1 . We love the idea of writing contests, but we hate con test fees. That’s why we’ve rounded up these 4 writing contests that all have no entry or reading fees. Some end soon, so be sure to apply for those right away if you’re interested.
The Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry is currently open for submissions. Poets can submit a book-length manuscript, but there is no page requirement. The winner will receive $10,000 and publication by Milkweed Editions. Deadline is March 1. To learn more, click the prize submission guidelines.
The Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award is currently accepting nominations (提名,推荐). Indiana-born or Indiana-based Authors may nominate themselves or be nominated. There are several award categories. The cash awards range from $6,000 to $10,000. Deadline for nominations is March 18. To learn more, click the award guidelines.
Winning Writers is currently hosting its Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. Poets can submit one humorous poem for consideration. The first place winner will receive $1,000; second place will receive $250; and 10 honorable mentions will receive $100 each. All winners will be published online. Deadline is April 1. To learn more, click the contest guidelines.
The Griffin Poetry Prize welcomes poets and translators to submit their work. Two prizes will be awarded. The Canadian Prize will go to a Canadian poet or translator who has published or translated a work. The International Prize will go to a poet or translator from any part of the world. Each prize winner will receive $65,000 CAD. Deadline is June 30, with a second deadline of December 31. To learn more, click the prize guidelines.
1. What do the four contests have in common?A.All of them are for poetry only. | B.The winners’ works will be published. |
C.Everyone is welcome to submit their works. | D.Application for the contests is free of charge. |
A.The Griffin Poetry Prize. | B.Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. |
C.The Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry. | D.The Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award. |
A.In a magazine. | B.On a website. | C.In an advertisement. | D.On a poster. |
2 . Four Best Natural Parks in America
Everglades National Park, Florida
Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical (亚热带) wilderness reserve in America. This amazing destination is a 1.5-million-acre ocean of grass which flows gradually from central Florida all the way south to the sea. This makes it -an important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like manatee, American crocodile, and Florida jaguar.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park is home to one of the largest canyons in the world. If you visit between mid-May and mid-October, you can see the Canyon from the North Rim. About 90% of all visitors see it from the “South Rim”, because it is open all year and has easy-to-get-to overlooks.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
The caves house 200 animals, most of them being invertebrate (无脊椎) species. 42 of these species live in total darkness. These caves are incredible enough to be featured in Planet Earth——a must-see BBC documentary series.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park has a little bit of everything rugged Pacific coastline, high mountain peaks, broad sandy beaches, clear lakes, rain forests. With such a wide variety of ecosystems, Olympic is one of the most diverse wilderness areas in the United States. The park is an important habitat for species like wild salmon (鲑鱼), northern spotted owls.
Olympic National Park is very large and there are no roads that cross the park. If you visit in April or May, you may see gray whales pass by on their way to Alaska.
1. What animals live in the Everglades National Park?A.Northern spotted owls. | B.Invertebrate animals. |
C.Gray whales. | D.American crocodiles. |
A.Grand Canyon National Park. | B.Mammoth Cave National Park. |
C.Everglades National Park. | D.Olympic National Park. |
A.It is open all year. |
B.It has a rich biodiversity. |
C.It is located in the state of Kentucky. |
D.It has easy roads for visitors to drive across the park. |
3 . A famous magazine, Amusement Today, does a survey among park lovers every year both in the US and overseas, based on which, “Top 5 List of the Best Amusement Parks in the World” has come out as follows:
Disneyland, California
Disneyland is a theme park in Anaheim, California, the US. More than 515 million guests have traveled to this American landmark from around the world since the park first opened to guests on July 17, 1955. The park consists of many world-famous sections, such as Main Street, Adventure land, New Orleans Square, and so on.
Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida
Magic Kingdom is a theme park within the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near Orlando opened on October 1, 1971. It is the most famous theme park in Florida. The park’s design and attractions don’t make much difference from Disneyland Park in Anaheim.
EPCOT, Disney World, Florida
EPCOT is the second theme park built at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The park opened on October 1, 1982, and was named EPCOT Center from 1982 to 1993. It was the largest Disney theme park in the world until 1998, when Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened.
DisneyMGM Studios, Florida
MGM’s streets are the home for some great moviethemed attractions with a history of less than 30 years. With the addition of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock and Roller Coaster, the park is now home to Disney World’s most thrilling rides.
Universal Studios, Florida
Go behind the scenes, beyond the screen and jump right into the action of your favorite movies at Universal Studios, the number one movie and TV theme park in the world.
1. Which of the following theme parks have similar attractions?A.Disneyland & Magic Kingdom. |
B.Disneyland & Universal Studios. |
C.EPCOT & DisneyMGM Studios. |
D.Magic Kingdom & Universal Studios. |
A.Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida. |
B.DisneyMGM Studios, Florida. |
C.EPCOT, Disney World, Florida. |
D.Disneyland, California. |
A.To attract tourists to these theme parks. |
B.To increase the sales of Amusement Today. |
C.To introduce world’s best amusement parks. |
D.To compare attractions in different theme parks. |
4 . Literary festivals are held annually in many corners of the globe and attract large numbers of readers, writers, playwrights (剧作家) and publishers.
Miami Book Fair
For eight days each year in November, the campus of Miami Dade College hosts over 500 outstanding authors during the Miami Book Fair. The fair offers young writers a unique opportunity to attend creative writing courses and workshops. Readers can listen to famous international authors talk about their latest books. Most of the events are offered free of charge to encourage a love of literature across all income groups.
Cheltenham Literature Festival
The festival runs for 10 days every autumn in Cheltenham. It’s the world’s first literature festival, leading the way in celebrating the writ- ten and spoken word. The fair offers something to everyone-you can attend reading activities and debates, and bring your children to see their favorite storybook characters brought to life.
Paraty International Literary Festival
It’s held each year in the city of Paraty, Brazil. Visitors can meet many local and international authors, poets and playwrights, and attend literature workshops. As part of the festival, Flipinha is mainly for children where young readers can meet writers and relax with a book in a special space. A further arm of the festival is called FlipMais. A series of free events about live theatre, music and cinema are held throughout the city of Paraty.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
The festival lasts for over 16 days every August and usually features around 900 events where you can meet your favorite authors, and bring your children to attend magical story-telling sessions and special workshops for children with learning disabilities. In most years, the festival attracts over 1,000 authors, poets and educators.
1. What can young writers do at Miami Book Fair?A.Enjoy wonderful live shows. | B.Get the latest books for free. |
C.Develop their writing skills. | D.Receive training in public speaking. |
A.It includes different forms of art. | B.It organizes a debate for writers and readers. |
C.It gives children a chance to make up stories. | D.It allows readers to offer writers suggestions directly. |
A.Miami Book Fair. | B.Cheltenham Literature Festival. |
C.Paraty International Literary Festival. | D.Edinburgh International Book Festival. |
5 . China is one of the world’s ancient civilizations and has the earliest outstanding bronze casting technology. Here we’ve created a list of 4 museums where you can gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese bronze.
Sanxingdui Museum
Address: Sanxingdui Ruin Site, 133 Xian Road, Guanghan, Deyang, Sichuan province
Hours: Comprehensive Gallery (the first exhibition hall): 8:30-18:00; Bronze Gallery (the second exhibition hall): 8:30-18:30. Last tickets sold at 17:00. Closed on the morning of Chinese New Year’s Eve
Ticket booking: 0838-5651526
General admission: Gallery ticket 80 yuan
Note: Children shorter than 1.2m (including 1.2m) can visit the gallery free of charge. The ticket must be used on the day it is sold and authorizes one visit to each gallery.
National Museum of China
Address: East side of Tian’anmen Square, Dongcheng district, Beijing
Hours: 8:30-17:00 (no entry after 16:30)
General admission: Free (passport required for entry), Closed Mondays (except for national holidays)
E-mail: webmaster@chnmuseum.cn
Shanghai Museum
Address: 201 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district, Shanghai
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (no entry after 16:00), Closed Mondays (except for national holidays)
E-mail: webmaster@shanghai-museum.org
General admission: free (a max of 8, 000 admitted daily)
Hunan Museum
Address: 50 Dongfeng Road, Changsha, Hunan province
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (no entry after 16:00), Closed Mondays (except for national holidays) and the eve of Chinese New Year
Tel: (+86-731) 8415833, 84475933
E-mail: web@hnmuseum.com
General admission: Free (passport required for entry)
1. Which museum should you choose for your family to visit next Monday?A.Sanxingdui Museum | B.Hunan Museum |
C.Shanghai Museum | D.National Museum of China |
A.They are all free of charge. | B.They all set a deadline for entry. |
C.They all lie in the south of China. | D.They can all be available through E-mail. |
A.Science | B.Today’s News | C.Entertainment | D.History and Culture |
6 . The following are newly released devices all designed to help make your life more convenient, beautiful and vivid.
Tonal
$2,995 AT TONAL.COM
Tonal makes lifting and resistance training truly easy and accessible from your own home. It is great because I hate any sort of public weight training. Tonal has a remarkably easy user interface and gives data and feedback in a helpful manner. It also makes you feel great by keeping track of clear improvements.
Hisense 75” U800GR 8K ULED Roku TV
$1,800 AT BEST BUY
8k sounded like a luxury, but now that brands like Hisense, which focus on a more affordable end of the spectrum, have gotten some time with the tech, you can finally bring the deep color output and stunning detail into your living room. Calling it “affordable” may be a stretch, but compared to most 8k TV’s which all run over $5,000, it’s the most cost-efficient version of the tech we’ve got. It gets your money worth best.
VIVE Goggle
$499 AT VIVE.COM
Vive goggles will bring an extremely accessible and refreshing approach to the VR world. They are a pair of goggles not unlike something you’d wear to snowboard. They’re extremely lightweight with a lightning fast set — that’s connected with things like watching Netflix. It’s the calmest headset I’ve ever worn and uses cameras to let you control everything with just your hands. This one’s for the not-gamers.
Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde
$920 AT WALMART
For people who easily sneeze because of dog hair or something like that outside, Dyson has created a machine that saves them for time at home. This new purifier doubles as a humidifier, plus it has a cooling function, making it the end all be all for stuffy, hot, dry apartments.
1. Which device will get your money worth best?A.Tonal. | B.Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde. |
C.VIVE Flow. | D.Hisense 75” U 800 GR 8K ULED Roku TV. |
A.They are user-friendly. |
B.They help keep track of weight. |
C.They appeal to gamers. |
D.They are intended for who are allergic to dust. |
A.A consumer review. | B.A magazine. |
C.A novel. | D.A health report. |
7 . Entertaining Fall Festivals, Events and Activities
Duluth Fall Festival in Duluth, Georgia: Sept. 30—Oct. 2
The 40th yearly end-of-summer celebration takes place in downtown Duluth on the last weekend in September. This free event is run by a team of 300-plus volunteers. Attendees can wander around more than 180 vendors (摊贩) selling arts and crafts or catch a show at either of the two stages with 20-plus scheduled performances throughout the weekend. Kids can experience rides and games just for them, and anyone can enjoy the on-site carnival (嘉年华).
Fall for Greenville in Greenville, South Carolina: Oct. 12—15
Dozens of food and drink vendors set up for this yearly fall festival. Entry and entertainment are free, but attendees can buy Taste Tickets to try dishes prepared by local restaurants and exchange them for drinks, carnival rides and slides in the Kids’ Area. Dozens of free performances are given by local and national acts on stages throughout the weekend.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Oct. 7—15
Well-known as the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, this annual autumn attraction has been around for more than half a century. Attendees can enjoy activities for which they will have to pay a fee. A full schedule of events keep attendees busy throughout each day with a series of themed balloon competitions. Additional activities include free live music performances, firework shows, and shopping and dining at vendors.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Tualatin, Oregon: Oct. 21—22
Tualatin draws people each October for a free festival with unique fall-themed activities. This year the event kicks off on Saturday with a competition of a giant vegetable weigh-off. The next day starts with a 5K run to raise money for scholarships for local students. Attendees then gather on the banks of Lake Tualatin to watch the festival’s main performance: the Giant Pumpkin Competition.
1. What is specially designed for children at Duluth Fall Festival?A.Live music. | B.Some rides. | C.The carnival. | D.Firework shows. |
A.Attending different festivals. | B.Enjoying drinks. |
C.Shopping for clothes. | D.Appreciating local performances. |
A.Fall for Greenville. |
B.Duluth Fall Festival. |
C.West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. |
D.Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. |
8 . Whether you like history or simply learning something new, these four museums are worth paying a visit to.
Tenement Museum
Located in New York, the Tenement Museum showcases the stories of the immigrants and migrants (移民) who came to America between the 1860s and the 1980s. See how they pursued the “American dream.” Their determination and endless desire to carve out a better life not only reflects the depths of the human spirit, but also how America came to be the country it is today.
National Museum of the American Indian
Located in Washington, D.C., the National Museum of the American Indian contains one of the world’s largest collections of native artifacts (手工艺品), photographs and documents. Featuring both ongoing and temporary exhibits, the museum documents many ways American Indians integrated into American history and culture.
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson features eight galleries filled with interactive exhibits that tell the stories of black Mississippians and their fight for equality from 1945 to 1976. You’ll hear the stories of Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Vernon Dahmer, and you’ll also hear about many men, women and children who fought to be recognized as equals. Artifacts include a “colored” entrance sign, the gun used to shoot Evers, a burned cross, and a button from the 1966 March Against Fear.
The National WWII Museum
In New Orleans’ No. 1 attraction, the National WWII Museum, visitors can see why World War II was fought, explore key moments such as D-Day and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and put themselves in the shoes of those who had to make difficult decisions during the war. You even can take a 4D journey through the war in “Beyond All Boundaries.”
1. Which museum best suits visitors interested in ongoing and temporary exhibits?A.Tenement Museum. | B.National Museum of the American Indian. |
C.Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. | D.The National WWII Museum. |
A.He organized the1966 March Against Fear. |
B.He joined the army and fought in World War II. |
C.He laid down his own life in the fight for equality. |
D.He immigrated to the US to pursue his American dream. |
A.To recommend people to visit the museums. |
B.To make a comparison of the four museums. |
C.To remind readers never to forget our past history. |
D.To share his own experiences in visiting the museums. |
Best App for Route Planning
Ever wonder how delivery drivers manage to hit so many different places in a relatively short amount of time? It’s because they’re using an app like Road Warrior to plan their routes to be as efficient as possible. However, while many other route planning apps only take things like traffic into account, Road Warrior includes lots of other time-sucking details. The subscription (订购) options start at $10 per month.
Best App for Gas Prices
Gas prices have been something of a catastrophe (灾难) recently, so travelers are naturally focused on finding the lowest rates whenever possible. Gas Buddy is one of the most popular apps for locating affordable gas, especially on long road trips. Simply enter the starting point and destination, and then watch as all of the cheapest gas prices along your route appear suddenly. Like many apps, there is a free version (版本), as well as a premium (额外) option with added features.
Best App for Planning Sightseeing
For people who aren’t totally focused on getting from point A to point B in the fastest time possible, the Road Trippers app is a must-have. Users can plan their trip from start to finish with as many as 150 waypoints/stops when using the premium version of the app, which costs $29.99 per year. It won’t let you miss the famous sights along the way. It estimates fuel costs, allows for RV drivers to customize (定制) routes friendly to their particular vehicle and lets the user cooperate with friends who are also on the road.
Best App for Family Games and Entertainment
Sure you could listen to music or watch movies, but sometimes it’s fun to throw it way back with classic travel games. The Plates Family Travel app is a modernized version of the classic license plate (车牌) game. There’s also a map feature that shows you exactly where you saw all the license plates on your road trip. This app is available for Apple or Google devices for free.
1. Which app can help you save time?A.Gas Buddy. | B.Road Warrior. |
C.Road Trippers. | D.Plates Family Travel. |
A.Those who like playing games. | B.Those who need license plates. |
C.Those who prefer an unusual route. | D.Those who care about gas prices. |
A.It is available for free. | B.It provides the shortest route. |
C.It recommends tourist attractions. | D.It helps its users to make friends. |
10 . Here come four most popular clubs in our school! Join us, and we will help you to find your own shining points, lead you to find beauty and to create beauty, and make your campus life as fulfilling and happy as a dream.
Basketball Club
Students will be able to develop their basketball skills further and have the opportunity to compete in basketball games with members from other international schools in Beijing. The club will be available to 10-16 members from Grades 5 to 8, and will practice twice weekly.
Public Speaking Club
The Public Speaking Club will be centered around the personal development of students along with developing public speaking skills. The club will be interested in focusing on all skills in delivering better speeches and improving communication skills. The club will be available to 10-12 members from Grades 7 to 12, and will meet once weekly (Wednesday).
Yoga Club
Yoga not only improves balance, flexibility, and joint stability, but also serves as a peaceful escape from the stress of daily life. Our students will have the chance to physically exercise while reducing some stress from their life. The club will be available to 10-16 members from Grades 7 to 12, and will meet once weekly (Tuesday).
Media Club
The Media Club teaches students the basics of journalism. The club engages in a wide range of activities like interviewing teachers and students, writing about big events on campus, and operating the weekly school radio broadcasts. The club will be available to 8-12 members from Grades 6 to 12 and will meet once weekly (Monday).
1. Which club will attract students who want to get both mental and physical benefits?A.Basketball Club. | B.Public Speaking Club. | C.Yoga Club. | D.Media Club. |
A.Set up a school radio. | B.Write imaginary stories. |
C.Learn public speaking skills. | D.Interview teachers and students. |
A.In a school introduction. | B.In a research paper. |
C.In a history textbook. | D.In a guidebook. |