1 . What’s in a Game?

Picture you and your friends sitting around one Saturday, bored. You’ve read every book, watched every movie and played every game. There is absolutely nothing left to do.     1    ? Here are some guidelines to help you invent a new game that’s both playable and fun.

The Ohjective

The first thing you’ll need to design a great game is an objective or goal for players to work toward.     2    . For example, Hockey games and Risk, a kind of card game, have one thing in common — when one player or team reaches the final objective, they win.

    3    

Next, you’ll need rules to let your players know what they can and can’t do. It might seem like a game with no rules would be more fun. You can do anything you want! Unfortunately, this often results in confused players arguing about how the game should be played. Rules set limits and define what the game is — and what it isn’t. Players need to know what they can and can’t do, and what will happen when they do different things.

Meaningful Choices

While you are creating your rules, think about the choices players will make and what effects those choices will have.     4    . If the same thing happens no matter what choice the player makes, they’ll wonder why they have to choose.

Don’t Forget to Playtest!

Any game you see in stores has gone through many rounds of testing and revision. Rules that seem clear to you might be confusing for others. Situations might come up that you didn’t expect.     5    .

A．The Place

B．The Rules

C．What can your players do

D．What if you could invent your own game

E．Every choice a player makes needs to have an effect on the gameplay

F．The best way to make sure your game is playable and fun is to playtest it

G．Objectives can take many forms, but they should always be clear to the players

2 . 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.

3 . How to Apply China Visa (签证)

How to apply China visa is the most concerned question for international tourists who plan to travel to China. Here you will find the useful information about China visa requirements and instructions.

China Visa Requirements

▶The valid (有效的) passport

Original passport valid for at least 6 months with blank visa pages, and a photocopy of data page (with your photo on it)

▶China visa application form and photo

The applicants must fill in a complete visa application form and attach it with a recent-taken colour passport photo.

So what is the requirement of the photo? The photo you submit must be passport-type (bare-head, full face) and standard with the correct dimension and background colour.

▶Effective proof of legal stay or resident status (it applies to those who do not apply for China visa in their countries of citizenship).

Supporting Application Documents

For C-Visa, a letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant authority from China side shall be provided.

For D-Visa, the original and a photocopy of foreign permanent residence identification form issued by China’s Ministry of Public Security shall be provided.

For F-Visa, an invitation letter issued by relevant authorities or individuals from China side shall be provided.

For G-Visa, an onward air (train, bus, ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the third country or region shall be provided.

For L-Visa, the tour itinerary (行程) and documents with round trip flight tickets and accommodation reservations, or an invitation letter issued by relevant authorities or individuals from Chinese side shall be provided.

For M-Visa, documents of business activity, trade fair invitation letter or other invitation letter issued by trade partners in China shall be provided.

Further reading: click the link China visa knowledge and types.

1. In what situation do people have to prove the legal stay for the application?

A．Not being in his country of nationality.

B．Without documents of business activity.

C．Without photos that match the requirements.

D．Not being invited by trade partners in China.

2. Which visas need the trip ticket?

A．C-Visa and M-Visa.	B．L-Visa and D-Visa.
C．G-Visa and L-Visa.	D．F-Visa and M-Visa.

3. Where is the text probably from?

A．A science magazine.	B．A travel brochure.
C．A hotel poster.	D．A web page.

4 . Four Best Books for Teens

The How-To Cookbook for Teens

Price: $19

Cooking is a useful life skill and tons of fun for teens. This beginner-friendly book written by Julee Morrison is packed with 100 simple recipes in an easy-to-follow format that uses everyday, affordable ingredients. Parents love this book because it motivates teens to cook and is well-suited for them to cook all by themselves.

The Outsiders

Price: $13

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton is about two weeks in the life of a 14-year-old boy. The novel tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his struggles with right and wrong in a society in which he believes that he is an outsider.

52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens

Price: $23

52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens is more than a book—it’s a 52-week calendar that provides teens (and their parents and caregivers) with crucial tips on living in today’s society. Author Brooke Romney tackles topics like Internet privacy, friendship, respecting people’s homes, helping others, and knowing yourself.

Hey, Kiddo

Price: $15

Fans of author Jarrett J. Krosoczka will know him for his Lunch Lady and Jedi Academy books. This graphic (漫画的) novel goes into the author’s childhood as he struggles with a family facing addiction and finds art to help him survive. New and long-time fans of graphic novels will appreciate the depth of this impactful story.

1. Which book will you buy if you are interested in cooking?

A．Hey, Kiddo.	B．The Outsiders.
C．The How-To Cookbook for Teens.	D．52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens.

2. Who wrote The Outsiders?

A．S. E. Hinton.	B．Julee Morrison.
C．Brooke Romney.	D．Jarrett J. Krosoczka.

3. How much should you pay if you want to buy three copies of Hey, Kiddo?

A．$39.

B．$45.

C．$57.

D．$69.

5 . Selecting gifts for your beloved ones can be one of the most difficult parts. But don’t worry! We can help! Here are some gift ideas to suit all pockets.

Air purifier

Do you have a loved one who suffers from allergies (过敏) or other skin diseases? Why not gift him or her an air cleaner? Research has shown that air purifiers can help reduce allergy reactions, remove asthma (哮喘) causes such as dust by improving air quality in your home. Look for purifiers with more than one filter and, especially, a high efficiency air filter.

Electric toothbrush

One review of 56 studies has found that a powered toothbrush resulted in a 21 per cent reduction of plaque and an 11 per cent reduction in gingivitis (牙龈炎) after three months, compared with a manual toothbrush. It’s also a fun way for children to look after their dental hygiene.

Dark chocolate

Nothing screams a gift quite like chocolate. Good news is that dark chocolate is associated with several health benefits. Small amounts of this sweet treat may lower the risk of heart disease, improve brain function and give your immune system a boost, potentially reducing infection.

Your time

Quality time spent with your nearest and dearest is completely free, but is the most precious gift you could give them. If you’ve been too preoccupied of late, determine to put aside more hours to do fun things together, or if you have time to devote to others outside your immediate circle, consider volunteering with Age UK as a friend to an elderly person.

1. Which of the following is suitable for someone with a dental problem?

A．Air purifier.	B．Electric toothbrush.
C．Dark chocolate.	D．Your time.

2. What do the first three presents have in common?

A．They belong to tech presents.	B．They are non-physical objects.
C．They are intended for the elderly.	D．They help promote healthy living.

3. What is special about the last present?

A．It is priceless.	B．It is worthless.
C．It is physical.	D．It is rare.

6 .

YOUTH CLUB Free Membership for You It’s our tenth birthday this year. Now we are offering (提供) free membership (会员资格) to two lucky people. If you want to be one of those lucky people, you have to tell us your answers to these questions. ◆ Why do you want to keep healthy? ◆ How do you keep healthy? ◆ What’s your favourite sport? Swimming, tennis, basketball, table tennis or weight training? Fill in the form and send a photo of yourself to Peter Brown. His email address is youthclub@ 26.com.

1. When was Youth Club started?

A．Seven years ago.	B．Ten years ago.
C．Five years age.	D．Six years ago

2. How many kinds of sports are mentioned in the passage?

A．Three

B．Four

C．Five

D．Six

3. After reading the passage, we can know Peter Brown’s ________.

A．date of birth	B．telephone number
C．favorite sport	D．email address

7 . Blowing Up Balloons with CO₂

Chemical reactions (化学反应) make for some great experiments. You can make use of the CO₂(carbon dioxide) given off by a baking soda (小苏打) and lemon juice reaction to blow up your balloon!

What you’ll need:

●Balloon        ●About 40ml of water        ●Soft drink bottle

●Juice from a lemon          ●I teaspoon of baking soda

Instructions:

●Before you begin, make sure that you pull the balloon long to make it as easy as possible to blow up.

●Put the 40ml of water into the soft drink bottle.

●Add the baking soda and mix it with water.

●Put the lemon juice in and quickly put the balloon over the mouth of the bottle.

What’s happening?

If all goes well, then your balloon should inflate! Adding the lemon juice to the baking soda creates a chemical reaction and produces CO₂. The gas rises up and escapes (逸出) through the soft drink bottle. It doesn’t, however, escape the balloon, pushing it outwards and blowing it up.

1. Which of the following do you need for the experiment?

A．Two cups.	B．Apple juice.
C．250 ml water.	D．A teaspoon of baking soda.

2. What should you do before the experiment?

A．Heat the water.	B．Drink some juice.
C．Blow up the balloon.	D．Pull the balloon long.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To describe an experiment.	B．To introduce a game.
C．To produce soft drinks.	D．To save some chemicals.

8 . Flood (洪水) Safety Guidelines (指南)

Flood (洪水) is one of the most dangerous natural disasters. It may come suddenly and sweep away (冲走) everything. It is important to learn some safety guidelines and get prepared for a flood, especially for those living near a river.     1    .

Things to do before a flood 

●     2    
Move to a safe place immediately if there is an order. Prepare enough food and clean water.
Remember to prepare a first aid kit (急救箱). 
    3    
Try to move to a place high enough to keep clear of floodwater. Hold to a tree or a woodblock if you are in water. Keep away from electricity.
Things not to do during a flood
     4    
Do not take too many personal things with you.

Although flood is dangerous,      5     .

A．never give up hope

B．Things to do during a flood

C．Here are some tips on flood safety

D．Do not drink floodwater because it is not clean

E．Listen to the weather warnings (警告) firstly

9 . Julie Kenerson loved taking her two sons Lukas and his brother Jake who used a wheelchair due to his rare illness, to the Charlestown playground in Mayor Thomas M. Menino Park.     1     Lukas and Jake could spin on the carousel (旋转木马) together and slide down slides at the same time. They also loved Martin’s Park in the Seaport District, where they could go on adventures in the wooden fishing boat.

    2     “I’d be sitting there with Jake singing songs because there was really nothing for him to play with,” Julie said about the lack of wheelchair-friendly playground elements at many other town playgrounds.

In 2019, Jake passed away at age 11 from complications of his metabolic (新陈代谢的) disorder.     3     She started with their hometown of Arlington, where Julie worked with local officials to make playgrounds more welcome to kids and caregivers with disabilities.

Over the past decade, playground accessibility has advanced due to more awareness and more options for designers. Parents like Julie are telling public officials and planners that more work still needs to be done to make playgrounds truly inclusive.     4     In Arlington, workers will start construction next month on a new playground design that incorporates Julie’s feedback.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires equal access for people with disabilities in public spaces, was passed in 1990. But it didn’t specifically address outdoor recreation in its original regulations. Updated guidance came in 2010, and any playground that is now built or renovated must be ADA-compliant. But, according to Julie, there is a gap between what she calls “ADA on paper” and “the lived experience of ADA”.       5    

A．Fortunately, those in charge are listening.

B．But not all playgrounds were accessible to Jake.

C．However, some officials turn a deaf ear to Julie’s requests.

D．The playground has plenty of wheelchair-accessible designs.

E．One of Julie’s main themes is that play should be for everyone.

F．Hence, she still attempts to make playgrounds accessible to all.

G．Since then, Julie has been on a special playground-related mission.

10 . Autumn Reading

Rez Dogs

Rez Dogs, by Joseph Bruchac is a book written in verse (诗). It’s about an eighth-grader named MalianShe’s visiting her grandparents at their home on a Wabanaki reservation when COVID-19 hits. During lockdown, Malian learns more from her grandparents about her Native family’s history.

Omar Rising

Omar Rising, by Aisha Saeed tells the story of the son of a servant in Pakistan. Omar is excited that he has won a scholarship (奖学金) to a boarding school. But when he gets there he discovers that his scholarship is offered with special conditions. To stay at the school, Omar must do chores (杂活) and get better grades than the wealthy students. And he’s not allowed to join clubs or teams. When his future at the school does seem bright, he and his friends work hard to create fairness for all.

The Ice Cream Machine

The Ice Cream Machine is no common book. It’s six different stories rolled into one book. Each story has a very different plot (情节) about ice cream. One ice-cream story is about a boy and his robot in the distant future. Another is about a father and daughter who invent an ice-cream machine. The Ice Cream Machine is inventive and fun. Its author,Adam Rubin, hopes the book encourages kids to write.

Sugar and Spite

Sugar and Spite, by Gail D.Villanueva, finds 12-year-old Jolina newly arrived on an island in the Philippines. It’s there that she learns how to make magic. Jolina uses that magic to get a bully (仗势欺人者) named Claudine off her back. Filipino history and culture are shown in the book. Villanueva said that kids should read about places and cultures different from their own.

1. What problem does Omar have?

A．He finds it difficult to learn magic.	B．He is unable to visit his grandparents.
C．He receives unfair treatment at school	D．He has no money to buy an ice-cream machine

2. What do we know about Adam Rubin’s book?

A．It is a guidebook.	B．It is a travel diary.
C．It is a verse novel.	D．It is a collection of stories.

3. Which book will you choose if you are interested in the culture and history of the Philippines?

A．Rez Dogs.	B．Omar Rising.
C．Sugar and Spite.	D．The Ice Cream Machine.