1 . Students to Compete in 34th National Science Bowl
Thousands of students from middle and high schools across the country have committed themselves to extra study hours as they prepare to compete in the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s)34th National Science Bowl(NSB). These students are hard at work now to win their regional competitions, hoping to advance to the final competition.
The first regional event will take place on January 13th with high schools from the D. C. /Maryland area. Teams will face off in a fast-paced, question-and-answer format, and their knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics will be tested. Regionals will continue weekly until mid-March.
The winning team from each qualifying regional competition will be qualified to compete in the National Finals to be held in Washington, D. C. , from April 25-29, 2024, with all expenses paid by DOE. The national event consists of several days of science activities and sightseeing, along with the competitions.
In the National Finals, the top two teams will earn $5, 000 for their schools’ math and science departments. Schools ranking in the top 16 will receive $1, 000 for their science departments. But to many, the ultimate prize is simply the honor of winning the National Championship.
Today, the NSB annually draws more than 10, 000 middle and high school competitors. Since the first competition in 1991, approximately 344, 000 students have faced off in the NSB Finals. The 2024 competitors will follow in the footsteps of previous NSB contestants and will blaze a trail for students in science, math, and engineering. For more information, please visit the Office of Science website.
1. Which word can best describe the regional competitions?A.Fair. | B.Interesting. | C.Special. | D.Challenging |
A.The championship victory is highly valued. |
B.The event only involves fierce competitions. |
C.Most of the expenses will be covered by DOE. |
D.The prize money will be awarded to individuals. |
A.A news release. | B.A survey report. |
C.A learning project. | D.A scientific review. |
Maze Fist, also known as Mi Zhong Quan, is a traditional martial art from China. It
Maze Fist masters use complex footwork
Deeply
3 . IOC president Thomas Bach was urged by several members Sunday to change Olympic rules on term limits and seek four more years as president through 2029.
Bach’s presidency is due to end in 2025—a 12-year maximum agreed in anti-corruption (反腐) reforms passed after the Salt Lake City scandal (丑闻) broke in the 1990s. However, citing the recent years of global crises, several of the 99 International Olympic Committee members opened their annual meeting Sunday suggesting they needed more of Bach’s leadership. The Olympic movement needed “to go through this period of hardship with a president who has proved his courage,” said the Algerian leader of African Olympic bodies, Mustapha Berraf.
Though Bach has never publicly sought a term limit-lasting third time, the option has been spoken of in international sports circles since he was re-elected in 2021 at a meeting. The IOC gives its president a first term of eight years. Bach neither encouraged nor dismissed the proposal though he noted the presidential term limit is included in the IOC’s book of rules and principles. “I’m very loyal to the Olympic Charter,” the German lawyer said.
Extending Bach’s term would need a proposal submitted ahead of an annual meeting, known as the Session. The next is scheduled in July in Paris on the eve of the 2024-Summer Games.
A diplomatically expressed counter to extending Bach’s presidential term was suggested by gymnastics federation president Morinari Watanabe, who has been considered as a possible IOC leadership candidate. “Sports organizations must follow rules and have high integrity under good governance,” Watanabe suggested. “Sports demonstrate discipline and the spirit of fairness to society.”
Consideration on other candidates to succeed Bach has also included two of the IOC’s four vice presidents, Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain, plus Zimbabwe sports minister Kirsty Coventry, who is widely seen as a favored successor of Bach.
1. From the first three paragraphs we know ________.A.A 12-year maximum IOC presidency was made due to a scandal. |
B.Most of the members are in favor of changing Olympic rules on term limit. |
C.Supporters want Bach to continue his presidency for the present hardship. |
D.Bach is contacting the African Olympic bodies for his third-round presidency. |
A.Watanabe. | B.Hoevertsz. | C.Samaranch Jr. | D.Coventry. |
A.Confession. | B.Confusion. | C.Opposition. | D.Recognition. |
A.Bach is seeking for his third time presidency. |
B.Several members urged the continuation of Bach’s presidency. |
C.Different attitudes to Bach’s presidency for a third round are considered. |
D.Several successors of Bach will be discussed in the coming Session in July, 2024. |
4 . 2024 Illustration Competition
Enter the competition most respected and admired in the industry for creativity in illustration, the Communication Arts Illustration Competition. Selected by distinguished professionals, the winning entries will be distributed worldwide in the Communication Arts Illustration Annual and on commarts.com, ensuring important exposure of the creations. Each winner will receive a professionalized Award of Excellence, made from solid aluminum, and an award certificate. Communication Art’s Award of Excellence is one of the most desired awards. If chosen, winning places you in the highest ranks of your profession.
What To Enter With
Any illustration first published or produced from Jan. 2023 to Jan. 2024 is qualified. Entries may originate from any country. Description sin English are necessary for the judges to read.
Entries Can Be Submitted In The Following Formats
Digital Images: RGB images in JPG format with a maximum file size of 2MB. GIF images maybe livelier but would be turned down, and so would the PNG ones.
Motion Entries: In MOV, MP4 or MPG format, with a maximum file size of 500 MB.
Illustration Competition Categories & Entry Fees
Category | Single illustration | Series of illustrations |
Books(covers, jackets, etc.) | $30 | $60 (limit of 5) |
Motion(media for films, videos, etc.) | $70 | $140(limit of 3) |
Student Work | $15(Image) $40(Video) | $30 (Images, limit of 5) $80 (Video, limit of 3) |
For more categories, please download the category PDF.
Late Fees
Entries must be registered no later than Jan.13, 2024. Entries registered after that date will be charged a fee of $10 each. No entries can be registered after Jan. 27, 2024.
1. What is an advantage of winning an award?A.You will be given a large bonus. |
B.You will be exposed to world-famous works. |
C.You will be widely recognized in the industry. |
D.You will be employed as a professor in the industry. |
A.$60. | B.$100. | C.$110. | D.$150. |
A.England. | B.English-speaking countries. |
C.America. | D.Any country in the world. |
5 . This was the big game. The boys were
Nervously, I looked out Andy’s way. I was
“Come on, Andy.
Thank goodness, a big kid in the other team made a mistake. Andy and I had been
Andy ran up to me at the
Andy’s eyes were glowing (发光) with
“Yes,” I said. “Well, one inning (局) to go. Hit a home run (全垒打)!”
“Okay!” said Andy, and he ran back to his
I suddenly realized it was nice that my son would take time out to
A.nervous | B.scared | C.curious | D.ashamed |
A.trained | B.struggled | C.prayed | D.run |
A.electric | B.friendly | C.casual | D.romantic |
A.flee | B.bite | C.jump | D.strike |
A.amused | B.embarrassed | C.shocked | D.satisfied |
A.carrying | B.focusing | C.commenting | D.reflecting |
A.Settle down | B.Stand up | C.Wake up | D.Lie down |
A.informed | B.punished | C.warned | D.spared |
A.meeting | B.break | C.corner | D.entrance |
A.blame | B.comfort | C.entertain | D.tease |
A.anger | B.anxiety | C.excitement | D.confidence |
A.teammates | B.fans | C.parents | D.stars |
A.create | B.research | C.explain | D.appreciate |
A.need | B.expect | C.afford | D.suspect |
A.become | B.filmed | C.seen | D.followed |
6 . Rushing down the path, the traceur (跑酷者) is on the lookout for his next obstacles such as fire escapes, walls, or fences. As soon as he realizes a massive brick wall stands between him and where he wants to be, he unintentionally grabs on the wall with his hands and lifts himself to stand on top of it. His next move is a jump that lands him back on solid ground; however, noticing that he is unstable, he rolls to avoid injury.
Traceurs are athletes who perform remarkable gymnastics actions in urban environments. Serious traceurs are fascinated not just by the physical challenges of Parkour, but by its philosophy. Those who learn to excel at Parkour claim to develop not just physical fitness, but increased self-confidence and critical thinking skills, as they train themselves to find ways around every obstacle in their paths.
Because of these philosophical foundations, Parkour is often described by traceurs as more of a lifestyle or an art form than a sport. Passionate traceurs are determined to keep Parkour from becoming a competitive attempt. Competition, they argue, devalues the philosophical theory behind Parkour. People who practice Parkour should be more concerned with their relationship to the environment than with a ticking clock, a score, or a cheering crowd. Furthermore, traceurs should work with each other to improve confidence, awareness, and unity. Competition, they argue, only brings about feelings of conflict and disharmony.
While Parkour purists suggest that the philosophy behind Parkour helps to limit injuries, they must remember that not everyone who tries to leap over a mailbox is an experienced traceur trying to get in touch with his or her environment. Adolescents attempting to carry out these acrobatic (杂技的) skills could severely injure themselves. So while newcomers to Parkour might be eager to investigate this art of movement, it would be wise for them to remember the physicality behind the philosophy. After all, philosophy is not much good to a broken leg.
1. Why does the author describe a traceur at the beginning?A.To illustrate what Parkour is like. | B.To teach ways of avoiding injuries. |
C.To explain different Parkour moves. | D.To highlight the popularity of sports. |
A.By strengthening physical fitness. | B.By winning Parkour competitions. |
C.By building faith in conquering barriers. | D.By grasping some philosophical theories. |
A.They are aware of how to treat injuries. |
B.They suggest individual efforts in the sport. |
C.They stress the relationship to the environment. |
D.They are more concerned with remarkable actions. |
A.Face physical challenges boldly. | B.Learn from experienced traceurs. |
C.Start from leaping over a mailbox. | D.Consider the risk of severe harm. |
7 . When it comes to lowering blood pressure, studies have typically shown that aerobic (有氧的) exercises are best. Recent research suggests another type of physical activity is worth including as an effective tool to prevent and treat high blood pressure.
Exercises that engage muscles without movement, such as wall squats and planks, may be best for lowering blood pressure, according to a large study published in July, 2023 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
This type of training is known as isometric exercise, according to the Mayo Clinic. Isometric muscle action happens when muscles contract but do not visibly change length, and the joints involved don’t move, facilitating stability of the body. Isometric exercises can be done with weights or without, just relying on the body’s own weight.
“These findings provide a comprehensive data-driven framework to support the development of new exercise guideline recommendations for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure,” said study coauthor Dr. Jamie O’Driscoll in a news release.
The researchers looked into randomized controlled trials that had reported the effects of exercise interventions, lasting two or more weeks, on blood pressure between 1990 and February 2023. From a review of 270 trials with 15,827 participants, the researchers found that among HIIT (high intensity interval training), isometric exercise, aerobic exercise, dynamic resistance training and a combination of the latter two, isometric exercise led to the greatest reductions in blood pressure.
It’s also important to note that there are other lifestyle changes as well as exercise that can benefit your blood pressure. These include keeping to a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, cutting down on salt, not drinking too much alcohol and ensuring that you continue to take any prescribed medication.
More research is needed to determine exactly why isometric exercises might be better for lowering blood pressure than other types of training, the authors said.
1. What does the underlined part “isometric exercise” in paragraph 3 refer to?A.Exercise that is done with extra weights. |
B.Exercise that involves visible muscle contraction. |
C.Exercise that focuses on stability of the body. |
D.Exercise that engages muscles without movement. |
A.By providing statistics. | B.By interviewing experts. |
C.By doing experiments. | D.By making comparisons. |
A.Exploring the reasons for its effectiveness. |
B.Demonstrating its influences on mental health. |
C.Assessing its suitability for different populations. |
D.Determining its long-term impacts on blood pressure. |
A.The benefits of aerobic exercises. | B.The best exercise for blood pressure. |
C.The effects of various types of exercises. | D.The importance of keeping a healthy lifestyle. |
1.表示祝贺;
2.回顾他的困难;
3.赞扬他的努力。
注意:1.词数100左右;
2.开头和结尾已给出,不计入总词数。
Dear Jim,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
In my old school days, running
1. 少运动现象列举;
2. 给予合适建议;
3. 发出号召。
注意:1. 词数80左右;
2. 文章开头和结尾已经写好。
Dear fellow students,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua