2 . ACL 500 Word Story Competition

We are pleased to announce the launch of the ACL 500 Word Story Competition. This time the theme is “Awakening”. We’re looking for our community to pen a story that quickly catches our attention and tells a great tale. You can submit (提交) an entry as an individual achievement or as a team effort — we want to read both kinds! Our judges will include a range of our experienced instructors, staff and local Essex Author Sarah Armstrong.

Sarah Armstrong is the author of three novels, most recently The Wolves of Leninsky Prospekt and The Starlings of Bucharest, the first and second in the Moscow Wolves series. She is also the author of A Summer of Spying, a book mainly about her own experience. Sarah teaches undergraduate and postgraduate creative writing with The Open University, and lives in Essex with her husband and four children.

Rules:
◆ Your story can be a poem, an essay or any other kinds of writing.
◆ Entries will need to be in a Word format. PDF files are unacceptable.
◆ Please ensure your story is suitable for all to read.
◆ Use the given submission form to submit your details and story. The deadline for submissions is 12th April.
Benefits:
◆ Prizes include a book voucher (代金券), a short creative writing course, and your work published.
◆ Discover new and exciting skills at writing while exploring your creative writing and sharing inspirational moments with others. We have a fantastic range of Creative Writing courses for you to choose from.
1. What do we know about the competition?

A．It’s organized in honor of Sarah Armstrong.

B．It looks for both individual and group works.

C．It aims to awaken an interest in writing.

D．It’s targeted at undergraduates and postgraduates.

2. Which is a requirement for the entries?

A．They should be submitted as a Word file.	B．They must be poems or essays.
C．They must be based on personal experience.	D．They should be about life in Essex.

3. What can participants get?

A．A voucher for a course.	B．An expert training class by Sarah.
C．A vast range of courses.	D．An improvement to writing skills.

3 . Our much-loved 100-Word-Story Competition is back! Enter for the chance to win prizes of up to £1,000. It is a chance to show the world your storytelling talents! Entries (参赛作品) are now open.

Rules and conditions

Please ensure that entries are created by yourself, not previously published and exactly 100 words long (not including title)—not a single word shorter or longer! Don’t forget to include your full name, address, email and phone number. We may use entries in all print and electronic media. Multiple entries are allowed per person. We are unfortunately only able to consider UK-based entries. Please submit your stories by 5pm on January 5, 2024 either online or by post.

Terms and prizes

There are three categories—one for adults and two categories for schools: one for children aged 12-18 and one for children under 12. The editorial team will pick a shortlist of entries, and the three best stories in each category will be posted online at our website on February 1,2024. You can vote for your favourite and the one with the most votes will win the top prize. Voting will close on February 29, 2024 and the winning entries will be published in our May 2024 issue, and posted online on April 16, 2024.

★In the adults category, the winner will receive £1,000 and one runner-up will receive £300.

★In the 12-18s category, the winner will receive£200 or a Kind le Paperwhite, and the runner-up will receive a £100 books voucher.

★In the under-12 category, the winner will receive £100 or a Kindle Paperwhite and £100 of book vouchers for their school, and the runner- up will receive a £50 books voucher.

1. To meet the competition rules, the entry must be ______.

A．created originally	B．published openly
C．less than 100 words	D．based on the US

2. When can you see the winning entries earliest?

A．In January.

B．In February.

C．In April.

D．In May.

3. What prize may a winner aged 16 receive?

A．£100.

B．£200.

C．£300.

D．£1,000.

4 . Ready to show off your art to the world? Check out our guide to some of the best art contests to enter this year.

Watermedia Showcase

Prize: $2,500 first prize, $1,250 second prize.

Entry Fee: $35.

Requirements: Open to international artists 18 years of age and older.

The Watermedia Showcase awards original art created primarily with water-based media. Judged by the editors of Watercolor Artist, all winners will have their work featured in the magazine.

The Lumen Prize for Digital Art

Prize: $4,000 first prize, with a $13,500 total prize fund.

Entry Fee: $40.

Requirements: Open to artists worldwide.

This digital art competition is organized by Lumen Art Projects Ltd, which provides new opportunities for digital artists around the world. Categories include Still, Moving Image, XR, 3D/Interactive and Artificial Intelligence.

World Illustration Awards

Prize: A cash prize of $2,540 and more publicity opportunities.

Entry Fee: $37.

Requirements: Open to artists worldwide.

Illustrators are invited to submit works to 8 different categories. Winners will win not only a cash prize, but also a feature in a major exhibition in central London, and an invitation to the Awards Evening in October.

Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing

Prize: $2,000 first prize, $1,000 second prize.

Entry Fee: $45.

Requirements: Open to artists in the United States.

The Strokes of Genius Competition celebrates original work made in drawing mediums, including pencil, charcoal and even some wet paint mediums. Winning entries (参赛作品) will be published in a special edition publication, The Best of Drawing.

1. Which competition is related to technology?

A．Watermedia Showcase.	B．The Lumen Prize for Digital Art.
C．World Illustration Awards.	D．Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing.

2. What chance can winners of World Illustration Awards have?

A．To host the Awards Evening.	B．To hold art exhibitions globally.
C．To sell their entries at high prices.	D．To become known to the public.

3. How is the Strokes of Genius Competition different from the others?

A．It is free of charge.	B．It awards the largest prize in amount.
C．It is a national competition.	D．It has an age limit for participants.

5 . A lot of people find it difficult to do exercise regularly, even though they know it’s good for their physical and mental (身心上的) health. Yet keeping on a workout routine doesn’t necessarily go to the gym or run around your neighborhood. Gardening is a great example of a popular hobby that can be used as a workout.

Nashville resident Tom Adkinson, 72, is on board with the idea of gardening to stay fit. He has three gardens, which he uses primarily to grow tomatoes, sweet banana peppers and okra. Like traditional exercise, Adkinson does a lot of preparation before gardening, and then he spends hours watering and weeding (除草) all three gardens, involving bending and stretching, which he compares to performing garden yoga.

“It is wise of Adkinson to do so. Even though gardening may not appear difficult, using the body in new ways can make you hurt if you don’t warm up beforehand,” said Zeller, who teaches at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County in New Jersey.

Working in your garden just two hours a week could improve your mood. And the communal gardening, which is done by a number of people as a group in communities and schools, provides social benefits that can reduce stress and help fight against loneliness and even dementia according to studies.

“With all these benefits, gardening for fitness will be a trend (趋势) in the coming year,” announced Mandal, CEO of the fitness coaching app Future, “Our users at Future have already been asking their coaches to add gardening and landscaping activities into their routines because it’s easy to get and fit into their lifestyle.”

1. What do the underlined words “on board with” mean in paragraph 2?

A．In support of.	B．At the risk of.
C．Under the control of.	D．In opposition to.

2. What did Zeller probably suggest doing before gardening?

A．Having a good rest.

B．Getting enough water ready.

C．Doing warm-up exercise.

D．Preparing tools for weeding.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Tips for gardening.

B．The benefits of gardening.

C．The process of garden management.

D．The difference between personal and group gardening.

4. Which activity may be added to the app Future according to Mandal?

A．Running.

B．Yoga.

C．Gardening.

D．Walking.

6 . Everywhere and in every given time, children spend their days in simple but interesting games. One such game which has passed the test of time, becoming one of the oldest forms of child’s play ever known, is hoop rolling.

Hoop rolling is both a child’s game and a sport. A large hoop is rolled along the ground, generally by means of an object held by the player to keep it rolling. The aim of the game is to keep the hoop upright for as long periods of time as possible. First, the left hand supports the hoop; the right hand holds the long handle of the hook (钩). And then keep the balance of the hoop with the hook. Push the hoop to the ground, keep it rolling steadily and keep the hoop from falling. In the team competition, it is mainly about who is faster, and how far to roll.

Hoop rolling has a very long history and it has been recorded since ancient times in Africa, Asia and Europe. In Asia, the earliest records date from ancient China, and in Europe from ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks welcomed hoop rolling as a beneficial exercise for those not very strong. Besides, the game was also a common pastime of African village children.

Hoop rolling serves as evidence (证据) of everyday life about the long-gone civilization. Every year at Wellesley College, hoop rolling competition started as a memory of the May Day celebration of spring. Now it gradually becomes part of the graduation ceremony. Students celebrate by dressing up in children’s clothing and playing games. The child’s play popular in ancient times helps them escape from real-world worries.

The long history of the game shows that there indeed are inventions that are timeless. The human ability to make himself and others happy has been present since the beginning of civilization, and will be present forever.

1. What does Paragraph 2 mainly tell us about hoop rolling?

A．Its rules.	B．Its types.
C．Its history.	D．Its material

2. Why did ancient Greeks like hoop rolling?

A．It offered a way to kill time.

B．It was fit for village children.

C．It could be played anywhere.

D．It helped the weak to exercise.

3. Why is Wellesley College mentioned?

A．To remember the May Day celebration.

B．To promote a method of reducing stress.

C．To encourage other colleges to follow suit.

D．To give an example of preserving the tradition.

4. What does the long history of hoop rolling suggest?

A．People’s hobbies have changed a lot.

B．All inventions will survive in history.

C．Good things can stand the test of time.

D．New games will always be on the way.

8 . If you’ve heard of “pickleball,” chances are that you connect the sport with seniors. That’s not surprising, as it was the 55-plus set that began growing the sport at the end of last century. But today, pickleball is attracting players of every age as it becomes more and more popular across the U.S. and around the globe.     1    

Pickleball is a combination of badminton, ping-pong and tennis. It’s played on a badminton-sized court with a low net like that used in tennis. Players use a bat that’s smaller than a tennis racquet (球拍), but larger than a ping-pong bat.     2     Most games are played to 11 points, with a two-point spread needed to win, and each game typically lasts just 15 to 20 minutes.

In 2021, more than 4.8 million people in the U.S. were playing pickleball. That’s about four times as many people as were playing in 2010, and makes pickleball one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. and North America. So, what’s the appeal?

    3     Also, it doesn’t take a lot of time to play and is accessible, as players just need a racquet and ball. It provides a great exercise, too. And for experienced players, pickleball can become a fast-paced, strategic game. It’s also just plain fun.

In North America, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts can be seen everywhere. About 66 new locations open every month. In addition, the game is being introduced to kids in middle school and high school PE classes.     4     Many professional players are appearing.

Pickleball may even become an Olympic sport one day, especially if the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) gets its way. Created in 2010, the IFP’s goal is to make pickleball universally present around the world.     5     IFP membership has spread fast to over 60 countries, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, India, Italy, Pakistan, the Philippines and Spain.

A．It’s well along the way.

B．But what, exactly, is it?

C．Then what is the reason behind this?

D．It’s also a sport on many college campuses.

E．Games may be played as singles or doubles.

F．It has long been a favorite in places like community centers.

G．That pickleball is easy to learn is perhaps the basis of its popularity.

9 . On Sunday, Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia shocked the running world by breaking the women’s world record for the marathon by over two minutes. Assefa finished the Berlin Marathon in just 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds.

But Assefa’s record was far beyond what most people expected. After all, it was only her third time running a marathon.

“I wanted to break the marathon world record,” she said, “But I couldn’t imagine that it would result in a time under 2:12.”

When Assefa was younger, she started by running short races, called sprints. Then she became a middle-distance runner, running the 800 meters (half mile) race. Her best time in the 800 meters was 1 minute and 59 seconds.

Last March, she ran her first marathon. Then last September, she entered the Berlin Marathon. She won, and set a new women’s record for the course, finishing in 2:15:37.

This year, she ran almost four minutes faster than she did last year. In both races, Assefa ran faster in the second half of the race than she did in the first half.

Her time of 2:11:53 was over two minutes faster than the old women’s record (2:14:04), which was set in Chicago in 2019 by Brigid Kosgei of Kenya.

When she finished the race, Assefa kneeled down and kissed the pavement before raising her arms in victory.

Though Assefa made it look easy, she said winning the race “…was the result of hard work.” Assefa was coached by Gemedu Dedefo, who has helped train many Ethiopian star runners.

1. What is Assefa’s latest record for the marathon?

A．2:11:53.

B．2:14:04.

C．2:15:37.

D．1:59:00.

2. What does Assefa think of her victory?

A．It is what she expected.	B．It is a piece of cake for her.
C．It is due to great effort.	D．It is because of her coach.

3. Which word best describes Tigst Assefa as a runner?

A．Talented.

B．Friendly.

C．Humorous.

D．Warm-hearted.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．Dedefo Helps to Train Many Star Runners

B．Kosgei Holds the Women’s Marathon Record

C．Assefa Sets a Good Example to Other Runners

D．Assefa Breaks the Women’s Marathon Record

10 . Arm wrestling(扳手腕) is a type of athletic contest.     1     Each one places an elbow(肘) on a table, holds the hand of the other and tries to force it back to connect with the table.

    2     In their view, it doesn’t require many things used in other sports, including physical strength and other skills. In fact, it is not just physical strength; strategy plays a key role. Good observation is also necessary for success in arm wrestling. What’s more, competitive arm wrestling is an organized sport with very specific rules. Anyone who breaks rules may even lead to losing a match.

Like many other sports, there are different classes in arm wrestling. For championships, players are divided into classes by weight.     3    

Arm wrestling has a very long history. It started as just a Saturday night past time. A journalist named Bill Soberanes founded the sport around 1952. Since the American Armsport Association(AAA) sanctioned(认可) it, many organizations have worked hard to support and promote competitive arm wrestling.     4     Some are local, representing certain regions, while others try to promote the sport on an international level. Whether small local or international championships, arm wrestlers from all walks of life put their skills to the test, pushing their bodies to the limit.

Now, arm wrestling attracts a variety of people, of all ages and backgrounds.     5    Many people enjoy the sport purely for fun, while others approach it with spirit common in true competitors.

A．There are two competitors in the contest.

B．Their health conditions need to be considered.

C．Arm wrestling is widely accepted among the young.

D．Many people don’t think of arm wrestling as a sport.

E．It can be as exciting for the young as it is for the old.

F．They contribute to improving the image people have of arm wrestling.

G．There are also different divisions for those who wrest with the right hand, in contrast to those with left one.