1 . From going to work to traveling, here are some backpacks you can use in several different situations.

SZLX backpack       

This backpack is described as “designed for travel” and you can see why—as unzipped and open, it looks a bit like a carry-on bag. It has two zip pockets and an inside compartment (隔层). With a shoe compartment and a bag for wet clothes, it is a great choice for traveling and regular use.

Della Gao backpack

This backpack will have you feeling safe, with lockable zips (拉链). It has three main compartments and at 17 inches, has a large overall space for keeping important items. It’s a wise choice for business travel, university or if you’re going on holiday with high-value items.

Lekesky backpack

Looking like a cross between a lunch bag and a backpack, the Lekesky bag is actually a bit of both, with two pockets alongside a main compartment. The bag also has a separate lunch compartment, able to store food for nine hours with an ice bag. The bag comes in black/white as well as green/white.

Maxtop backpack

If what you’re after in a backpack is a lot of space, then this bag will be the one for you. It comes with metal zippers and a USB port, plus it can be folded up when not in use. It also has a D-ring for you to hang a key or other items if desired.

1. Which backpack best suits a person carrying expensive items?

A．Della Gao backpack	B．Lekesky backpack
C．SZLX backpack	D．Maxtop backpack

2. What is true about Lekesky backpack?

A．It comes in four different colors.

B．It is great for keeping food.

C．It can be folded up when not in use.

D．It has a bag for wet clothes.

3. In which section of a newspaper does the text probably appear?

A．Sports.

B．Health.

C．Lifestyle.

D．Culture.

2 . Here are three of the best language leaning apps for mastering a new language, so take out your phone and download one of them!

Drops

Drops is a really good language-learning app for users who have a tight (紧的) study time. By spending just 5 minutes a day on this app, you will start to master a new language. It might sound unrealistic, but the app ensures that you don’t get bored. One of the biggest benefits of using Drops is that it gives you a beautiful explanation of all the words you are learning. Drops also brings fun games to make you interested in learning. However, you need to pay $15 every month if you want to use its functions or take its fast-learning courses.

Duolingo

Duolingo brings a series of fun courses that are easy to understand. One of the best things about Duolingo is that it learns and adapts to users’ learning style and provides lessons and exercises that bring the best results. Learners love Duolingo’s reward system which encourages them to study hard. The best part is that all the courses are free. However you have to pay if you want to get rid of ads and have offline access to the lectures.

Memrise

The special feature of this app is that it uses real native speakers to teach you their language. They create local videos that you can watch on the app. This is useful as you not only get the context (语境) of the words but also hear the clear pronunciation. Memrise teaches you a new language by showing you fun videos and offering fun games. The app is available for a free trial of three classes but you need to pay for your membership if you want to learn offline or unlock all the courses.

1. Drops is the most suitable app for learners ______.

A．who can not concentrate on learning	B．who can not spare much time to learn
C．who are used to learning from videos	D．who are slow in learning a language

2. What may attract you to learn on Duolingo?

A．Its fast-learning courses.	B．Its local videos.
C．Its fun games.	D．Its reward system.

3. What is the feature of Memrise?

A．It offers all the courses for free.	B．It helps users remove advertisements
C．Its teachers can be native speakers.	D．It is more suitable for offline learning.

3 . News Around the World

If you feel pressured for your work, here are four pieces of news you can scan and relax.

Across the River in Rome

A man has walked across the Tiber River in Rome. As a tightrope artist, he is skilled at walking on a tightrope. But this time the tightrope is 135 meters long and 20 meters above the river, which is the longest and highest. The man sets a new Italian record. He said this walk was difficult with wind and rain.

A new spoon for astronauts

Nikolas Grafakos makes a special spoon for astronauts, which helps astronauts eat more easily during long trips to Mars. Normal spoons are a little longer for astronauts and hard to eat with at zero gravity. The new spoon is something between a spoon and chopsticks. You hold it in your hand and press it at the end. It is easier to deliver food to our mouth, making it possible for astronauts to eat more kinds of food.

Pink Chocolate

Have you seen a kind of natural pink chocolate? Some people don't accept that, saying that the pink chocolate is rare and must cost a lot. Others say that in general, all cocoa beans turn into dark chocolate. During the process of making, they unbelievably change colour. They suppose there must be something strange about the gene of cocoa beans. Or maybe it is just white chocolate with some fruit.

Car Jumps and Rolls

A stunt driver set a Guinness World Record. This is his 21st Guinness World Record title. To jump with a car, he must get everything prepared and make exact calculations ahead of time. The car goes for 160 meters away and then; the car jumps. It flies 15.37 meters and even rolls in the air.

1. What does the man mentioned in paragraph 2 do?

A．A stunt driver.	B．A tightrope artist.
C．A spoon inventor.	D．A chocolate maker.

2. What is the advantage of the new spoon?

A．It is longer than the normal one.	B．It is helpful for astronauts to eat less.
C．It is hard for astronauts to use on earth.	D．It is easier for astronauts to use in outer space.

3. What should the stunt driver do before his car jumps and rolls?

A．Fly 15.37 meters high.	B．Set a Guinness World Record.
C．Walk 20 meters above the river.	D．Drive his car for 160 meters away.

4 . Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

The over 70-acre Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre for the study of plants, as well as a popular tourist attraction. It is the second oldest botanic garden in Britain. Originally founded in 1670 as a garden to grow medicinal plants, its living collection consists of more than 15,000 plants.

Open daily from 10 am(except December 25 and January 31). Closed at 4 p.m.(Nov—Feb. ) 6 p.m.(Mar. and Oct.), 7 pm(Apr.—Sept. )

Entry: Free(Tel: 01315 527171)

The Dingle Garden, Wales

The Dingle Garden is set in the heart of beautiful mid-Wales. The four-acre garden is south-facing with paths that wind down the slope to a lake and small waterfall. The beds are colour-themed to look good all year round. This peaceful garden, full of wildlife, is the perfect spot for a relaxing wander at any time of year.

Open daily 9 a.m.—5 p.m. Only closed for one week at Christmas.

Entry: Adults £3, seniors £3, children free(Tel: 01938555145)

Groombridge Place, Keat

Groombridge Place in Kent, set in 200 acres of wooded parkland, has been the inspiration for books, films and television programmes. Inside the garden walls at Groombridge Place lies a hidden world. For three hundred years these gardens were unseen, except by a favoured few. The gardens were laid out in the 17th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries new plants were introduced and many trees were planted.

Late Mar.—early Nov.: Open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm(or dusk if earlier)

Entry: Adults £8.95, seniors and children £7.45(Tel: 01892861444)

Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire

Hidcote garden covers 10.5 acres of gently sloping ground. It was designed by a plant collector who sponsored and participated in plant hunting expeditions to secure rare and unusual species for this extremely pretty garden.

Open from the end of March to early November.

March 24 to July 1 and during September, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Thursdays and Fridays. July 2 to August 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Thursdays. October 1 to November 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Thursdays and Fridays.

Entry: Adults £7.27, children £3,36, family £18.18（Tel: 01386 438333）

1. From the text we can learn that Royal Botanic Garden ________.

A．is the oldest botanic garden	B．has a few medicinal plants
C．opens daily from 10 am to 4 pm	D．is free of charge for visitors

2. Which of the gardens is the smallest in size?

A．Royal Botanic Garden.	B．Groombridge Place
C．The Dingle Garden.	D．Hidcote Manor Garden.

3. It seems that both Groombridge Place and Hidcote Manor Garden ________.

A．cover a large area	B．are closed during winter
C．display rare and unusual species	D．are crowded with visitors in summer

5 . 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.

2. When will winners be announced?

A．In June.

B．In July.

C．In August.

D．In October.

3. How much fee will you pay for an e-mailed entry?

A．$ 2.

B．$ 3.

C．$ 5.

D．$7.