3 . College Podcast (播客) Challenge Open for Entries

The College Podcast Challenge is back for its third year, in the fall. Entries will open on Sept. 1, 2023 and close at the end of the year on Dec. 31, 2023 to give students the entire fall academic term. And, as with last year’s, the college con test will award a $5,000 grand prize scholarship and $500 prizes to finalists.

One big change this year: the college con test will be open to students of all ages doing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, as well as those who are set to graduate in 2023. College podcasters can enter your own work, without going through your school or professor, as long as you’re 18 years or older.

For the college con test this year, our basic guidelines remain pretty much the same: students can create a podcast about any topic they wish to explore. Some themes we’ve seen over and over include questions on identity and how young people fit in. Your podcast can also be in many different formats: an interview, narrative (叙述的) story or even investigative reporting. You can do it by yourself or with your entire class.

One important rule to keep in mind is that the maximum length of your podcast is eight minutes, and longer entries will be disqualified.

For more tips, advice and the latest updates on this year’s contest, make sure to sign up for our newsletter. We can’t wait to hear your stories!

1. When can you submit your entry?

A．In January.

B．In February.

C．In August.

D．In November.

2. What is special about this year’s contest?

A．It is open to all college students.	B．Its participants under 18 are qualified.
C．It requires your school’s approval.	D．Its basic guidelines have changed a lot.

3. Which is a must concerning your podcast?

A．It should present an inspiring people.	B．It focuses on young people’s life.
C．It is eight minutes at most in length.	D．It is created by your entire class.

4 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

On a bright Saturday, my peaceful lunchtime was suddenly interrupted when my dad surprised me with an unplanned idea. I couldn’t hide my annoyance as what was supposed to be a relaxing Saturday turned into a day focused on football — a sport I wasn’t very excited about.

Many of my friends loved sports, while I preferred to find comfort in the pages of a good book rather than run around on a football court. My lack of interest resulted in average performance on the team, and I often felt like I was a problem for both my coach and teammates.

Things changed last week when our coach announced a coming match against the champions scheduled for a month later. The realization that this important game would have a big audience only made me more anxious. The fear of possibly letting down the team weighed on me.

Determined to make a positive impact, I decided to practice hard every day. My motivation came from wanting to help the team and to overcome the self-doubt affecting my performance.

As the match day approached, my teammates seemed unsure about including me in the lineup (阵容). I wouldn’t have minded sitting out, but the situations were different. With one player short, they reluctantly (不情愿地) included me, and The Thunder Strikers, our team, stepped onto the field to enjoy cheers from the crowd.

The pressure was intense. The game started, and within the ten minutes, I received a warning. Before long, the referee showed me a second yellow card, forcing me to leave the field. When I got back into the game, the score was tied, and the next goal would decide the winner.

As the ball came toward me, I felt a bit scared. My teammates seemed tired, and the other team really wanted to win. With great courage, I kicked the ball. The opponents (对手), maybe not expecting much from me because of my earlier struggles, were surprised when the ball went past the goalkeeper.

注意：1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

The Thunder Strikers won!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After this win, football became different for me.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What do we know about the woman?

A．She’s never skied before.

B．She was waiting for a man.

C．She made a mistake while skiing.

2. What happened to the woman?

A．Her skis were broken.

B．She got her gloves stolen.

C．A skier drove her into the trees.

3. What does the man think the woman should do to the tall skier?

A．Take a photo of him.

B．Forgive him.

C．Say sorry to him.

7 . 阅读下面短文, 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式｡

Tai Chi is definitely part of the life in Handan. Early morning walks are     1     (reward) with high quality Yang Tai Chi being performed all over the place.

Each morning on one of Handan’s main     2     (square), only a few minutes’ walk from the Jinan Hotel, large groups of Tai Chi practitioners gather     3     (study) with a variety of teachers. The quality of the Tai Chi is really good. Across the road is the main park of Handan, with     4     (it) rebuilt historic buildings from the Warring Period. The park is great to wander through.

Again there are people everywhere     5     (perform) Tai Chi in the mornings, big groups around teachers, and individuals     6     (elegant) practicing. The quality often looked very high, and as people walked past, I’d note their posture (姿势) and stride (步态) and wonder     7     made them so good at Tai Chi.

A seven-yuan taxi ride can get you to any of     8     other parks, all of which seem to be well used in the mornings. In another park, I     9     (spot) a group of women practicing sword forms and they were beautiful to watch. There was also a smaller group of people on a wooden platform next     10     a lake, and their Tai Chi was more elegant against the clear water.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the speaker mainly talking about?

A．Some ways to keep healthy.

B．Some of his favourite sports.

C．The way to solve problems.

2. Where does the speaker probably live?

A．In the countryside.

B．In a big city.

C．By the sea.

3. What did the speaker do ten years ago?

A．He climbed the Alps.

B．He took part in London Marathon.

C．He finished a course in ice climbing.

4. Why does the speaker’s wife seldom go climbing?

A．She has no time.

B．She isn’t strong enough.

C．She is afraid of climbing.