1 . There are festivals going on somewhere in the world every day of the year. These range from very large events to local celebrations in tiny villages. We have selected a few of the more unusual, colourful festivals from around the world.

Mighty Mud (泥; 泥浆) Mania: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Children’s dreams really do come true in the City of Scottsdale. Children aged 1 to 13, get to join in the mud race Mighty Mudway features water and mud games. There are also water slides, sandcastle buildings and fun for all ages. Moms and dads, remember to send your kids out with old clothes and shoes.

Songkran Festival, Thailand

What better way to celebrate the “start of the return of rains” than with a country-wide water fight? Thais celebrate their festival officially from April 13th until April 15th. These three days represent the last day of the old year, the day of transition, and the first day of the New Year. Water battles fought out for days in the streets of every town and city over the country.

The La Tomatina Festival, Spain

On the last Wednesday of every August thousands of Spaniards take part in the La Tomatina Festival in Bunol. Truckloads of tomatoes are pulled in each year and dumped in the city centre. The people throw tomatoes at each other for the whole day, but the only rule is that the tomato must be flattened in the hand first, before being thrown. Even elderly grandmothers have been known to take part.

Canberra Sled Dog Classic: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Dog sledding is one of the fastest growing sports on the east coast of Australia. As there’s no snow (the trail is earth and sand and is smooth and wide with a few hills and turns) , the sleds have wheels instead of runners, but the excitement is the same.

1. Which festival is most suitable for 10-year-old Jack and his younger brother?

A．Mighty Mud Mania	B．Songkran Festival
C．The La Tomatina Festival	D．Canberra Sled Dog Classic

2. How is the Songkran Festival in Thailand traditionally celebrated?

A．With a dog sledding race.	B．Through a country-wide water fight.
C．By having a nationwide tomato fight.	D．By building sandcastles in a muddy environment.

3. What do the festivals above have in common?

A．They are all for adults.	B．They happen in the same season.
C．They all have joyful atmosphere.	D．They all happen in the same country.

2 . DREAM CAR ART CONTEST 2025

Flying cars, zero-emission hover boards (零排放悬浮滑板), space buggies for moons and planes. Who knows what the future of mobility will look like? So, the Company is inviting children across the China to share their wildest and most imaginative car design

WHO CAN ENTER?

Anyone who is under 15 years old, who lives in China, can enter the Dream Car Art Contest.

WHEN CAN I ENTER?

The opening date for competition entries is 11th October 2024 and the last date for submission is 31st December 2024. The winners will be announced on 11th February 2025.

HOW CAN I ENTER?

Digital Entries

This year, for the first time ever, we will be accepting digital submissions as well as the usual postal entries. This includes computer-generated pictures made using a computer, tablet or phone, as well as scans of artwork created by hand. Designs put together by lots of people won’t be accepted.

Postal Entries

Postal entries can be created using all forms of colored pencils, markers, crayons and water paints. Entries also need to beonA3orA 4paper to be accepted. Designs put together by lots of people won’t be accepted.

WHAT’S THE PRIZE?

The top three best artworks will be selected, with the Gold winner receiving an iPad, Silver and Bronze winners receiving a tablet and all winners’ receiving a gift pack. Winners will be announced in February through an online ceremony.

1. What is the closing date for entries?

A．31st December 2024.	B．11th October 2024.
C．15th December 2025	D．11th February 2025.

2. Which of the following will be ruled out?

A．Sending in a digital entry.

B．Creating an entry on A3 paper.

C．Scanning an artwork created by hand.

D．Submitting an entry designed by many people.

3. What will all winners get?

A．An iPad.

B．A gift pack.

C．A sum of money.

D．A tablet.

3 . Save your annual leave and explore beautiful towns and places with day trips less than two hours from London, offering a change of scenery, delicious food and a good walk. You can head into work the next day feeling refreshed.

Margate

The old will remember Margate as a somewhat mocked holiday location, a vintage (复古的) style amusement park with rides. However, the young are now moving here in droves as they take advantage of the excellent transport links and the working opportunities. Another draw is the Turner Contemporary art gallery opened in 2011 to celebrate artist JMW Turner, and his connection to Margate. The gallery is free to enter and has spectacular views.

The New Forest

At over 200 square miles, the New Forest is a protected national park dotted with small towns. There are many trails to walk or cycle, which are worth planning in advance. Thenewforest.co.uk is a useful resource as it has walking and cycle routes split into family, dog-friendly and those that take in pubs or villages.

Brighton

There is something for everyone in Brighton: traditional fish and chips, vegan and restaurants, the Royal Pavil ion and shops — both vintage and contemporary — selling clothing, jewellery, chocolate and records. Any of the small coffee shops would be a great first stop before heading to the very pink Books for Amnesty shop.

The Cotswolds

With the instantly recognisable pale-yellow stone cottages and seemingly unending supply of pubs, the towns and villages that comprise the Cotswolds are well worth a visit. Spend the morning walking around Chipping Norton, a market town with shops and theatres. Be sure to pop-in to Jaffé and Neale, the bookshop and cafe that has been open since 2006.

1. What attracts the younger generation in Margate?

A．Its amusement park.	B．The protected national park.
C．The Turner Contemporary art gallery.	D．Its convenient transportation and working chances.

2. Where should you go if you want to walk with your dog?

A．Brighton.

B．The New Forest.

C．Margate.

D．The Cotswolds.

3. What do Brighton and The Cotswolds have in common?

A．Life style.

B．Traditional food.

C．Coffee houses.

D．Ancient cottages.

4 . There are plenty of things that students can do to enrich their lives. Perhaps the most valuable is volunteering. Below you can find a list of projects you can join.

The Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka

Duration (持续时间): 1 week

Price: £891

Age: 16+

Details: Live in a village near a national park in Sri Lanka;

            Observe wild elephants in their natural habitat;

            Meet people from around the world.

The Volunteer Project in Greece

Duration: 2 weeks

Price: £619

Age: 18+

Details: Help to protect endangered sea turtle populations in Greece;

            Learn sea turtle monitoring techniques (监视技术);

            Explore the lovely beaches during your free time.

The Volunteer Project in Portugal

Duration: 2 weeks

Price: £459

Age: 18+

Details: Help to support wolf protection and learn about the endangered Iberian wolf;

            Work alongside a team of professionals and meet new people;

            Explore Portugal’s amazing tourist and cultural sights during your free time.

The Volunteer Project in Iceland

Duration: 2 weeks

Price: £575

Age: 18-60 years

Details: Help to reforest some areas so the trees can help to clean the air;

            Live and work in the wonderful southern part of Iceland;

            Take part in the recovery of Iceland’s ecology (生态).

1. Which of the four projects has the shortest duration?

A．The Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka.	B．The Volunteer Project in Greece.
C．The Volunteer Project in Portugal	D．The Volunteer Project in Iceland.

2. How much does it cost to join The Volunteer Project in Portugal?

A．£891.

B．£619.

C．£459.

D．£575.

3. What can volunteers do in Iceland?

A．Reintroduce Iberian wolves into the wild	B．Master sea turtle monitoring techniques.
C．Watch wild elephants.	D．Help to plant trees.

5 . Every Saturday, Grandpa and I walked to a nursing home. “Whoever visits the sick gives them life,” Grandpa ______ believed.

One day Grandpa was suddenly ______ to hospital. Worse still, we were told he was ______ to recover, deep sadness over our family.

Saturday came. I had not ______ to go there, but Grandpa’s words rang in my head. So alone I went. Everyone was happy to see me but ______ when not seeing Grandpa. When told his ______, they comforted me in tun, “Do your best and God will do the rest.” They all tried in their unique way to cheer me up and ______ for Grandpa.

For days, neither could Grandpa sit up, nor would he speak or eat. The atmosphere was awfully ______. Suddenly the nurse came in, saying, “You have visitors.” I ______. The guys Grandpa and I visited every Saturday were all present.

They all showcased their best to the fullest, thus making grandpa’s day. Visiting hours went so fast that they had to ______ and told grandpa they would come again soon. I was ______ in tears.

That evening, Grandpa sat up and asked the ______ what he could eat. Day by day he ______ for the better. Grandpa’ recovery was a medical ______, the doctors thought. But I knew the truth: His friends’ ______ had made him well.

1.

A．easily

B．firmly

C．warmly

D．hardly

2.

A．rushed

B．invited

C．delivered

D．led

3.

A．unlikely

B．sure

C．natural

D．proud

4.

A．pretended

B．refused

C．intended

D．regretted

5.

A．interested

B．pleased

C．excited

D．surprised

6.

A．purpose

B．result

C．condition

D．income

7.

A．work

B．fight

C．speak

D．pray

8.

A．friendly

B．heavy

C．touching

D．calm

9.

A．turned up

B．came up

C．stayed up

D．looked up

10.

A．sleep

B．stop

C．leave

D．rest

11.

A．moved

B．scared

C．choked

D．bored

12.

A．nurse

B．manager

C．teacher

D．cook

13.

A．searched

B．changed

C．functioned

D．studied

14.

A．task

B．report

C．wonder

D．research

15.

A．letters

B．requests

C．praise

D．visit

6 . On March 5, the Student Union organized a voluntary activity to a________ (提倡) garbage sorting. (根据中英文提示填空)

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does Kevin think of abstract art?

A．It has lasting artistic value.

B．It makes little sense to him.

C．It appeals mainly to children.

2. What impression did the first painting give the woman?

A．Hopefulness.

B．Nervousness.

C．Coldness.

3. What color was used for the background in the second painting?

A．Green.

B．Purple.

C．Red.

4. What will Kevin probably do this Saturday?

A．Attend an art class.

B．Visit an exhibition.

C．Buy an abstract painting.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What course does Professor Brooks teach?

A．Public Speaking.

B．European History.

C．English Literature.

2. Why does Vicky come to talk with Professor Brooks?

A．To sign up for his course.

B．To ask for a make-up test.

C．To discuss her homework.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does Linda do for plays and shows?

A．She gives actors advice.

B．She assigns roles to actors.

C．She designs actors’ clothes.

2. What does Linda need to research?

A．The setting of the story.

B．The decoration of the stage.

C．The names of the characters.

3. Who does Linda report her work to?

A．The director.

B．The editor.

C．The photographer.

4. What does Linda say about her job?

A．It pays very well.

B．It requires team effort.

C．It involves frequent travel.

10 . 假如你是校英语俱乐部负责人李华，下周俱乐部将举办关于野生动物保护的海报设计大 赛, 交换生Alan对此很感兴趣, 并写邮件咨询比赛的相关信息，请你给他回复电子邮件，内容包括：
1. 大赛目的；
2. 作品要求(如标题、内容、字数等)；
3. 提交方式(Englishelub@163. com) 及截止日期。
注意：
1. 词数80左右；
2. 开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
参考词汇：the poster design competition 海报设计大赛； slogan n. 标语；口号
Dear Alan,

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours

Li Hua