1 . If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend (November 9-11), there’s plenty of action happening around the Tampa Bay area.
Siesta Key Crystal Classic
When: November 9-12
Where: Siesta Beach
Cost: $10 per day
Info: The Siesta Key Crystal Classic kicks off this weekend at one of America’s best beaches! For four days, the international sand sculpting festival will feature artists creating life-size masterpieces out of Siesta’s sugar-fine sand. There will be plenty of food vendors, drink specials and live music. You can also learn how to create your own sand sculpture! The festival costs $10/day and it runs November 9-12. Come soak up the sunset as Siesta Beach transforms into an outdoor art gallery!
Tampa Greek Festival
When: November 9-11
Where: St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church at 2418 West Swann Avenue, Tampa
Cost: $2 General Admission
Info: OPA! Whether it’s freshly-prepared Mediterranean style food and pastries, an evening of live music and beautiful dance, or a unique shopping experience, the Tampa Greek Festival gives everyone the chance to enjoy life like a Greek.
Sponge Docks Seafood Festival
When: November 9-11
Where: Sponge Docks on Dodecanese Boulevard, Tarpon Springs
Cost: Free
Info: This 3-day outdoor festival will feature tons of fresh local seafood to tempt your taste buds, an art & craft show with up to 60 local and regional artists selling their work, continuous live music, unique retail shops and complimentary festivities for the whole family. New this year, specifically selected artisans, craftsmen and other vendors will show and sell nautical and food-related art, crafts, fishing apparel, kitchen and cooking items, samples and much more.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Redskins
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Raymond James Stadium at 4201 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
Cost: $50
Info: Get ready for some Sunday football! The Bucs are taking on the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
1. Which event is charged by the day?| A．Tampa Greek Festival |
| B．Siesta Key Crystal Classic |
| C．Sponge Docks Seafood Festival |
| D．Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Redskins |
| A．Siesta Beach |
| B．St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church |
| C．Sponge Docks |
| D．Raymond James Stadium |
| A．Collecting modern sculptures. |
| B．Learning the techniques of sculpture. |
| C．Enjoying a lecture in an indoor art gallery. |
| D．Talking with famous artists about sculpture. |
2 . If you’re thinking about trying surfing, but don’t know where to go, here are four places recommended on Google reviews.
Adventure Access
Location: Seaham Harbour Marina, Scaham, SR77EY
Rating:4. 8
A happy visitor wrote: “I had the best time improving my surfing skills with Adventure Access. It only needs £18 to use their equipment (装备) for an hour on the water. I immediately booked another time! I highly recommend this place.”
Seaton Carew Beach
Location: Hanlepool Marina Bay, NewsKent County
Rating:4. 5
A visitor wrote: “The climate here is warm all the year, so you will feel comfortable while surfing whatever season it is. What’s more, the sand here is so soft that I had a perfect feeling when we play beach sports. Come here and enjoy yourself.”
White Water Centre
Location: Tees Barrage Way, Stockton-on-Tees
Rating:4. 6
A couple wrote: “My husband and I booked a one-hour lesson for kayaking (划皮划艇) and paddleboarding (桨板冲浪). We had never done either before. Kyle was our instructor and he was very patient to teach us. Whatever your age, have a go, even if you have no sense of balance.”
North East Wake Park
Location: Bishoplon Lake, Stocklon-on-Tees
Rating:4. 7
A visitor wrote: “Today was our first time trying something like this and it was great fun. It is perfect, whatever level you are at. The team there was very friendly, so I highly recommend this place.”
1. What is the location of Scaton Carew Beach?| A．Bishopton Lake, Stockton-on-Tees. |
| B．Tees Barrage Way, Stockton-on-Tees. |
| C．Hanlepool Marina Bay, NewsKent County. |
| D．Seaham Harbour Marina, Seaham, SR77EY. |
| A．Adventure Access. | B．WhiteWater Centre. |
| C．Seaton Carew Beach. | D．North East Wake Park. |
| A．They are free for the old. | B．They are beginner friendly. |
| C．They have all kinds of water activities. | D．They are most suitable for young people. |
3 . May 29 — June 2
Summer Camp for the Whole Family!
Family Camp, an event at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center in Virginia, offers the chance for family members to socialize with each other. Participants take three classes a day, one of which is specifically appointed as a family activity. Classes offered include swimming, theatre arts, nature, canoeing, and more. Afternoons and evenings are filled with special activities such as hikes, canoe trips, and campfires.
Family camp offers a variety of activities for all ages. Space is limited to 25 families. Each family has a separate room. To receive registration (登记) information, please call your local Extension Office or Heather Benninghove at Holiday Lake 4-H Center at (434) 248-5444.
If you’re a person with a disability (残疾) and need special services, please call at (434) 248-5444 during business hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM five days before the camp.
Prices
●Family of 4: $500
●Each additional member: $75
●Children aged 2—4 years old: $35
●Children under 2: Free
Payment
●$200 deposit (定金) with registration
●Final payment and all signed forms due May 5
●An information packet and all relevant forms will be mailed to you upon receipt of registration and deposit.
Refunds (退款)
●Full by May 7
●Non-refundable after May 7
1. When should people with special needs call the center?| A．Before May 5. | B．Before May 7. | C．Before May 24. | D．Before May 29. |
| A．$200. | B．$500. | C．$535. | D．$575. |
| A．It’s not really suitable for kids under 2. | B．It requires a deposit when registering. |
| C．Its application fee is non-refundable. | D．It offers classes the whole day. |
4 . Is your child interested in a camp with Girl Scout (童子军) activities? Attending a summer camp with this focus is a perfect way for them to explore while giving them experience and confidence. Browse our selection and find the perfect fit for your child.
Code Ninjas Camps (CNC)
Transform your child’s love for technology into an exciting learning adventure. Guided by our team of Code Senseis, Code Ninjas Camps empower kids to gain valuable tech skills and make new friends. It’s an unforgettably fun learning experience! Our camps invent, inspire and create to bring out the inventor and creator in your child this Summer and Spring Break.
Fighting Illini Sports Camps (FISC)
The University of Illinois has committed itself to the development of well-rounded summer camp programs for boys and girls. Camps are offered for boys and girls in cheer leading, cross country, golf and swimming. Also offered are camps for boys in baseball, football, gymnastics and wrestling, as well as camps for girls in basketball, gymnastics, soccer, softball and volleyball. Team camps are available in Cheer leading, Basketball, Football and Volleyball.
Girl Scouts of Central Indiana (GSCI)
Campers will enjoy the great outdoors, improve their mental health, make new friends and learn more about themselves! Girl Scouts of Central Indiana has five unique camps, each situated on beautiful sprawling acres, and each with their own special touch. Activities vary by camp program/event/location, and may include: hiking, swimming, jumping on the giant trampoline, horse or pedal car riding. It’s definitely more fun than you’d ever expect for such a great price!
1. Who is CNC intended for?| A．Girls interested in science. | B．Kids fond of sports. |
| C．Teenagers addicted to games. | D．Children keen on adventures. |
| A．Activities are organized outdoors. | B．Activities are available to boys. |
| C．Programming courses are provided. | D．Campers need to be creative. |
| A．Soccer. | B．Hiking. | C．Swimming. | D．Wrestling. |
5 . These local hot spots put the “win” in winter
1. Roasting s’mores at Backyard Bar
It’s a dream backyard that encourages sitting outside with a glass of wine, ignoring the evening chill.
Open Wednesday through Sunday. S’mores $12, cocktails $12-$14. (Warning: When the temperatures get close to freezing, outdoor service may be stopped. )
2. Discover a comedian at Hotbug
If you need to hear a few jokes, head to underground comedy, a stand-up show case held five nights each week at Hotbug.
Underground Comedy takes place Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p. m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 p. m. Free.
3. Watch indoor movies for all ages at Metrobar
Free outdoor movies have been a loved communal activity in D. C. for decades, but uncertain weather means that most series tend to wrap up before Labor day. But Metrobar, the outdoor bar is best known for the out-of-service Metro car sitting in the heart of its beer garden.
Sundays at 3 p. m. Metrobar. Free.
4. Have a sound bath at Eaton
It may seem like the last place you’d expect to find your happiness, but not if Artis Moon is your host. Each Thursday night, the healing guide takes over the yoga room at the Eaton wellness center.
Thursdays at 7 p. m. Eaton,. $30.
5. Watch the poets spit rhymes at Busboys and Poets
The Busboys and Poets’ 14th Street location feels like a warm embrace. Try your hand at a verse (章节) or a song or a five-minute set of stand-up comedy. There is no friendlier crowd.
Tuesdays at 8 p. m. Busboys and Poets. $5. See Busboys and Poets’website for the full schedule.
1. If you arrive at this city on Wednesday with the temperatures getting close to freezing, which hot spot would be available?| A．Backyard Bar. | B．Hotbug. | C．Metrobar | D．Eaton. |
| A．Listen to comedy for free. | B．Watch movies for free. |
| C．Practice yoga. | D．Try playing stand-up comedy. |
| A．A market research report. | B．A magazine column. |
| C．An online news report. | D．An official document. |
6 . What’s on
Bluedot
Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire, 21-24 July
Bluedot returns for four days of music, art and space science. Among the treats are talks by physicist Jim AI-Khalili, astronaut Tim Peake, space scientist Monica Grady and BBC Sky at Night’s Chris Lintott, alongside a bill of stand-up comedy, art and music by the likes of Bjork and Groove Armada. Day tickets ￡35/visitor, weekend tickets ￡179/visitor.
Late Night Explorer
Kielder Observatory, Northumberland, weekends, 11:30 pm
Wonder at the Moon, planets and galaxies under the guidance of expert astronomers, and use the observatory’s high-quality telescopes. Also enjoy a log-burning stove (炉子) and a hot chocolate. ￡46/visitor.
Herschel to Hawkwind
Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux, 2 July, 7:30 pm
Rock guitarist and astronomer William gives an entertaining talk that explores the connection between music and the sky, including live music and a singalong. ￡16/adult; ￡13/child.
Craig Telescope Talk
Bredhurst Village Hall, Gillingham, 29 July, 8 pm
Greg Smye-Rumsby brings to life the story of the Craig telescope, for a brief time in the mid-19th century the largest refracting telescope (折射望远镜) in the world. Was this strange instrument just an expensive folly? ￡18/visitor; ￡24 with food.
1. What might Bjork do for visitors during 21-24 July?| A．Serve them a hot chocolate. | B．Entertain them with music. |
| C．Give a lecture on the universe. | D．Discuss how music relates to the sky. |
| A．￡13. | B．￡16. | C．￡26. | D．￡32. |
| A．Observatory Science Centre. | B．Jodrell Bank Observatory. |
| C．Bredhurst Village Hall. | D．Kielder Observatory. |
7 . ENJOY THE OUTDOORS
Adventure Camp at Ohio Dreams is the perfect way to enjoy traditional summer camp. Campers will be able to learn about multiple sports and outdoor adventures. We provide the equipment (设备) and the schedule so you can start from scratch and learn from the best, and even the new comer who may lack experience can make up for it with the spirit for adventure.
Athletics, Creativity, Science, Knowledge and Social Skills are the backbone of our camp. We offer a wide variety of activities for campers that are full of energy and curiosity.
▪Learn Skateboarding: Learn the basics of skating from balancing, dropping in and even a few tricks.
▪Learn Mountain Biking: Try one of our mountain bikes and take a few laps on our five-mile track across the countryside or learn the basics of jumping on our Freeride courses.
▪Hiking: Pack a snack and hike to beautiful waterfalls and caves while learning how to identify plant species and many different wildlife animals.
▪Beach Volleyball: Everybody should know how to jump in a game of pick-up volleyball at the beach. Learn about where to be and how to pass, set, and hit the ball to win.
▪Swimming Lessons: If you aren’t the best at swimming, this week-long program will help you to find your sea legs (and arms) so you will have more confidence when swimming.
Click here for deals, news and early registration discounts.
1. What is an advantage of Adventure Camp?
| A．It has the best equipment. | B．It is suitable for the inexperienced. |
| C．It offers both indoor and outdoor activities. | D．It is the first traditional summer camp in Ohio |
| A．Overcoming the fear of swimming. | B．Collecting plants species in the open air. |
| C．Learning volleyball in professional stadiums. | D．Riding mountain bikes to waterfalls and caves. |
| A．A travel brochure. | B．A news report. | C．A book review. | D．An online website. |
8 . Central Park Picnic Experiences
Having a picnic with family, friends or colleagues at the Pool with iconic views of the NYC backdrop would give you good feelings. We handle all aspects of your event from beginning to end, so you can just show up and have a great time! Fresh baked service! — You can now add games to any picnic experience (details below).
Family-Style Picnic
Serves a minimum of 15 people
Our family-style picnic experience is perfect for big groups! Includes set up & clean up, plus fruits and food. Also includes coolers with ice, blankets, pillows and parasols (遮阳伞). $60.00 per adult, $30.00 per child. Includes a 2-hour picnic with set up and clean up. $50 per add 1 hour.
Social Picnic Party
Serves 10 to 12 people
Comes complete with an entire picnic set up including extra space, blankets, pillows, parasols. The meal is a sampling of sandwiches, roast chicken, potato salad, seasonal greens, local cheese platter, lemonade, water and something sweet for dessert. Perfect for meeting new friends.
We Love This Formal Picnic!
Serves 4 to 10 people
Looking for something more formal? This is special and for you! Includes set up with a set low-rise table for business talk, a great selection of delicious food, flowers, and clean up! Tips not included — and should go direct to your picnic expert.
Birthday Party Picnic
Serves 2 to 18 people
Besides our signature birthday party cake, we also offer a local cheese platter (拼盘), seasonal salad, chips, lemonade and water, plus cookies & brownies for dessert! When you arrive at your picnic spot, one of our picnic experts will have everything set up, ready and waiting for you when you arrive! Includes a 2-hour picnic for 2 with set up and clean up. Add up to 16 additional guests. $50 per add 1 hour. $50 per add 1 guest. Max 18 guests.
Contact us with questions!1. What is a new service for the picnic experiences?
| A．New spots with wonderful views. | B．Whole-process service. |
| C．Allowing for adding games. | D．Offering freshly-made bread. |
| A．$720. | B．$1,020. | C．$1,070. | D．$1,150. |
| A．Expense of picnic. | B．Number of people. |
| C．Age of the group. | D．Purpose of the activity. |
9 . The Central Museum in the Netherlands launched a unique project this month, titled “The Blind Spot,” in a push to enhance accessibility and enjoyment for the visually impaired. This exhibit goes beyond traditional art experiences by recreating well-known paintings with additional dimensions, integrating elements like sound and smell—including the fragrance of ripe cheese. Unlike typical museum rules, visitors are encouraged to touch the artworks.
The project involves the copies of famous paintings, with the addition of representative elements that can be heard or smelled. Visitors, including those with visual impairments, can truly engage with the art, as touchable elements have been integrated. Sighted visitors are even encouraged to wear blindfolds to fully immerse themselves in the experience of works like “Stil life with fruits, nuts, and cheese” by Floris Claesz van Dijck from 1610 and “Stil life (Bowl with apples)” by Bart van der Leck.
The art experience was the brainchild of artist Jasper Cate and designer Jeroen Prins. The inspiration struck when the two were serving food alongside artwork at a food performance event. It took root when a blind woman attending the event expressed being profoundly moved by the experience. “That moment became the starting point,” said Cate.
Visitor Farid El Manssouri clearly enjoyed his experience. A smile lit up his face as he explored the touching elements of cheese, grapes, and bread, all part of the representation of the famous 1610 painting by Floris van Dyck. Sharing his impressions, El Manssouri remarked, “The first thing that struck me was the smell. I could truly sense the scent of the cheese, and I even touched it.” El Manssouri wondered how the food items managed to stay in their seemingly unbalanced positions. “It was incredible. I suppose it was securely attached,” he wowed.
Steffie Maas, the museum’s director, stated that Blind Spot was just one trial on the path to further improvements, emphasizing that improved accessibility and facilities are equally crucial as the exhibition itself.
1. What do we know about the Blind Spot exhibition?| A．It offered visitors ripe cheese to taste. |
| B．It challenges conventional museum practices. |
| C．It encouraged deaf visitors to wear blindfolds. |
| D．It only accepted blind and partially sighted visitors. |
| A．The inspiration for the art experience. | B．The brainchild of the director. |
| C．The food performance event. | D．Food alongside artwork. |
| A．The sense of touch. | B．The smell of the grapes. |
| C．The firm attachment of the food items. | D．The creation procedure of the paintings. |
| A．Comparison with other museum exhibitions. |
| B．More efforts to improve visitors’ experience. |
| C．Detailed analysis of the artworks in Blind Spot. |
| D．Challenges faced during the exhibition preparation. |
10 . Visit America’s National Parks for Free on These Six Days in 2024
It’s time to plan a visit to your dream national park destination. For a few days each year, every national park in America is free to visit — including hundreds of national monuments, seashores, historic sites and more.
Less than a quarter of them have entry fees, but those that do charge up to $20 per person or up to $35 per vehicle. Revenue (收入) from these fees stays in the National Park Service to cover visitor services, including improving accessibility, restoring wildlife habitat and more.
“National parks are places that awaken senses, inspire curiosity, encourage reflection, and promote joy,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said in a statement. “The entrance fee-free days expand opportunities for people to visit their national parks and experience the beauty and history of our country.”
There’s a new addition to the entrance fee-free days in 2024: Juneteenth, which became recognized as a national holiday on June 17, 2021.
National park free entry days for 2024:
●Jan. 15 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
●April 20 — First day of National Park Week
●June 19 — Juneteenth
●Aug. 4 — Great American Outdoors Day
●Sept. 28 — National Public Lands Day
●Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
Fees for certain activities like camping and fishing will still be in place. Additionally, parks operated in partnership with outside parties may charge other types of fees. For instance, Waco Mammoth charges an access fee for its dig shelter. That park is run by the Park Service, together with the City of Waco, Texas, and Baylor University. Visitors can find site-specific details on park websites.
1. What are some national parks’ entrance fees mainly used for?| A．Popularizing the country’s history. | B．Paying for visitor services. |
| C．Financing visitors during their stay. | D．Boosting local economies. |
| A．April 20. | B．June 17. | C．June 19. | D．Sept. 28. |
| A．It is cooperatively managed. | B．It hosts some outdoor parties. |
| C．It features camping and fishing. | D．It is free of charge all year round. |
