1 . 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 Our competition is open to unpublished poems of any length.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Unpublished Poetry Prize for the best poem by a previously unknown poet: £250.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. |
2 . July Competition - All Better
Cough drops and soup can help you feel better when you’ve caught a cold. So can comfortable blanket, a good book, or just the right game to take your attention away from cough. For this month’s competition, draw a picture of something that helps you feel better when you’re a bit under the weather. The winning entries (参赛作品) will be published in an upcoming issue (期刊) of Ask.
Competition Rules:
1.Your competition entry must be your very own work. Ideas and words should not be copied.
2. Be sure to include your name, age and address on your entry.
3. Only one entry per person, please.
4. If you want your work returned, enclose (附上) a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
5.Your entry must be signed or emailed by a parent or legal guardian (法定监护人), saying it’s your own work and that no one helped you, and that Ask has permission (准许) to publish it in print and online.
6.For informatized. com. on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, see the Privacy Policy page at cricketmedia.com.
7.Email a photo or scan (扫描) of your artwork to: ask @ cricketmedia.com, or mail to: Ask, 1 East Erie Street, Suite 525, PMB4 136. Chicago. IL 6061 1 Entries must be postmarked(盖邮戳) or emailed by July 30, 2022.
8. We will publish the winning entries in an upcoming issue of Ask.
1. What are the participants required to draw?| A．A cover for a book that they like best. |
| B．A game that they play to pass the time. |
| C．A thing they will do to deal with extreme weather. |
| D．A thing that can take their mind off their illnesses. |
| A．Visiting the website of cricketmedia.com. |
| B．Replacing his original work with a copy of it. |
| C．Including his parents’ names and address on it. |
| D．Attaching a self- addressed stamped envelope to it. |
| A．Posting your entry on July 29, 2022. |
| B．Sending a scanned copy of your entry. |
| C．Finishing the entry with the help of a parent. |
| D．Including the participant’s name on the entry. |
| A．On TV. | B．On the radio. | C．In a film. |
4 . Lonely Planet’s Middle East is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Wander at the mighty Pyramids of Giza, the last surviving ancient wonder; watch the sun set over the magic of Petra; and explore tree-lined avenue and delicate mosques (清真寺) in Esfahan, Iran. All with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Middle East and begin your journey now!
Inside Lonely Planet’s Middle East:
● Colour maps and images throughout
● Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
● Essential info at your fingertips — hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips. prices
● Honest reviews for all budgets — eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems (精品) hat most guidebooks miss
● Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience — covering history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics
Coverage Includes: Egypt, Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey
Book Details
ISBN: 9781786570710
Writers: Anthony Ham, Paul Clammer, Orlando Crowcroft, Mark Elliott, Anita Isalska, Jessica Lee, Virginia Maxwell, Simon Richmond, Daniel Robinson, Anthony Sattin, Dan Savery Raz, Andy Symington, Jenny Walker, Steve Waters
608 pages, 256pp color, 90 maps | Dimensions: 128mm×197mm
Next edition due: Dec 2024
1. What information can readers get from Lonely Planet’s Middle East?| A．Black-and-white maps. | B．Recommendation of popular guidebooks. |
| C．Famous writers’ cultural insights. | D．Reviews for all budgets. |
| A．Jordan and Syria. | B．Lebanon and France. |
| C．Turkey and Japan. | D．Israel and Norway. |
| A．To introduce some famous attractions in Middle East. |
| B．To appeal to us to travel to Middle East. |
| C．To recommend a book named Middle East. |
| D．To stress the importance of traveling in Middle East. |
5 . Summer Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Bloomington Parks and Recreation offers an excellent opportunity for teens to get involved and make a difference in their community by volunteering within a variety of summer youth programs. Summer Teen volunteers assist with activities under the guidance of experienced staff and gain valuable leadership skills. In the summer, teens can apply to volunteer in the following programs:
Summer Adventure Playground Program Volunteer
Program Dates: June 14 — August 12
Location(s): Kelly, Poplar Bridge. Running, Smith. Sunrise and Westwood parks
Information: Help facilitate opportunities to play and lead playground participants (in grades 2 - 7) in games, sports, arts and crafts, and make new friendships.
Mini View Volunteer
Program Dates: June 14 — August 6 Location: Valley View Elementary School
Information: Help to assist with the supervision of preschoolers —1st graders in a social occasion.
The View Volunteer
Program Dates: June 14 — August 6 Location: Valley View Elementary School
Information: Help to assist with supervision of 2nd - 5th graders in a social recreational setting.
Camp Kota Junior Counselor
Program Dates: June 14 — August 9 Location: East Bush Lake
Information: Help campers learn basic outdoor skills while meeting new friends, singing crazy songs and having tons of fun.
To apply, fill in a Parks and Recreation 2022 Summer Teen Volunteer Application. Please be sure to answer all questions and indicate all program(s) of interest. Applicants will be contacted via email with next steps after March 31, 2022. Contact us by phone (952-563-8877) or e-mail at parksiec@BloomingtonMN.gov for more information.
1. What can volunteers get from the programs?| A．Making the community different | B．Becoming an experienced staff member. |
| C．Getting opportunities for college. | D．Acquiring useful leadership skills. |
| A．Summer Adventure Playground Program Volunteer | B．Mini View volunteer. |
| C．The View Volunteer. | D．Camp Kota Junior Counselor. |
| A．Fill out an application form. |
| B．Answer questions via an interview. |
| C．Clarify your program(s) of interest by phone. |
| D．Contact the organizers on March 31. |
| Ask The Expert Dr. ALEJANDRO RIVAS Struggling to hear each day, even when using powerful hearing aids? |
| Dr. ALEJANDRO RIVAS, a cochlear (耳蜗) implant surgeon and medical advisor to Cochlear, answers questions about cochlear implants and how they are different from hearing aids. |
Now more than ever, communication and connection are important for maintaining relationships with family, friends and community. Whether it happens suddenly or gradually over time, hearing loss can affect you physically and emotionally. Addressing your hearing loss has the potential to transform your life.
Cochlear implants work different than hearing aids. Rather than amplifying sound, they use state-of-the-art electronic components and software to help provide access to the sounds you have been missing.
Q: How are cochlear implants different than hearing aids?
Hearing aids help many people by making the sounds they hear louder. Unfortunately, as hearing loss progresses, sounds may not only need to be louder, they may need to be clearer. Cochlear implants can help give you that clarity, especially in noisy environments.
Q: Are cochlear implants a proven solution?
Cochlear hearing implant technology is very reliable. In fact, it has been around for 40 years and Cochlear has provided more than 60.0000 implantable hearing devices.
Q: Is it major surgery?
No, not at all. The procedure is often done on an outpatient basis and typically takes just a couple of hours.
Q: Are cochlear implants covered by Medicare?
Yes. Medicare and most private insurance plans routinely cover cochlear implants.
| Call 800 610 4901 or visit www.Cochlear.us/Rdigest to find a Hearing Implant Specialist near you and get a free guide about cochlear implants. |
| A．A textbook. | B．A blog. | C．A magazine. | D．A diary. |
| A．They can work through software. | B．They are more reliable. |
| C．They can make sounds clearer. | D．They are covered by Medicare. |
| A．An outpatient of the surgery. | B．A Cochlear Implant surgeon. |
| C．A specialist of medical insurance. | D．A customer of Cochlear implant. |
1. What are the speakers mainly talking about?
| A．Watching TV. | B．Reading magazines. | C．Reading newspapers. |
| A．On TV. | B．In magazines. | C．On the Internet. |
8 . Welcome to the Sydney Opera House
Ticket Info and Guided Tours
Visitors can enjoy the Sydney Opera House’s foyer (前厅) for free, but for a more insightful visit, you’ll need to book a tour.
There are several different ways to experience the Sydney Opera House, and multiple tours are available including back-stage passes and walking tours.
Tour Type | Adult (AUD S) | Child |
Guided Walking Tour | $42 | $22 |
Guided Walking Tour+ Dinner | $73 | $52 |
Guided Walking Tour+ Tasting Plate | $82.20 | $64.80 |
Back-stage Tour | $175 | $175 |
Opening Hours and the Best Time to Visit
The Sydney Opera House is open year-round with the following opening hours:
●Monday-Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
●Sunday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
As for the best time of day, it’s recommended to book the earliest Sydney Opera House tour of the day to beat the crowds. To enjoy sunny weather with fewer crowds, try visiting in the shoulder season (October, November, February or March).
Points of Interest
●The Steps
Before entering the Opera House, take a picture of the building from the steps outside.
●The Sails
Step beneath the sails on a guided tour and enjoy harbor front views.
●The Concert Hall
The Concert Hall is the largest venue with seats for more than 2,000 people. It features contemporary live music shows and highly-regarded orchestral (管弦乐的) performances. It is also here that you will find the world’s largest mechanical tracker-action pipe organ.
●Opera Bar
After your tour, head to the Opera Bar for a bite to eat or drink in the sun.
●Badu Gili
Badu Gili, which is “water light” in the language of the Gadigal people, takes place most evenings after sunset at 9:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and 10 p.m. The seven-minute display is free to view.
1. How much will a Guided Walking Tour including supper for two adults cost?| A．$73. | B．$84. | C．$146. | D．$164.40. |
| A．9:30 a.m., a Monday in February. |
| B．10:00 a.m., a Sunday in December. |
| C．5:00 p.m., a Friday in September. |
| D．6:00 p.m., a Saturday in March. |
| A．A local language. |
| B．A water sport. |
| C．A light show. |
| D．A dining area. |
9 . Cafes to Visit This July 2022
Whether you're looking for a steamy cup of coffee or a wide range of sweet treats, there are endless selections of cafes that have something for you.
The Salfee Bar
Check out the newly opened branch at Quarry Bay, featuring a wide selection of salads and coffee. This vegan-friendly bar classifies salads based on their health benefits, including immune boost, heart guardian and anti-aging. You can also choose a fruity coffee to go green and go along with your salad.
The Salfee Bar, G/F, 34 Hoi Kwong Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Knockbox
Found in the jam-packed neighbourhood of Wan Chai, Knockbox puts emphasis on the colours in coffee, encouraging customers to visulalize their coffee-drinking experiences with the shop front. A cup of "red honey catuai" is only as different as a"long black". Let Knockbox lead you to see the beauty in coffee and to "taste" out of the box.
Knockbox, 3 Burrows Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Cosha
This warm-coloured cafe situated in Central is the perfect place for a brunch. The beautifully coloured juices that pair up with the savoury dishes are also worth a try. Let an icy Super Strawberry Juice or Mango Hill Juice help you beat the sweltering heat.
Cosha, G/F, 61 Elgin Street, Central, Hong Kong
Yama Coffee
Located in the busy neighbourhood of Yau Ma Tei, Yama Coffee takes you on a short vacation to Japan, as its design is based on a Japanese theme. The cafe is divided into two floors—the lower level mainly serves takeaway, while the upper level provides a variety of services, including reading and writing. Their latte is crafted with Hokkaido coffee beans and milk, giving it a rich, silky aftertaste.
Yama Coffee, 15 Pitt Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong
1. Which cafe would you go to as an environmentalist?| A．The Salfee Bar. | B．Knockbox. | C．Cosha. | D．Yama Coffee. |
| A．Pleasant spaces for coffee and study. |
| B．Its wonderful imagination in design. |
| C．Its themes named after a Japanese. |
| D．The nice personality of the owner. |
| A．To share studies of some special cafes. |
| B．To compare the features of the cafes. |
| C．To evaluate the products of the cafes. |
| D．To inform readers of different cafes. |
10 . Special breaks: four UK’s creative places
Chair-making, Leicestershire
Spend a week in the National Forest woodlands learning to make your own chair. People having different levels of experience are welcomed. Beginners can make a single Windsor chair, while the more advanced learners can design their own chairs or try a child’s chair.
Price: £ 650 per person (including accommodation)
Dates: 21-27 Jun., 31 Jul.-6 Aug., 23-29 Aug., 4-10 Oct.
Drawing, North Yorkshire
Learn how to create beautiful pen and ink drawings on this four-day art holiday in the North York Moors. Aimed at beginners, it teaches a range of styles and techniques to build confidence and improve various drawing skills. The course is mainly based at Larpool Hall, a Georgian house with views over the Esk Valley.
Price: £ 405 per person (including accommodation and meals)
Dates: 25-28 Sept.
Celtic woodturning (木工车床加工), County Armagh
Guests stay at Bluebell Lane Glamping at the foot of Slieve Gullion in the Ring of Gullion area of outstanding natural beauty, near Newry. The three-night break includes a full-day beginners’ woodturning workshop, where participants make their own bowl from locally sourced wood, learning how to use a lathe (车床), sharpen tools, sand and finish. There is also a break for a guided walk through the 11-hectare woodland surrounding the site.
Price: £ 238 (including meals)
Dates: 21-23 Aug.
Wildlife photography, Dorset
Red squirrels are now very rare in England, but Brownsea Island has a large population of red squirrels. On this two-night trip, guests will explore the island and learn how to photograph the creatures in the woodlands. Led by Emma Healey and Sean Weekly, the course is an opportunity to take advantage of the best light of the day to take wildlife photographs.
Price: £ 475 per person (including accommodation, meals and student fees)
Dates: 14 -15 Sept.
1. Which place will you choose if you want to enjoy a four-day vacation?
| A．Dorset. | B．Leicestershire. | C．County Armagh. | D．North Yorkshire. |
| A．Drawing. | B．Taking wildlife photos. |
| C．Experiencing chair making. | D．Learning Celtic woodturning. |
| A．They are all aimed at beginners. |
| B．They are all based at woodlands. |
| C．They all have professional leaders. |
| D．They all help improve people’s practical skills. |
