1 . There are many podcasts (播客) that teach English and you can listen to them anytime. Here is a list of some of the best podcasts that you must see.
Learn English Podcast
This podcast has three levels.The first is for beginners, the second is for intermediates (中级学生) and the third is for upper intermediates. If a person wants to learn Business English,then episodes are also made for him.Every podcast is short but very informative. Worksheets and vocabulary tasks are also included.
Speaking Broadly
This podcast is made for advanced learners. Explained through discussion and interviews, each episode has non-native English speakers and every recording also has expert feedback. You will see some common mistakes made by English learners and you can improve your English by learning from those mistakes.
The English We Speak
This podcast airs one episode daily and every episode is only three to four minutes, which talks about phrases and idioms.There are two people in each episode who communicate with each other. Whatever level you are,you will find it rewarding
Elementary Podcast
This podcast is mainly for beginners and intermediate level learners. The length of a podcast is around 25 minutes but you can pause it anytime and continue whenever you want. The hosts of each episode are different.
1. Which podcast provides exercises going with it?| A．Learn English Podcast. | B．Speaking Broadly. |
| C．The English We Speak | D．Elementary Podcast. |
| A．It records just expert speakers. | B．It aims at beginners. |
| C．It presents some typical mistakes. | D．It provides feedback from listeners. |
| A．They have the same length. | B．They are both interactive. |
| C．They share the same contents. | D．They are suitable for beginners. |
I always wondered how people would react if I tried to approach a stranger for help in a busy place like a street corner or in a bustling mall. I personally have hurried past a stranger who tried to catch my attention in a busy place.
Yesterday I had a taste of being stuck in such a desperate situation where your only hope of help would have to come from a total stranger.
I was in a busy shopping mall buying a large piece of luggage. After the purchase in one of the large and expensive shops, I picked up my phone from my pocket to call my driver waiting in the parking lot and my phone was dead.
I then requested the shop assistant selling me the luggage, which was not cheap at all, if she could ring the number of my driver for me. She replied, still all smiles, “I’m sorry Sir, but it is the shop policy that we cannot use mobile phones while working in the shop.”
As I was wondering what kind of policy that was, I saw a nice-looking teenage boy coming toward me. Remember my wife’s interesting theory that beautiful people are more likely to give you a hand when you’re in trouble, I thought I might have a chance. But before I could say a word, he walked past me. It turned out he simply didn’t see me.
I waited in the mall but it seemed nobody bothered to look at me. Disappointed and tired, I got out of the shop on to the busy street in front. I stood there with people rushing by, looking at their faces to see if they will show kindness to me. I began wondering how many times I had reacted to strangers like the shop girl and the teenager.
注意：1. 续写的短文词数应为100左右；2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
That was when I saw a young mother with her two kids.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Finally a man wearing a cheap T-shirt and dirty jeans seemed to notice me.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3 . Dave Williamson Short Story Competition
By Manitoba Writers’ Guild
The Manitoba Writers’ Guild was started in August 1981 at Aubigny, Manitoba, as a grassroots organization for and of Manitoba writers. Our annual Dave Williamson Short Story Competitions open to writers across Manitoba. We actively encourage submissions from those who are 18+ years of age.
Prizes
Top prize: $ 1, 000 CAD
9 runners-up: $ 500 CAD
9 honorable mentions: Publication
All works from 10 prize winners and 9 honorable mention winners will be published in an e-book collection by the Manitoba Writers’ Guild. Proceeds from the sale of the e-book will be used to support future Manitoba Writers’ Guild writing competitions. Winners will be announced via e-mail a few weeks after the contest deadline.
Entry
Entry is free of charge to all writers. However, writers looking to improve their writing may choose to purchase an assessed entry ($ 10 CAD). With this option, you will receive a Google document with comments and suggestions on how to improve your writing on a sentence level, as well as a personal e-mail guiding you in growing as a writer.
Rules
Follow all the rules carefully to avoid being disqualified.
◆Write between 2, 500 and 5, 000 words and submit only your original, unpublished work.
◆Your submission will include a covering letter that contains your name, address, telephone number, and birth date.
◆We are accepting only e-mail submissions for this contest. Please make sure the file is sent as a. pdf,. doc/. docx or. txt document.
◆The deadline to submit your writing is December 19, 2023.
1. Who is the competition organized for?| A．University students. | B．Local writers in Manitoba. |
| C．Middle school students. | D．Writing enthusiasts in Canada. |
| A．They can receive a cash prize. | B．They are given guidance on writing. |
| C．They can have their entries published. | D．They are free to download e-books. |
| A．Posting your writing by express delivery. | B．Sending your entry on December 18, 2023. |
| C．Typing out a story of 4, 500 words. | D．E-mailing your entry as a. pdf document. |
1.你的交友经历;
2.对友谊的理解。
注意：1.写作词数应为80个左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Friendship
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5 . National Parks in Utah
Zion National Park
It’s perfect for scenic drives and outdoor adventures. One of the park highlights is the Zion Canyons, which offers different hiking (远足) opportunities. Late spring or early fall is the best time to visit Zion National Park, since most facilities are open during this time. However, if you don’t mind cold weather, visit during the late fall and winter.
Bryce Canyon National Park
It’s home to the greatest number of hoodoos (石林) on earth, which are one of the natural wonders of the world. You can see most of Bryce Canyon’s highlights in one day by taking the scenic drive and making stops at various views. Most people visit the park between May and September since the weather is warmer.
Canyonlands National Park
Although it’s the 23rd largest National Park in the US, Canyonlands is the largest out of the four national parks in Utah. The best time of the year to visit is when the weather is pleasant in the spring and fall. The park has four main parts: The Maze, Island in the Sky, The Needles, and Horseshoe Canyon. If you plan to visit every part, you can go on a boat tour to explore it.
Arches National Park
Known as a red-rock wonderland, Arches National Park is popular for its stone arches (石拱).The park has over 2,000 stone arches, with Landscape Arch the largest. The park is busiest from March through October. However, the spring and fall temperatures are the most comfortable. So, the best time to visit is April, May, September and October.
1. When is the best time to visit Zion National Park?| A．Late spring. | B．Early summer. | C．Late fall. | D．Early winter. |
| A．It features hike programs. | B．It is known for stone arches. |
| C．It is the largest one in Utah. | D．It requires advance bookings. |
| A．Take a journey down a river. | B．Explore the Zion Canyons. |
| C．Tour Island in the Sky. | D．Admire the red rock. |
6 . China now has 53sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Let's have a look at four of them, which may give you some advice on your next travel plan.
Huangshan Mountain
Huangshan, known as “the loveliest mountain of China”, lies in the south of Anhui Province in eastern China. The scenic area covers 154 square kilometers, and is famous for its peaks, rocks, pines, clouds and springs. It also has a rich cultural heritage.
Longmen Grottoes
The Longmen Grottoes(石窟) lies in the south of Luoyang city, Henan Province. It includes the largest collection of Chinese art of the late Northern Wei and Tang dynasties, and show the achievements of Chinese stone carving(雕刻).
Gulangyu Island
Located on the entry of the Jiulong River, the island was occupied by at least a dozen countries, including Great Britain, France and Japan. With such a harmonious mixture of Western music and Eastern culture, Gulangyu is naturally referred to as the “island of music”. It is famous for its outstanding musicians and musical instruments.
Ancient villages in southern Anhui
Lying in southern Anhui, Xidi and Hongcun have a high historical and artistic value in architecture. The villages show the architectural features of the Huizhou-styled living houses in the period of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Xidi and Hongcun were added onto the list on November 30,2000.
1. In which place can you admire the western music according to the writing?| A．Huangshan Mountain | B．Gulangyu Island |
| C．Longmen Grottoes | D．Ancient villages in southern Anhui |
| A．A couple who want to see natural scenery. |
| B．A college student who loves the history of Tang and carving. |
| C．A professor who plans to admire the Huizhou-styled architecture. |
| D．A family who’d like to experience the mixture of Chinese and Western cultures. |
| A．A travel guidebook | B．A history textbook |
| C．A scientific fiction | D．An entertainment magazine |
7 . Tenerife might seem like a small island in the Atlantic Ocean, but you will be surprised by how diverse and beautiful it is. There are lots of unique places in Tenerife, so be ready to explore!
Mount Teide
Mount Teide, a famous volcano, is the tallest peak (峰) in Spain and a UNESCO world heritage site. Several routes can lead one to the peak of Mount Teide. While permits are required to hike the mountain, you can have an easier choice—an eight-minute cable car (缆车) that takes you far enough up the top for appreciating views. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and a jacket as it can get cold.
Siam Park
The famous Siam Park was named as the best water park in the world for the second year in a row. You can visit the park at any time of the year, as the pools are heated to a comfortable 24 Celsius. Be sure to choose a sunny day for your visit if you’re heading over in winter.
Casa de Los Balcones
A visit to the Casa de Los Balcones might be a great idea if you’re looking for a first class cultural adventure. It’s a 17th century house with fine carved wooden balconies. The inside has a typical patio (露台) that shows the islands’ handmade traditions.
Playa de Benijo
Playa de Benijo is one of the fascinating beaches in Tenerife. The surface is a large area of black sand with rocky areas mixed in between. The volcanic sand covering the beach, as well as the rocks and the cliffs (悬崖), makes Playa de Benijo a destination for landscape photographers. If you have the chance—go there!
1. What do we know about the Mount Teide?| A．It has a warm climate. |
| B．There is only one way to climb it. |
| C．Free equipment is offered for sightseeing. |
| D．Permits are needed to climb to the top. |
| A．Mount Teide. | B．Siam Park. |
| C．Casa de Los Balcones. | D．Playa de Benijo. |
| A．A middle-aged man who loves taking pictures. |
| B．A traveler who wants to buy some local souveniors. |
| C．A retired elderly couple who plan to go mountain-climbing. |
| D．A 6-year-old boy who likes playing on snow-white beaches. |
8 . Cheapest Islands in the World to Visit
Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas
As the northernmost of the 700 islands of the Bahamas, Grand Bahama dishes up plenty of cheap activities alongside its white-sand beaches. Visiting Lucayan National Park, which is home to both beloved Gold Rock Beach and one of the largest underwater cave (洞穴) systems in the world, is an affordable trip. There are hotel rooms at $80 a night.
Madeira, Portugal
Though closer to mainland Africa, Madeira is a part of Portugal known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Visitors can find hotels starting at $85 a night, and enjoy plenty of low-cost activities, like rowing a boat around the volcanic Porto Moniz natural swimming pools, and admiring the never-ending views around the island. No wonder it’s been called the “Hawaii of Europe”.
Dominican Republic
Looking for one of the least expensive Caribbean islands? The Dominican Republic is full of affordable surprises. In Santo Domingo, walk around Zona Colonial, the historic heart of the country’s capital, you’ll find castles, cathedrals (教堂), cobblestone streets, and cafés around every corner. During the low season (summer), you can find hotel deals starting at $33 a night.
Sri Lanka
Do you want to spend just $25～50 a day? Then go to Sri Lanka. Since the South Asian island country is one of the largest tea producers in the world, start with a tea factory tour on a peaceful hike. Taking a train ride through the hills from Kandy to Badulla or from Colombo to Galle is an enjoyable and affordable way to see the countryside.
1. What can you do in Lucayan National Park?| A．Visit a huge castle. | B．Enjoy the beautiful beach. |
| C．Swim in Porto Moniz. | D．Go on a tea factory tour. |
| A．It requires booking. | B．It has historic sites. |
| C．It is famous for tea. | D．It is closed in summer. |
| A．Dominica. | B．The Bahamas. | C．Portugal. | D．Sri Lanka. |
9 . Five years ago, Chinese skater Wu Dajing introduced himself to the skating world by winning a silver medal at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games. At Pyeong Chang Olympics, Wu not only returned, but also made history.
On Feb 22th, 2018, Wu won the gold medal in the men’s short-track 500-metre race. He set a new world record with a time of 39.584 seconds. He also became the first Chinese man to take home an Olympic short-track gold medal. BBC said Wu’s win was “flawless”, because he was much faster than all of the other skaters.
“I didn’t give them a chance and I kept my speed from the start,” he told the media after the match.
But China’s short-track teams didn’t do well in general at the Games. Chinese skaters in the women’s 500 metres, 3000-metre relay and men’s 1500 metres all failed to take home the gold. Wu was China’s biggest hope, which put a lot of pressure on him. But he proved himself with his great performance.
Wu is now known as a highly talented skater. But things were not always that way. When Wu joined the national team in 2010, he was seen as almost “nothing” compared to gifted skaters like Zhou Yang and Fan Kexin, as his coaches said at the time. Their comments made him quite upset. But as the saying goes. “Winners never quit (放弃) and quitters never win”. Wu didn’t want to give up and worked as hard as he could. He practiced skating all year round. He even didn’t return to his hometown for the holidays for 10 years. “I believe in myself.” he told the media after his match at the Olympics.
1. People began to know Wu Dajing by the time he .| A．won the second place at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games |
| B．won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games |
| C．won a gold medal at Pycong Chang Olympic Winter Games |
| D．entered the Pycong Chang Olympic Winter Games |
| A．common | B．valuable | C．perfect | D．difficult |
| A．Wu won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games four years ago. |
| B．Wu broke the world record with a time of 39.584 seconds and made history. |
| C．Wu’s coaches placed great hope on him when he joined the national team. |
| D．Chinese skaters in women’s 500 metres, 3000-metre relay took home the gold. |
| A．The national team and coaches thought Wu as a talented skater all the way. |
| B．Wu kept on practicing skating all year round even in the holidays for 10 years. |
| C．Zhou Yang and Fan Kexin were more hard-working on skating than Wu Dajing. |
| D．It is the hardwork, confidence and strong will that have made Wu a winner. |
It had been raining for days and days, and a terrible flood (洪水) came over the land. The waters rose so high
“No,” replied the man on the roof. “Although I
When he went to heaven (天堂), the man asked God, “I prayed for you to save
God replied, “I send you a boat and a helicopter. What more did you expect? (期盼；指望)”
