1 . REGISTRATION OPENS FOR STUDENT ROBOTICS 2024

We’re excited to announce that registration for the 2024 season of Student Robotics is now open! Based in the UK, Student Robotics challenges teams of 16 to 19 year-olds to design, build and program fully autonomous robots to compete in our annual competition. Teams will have just three months to engineer their creations. As well as supplying teams with a kit, which they can use as a framework for their robot, we mentor (指导) the teams over this period. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we provide all of this to our teams at no cost.

The competition cycle will start with a live streamed Kickstart event on our YouTube Channel. During the event, the game and the structure of the competition will be announced and kits handed out to teams.

The competition year will culminate (达到高潮) in an in-person competition from September 30 to October 1, 2024, which will see the robots compete through a league stage and a seeded knockout. As usual the prizes will recognise not only the teams which come top in the knockouts, but also those who are excellent in other ways.

Details of the game and prizes will be revealed at Kickstart. Details of the Kickstart and competition events will be published when they are available. We expect to confirm places towards the end of August, 2024.

If you would like a chance to compete in Student Robotics 2024, please fill in the entry form with the required information. The deadline of the registration is May 30, 2024. Places are limited, so please click here and sign up soon to avoid disappointment.

We look forward to seeing your teams!

1. What should participants do in Student Robotics?

A．Prepare a kit themselves.	B．Design a robot on the spot.
C．Work as a team.	D．Pay for the framework.

2. How long will the robots competition last in 2024?

A．Two days.

B．Two weeks.

C．One month.

D．Three days.

3. Where does the passage come from?

A．A brochure.

B．A magazine.

C．A newspaper.

D．A website.

2 . Here is something you need to know before your trip to Grenada.

When to Go

With an average annual temperature of around 25°C, the year in Grenada is divided into two seasons. The dry season is from January to May, and the rainy season is from June to December. The weather is hotter from June to November and cooler from December to March. Hurricanes occur during the rainy season.

What You Need

●A valid passport book and evidence of return/onward travel arrangements are required to enter Grenada.

●A valid passport means it doesn’t expire within 6 months after your return date.

What You Can Do in Grenada

There are so many fun and amazing things to do in Grenada. If you love beaches, you can find your joy in the Grand Anse Beach and the Levera Beach. And for nature lovers, Mount Qua Qua, Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls and La Sagesse Nature Center are places you are sure to visit. You can’t miss Fort George and Fort Frederick built long ago, which have been standing for centuries. What’s more, if you like eating chocolate a lot, you can also come here in May to be part of the Grenada Chocolate Festival.

Safety & Security

Grenada is very safe but it’s always sensible to exercise caution regardless of where you’re traveling. Exercise these precautions while in Grenada.

●Stay in well-lit and populated areas after dark.

●Don’t leave money, credit cards, cameras and other electronic devices unattended, especially on the beaches or in vehicles.

●Most hotels provide a safe in the room. Lock important things, like your jewellery and passport in it.

1. In which month can you go to Grenada if you want to avoid hurricanes?

A．In December.

B．In November.

C．In June.

D．In March.

2. Which place is best for history lovers to visit?

A．Fort Frederick.	B．Grand Anse Beach.
C．La Sagesse Nature Center.	D．Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls.

3. What are you advised to do when travelling in Grenada?

A．Leave your passport on the bus.	B．Avoid using cameras in the hotels.
C．Keep your valuables in a hotel safe.	D．Stay in less crowded outdoor areas at night.

3 . Upcoming Events in California

PAW Patrol

The heroic PAW Patrol dogs need your help in Adventure Bay! Based on the hit preschool series PAW Patrol, this interactive exhibit gives visitors an opportunity to run rescue missions and work together to overcome challenges. The hands-on exhibit is a fun way for the whole family to learn bravery and heroism with exciting stories.

Dates: January 28～May 14
Location: Discovery Cube Los Angeles
Cost: $10
Maya: the Exhibition

The exhibition features over 250 authentic artifacts (真品) highlighting the ancient Maya civilization. Through priceless artifacts and hands-on exhibits, visitors can discover how the ancient Maya built and sustained complex cities in the heart of the rainforest.

Dates: January 15～March 2
Location: California Science Center
Cost: $7
Centennial Farm Discovery Days

Centennial Farm Discovery Days is an unguided tour program and open to all grade levels and ages. During a discovery day, “farmers” are stationed around the farm available to answer questions and provide information. There are also opportunities for children to pet a chick, plant a seed and see a milking demonstration.

Dates: June 1～November 8
Location: Centennial Farm
Cost: $50
It’s Magic!

It’s Magic! features an all-new cast of award-winning performers from around the globe, ready to leave audiences speechless with excellent stage tricks, comedy and variety acts. “It’s the best magic show in town!” cheers the Los Angeles Times.

Date: May 21
Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Cost: $75
1. Which event helps people understand courage?

A．PAW Patrol.	B．It’s Magic!
C．Maya: the Exhibition.	D．Centennial Farm Discovery Days.

2. Where should you go if you’re interested in ancient civilization?

A．Centennial Farm.	B．California Science Center.
C．Discovery Cube Los Angeles.	D．Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

3. What can people do in the most expensive event?

A．Watch a great magic show.	B．See a milking demonstration.
C．Learn some farming methods.	D．Carry out fun rescue missions.

4 . Best Apps to Practice Language Skills

Babbel

Babbel is a popular online language-learning platform that offers courses in 14 different languages. Babbel’s courses are designed to teach users practical, everyday language skills that can be used in real-life situations. The platform uses interactive lessons that cover topics such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural insights to help learners build their language skills. Babbel’s courses are available on desktop and mobile devices, making it easy for users to learn on the go. Babel operates on the subscription based model, which costs $19.99 per month.

Memrise

Memrise use a variety of interactive techniques, including spaced repetition, audio and visual cues, to help learners remember new words and phases more effectively. Memrise’s courses also prioritize practical, everyday language skills over academic language. Additionally, Memrise offers a community feature where users can interact with other learners and native speakers to practice their language skills. A monthly subscription to Memrise will cost $12.99.

Busuu

Busuu offers comprehensive courses in 13 different languages, all of which feature audio recordings of native pronunciations. The lessons are organized into topics. And what’s more, each course even comes with a separate travel course for those who need to quickly get the basics before a trip abroad. Uniquely, Busuu also allows users to engage native speakers in their learning process. However, to access most of the features and course materials, users have to invest $11.99 a month.

Drops

Drops uses engaging visuals and game-like exercises to help learners remember new words and phrases more effectively. The platform offers short, bite-sized lessons that last only a few minutes. This makes it easy for users to fit language learning into their busy schedules. According to Drops, its online courses contain over 20,000 beautiful illustrations and 3,300+ words covering 180+ topics. A subscription to Drops will cut you back by $12 per month.

1. How much will a user pay for a 10-month subscription to Memrise?

A．$119.9.

B．$120.

C．$129.9.

D．$199.9.

2. Which app is suitable for users who will travel abroad very soon?

A．Drops.

B．Busuu.

C．Babbel.

D．Memrise.

3. What sets Drops apart from the other apps?

A．Its community feature.

B．Its personalized learning plans.

C．Its vast library of learning materials.

D．Its fascinating game like learning experience.

5 . Four Best Science Books

A Short History of Nearly Everything

Price: $15.95

Author: Bill Bryson

Release date: February 4, 2003

REASONS TO BUY

+Explains a variety of scientific topics in a vivid and comprehensive way

+No science knowledge required

Thing Explainer

Price: $19.84

Author: Randall Munroe

Release date: November 24, 2015

REASONS TO BUY

+Explains complex concepts using illustrations and only the most common words in the English language

+Entertaining and easy to understand

+A few of the topics(e. g. the periodic table)also include detailed fold-out diagrams

Ask an Astronaut

Price: $9.19

Author: Tim Peake

Release date: October 19, 2017

REASONS TO BUY

+Entertaining Q&A format makes it easy to quickly find answers

+Suitable for both children and adults

+Accompanying graphics (图形) illustrate some of the more complex ideas

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

Price: $13.76

Author: Stephen Hawking

Release date: January 1, 2020

REASONS TO BUY

+Does not require prior physics knowledge-there is only one equation in the entire book

+Complex ideas communicated in a simple and understandable language

+Great introduction to the thoughts of Stephen Hawking

1. Which book was published the earliest?

A．Thing Explainer.	B．Ask an Astronaut.
C．Brief Answers to the Big Questions.	D．A Short History of Nearly Everything.

2. What do Thing Explainer and Ask an Astronaut have in common?

A．They are priced the same.	B．They include illustrations.
C．They are hard to understand.	D．They employ a Q&A format.

3. Who wrote Brief Answers to the Big Questions?

A．Tim Peake.	B．Bill Bryson.
C．Stephen Hawking.	D．Randall Munroe.

8 . Los Angeles County Museum of Art

What to know?

Next door to the La Brea Tar Pits sits the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the linchpin of the Los Angeles museum district. Since its opening in 1965, LACMA has showcased thousands of pieces, from Islamic artifacts to European impressionist paintings to modern art. With constantly shifting exhibitions and unique architecture, LACMA offers a rewarding experience for both serious art lovers and casual travelers.

More information

LACMA’s collection is housed in multiple buildings. The Ahmanson Building, the Hammer Building, and the Art of the Americas Building are historical structures that have long been part of the museum’s landscape. Currently, the museum is constructing a new building for its permanent collection, called the David Geffen Galleries, which is scheduled to open in 2024. For now, pieces will be on display in the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion. The Urban Light and Levitated Mass exhibits remain open to visitors. There is a restaurant and grab-and-go eatery on-site. Many visitors appreciated both the indoor and outdoor art exhibits and were impressed with the size of the collection of modern and contemporary art.

When to visit?

Situated on Wilshire Boulevard in west Los Angeles, LACMA is open from 11 am to 6 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; from 11 am to 8 pm on Fridays and from 10 am to 7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. It is closed every Wednesday.

Price

As for residents outside the county, general admission tickets cost $25 for adults, $10 for those aged 3 to 17 (children aged 2 and younger get in for free) and parking will set you back $21. Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum’s ticket office.

1. Which building is under construction?

A．The Hammer Building.	B．The Ahmanson Building.
C．The David Geffen Galleries.	D．The Art of the Americas Building.

2. When can the museum be accessible to visitors?

A．At 10 am on Tuesdays.	B．At 3 pm on Fridays.
C．At 8 pm on Saturdays.	D．At 11 am on Wednesdays.

3. To visit the museum, how much will a Canadian couple driving a car pay?

A．$35.

B．$56.

C．$71.

D．$81.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Who is the main audience for the announcement?

A．Soccer players.

B．Parents of soccer players.

C．The youngest soccer players.

2. What do we know about the youngest group?

A．They are too young to play.

B．The transportation will be arranged by the speaker.

C．There aren’t enough players to make teams.

3. What is required to join the weekend camps?

A．Some insurance.

B．Some reservations.

C．Some paperwork.

4. What can we learn about the speaker?

A．His name is Steve.

B．His child plays soccer.

C．He is a soccer coach.

10 . If you’re in search of some botanical inspiration for the summer, just look to the following!

Sky Garden — London

Situated on the 35th floor of the iconic “Walkie-Talkie” building in central London, this stunning garden consists of over three stories, combining Mediterranean and South African plantings. The garden temperature here is monitored around the clock to mirror the conditions these plants would experience in a warm temperate climate.

Bambalan — Bristol

Bristol’s Bambalan restaurant appeared in 2016. Known for its leisurely atmosphere, it’s located right in the middle of the city centre. Hidden in plain sight above Bristol’s busy and noisy city centre, the roof terrace is a true hidden garden. With Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food on the menu, this is the ideal place to bring a group, and enjoy the views and tasty treats.

Library of Birmingham — Birmingham

Hidden away on the seventh floor of Birmingham’s public library is a scenic rooftop garden offering an extremely quiet spot to enjoy a good book in the sun. Created entirely by volunteers and reached via glass elevator, the bright garden offers visitors spectacular views over the city. 3, 500 varieties of plants in this garden have been carefully selected to ensure the terrace will offer blooms all year round, so that visitors to this unique library can enjoy the inspiring views.

New Lanark Roof Garden — New Lanark

With impressive views from the roof of an old mill (磨坊) building in the heart of the New Lanark World Heritage Site, this garden isn’t one to miss. Created on the 9, 000 square feet roof of our historic mill, the New Lanark Roof Garden is the largest of its kind in Scotland. Imaginatively designed, the garden contains decorative planting with over 70 different plants and shrubs, a water feature and animal sculptures.

1. What can you do in Bambalan?

A．Make special flower gifts.	B．Buy beautiful jewels.
C．Walk in the countryside.	D．Enjoy tasty food.

2. Which place appeals to book lovers?

A．Sky Garden.	B．Bambalan.
C．Library of Birmingham.	D．New Lanark Roof Garden.

3. What do all the four places have?

A．Plants.

B．Food.

C．Books.

D．Animals.