1 . It’s time to share the winners of this year’s Invent It Challenge! Here are our four winners of the first round!
Glo Zone (Ages 5-7 Individual Winner)
Kabir from California came up with this cool invention after a not-so-fun experience. He was hit by four adults on a ski trip! To make skiing and snowboarding safe for nighttime (especially for smaller kids)， he created Glo Zone，a fun glowing(发光的)rainbow umbrella that is attached to skiers’ helmets.
ProTech Helmet (Ages 11-13 Individual Winner)
Pooja from New Jersey has created a light, safe helmet designed for playing frisbee (飞盘)!She came up with the idea after getting hit right under the eye at a frisbee competition and realizing she could get blinded if it were any higher. The ProTech Helmet has a lining(衬里) made of a new technology called Spin.
Ace Attachment (Ages 8-10 Team Winner)
Levi and Albert from New York dealt with helping people with disabilities enjoy sports. The Ace Attachment makes it easier for wheelchair users to play golf. Unlike similar inventions, the Ace Attachment is easily adjustable.
Skate Shoes “DOOD” (Ages 14+ Individual Winner)
It’s the worst when you ruin your favorite pair of shoes! Fortunately, Rommel from Mexico has come up with new skate shoes. These shoes have exchangeable parts that allow pieces of the shoes to be replaced with new ones when broken instead of getting rid of the whole pair.
Cast your vote!
Which of these fantastic inventions will you choose to win the Cricket Choice Award? While they are all outstanding, only one can win the popular vote! Cast your vote here by May 16!
1. What do Kabir’s and Pooja’s inventions have in common?| A．They are new-type helmets. |
| B．They are targeted at the same sport. |
| C．They are designed for teenagers of the same age group. |
| D．They are inspired by the inventors’ experience of getting hit. |
| A．It is disability-friendly. |
| B．It features replaceable parts. |
| C．It involves a new technology called Spin. |
| D．It enables wheelchair users to enjoy sports. |
| A．A short story about young inventors. | B．An introduction to a competition. |
| C．An award voting invitation. | D．A winner announcement. |
2 . 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 |
3 . Pedal Street by Breeze
Reviewer Anna Martino, age 13
Breeze has released Pedal Street after a two-year wait, in. spite of pressure from fans and the record company. Fans had been told to expect something special and this is a masterpiece. This band’s music is exceptional. The song lyrics (歌词) express emotions that are felt by everybody, focusing on topics other artists seem to prefer not to sing about. Breeze uses an interesting mix of styles including classical strings (弦乐器) and modern guitar riffs (重复段).
Thrill by Skydiggers
Reviewer Alexis Walker, age 14
Skydiggers, a Canadian rock group, have released the album Thrill, which was recorded over two years. Although some tunes are difficult to tell apart from each other in the sense that Suzi Tarrant’s voice doesn’t vary from song to song, the album will soon be permanently fixed on your playlist.
Silver Honeybees by Lena and the Lantanas
Reviewer Sam Roberts, age 16
Lena has been allowed to sing all types of songs here in order to really show what she can do. And in case you think that her new far-ranging style may not be attractive to a youthful teenage fan base, remember that her teen audience is sure to grow along with her as she makes more music. While some bands include good beats but have meaningless lyrics that make you feel slightly sick, or sing songs with meaningful words yet make a terrible sound, the Lantanas are different and a rare find.
Hungry Rock by April Sapa
Reviewer Julie Zhang, age 14
The album covers everything a teenager can feel: love, hate, acceptance and even boredom. It is an excellent combination of easy listening, even though there are several songs that could easily have been left out, resulting in a better album overall.
1. What can we learn about Pedal Street?| A．It was a let-down for fans. | B．It was prepared in a short time. |
| C．It is emotional and unusual. | D．It mainly consists of rock music. |
| A．It attracts people of all ages. | B．It has both good words and sounds. |
| C．It covers several types of music. | D．It makes you feel heartbroken. |
| A．To inform. | B．To entertain. | C．To persuade. | D．To appeal. |
4 .
WELCOME TO DENTAL 2023 IMPLANT CENTER GRAND OPENING!! VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION 3317 E.10th ST., LONG BEACH Save this coupon(优惠券)and you can enjoy the maximum discount in our new office: Single tooth implant costs only $700!(A 10% discount of normal). Including implant, abutment and crown. *Due date: 03/31/24. Cannot be combined with insurance fees or other coupons. New patients only. NOW SERVING YOU IN THREE LOCATIONS! IRVINE: 39 Creek Road, Suite 210 LAGUNA NIGUEL: 30012 Crown Valley Pkwy, STEB Unlike traditional artificial teeth, which are removable, dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone and then topped with a restoration such as a dental crown. They feel much more natural than conventional alternatives. Additionally, dental implants can help to prevent bone deterioration(退化)that is caused by missing teeth. The bone begins to deteriorate when you lose a tooth because it is no longer being stimulated daily. This can lead to severe bone loss over time. But by placing dental implants into the jawbone, we can preserve this structure. If you’re missing one, two, or all of your teeth, we encourage you to visit our new office in Long Beach, or call(949)857-6757 to schedule your appointment. We would be happy to help you find the best treatment plan to restore your smile and help you enjoy better oral health soon! |
| A．It is valid only on March 31st. | B．It doesn’t support phone reservation. |
| C．Only new patients can use it. | D．It must be used with insurance fees. |
| A．They cost little money. | B．They preserve the jawbone. |
| C．They can be easily removed. | D．They prevent teeth missing. |
| A．To explain how to implant teeth. | B．To introduce three implant centers. |
| C．To advertise a newly opened dental center. | D．To popularize the knowledge of oral health. |
5 . Feeling hungry? Well, get your chopsticks ready! Ho Chi Minh City Food Tours are the tastiest way to travel around the city.
Big eat & Small seat
This afternoon food tour by motorbike is focused on family-run local restaurants. These places are often small and tight with little stools. This is a tour we recommend for travelers that want to be thrown into the city’s delicious street food. It lasts from 1 pm to 5 pm at $65 per person.
A taste of Vietnam
This tour is absolutely comfortable for everyone with indoor seating and atmosphere. The menu is diverse, featuring some hands-on cooking experience and a bowl of whole crab soup that you can only find in Ho Chi Minh City. It lasts from 6 pm to 10 pm at $73 per person.
Chef’s tour
The concept for Chef’s tour is simple: We will drive you from location to location to try some of our favorite street eats in the city while adjusting the menu as much as possible to meet your tastes and personality. It lasts from 5 pm to 10 pm at $123 per person.
Street food stroll
This tour will leave you happy, full, and filled with a new appreciation for our history and culture. We will eat delicious street food while exploring the French architecture and the unique culture in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s District Three. A bit different from other tours, we will not use any taxi or motorbike to get from place to place. The walk tour lasts from 5 pm to 9 pm at $38 per person.
Note: During all the above tours, prices take in all food and drinks and we will also take digital photos during the trip that we send to you the next day by email.
1. How much should a tourist pay for the tour with hands-on cooking experience?| A．$38. | B．$65. | C．$73. | D．$123. |
| A．The tourists have to walk all the way. |
| B．The tourists can have free digital photos. |
| C．The tourists will eat in big restaurants. |
| D．The tourists can try the whole crab soup. |
| A．Big eat & Small seat. | B．A taste of Vietnam. |
| C．Street food stroll. | D．Chef’s tour. |
6 . Camping tips: Which overnight wilderness experience is right for you?
If you’re an experienced backpacker, read no further. This article is for camping rookies, those who have never slept beneath the stars or haven’t pitched a tent since their youth but are seriously thinking about overnighting in the wilderness.
Car camping
At its most basic, car camping involves packing a tent, sleeping bag, fold-up chair, cooler and camp stove into your vehicle and staying at a drive-up campground. Nearly every national park, and many state and county parks and private facilities, offer drive-up campgrounds with restrooms, potable water, fire rings or pits, and maybe even hot showers. So there are lots of choices.
The downside of car camping is the fact that these campgrounds are often packed with other campers. Not a lot of privacy, they can be noisy, and possibly hinder your quest of communing with nature.
Backpacking
No vehicle required; just your feet and a good pair of hiking boots or shoes to get you to the next overnight spot. A multi-day hiking trip is without doubt the most immersive way to experience the great outdoors.
Different from maybe car camping, it requires the least expense and equipment. All you really need are a backpack, sleeping bag, water bottle, small first-aid kit, enough food to last the entire travel. It can be done just about anywhere on the planet.
Boat Camping
While this does involve owning or renting a watercraft or using a ferry or water taxi service to reach the overnight site, camping via canoe, kayak, raft or boat offers a similar get-away-from-it-all adventure as backpacking.
Experienced paddlers and boaters usually prefer to camp on their own along a secluded shoreline. But many adventure or wilderness outfitters offer guided trips that can last anywhere from a couple of days to two or three weeks. With a boat, you can sometimes camp places that not even backpackers can reach.
1. Who are the intended readers?| A．Red-blooded males | B．White-collar staff |
| C．Blue-blooded tourists | D．Green-hand campers |
| A．Backpacking allows you to communicate with nature deeply. |
| B．Car camping is the most economic way to experience nature. |
| C．The drive-up campgrounds provide people with private environment. |
| D．Boat camping offers the same adventures as backpacking. |
| A．Feature | B．Style | C．Travel | D．Entertainment |
7 . Whether you are crazy about cycling or not, when it comes to purchasing a bike, the choice is endless, making it tough to know what to go for. Here are the best buys on the market right now.
Boardman CX Comp
This is a cross country bike, and it’s so multi-functional that you can handle any terrain(地势) on it, making it a great choice for those wanting to try various cycling subjects. If you leave on the thick tires it comes with, it can ride on various paths and can even handle some less demanding mountain bike routes. Alternatively, put on thin, smooth tires and treat it as a road bike. It has a basket and conics with Shimano Sora gears(变速器), which are outstanding for its price.(￡650，IIalfords)
Planet XRT-58 V2
Planet X is based in Yorkshire, which means you’d probably have to buy this bike without seeing it. But it’s worth it, because this is an excellent machine at a lower price. Planet X is a highly rated manufacturer and this model comes with Shimano Sora gearing.(￡585，Planet X)
Specialized Allez E5
Specialized is one of the biggest and most popular brands in cycling, and this is its hugely popular primary road bike. It comes with solid components from front to back and you’ll look great out on the road. (￡75, Evans Cycles)
Boardman Road Team Carbon
If you can push your budget (预算) further still, this bike is worth the extra investment. The frame is made entirely from carbon, which is lighter, faster and more comfortable than the composition (复合) metal models above and gives you an all-round and more enjoyable ride. It also means that if you get really serious about cycling, you don’t have to upgrade as quickly as you would with a cheaper bike. Besides, it also comes with Shimano Sora gearing. (￡800, Halfords)
1. What is special about Boardman CX Comp?| A．Its various functions. | B．Its firm tires. |
| C．Its light form. | D．Its reasonable price. |
| A．Planet XRT-58 V2 has been sold out so far. |
| B．Boardman Road Team Carbon is made by a special material. |
| C．Specialized Allez E5 is designed for senior cyclists. |
| D．Boardman CX Comp is just a mountain bike. |
| A．Travel. | B．Culture. | C．Health. | D．Advertisement. |
8 . What’s On?
Electric Underground
7.30pm－1.00am Free at the Cyclops Theatre
Do you know who’s playing in your area? We’re bringing you an evening of live rock and pop music from the best local bands. Are you interested in becoming a musician and getting a recording contract? If so, come early to the talk at 7.30 pm by Jules Skye, a successful record producer. He’s going to talk about how you can find the right person to produce your music.
Gee Whizz
8.30pm-10.30pm Comedy (喜剧)at Kaleidoscope
Come and see Gee Whizz perform. He’s the funniest stand-up comedian on the comedy scene. This joyful show will please everyone, from the youngest to the oldest. Gee Whizz really knows how to make you laugh! Our bar is open from 7.00pm for drinks and snacks(快餐).
Simon’s Workshop
5.00pm-7.30pm Wednesdays at Victoria Stage
This is a good chance for anyone who wants to learn how to do comedy. The workshop looks at every kind of comedy, and practices many different ways of making people laugh. Simon is a comedian and actor who has 10 years’ experience of teaching comedy. His workshops are exciting and fun. An evening with Simon will give you the confidence to be funny.
Charlotte Stone
8.00pm-11.00pm Pizza World
Fine food with beautiful jazz music; this is a great evening out. Charlotte Stone will perform songs from her new best-selling CD, with James Pickering on the piano. The menu is Italian, with excellent meat and fresh fish, pizzas and pasta(面食). Book early to get a table. Our bar is open all day, and serves cocktails, coffee, beer, and white wine.
1. Who can help you if you want to have your music produced?| A．Jules Skye. | B．Gee Whizz. | C．Charlotte Stone. | D．James Pickering. |
| A．The Cyclops Theatre | B．Kaleidoscope | C．Victoria Stage | D．Pizza World |
| A．It requires membership card. | B．It lasts three hours each time. |
| C．It is run by a comedy club. | D．It is held every Wednesday. |
| A．5.00pm-7.30pm. | B．7.30pm－1.00am. | C．8.00pm-11.00pm. | D．8.30pm-10.30pm. |
9 . Boris, a foreign student at Communication University of China, often shares his experiences of Chinese culture on his vlog (视频博客).
In one video, for example, Boris shared how he had learned the Chinese word dongxi. He translated each part separately into “east west”. And he introduced one theory (说法) about how dongxi came to mean “things”. He told people that all marketplaces in ancient Chinese cities were set up along a single road that ran from east to west. So when you would say qu mai dongxi, you’d be saying, “I’m going to buy things.”
Some other videos show his reading Chinese poems and performing kung fu in Chinese traditional costume, which are quite welcome among his 40, 000 followers.
“Many of my followers are learning Chinese,” Boris said. “But sadly, they know little about Chinese culture and the country.”
Like many foreigners, Boris once believed that all Chinese could perform kung fu, flying onto roofs and walking over walls. He thought the country was not that developed. But after he got a scholarship (奖学金) to study in China, his view changed. “China has entered a new period, but many people’s impressions of China are still stuck in the1970s,” Boris said. “That’s why I started to shoot vlogs to share Chinese culture in 2019.”
Until now, Boris has posted more than 40 Chinese culture vlogs online. But making these vlogs is not easy. Take reading the poem Second Farewell to Cambridge by Xu Zhimo as an example.
“I can understand and read every word in the poem,” Boris said. “But to touch readers, I need to use proper feelings while reading.” So he needed to look for much background information and make his feelings suit each part of the poem.
Though shooting these vlogs takes lots of time, the young man feels proud that his vlogs have inspired many people. Boris said that he wanted to continue bridging the differences between two cultures. “This goal may not be achieved easily, but I will spare no efforts to do my part.”
1. Through the vlogs, Boris mainly wants to ______. .| A．teach foreigners Chinese | B．introduce a Chinese university |
| C．sell Chinese products | D．share his experiences in China |
| A．translating it as a whole | B．knowing its cultural background |
| C．making up some sentences | D．comparing it with similar words |
| A．His hunger for new technology. | B．His wish to show the real China. |
| C．His interest in Chinese culture. | D．His dream to be a big vlogger. |
| A．meet the followers’ needs | B．express Boris’s love for poems |
| C．show Boris’s efforts at vlog-making | D．give an example of Chinese culture |
10 . TROUBLESHOOTING
For possible malfunctions as described below, please contact Customer Services at 1-800-2020-123
| PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSE | SOLUTION |
| The coffee is not hot. | • The cups were not preheated. | • Warm the cups by rinsing (冲洗) them with hot water (N.B. you can use the hot water function). |
| Coffee does not come out of the spouts (喷嘴). | • The spouts are blocked. | • Clean the spouts with a toothpick. |
| The coffee does not come out of the spouts, but from around the service door. | • The holes in the spouts are blocked with dry coffee dust. • The coffee guide inside the service door is blocked and cannot swing. | • Clean the spouts with a toothpick, sponge or hard kitchen brush. •Thoroughly clean the coffee guide, particularly near the hinges (铰链). |
| The frothed (起泡) milk has large bubbles. | •The milk is not cold enough or is not semi-skimmed (半脱脂的). | •You should ideally use skimmed or semi-skimmed milk at refrigerator temperature (about 5 °C). If the result is not as you wished, try changing brand of milk. |
| The milk is not frothed. | • Cappuccino maker is dirty. | • Clean as described in the section “Cleaning the cappuccino maker after use”. |
| Steam delivery stops. | • A safety device stops steam delivery after 3 minutes. | • Wait, then activate the steam function again. |
| The appliance (电器) does not come on. | • It is not plugged into the mains socket (电源插座). • The main switch (A2) is not turned on. | • Plug into the mains socket. • Place the main switch in the I position. |
| A．It has been used for many years. | B．It is not plugged into the socket. |
| C．Its temperature is too high. | D．Its spouts are blocked. |
| A．If coffee tastes bitter, you may add some milk and sugar. |
| B．If coffee is delivered too slowly, you may wait and activate the function again. |
| C．If coffee doesn’t come out of spouts, you may check them with a toothpick. |
| D．If milk is not frothed, you may use semi-skimmed milk. |
| A．A coffee bean package. | B．A coffee machine quality report. |
| C．A coffee machine advertisement. | D．A coffee machine handbook. |
