1 . The Best Black Friday & Cyber Monday Travel Deals
Whether you are hoping for a late 2021 trip or planning a tour in the next few months, this list of Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel deals offers several options.
The Redwoods In Yosemite
The Redwoods In Yosemite, located within the national park, has about 120 unique rooms to choose from. Wawona is one of the few communities inside Yosemite with wi-fi, so guests can even work here.
Offer: Book a stay and get 15% off in 2021.Booking Window: Jan.23rd - Apr.2nd, 2021.Travel Window: May. 1st - Sept. 30th, 2021.
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Located in San Diego, Rancho Bernardo Inn has luxurious guest rooms surrounded by lush (茂密的) gardens, an award-winning full-service spa, championship 18-hole golf courses, tennis courts and biking tracks and more.
Offer: You can enjoy 50% off if you book in April. Travel Window: May. 31st - Dec. 1st, 2021.
The Duchamp
It features six private suites set in California. Each suite has its own entrance and there is a huge pool limited to guests only. You can start your day with coffee on your own private enclosed patio(露台) and end it on that same patio with a refreshing glass of wine.
Offer: From Mar. 27th - 30th, book direct and receive 30% off stays that take place between Apr. 3rd - Oct.4th, 2021.
The Hollywood Roosevelt
The Hollywood Roosevelt is a famed Hollywood hideaway featuring poolside rooms and tower rooms with incredible views of Hollywood. Relax at its cafe and the Tropicana Pool painted by famous artist David Hockney. You can enjoy its delicious chef-driven dining menu and cocktail party in the open air.
Offer: Up to 40% off starting at $180/night. Book Nov. 26th - 30th for travel dates Nov.27th - Dec. 3 1st, 2021.
1. When can guests book a room in the Redwoods In Yosemite?| A．Mar. 4th, 2021 | B．Apr. 5th, 2021. |
| C．May.1st, 2021. | D．Aug. 30th, 2021. |
| A．Professional gardeners. | B．Families with children. |
| C．Business travelers. | D．Sports enthusiasts. |
| A．40 dollars. | B．108 dollars. |
| C．72 dollars. | D．180 dollars. |
2 . Skipping Stones Youth Honor Awards
The Youth Honor Awards recognize creative and artistic works by young people that promote multicultural, international and nature awareness.
Original writing (essays, interviews, poems, plays, short stories, etc.) and art( photos. paintings. Cartoons, etc.) from youth. aged 7 to 17, should be typed or neatly handwritten. Essays should be under 1,000 words and poems should be under 30 lines. Non-English writings, photo essays and art pieces (up to 8) are equally welcome.
You may also choose to stress the work of a youth organization or group project. Using the same guidelines as above, tell us how the group works to preserve nature or enrich the community, its members and the lives of others.
Entries must be e-mailed or postmarked by 25 June. Please include the following:
A cover letter telling about yourself and your works, age, address and telephone number or e-mail, which we need to contact you during August if you are a winner.
A Certificate of Originality and a Parental Permission to publish your work We reserve the right to publish your entry at our judgement.
Send a $5 entry fee. If you enter the honor awards program and also subscribe ($25/year), you can enter without the entry fee. If you are entering electronically, we can send you an online request for $7, which includes the entry fee of $5, plus an additional $2 convenience fee.
Ten winning entries will be published in the October issue. Winners will receive an Honor Award Certificate, a subscription to Skipping Stones and five books.
Send your award entries and submissions by e-mail or post to the address below,
P. o Box 3939
Eugene. OR 97403 USA.
In fo@Ski ppingStones.Org
1. Which of the following works are not accepted?| A．Works presented in May. | B．Works including 10 art pieces. |
| C．Works written in Chinese. | D．Works from youth organizations. |
| A．In June. | B．In July. | C．In August. | D．In October. |
| A．$ 2. | B．$ 3. | C．$ 5. | D．$7. |
3 . Friends and Buddies
This program is planned for children who have special needs with the goal of meeting within a community with other peers. The purpose of the program is that it will lead to a better understanding of friendship. Gym, Swim, Surprise Guest, and Pizza are included. Ages 12—18, numbers of members are limited. Contact: Gloria Bass. This program is held 2 Fridays per month. For free.
Club Saturday Swim
This program is available to anyone aged 5—14 who is challenged by mental, physical, or emotional trouble. The program will be held free of charge each Saturday afternoon, 12:00—12:30 pm or 12: 30—1:00 pm.
Sibshops
Sibshops is a program for siblings of children with challenges. It includes group activities and talk treatment ways with the focus on improving sibling relationships and whole family happiness. Ages 10—13. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Wednesday: 4:00—5:00 pm. Fees: $50/$65
Banana Splits
Banana Splits is an educational support group for children in family trouble. Children aged 9—13 will have the opportunity to meet other children whose parents have separated or divorced, learn to recognize feelings, think of healthy coping skills and have a place to share their struggles through verbal, physical, and artistic experiences. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Tuesday: 4:30—5:30 pm. Fees: $50/$65
1. Activities on how to lead to a better understanding of friendship are held ______.| A．2 Fridays per month | B．each Saturday afternoon |
| C．4:30—5:30 pm, Tuesday | D．4:00—5:00 pm, Wednesday |
| A．They are all held at the same place. | B．They are all free of charge. |
| C．They are all intended for children. | D．They all hold activities each week. |
| A．help children deal with their trouble | B．encourage children to be happy and brave |
| C．list some problems children meet with | D．advertise some programs for children |
4 . Grand Historic City Tour Start this tour to create some new memories in the beautiful city of San Antonio！
Description
During this eight-hour tour, you will explore one of Texas’ most historic cities. The tour includes a look into the cultures that make up the 300-year-old history and takes you to see some hot attractions.
•HemisFair Park: HemisFair Park is a popular landmark, and it’s an enjoyable place to visit. Whether you picnic or take part in one of the many events held here, your visit to its extremely beautiful squares will be an undoubtedly one.
•La Villita: On the southern end of the River Walk, La Villita is a shopping center where you can find everything from food to workshops and artworks.
•Theatre District: See the landmarks that have shaped the city’s theater industry. These towering buildings are not only architectural feats (建筑奇观), but they are also so important to the history of art in the area.
•San Fernando Cathedral: This cathedral (大教堂) is home to the oldest religious community and was founded in the 1700s.
•Spanish Governor’s Palace: If you’re an architecture and history lover, then the Spanish Governor’s Palace is sure to impress. This wonderful building features details from the 1700s as well as well-designed gardens.
Transportation Guide Service
A comfortable air-conditioned Gray Line bus will take you to each location visited. During the tour, a knowledgeable guide will be able to tell you about the local life and things to do. Ask all your burning questions about the area anytime！
1. What is the theme of this city tour?| A．Natural beauty. | B．History and culture. |
| C．Shopping and foods. | D．Ancient architectural feats. |
| A．La Villita | B．HemisFair Park |
| C．Theatre District | D．San Fernando Cathedral |
| A．The bus driver is a knowledgeable guide. |
| B．The tour is in the company of a full-time guide. |
| C．The bus will wait at the first location of the tour. |
| D．The tour operator offers private car pick-up service. |
5 . Next to the benefits of playing and swimming all day long, reading is probably the most important thing kids can do in summer. Here are some great summer reading programs for kids.
Sync: Free Summer Audiobook Program for Teens.
Sync has a summer reading program just for teens that will give them two free audiobooks each week this summer. Perfect for both on-the-go and on the couch reading. Each week they offer a current young adult book as well as a classic title that teens will be able to download for free through the SORA/OverDrive app.
Scholastic Read-a-Palooza
Scholastic has a summer reading challenge in which kids go online to record the minutes they've read during the summer. This year, kids can make new friends, earn virtual rewards, help unlock donations for kids with limited or no access to books. All you need to do is sign up and keep a “reading streak” in Scholastic Home Base over the summer.
Half Price Books
The Half Price Books hosts gift card giveaways on social media for kids who read for at least 300 minutes during the months of June and July. The program website also features printable coloring sheets, online story times and mystery book recommendations for ages ranging from preschool to teens.
Reading Is Fundamental
Reading Is Fundamental is the nation's largest children's literacy non-profit. It lists a collection of free ebooks and interactive materials on literacy. Reading Is Fundamental has tools for every level to raise reading to new heights this summer and beyond.
1. What can teens do through Sync?| A．Choose their favorite books freely. | B．Get some free audiobooks this summer. |
| C．Download classics for free as many as possible. | D．Surf in the sea of books anywhere and anytime. |
| A．Half Price Books. | B．Reading Is Fundamental. |
| C．Scholastic Read-a-Palooza. | D．Free Summer Audiobook Program for Teens. |
| A．It is suitable for kids of different reading levels. | B．It is free of charge to collect ebooks on literacy. |
| C．It offers gift card giveaways on social media. | D．It aims at improving kids' reading skills. |
6 . On the banks of the beautiful Macquarie River, Bathurst is a town of pretty tree-lined streets, beautiful parks and wonderful heritage buildings. Many activities are held there year-round. Here are some for you.
The Lazy Sunday Afternoon
January 1
Join us for the Lazy Sunday Afternoon as we show you local award-winning wine from Three Views Vineyard. Please call in advance to book. Enjoy cheap wine tastings and a selection of cheeses. For those who do not want to drive, a pick-up is available.
International Museum Photograph Day
January 15
Celebrate International Museum Photograph Day with a selfie at Bathurst Regional Council Museums with free entrance. To win a prize for the most imaginative photographs, just use the marking Museum Photograph Day Bathurst when you post on Facebook.
Bathurst Miniature Railway
From February 1 to February 16
Bathurst Miniature Railway operates every third Sunday of the month. It is located next to the Tennis Centre in Durham Street. The club started in 1977 and today operates nearly 600 meters of race track in Durham Street Bathurst. Over the years more tracks for your enjoyment of sports have been added.
Challenge Bathurst
From November 28 to December 1
Challenge Bathurst is a great opportunity to drive your own street car or track racing car on the famous Mount Panorama Racing Circuit. With the most exciting 6.2 kilometers of bitumen (沥青) on the planet open for your speeding enjoyment, you won’t want to miss your chance to gain an unforgettable experience.
1. What do we know about the Lazy Sunday Afternoon?| A．It is held monthly. | B．It is free of charge. |
| C．It refuses to offer pick-up service. | D．It requires booking ahead of time. |
| A．A man loving food and wine. | B．A girl fond of taking pictures. |
| C．A kid expecting free car rides. | D．A teenager wanting to play tennis. |
| A．To introduce some events in Bathurst. | B．To advertise some summer activities. |
| C．To show races on the Bathurst streets. | D．To provide opportunities for indoor sports. |
7 . In the field of educational technology, some apps might be getting too smart. There are more and more apps providing help for students.
PhotoMath
The new, seemingly magic app allows users to take pictures of a math problem, and then receive a step-by-step solution. It is now the number one free app on the App Store. A PhotoMath spokeswoman says educators have welcomed the app with positive reviews, but the software causes a lot of angry public discussion and disagreement. Why? It is because students can use it to cheat when doing their math homework.
Price: Free
iHomework
Whether you’re a high school student or a college student, there’s one thing you’ve got for sure: a lot of homework. iHomework can help you keep track of all your homework. It can help you arrange it in a particular order according to types, or based on deadlines.
Price: Free
Wolfram Alpha
Wolfram Alpha is similar to PhotoMath, but it focuses on older students studying high levels of math and doesn’t support photos. The service also produces step-by-step solutions to advanced topics, making it a popular tool for college students.
Price: $2.99
Homework Helper
Chinese Internet search company Baidu has launched (发起) an app called Homework Helper with which students can get answers to homework. Users post a picture or type their homework questions onto online forums (论坛), and those who answer the questions can win e-coins that can be used to buy devices like iPhones and laptops. The app has logged 5 million downloads, much to the concern of many parents who argue that the students spend less time thinking about challenging problems.
Price: Free
1. What is the problem of the app PhotoMath?| A．It can’t recognize pictures. |
| B．It doesn’t provide a step-by-step solution. |
| C．It encourages students to use smartphones. |
| D．It makes cheating at homework more likely to happen. |
| A．Offering services to office workers. |
| B．Making students organize their school work. |
| C．Helping deal with advanced math problems. |
| D．Creating chances to discuss math online. |
| A．It is thought highly of by teachers. |
| B．It is unpopular among Chinese students. |
| C．Many parents think it harmful to children’s study. |
| D．Answering questions on the app wastes students’ time. |
8 . Answering the Community Needs of Our City
The Siver City Council recognizes that citizens have certain needs. To better meet your needs, we have made several changes to community facilities in 2020. The followings shows how we have tried to make your life better.
Transport
☆Three stations for the suburbs have been added to the western train service.
☆20 new buses for the southern line were purchased in January.
☆50 per cent of city bus-stops have been upgraded.
Communication
☆Broadband cableis now available to ll parts of the city.
☆All of the new Government buildings are smart-wired for better computer service!
Medical Facilities
☆The new state-of-the-art Nightingale Hospital was opened in June.
☆To overcome a shortage of trained medical staff at Dover Hospital, 10 doctors have been employed from overseas.
☆Some facilities at Station Street Hospital have been upgraded.
Education
☆Textbooks will be free to all primary students in 2020!
☆Rental for private schools has been reduced.
Protection and Security
☆Extra police now patrol(巡逻)the tourist areas.
☆50 new police officers graduated in July and have taken up duties in the city area.
Entertainment/Recreation
☆The new Central Community Building opened in May.
☆5,000 new fiction books were bought for the Silver City Library.
1. What’s the notice mainly about?| A．The work carried out by the people of Silver City. |
| B．The facilities available in Silver City. |
| C．Some improvements in Silver City. |
| D．Information for interested tourists. |
| A．Travel books are provided in the new library. |
| B．More bus lines and stops are bought in Silver City. |
| C．Free medical treatment is available at Station Street Hospital. |
| D．There are more police officers on duty now. |
| A．the community | B．the local government |
| C．the Silver City Library | D．a travel agency |
9 . Field Trips Your Students Actually Want to Go On
Some of the best memories from grade school are made at field trips. Field trips offer students something they can't get from lectures or textbook pages — hands-on fun! Here are some attractions to visit with your students. They ' re great places to make memories and, of course, learn something too!
1. Belle Isle Nature Center (Detroit)
Availability: Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 10:30 a. m. , 11 :30 a. m. or 12:30 p. m.
Admission: Free
Enjoy both indoor and outdoor animal exhibits. Programs include a deer feeding, a hands-on activity and discovery time.
2. Diamond Jack's River Tours (Detroit)
Availability: Monday — Friday, May 1 to Oct. 31 at 9: 30 a. m. , 10: 30 a. m., 11 :30 a. m. or 12:30 p. m.
Admission: $ 9/person
See 16 miles of the U. S. and Canada Detroit River shoreline, ocean-going and Great Lakes ships, a light house, the fire boat, parks, a mail boat and much more.
3. Arts & Scraps(废品)(Detroit)
Availability: Monday, Wednesday or Friday
Admission: Varies by age and number in group
Let your students , imaginations run wild. They'll think, create and learn while re-imagining recycled industrial materials.
4. Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit)
Availability: Tuesday — Friday at 9:30 a. m. , 11 :00 a. m. or 12:30 p. m.
Admission: Free admission and bus transportation for students
Lead your own visit or let one of the DIA Gallery Teachers guide you. All guided field trips explore art to build skills in creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and active learning.
1. What do you know about field trips?| A．They take place in open fields. |
| B．They all charge for an entrance fee. |
| C．They are available throughout weekdays. |
| D．They are connected with nature or art. |
| A．Arts & Scraps. | B．Detroit Institute of Arts. |
| C．Belle Isle Nature Center. | D．Diamond Jack's River Tours. |
| A．Teachers. | B．Parents. | C．Students. | D．Scientists. |
10 . Our busy modern lives don't always make it easy for us to plan healthy meals. These books provide a guide to different types of healthy diets and plenty of recipes and hacks to keep your eating on track.
The Blue Zones Solution
Author Dan Buettner defines Blue Zones as places in the world where people have recorded as living the longest. The Blue Zones Solution explores diet and lifestyle techniques used in areas like Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, and more. Buettner explains how you can apply these to your own daily life. There are recipes and checklists to help you create your own Blue Zone.
Food to Live By
Food to Live By takes things back to the basics. Myra Goodman, author and cofounder of Earthbound Farm, focuses on cooking simple dishes with organic ingredients. The recipes are easy to prepare and include important information about care and handling of ingredients. Goodman also includes full-colored photos of her dishes.
Wildly Affordable Organic
Eating organic is a healthier choice because the food is free of pesticides and antibiotics. Unfortunately, it can also be an expensive option. Wildly Affordable Organic gives you tricks to eat well without the high price. There are tips for how to make your family's lifestyle greener, save money on grocery runs, and cook easy seasonal meals.
The New Primal Blueprint
The New Primal Blueprint is an update on author Mark Sisson's The Primal Blueprint, released in 2009. It continues to focus on the benefits of eating the way our primal ancestors did and emphasizes Sisson's lifestyle laws for health and well-being. In addition to expanded and updated information, the new book comes with updated photos, graphics, and cartoons.
1. What does The Blue Zones Solution mainly feature?| A．Live longer with your own recipes. |
| B．Live your own life to the fullest. |
| C．Seek recipes from long-lived people. |
| D．Apply book knowledge to daily life. |
| A．They are about eating organic. |
| B．They are written by the same author. |
| C．They concerns ways of making dishes. |
| D．They offer full-colored photos of dishes. |
| A．It focuses on health. | B．It is an updated version. |
| C．It emphasizes lifestyles. | D．It contains good photos. |
