1 . Britain is arguably the great walking nation. About two-thirds of us already head out to stretch our legs once a week. The following festivals offer a wealth of organized walks, but walkers should register in advance.
Prestatyn and Clwydian Range festival
Visitors to Wales tend to move west, to either the well-worn tracks of Snowdonia or the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. There are 25 walks packed into the three days, with various options available, including a half-mile Roman-themed adventure, an eight-mile walk exploring the life of 18th-century Welsh naturalist and travel writer Thomas Pennant and a 21-mile Offa’s Dyke challenge. All walks are free.
Denbighshire, Wales, 19-21 May
Otley walking festival
This local festival has grown from humble origins in 2000 into a busy schedule of 50 short-distance walks and events celebrating the lives and landscapes of Wharfedale in West Yorkshire. One might enjoy the Five Pubs Walk, Walking With Wine, Four More Pubs or Lost Pubs of Otley. All walks are free, though there is sometimes a small charge for transport.
Otley, West Yorkshire, 24 June-3 July
Dartmoor offroading walking festival
Dartmoor delights (使高兴) walkers because, while tracks are there to be followed, the lack of wire and other barriers, and the relatively small number of farm buildings on the higher ground, create a sensation of freedom. The six free wheelchair walks, starting daily at 11am, explore Dartmoor’s industrial history, bronze age valuables and Victorian railway builders.
Devon, 27 August-2 September
Gower walking festival
With more superb walking options inside a single landscape than perhaps anywhere else, the Gower peninsula (半岛) sometimes feels as if it’s all coast. The further information for this nine-day festival, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Wales Coast Path (WCP), has yet to be finalized. Half of the walks offered during the festival will be on the coastal path, £10 adults, over-sixes £6.
Glamorgan, 2-10 September
1. Which festival is friendly to the disabled?| A．Prestatyn and Clwydian Range festival. | B．Otley walking festival. |
| C．Dartmoor offroading walking festival. | D．Gower walking festival. |
| A．It has the most superb walking options. | B．Half of the walks last for a whole week. |
| C．It’s aimed to advocate coastal protection. | D．The final details remain to be confirmed. |
| A．They are offered free of charge. | B．They require prior registeration. |
| C．They take advantage of the coast. | D．They are physically demanding. |
2 . Best Education Apps for Android
Mobile technology, which is one of the most revolutionary productivity tools of all time, is an amazing way to help further your education. You can use your smartphones and tablets to help teach yourself new skills and learn new things. Here are some of the best education apps for Android.
SoloLearn
Price: Free
SoloLearn has tons of education courses on computer programming. All of them teach you a computer language. There is a range of languages available, including Python, Java, C++ and even JavaScrip. If you’re into computer programming at all, you should look into these.
Quizlet
Price: Free
Quizlet is arguably the best flashcards app out there. You can use it for virtually any topic. You can practice terms for your class, memorize vocabulary terms, and more. It also includes foreign language support, images and audio, and you can share flashcards with friends.
EdX
Price: Free
EdX offers courses from actual colleges, including computer programming, engineering, history, psychology, nutrition, statistics, and hundreds of others. It features online or offline video lectures, course announcements and handouts, and various tutorials. Anyone looking for higher education should have this app right now.
Khan Academy
Price: Free
Khan Academy is another education platform. It currently boasts over 10,000 instructional videos, classes, and other content. It deals with more typical education, such as mathematics, economics, history, science, and more. There is also a version specifically for younger kids and we highly recommend that one as well.
If we missed any of the best education apps for Android, tell us about them in the comments. You can find our latest app lists by referring to the link here.
1. Which app best suits foreign language learners?| A．SoloLearn. | B．Quizlet. | C．EdX. | D．Khan Academy. |
| A．They appeal to computer lovers. | B．They are designed for younger kids. |
| C．They cover a wide range of subjects. | D．They are targeted at higher education. |
| A．An educational journal. | B．An advertisement. |
| C．A website. | D．A Learning guide. |
3 . Women’s Poetry Competition 2024
Welcome to Mslexia, the only magazine where every reader is a potential contributor too. Almost every part of the magazine is open to submission by any woman writer. Our competition is open to unpublished poems of any length. Your £10 entry fee allows you to submit up to three poems. The judge this year is the outstanding and award-winning writer Pascale Petit.
Prizes
1st: £2,000; 2nd: £500; 3rd: £250 (Each prize goes for one person.)
Unpublished Poetry Prize for the best poem by a previously unknown poet: £250.
The four winners, plus sixteen additional finalists will have their poems published in the May issue of Mslexia.
Results
The deadline for all entries is 23:59 GMT, 6 March, 2024
The winners and finalists will be announced on 1 April, 2024
How to enter
Add the entry fee to your basket and go to the checkout. Once the order is completed, you’ll be taken to a submit page where the entry form is located. Click the “Enter Now” button. You can submit at a later date by typing into your Mslexia online account and going to the “competitions” bill.
Visit our Entry Instructions for a more comprehensive guide on how to enter, and be sure to read our Rules before submitting your entries.
Frequently-asked questions
Have a question about formatting, eligibility(资格), or anything else?
Ready to enter? Please see our Entry Instructions. For any further information, call us at 0191 204 8860 or email competitions@mslexia.co.uk.
1. How many winners will get prize money?| A．Three. | B．Four. | C．Sixteen. | D．Twenty. |
| A．Submitting two poems. | B．Visiting Entry Instructions. |
| C．Writing a poem of 120 words. | D．Mailing your entry on April 1. |
| A．In a textbook. | B．In an art magazine. | C．On a website. | D．In a local newspaper. |
4 . 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 |
5 . Restless sleepers know that the bedtime struggle is real. They’ve tried everything from meditation apps to white noise machines in their efforts to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. But could the trick to better sleep lie with your blanket choice? Those who swear by weighted blankets think so.
Bearaby Cotton Napper
Price range: $259 to $279
Available weights: 15 pounds to 25 pounds
A weighted blanket like nothing you’ve ever seen, Bearaby’s braided (编织) blanket is among the best weighted blankets we’ve ever tried. The braided effect is not only extraordinary but it also provides airflow so you can’t get too hot while wrapped up in it, making it a comfortable and popular option.
YnM Weighted Blanket
Price range: $49.90 to $89
Available weights: 5 pounds to 30 pounds
With a 4.6-star rating from over 21,000 reviews, this blanket has been tested by customers and comes out on top. It comes in a ton of fine colors and patterns, plus it has many uses, since the blanket can be used along with a duvet (羽绒被) cover or on its own.
Luna Weighted Blanket
Price range: $99.99 to $169.99
Available weights: 5 pounds to 30 pounds
This 400-thread-count lightweight blanket is made from a natural, sustainable cotton that’s free from any harmful chemicals. It comes with a 365-night money-back guarantee, so if you decide a weighted blanket isn’t for you, you can send it back for a full refund (退款). But you probably won’t want to — this blanket has more than 10,000 5-star reviews.
YnM Duvet Covers
Price range: $89.90 to $179
Available weights: 5 pounds to 30 pounds
This lighter weighted blanket from YnM is perfect for kids and even comes with two inter-changeable, machine-washable duvet covers. One cover is soft and cozy to keep your kids warm on cold nights, and the other is made from cooling materials to ensure they don’t wake up sweaty when summer rolls around.
1. What can we learn about Bearaby Cotton Napper?| A．It can breathe perfectly. | B．It is the lightest blanket. |
| C．It has various functions. | D．It is the most affordable. |
| A．A reasonable price. | B．Personal security. |
| C．A harmless material. | D．Chemical reaction. |
| A．Bearaby Cotton Napper. | B．YnM Weighted Blanket. |
| C．Luna Weighted Blanket. | D．YnM Duvet Covers. |
6 . Book Week Scotland 2023
Book Week Scotland was first launched in 2012 by the Scottish Book Trust. Each year, Book Week Scotland takes place across the country, lasting a week during which people of all ages and backgrounds gather together to share the joy of reading. There are also exciting events in honor of the transformative power of reading. This year, it’ll take place from November 13 to 19, themed with the social work profession. The events include:
Social Work Past, Present &Future | Monday, 13th November 16:00～17:00 Join us to look at how social work has changed over time. Hosted by Sarah McMillan, this session will mainly cover a discussion and reflection on social work over the past years. The first 40 people to sign up and attend the seminar (研讨会) will be sent a copy of Future, made up of true stories from people all over Scotland. |
Poetry Helps Workshop | Thursday, 16th November 16:00～17:30 It’ll be led by Samuel Tongue, a widely published poet and experienced workshop leader. In this relaxed workshop, we shall first read some poems together that engage with social issues. We shall then work-through a few simple exercises to produce poems of our own. No experience necessary! |
Poetry Helps Workshop | Saturday, 18th November 10:00～12:00 In this workshop, Dr Ariane Critchley and Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh will work with practitioners to explore poetry to enhance reflection and creativity within social work practice. There will be an opportunity to read poems, share poems and write poems. This workshop will be held virtually. Participants are asked to bring with them a poem that they have found helpful or inspiring. |
| A．It is targeted at professional writers. | B．It has a history of less than a decade. |
| C．It is a yearly celebration of reading. | D．It aims to promote books on social work. |
| A．Personal stories of Scottish people. |
| B．The historical development of social work. |
| C．Sarah McMillan’s career as a social worker. |
| D．The links between books and social work. |
| A．They are led by famous poets. |
| B．They will be broadcast live online. |
| C．They involve reading and writing poems. |
| D．They ask participants to recommend poets. |
7 . Ever wondered about the inner workings of the Two Oceans Aquarium? Perhaps you have questions about how our life support systems work, or how and what the animals in our care are fed? Join a guided Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Aquarium and find out!
●Behind-the-Scenes Tour details
Guided tours take place at 10:00 and 13:00 daily and last up to 75 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete an indemnity form (保证表).
Your Behind-the-Scenes Tour booking includes general access to public areas of the aquarium in the daytime.
A maximum of 8 persons can join a tour.
●Price
R620 per adult (aged 18+) R495 per child (aged 8—17)
The Behind-the-Scenes tour is not suitable for children under the age of 8.
Tours must be booked at least 24 hours in advance, subject to availability.
●How to book a Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Book your Behind-the-Scenes Tour on the official website.
Alternatively, email experience@aquarium.co.za or call us on +27(0)214183823 to book in person at our Visitor Centre.
●Terms and conditions
Please wear your face mask, comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes appropriate for the beach.
Failure to arrive for your tour will result in cancellation and you will be liable (负有偿付责任的) for the full fee.
1. Which of the following statements is true?| A．The indemnity form should be filled out ahead of time. |
| B．Eleven students can be permitted to join the tour together. |
| C．The public areas of the aquarium can be visited around the clock. |
| D．Half of the fee would be given back if you failed in joining the tour. |
| A．R1115. | B．R1240. | C．R1485. | D．R1735. |
| A．A book review. | B．A news report. | C．A guidebook. | D．A diary. |
8 . Explore Central Park, one of the largest city parks in the world and one of the most famous symbols of New York. Let’s have a look at its main sights.
Central Park is New York’s largest city park and one of the biggest in the world, with an area of 843 acres. This park is home to man-made lakes, waterfalls, grass and wooded areas. You will also find the Central Park Zoo, among other attractions in this green space of New York.
Besides being the city’s primary green lungs, Central Park is also a favorite spot for many New Yorkers. It is perfect for sunbathing, going for walks, or doing outdoor sports. Something that we found curious is seeing so many people running with their babies in prams (婴儿车).
On Foot or By Bicycle
To get to know some of the wildest parts of Central Park, we suggest walking. However, to get a general feel for the whole park, the best thing to do is to hire a bicycle and enjoy the scenery.
If you decide to hire a bike, you will find lots of bike rental stores around Central Park that are not very expensive.
Open Time
From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. From 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Price
Entry to the Park is free. But if you visit some parks like Central Park Zoo, you need to buy a ticket.
Transport
Subway: Line 5, 6, 7, A, B, C and D. Bus: Line M1, M2, M3, M4 and M10.
1. Which one is right about the Central Park?| A．It is home to natural lakes and waterfalls. |
| B．It is perfect for doing indoor sports. |
| C．It is the largest city park in New York. |
| D．It is the most famous symbol of New York. |
| A．Hiring a bicycle. | B．Entrance to Central Park. |
| C．Visiting Central Park Zoo. | D．Going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
| A．In a science report. | B．In a geography book. |
| C．In a fashion magazine. | D．In a travel guide |
9 . 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. |
10 . Theater Listing Guide
Check out the latest shows in London theaters with our handy theater listing guide! You can either purchase tickets at the theatre or online at https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/whats-on.
Chicago, Phoenix Theatre
Chicago, the longest-running American musical in Broadway history, has delighted audiences around the world. The main characters are two female criminals. You must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket.
Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre
Based on the successful 2005 British film by Geoff Deane, this musical celebration is about the belief that you can change the world, which is expressed so well by the actor Tim Firth. Fans of musical comedy won’t want to miss this fabulous show, as the songs in the musical were created by Cyndi Lauper. No children younger than 6 will be admitted.
King Lear, Duke of York’s Theatre
Acting legend Sir Ian McKellen starred the title character in King Lear, one of Shakespeare’s famous tragedies. McKellen’s performance in the play, which sees King Lear become mad as he divides his kingdom amongst his children, was highly praised by critics and audiences. You must be 12 or older to enter the theatre.
Les Miserables, Queen’s Theatre
Adapted from the epic novel by Victor Hugo, the musical tells a powerful and moving story of love, sacrifice, passion and revolutionary spirit. In October 2015 Les Miserables celebrated its 30th Anniversary in London and is now the world’s longest-running musical. It is recommended for children aged 7 or over, and children under 5 are prohibited.
1. Who is the composer of the songs in the musical Kinky Boots?| A．Cyndi Lauper. | B．Sir Lan McKellen. |
| C．Tim Firth. | D．Geoff Deane. |
| A．Chicago. | B．Kinky Boots. |
| C．King Lear. | D．Les Miserables. |
| A．The shows are British musicals. |
| B．The audiences should check the age policy. |
| C．The audiences can’t buy the tickets online. |
| D．The shows are adapted from ancient stories. |
