1 . The Best Computer Science Competitions for High Schoolers

Imagine Cup

Microsoft runs the competition, and each year, students around the world compete in it. Students work in teams of up to three members to design a tech solution to a social or health problem.

Qualification: Student must be 16 or older.

Prizes: Each winning team is awarded $100,000.

First Robotics Competition

Students work in teams of at least 10 along with 2 adult mentors to design and build an industrial-sized robot. They then must program the robot to compete in a sophisticated field game at competitions. Annual team registration fees are usually about $5,000.

Qualification: High school students in the U.S.,

Prizes: Various scholarships and cash prizes for top scorers.

Technovation Challenge

It is designed to get more girls worldwide interested in coding and computer science. Girls work in teams of 1-5 and with volunteer mentors to use technology to design an app that helps solve real world problems such as climate change and hunger.

Qualification: Must identify as female and be between 10 and 18 years old.

Prizes: Prizes and scholarships up to $2,000.

American Computer Science League

To compete, your school has to have registered and paid the registration fee. Before the competition, the coach teaches coding with a focus on ACSL exam categories. Then, students work in teams of 3 or 5 students to complete four tests. Students can code in Python 3, Java 8, or C++ as defined on the programming platform. Top-scoring teams advance to regional, statewide, and eventually global competitions.

Qualification: Students whose schools have registered for the competition.

Prizes: Winners of the ACSL All-Star Contest receive prizes.

1. Which competition has the largest number of students in a team?

A．Imagine Cup.	B．First Robotics Competition.
C．Technovation Challenge.	D．American Computer Science League.

2. How is Technovation Challenge different from other competitions?

A．It is run by Microsoft.	B．It is only for U.S. students.
C．It has a gender limitation.	D．It allows mentors to assist.

3. What can students do in American Computer Science League?

A．Register for the competition independently.

B．Have chances to take higher-level competitions.

C．Design an app using programming knowledge.

D．Receive various scholarship and cash prizes.

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How often is the Noetic Learning Math Contest held?

A．Twice a year.

B．Once a year.

C．Once every two years.

2. What are students required to do during the contest?

A．Solve 15 problems in 45 minutes.

B．Solve 20 problems in half an hour.

C．Solve 30 problems in 45 minutes.

3. What will the top 10% of teams receive?

A．A “Team Winner” medal.

B．A “Team Achievement Plaque” medal.

C．A “National Honor Roll” medal.

3 . The Best Writing Contests of 2024

Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest

The Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest, an annual contest, is designed to highlight Kentucky’s rich literary talent and celebrate the best in short fiction written by Kentuckians or about our beloved Bluegrass State.

Top prize                         Best entry: $500
Entry requirements            Fee: FREE
Deadline                           March 31, 2024
Fiction Factory Flash Fiction

This is an international competition—we welcome entries from around the world. Maximum word count: 1,000, Stories may be on any theme. Entries must be previously unpublished. Results will be announced by April 2024. Minimum age: 16 years. Children’s compositions cannot be accepted sadly.

Top prize                       Best entry: £500
Entry requirements          Fee: FREE
Deadline                       March 31, 2024
Journalism Competition 2024

What are the most important issues taking place close to home? Perhaps a rare bird sighting near your town? Or a band of young people in your province fighting for access to higher education? This month, involve yourself in a newsworthy event inside the borders of your own country, and invite us there through your written reporting.

Top prize                       Best entry: $100
Entry requirements          Fee: FREE
Deadline                         July 22, 2024
Poetry & Spoken Word Competition 2024

“Poetry lays the foundations for a future of change,” wrote Audre Lorde. This month, sow your own seeds of change into poetry, or else write and perform an original piece of spoken word(poetry performed aloud). We’ll award two top prizes-one for a written poem, and one for a recorded performance.

Top prize                           Best entry: $100
Entry requirements             Fee: FREE
Deadline                            May 27, 2024
1. Which contest accepts entries both at home and abroad?

A．Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest.	B．Fiction Factory Flash Fiction.
C．Journalism Competition 2024.	D．Poetry&-Spoken Word Competition 2024.

2. What do we know about Poetry&-Spoken Word Competition 2024?

A．It offers two first prizes.	B．It only requests written compositions.
C．It provides the highest awards.	D．It inspires students to perform actively.

3. What is the author’s purpose of writing the text?

A．To compare some writing contests.	B．To recommend good writing contests.
C．To share tips on winning writing contests.	D．To remind students to enter writing contests.

4 . 听下面一段长材料，回答以下小题。
1. What is this competition about?

A．Saving energy at home.

B．Reducing noise pollution.

C．Using technology creatively.

2. What is the stone used for?

A．Starting the machine.

B．Increasing air pressure.

C．Producing carbon dioxide.

3. Why does the woman come to the man?

A．To discuss the way of writing a paper.

B．To find the right material for a model.

C．To study the approach to detailed drawings.

5 . I thought my life was over when I found I was in an airless hospital room and my spine (脊柱) was broken after a(n) ______.I couldn’t believe I wouldn’t become a famous ______ and took it out on those around me.

After four months, I learned how ______ it was to get around in a wheelchair but I was too ______ to ask for help. But I gradually realized it would keep me away from people and experiences I ______. So when my high school coach, Bob, asked me to coach the girls’ volleyball team, I ______. Also encouraged by him, I competed in wheelchair sports,______ nineteen international wheelchair marathons and ______ for Canada in the 1984 Olympics.

Shortly after the Olympics, I ______, dislocating my shoulders. That injury was a wake-up call, and I tried to ______ my life without being an athlete. I knew I wanted to travel and do something ______. So the Man in Motion Tour, aiming to raise awareness of the potential of people with ______ , was born. It was a big ______. We had hoped to raise $ l million. But the total was a(n)______$ 24 million, provided to spinal cord injury research and wheelchair sports programs. Looking back, I realize that accident began a journey to accomplishments beyond my dream. My life was ______ over...it had actually just begun.

1.

A．flight

B．accident

C．defeat

D．adventure

2.

A．professor

B．consultant

C．operator

D．athlete

3.

A．hard

B．common

C．unnecessary

D．flexible

4.

A．frightened

B．considerate

C．proud

D．intelligent

5.

A．feared

B．followed

C．encountered

D．loved

6.

A．quit

B．believed

C．accepted

D．hesitated

7.

A．promoting

B．winning

C．watching

D．organizing

8.

A．cheering

B．competing

C．struggling

D．training

9.

A．crashed

B．recovered

C．appeared

D．moved

10.

A．empty

B．share

C．picture

D．celebrate

11.

A．similar

B．urgent

C．traditional

D．meaningful

12.

A．disabilities

B．dreams

C．ranks

D．mistakes

13.

A．concern

B．success

C．connection

D．challenge

14.

A．normal

B．strange

C．important

D．amazing

15.

A．far from

B．all but

C．at most

D．in fact

6 . Battle of wits(智力)

Do you feel a rush during discussions about your favorite sport? Do you experience excitement when discussing your favorite team with your friends? Are you the one who turns to the last few pages of a newspaper first to run through the sports columns?

SPJIMR’s SPRINT brings to you Battle of Wits, the flagship sports quiz. Your chance to go head-to-head with sports enthusiasts from B-Schools across the country is here. Will you be able to stand till the end to win this battle?

Competition Rules:

Participation is open to all B-School students either in teams of 3 or as a lone wolf. There is no restriction on the number of teams participating from the same B-School. In the case of 3 members, all must be from the same institute.

This event has two rounds: A Preliminary(预备的) round which will take place on Dare2Compete on 20 October and then the Finals which will take place on Zoom on 26 October. The top 8 teams will qualify for the Finals. However, in case multiple teams from the same B-school top the charts, only the top 2 teams from that B-School will be allowed to play in the Finals. The qualifying teams will be announced on https://sprint-spjimr.com/ on 23 October.

The Finals will be conducted in a Pounce-Bounce format. The exact details of the format will be announced on the above website on 24 October.

1. Which students would most probably enter for this event?

A．Debate lovers.	B．Sports fans.
C．Animal raisers.	D．Technology enthusiasts.

2. How many members can a B-School have to play Round Two at most?

A．2.

B．6.

C．3.

D．8.

3. When will the participants know if they reach the Finals?

A．On 20 October.	B．On 24 October.
C．On 23 October.	D．On 26 October.

7 . The well received Neutral Density Photography Awards (ND Awards) is a melting pot of some of the world’s most outstanding and talented souls in the field of photography where recognition and publicity are gained by the winning entry. This is an open invitation. Join us and take part in the competition!

Our judges are all highly respected industry professionals,including gallery (画廊) owners, publishers,editors and famous photographers. Do not miss this rare opportunity to take part in this annual photo contest. Choose your best work, upload photos and give yourself a chance to compete for fame and more than $7,500 award!

Categories are in two sections: Professional and Non-Professional. Winners of each subcategory (子范畴) will be awarded with: Gold Star, Silver Star and Bronze Star awards.

●Early Deadline&Entry fee 23 December 2023 Non-Professional — Single image entry fee: $19 Professional — Single image entry fee: $24
●Final Deadline &Entry fee 17 January 2024 Non-Professional — Single image entry fee: $24 Professional — Single image entry fee: $29
● Frequently-asked questions:	Answers
1.Can I enter one image into multiple categories?	Yes,you may enter the same image into as many categories as you want. Additional fee for next category is $10.
2.Can I make changes to my entry after I have paid?	No, after payment has been made,entries cannot be edited.
3.What should I do if I’m having problems uploading data?	Try to read the instructions on the entry form again. If you are unable to resolve the problem after reading the instructions, send an e-mail inquiry to info@ ndawards.net.

1. What do you think the text is?

A．An announcement.

B．An invitation

C．An advertisement.

D．An agreement.

2. On Dec.12,what’s the cost for a professional to hand in an image to three categories?

A．$87.

B．$72.

C．$49.

D．$44.

3. What should one do if he has problems uploading data?

A．Fill in the entry form again.

B．Interact with some of the judges.

C．Send an e-mail to info@ndawards.net.

D．Submit the entry to another category.

8 . Go For Goal With Your Poem

Football, the world’s most universally loved sport, unites people from all walks of life. Since its establishment in 1992, the English Premier League (EPL) has welcomed players from 115 different nations. This multicultural group reaffirms (重申) that regardless of our diverse backgrounds, we all share a common love for the beautiful game. In celebration of this unity, the league has launched an exciting poetry competition this year.

The Competition

The competition invites young poets to express how football celebrates our differences while also serving as a joining-together force. This theme can be explored through any form of poetic writing, from traditional words to songs. The distinguished judges include poet Joseph Coelho, football star Rio Ferdinand, and beloved pop star Olly Murs.

The Prizes

The winning poems will be honoured with publication in a special poetry collection. There’s more: the winning class stands a chance to win an enriching poetry session, and even a visit from a Premier League champion to your school! The competition will recognize three first-place winners and ten second-place winners from Stage 1(five to seven years old)and Stage 2(seven to eleven years old)respectively.

How to Enter

The competition is heating up and the closing date is Friday 21 December. Teachers are encouraged to register their classes on PLPrimaryStars. com as soon as possible this week. The first 1,000 schools to enter will even receive a special gift bag filled with a selection of wonderful poetry books. So, don’t wait, and kick off your poetic journey today!

1. What is the goal of the poetry competition?

A．To interest global football players in poetry.

B．To celebrate the universal love for football.

C．To promote different forms of poetic writing.

D．To encourage young poets to address diversity.

2. How many winners will be recognized in total?

A．3.

B．6.

C．13.

D．26.

3. What are teachers advised to do in the last paragraph?

A．Sign up for the competition soon.	B．Ask for advice from the website.
C．Help students prepare their bags.	D．Urge schools to buy poetry books.

9 . Boston Marathon runners in recent years may have seen a smiling furry face around the two-mile mark. It’s Spencer, the therapy (治疗) dog, who became known as an unofficial mascot (吉祥物) for the marathon, He’s shown up on the sidelines every year since 2015—rain or shine.

One particularly rainy marathon catapulted Spencer’s fame, In 2018, his owner, Richard Powers, decided to put a bright yellow rain coat on the dog, making him stand out even more than he usually does. Photos of Spencer, who holds a “Boston Strong” flag in his mouth, went viral, and he became an inspiration to runners and onlookers alike, During the marathon, some runners stop in their tracks to take selfies with the dog-the line sometimes growing to 20 runners long.

But in 2020, Spencer was diagnosed with a tumor (肿瘤). His owner was worried, but Spencer is a fighter. He got the care he needed and survived. In 2021, he was back on the course and it was really kind of a miracle and that really hit home to a lot of people.

Unfortunately, Spencer caught another tumor—this one cancerous—and Spencer began chemotherapy. Powers didn’t think his beloved dog would make it out to the marathon of 2022. “Miraculously, he’s still here with us and an even bigger miracle, he was strong enough to go to the marathon,” he said.

After recovering, Spencer was back to work—not just at the marathon—but as a therapy dog, alongside his companion, Penny, who is also a golden therapy dog. Powers takes his two therapy dogs around to schools, hospitals and senior living centers.

“He’s a gift to us and we’re very lucky to have him. He’s too good so we want to share him with as many people as we possibly can. He does make a difference,” Powers said.

1. Why is Spencer referred to as a mascot for Boston Marathon?

A．He has a smiling furry face.	B．He appears at the event annually.
C．He is not recognized officially.	D．He works as a therapy dog for runners.

2. What does Spencer bring to runners?

A．Motivation.

B．Satisfaction.

C．Fantasy.

D．Barrier.

3. What did Spencer go through in 2020?

A．A failure in the marathon.

B．Caring for his owner.

C．Fighting against a disease.

D．Going viral.

4. What was Powers’ initial attitude towards Spence’s appearing at the marathon of 2022?

A．Confident,

B．Supportive.

C．Objective.

D．Negative.

10 . Thanks For Giving 4 Miler

Thurs. November 23, 2023

The Event

Sign up today for the 2023 Thanks For Giving 4 Miler and Kids Dash that will take place this Thanksgiving in New Albany! Come out and join us for a fun kick off to Thanksgiving Day festivities! As always, 100% of our net proceeds go to help those in need.

All are welcome, including competitive runners, joggers, and walkers wanting to enjoy time with friends and loved ones. Registration ends on November 22, 2023.

The Fee

There is no official race fee. You can give as much or as little as you want. However-a $40 minimum donation is required to get our soft T-shirt. Our goal is to feed as many families in Central Ohio as we can. You can help by running our race, spreading the word, or making a donation. You may bring any donation you want, from a can of soup to cash. Let’s make a difference.

Event Day Timeline

6:30 am: Race day check-in begins.

8:00 am: Opening ceremony (仪式) begins!

8:15 am: Kids Dash begins!

8:30 am: The Thanks For Giving 4 Miler kicks off!

Awards

The top three overall male and female finishers will receive a gift certificate. The top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups will receive a pumpkin (南瓜) pie: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and above. Every participant of the kids race receives a finisher’s medal!

Safety

For safety, please no bicycles, skateboards, inline skates, or participation with pets.

1. What is Thanks For Giving 4 Miler and Kids Run?

A．A marathon race.	B．A charity event.
C．A kid-targeted activity.	D．A holiday get-together.

2. What will a man ranking second in his age group be sure to win?

A．A soft T-shirt.	B．A pumpkin pie.
C．A gift certificate.	D．A finisher’s medal.

3. What is required for participation?

A．Bringing a donation.

B．Reaching a certain age.

C．Registering in advance.

D．Wearing safety equipment.