giving ceremony will take place in Oxford.

The candidate who submits the best essay overall will be awarded an honorary John Locke Institute Junior, Fellowship, which comes with a US $10, 000 scholarship to attend one or more of our summer schools.

1. What should the entry be about?

A．The limits of school courses.	B．The characteristics of great writers.
C．One of the given questions.	D．Anything in the chosen fields.

2. What is NOT true about the competition?

A．It sets a word limit on essays.

B．It has six subject categories.

C．Its prizes are judged by voting online.

D．It is open to any student regardless of his or her nationality.

3. Those who want to compete for the Junior Prize should not be over _________years old.

A．10

B．14

C．18

D．20

4. When will the Law Prize winner attend the awards dinner?

A．On 30 June.	B．On 14 July.
C．On 26 August.	D．On 2 September.

5. What will the overall best essay candidate receive?

A．A fellowship at Oxford University.	B．A summer school scholarship.
C．A chance to get published.	D．A US $1, 000 award.

2 . Natural disasters can cause environmental changes. How will cities use technology to maintain (维持) power during natural disasters in the future? Some smart middle school students are already thinking about this question.

Teams of students from around the world explained their ideas on this topic at the Future City competition, which recently took place in Washington, DC. Students from Justice Page Middle School in Minneapolis, US, were on one of the teams.

Instead of using popular technologies like flying cars and AI, the students from Justice Page Middle School took a more simple approach to the topic. They spent weeks developing their ideas and building a model to show them. They chose the city of Maui in Hawaii as the setting for their project. They chose this city because several different kinds of natural disasters had happened there in the past.

In their project, they covered roofs in the city with solar panels (太阳能电池板), which can produce and store power. When a power failure happens, the stored power can be sent to different neighborhoods.

The students brought their model to life with 3D printing technology. They printed the parts they needed. To make the model more real, they made a base out of wood and grass. The model has lights and even a small train that travels back and forth.

The team did not win the competition, but the experience was valuable. One competitor of the team, Ryan Rowell, 13, said he thought it was cool to think about things that he hadn’t considered before. He also saw how other teams advertise their models and interesting ideas. He said he wanted to keep learning about engineering.

1. Which word can be used to describe the competition?

A．National.

B．Unfair.

C．Meaningless.

D．Technological.

2. The underlined word “approach” in Para 3 can be replaced by “________”.

A．model

B．way

C．service

D．task

3. Paragraph 4 is written to ________.

A．explain how a power failure happens	B．show how the students’ project works
C．list the ideas that the students used	D．explain why the students’ model succeeds

4. What do we know about the team from Justice Page Middle School?

A．They won the competition in the end.

B．They made great efforts for their project.

C．They chose Minneapolis as the setting for their project.

D．They wanted to use popular technologies in the competition.

5. What do we know about Ryan Rowell?

A．He learned a lot in the competition.	B．He was a teacher in Justice Page Middle School.
C．He thought advertising his team’s idea was hard.	D．He was disappointed at losing the competition.

3 . 阅读短文，按照题目要求用英语回答问题。

Gary McKee ran 365 marathons in as many days to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

Gary McKee, 53, from Cleator Moor in Cumbria raised his arms in victory and was cheered by a crowd of supporters as he completed his 365th marathon of the year on New Year’s Eve. As of 4 pm on Saturday, he had raised more than £ 890,000 for the charities Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria, just shy of (缺少) his £1 million fundraising target. The father of three has gone through 22 pairs of sports shoes and has run 9,563 miles in rain, snow and sunshine to raise money for the charities.

“The support has been amazing and it always is and the West Cumbrians get behind us, but cancer affects everybody so it isn’t just a West Cumbrian thing, it’s a national thing,” said Gary. “I just hope that people do get behind us and we do raise those million pounds.” Gary has not only raised money for two fantastic charities, but he has also sprinkled magic on the local community and brought people together to support him with the challenge.

Chris Young, 29, ran 90 marathons with Mr. McKee. “Gary set a good example to me this year when I began running frequently with him and has given me both physical and mental resilience (适应力) that I don’t know if I would have ever discovered in myself in a million years. I know I don’t just speak for myself on that front as he has inspired not just me or the few, but the entire local community and beyond,” said Chris, “This challenge has raised a great amount of money for two fantastic charities, but the impact Gary has provided to the community and people around him is immeasurable. A lot of people’s lives will be much better off thanks to Gary’s efforts, mine included.”

1. What did Gary do when he completed his 365th marathon? (no more than 10 words)
_______________________________________________________________________
2. What is Gary’s goal of running 365 marathons? (no more than 10 words)
_______________________________________________________________________
3. How do you understand the underlined part in Paragraph 3? (no more than 10 words)
_______________________________________________________________________
4. In what ways has Gary McKee influenced Chris Young? (no more than 5 words)
_______________________________________________________________________
5. What does Gary’s story inspire you? Put it in your own words. (no more than 20 words)
_______________________________________________________________________

4 . National Music Theater Competition

The 2024 National Music Theater Competition (NMTC) will be held. It was launched in 2011 as the first national competition for the emerging professional music theater soloist (独唱者). NMTC has provided industry connections for past competitors and winners that have led to their success on Broadway and other venues.

Prizes (each prize only for a person)

The champion: $5,000 plus a concert at the next national conference of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), a $1,000 Gift Certificate from Hal Leonard, a Career Management Services package from Stage Door Connections.

The runner-up: $2,500 plus a $500 Gift Certificate from Hal Leonard.

The third place: Louise Lerch Prize; $1,000 cash prize.

The fourth place: Bill Hayes Prize; $750 cash prize.

Qualification

Singers aged from 20 to 28 as of September 15, 2023.

Entrance Procedure

Application requires a fee of $900, but for these students of NATS members the fee is $75. Application fees due to cancellation by the applicant won’t be returned. All application materials must be submitted by September 15, 2023. If you are planning to submit your application for the online round, you must complete the submission by September 15, 2023, but you’ll have 30 days after the deadline to upload your audition (试唱) videos. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Where to Audition

The preliminary (预选的) round

Live auditions: November 1 to 10, 2023 in New York City.

Online auditions: Video submission deadline is October 15, 2023.

Semifinal and final rounds

Live auditions: The semifinal round: January 3 to 9, 2024; the final round: January 15 to 20, 2024.

The semifinal and final rounds will be held in New York City as part of the 2024 NATS Winter Workshop.

1. Why was the National Music Theater Competition launched?

A．To make people like music.

B．To promote the leisure industry.

C．To popularize Broadway musicals.

D．To seek promising talents.

2. What will the person coming second in the competition get?

A．A $500 Gift Certificate and Louise Lerch Prize.

B．$2,500 in prize money and a Gift Certificate.

C．A Career Management Services package.

D．A chance to perform at a concert.

3. Which of the following is a necessity for participating in the competition?

A．Being at least 28 years old.

B．Applying for membership of NATS.

C．Submitting application materials on time.

D．Uploading audition videos by September 15.

4. What do you know about the competition?

A．Competitors can enter the semifinal round on January 18, 2024.

B．Both online and live auditions are available in any round.

C．There are three rounds in the competition in total.

D．Application submission deadline is October 15, 2023.

5. What’s the author’s purpose of writing the text?

A．To call on people to explore their potential in music.

B．To attract young singers to apply for the competition.

C．To appeal to young singers to become NATS members.

D．To encourage people to enter the musical industry.

5 . So whether you are “a yoga professional” looking for somewhere new to practice, or “a novice” interested in trying yoga for the first time, Move GB is pulling all the stops out for National Yoga Month, reaching out to its 1,281 yoga partners to generate a yoga schedule for Londoners that will keep you inspired and feeling great throughout the month.

Monday, 3 September

Sunrise yoga in the clouds at Yogasphere

Start the day with an active yoga practice. An hour of mind, body and soul relaxation makes you feel flexible, inspired, and ready for the day ahead.

24th floor of The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street SEI 9SG; movegb.com

Saturday, 8 September

Aerial (空中的) yoga at Flying Fantastic

Aerial yoga gives a slightly different reading of the ancient art of yoga I uses poses through seven paths in the body and can help those with back and shoulder pain and provides a good workout. It’s devoted to helping you reduce the tension in the bones and muscles, which in turn increases your balance ability and flexibility in the muscles.

Yard Arches, 229 Union Street SEI 0LR; movegb.com

Wednesday, 12 September

Color therapy with Chroma Yoga

Conquer the mid-week tiredness and stimulate your senses with Chroma Yoga, which combines yoga practice with light and color therapy techniques, brain-stimulating music and natural smell to create a wellness experience.

45 Charlotte Road, Hackney EC2A 3PG; movegb.com

Thursday, 20 September

Power yoga at Factory 45

Turn on your holiday with an experimental studio space in the heart of Borough that is now home to art, music, fashion and fitness.

44-46 Newington Causeway, Elephant & Castle SEI 6DR; movegb.com

1. What is “a novice”?

A．A student.

B．A beginner.

C．A yoga coach.

D．A pregnant woman.

2. If you want to practice yoga early in the morning, you should choose________.

A．Power yoga at Factory 45

B．Aerial yoga at Flying Fantastic

C．Color therapy with Chroma Yoga

D．Sunrise yoga in the clouds at Yogasphere

3. Aerial yoga class of Move GB benefits you by       .

A．helping you get rid of outdated yoga moves

B．teaching you some basic dancing skills

C．curing your back and shoulder diseases

D．making your body more flexible

4. Taking Color therapy with Chroma Yoga classes, you can      .

A．do yoga exercise while your senses are stimulated

B．experience floating in the air and enjoy nice views

C．enjoy colorful paintings by famous artists

D．create your own therapy techniques

5. What does Move GB intend to do?

A．To teach us the correct yoga routines.

B．To show us the benefit of doing yoga.

C．To encourage people to take more exercise.

D．To spread yoga classes throughout London.

6 . With nothing but her small boat for company, British lawyer Victoria Evans succeeded in crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

The 35-year-old ________ 4,740 kilometers in 40 days and 19 hours,________ high winds, big waves and lack of sleep to ________ the fastest female solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. Despite experiencing ________ and extreme conditions along the way, Evans ________ broke the previous world record by over eight days.“ It was much ________ than I expected,” she told CNN Sport ,“I got probably the strongest wind and the adaptation you need to keep going through was ________.”

Evans had spent four years preparing for this ________ of a lifetime but nothing could have readied her for the ________ of an ocean crossing. Even before setting off, the trip was ________ by issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which forced the challenge to be ________ by a year. Once the challenge was ________ , high winds made rowing and sleeping extremely difficult, causing Evans to float off ________ at times.

At one point she was even ________ outside of her cabin(舱) after a wave locked the ________ from the inside. It took her three hours to open the ________ . There were the unavoidable occasional sunburn, but Evans managed to ________ in extreme conditions.

“It’s a very unique sport ________ you can’t get off when you’ re there and you have to ________ it. So it was so, so intense,” said Evans, who was ________ to cross the Atlantic after climbing Mont Blanc in 2017.

1.

A．flew

B．drove

C．measured

D．covered

2.

A．avoiding

B．battling

C．facing

D．surviving

3.

A．aid

B．match

C．record

D．meet

4.

A．problems

B．tricks

C．failures

D．surprises

5.

A．casually

B．luckily

C．naturally

D．eventually

6.

A．tougher

B．stranger

C．busier

D．funnier

7.

A．special

B．huge

C．surprising

D．common

8.

A．fight

B．visit

C．journey

D．discovery

9.

A．plan

B．training

C．reality

D．significance

10.

A．troubled

B．surrounded

C．guided

D．monitored

11.

A．paused

B．postponed

C．accumulated

D．extended

12.

A．halfway

B．nearby

C．overhead

D．underway

13.

A．guide

B．port

C．track

D．position

14.

A．stored

B．stuck

C．fixed

D．discovered

15.

A．paddle

B．toilet

C．shelter

D．door

16.

A．lock

B．box

C．capsule

D．container

17.

A．remain

B．escape

C．recover

D．progress

18.

A．though

B．because

C．once

D．unless

19.

A．deal with

B．break into

C．rely on

D．get across

20.

A．forced

B．directed

C．inspired

D．required

7 . Best Basketball Classes for the Pre-Teen Years in Fremont, CA

HoopSphere Basketball Academy
(510) 806-8992

You are not simply in a class at HoopSphere, but are joining a basketball journey. Confidence, adaptability, communication skills, teamwork, leadership, discipline, and hard work are all main byproducts of what we teach. These qualities all impact our students in everything they will do. We have many experienced coaches and our team is accustomed to working with all ages and levels. They are not only caring and passionate, but also outstanding teachers and communicators.

Mon - Sat: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Sun: Closed
Mission Hoops Academy
(510) 936-1336

We have our own indoor facility and all our coaches have experience at collegiate and professional level. We are an establishment where individuals from all walks of life can work together to become skilled athletes and respectable persons through the disciplined teaching of basketball and life skills.

Mon - Fri: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sat: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Sun: Closed
Coach Mickey
(408) 431-7950

We specialize in coaching group basketball training’s (2-4 players). A majority of our experience has been coaching kids from ages 5-15. We create a fun environment for our players but when necessary we will challenge them physically and mentally. Our main focus is on the fundamentals and applying these skills in competitive games.

Mon - Fri: Closed
Sat: 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
Sun: 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
SSB Basketball Academy
(510) 794-4888

SSB Basketball Academy was founded to expose today’s youth to the game of basketball in a fun manner. At SSB, we recognize that not all kids learn the same way and not all kids have the same goals. For some, basketball is just another form of recreation. Others may want to pursue the game more seriously. Our curriculum is designed to challenge and attract your child no matter his or her motives.

Mon - Sun: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
1. What is the additional benefit of attending the class at HoopSphere?

A．Personal growth.	B．Outstanding basketball lessons.
C．The progress of basketball skills.	D．Increased knowledge of basketball.

2. If you want to reach the level of a sportsman, you can best call ________.

A．(510) 794-4888	B．(510) 936-1336
C．(408) 431-7950	D．(510) 806-8992

3. In Coach Mickey’s class, ________.

A．having fun is the most important thing

B．there is no age limit of the participants

C．mastering and using basic skills are the major aims

D．participants can play basketball on Friday afternoon

4. Which basketball class allows you to join on Sunday afternoon?

A．HoopSphere Basketball Academy.	B．Mission Hoops Academy.
C．Coach Mickey.	D．SSB Basketball Academy.

5. Who will be least interested in this article?

A．Parents who want to play basketball themselves.

B．Parents with kids who want to learn some basketball skills.

C．Young students who would like to develop a hobby.

D．Young students who like to play basketball and improve themselves.

8 . 为了丰富同学们的课外活动，校学生会决定组建自行车俱乐部。假如你是校英语报的编辑李津，请你根据以下内容提示，写一份活动通知。
（1）俱乐部的活动内容：
①每周一次的基础训练，有教师辅导，安排在课外体育活动时间；
②每月一次的户外活动，安排在月末双休日；
（2）参加俱乐部的好处：内容自拟，至少两点；
（3）如何加入俱乐部：到6号大楼1层102房间报名。
注意：短文不少于100词。
参考词汇：自行车俱乐部Cycling Club
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9 . 为鼓励更多的学生参加体育运动，中学生21世纪报英语网站现面向全市中学生征集体育故事，请你完成“My Sports Story”并投稿，内容包括：
1.你喜欢的运动项目(football /basketball /swimming/ running /cycling…);
2.你是怎样开始运动和进行练习的;
3.运动带给你的益处及运动体会。
注意：
1.词数80-100;
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：
1. When I was younger, …
2. I never thought…
3. The first time…
4. Before I knew it, ….
5. Soon I found...

My Sports Story

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10 . Practice Tai Chi & Feel Better

Free Open House See a demo of tai chi and try a free class, all welcome! Saturday Feb 2 Level 1,566 Lutwyche Rd 1:00 pm-2:30 pm Saturday Jan 19 Mermaid Beach Community Center, 2439 Gold Coast Highway 11:00 am-1:00 pm

New Weekly Beginners’ Classes Buranda Primary School, 24 Cowley St, Woolloongabba STARTS Thu Mar 7 6:30 pm-8:00 pm Holland Park St Joachim’s Hall, 24 Crown St STARTS Tue Mar 5 5:30 pm-7:00 pm You can choose one of them.

Health Recovery Classes Health recovery classes are for people with chronic (慢性的) illnesses, or who are recovering from illnesses, to work on tai chi at their own speed. You can start anytime, and start to feel the benefits. Level 1,566 Lutwyche Rd STARTS anytime Thursday 11:00 am-12:30 pm

Short Courses Are you short of time? In just one afternoon or a weekend you can get a quick introduction to tai chi. SAT APRIL 27 to SUN APRIL 28 2:00 pm-4:00 pm Introduction to tai chi(weekend) Room 502, Building 13, St Peter’s College For more information, visit the Short Courses page on our website.

Bookings are important. Call 3357 5600 or email brisbane@taichi.org.

1. Where can you get a free tai chi lesson?

A．Mermaid Beach Community Center.

B．Buranda Primary School.

C．Holland Park.

D．St Peter’s College.

2. How often are beginners advised to take classes?

A．Every day.	B．Once a week.
C．Twice a week.	D．Once a month.

3. People recovering from illnesses can go to classes at ________.

A．6:30 pm-8:00 pm	B．5:30 pm-7:00 pm
C．11:00 am-12:30 pm	D．2:00 pm-4:00 pm

4. Which will you choose if you’re only free on Sunday?

A．Free Open House.

B．New Weekly Beginners’ Classes.

C．Health Recovery Classes.

D．Short Courses.

5. What are you advised to do to join the classes?

A．Make a booking.

B．Build a website.

C．Become an active person.

D．Learn a lot about tai chi.