1 . A series of trains between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day add extra fun, especially for families. Here are four holiday trips to celebrate the season. All aboard!

Cascade Canyon Winter Train

This memorable five-hour steam (蒸汽) train ride takes passengers through the snowy ops of the Rockies and remote wilderness of San Juan National Forest. Enjoy a fireside lunch or a hike along the picture-like Animus River during your hour-long stop.

Aurora Winter Train

This seasonal train heads north from Anchorage to Denali, America’s highest mountain. You can stop after three hours at Talkeetna to ski down the mountain or continue on for another nine hours to Fairbanks for some breathtaking northern lights viewing. Trains leave every Saturday morning, with return trips every Sunday.

Amtrak California Zephyr

Long-distance train trippers love the Zephyr in any season, but winter adds the attraction of pretty snow outside the window as you go over the Rockies. Departing daily all winter from both Chicago and San Francisco, the 51-hour journey offers hotel-level service in a bedroom with a private bathroom and shower. Or, break up the trip with stops to sleep and ski in Denver or Salt Lake City.

The Polar Express

The Polar Express, a Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book and Tom Hanks’ movie, is re-created in 40 Polar Express rides in 24 states, putting more than a million annual passengers in train seats. The story is read and performed by onboard actors, while Santa and dancing chefs who serve hot chocolate and treats add to the fun on the way to the “North Pole”. Most of the rides will take you to scenic places like the Grand Canyon, Mount Rainier, and the Catskills.

1. How long does Cascade Canyon Winter Train stop at the Animus River?

A．One hour.

B．Three hours.

C．Five hours.

D．Nine hours.

2. Which train runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks?

A．The Polar Express.

B．Amtrak California Zephyr.

C．Aurora Winter Train.

D．Cascade Canyon Winter Train.

3. What can passengers do in the Polar Express rides?

A．Enjoy a fireside lunch.

B．See live performances.

C．Cook meals with Santa.

D．Watch Tom Hanks’ movies.

2 . The Self-Portrait Challenge

Have you ever done a self-portrait in an art lesson at school? Today, we’re challenging you to write self-portrait poems. It’s not uncommon to feel like the way people see you on the outside doesn’t quite match up with how you feel on the inside. So creating a self-portrait can be a good opportunity to address those differences and present the realest, truest version of yourself.

Your challenge is to create a self-portrait in lines, using words instead of paint. Read on for some more inspiration.

Writing Tips
● Have a go at writing a list of metaphors exploring your physical appearance, starting from your head and working your way down towards your feet.
● Instead of representing yourself directly, take on another character, such as a fictional character, a historical figure, or even a different version of yourself.
● Play around with personification, by taking on the voice of a physical object in your poem. Think about what a self-portrait from the point of view of a mirror, or a bowl of your favourite food would look like?
How to enter

This challenge is for writers aged up to 25 based anywhere in the world. The deadline is 23:59 GMT, 17 March 2024. You can send a poem, or poems, written down, or as video or audio files. We are using Submittable to accept submissions to this challenge. You will need to make a free Submittable account to submit in this way. Using Submittable helps our team to administrate and process entries more quickly. Selected poets will be published on Young Poets Network.

1. What does the Self-portrait Challenge encourage participants to do?

A．Explore true selves.	B．Convey positive emotions.
C．Illustrate personal profiles.	D．Compare different personalities.

2. What is suggested to better handle the challenge?

A．Using simple language.	B．Presenting yourself directly.
C．Taking a different point of view.	D．Focusing on physical appearance.

3. What is “Submittable” likely to be?

A．A writing tool.	B．A search engine.
C．An email account.	D．An online platform.

3 . Walk and dance on the ceilings, sit in a bathroom with an upside-down toilet, grab a chair in the home office, and traverse the entry way, sitting-room, bedroom, kitchen and more. Come on down, upside-down, to House Down Under, Australia’s first inverted house photo experience!

This hugely successful, unique and exciting attraction is back just in time for the school holidays at Rouse Hill Town Centre in Western Sydney. It is a must-see, family-friendly, fun experience with a range of installations and activities inside a completely inverted house.

Visitors can spend as much time as they like inside the house, so they can take their time perfecting poses and taking as many photos as they like. House Down Under staff are always on hand in the house,offering advice, tips on best photo ops and to snap pictures of the whole group.

House Down Under is open from 1 April and opening hours can be found at the end of this article or on the official website. The building is located between the Metro and the Town Centre at Market Square, Rouse Hill Town Centre and you won't be able to miss it.

Rouse Hill Town Centre is also a great place for families with a variety of entertainment and food options, so make it a day out and enjoy everything on offer.

Entry tickets to House Down Under are $27 for an adult; $19 for a child;$23 for a concession (优惠), with family passes ranging from $52-$74 for a family of four. For further information on House Down Under, visit the website, www. house downunder.com.au.OPEN DAILY-Weekdays 9 am to 6 pm; Weekends 10 am to 6 pm.

1. What is special about House Down Under?

A．It is conveniently located.

B．All staff are properly trained.

C．All things are upside-down in it.

D．It supplies flexible food options.

2. What can visitors do in House Down Under?

A．Take pictures at will.

B．Enjoy a shopping trip.

C．Have a family party.

D．Visit its occupants.

3. How much does a family of four pay at least for the entry?

A．$23.

B．$27.

C．$52.

D．$74.

4 . Strawberry U-Pick at the Boyd Farm

Strawberry U-Pick Season is starting! For now, we are open Monday to Friday from 10 a. m. to 3: 30 p. m. and every weekend from 9 a. m. to 5: 30 p. m. !

Not only do we have our u-pick strawberry fields, we also have fresh produce, prepicked strawberries, snacks and other farm goodies for you to buy. We also have lots of fun activities for the family—hayride with the cows, horse ride, animals to pet and feed, swings, slide, sand pile, corn hole, corn pile and more!

Admission
Admission is $5/person (3 and under free)
Admission includes:
◆Access to u-pick fields
◆Access to swings, corn hole, sand pile, slide, corn pile and petting zoo
◆1 pound of free-to-take-home strawberries
Admission does not include:
◆Hayride with the cows—$5/person
◆Horse ride—$3/person
◆Animal feed—$2/cup
Important information
★Please don’t leave children unattended in strawberry fields and please don’t walk on the plant beds.
★We recommend bringing something to carry berries home to cut down on waste, but we will have plastic bags if needed.
★Usually strawberry season runs through April. This is entirely weather dependent, however.
★We recommend sunscreen / hat / water / closed-toed shoes!
★Pets are not allowed in the fields due to Food Safety regulations.
1. When is the Boyd Farm open to the public in April?

A．9 a. m. Monday.	B．5 p. m. Tuesday.
C．4p. m. Friday.	D．10 a. m. Sunday.

2. What activity is included in the $5 admission?

A．Hayride.	B．Horse ride.
C．Corn pile.	D．Feeding animals.

3. What is encouraged for visitors?

A．Bringing their pets.	B．Wearing open-toed shoes.
C．Playing in strawberry fields.	D．Taking their own strawberry containers.

5 . It’s time to share the winners of this year’s Invent It Challenge! Here are our four winners of the first round!

Glo Zone (Ages 5-7 Individual Winner)

Kabir from California came up with this cool invention after a not-so-fun experience. He was hit by four adults on a ski trip! To make skiing and snowboarding safe for nighttime (especially for smaller kids)， he created Glo Zone，a fun glowing(发光的)rainbow umbrella that is attached to skiers’ helmets.

ProTech Helmet (Ages 11-13 Individual Winner)

Pooja from New Jersey has created a light, safe helmet designed for playing frisbee (飞盘)!She came up with the idea after getting hit right under the eye at a frisbee competition and realizing she could get blinded if it were any higher. The ProTech Helmet has a lining(衬里) made of a new technology called Spin.

Ace Attachment (Ages 8-10 Team Winner)

Levi and Albert from New York dealt with helping people with disabilities enjoy sports. The Ace Attachment makes it easier for wheelchair users to play golf. Unlike similar inventions, the Ace Attachment is easily adjustable.

Skate Shoes “DOOD” (Ages 14+ Individual Winner)

It’s the worst when you ruin your favorite pair of shoes! Fortunately, Rommel from Mexico has come up with new skate shoes. These shoes have exchangeable parts that allow pieces of the shoes to be replaced with new ones when broken instead of getting rid of the whole pair.

Cast your vote!

Which of these fantastic inventions will you choose to win the Cricket Choice Award? While they are all outstanding, only one can win the popular vote! Cast your vote here by May 16!

1. What do Kabir’s and Pooja’s inventions have in common?

A．They are new-type helmets.

B．They are targeted at the same sport.

C．They are designed for teenagers of the same age group.

D．They are inspired by the inventors’ experience of getting hit.

2. What is special about Rommel’s invention?

A．It is disability-friendly.

B．It features replaceable parts.

C．It involves a new technology called Spin.

D．It enables wheelchair users to enjoy sports.

3. What is this text?

A．A short story about young inventors.	B．An introduction to a competition.
C．An award voting invitation.	D．A winner announcement.

6 . Influential Art

Sheila Metzner: From Life Jan. 20, 2024-Feb. 25, 2024 This exhibition celebrates the artistic skill of the internationally respected American photographer Sheila Metzner. Her unique style integrates aspects of Pictorialism andModernism to create an aesthetic (美感),which not only stands out in the history of photography but also becomes very closely associated with the best of 1980’s fashion,beauty and decorative arts trends.

William Blake: Visionary Jan. 17, 2024-Feb. 24, 2024 A remarkable printmaker, painter, and poet, William Blake (1757-1827) developed a very wildly unconventional world view. By combining his poetry and images on the page through unique drawing techniques, Blake created some of British art’s most striking and lasting imagery. This major international loan exhibition explores the artist-poet’s imaginative world through his most celebrated works.

Alfredo Boulton: Looking at Venezuela (1928-1978) Daily, through Jan.16, 2024 Alfredo Boulton was one of the most important intellectuals of the 20th century inLatin America and an influential photographer of the modern period. Through his large collection of works, Boulton generated a new cultural definition of Venezuela. This exhibition explores Boulton’s wonderful photography, his relationships with modern artists and his influence on the formalization of art history in his country.

Eugèn e Atget: Highlights from the Mary & Dan Solomon Collection Daily, through Jan. 25, 2024 Around the turn of the 20th century,photographer Eugène Atget broke new artistic ground. Walking at dawn with his heavy camera, he photographed the soul of Paris and its surrounding areas by focusing on its old alleyways, shop fronts, architectural details,staircases and street sellers. This focused exhibition features highlights from the artist’s work, which continues to influence quite a few photographers today.

1. What did Sheila Metzner and Alfredo Boulton have in common?

A．They shaped artistic expression.

B．T hey explored cultural diversity.

C．They photographed American life.

D．They focused on modern photography.

2. What is Eugène Atget’s photography mainly about?

A．French fashions.	B．Natural landscapes.
C．Architectural designs.	D．Urban street scenes.

3. Which exhibition is suitable for whoever studies words and images?

A．William Blake: Visionary.

B．S heila M etzner:F rom L ife.

C．A lfredo B oulton:L ooking at Venezuela(1928–1978).

D．E ugène A tget: H ighlights from the Mary & Dan Solomon Collection.

7 . The Best National Parks to Visit in Winter

While most parks tend to draw families in the summer and fall, there are also ideal spots for adventurous winter trips.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

The country’s oldest and best-known national park takes on an almost otherworldly atmosphere in winter: the air filled with rolling steam, the strong colors of hot springs, the surrounding white landscapes, let alone the impressive wildlife during this time, like bison, wolves, and playful red foxes. Just book a guided hiking tour to get a ranger’s perspective on the park and local people.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

With its giant red rocks and unique trees, you’ll feel like stepping onto a foreign planet as you spend hours hiking the Panorama Loop or Maze Loop. The park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, featuring virtually zero light pollution and the country’s best views of a starry sky.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

A significantly lower number of visitors in winter means you can take in unblocked views of the South Rim, and get to see the rare beauty of the Grand Canyon dusted with snow. For those adventurous and daring, it is recommended to hike the Bright Angel Trail and take the chance to see the canyon’s wintertime wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and bald eagles.

Virgin Islands National Park, St. John

Surprise! Not all wintertime national park trips need to involve snow. Virgin Islands National Park is most famous for its white-sand beaches. You can also hike inland to visit old sugar plantations, or venture out to the water to swim along with sea turtles and manta rays. You will definitely enjoy a different winter here.

1. Which park will one choose if he/she is interested in stars?

A．Yellowstone National Park.	B．Joshua Tree National Park.
C．Grand Canyon National Park.	D．Virgin Islands National Park.

2. What do we know about the Grand Canyon National Park?

A．We can have a poor view of the South Rim there.	B．It lies in an area with rolling steam and hot springs.
C．There is a slight decline in visitor numbers in winter.	D．The Bright Angel Trail is challenging in cold weather.

3. Which activity is mentioned in all of the parks?

A．Hiking.

B．Skiing.

C．Swimming.

D．Hunting.