1 . Family-Friendly Outdoor Festivals

Here are some of the best outdoor festivals for families.
Strawberry Music Festival: Groveland, CA
When: May and August

Held in Yosemite National Park, the Strawberry Music Festival, held twice a summer, is famous for its programming, swimming, and hiking at Birch Lake, superb arts and crafts, and more. The program offers activities like arts and crafts, nature programs, dance and music workshops, and storytelling. Free for kids aged 6 and under.

Lake Eden Arts Festival: Black Mountain, NC
When: May and October

Just 20 minutes outside of Asheville, LEAF is an arts festival that’s super kid-friendly. Families can camp out, go canoeing (划独木舟) and swimming in Lake Eden, and create crafts, and enjoy music and poetry performed on seven stages. Free for kids aged 9and under.

Joshua Tree Music Festival: Joshua Tree, CA
When: May and October

Twice a year, this kid-friendly global music festival draws thousands of families to the Mojave Desert at the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park. There are performances from dozens of musical artists from around the world, while Kidsville is filled with arts and crafts, yoga, dance parties, music workshops, and circus shows. Free for kids aged 10 and under.

Bumbershoot: Seattle: WA
When: September

Since 1971, Bumbershoot has been one of Seattle’s premier culture and arts festivals, drawing families from all over the Pacific Northwest. The program shows the best of comedy, dance, film, literary arts, performing arts, and theater, but it’s the strong music al program of top act s that makes this festival a must. Free for kids aged 7 and under.

1. When can visitors admire Strawberry Music Festival?

A．In April.

B．In May.

C．In September.

D．In October.

2. Which of the following may suit a camping lover?

A．Bumbershoot.	B．Strawberry Music Festival.
C．Lake Eden Arts Festival.	D．Joshua Tree Music Festival.

3. What can people do in Bumbershoot?

A．See a movie.	B．Create crafts.
C．Go swimming.	D．Perform comedy themselves.

2 . What to expect in the new season of Alaskan Bush People? One year after the death of beloved patriarch (族长), Billy Brown, the Wolfpack manages their own personal lives while still trying to keep their father’s dream and legacy alive.

The all-new season of Alaskan Bush People premieres (首映) on Sunday, Oct.2, at 8P ET/PT on Discovery and streaming on Discovery+.

The family moves ahead with their biggest plans yet, which immediately face barriers. Can the strength of the Browns help them overcome new risks? Here’s an update on some of the family as they head into a new era — for more, be sure to switch over on Oct.2:

●Noah: Now settled into fatherhood, he shocks the family with big plans for a move back to Alaska. His hope is to raise his family in the same way he was brought up in the bush, but the hunt for a remote property around the islands of Southeast Alaska is ambitious and dangerous.

●Bear, Raiven, and River: Bear faces a real life “love off the grid” story as city-born wife Raiven, along with son River, decides to inhabit the mountain.

●Bird: She looks north to Alaska in hopes of gaining closure with her father’s death. However, her plans come to a sudden stop when she is faced with a major health crisis that forces her to make critical decisions about starting a family.

●Ami and Bam: They face a struggle to make the ranch (牧场) profitable in the face of Mother Nature’s anger.

●Gabe: He tries to build his growing family a home on the mountain before the severe winter arrives.

1. What will be the biggest challenge for Noah?

A．Seeking a property in Southeast Alaska.	B．Adapting to the demands of fatherhood.
C．Getting enough food for his big family.	D．Getting united with his family in Alaska.

2. What makes Bird change her plan about starting a family?

A．Her father’s death.	B．Her family’s criticism.
C．Her health condition.	D．A sudden natural disaster.

3. What is the text?

A．A book review.	B．A TV series preview.
C．A news report.	D．A food advertisement.

3 . 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Student Art Competition

To celebrate the 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival, National Mall and Memorial Parks is hosting a youth art competition. We need your artistic help to inspire visitors to become Cherry Blossom Protectors! The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city. Thousands of people come every year to see the cherry trees and enjoy the festival.

Participants

The contest is open to all Washington, D.C. students, K-6. One submission per student please.

Theme

Artworks should focus on the theme “Cherry Blossom Protector.” Draw or paint a picture that shows what you appreciate about the cherry blossoms, how we can take care of them, and why we should. Submissions must include the words “Cherry Blossom Protector”.

Deadline

Artworks will be accepted starting December 13, 2023. All submissions must be postmarked by February 25, 2024.

Submission requirements

A valid submission will contain the following information:

1. An original copy of the artwork. Each piece must be original, authentic (真实的), unpublished, the sole property of the entrant (参赛者), and not previously submitted in any other contest.

2. Your personal information, printed on either the back of your artwork or on a separate sheet attached to your physical artwork or provided with the e-mail for your digital entry: First and last name, grade/age.

3. A completed and signed entry form. Print out the entry form and send it to us when you send your artwork. Entries cannot be accepted without a signed entry form by a parent or guardian.

Delivery address

Mailed submissions must be sent to:

National Mall and Memorial Parks

c/o 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Student Art Competition

1100 Ohio Drive, SWWashington, DC 20242

1. Why do National Mall and Memorial Parks host the art competition?

A．To honor the national heroes.	B．To improve students’ art skills.
C．To protect the cherry blossom.	D．To attract more visitors to the parks.

2. What should you do if you attend the contest?

A．Volunteer as a cherry blossom protector.	B．Choose your own theme for the contest.
C．Email all your artworks to your school.	D．Summit artworks before February 25, 2024.

3. What should be included in the submission entries?

A．Personal information.	B．A previous submitted copy.
C．A guardian’s recommendation.	D．An electronic application form.

4 . 你校刚刚结束的校运动会见证了许多精彩的画面。请你以“A Moving Moment”为题，给《中学生英语报》写一篇短文投稿，描述一件让你极为感动的事，内容包括：
1. 简述事件过程；2. 解释感动你的理由；3. 期待读者的反馈意见。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 题目已为你写好。
A Moving Moment
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . Emerald Coast Science Center Field Trips

Bring your group or class to explore our hands-on Science Center now which provides wonderful learning opportunities for students all along the Emerald Coast!

Hands-on fun Every field trip includes a Makerspace activity and a 30-minute close encounter with our animals under the guidance of an educator. Lessons for all ages Lessons can be changed to suit the needs of most grade levels and include knowledge of different areas. But remember: such lessons charge an additional fee and must be planned in advance. For a list of the types of field trip lessons we currently offer, please click here to download our Education Program Guide.

Pricing information ●$12 per student;1 free guardian every 10 students, additional guardians $6 each; teachers are always free. ●Minimum fee of $120 per field trip. ●Same-day field trips are limited to up to 105 students. ●The group for field trips that does not arrive within 30 minutes past their scheduled arrival time will be charged a $100 service fee to accommodate scheduling issues. ●No Show/No Call bookings are charged a $100 cancellation fee. ●Okaloosa County only: Up to 6 free economically disadvantaged students per booking.

To book a field trip, please call Lisa at 850-664-1261. Please choose your preferred date and two alternate dates you would like to book before calling. We will email you a confirmation of your booking.

1. What do the Science Center field trips offer?

A．Tailored lessons.	B．Animal training.
C．Trips to the Emerald Coast.	D．A half-hour Makerspace activity.

2. How much should a group of 9 students with 1 guardian and 1 teacher pay?

A．$108.

B．$114.

C．$120.

D．$126.

3. What type of writing is the text?

A．A museum guide.	B．An online ad.
C．A commercial report.	D．An activity review.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the main reason why the woman loves Taylor Swift?

A．Taylor’s songs.

B．Taylor’s hometown.

C．Taylor’s appearance.

2. Where did the woman first see Taylor Swift?

A．In the news.

B．On the Internet.

C．At the concert.

7 . Online book clubs have sprung up, breaking down physical barriers to bringing like-minded book lovers into your living room. The following clubs are for you to join in 2023.

Reese’s Book Club

Actress Reese Witherspoon has been recommending her favorite books since 2017. She picks a book with a woman at the center of the story every month. There’s no cost to join, which is definitely SOMETHING. What’s more, Reese’s international reputation has authors flooding into her feed to talk about books and answer your burning questions. Do note applicants must be unpublished, including self-publishing.

Oprah’s Book Club

Oprah’s first book club was launched nearly thirty years ago, and her picks have shot to the top of bestseller lists. On her book club’s website, you’ll find videos of Oprah introducing the month’s book and sitting down with the author for an in-depth interview. You can also join the conversation on Goodreads.

Book of the Month

Book of the Month, dating back to the 1920s, is about finding the best new reads. Each month some lovely people with great taste search through hundreds of new releases to find the five best books hitting the shelves. For $14.99 ($9.99 for your first book), you can have your favorite delivered to your door.

Andrew Luck Book Club

Quarterback by day and book lover by night, football player Andrew Luck founded his book club in 2016. The Andrew Luck Book Club features books hand selected by Luck each month. While it’s open to readers of all ages and levels, Luck does provide different reading options for club members.

1. What do members of Reese’s Book Club have chance to do?

A．Get free books.	B．Publish their works.
C．Talk to authors.	D．Meet Reese in person.

2. Which book club was founded earliest?

A．Book of the Month.	B．Reese’s Book Club.
C．Oprah’s Book Club.	D．Andrew Luck Book Club.

3. What do the four book clubs have in common?

A．They are founded by celebrities.	B．They are targeted at female readers.
C．They recommend books monthly.	D．They deliver books to their members.

8 . Here we asked some reviewers to share their favorite summer reads.

The Book of Delights by Ross Gay

This volume of essays from poet Ross Gay offers a glimpse of nearly every small thing and every simple happy moment on a daily basis for a year. Along the way, he reflects on nature, race, and our connections to each other. Whether you’re traveling or staying at home for the summer, it’s the perfect read to inspire observing every little corner of the world with a bit more care and delight.

Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene

An incurious, retired English banker, Henry Pulling, travels the world with his odd Aunt Augusta after they meet at his mother’s funeral. Henry visits a church for dogs in Brighton, smokes on a train and lands in a jail after blowing his nose on a red scarf honoring the government. Traveling with Henry out of his comfort zone is a delightful journey.

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

The title of the novel is the name of a group of teens at an arts summer camp. It’s about how they do or don’t fulfill their potential as they grow into adulthood. But really it’s about how friends help you see — and become — yourself. It’s wonderful and juicy and so interesting.

Act One by Moss Hart

I’d never heard the term “second-acting” until I read Moss Hart’s firsthand account of jumping the 1920s crowds in his teens, so he could sneak (溜) in with them to enjoy Broadway jokes and songs. The story tells how Hart rose from poverty to write classic comedies and directed My Fair Lady. “Reading of his exploration is what brought me back to my own childhood.”

1. What do Ross Gay’s essays mainly focus on?

A．Everyday little joys in life.	B．Major events over his lifetime.
C．Links between man and nature.	D．The corners of the future world.

2. Who may be the main character of Travels with My Aunt?

A．Graham Greene.	B．Henry Pulling.
C．Aunt Augusta.	D．Meg Wolitzer.

3. Which of the following is related to the writer’s own life?

A．The Book of Delights.	B．The Interestings.
C．Travels with My Aunt.	D．Act One.

9 . Do you think you need to shout at yourself to force yourself to finish your homework? If so, think again.    1     Research shows that practicing self-compassion (自我关怀) improves our mental and physical well-being and supports long-term success.

Self-compassion is the practice of being kind and supportive to ourselves. The opposite is being self-critical and mean to ourselves when we make a mistake.     2     These negative responses are related to depression, stress and reduced quality of life.

A 2017 study found people who practice self-compassion tend to handle stress better. Their bodies have less of a stress response when, for example, they meet with difficulties at work or school.     3     Let’s say they do poorly on a geometry test. Self-compassion helps them use the experience to make changes going forward, like seeking out a math tutor.

    4     We can start with mindfulness. First of all, practice observing our thoughts — are they understanding or critical? Don’t judge ourselves too severely then. Rather than getting caught up in how we could have done better, forgive ourselves and think about what to change while remaining respectful, and loving to ourselves.     5     We can read a novel, play a musical instrument or kick around a soccer ball with friends.

With practice, we can learn to treat ourselves with kindness and unconditional love — not tough love.

A．So how do we develop self-compassion?

B．It may be more effective to be kind to yourself.

C．It includes letting go of your strict self-criticism.

D．Mindfulness is the key to practicing self-compassion.

E．But this approach does not make us feel or perform better.

F．They have more confidence to look for areas where they can improve.

G．Also, show ourselves kindness in ways that nourish (滋养) our spirit and body.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the woman looking for?

A．Funding for an experiment.

B．Scientists to cooperate with.

C．People to take part in her study.

2. Where is the woman going this afternoon?

A．To her home.

B．To the library.

C．To the print shop.

3. Which is a better way to attract candidates according to the man?

A．Advertising online.

B．Putting up posters on the street.

C．Writing payment at the top of the poster.