1 . REGISTRATION OPENS FOR STUDENT ROBOTICS 2024

We’re excited to announce that registration for the 2024 season of Student Robotics is now open! Based in the UK, Student Robotics challenges teams of 16 to 19 year-olds to design, build and program fully autonomous robots to compete in our annual competition. Teams will have just three months to engineer their creations. As well as supplying teams with a kit, which they can use as a framework for their robot, we mentor(指导) the teams over this period. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we provide all of this to our teams at no cost.

The competition cycle will start with a live streamed Kickstart event on our YouTube Channel. During the event, the game and the structure of the competition will be announced and kits handed out to teams.

The competition year will culminate(达到高潮) in an in-person competition from September 30 to October 1, 2024, which will see the robots compete through a league stage and a seeded knockout. As usual the prizes will recognise not only the teams which come top in the knockouts, but also those who are excellent in other ways.

Details of the game and prizes will be revealed at Kickstart. Details of the Kickstart and competition events will be published when they are available. We expect to confirm places towards the end of August, 2024.

If you would like a chance to compete in Student Robotics 2024, please fill in the entry form with the required information. The deadline of the registration is May 30, 2024. Places are limited, so please click here and sign up soon to avoid disappointment.

We look forward to seeing your teams!

1. What should participants do in Student Robotics?

A．Prepare a kit themselves.	B．Design a robot on the spot.
C．Work as a team.	D．Pay for the framework.

2. How long will the robots competition last in 2024?

A．Two days.

B．Two weeks.

C．One month.

D．Three days.

3. Where does the passage come from?

A．A brochure.

B．A magazine.

C．A newspaper.

D．A website.

2 . The best way to really see a city is to explore it slowly by walking around. It’s easy, healthy, and also benefits the environment. When on foot, you can do as the locals do. Here’s what you can find under your own steam.

Best for families: Planetenweg, Zurich

The 2,854 ft-tall, forest-covered peak that towers from Zurich’s doorstep is the envy of every European city. To get there, try the four-mile, two-hour-long route on Planetenweg. This family-friendly wander cuts in and out of spruce forests and gives you a proper flavour of being up in the mountains without ever actually leaving the city.

Best for arty vistas: Ekebergparken, Oslo

Come at sunrise or sunset, when the sky blazes above shining fjords (峡湾) and transforms the dark, rocky islands into shadows, and you can see why Oslo’s Ekebergparken inspired Munch to paint The Scream. Starting at the Ekebergparken Museum, the two-mile sculpture trail (小道) winds through pine, fir and ash forest, where plenty of phenomenal works of art await—Dalí’s surrealist Venus de Milo with Drawers and Damien Hirst’s Anatomy of an Angel among them.

Best for getting off the beaten track: Vienna Ugly, Vienna

The guided walks led by locals across Vienna dive into neighbourhoods that are off the usual tourist trail. Among them is Vienna Ugly, a 2.5-hour wander through Leopoldstadt and Innere Stadt. At the end of the tour, you’ll vote on which of the city’s buildings are the ugliest. Tours from £9.

Best for architecture: Ørestad, Copenhagen

Copenhagen rode high as World Capital of Architecture 2023. A guided walk with the Danish Architecture Center throw you in at the architectural deep end for 2.5 hours, taking you to Copenhagen’s Ørestad neighbourhood on the island of Amager. From £18.

1. What attracts travelers to Planetenweg?

A．Mountains.

B．Local flavour.

C．Art works.

D．Architecture.

2. Which of the following best suits sculpture-lovers?

A．Planetenweg, Zurich,	B．Ekebergparken, Oslo.
C．Vienna Ugly, Vienna.	D．Ørestad, Copenhagen.

3. What do the walks in Vienna and Copenhagen have in common?

A．They are free of charge.	B．They feature a voting activity.
C．They are guided tours.	D．They go deep into the forests.

3 . 2024 Western Colorado Elementary Science Fair

EUREKA! and D51 are partnering to host our annual elementary (小学的) science fair! Here’s your chance to apply your love of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by conducting your own scientific investigation.

Participation is open to all 3-5^th graders living in Wester Colorado, and students can either enter as an individual or as a team of no more than 3 members. Judging will be based on grade, and a team composed of students from multiple grades will be judged in the grade category of the oldest participant’s grade.

Project Submission

All participants must complete all of the following by March 7, 2024:

●Complete the registration form (one per team)

●Create a display poster (either physical or electronic) summarizing their project and email the file or a clear photo of it to the science fair committee

● Create a video presentation (less than 5 minutes) explaining their project to the judges, and submit it to the science fair committee

Public Viewing

Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Location: EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum

Participants can display their posters and present their projects to the public (optional) .

Safety Regulations

It is important to wear proper protective gear (装备) when necessary in addition to disposing of (处理) waste properly when conducting a scientific investigation. We strongly recommend that guardians look up and study Safety Data Sheets for any chemicals that their students use and have responsibility for not allowing students to experiment with dangerous chemicals. EUREKA! holds the right to not display projects if they believe the components break our safety regulations.

1. What is an entry requirement for the science fair?

A．A team must consist of three members.

B．A team must be led by-the oldest participant.

C．All participants must be from Western Colorado.

D．Teams must be formed by students in the same grade.

2. What are participants required to do by the submission date?

A．Submit a display poster.	B．Video the investigation process.
C．Present their project to the public.	D．Fill in the registration form individually.

3. Which of the following will result in your project not being displayed?

A．Disposing of waste improperly.

B．Performing experiments without a guardian.

C．Involving harmful chemicals in your project.

D．Conducting your investigation without protective gear.

4 . The glass armonica (玻璃琴), also known as a glass harmonica or simply armonica, is a musical instrument that produces sound by rubbing glass with wet fingers. It was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761.

The instrument consists of a series of glass bowls of varying sizes, fixed straight on a spindle (轴). The glass bowls are arranged in order of size, with the largest bowl on one end and the smallest on the other.

Franklin came up with the idea after attending a concert in Cambridge. The performer was rubbing wine glasses to produce musical notes. Franklin thought that was not efficient. He decided to invent a set of musical instruments made of glass.

So, he hired a London glassmaker to construct 36 bowls to specific thicknesses and sizes. He fixed the bowls horizontally on a spindle with the largest bowl on one end and the smallest on the other. In this way the musician can play the glass bowls like a keyboard.

The glass armonica became prevalent during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Mozart and Beethoven both composed chamber pieces for it.

But by the 1820s, it was nearly a forgotten instrument in fears that it had the power to drive the listener mad. Some armonica players became ill and had to stop playing the instrument. They complained of muscle spasms (痉挛), nervousness, cramps, and dizziness. A few listeners were also affected. The instrument was actually banned in a few towns. “The armonica too inspires the nerves, drives the player into a troublesome depression and later into a dark and sad mood that is a method for slow self-destroying.”

However, no explanation or proof was ever really given to any of these claims. Franklin himself ignored all of the argument and continued to play the instrument until the end of his life.

1. How are the glass bowls arranged to form this instrument?

A．By their thickness.

B．By their shapes.

C．By their weight.

D．By their sizes.

2. What inspired Franklin’s invention of the instrument?

A．A failed performance.	B．An unsuccessful concert.
C．An unusual performer.	D．A couple glasses of wine.

3. What does the underlined word “prevalent” mean in paragraph 5?

A．Fearful.

B．Popular.

C．Strange.

D．Tiresome.

4. What is paragraph 6 mainly about?

A．Bad remarks about the instrument.	B．Terrible sounds made by the instrument.
C．Bans on this instrument everywhere.	D．This instrument’s great appeal to people.

5 . Lamar Giles is the author of several praised novels and short stories for young adults. His most recent novel is called The Getaway (Scholastic Press, 2022).

I recently spoke with Giles via video. Born and raised in Virginia, he has had a passion for writing, he told me, since he was a child. “It was just amusing to me,” he said.

Growing up in Hopewell, Giles experienced poverty and racism. He recalled a frightening moment when he and his friends were stopped by police officers. “They were pulling out really big, scary weapons,” Giles recalled, “threatening us for no reason, other than the fact that we were young, Black children.”

When Giles was in his early 20s, he met professional authors who showed him that he could make a living doing what he loved. At age 21, he saw one of his stories published in a little-known magazine. It took another decade for Giles to write and publish his first novel.

The challenges Giles met with when growing up proved to be a catalyst (催化剂) for his writing. “When something scares me, I’ll write about it,” he said. “If I write a story around it, it makes me feel better about the fear and anxiety.”

The author’s thriller (惊险小说) for young adults, Fake ID (Amistad Books for Young Readers, 2015), tells the story of Nick Pearson. The character, who is Black, faces racial profiling in his hometown, as Giles did. Nick is suspected of committing a crime because of his race and his “shady” neighborhood. In one scene, he is held at the county jail after being falsely accused by a governor of a state.

Giles is also a co-founder of We Need Diverse Books. The nonprofit organization promotes diversity initiatives in the publishing industry, supporting authors whose stories are often ignored. The goal, Giles said, is to enable all kids to see themselves in the books they read.

1. What does the underlined word “It” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Video.

B．Novel.

C．Passion.

D．Writing.

2. Which statement best describes Giles’ childhood?

A．He tried his best to write books.	B．He lived in poverty and horror.
C．He lived under police protection.	D．He got along well with his friends.

3. How did the challenges Giles met with affect him?

A．They inspired him to write.	B．They changed his attitude to life.
C．They prevented him turning a writer.	D．They made him become strong-willed.

4. What do we know about the character of Fake ID?

A．He was Giles’ best friend.	B．He devoted himself to writing.
C．He was wrongly imprisoned.	D．He founded a nonprofit organization.

6 . Floating Markets in Bangkok, Thailand

One might feel as though they are entering a different world upon visiting a Thai floating market. While some countries in Asia have their own floating markets, none compare to Thailand’s, and the special experience is one you cannot miss while visiting the country.

Long-tail boats, ancient and traditional houses, and shouting vendors (商贩) are the major elements of floating markets in Bangkok. They are excellent options for experiencing the unusual culture and life of Thailand. Here are the top 8 floating markets in Bangkok, where you can experience the chaotic and charming atmosphere.

Name	Distance from Downtown Bangkok	Open Times	Features
Damnoen Saduak	80 km (50 mi)	Every day from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m	Long-tail boat cruises, remote villages, plantations
Amphawa	90 km (55mi)	11 a. m. to 9.30 p. m., Friday to Sunday	Thai food, little wooden houses, temples
Wat Sai	23 km (14 mi)	8 a. m.-6 p. m., Tuesday-Saturday	A mixture of Chinese culture and Thai culture
Taling Chan	12 km (7 mi)	8 a. m.-6 p. m., Saturday-Sunday	Temples, massages (按摩) on boats, foot massages under trees
Bangkhla	100km (60 mi)	8 a. m.-6 p. m., Saturday-Sunday	Remote countryside, charm, biking
Bang Nam Pheung	20 km (12 mi)	8: 30 a. m.-5p. m., Saturday-Sunday	Fruit, food, a nature sanctuary (避难所)
Bang Phli	38 km (24 mi)	11 a. m.-5:30 p. m., Tuesday-Saturday	Oldest, historical buildings, temples
Khlong Lat Mayom	21 km (13 mi)	7 a. m.-5p. m., Saturday—Sunday	Food, fruit, boat noodles

1. Which floating market only opens on weekends with the shortest opening hours?

A．Taling Chan.	B．Bang Phli.
C．Bang Nam Pheung.	D．Khlong Lat Mayom.

2. What is the unique characteristic of the market closest to Bangkok?

A．Delicious Thai food.	B．Numerous temple buildings.
C．Various massage services.	D．The traditional countryside life.

3. Which statement about Wat Sai is correct?

A．It is influenced by Chinese cultural elements.

B．Its number of open days in a week is the largest.

C．It is the centre of cultural exchange around the world.

D．It is a must-see tourist destination for Chinese tourists.

7 . Volunteer Art &Architecture Tour Guide for Boston Public Library, Copley Square

The goal is to generate public interest in the history, art, and architecture of Boston Public Library, including its special collections and exhibitions at the Central Library in Copley Square.

ROLE AND EXPECTATIONS

●To conduct public and private group tours of the Central Library’s art, architecture, and exhibitions, answering questions from groups and recording attendance statistics after tours conclude.

●To continue to inform oneself of the art, architecture, history, holdings, and exhibitions of Boston Public Library.

QUALIFICATIONS

● Interest in history, art, and architecture in general, and of Boston Public Library in particular.

● Confidence in addressing and presenting information to large groups; prior guiding or public speaking experience desirable.

●A strong command of the English language is required, and fluency in other languages is highly preferred.

TRAINING

Accepted candidates will be asked to attend tour guide training meetings. New guides are expected to complete training around four months. Progress evaluations will be ongoing throughout the training period, and continue through the first six months of working as a full guide.

REQUIREMENTS

●Minimum commitment of two tours per month (or 24 tours per year).

●Commitment to attending tour guide meetings and enrichment programs for continuing education.

REVIEW

Regular assessments and evaluations will be conducted based on the above criteria to ensure that volunteers meet the necessary qualifications.

Interested candidates should complete the application form below and send it to tours@bpl.org.

1. What does a volunteer tour guide need to do after tours?

A．Ensure safety of the artworks.

B．Maintain cleanness of the hall.

C．Document the numbers of visitors.

D．Answer questions about qualifications.

2. How long will the progress evaluations last?

A．4 months.

B．6 months.

C．10 months.

D．12 months.

3. Which will result in a poor review of the position?

A．Insufficient (不足的) working hours.

B．Absence of a second language.

C．Little relevant volunteer experience.

D．Limited knowledge about exhibitions.

8 . Four Places to Listen to Free Music Online

Pandora

Pandora is a popular Internet radio service that lets users create personalized stations and listen to music. To use Pandora, you will have to create an account using your email address and a password. As you find music you like, you can save songs to your collection. However, you can’t download any specific tracks to your computer or phone.

LiveOne

On LiveOne, you’ll mostly find big artists, bands and songs along with interviews and news. While you won’t be able to stream all songs on demand for free due to licensing restrictions (限制), you will be able to create a station of similar tracks/artists from nearly any song. There’s a tab (标签) named “My Library” where you can save and share your favourite music.

iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio is a great website or app for listening to live radio stations. You can find local stations or check out stations from around the country. You won’t have to create an account to begin listening on iHeartRadio. but you can make one for free to save stations and playlists. Whether you decide to create an account or not. you won’t be able to download music from iHeartRadio.

Spotify

If you’re looking for free music online, you’ve most likely come across Spotify already. This resource is great for streaming popular hits while discovering new favourites. You can keep track of what you’ve recently played, and “favourite” songs. In addition to music. Spotify offers playlists of its most-played songs and information on local upcoming concerts.

1. Which is a must before using Pandora?

A．Saving some songs.	B．Creating an account.
C．Calling other users.	D．Sending a private email.

2. What can you do on “My Library” of LiveOne?

A．Download popular songs.	B．Make new friends online.
C．Share your favourite music.	D．Discover radio stations.

3. What is special about Spotify?

A．It offers news on local upcoming concerts.	B．It requires no membership card.
C．It allows users to download music for free.	D．It features a station of similar artists.

9 . Travel Wifi (formerly TEP Wireless) is a global company with a simple mission: to keep you connected to the Internet while traveling. They do this by providing wifi hotspot devices (for rent or purchase) that can be used on 6 different continents.

About the wifi devices

The Pocket Travel Wi devices are the size and shape of a small smartphone. The standard Hotspot Rental and The Sapphire 2 (for purchase) share a similar design with one but on and one mini-USB charging port. However, it’s important to note that these devices are not waterproof. When fully charged, they should last around 12 hours with fairly regular wifi use. Additionally, the Sapphire 2 model features indicator lights displaying signal strength and battery life.

Renting vs. Buying the travel wifi device

The cost of purchasing a travel wifi device is $89-$109, and then you pay on top of that for data packages ($29.9 for 20 GB in a month). Most frequent travelers buy their own device for convenience

The rental price is based on the total number of days that you’ll keep the device and how much data you want to use each day. Daily rents range from $6.9 for 1GB, $129 for 2GB to $16.9 for 3GB. Week pass ($45.9) with no data limit is also a good choice for short-term travelers.

1. What is an advantage of the travel wifi device?

A．It is convenient to carry.	B．It is quick to charge.
C．It is resistant to water.	D．It is excellent in signal

2. For a 7-day UK trip, what’s the minimum rent for a Wi-Fi device?

A．$6.9

B．$29.9

C．$45.9

D．$48.3

3. Which group may be excluded from the intended audience?

A．Regular travelers.	B．People on business globally.
C．Passionate surfers.	D．Tourists accessing wifi abroad.

10 . Top Five Youngest Olympics Gold Medal Winners of All-Time

Marjorie Gestring

Marjorie Gestring of the US was only 13 years and 268 days old when she won the gold medal for her country. The diver won the medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games to become the youngest individual Olympic gold medalist. She would have won more gold medals considering her talent if it were not for the World War Ⅱ.

Klaus Zerta

Klaus Zerta was only 13 years and 283 days old when he won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy. Klaus was from West Germany but represented the unified team of Germany at the Olympics. Moreover, he is the youngest confirmed male athlete to win a gold medal in the history of the Summer Olympics.

Nishiya Momiji

The ongoing Tokyo Olympics saw a few record-breaking feats in the skateboarding event. Japan’s Nishiya Momiji became the first ever women’s Olympic skateboarding champion. The athlete is merely 13 years and 330 days old, which makes her one of the youngest individual gold medal winners in the history of the Olympics.

Fu Mingxia

Chinese female diver Fu Mingxia is popular for being one of the youngest Olympic diving champions. She was born on August 16, 1978, and won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. She was 15 days older than Nishiya Momiji when they each won their first Olympic gold medal. Fu Mingxia dominated the sport throughout the 1990s with her skills in extremely difficult dives. In the coming years, she won three more Olympic gold medals and a silver across the platform and springboard events.

Nadia Comaneci

Nadia Comaneci is from Romania and is a five-time Olympic gold medalist. In 1976, she became the first gymnast to receive a perfect score of 10. She was merely 14 years old when she secured the Gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Interestingly, back then, a gymnast had to be 14 to participate but later the age limit went up to 16 years. Therefore, Nadia’s record cannot be broken.

1. What do we know about Marjorie Gestring?

A．She was the first women’s Olympic skateboarding champion.

B．She dominated the sport throughout the 1990s with her skills.

C．The war prevented her from achieving more.

D．A perfect score of 10 for a gymnast belonged to her.

2. How old was Fu Mingxia when she won a gold medal in Barcelona?

A．13 years and 315 days old.

B．13 years and 345 days old.

C．13 years and 283 days old.

D．13 years and 268 days old.

3. In which section of a webpage can you find the passage?

A．News.	B．Sports.
C．Life.	D．History.