1 . The Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest is a unique competition open to writers for children. We believe that in our increasingly digital age it is more important than ever for children’s first books to introduce them to the pleasures and power of storytelling and the written word along with outstanding visual art. Being exposed to the best picture books can create in young people a lifelong love of reading. By rewarding and showing excellence in the art of picture book writing, we aim to inspire writers to focus on the picture book text as an art form in itself, and to raise the quality of these seemingly simple books for the benefit of children everywhere.

The winners will have the opportunity to sign publishing contracts (合同) with the sponsors to publish the manuscripts (原稿) in different languages. Each winner will be required to agree that sponsors have a one-year priority option to publish their manuscript to receive the cash prize.

Conditions
1. Manuscript must be text written for children age 3-8; illustrations are not accepted;
2. Manuscript may be fiction, nonfiction or poetry;
3. Manuscript must be no longer than 1,000 words;
4. Manuscript may be submitted (提交) in any of the following languages: English, Spanish, German, French, or Chinese;
5. Manuscript must be your original work;
6. Manuscript will not be submitted to any other competition or any other publisher before the announcement of the result of this contest.

For more information, please contact us: astrawritingcontest@readinglife.com.

1. Why is the competition held?

A．To call on people to read paper books.

B．To raise children’s interest in reading.

C．To collect money for children’s education.

D．To encourage high-quality picture book writing.

2. How can the winners get the cash prize?

A．By signing publishing contracts.

B．By not joining in other competitions in one year.

C．By not submitting their manuscripts to other publishers.

D．By giving sponsors the right to publish their manuscripts first.

3. What is a requirement of the manuscripts?

A．They must be within 1,000 words.

B．They must be in the form of stories.

C．They must be accompanied by pictures.

D．They must be translated into several languages.

3 . Four Classic Games for Kids

Below are great games children can enjoy.

Egg and Spoon Race

Line players up, each with a boiled egg balanced on a spoon. Each person with a spoon and an egg must carry the egg on the spoon to the finishing line. If their egg drops, they must stop and put it back on their spoon before continuing. (Or, if you’re really tough, send them back to the start each time their egg drops!) The winner will be awarded a prize, such as candy, stickers and toys.

Pass the Parcel (包裹)

Prepare a small prize that kids will love and then cover it with many layers (层) of paper. To play, have the children sit in a circle and pass the parcel around the circle while you play some fun music. When you stop the music, the child holding the parcel removes the outer layer of paper. Start the music again and continue until one child removes the final layer of paper.

Wheelbarrow (独轮手推车) Race

The game is played in pairs.The first person is the wheelbarrow.He starts with his hands on the ground and his legs are held by the second person (the driver) in the pair. The wheelbarrow “walks” on his hands across the ground while the driver follows behind, holding his legs and directing the wheelbarrow. The first pair across the finishing line are the winners.

Limbo

Two adults hold either end of a stick at stomach height. The children take turns going under the stick without touching it. If all the children have gone under the stick, the stick will be lowered. Then another round begins. Anyone who falls, touches the ground with hands or touches the stick is out.

1. Who would most probably be the winner of Egg and Spoon Race?

A．The kid being good at running.

B．The kid being skilled at boiling eggs.

C．The kid doing well in balancing the egg.

D．The kid being willing to work with others.

2. Why is Pass the Parcel special compared with other three games?

A．Because it must be played with music on.

B．Because it will give the winner a prize.

C．Because it needs preparation in advance.

D．Because it asks kids to sing songs during the game.

3. What will kids probably need to do while playing Limbo?

A．Try to jump over the stick.

B．Lower their body.

C．Run fast with a stick in hand.

D．Touch the ground with hands.

5 . As children grow up, they will likely be drawn to participate in sports. But not all children will be interested in or successful at every sports experience. Some children tend to join in team sports while others will prefer individual sports.     1     So how can parents help their child pick a most suitable sport? Here’s How:

    2    

A child’s interest in a given sport is the best determiner of whether he or she will enjoy it as a participant. So expose the child to a wide variety of sports experiences. Talk with them about what they like and dislike about each sport.

    3    

As you check out the various sports, see if you can tell which of them seems most interesting to the child. Listen to your child for signs about their preferences. Maybe they will talk about the players, the skills, or they will tell others about the experience. If you watch and listen, you can pick up what interests them most.

Find out: team or individual?

Some children will prefer to participate in a team sport like football, baseball or basketball in which they play a role in a team.     4     Sports like these include swimming, tennis or golf. Or they may simply enjoy individual sports like cycling and gymnastics. As you observe your child, try to find out what their preferences are.     5    

A．Watch out for signs of enthusiasm.

B．Expose the child to a variety of sports.

C．Match the sport to your child’s body type.

D．Some body types are better suited to some sports than others.

E．Others will prefer being on a team where their own skills matter most.

F．Make sure that the child has a physical exam before participating in sports actively.

G．These observations will help you focus on the sport that will work best for your child.

6 . 语法填空

Zhang Baoqi, an elderly man from the coastal city Tianjin in northern China, has built an ice rink (溜冰场) on his roof (屋顶) to show his love for ice hockey (冰球)．

The 66­year­old’s love for ice hockey     1    (begin) many years ago when he joined a local team at 16 years old. However, he became increasingly busy and was unable to take time     2     (do) the training.

“If I had a rink when the Winter Olympics opens, it would be     3    (wonder)．I started to think about it in the summer. I wanted to show that the Winter Olympics could be in your backyard, and we could all join in.”

“I said, why take the trouble to do that? We’re so close     4     the skating stadium,” Zhang’s wife said.

However, Zhang was determined to make the most of the month­long ice season in Tianjin and     5     took him four months to build the ice rink.

Zhang’s daughter has already seen the influence of ice hockey on her son.

“I felt my son has changed after     6    (play) hockey on our own ice rink,” she said. “When he plays hockey on other ice rinks, he is not afraid of falling any more. I believe the     7    (confident) is something that he’s got from the sport.”

Zhang’s grandson added: “My grandpa called     8    (we) to come over and said that there was     9     surprise on the roof. I went out and saw it all covered with ice! I felt     10    (extreme) proud.”

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 .    

How will we live in cities in 100 years’ time? Dezeen is teaming up with MINI Living to invite readers to design an urban home of the future.

Brief

MINI Living is a project that aims to translate the creative use of space into real architectural solutions for how people live, work and interact in cities.

We are looking for conceptual designs for the future of urban living, which propose innovative solutions that make the most of available space. In addition, we are asking entrants (参赛者) to consider what other challenges cities could face in 100 years’ time and for their urban home concept to respond creatively to those issues as well. Proposals can be for any city around the world, but submitted designs must demonstrate creative use of space and entrants will need to explain how their entries solve the issues they foresee cities will face in 100 years’ time.

Who can enter?

The competition is free to enter to anyone, from anywhere around the world, as long as they are at least 18 years old. Professional designers, studios, non-designers, students and teams are all invited to participate.

Winners and prizes

A selection of the best designs will be published on Dezeen, with the total prize money of £10,000 available for the top three designs—£5,000 for the winner, £3,000 for the runner up and £2,000 for the third place.

How to enter

Contestants will need to submit their entries via this form and include the following information.

>Name of the design

>Description of the design

>A hero image that presents the vision in the strongest way

>A plan

>Up to five additional supporting images

>Optionally, entrants can also submit a video file representing their designs

1. What’s the competition mainly about?

A．Foreseeing how people work and live in 100 years’ time.

B．Finding the way to make the most of the interior space of a building.

C．Collecting innovative architectural solutions for a particular city.

D．Asking for creative solutions to the issues facing future living in cities.

2. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Entrants must include a video file representing their designs.

B．The winner of the competition can earn the total of £10,000.

C．Professional designers, students or teams can sign up for the competition.

D．Entrants must provide more than five additional supporting images.

3. Where can we find this passage?

A．In a magazine on architecture.	B．In an advertising leaflet.
C．On an official website.	D．On a school notice board.

9 .

2021—22 HAWKS SEASON TICKET MEMBERSHIP
PLACE YOUR DEPOSIT Place a $250 deposit to secure priority access to 21—22 season tickets before the general public! After purchasing a deposit, you will be assigned a dedicated rep(销售代表)and priority timeslot(一档时间).
FLASH SALES! ACT FAST TO GET FREE TICKET Become a Member and get the chance to receive free tickets to an upcoming game. Game dates available after the second half of the NBA schedule is released. *	BEST SEATS ·Access to the best locations available ·Top locations reserved for season ticket holders ·Priority to upgrade throughout season
	BEST PRICE ·Lowest price per game guaranteed ·Interest-free monthly payment plan ·Add on tickets at a discounted rate
	BEST BENEFITS ·Dedicated Hawks rep ·VIP arena entrances ·Ticket flexibility ·Exclusive events ·F&B Loaded ticket value* ·Free parking* *dependent on seating location and number of seats purchased
HOW TO GUARANTEE THE BEST SEATS, PRICE AND BENEFITS 1. Place a priority deposit 2. Purchase Membership 3. Enjoy immediate benefits
YOU’RE INVITED 21-22 NEW MEMBERSHIP VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE Learn more about Hawks Membership rights and 21—22 priority deposits. Sign up now to join the Zoom event to receive more details! •________ The per seat deposit secures your place in line to select your season ticket locations before the general public has access. The deposit will be credited to your season ticket purchase once the seat locations are confirmed. •________ Fans placing a deposit will gain access to purchase season ticket Membership on Jan 22. You will be assigned a priority timeslot to purchase and will be contacted via email with more information. •________ Yes. Click Contact a Rep and fill out the form to have a Hawks rep reach out to you or call/text the ticket sales department at 1-866-715-1500. Click the Contact us button in the bottom right for all contact options. •________ Please contact your dedicated Hawks rep or call/text 1-866-715-1500 to be connected with a rep who can assist. •________ Your deposit can be kept on account and be applied to any ticketing option released throughout the year.

1. If you become a member of Season Ticket, you can________.

A．update the tickers throughout the whole year

B．enter the stadium through a special entrance

C．often get free tickets for the upcoming games

D．get parking tickets at a discounted rate

2. If you want to know more detailed information about what special services you can receive after you have placed a deposit, you can________.

A．read the FAQS section on the website	B．refer to a live-streaming house
C．consult experts at the travel agency	D．place a priority deposit on NBA tickets

3. The proper order of the following questions in the FAQs section should be________.
①What is a deposit?
②Am I able to speak to someone over the phone or in-person?
③When can I purchase membership?
④What if I don’t use my deposit when Season Ticket Memberships go on sale?
⑤How will I receive my free tickets after I place a deposit and purchase membership?

A．②①④⑤③

B．①④③⑤②

C．①③②⑤④

D．③⑤②①④

10 . Ice climbing is a winter sport that combines excitement, skill and determination. It is featured as a cultural event at the Winter Olympics for the first time in Sochi, Russia and is popular around the world. If you are interested in this sport, here are some of the world’s best places that you shouldn’t miss.

Shuangqiao Valley, Sichuan, China

China has a lot of ice walls, which are located in different mountains in the northern and western parts of the country. Among them, Sichuan province’s Shuangqiao Valley in Mount Siguniang has some of the finest climbs. The ice climbing in the area usually starts from mid-December and lasts until February. Climbers can enjoy climbing as well as a clean and quiet environment.

The Ouray Ice Park, Colorado, the US

The Ouray Ice Park offers climbers more than 100 man-made ice and mixed climbs, and entrance to it is free. The park also provides professional aid and services for beginners. It usually hosts one of the biggest ice climbing celebrations in the world, the Ouray Ice Festival every January.

Valdez, Alaska, the US

Alaska’s surprising Valdez area has been attracting world-class climbers. Each year, climbers go there to follow classic routes (路线). Others explore the area by themselves, hoping to find the next classic site on their adventures. The climbers can find glacier hiking, skiing and sled (雪橇) trips there.

1. How long does the ice climbing in Shuangqiao Valley last?

A．About ten months.	B．About six months.
C．More than four months.	D．About two months.

2. If a new climber goes to the Ouray Ice Park, he will ________.

A．pay an entrance fee	B．be given some help with climbing
C．watch the ice festival in winter	D．learn climbing lessons for free

3. Which of the words can best describe the ice climbing in Valdez?

A．Thrilling and flexible.	B．Enjoyable and safe.
C．Tiring and difficult.	D．Boring and dangerous.