1 . Have you ever dreamed of having your own custom deck (木制平台)? Decks make a beautiful addition to any home and they are great places to sit and relax. Here, we discuss several benefits of installing a custom deck on your property.
● Great meeting places. Does your family love to have a barbecue? A custom deck will give you plenty of space to host a barbecue, family picnics, and neighborhood parties. A deck can make a great meeting place for just about any open-air event.
● Room to grow. Decks are great places to grow your own food. A container garden can grow many of the fruits and vegetables you love to eat without the hassle of a traditional garden. So if you have green fingers (good at making plants grow), you should really think about adding a deck to your property soon.
● Quick installation. Most decks can be built in just a few days to weeks. While they are highly durable and permanent structures, they can be installed fast. This means that you will be able to enjoy your investment right away without the need to wait.
If you want to take advantage of these benefits, contact the decking professionals at https://newdaydevelopment.com/ to help you design and build the perfect deck for your needs. With our help, you can create a beautiful place to relax outside and enjoy special memories together. We’d be happy to discuss your questions or concerns.
1. What makes a deck a great meeting place possible?| A．Plenty of time to host family picnics. | B．Plenty of space to have outdoor activities. |
| C．A secret place to keep your personal room. | D．Nice atmosphere to host neighborhood parties. |
| A．Its price. | B．Its market prospect. | C．Its drawbacks. | D．Its function. |
| A．A news report. | B．A science magazine. | C．A product advertisement. | D．A culture report. |
2 . Student Film Festival
Student Film Festival celebrates learning across the curriculum through the exciting and dynamic medium of short film.
Through film, students can tell stories, investigate ideas, document learning in any area of study and express the complexity of their thinking through a range of genres and technical approaches.
With the creative use of digital media, students can integrate their personal perspectives to explore the diverse and challenging issues of our time.
It’s open to all students, regardless of school. We are accepting submissions in the following categories:
Cartoon (up to 30 mins)
Documentary(纪录片)(up to 60 mins)
Music Video(under 10 mins)
Science Fiction Short (up to 25 mins)
Situational Comedy (under 10 mins)
Web Series(up to three episodes, no more than 30 mins each)
So far, more than 20 entries have been selected across all categories. We will gradually announce the chosen entries for each category, giving you a chance to watch all the films online and vote for your favourites. Winners in all categories will be announced on Wednesday, 27 December.
Over the years, our film festivals have attracted thousands of filmmakers from around the world. Each festival features live screenings in our own school theater. Our 80-seat theater is outfitted with a 4K projector and seven speakers throughout the venue, delivering high quality in a first-class screening environment. Filmmakers whose works are accepted into our festival will receive free passes to the school theater, invitations to film masterclasses, and are considered for awards.
1. Which of the following can be a suitable submission to the festival?| A．A 20-minute recording of a short play. |
| B．A two-hour film recording your daily routine. |
| C．A five-minute fun video about students’ dormitory life. |
| D．A 22-minute educational video explaining popular science. |
| A．Receive a film award. | B．Watch films for free in the school theater. |
| C．Interview film masters. | D．Deliver a speech in the venue. |
| A．A schedule for the film selecting process. |
| B．An invitation to a filmmakers’ celebration. |
| C．An announcement of a film festival awards. |
| D．An advertisement for an upcoming festival. |
3 . Special Events in Discovery Center Museum
Discovery Center Museum is a children’s science museum located in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Every year Discovery Center offers a large number of special events, programs, classes and more.
All special events are included with admission to Discovery Center Museum. General admission: $10.00 adults; $10.00 children ages 2-17; free to Discovery Center Members and children age 1 and younger.
Mini Monet—Preschool Program
September 11, 2023 10: 00 am until 11: 30 am
PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS! Encourage your young child’s interest in art with special projects in the Art Studio. Our new “Mini Monet” drop-in program will explore a different art medium four times this fall. The program is for children ages 2-6, along with their grown-ups. We will celebrate nature in our Secret Garden “painting” with tissue paper. Monet himself would be proud!
Community Superheroes to the Rescue
September 20, 2023 10: 00 am until 2: 00 pm
Wear your favorite superhero costume and join our gathering of community superheroes. Meet REAL emergency first responders and explore the science our community heroes use every day. If it doesn’t get called for an emergency, you can even get up close to the Mercyhealth REACT helicopter and an MDI response vehicle from 10 am to Noon in our parking lot. In the afternoon, enjoy K-9 dog demonstrations at 1: 00 and 1: 30 pm.
Jim Gill Concert
October 2, 2023 10: 00 am until 1: 00 pm
Concerts at 10: 00 am and 1: 00 pm. Get ready to sing, clap, dance and spin along during this visit by award-winning musician and author Jim Gill. Jim Gill’s distinctive music play is an invitation to children, parents and grandparents to sing and play together.
Magic & Fairy Tales
October 14, 2023 10: 00 am-2: 30 pm
Magic and fairy tales come to life at Discover Center! Come dressed in costume and enjoy a wonderful day of magic shows of TNZ Magic activities as well as activities related to beloved fairy tales.
1. How much do a couple with a 2-aged boy pay to attend Mini Monet-Preschool Program?| A．$10.00. | B．$20.00. | C．$30.00. | D．$40.00. |
| A．Enjoy K-9 dog demonstrations. | B．Join in the rescue in an emergency. |
| C．Fly Mercyhealth REACT helicopter. | D．Watch an MD1 response vehicle. |
| A．Jim Gill Concert. | B．Magic & Fairy Tales. |
| C．Mini Monet—Preschool Program. | D．Community Superheroes to the Rescue. |
4 . Learning music is important for the educational and personal development of young people!
Learning an instrument: how do pupils choose?
All our teachers are highly qualified and experienced musicians, and pupils can learn to play a wide range of instruments, from the keyboard to the drums (鼓). We have open days when new pupils who are unsure which instrument to choose can come to the centre. They are able to speak to teachers about which instrument might be best for them, and they can also see and hear classes in action.
Who is responsible for buying the instruments?
Parents usually have to provide instruments. But parents of beginners are advised not to buy an instrument until they are told that a place is available. They should also find out from the teacher the most suitable type of instrument to get.
When and where do lessons take place?
Lessons are available in many schools, usually during the day. If there is no lesson available for a particular instrument in a particular school, other arrangements can be made at one of our music centres for lessons on Saturday afternoons or weekday evenings.
How are pupils taught?
Pupils can learn in small groups, in classes or individually, depending on their needs. Small groups of three pupils have lessons that last thirty minutes.Class lessons last forty-five minutes and have at least ten pupils. Individual lessons are offered only to pupils who have some experience.
Starting young: when can pupils begin?
Children are never too young to become interested in music. We have special “Musical Youth” classes for children from the age of 3 to 8. These are designed to encourage young children to enjoy music through a variety of activities including singing, musical games, listening and movement. “Musical Youth” classes take place on Saturday mornings with groups of about 18 children. A parent or other adult must attend each session, and they are encouraged to sit with their children and help them with the activities.
1. What is special about open days of the centre?| A．Pupils can learn to play a wide range of instruments. |
| B．New pupils can come to the centre to buy an instrument. |
| C．Pupils are able to speak to teachers about choosing instruments. |
| D．Pupils can also see and attend classes in action. |
| A．Lessons are available in all schools, usually during the day. |
| B．Individual lessons are offered only to pupils with some experience. |
| C．There is no lesson available on Saturday afternoons. |
| D．Small groups of three pupils have lessons that last forty-five minutes. |
| A．Teachers. | B．Pupils. | C．Musicians. | D．Parents. |
5 . The Road Trip To Tlaxcala
Tlaxcala, located in east central Mexico, is well worth visiting. And you’re welcome to this wonderful place!
Day 1: Pick up a car in Mexico City and drive out over the foothills of Popocatepetl Volcano. Head toward Tlaxcala City, stopping on the route to see the amazing murals(壁画) at Cacaxtla, an archaeological site with 1000-year-old ruins. After entering Tlaxcala’s historic center, you can walk over to the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asunción to see its carved wooden ceiling in the Spanish Mudejar style.
Day 2: After breakfast, drive east to Contla, a village known for cloth. From Contla, drive southeast to Huamantla. The town’s central square is an ideal place to catch a quick snack of ice cream. Continue south to Ixtenco, a traditional Otomí community, for lunch in the kitchen of the Baltazar family. After lunch, drive north to the 17th-century Hacienda Tenexac, in Terrenate, where you’ll spend a peaceful night.
Day 3: Following a great breakfast prepared by Tenexac’s chef, Paz Yano Breton, join her for a tour of the residential quarters, which are crowded with amazing furniture collected over the past 200 years. Then head west to the industrial city of Apizaco. After lunch, a short drive north takes you into open fields.
Day 4: Wake at dawn for a 40-minute hike to the top of a hill behind the retreat. As the sun rises, you’ll enjoy a great view. After checking out, your next stop should be the town of Tlaxco for breakfast. From Tlaxco, head west through the Llanos de Apan, an agricultural region. And then stop for lunch at Xoletongo, and after lunch, head back to Mexico City.
1. What will visitors do on Day 1?| A．Visit 2000-year-old ruins. | B．Appreciate special architecture. |
| C．Enjoy amazing murals in Tlaxcala. | D．Travel around the city center by car. |
| A．Material. | B．Agriculture. | C．Ice cream. | D．Archaeology. |
| A．In Terrenate. | B．In Tlaxco. | C．In Apizaco. | D．In Xoletongo |
6 . The best literary festivals 2023 across the UK to book now
Kite Festival
9-11 June
New last year, this literary festival held in the grounds of spectacular stately home Kirtlington Park in Oxfordshire is the first of its kind, combining music and breakthrough ideas to create a unique programme featuring live performances and interactive discussions. Over the Kite Festival weekend, you’ll find award-winning authors sharing their insights on crafting stories and electronic pop legends headlining on the Saturday night.
Primadonna
28-30 July
Held at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Suffolk, Primadonna prides itself on creating a space for works by women and those whose voices might not otherwise be heard. There are insightful workshops covering everything, including sessions on how to get your foot in the door of the publishing world. The family-friendly event also has plenty to keep kids occupied, from craft activities to entertaining talks from big-name writers.
Queen’s Park Book Festival
2-3 September
Queen’s Park Book Festival is the only one in the capital to be held in a public park, making it a low-key affair that feels more like a garden party than a full-blown festival. Alongside writers’ discussions on their latest works, you’ll find performance poetry events hosted by hip-hop verse maestro Poetcurious and nightly parties once the sun sets.
Henley Literary Festival
30 September-8 October
Henley is home to an impressive literary festival, which takes places over a week in October at various venues throughout the town, including the grand riverside private members’ club Phyllis Court and the historic town hall. Alongside main events featuring famous writers, there’s also a hugely popular children’s festival, where little bookworms get the chance to come face-to-face with their favourite authors.
1. Which festival promotes less-read writers?| A．Kite Festival. | B．Primadonna. |
| C．Queen’s Park Book Festival. | D．Henley Literary Festival. |
| A．Kite Festival & Primadonna. |
| B．Primadonna & Henley Literary Festival. |
| C．Kite Festival & Queen’s Park Book Festival. |
| D．Queen’s Park Book Festival & Henley Literary Festival. |
| A．To introduce a special book festival. |
| B．To promote local activities for families. |
| C．To inform readers of some literary events. |
| D．To provide introductions about famous authors. |
7 . Gymnastics Instructor Wanted
About us
PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Club) Queensland is a not-for-profit organization established in 1948, aiming to build safer and healthier communities. We focus on young peopled personal and leadership development by offering state-wide programs, services and facilities through 54 branches, two leadership development centers and two activity centers.
About the position
PCYC Burdekin currently wants gymnastics instructors, who will assist in the development and delivery of the gymnastics programs to PCYC clients.
•Casual work (approximately 20-30 hours per week)
•$28-$31 per hour (depending on previous experience and qualification)
•To be employed, you must be qualified to get a Working with Children Check or Blue Card and be willing to undertake a National Police Check.
•Applicants with intermediate accreditation (认证) from Gymnastics Queensland will be considered firstly.
What we can offer
•Free parking and free access to PC 24/7 gyms
•Flexible work environment and working hours •Opportunity to work in an established branch with a great team
Key responsibilities include
•Deliver a broad range of fun group gymnastics programs for all ages, in accordance with safety and industry-approved practice requirements.
•Contribute towards creative marketing and promotion of the gymnastics programs to maintain current participants and attract new participants.
Deadline
Applications close on 8 September, 2022. Interested? Click here to apply.
1. What is PCYC Queensland’s goal?| A．To provide the youth with advice on personal emotions. |
| B．To make a fortune through state-wide programs. |
| C．To build more branches outside Queensland. |
| D．To improve community security and health. |
| A．Show the intermediate gymnastics qualification. |
| B．Present the experiences in dealing with children. |
| C．Explain the urgent need for a full-time job. |
| D．Express the desire to work for National Police Agency. |
| A．A Queensland’s local paper. | B．A job-hunting mobile app. |
| C．A popular science website. | D．A notice-board in a gym. |
8 . From cottages surrounded by impressive gardens to days spent exploring sandy beaches and deep woods filled with wildlife, in My Family and Other Animals, English writer Gerald Durrell provided a vivid account of his family’s time on the Greek island of Corfu in the 1930s.
Come for the arresting descriptions of Corfu landscapes and stay for Durrell’s laugh-out-loud tales of his unusual family. This book, Durrell wrote humorously in the introduction, “was intended to be a nostalgic(怀旧的)account of natural history, but in the first few pages, I made the mistake of introducing my family.”
Durrell, later known for his zoo keeping and the preservation of wildlife, was just a child during his family’s five-year stay in Corfu. He is 10-year-old Gerry in the book—curious, passionate about animals and a detailed storyteller of his strange family: his imaginative elder brother Larry with his literary ambitions, lovestruck sister Margo, sporty brother Leslie and his ever-calm, loving mother.
Durrell’s attention to detail is what makes the book so winning, with every sight, sound and smell of the island brought to life. One minute you’ll be laughing as Larry’s clever literary friends walk down to the daffodil-yellow cottage, the next you’ll be catching your breath as Durrell describes swimming at night in the Ionian Sea: “Lying on my back in the silky water, staring at the sky, only moving my hands and feet slightly, I was looking at the Milky Way stretching like a silk scarf across the sky and wondering how many stars it contained.”
My Family and Other Animals is quite difficult to classify, being one part travel, one part autobiography, one part natural history, and one part comedy, with a thread of descriptive language running throughout that sometimes raises it nearly to poetry.
As a real delight to read, it’s the perfect literary escapism for any adult or older teenager who is currently walking down a tough road in life.
1. Which word best describes Durrell’s life in Corfu?| A．Diverse. | B．Busy. | C．Risky. | D．Tough. |
| A．I just introduced my family by mistake. | B．I shouldn’t have introduced my family. |
| C．I gave false information about my family. | D．I couldn’t help introducing my family. |
| A．Durrell’s rich imagination. | B．Some interesting plots of the book. |
| C．The book’s writing feature. | D．Some vivid descriptions of the island. |
| A．To share an experience. | B．To introduce a writing style. |
| C．To recommend a book. | D．To describe an unusual place. |
9 . Our school is looking for paid members to sit on the Student Advisory Board for Volunteering. The Board plays an important role in influencing the development and delivery of the volunteering service. Its aim is to find volunteering opportunities for students, teachers at school.
Volunteering, which has the potential to create positive social impact, is key to school. The Board will ensure that students’ needs are at the core of the service so that all King’s students can make a difference. This year, the Student Advisory Board for Volunteering’s topics include:
● Volunteering opportunities for the disabled.
● Promotion of the Board’s service.
● How to recognize and reward volunteers.
● Comment on the Board’s work.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity open to all studying at school, no matter how much or how little you have volunteered. The Board will be run both online and in-person, and board members will be paid the London Living Wage (£11.95 per hour) via King’s TalentBank.
The application deadline is 23:59 on Friday, 31st March 2023.
Apply via the form below, using your school email address.
1. What does the Board aim to do for those at school?| A．Perform voluntary work. | B．Discover volunteering chances. |
| C．Provide learning opportunities. | D．Meet their academic needs. |
| A．Comment on the Board’s performance. | B．Training voluntary workers. |
| C．Running the Board online. | D．Taking care of people with disabilities. |
| A．The teachers. | B．The students. |
| C．The graduates. | D．The working staff. |
10 . Total Solar Eclipse 2023 Australia
One of nature’s most remarkable event — a total solar eclipse (日蚀) — will take place on the we stem edge of Australia on April 20th, 2023 and we have chosen the perfect way for you to enjoy this event: on a cruise (航游) at sea.
There have been only five total solar eclipse in Australia over the past century and this is the first hybrid eclipse in more than 1000 years. Unlike other cruises for this event, ours has the well-known astronomer Abigail Beall to accompany you. You will have the best possible view of the event as well as enjoying lectures and stargazing on land and at sea. Abigail will be on hand throughout, giving lectures on the history and science of eclipses, the black hole at the centre of the galaxy — along with providing many opportunities for guided stargazing. Plus, there will be additional talks from the Astronomical Society of Australia. Click here for detailed arrangements of the tour.
| Single occupancy | Per guest based on two people sharing | |
| Interior cabin | £2.429 | £1,699 |
| Oceanview cabin | £3,229 | £2,199 |
| If you wish to add a third adult or child to your room, please ask for a quote. | ||
Alongside the cruise, you can also explore some of Australia’s best scientific and natural phenomena with a series of tailored add-on tours covering astronomy on the east coast and v its to Uluru, Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and much more. On the last day of the tour, we can send you back to the airport for your return journey home, or you can join one of our add-on tours. Click here for full details about ad-on tour.
1. What makes the cruise different from others?| A．An expert’s guidance. | B．A talk with astronomers. |
| C．A chance for stargazing. | D．A meeting with astronauts. |
| A．£3,229. | B．£2,199. | C．£6,458. | D．£4,398. |
| A．To celebrate a historic event. | B．To advertise a special cruise. |
| C．To introduce a travel agency. | D．To explain a natural phenomenon. |
