1 . Choosing the right hiking equipment will make your walk safer and more comfortable. Getting it right is easy with our pick of the best. Don’t hesitate to grab them!
SMART SOCKS
Smartwool Women’s PhD Outdoor Light Print Crew Walking Socks (£16.09)
Built for mile after mile of trail, these socks are so light and seamless that you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them.
Darn Tough Kelso Micro Crew Light Cushion (£20)
Keep you cool while going the distance in these wool socks. They’re cushioned and silky soft.
1000 Mile Fusion Walking Sock (£15.99, twin pack)
Need extra comfort? The Fusion Walking Sock has a blister-free guarantee thanks to clever double-layer technology and padded zones.
LIGHTWEIGHT JACKETS
Smartwool Merino Smart Ultra Light Hoodie (£114.99)
This windproof layer packs away into its pocket.
Berghaus Women’s Skerray Smock (£70)
Stay warm if the wind gets up in this super-light, water-repellent smock jacket with a fitting hood. It packs away into the small pocket.
Finisterre Mistral Waterproof Jacket (£185)
Light yet fully waterproof, this cool high-quality jacket has zipped pockets and an adjustable foldaway hood.
SUMMER SHORTS
Jack Wolfskin Overland Zip Away (£115)
Always chilly when you set out but boiling by the time you’re climbing that hill? With these clever pants, you get a pair of soft-shell trousers and a pair of shorts in one.
1. What can we know from the passage?| A．Crew Walking Socks provide the most comfort of all. |
| B．All the equipment can pack away into its small pocket. |
| C．Both the Light Hoodie and Skerray Smock can keep out the wind. |
| D．Crew Walking Socks are the cheapest and of highest quality. |
| A．Crew Walking Socks & Waterproof Jacket. |
| B．Light Hoodie & Fusion Walking Socks. |
| C．Overland Zip Away & Crew Light Cushion. |
| D．Fusion Walking Socks & Skerray Smock. |
| A．New Technology. | B．Life Style. | C．Sports. | D．Advertisement. |
2 . It was about 10 p.m. when Janice arrived at the train station. She jumped into her car and began the 20﹣minute drive home. She'd traveled the route so many times that she almost knew every bump on it. But out of nowhere on that awful night,a car T-boned her car,moving her backward onto the railroad tracks. She sat in her car，frightened by the impact and the vehicle's airbags.
As this happened，Peter was getting ready for bed. He'd just closed his book when he heard glass coming from not far outside his bedroom window. A volunteer firefighter and retired teacher，Peter never stopped to think. He grabbed a flashlight and ran out of the door. "Any firefighter would have done what I did" he said. "We're always on duty."
The first car he came upon was the one that hit Janice. Once Peter concluded the driver was OK，he looked around and spotted Janice's car straddling(横跨)the railroad tracks. And then he heard the bells signaling an oncoming train and saw the headlight of the train.
Peter dashed to Janice's car and banged on the driver's side window. She just looked at him，her eyes unfocused. "I don't know where I am" she said.
"Honey，you're on the railroad tracks" Peter shouted. "We have to get you off right now!" He pulled on the handle，but the door was jammed shut. The train,traveling at 65 mph，was running toward them. Peter ran to the passenger side and threw open the door. He pushed aside the airbags,grabbed Janice's arms，and pulled her toward him across the passenger seat until he could help her out and speed walk her to safety. Within six seconds,he estimated,the train plowed into the car. "It was like a Hollywood movie." Peter said.
1. What caused Peter to run out of the door？| A．The sound of a fire alarming. |
| B．The noise of glass flying in his direction. |
| C．The sound of two cars exploding. |
| D．The noise of his bedroom window broken. |
| A．He carried her out of her car. |
| B．He broke the driver's window and pulled her out. |
| C．He pushed her car off the tracks. |
| D．He pulled her out of car and supported her to safety. |
| A．Entertainment. |
| B．Travelling. |
| C．Society. |
| D．Education. |
3 . Every year on April 1, April Fools' Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. In France, it's called "Poisson d’Avril" or "Fish of April”. In Scotland, the holiday is often called "Gowkie Day". In Iraq, the holiday is called "Kithbet Neesan” or "April Lie".
History experts say people have celebrated April Fools’ Day for a long time. Some believe April Fools' Day comes from the ancient Romans more than two thousand years ago, which was a day of playing games and pretending to be someone else.
Others say the day for fooling began in France in 1564. when King Charles changed the yearly calendar. He moved New Year's Day from April 1 to January I Many people did not know about the change because of communication problems then. Some people continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people called them April Fools and played jokes on them.
In the United State, April Fools' Day is just a day of joking and playing tricks on friends. These kinds of jokes are also called pranks （恶 作 剧）.These jokes typically end in the prankster shouting “April Fools”!
Simple pranks, like telling a friend a funny lie or making prank phone calls, are still common. But major companies also get in on April Fools' Day in a much bigger way. A few years ago, on April 1, Starbucks announced it was introducing new coffee cup sizes-plenta and Micra. The very large cups, bigger than a human head, remained useful for customers even after finishing all that coffee. According to Starbucks, the cups could be used as a rain hat, a pot for plants, or a lampshade.
It did not take long for customers to catch on to the prank. More and more people use media or smartphone apps to play pranks on their friends on April Fools' Day. One very annoying smartphone app, Cat Facts, sends funny facts about cats to your friends5 phones every day.
1. Why did some French people keep the old New Year's Day?| A．They liked the old celebration. |
| B．They did not know the change. |
| C．They wanted to be different from others. |
| D．The king wanted to play plank on the people. |
| A．escape the stress of their work |
| B．find a chance to give children gifts |
| C．improve the friendship between them |
| D．have fun and play jokes on others |
| A．Join in | B．give away |
| C．stick to | D．break away from |
| A．To introduce a new festival. |
| B．To tell a story on April Fools' Day. |
| C．To introduce April Fools' Day. |
| D．To explain the misunderstanding of April Fools' Day. |
4 . Love to write? Want to see your work published and win some cash along the way? Then read on. The national Spark a Story writing contest is calling in all young storytellers!
Who can participate?
The contest is open to students in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12, or those who are being home-schooled in the United States.
Deadline and requirements
You’re able to send your short story up to October 7th. It will be judged on creativity, originality and overall quality of writing. Your story must be original works and should be no longer than 5000 words. There is no minimum length requirements.
How can I send my short story?
There are three easy ways to send your short story:
*Online at http: // learn.hmhco.com/hmhsparkamind
*Send your short story as a PDF or Microsoft word document to Sparkahmhco.com
*Send your short story via US Mail to: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
222 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116
What will I win?
The best stories will be published next year. Winners will receive a free copy of the book and cash price of $100.
1. Which of the following children can take part in the contest?| A．Maria, grade 7, from New York. |
| B．Justin, grade 9, from London. |
| C．Catherine, grade 11, from Washington. |
| D．C.D. Bastian, home-schooled from Paris. |
| A．longer than 5,000 words. |
| B．shorter than 5,000 words. |
| C．an original work. |
| D．sent before October 7th. |
| A．Sending it online. |
| B．Sending it by email. |
| C．Sending it by US Mail. |
| D．Sending it by fax. |
5 . Being a teenager is hard, which is why there are many amazing teen movies documenting （记录)the experience. Some are so good that they will become classics in a few years. Here is a list for you.
Mean Girls
"You go, Glen Coco!" "It's not going to happen!” "On Wednesdays we wear pink!" "You can’ t sit with us!" If you rank teen movies by how many lines of dialogues will live on forever, Mean Girls will certainly be on top. So many classic lines!
Eighth Grade
This movie will take you back to the eighth grade and remind you of all the good and bad times you had at that age. Kayla, a shy girl, feels the most connected to the world through social media. It's Kayla's final week in the eighth grade and she promises to make it as great as possible before she moves on to high school.
13 Going on 30
This classic follows Jenna Rink, a girl whose wish on her 13th birthday is to grow up and escape from high school. The next day her wish comes true. She wakes up in her 30-year-old body only to find that she's an editor of a major magazine in America. Although she loves her new life at first, she quickly finds out that being grown-up isn't that much easier than being 13.
Shazam!
Shazam! is about a kid named Billy Batson, who suddenly gets magic powers from the Wizard Shazam. By calling Shazam's name, Billy can be changed into a hero with powers like strength, speed and flight. Like in all the other movies of this kind, in Shazam! Billy is tasked with defeating his enemy who warns to steal all his powers.
1. What is special about Mean Girls?| A．It is about girls' adventures. | B．It ranks first on the movie list. |
| C．It is aimed at amusing the audience. | D．It contains lots of classic dialogues. |
| A．Eighth Grade. | B．13 Going on 30. |
| C．Mean Girls. | D．Shazam!. |
| A．A superhero film. | B．A documentary. |
| C．A tragedy. | D．A love story. |
6 . What limits you from hiking more often? If not having a suitable hiking partner is keeping you out of the woods，why not take a look at the great hiking clubs across Canada?
•Yukon Outdoors Club
Membership cost：$ 10 for a single membership；$ 15 for a family membership.
Description: The club coordinates day hikes，backpacking trips，canoe trips，mountain biking，cross-country skiing trips，snowshoeing trips and various workshops for members to gain new skills and valuable information. The trips are open to everyone and range from easy to moderate to difficult.
• Vernon Outdoors Club
Membership cost: A single membership is $ 25，and students pay $ 10. Children are free when they come with a registered family member.
Description: Boasting a membership of close to 200 people，the Vernon Outdoors Club is an active group that enjoys hiking and cycling. Since the membership is comprised of outdoor lovers in general，they are encouraged to share their activity ideas and interests.
• Pender Harbor Hiking Group
Membership cost: Free
Description: Now in its fourth year and boasting about 100 members，the Pender Harbor Hiking Group offers a way for members to get fit. Hikes are scheduled two months in advance，so get on the mailing list or check the website regularly to find a hike that's right for you！
• UBC Varsity Outdoor Club
Membership cost: Students $ 40；non-UBC students $60.
Description: The UBC Varsity outdoor Club is a social group that hikes，mountaineers，kayaks，rock climbs and ice climbs. Travel and outdoor-minded UBC students and non-students are welcome to join. Members lead trips，run skills workshops, host presentations and tune gear. For a refundable deposit，members can borrow equipment from the clubroom's gear cache.
1. What is special about the Yukon Outdoors Club?| A．It has workshops | B．It involves trips of different levels. |
| C．It provides membership | D．It schedules she hikes in advance. |
| A．$25 | B．Half price | C．None. | D．$10 |
| A．Yukon Outdoors Club | B．Pender Harbor Hiking Group. |
| C．UBC Varsity Outdoor Club | D．Vernon Outdoors Club |
7 . If you like traveling, these less known places in New York City (NYC) are sure to create good memories that last a lifetime.
The High Line Park
The High Line Park has been only recently developed, so it is one of NYC’s most beautiful places and one of the most unique (独特的) places you could ever hope to find. It is nothing like your city park. Instead of being a park of trees, grass, and benches, it is built entirely on the top of an old above ground railway line.
The Cloisters
The Cloister is a branch (分支) of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is located in northern Manhattan’s Fort Tryon Park. It is filled with gardens and medieval (中世纪的) art and buildings. If you’re looking for a memorable experience, it is sure to be a good choice.
The Dream House
If you don’t like art museums or concert halls, you can choose the Dream House on Tribeca’s Church Street. It was created in 1993 by a married couple La Monte Young, a musician, and his wife Marian Zazeela. In the Dream House, every move that visitors make in the Dream House creates a different series of sounds. Meanwhile, fantastic pink lighting guides them through their journey.
Greenacre Park
If you have ever wished you could sit next to a surprising waterfall, you can go Greenacre Park. Located in the heart of midtown Manhattan on 5lst Street, this “pocket park” has a 25-foot waterfall, quiet greenery and benches.
1. What do we know about the High Line Park?| A．It is full of tall trees. | B．It hasn’t been finished. |
| C．It has so many works of art. | D．It is built on the top of a railway line. |
| A．An old train. | B．Light of different colors. |
| C．The Middle Ages’ art. | D．A surprising waterfall. |
| A．The High Line Park. | B．The Dream House. |
| C．The Cloisters. | D．Greenacre Park. |
8 . Inventors are always at work, dreaming up new technologies. Some inventions help us solve problems. Others make life easier, or more fun. Here, TFK(Time for Kids) presents 3 of our favorite inventions. See how they make us live a better life.
Stopping Sickness
Christine Schindler is an engineer. She wanted to help stop the spread of foodborne illnesses. So she created PATHSPOT. It uses light to scan a person’s hands for harmful germs. Restaurant employees hold their hands beneath the scanner. Then the scanner judges whether they must be rewashed. About 100 locations have started using the product since it launched in May.
Talking Eyes
For people who are blind or have other visual problems, the ORCAM MYEYE 2 could be a game changer. It might also prove useful for people with reading difficulties. Described as “talking glasses,” this AI device can be attached to any eyeglass frame. It can identify faces. It can also read text aloud. Fitting all this power into such a small device is like “putting an elephant in a small closet,” says Amnon Shashua, the inventor of the technology. Now the device can be bought online.
Sport-safe
Research shows that playing football increases the risk of brain injury. Still, about a million kids under the age of 13 play football, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. That’s where the VICIS ZERO1 YOUTH football helmet comes in. It has thick, force-absorbing support on the front and sides, where kids are likely to take the hardest hits on the field. Players on 1,500 youth teams have worn the helmet.
1. What is the function of Pathspot?| A．Killing the germs on hands. | B．Checking if hands are clean. |
| C．Rewashing employees’ hands. | D．Stopping the reproduction of germs. |
| A．Low-noise. | B．Portable. |
| C．Single-function | D．Power-saving. |
| A．It is available to the public now. | B．It improves kids’ football skills. |
| C．It is designed for kids under 13 only. | D．Its front and sides are the hardest. |
9 . The human brain remembers negative experiences more easily than positive ones. Our brains have developed in this way because threats, like dangerous animal, have a more immediate effect on people's survival compared to positive things like food or shelter. As a result, you clearly know what makes you unhappy, but do you know what makes you happy?
Research suggests that our level of happiness is partly shaped by the choices we make. If you've been chasing wealth, fame, power and some material things, you may be looking for happiness in the wrong places. Psychologists suggest that the following habits can make people happier.
People who own close relationships tend to be happier than those who do not. The number of our friends is not important. What matters is the quality of our relationships. Relationships that bring happiness usually consist of the sharing of feelings, acceptance, mutual respect and trust.
People who exercise regularly can improve both their physical and mental well-being. Some research has shown that exercise can be as effective as some medicine in treating depression.
If we are so interested in an activity, we may lose track of time, and we can be in a state of flow. The activity could be playing the piano, surfing the Internet or playing a game. People who experience flow in their work or life tend to be happier.
People are more likely to be happy if they know what their strengths are and can use them regularly. People are especially happy when they can set goals and use their strengths to achieve them.
People, who think positively by being grateful, mindful and optimistic, are more likely to be happy. Being grateful means being thankful. Being mindful means considering, focusing on, and enjoying the experiences of the present moment. Being optimistic means being hopeful about the future.
1. Human brains remember negative things more easily because negative things_________.| A．tend to affect human survival immediately |
| B．are much more important than other thing |
| C．can make people live much happier |
| D．are easy to remember |
| A．being famous | B．setting life goals |
| C．chasing power | D．earning money |
| A．think more about our future |
| B．focus on everything in our life |
| C．be positive in our life and work |
| D．only enjoy the present moment |
| A．Why people remember positive things easily. |
| B．Why people remember negative things easily. |
| C．What makes people happy. |
| D．What makes people sad. |
10 . Richard Campbell is a secondary school student. He is 15 years old. He lives in a small town in the north of England. Every morning, he gets up at eight o'clock, puts on his uniform and walks to school.
One hour later, the lessons start. The students usually study maths, English, history and geography in the morning. They usually study music and drawing and they play sports after lunch. They have a ten-minute break between classes. They also spend a long time in the school library, reading books and doing their homework.
Richard likes his school very much. His favourite subjects are English and geography, but he doesn’t like maths because he is not good at it.
Richard and all his friends spend the whole day at school. Lunch is at one o'clock. He doesn’t like the food that the school serves. This is why he often brings a packed lunch from home. He always has his lunch in the dining hall, but some of his friends sometimes eat in the courtyard or outside the school gate.
At weekends, he always goes out with his friends because he doesn’t go to school. On Saturday, he always goes to the cinema or to the sports centre. On Sunday, he just goes for a walk with his dog.
1. What time do Richard’s lessons begin in the morning?| A．At 8:00. | B．At 8:30. |
| C．At 9:00. | D．At 9:10. |
| A．Maths and English. | B．English and geography. |
| C．History and maths. | D．Geography and history. |
| A．In the dining hall. | B．At home. |
| C．In the courtyard. | D．Outside his school gate. |
| A．He reads and does homework. |
| B．He goes to see films or does sports. |
| C．He walks his dog or does exercise. |
| D．He spends a long time in the library. |
