1 . Want to see your work published and win some cash along the way? Then read on. The national Spark a Story writing contest is calling in all young storytellers!
●Who can participate?
The contest is open to students in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12, or those who are being home-schooled in the United States.
●Deadline and requirements.
You’re able to send your short story up to October 7th. It will be judged on creativity, originality and overall quality of writing. Your story must be original works and shouldn’t be longer than 5000 words. There is no minimum length requirements.
●How can I send my short story?
*Online at http://learn.hmhco.com/hmhsparkamind
*Send your short story as a PDF or Microsoft word document to Sparka@hmhco.com
*Send your short story via U.S. Mail to:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
222 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116
●What will I win?
The best stories will be published next year. Winners will receive a free copy of the book and $100 cash.
1. Who is this passage intended for?| A．Students. | B．Teachers. | C．Parents. | D．Editors. |
| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．Sports. | B．Science. | C．Education. | D．Fashion. |
2 . TV was one of the greatest inventions in the 20th century. Nowadays, nearly every house has at least one TV set.
Television came into being based on the inventions and discoveries of many scientists. On April 7, 1927, the first public television programme was broadcast in the USA. The signals were received on a very small screen. It was only about the size of a business card. The pictures were reddish (微红色的) and not clear.
In the 1930s, bigger screens appeared with black-and-white pictures. However, a snowy picture was the best many TV viewers could hope for. Often, they could only get one station, and only when the weather conditions were good.
When World War II(1939~1945) began, the development of TV stopped. There were a very small number of TV sets in the hands of the public. By 1945, there were fewer than 7,000 working TV sets in the USA. A TV set cost about half the price of a car at that time.
The time after World War II is considered one of the golden periods of television. Families saved money during the war years, and wanted to buy a lot of things after the war. TV sets were soon put onto the “must-have” list.1950~1959 was an exciting period for television. Colour television and remote (遥控的) controls came out during this time. By 1955, the cost of TV sets came down a lot. Instead of being equal to half the price of a car, they were now just equal to the cost of a new set of tyres (轮胎). This marked the beginning of the booming age of TV.
1. Where was the first public television programme broadcast?| A．In America. | B．In British. | C．In Russia. | D．In Canada. |
| A．It’s beautiful. | B．It’s boring. | C．It’s expensive. | D．It’s cheap. |
| A．In the 1930s, TV signals became very easy to receive. |
| B．During World War II, TV sets went into lots of families. |
| C．After World War II, TV was invented. |
| D．TV developed fast in the 1950s. |
| A．The Birth of Television | B．The Development of Television |
| C．The Need for Television | D．The Price of Television |
1. Why does the man recommend Muse Magazine to the woman?
| A．It’s helpful for schoolwork. | B．It’s about science and nature. | C．It has lots of inspiring stories. |
| A．8. | B．9. | C．14. |
| A．Get back to her office. | B．Buy the magazine. | C．Ask for her son’s opinion. |
4 . What are your plans for the summer vacation? Here are three summer camps in 2020. You can choose for your summer vacation. If you join the summer camps, you will feel excited and enjoyable.
Smart Camp 2020 Smart Camp is exciting with rock climbing, rowing, swimming and other activities. Camp dates: July 10~23 Age:13~16 years old Cost:$135 Tel:9619-2389 Http://www.Rhfleet.org/events/summer-camp.com |
Social Skill Camp 2020 Teach students to master some social skills in groups, such as listening, making and keeping friends, improving self-confidence(自信)and so on. Camp dates: July 13~20 Cost:$270 Tel:9726-9580 To know more information and details, please visit our website: Http://www.9640 Lover.com. |
Music Camp 2020 Music Camp is funny! Please come and join in the new and fun musical activities! You can take pleasure and learn all kinds of musical knowledge here. Camp dates: July 17~31 Camp hours:9:00 am to 6:00 pm Price:$150 each week Tel:9935-8857 Http://www.Music Camp Lover.com |
| A．Social Skill Camp 2020. | B．Sports Camp 2020. |
| C．Smart Camp 2020. | D．Music Camp 2020. |
| A．get on well with others | B．sing and dance |
| C．climb rocks and swim | D．improve your art abilities |
| A．$135. | B．$270. | C．$150. | D．$300. |
| A．make and keep friends | B．get more information about the camps |
| C．get a discount | D．see the manager |
5 . When searching for something fun and educational to do in Maryland, why not visit the Maryland Science Center? It is located at 601 Light Street, Baltimore. The ticket prices vary depending on ages, groups and the exhibits you choose. Click here for more information.
Introduction
The Maryland Science Center is basically a museum, but it gives everyone a chance to learn through experience and play, rather than just glance at an exhibit.
Activities
You can learn about various topics, including outer space, the human body, dinosaurs, electricity, marine (海洋的) biology, energy, and much more. You can also take part in the interactive activities, such as racing bubbles, digging for dinosaur fossils, using puzzle pieces to construct cars, and so much more.
The Davis Planetarium (天文馆)
At the Davis Planetarium, you can be back in a chair and look at the stars while still inside the Science Center. The stars will appear on the ceiling of the theatre as you watch them.
There are different shows to catch at the Davis Planetarium. You can learn about the galaxy and astronomy during the Dark Matters show. Learn about the stars and planets during the Sky Live show. The One World One Sky show allows children to explore the stars. The Live from the Sun show will teach you all about the hot sun.
The Kids Room
For children, they can’t miss the Kids Room. They will be able to play in a water area, construct dams and water towers, push buttons, ring doorbells, build with blocks, and more, and definitely they will learn a lot. In addition, there is also an area for kids of two years old and under, where they can crawl, walk and explore safely with soft toys.
1. If you want to know why the sun shines, which show should you choose?| A．The Dark Matters show. | B．The Sky Live show. |
| C．The Live from the Sun show. | D．The One World One Sky show. |
| A．It charges different prices for adults and kids. |
| B．It is regarded as the most popular museum in Maryland. |
| C．It is a museum where there are many famous exhibitions. |
| D．It is mainly designed for children and their families to play together. |
| A．A travel plan. | B．An academic column. |
| C．An educational magazine. | D．An online advertisement. |
6 . Join Our Sports Camp
Ever created a whole sports plan for yourself only to give up a few days later? If you’re trying to keep it, join us! The camp is 100% volunteer-run and totally non-profit.
What we’ll help you do：
·Create a plan which fits you. Start small, and then gradually increase difficulty.
·Find the time to exercise. Even if it’s only a 10-minute walk, any exercise is enough to get you started.
·Try various activities to find one that you love. After doing them more, you start looking forward to your exercise.
·Find ways to make exercising more fun. Try changing the places where you work out by playing tennis on the playground or doing yoga(瑜伽) in the gym—anything to get yourself excited to workout.
Requirements
·Ages：13-17
·Take your own equipment ·Parents must be with you for your first coming Schedule
·Weekdays 9：00 a.m.—10：00 a.m.;2：00 p.m.—5：00 p.m.
·Weekends 8：30 a.m.—10：30 a.m.;2：00 p.m.—7：00 p.m.
How to join
Click here to get information and hand in the form to our camp before 9：00 p.m. everyday!
1. What can be learnt about the sports camp?| A．It is not free of charge. |
| B．It welcomes parents to join. |
| C．It provides teenagers equipment. |
| D．It inspires teenagers to keep exercising. |
| A．1：30 a.m. on Friday. | B．6：00 p.m. on Saturday. |
| C．8：30 a.m. on Thursday. | D．10：30 a.m. on Monday. |
| A．A website. | B．A newspaper. | C．A travel journal. | D．A sports handbook. |
7 . If you look for great books for children that have stood the test of time, below you’ll find the best ones for 2022.
Aunty’s Wedding
by Miranda Tapsell
The book tells us a story about an island girl preparing for her aunty’s wedding, but she needs to know what a wedding is all about. This lovely picture book talks about family, culture and love.
For ages 3-6.
Freedom, We Sing
by Amyra Leon
This is a powerful book that explores what freedom means. Through conversations with a mother and her young daughter, this beautiful picture book discusses the way to live freely and be themselves. For ages 4 and up.
Ways to Make Sunshine
by Renée Watson
Ryan lives with her parents in Portland happily, but when Ryan’s dad loses his job, things start to change. This is a story of a black girl growing up and dealing with family pressures bravely. For ages 6 and up.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin
This book helps kids learn how to recognize different animals and name all the colors by the interesting pictures. It’s a perfect book for children who are just starting to read. For ages 1 and up.
1. Who is the writer of Aunty’s Wedding?| A．Miranda Tapsell. | B．Amyra Leon. | C．Renée Watson. | D．Bill Martin. |
| A．Love. | B．Culture. | C．Freedom. | D．Family. |
| A．Aunty’s Wedding. | B．Freedom, We Sing. |
| C．Ways to Make Sunshine. | D．Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? |
8 . Book Information
Children’s Day is coming. Here is some information about children’s books in our bookshop.
All I Want for Christmas Is You Writer: Mariah Carey Age: for 3-7 years Price: $17.99 It is one of the bestsellers. It brings Christmas joy to readers. Its beautiful lyrics (歌词) will bring that same holiday spirit to readers in this picture-book about a young girl whose wish is for a new little dog. | A Bear’s Year Writer: Kathy Duval Age: for 4-8 years Price: $18. 99 When spring arrives, the mother bear and her kids wake up, and as the weather warms to summer, the mother bear teaches her kids to fish. In autumn, as food grows less, the family prepares for the coming winter. |
The Little Prince Writer: Exupéry. S Age: for 11-14 years Price: $20.99 The little prince lives on a small planet alone. One day he decides to leave his planet in search for the most important thing in his life. At last he finds out the answer from a fox of the Earth: the power of love. | The Only Child Writer: Guo Jing Age: for 5-9 years Price: $22.99 A little girl is lost in the forest. And she follows a deer deep into the woods. She finds herself in a strange world. But both her home and her family are very far away. How will she get back there? |
| A．$17.99. | B．$18.99. | C．$20.99. | D．$22.99. |
| A．Mariah Carey. | B．Kathy Duval. | C．Exupéry. S. | D．Guo Jing. |
| A．All I Want for Christmas Is You. | B．A Bear’s Year. |
| C．The Little Prince. | D．The Only Child. |
| A．a girl lost in the forest | B．a boy’s birthday gift |
| C．a mother panda and her babies | D．a father dog and his babies |
| A．Children’s movies | B．Children’s toys |
| C．Children’s shoes | D．Children’s books |
9 . Homeland Shopping Coupons(优惠券)
| Hours of Free Parking ▼You will receive 2 hours of free parking if you spend $30 in our store. But if you spend $ 50 or more, you can get 8 hours of free parking and coupons (优惠券). And you can get a surprise with a coupon in the following stores. | |
| 20% Off ▼Get a 20% Off on any book you buy at the Wonderland Store. We have many books to choose from our store, including children’s books, novels, travel guides and hobbies. | Buy One, Get One Free ▼Buy one shirt or tie at David’s Menswear, and get one more shirt or tie of the same value free. |
| Free Soft Drinks ▼Buy any meal for at least $ 8 at Tom’s Cafe, and receive a free soft drink. We serve the best hamburgers and snacks in the mall. | Half-price Movie Tickets ▼Buy any full-price movie ticket on weekdays, you can buy a second ticket for a friend for only half price! |
| ▼Welcome to our store. Get more coupons! They are due in two weeks! Tel: 869352761 | |
| A．2 hours. | B．4 hours. | C．6 hours. | D．8 hours. |
| A．Wonderland Store | B．David’s Menswear |
| C．Tom’s Cafe | D．the service desk |
| A．$20. | B．$ 50. | C．$8. | D．10$. |
| A．soft drinks | B．movie tickets | C．men’s shirts | D．ladies’ dresses |
10 . What types of books do you enjoy reading? What are some of your favourite books? What’s your favourite type of books? Here are some books you might like to try.
The Venice Experiment : A Year of Trial and Error Living Abroad (2011) by Barry Frangipane
Type: travel
A few years ago, a real-life American couple decided to escape the competitive life and live in Venice for a year. This is the story of their experiences there, and it’s full of funny events about their struggle to adapt to the Venetian lifestyle. An author said, “For anyone thinking of an overseas adventure, The Venice Experiment is a laugh-out-loud read...”
The Hunger Games (2008) by Suzanne Collins
Type: science-fiction/adventure
The story is set in the future. A governor rules the country and most people are very poor. Every year, there’s a game show called “The Hunger AOLLNS Games” in which 18 teenagers are sent into the wild to battle it out until only one survives. The book has just been made into a highly successful Hollywood movie.
There but for the (2011) by Ali Smith
Type: general fiction
The book is the sparkling satirical novel by Ali Smith. There once was a man, Miles Garth, who one night between the main course and the sweet at a dinner party, left the table, locked himself in a spare bedroom, and refused to come out. As the days passed, Miles became a famous man, and people gathered outside his house. People even started selling Miles-themed goods.
An Idiot Abroad by Karl Pilkington
Type: travel/humour
Karl is a British TV personality and comedian (喜剧演员) who stars in the popular TV show An Idiot Abroad. In the show (and in this book), Karl Pilkington visits the Seven Wonders of the World and makes funny observations about his experiences. The Spectator magazine called Karl “the funniest man on the planet”.
1. Who is the author of The Venice Experiment?| A．Suzanne Collins. | B．Karl Pilkington |
| C．Barry Frangipane. | D．Ali Smith. |
| A．There but for the. | B．The Hunger Games. |
| C．The Venice Experiment. | D．An Idiot Abroad. |
| A．People in The Venice Experiment are imagined. |
| B．The Hunger Games has been made into a movie. |
| C．There is one book above talking about travel. |
| D．Karl is a serious person in An Idiot Abroad. |
| A．To invite you to a library. | B．To recommend books. |
| C．To teach reading. | D．To write books. |
