1 . San Francisco Fire Engine Tours

San Francisco Winery Tour
Running: February 1st through April 30th

This delicious tour goes through the city on its way to Treasure Island where we will stop at the famous Winery SF. Here you can enjoy 4 pours of some of the best wine San Francisco has to offer.(Included in tickets price)

Departing from the Cannery: Tour times upon request.
Duration(时长): 2 hours
Price: $90
Back to the Fifties Tour
Running: August 16th through August 31st

This tour transports you back in time to one of San Francisco’s most fantastic periods, the 1950s! Enjoy fun history as we take you through San Francisco for a free taste of ice cream.

Departing from the Cannery: 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $90
Spooky Halloween Tour
Running: October 10th through October 31st

Join us for a ride through the historical Presidio district. Authentic fire gear(服装) is provided for your warmth as our entertainers take you to some of the most thrilling parts of San Francisco.

Departing from the Cannery: 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Price: Available upon request
Holiday Lights Tour
Running: December 6th through December 23rd

This attractive tour takes you to some of San Francisco’s most cheerful holiday scenes. Authentic fire gear is provided for your warmth as you get into the holiday spirit.

Departing from the Cannery: 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Advance reservations required.
1. Which of the tours is available in March?

A．San Francisco Winery Tour.	B．Back to the Fifties Tour.
C．Spooky Hallowen Tour.	D．Holiday Lights Tour.

2. What can tourists do on Back to the Fifties Tours?

A．Go to Treasure Island.	B．Enjoy the holiday scenes.
C．Have free ice cream.	D．Visit the Presidio district.

3. What are tourists required to do to go on Holiday Lights Tour?

A．Take some drinks.	B．Set off early in the morning.
C．Wear warm clothes.	D．Make reservations in advance.

2 . Here are four books online, aiming to strengthen spoken and writing skills for English- language learners.

Arnie the Doughnut

Suggested grade level: lst- 2nd

Arnie looks like an average doughnut made by one of the best bakeries in town. Still, a doughnut is just a doughnut, right? WRONG! Click to see what happens.

Themes in the story:lmagination, Humor, Friendship

Brave Irene

Suggested grade level: lst- 2nd

Brave Irene is a dressmaker's daughter. One day, Irene volunteers to send the dress made by her mum to the palace on time, in spite of the snowstorm. Click and see how she overcomes difficulties.

Themes in the story: Courage, Overcoming difficulties

The Empty Pot

Suggested grade level: lst-2nd

The Chinese Emperor announces a test to choose the country's next king. The child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the Emperor will be the one. Ping is unable to get his seed to come out-but Ping's empty pot is the best of all. Why?

Themes in the story: Honesty, Learning from failure

Clark the Shark

Suggested grade level: Kindergarten- 2nd

Clark i,s a shark who loves life, but his enthusiasm is too much for his friends, so his teacher helps him find a way to turn it down. Finally, Clark knows how to get along with his friends.

Themes in the story:Self-Control, lVLanners, Friendship

1. What can children learn from Brave Irene?

A．How to make friends.	B．How to learn from failure.
C．How to face difficulties.	D．How to control themselves.

2. Which of the following books is about honesty?

A．Arnie the Doughnut.	B．The Empty Pot.
C．Brave Irene.	D．Clark the Shark .

3. What is special about Clark the Shark ?

A．Its themes include friendship.	B．It teiis us how to overcome difficulties.
C．It aims to improve children's writing skills.	D．It is also suitable for kindergarten children.

3 . History Fair Competition

Understanding history is vital to understanding ourselves as a people and as a nation.

History is much more than the study of dusty old objects and events long past. It is an essential part of who we are today and who we will become. Thornton Middle School History Fair Competition makes understanding history exciting, engaging, and fun!

This Year's Theme

All participants must address how communication or transportation technology has promoted the quality of life for Americans throughout history. To many people, technology means computers, hand-held devices, or vehicles that travel to distant planets. However, technology is also the application of scientific knowledge to solve a problem, touching lives in countless ways.

Individuals or groups may enter one of the following categories:

Performance

Documentary（纪实作品）

Essay Writing

Category Requirements

Performance: A dramatic presentation of the topic no more than 10 minutes long. If special clothes are used, they should truly represent a given period.

Documentary: A visual presentation (such as a video, slide show, or computer project) no more than 10 minutes long . A desktop computer, screen, projector, and loudspeakers will be available. Students must provide their presentations on CDs before Friday, March 23.

Essay Writing: An academic paper of 2,000 to 2,500 words. No illustrations are allowed. Please do not include covers. A list of references must be included.

Important Dates

January 5       Submit（提交）a topic proposal to your history teacher. The teacher may require a second proposal if the first is off-topic or unclear.
February 5       Submit a first draft of your essay, performance script（剧本）, or documentary highlights.
February 19       A committee of teachers will evaluate materials and give opinions. Students then have an opportunity to improve their products.
March 9       Submit a final draft of your essay.
March 15       Performance and documentary committee preview
March 24       Thornton Middle School History Fair Competition
7:00 A.M. -- 9:00 A.M.       Participants signing in at the gym
10:00 A.M. -- 6:00 P.M.       Competition and judges' review
7:00 P.M.       Awards ceremony and picnic
1. What is the theme of this year's competition?

A．Technology advances science.

B．Science interacts with technology.

C．Science has made the study of history easy.

D．Technology has improved the life of Americans..

2. Among the items provided by the school for a visual presentation are ________.

A．special clothes and a screen	B．a desktop computer and a CD
C．a projector and special clothes	D．a desktop computer and loudspeakers

3. What would a participant have to do with an essay of 1,500 words to meet the category requirement?

A．Include more information in the essay.	B．Remove the references.
C．Provide a cover for the essay.	D．Explain the details with illustrations.

4. What will the committee of teachers do on February 19?

A．Preview performances and documentaries.

B．Make comments on the materials.

C．Improve the participant's first draft.

D．Collect a second proposal from the participant.

4 . Are you interested in Chinese traditional arts? Do you want to learn how to make them by hand? If so, come and join our clubs this weekend in our school.

Sky Lantern Club

Introduction:Sky Lanterns are made of bamboo and covered with paper. They were first used to ask for help when people were in trouble. Today, they are used to show happiness and good wishes.

Time:Saturday 8:30am— I0:30am

Place:Building 3 Room 501

Paper Cutting Club

Introduction:Paper Cutting turns a simple thing like a piece of paper into a beautiful piece of art. Pictures about flowers, animals and so on are put on windows, doors and walls as symbols of good wishes and good luck.

Time:Saturday 9:00an^_11:00am

Place:Building 3 Room 502

Chinese Knot Club

Introduction:Chinese Knots are usually made of red and yellow ropes. They are used to express good wishes, including happiness, love, peace and so on.

Time:Sunday 2:30p.m —4 :30p.m

Place:Building 3 Room 603

1. What are Sky Lanterns made of?

A．Clay and paper	B．Cloth and steel.
C．Red and yellow ropes	D．Bamboo and paper.

2. Where should you go to learn Paper Cutting?

A．Building 3 Room 501	B．Building 3 Room 502
C．Building 3 Room 603	D．Building 3 Room 520

3. What does the text most probably belong to?

A．A notice.	B．A story
C．A fiction.	D．A piece of news

5 . 根据短文内容的篇章结构，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Every day we watch TV or read magazines or newspapers to get more information. But what are the advantages or disadvantages of the two media?

    1     Watching them is pleasant and does not require the effort of reading. If television did not cover the news, some people would know nothing about what is going on in the world. However, television newscasters cover only the events that they have time for, and they prefer stories that include some impressive pictures. Viewers are quickly bored with reporters who sit and talk into the camera.    2    

However,    3    . They can include details, and a person with a special interest can take the time to read them. Others can stick to the headlines.

Reading allows more freedom of choice than television.    4    In broadcasting, “one size fits all”. However, a person who reads newspapers and magazines can choose to spend time on business, sports, health, or the school board election, depending on special interests.

    5    However, a person who has individual interests and who wants the whole story needs newspapers and magazines as well.

A．TV news is not a person’s only source of news.

B．Television news shows are impressive and interesting.

C．More people get news by watching television than by reading newspapers.

D．The TV audience cannot decide which stories to watch.

E．Television provides a useful glance at what’s happening.

F．newspapers and magazines do a better job of explaining complex events.

G．As a result, a complicated story is often cut short.