2 . The 2023 Azbees Open for Entries

About the Azbee Awards

ASBPE’s 45th annual Azbee Awards of Excellence competition is now open for submissions from Jan.1,2023 through Mar.31,2023 at 3 pm.

These highly competitive editorial and design awards celebrate the highest quality reporting, editing and design in business-to-business, trade, association and professional publications across all platforms, including magazines, newspapers, e-newsletters, websites and social media.

The top entries nationwide receive national awards across 63 categories, from our All Content, Design, Online, Print and Overall Excellence divisions. Entries also compete against others in their own regions for regional awards.

Entry Fees

All Content, Print, Design, and Online categories	ASBPE members	Non-members
Submitted on or before Jan.15,2023	$140	$160
Submitted between Jan. 16,2023 and Feb.10,2023	$170	$190
Submitted between Feb.11,2023 and Mar.31,2023 at3 pm	$180	$200

Entry Requirements

Follow all rules carefully to prevent disqualification. To enter the Azbee Awards of Excellence, you’ll need the following information. If you plan to submit multiple entries, we highly recommend preparing these items in advance for all submissions to save time during the entry process.

Your contact information.

Division and category for the entry.

Region for the entry.

Essay:   No more than 250 words that discuss the work that went into the entry and its significance to readers.

For online entries: Direct URLs to access the entry, and username and password, if your website requires sign-in to view content. PDF entry files for print entries.

1. When was the first Azbee Awards of Excellence held?

A．In 1979.

B．In 1988.

C．In 2012.

D．In 2023.

2. How much should you pay at least to submit an entry as a non-member?

A．$140.

B．$160.

C．$170.

D．$190.

3. Which of the following will result in disqualification?

A．Submitting contact information.	B．Sending entries before the deadline.
C．An essay of three hundred words.	D．An online entry with a username.

3 . Boston Marathon runners in recent years may have seen a smiling furry face around the two-mile mark. It’s Spencer, the therapy (治疗) dog, who became known as an unofficial mascot (吉祥物) for the marathon, He’s shown up on the sidelines every year since 2015—rain or shine.

One particularly rainy marathon catapulted Spencer’s fame, In 2018, his owner, Richard Powers, decided to put a bright yellow rain coat on the dog, making him stand out even more than he usually does. Photos of Spencer, who holds a “Boston Strong” flag in his mouth, went viral, and he became an inspiration to runners and onlookers alike, During the marathon, some runners stop in their tracks to take selfies with the dog-the line sometimes growing to 20 runners long.

But in 2020, Spencer was diagnosed with a tumor (肿瘤). His owner was worried, but Spencer is a fighter. He got the care he needed and survived. In 2021, he was back on the course and it was really kind of a miracle and that really hit home to a lot of people.

Unfortunately, Spencer caught another tumor—this one cancerous—and Spencer began chemotherapy. Powers didn’t think his beloved dog would make it out to the marathon of 2022. “Miraculously, he’s still here with us and an even bigger miracle, he was strong enough to go to the marathon,” he said.

After recovering, Spencer was back to work—not just at the marathon—but as a therapy dog, alongside his companion, Penny, who is also a golden therapy dog. Powers takes his two therapy dogs around to schools, hospitals and senior living centers.

“He’s a gift to us and we’re very lucky to have him. He’s too good so we want to share him with as many people as we possibly can. He does make a difference,” Powers said.

1. Why is Spencer referred to as a mascot for Boston Marathon?

A．He has a smiling furry face.	B．He appears at the event annually.
C．He is not recognized officially.	D．He works as a therapy dog for runners.

2. What does Spencer bring to runners?

A．Motivation.

B．Satisfaction.

C．Fantasy.

D．Barrier.

3. What did Spencer go through in 2020?

A．A failure in the marathon.

B．Caring for his owner.

C．Fighting against a disease.

D．Going viral.

4. What was Powers’ initial attitude towards Spence’s appearing at the marathon of 2022?

A．Confident,

B．Supportive.

C．Objective.

D．Negative.

5 . Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix 2024

From April 19 to 21, the much-anticipated 2024 Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix will come alive with the roar of engines at the Shanghai International Circuit. Details about tickets for the event are as follows.

Ticket Price:

[Grandstand]              [Session]                                        [Price (RMB)]

A Platinum                    3 Day Ticket                                        3880

• A High                    3 Day/Fri./Sat./Sun. Ticket              2880/490/890/2490

• A Low                    3 Day/Fri./Sat./Sun. Ticket              2280/390/690/1990

• H/K                           3 Day/Fri./Sat./Sun. Ticket              1480/290/590/1290

• C/F/J/L                    3 Day Ticket                                        480

Ticketing Instructions:

• This event adopts electronic tickets with one ticket per person. Children require a full-priced ticket, and children under the age of three are not allowed entry.

• For each session of this event, a maximum of 4 tickets per mobile phone number and 1 ticket per ID card number can be purchased. When purchasing tickets, buyers must provide the audience’s real name, a valid personal ID, and a valid mobile phone number. After a successful purchase, ticket purchasers should retain e-ticket seat information appropriately.

• Ticket refunds can be requested without fees from the date of purchase until 24: 00 on February 29, 2024. From 00:00 on March 1, 2024, to 24: 00 on April 15, 2024, refunds will invite a 10% handling fee. No refunds will be accepted from 00: 00 on April 16, 2024. Returned within 7 working days.

• This event implements real-name verification with ID card and facial recognition for entry.

• The schedule and arrangement of the competition may be subject to changes, and please stay tuned to Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix official WeChat and Weibo for the latest information.

1. What should be offered to buy a ticket?

A．The audience’s nickname.	B．The audience’s e-ticket seat information.
C．The audience’s WeChat number.	D．The audience’s available phone number.

2. How much will be returned if a couple return their Sat. Ticket of K on March 15?

A．59 yuan.

B．531 yuan.

C．1, 062 yuan.

D．1, 180 yuan.

3. What can we know about Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix 2024?

A．It will last 7 days.	B．It will be exciting and noisy.
C．It doesn’t limit the audience’s age.	D．It will never be postponed or cancelled.

7 . In a recent game of pickleball, my teammate and I were falling far behind other teams. It was her turn to serve. We were both standing behind the baseline, paddles(球拍) up in ready position, when she nodded at me and said, “In it to win it.”

“Really?” I looked at her, surprised by her use of a catchy expression that was new to me. My inner self was never ready to accept even the tiniest suggestion that we should be trying to win the game.

In my life off the pickleball court, I enjoy yoga, folk dancing—anything but games with winners and losers, and I always prefer to be a observer rather than a participant in the world of sports.

Then pickleball came along. Suddenly, I didn’t want to be an observer any longer. I wanted to be a player myself. Like many people, I was first drawn to the game simply as a safe COVID-19 activity. Playing outdoors with people in my neighborhood allowed me to break out of social isolation(隔离).

But my addiction to the game comes from the sport’s low barrier of entry. The equipment isn’t particularly expensive. It’s a relatively easy game to learn, and a participant doesn’t need to be especially strong, tall or fast. Little wonder that everyone can now be seen throwing a green, orange or yellow plastic ball with holes in it across a net.

Pickleball is the first game I’ve ever wanted to win. I think it’s because of the excitement I feel when I hit an unreturnable ball down the middle of the court and score a point. Participating in a sport myself rather than cheering for others provides real proof that I can still work hard to achieve goals.

So, I’ve made a long-term commitment to it. I am embracing the game as my pickleball buddies embrace me. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to socialize while, doing something active. In that playful space of the court, I am facing directly my fears of winning and losing. In the meantime, doing something outside of my comfort zone feels magical. Now I wonder what contests I might be brave enough to enter next.

1. Why was the author surprised by what her teammate said in the recent game?

A．She thought her teammate was too weak.	B．She hadn’t considered winning or losing.
C．She didn’t know what her teammate meant.	D．She misunderstood the rules of the game.

2. What is the main reason for the author’s love for pickleball?

A．It is what she is good at.	B．It allows her to make new friends.
C．It is affordable and accessible.	D．It has many health benefits.

3. How has the author benefited from playing pickleball?

A．She has overcome her fears of competitive sports.	B．She has realized her own limitations.
C．She has become a more energetic person.	D．She has recognized her talents for sports.

4. What does the author plan to do?

A．Become a professional athlete.	B．Recommend pickleball to more friends.
C．Explore some extreme sports.	D．Continue playing pickleball.

8 . 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，并将答案填写在答题卡上。

Pillow (枕头) fighting is moving out of the bedroom and into the boxing ring. The Pillow Fight Championship, or PFC, plans     1     (hold) its first live, pay-to-watch event in Florida     2     January 29,2022.

Steve Williams had the idea of     3     (turn) a children's game into a professional fighting spot. The head of PFG said professional pillow fighting will have the     4     (excite) of hand-to-hand fighting without the violence (暴力) of mixed martial arts, or MMA, and boxing, Ho said it was not a joke.

The athletes in January's event come     5     (most) from MMA and boxing. But Williams said the athletes are not going to get     6     (injure), "The fighters don't like to be hurt, and those     7     want to see good competition just don't want to see violence."

Since many people grew up pillow fighting with     8     (friend) or relatives, Williams hopes the new sport will be popular and can attract a large audience, including children.

“You can call it     9     unusual sport, but we think it's going to have main appeal (吸引力),” he said. “Think about how they mixed country music with rap music and     10     (bring) these different audiences together. That's what we're doing, and we hope it brings in a different kind of viewer."

9 . Readers’ Favorite Running Routes

Paul Ghent, Belgium

I love running in Ghent. It is completely flat, so encouraging for beginners and people aiming for personal bests. There is a rowing lake with a 5km track. This connects with a nature reserve on an 8km loop. If that isn’t enough, there is another nature reserve, full of birds and canals surrounded by a 10km loop. I will be running my first marathon in Ghent in March 2022. Anyone?

Jennifer Nice, France

In Nice Provence, I really enjoyed joining the local joggers running along what is one of the most beautiful streets in the world—the Promenade des Anglais. You have the fresh salty sea breezes filling your lungs, the sun shining on the waves of the sea, and the beautiful buildings standing along the running route. Feel free to grab some fresh shellfish and a glass of wine on the beach as a reward.

Lisa Offa, UK

The Offa’s Dyke path, which runs from Prestatyn to Chepstow, provides stunning scenery and is just perfect to focus on the run. The sections of the route I like the most include the slopes (坡地) of Moel Famau and the section from Llangollen to Bodfari, where there is an excellent pub (The Dinorben Arms) to refuel in comfort. Perfect.

Richard Protaras, Cyprus

My favorite route is in Protaras, Cyprus. There is a path that runs from Fig Tree bay to Polyxenia beach and you have wonderful views of the bays and beaches while running. The amazing clear seas and sandy beaches make it very pleasant. The best time to go is early morning when the sun isn’t blazing and the paths aren’t too busy with holidaymakers.

1. Which route best suits people who enjoy nature reserves?

A．Nice, France.	B．Offa, UK.
C．Ghent, Belgium.	D．Protaras, Cyprus.

2. What do the routes shared by Jennifer and Richard have in common?

A．They have beautiful streets.	B．They have lovely sea views.
C．They are famous for seafood.	D．They are fit for morning runners.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a science paper.	B．In a history novel.
C．In a sports magazine.	D．In a geography textbook.

10 . LeBron James is the new all-time scoring leader of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

He set the record with a jump shot (得分) in the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers game Tuesday night against Oklahoma City. James pushed his career total to 38,388 points and passed the scoring record that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had held for nearly 39 years.

After he made the shot for his 36th point of the night, James threw both hands in the air, and then smiled. Abdul-Jabbar sat up from his seal and clapped. The game stopped as members of James’ family, including his mother, his wife and their three children, went to the court for a ceremony honoring the moment.

“I’m there now because I never, ever thought about it,” James said, when asked what the scoring record meant to him.“The only thing I ever thought about was winning championships. But scoring championships and records, I’m telling you, was never on my mind.”

Abdul-Jabbar was a longtime player for the Lakers. He became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer on April 5, 1984 and retired (退休) in 1989 with 38,387 points. It was a record that some thought would last forever, with very few coming close. Great basketball players, including Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan retired when they were still thousands of points away.

James, who is 38 years old, passed all of them and set the record in his 20th season. Abdul-Jabbar also played 20 NBA seasons.

During the on-court ceremony, Abdul-Jabbar handed a ball to James, showing a passing of the torch(火炬). James wiped away tears from his eyes and thanked the crowd. He also thanked his family and those who supported him, including NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the late NBA Commissioner David Stern.

“I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed about,” James said.

1. What did James’ jump shot mean?

A．A new record was born.	B．His team won the game.
C．He made the longest shot.	D．It was the key shot of the game.

2. W hy did the basketball match stop in the middle?

A．To give James time to recover.	B．To have a celebration.
C．To drive out basketball fans.	D．To change team members.

3. What do James and Abdul-Jabbar have in common?

A．They competed at the same time.

B．They created records by accident.

C．They set the record at the same age.

D．They played the same number of seasons for the record.

4. Why did Abdul-Jabbar hand a ball to James?

A．He admitted his failure.	B．He announced his retirement.
C．He passed his title on to James.	D．He expected to get it redesigned.