1 . The Let’s Activity Campaign

The Let’s Activity campaign aimed at preserving rivers is coming. You will board at Castle Wharf, Nottingham, England. Offer to join us now.

Booking

Arrive 15 minutes before the schedule time to ensure we can get started in a timely manner. The sessions are designed for adults and children of all ages to enjoy a new experience. Parents or guardians should book tickets in advance to participate in the campaign.

Cost

This campaign is free for all participants who are also not paid. However, if you fail to cancel and simply don’t show up on the day, you must pay the standard £20 administration fee, chargeable for each ticket booked.

Therefore, if your circumstances do suddenly change and you are no longer able to attend, you must cancel using one of these three mechanisms:

1. The preferred method is via the ticket booking system. You can find the link on your ticket.

2. You can also click here to send an email to us, and know more about details of the date, time, venue and participants in your email message. Don’t email if within less than 48 hours of the campaign. Instead, you’d better use option 1 above or option 3 below.

3. In case of an unforeseen emergency within 48 hours of the campaign, telephone the staff member, which we hope won’t happen.

Donate to Let’s Activity

As part of our work, the Let’s Activity campaign is a waterway charity to help everyone get out, get active and make their lives better by learning to boat. You can now support the work our teams do with families, and make a donation on our website for the environmental protection.

1. What do we know about the campaign?

A．It requires reservation.	B．It is chargeable to adults.
C．It is a 15-minute parent-child experience.	D．It requires individual administrative capability.

2. Which is the best way to cancel the campaign?

A．Sending cell phone messages.	B．Telephoning the staff member.
C．Emailing within 48 hours of the campaign.	D．Using the booking system linked on the ticket.

3. What is the main purpose of the last paragraph?

A．To call for a visit to rivers.	B．To call for volunteering work.
C．To encourage a donation on the spot.	D．To encourage children to learn to boat.

2 . Question

I am Saeed from Iran. I am so glad to send you an email. I have a question about differences between a “cathedral” and a “church?” Are they the same?

Answer

This is a great question, Saeed!

A “church”is a building used by Christians for their religious (宗教的) services. Because there are many different Christians, there are many different kinds of churches.

A “cathedral” is one kind of Christian church. However, a “cathedral” is the main church for an area under the direction of a bishop, a high-level church leader, in the Roman Catholic faith. Other Christian groups might also call large churches cathedrals. There are many famous cathedrals around the world like Notre Dame in Paris, St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, and the Cathedral of Brasilia in Brazil’s capital.

A “temple” is another form of religious building. “Temple” is the English language word for religious centres in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Temples are places of prayer or worship. Sometimes, people who observe Reform Judaism call their religious centres “temples”.

A “mosque” is a place for Muslims to pray. Women and men usually have separate places to pray within the same building. Muslim holidays and marriages are observed in mosques. “Synagogues” are Jewish places of worship. They are for prayer and religious services, ceremonies and study.

These are not the only places of worship as there are many different religions in the world. If you know of a religious centre or place of prayer or worship, we have not named, please write to us in the comments below!

Please let us know if these explanations and examples helped you, Saeed!

What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish @ ooanews.com.

1. How many names of religious places were mentioned in the response?

A．Two.

B．Three.

C．Four.

D．Five.

2. What is the centre of Muslim praying called?

A．Cathedral.

B．Temple.

C．Mosque.

D．Synagogues.

3. What is the possible identity of Saced?

A．A religious believer.	B．A high-level church leader.
C．A volunteer who serves the church.	D．An Iranian learning American English.

3 . When did Mr. Morgan have a check-up last time?

A．Last year.

B．Five years ago.

C．Six years ago.

4 . The teenage years are a transformative period marked by great physical, psychological, and emotional changes.     1     They refer to the feelings that arise during interactions with others, such as gratitude, shame, sympathy, guilt, and pride.

Understanding and managing social emotions can help develop teenagers’ identities. Teenagers experience a wide range of emotions from social interactions, which significantly influences their self-understanding and social awareness. In the process, they learn to understand, and appropriately respond to both their own emotions and those of others.     2    

In academic settings, social emotional competencies like self-regulation, motivation, and social awareness directly impact a teenager’s ability to learn, participate, and engage in school activities.     3     Teenagers with strong social emotional skills are better equipped to handle stress, resist peer pressure, and avoid risky behaviors, reducing the likelihood of developing mental health issues.

Learning social emotions involves a combination of personal experience, guidance, and formal education.     4     This environment influences teenagers’ earliest understanding of how to communicate and manage their emotions. They feel safe and supportive to express their emotions freely and learn to manage them without fear of judgment. Schools also play a significant role through social emotional learning programs that teach these skills in a structured environment. Community involvement, extracurricular activities, and peer (同伴) interactions offer additional opportunities for teenagers to practice and refine their social emotional skills.

    5     It contributes to a teenager’s ability to manage their own emotions, understand others’ emotions, and face social complexities. This learning is a cornerstone for shaping their identity, influencing their interpersonal relationships, academic success, mental health, and future life outcomes.

A．What exactly are social emotions?

B．The journey into mature emotion is quite easy.

C．Social emotion learning for teenagers is essential.

D．Central to this phase is the concept of social emotions.

E．This helps shape their own personal principles and beliefs.

F．Families play a crucial role in modeling and developing these skills.

G．Moreover, social emotional skills are closely linked to mental health.

5 . Thanksgiving is a time of year when we get together with our families and celebrate peace over a giant feast including roast turkey and pumpkin pie.

There are many reasons why the pumpkin pie is made for Thanksgiving, one of which is related to the season. In the USA, Thanksgiving sits at the beginning of the fall season, and this is celebrated over a feast made up of seasonal food. Pumpkins are harvested in North America and Canada during the fall; therefore, being a seasonal crop, it is in richness at this time.

In 1621 some of the earliest American settlers came across pumpkins for the first time and were new to eating it. Early recipes (食谱) describe ways of cooking pumpkins, which would have included hollowing out (挖空) a pumpkin and filling it with milk and honey. They would have then roasted this on a fire. It became a tradition for the Native Americans to bring the pumpkins to the settlers as gifts, and they showed them how to cook and prepare pumpkins.

Pumpkin pie recipes began to appear in English-written American cookbooks in 1670. Some recipes included adding apples for added flavor (味道). Most recipes have continued to follow the basis of using pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, salt, butter, and so on.

The biggest pumpkin pie in the world was made on September 25, 2010, at the New Bremen Pumpkin Fest in Ohio. To make this large pie, 2,796 eggs, 525 pounds of sugar, and 1,212 pounds of canned pumpkin were used. After baking, the total weight of the pie was 3,699 pounds.

The pumpkin pie was a creation made with the help and guidance of Native Americans and is an important part of celebrating Thanksgiving.

1. Why are pumpkins used to celebrate Thanksgiving according to Paragraph 2?

A．Pumpkins are in season in autumn.

B．People relate pumpkins to being rich.

C．People in North America love eating pumpkins.

D．Pumpkins stand for people’s wish for a happy life.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．The celebrations on Thanksgiving.	B．The history of early American settlers.
C．The early recipes for making pumpkin pie.	D．The origin of cooking pumpkin on Thanksgiving.

3. Why are the numbers used in Paragraph 5?

A．To show the pumpkin pie was extremely big.

B．To describe the good taste of the pumpkin pie.

C．To stress the difficulty in gathering pumpkins.

D．To explain the process of making the pumpkin pie.

4. What is the suitable title of the text?

A．Growing Crops for Thanksgiving	B．Eating Pumpkin Pie at Thanksgiving
C．The Biggest Pumpkin Pie in the World	D．Traditions of Celebrating Thanksgiving

6 . The Grammys celebrate the best in music; but behind every songwriter, performer, and producer that makes it to that stage are music teachers and educators who inspired them from a very young age. That’s why the Grammy Awards also hands out a Special Music Award, which recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to music education.

This year, the award went to Annie Ray, the performing arts department chair and orchestra (管弦乐队) director at Annandale High School in Fairfax County, Virginia—a community with many poor people. With the creation of the Crescendo Orchestra, she works to make music accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities. Additionally, she created a parent orchestra, in which 200 caregivers learn to play the same instrument as their child every year.

Ray took home both a $ 10, 000 prize and a matching prize for her school’s music program. In an interview following the Merit Award ceremony, Ray credited her pupils for this award. “This is the students’ award,” she said. “I’m just lucky enough to have been a part of their journey and their process and to have been taught by them.”

Now, Ray will use the prize money to buy instruments—something the school has struggled to do. She also plans to create an ongoing scholarship for students who want to become musicians and music educators when they graduate.

For Ray, the moment appears to come full circle, since it was a music teacher who first changed her life at age 5. “The reason I am here is because a teacher changed my life and made me want to be a music educator,” she said. “The work is hard, but it is truly rewarding, and there’s nothing else like it.”

1. Who is the Special Music Award intended for?

A．Songwriters.

B．Music teachers.

C．Music performers.

D．Music producers.

2. Why did Ray set up the Crescendo Orchestra?

A．To let parents learn about music.

B．To provide students with access to music.

C．To make more money to support the community.

D．To enable disabled students to become musicians.

3. What did Ray want to show in the interview?

A．She helped her students a lot.	B．Her students appreciated her teaching.
C．Her students had a great talent for music.	D．She won the award thanks to her students.

4. What does Ray think of her job?

A．Creative.

B．Easy.

C．Worthwhile.

D．Boring.

7 . As Spring Break kicks off across the city, it’s an opportunity for families to explore the museums Houston offers.

Asia Society

Travel to Asia this spring break, without leaving Houston and without a passport. A center-wide treasure hunt helps guests learn about the arts and cultures of China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. Those who complete the hunt earn a prize! Admission (入场费) is $ 15 for ages 13 and up, $ 9 for ages 7 to 12.

Holocaust Museum

The museum has special Spring Break hours, including being open on Monday, which other museums don’t offer. Visitors can experience the museum’s four permanent (长期的) galleries and the featured exhibition (展览) The Kinsey African American Art＆History Collection, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black Americans from 1595 to the present day. Admission is $ 22 for adults and free for children and students aged 18 and under.

Houston Zoo

Check out the new dinosaur exhibition at the zoo, where kids and adults can discover what these giant, prehistoric animals were like, take in keeper talks to learn what it’s like to look after the zoo’s animals, and explore the ongoing exhibits that bring wildlife up close. Admission starts at $ 34.70 for adults and children above 12 years old, $27.70 for kids 3 to 12.

Museum of Fine Arts

Join museum educators and artists to explore art-making activities inspired by Multiplicity: Blackness in Contem porary American Collage and experiment with new materials, tools, and processes to create your own works of art. Daily gallery activities, coloring sheets, colored pencils, and knowledgeable educators help families discover and explore art. The museum is closed on Monday. Admission is $ 24 for adults and $ 20 for kids 13 to 18.

1. What happens to visitors experiencing Asian cultures?

A．They go hunting after the visit.	B．They leave Houston and head for Asia.
C．They are given a prize for finding treasures.	D．They don’t need passports when going abroad.

2. What can be learnt about Museum of Fine Arts?

A．Only kids are allowed in.	B．It offers hands-on activities.
C．It holds keeper talks every day.	D．Visitors can visit it on Mondays.

3. Which museum should a couple with their 13-year-old son visit if they want to spend the least on tickets?

A．Asia Society.

B．Holocaust Museum.

C．Houston Zoo.

D．Museum of Fine Arts.

8 . The teacher asked, “Is everybody ready?” I _________ wasn’t ready. It was the early 1980’s. I was in my high school typing _________ and totally confused.

I had taken it as a (n) _________ course because taking French or Spanish language seemed too difficult. _________, I wished I hadn’t chosen it. I was on _________—my fingers were shaking and my heart was beating wildly. I had thought we would just be learning to touch type (盲打), not be tested on speed and accuracy. Besides, I was the only freshman in the class, and the other students were _________ to me. My young body felt too nervous to be typing so quickly and _________.

The teacher said, “Hands on home keys. Eyes on books. Ready, type!” Suddenly, the room was alive with 30 electric typewriters’ keys _________ on. I tried my best to _________, but it was obvious that being a secretary wasn’t in my future. While I didn’t __________ many errors, my typing speed was horribly slow. And I knew I wasn’t going to get a good __________ on this test. I really __________ taking this class and wished I could be learning French instead.

Now years later, I’m a novelist. I’m so happy that I took that class and learned how to type. It has helped me write countless __________ flowing through my mind and into my __________ through keyboards. It has helped me to write e-mails full of kindness to __________ with friends and family. It has helped me to do what I should do and share what I was meant to share in life.

1.

A．certainly

B．slightly

C．willingly

D．hardly

2.

A．library

B．class

C．service

D．organization

3.

A．psychological

B．legal

C．advertising

D．optional

4.

A．Otherwise

B．Meanwhile

C．However

D．Therefore

5.

A．edge

B．purpose

C．time

D．track

6.

A．equal

B．senior

C．crucial

D．resistant

7.

A．straightly

B．similarly

C．precisely

D．mindlessly

8.

A．passed

B．fixed

C．taken

D．struck

9.

A．keep up

B．turn up

C．back down

D．come down

10.

A．admit

B．make

C．express

D．analyse

11.

A．decision

B．profession

C．shelter

D．grade

12.

A．enjoyed

B．suggested

C．avoided

D．regretted

13.

A．plays

B．stories

C．sayings

D．poems

14.

A．document

B．case

C．computer

D．room

15.

A．exchange

B．sympathize

C．compare

D．fight

9 . 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.

10 . International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) is now seeking plans for its 2024 programme edition responding to the theme of “Words Upside Down”. For this year’s open call, ILFD invites artists, creative practitioners (从业人员) and groups from all arts backgrounds to give in event plans responding to the theme and suitable for showing at ILFD’s new Literary (文学的) Village in one of Dublin City’s finest parks, Merrion Square Park, running from 17th to 26th of May, 2024.

We encourage plans which accept curiosity and wonder, cause conversation or new ways of listening. This year, we are especially interested in work that will bring its audience in close contact with either the natural or the artificial (人工的) world or both. We welcome plans which are suitable for audiences aged 16 and above. Above all, we welcome plans that break away from the forms of traditional literary events. We are only able to accept plans made from artists based in the island of Ireland.

Successful applicants (申请人) will be supported by the festival team to bring their ideas to life during this year’s programme which will be presented in Dublin City’s Merrion Square Park. The closing date for applications is Monday 11th of March, 5 pm.

Conditions:
● The content of the plan must be presented during the festival dates.
● The festival expects that the artist or author is able to work independently and has a clear idea for the operation of their plan.
● The festival will provide access to its technological equipment (projectors, speakers, media players, etc).
● Funds ranging from € 500 to € 1,000 are provided for each project.
1. What do we know about the programme titled “Words Upside Down”?

A．It will run on 11th of March.

B．It is one of ILFD’s 2025 programmes.

C．It will raise money for the new village.

D．It will be shown at Merrion Square Park.

2. What kind of plans are preferred?

A．Plans aimed at primary school students.

B．Plans related to traditional literary events.

C．Plans made by creative artists from Ireland.

D．Plans bringing artists into the natural world.

3. How will the festival team support the applicants?

A．By providing experts’ guidance.

B．By paying applicants for € 2,000.

C．By deciding the content of each plan.

D．By offering technological support.