1 . Competing for a Trip to Soma Bay, Egypt

Soma Bay is a perfect place for sunny relaxation. If you take a trip there, you can also take part in the competition we organize.

The Destination

Lapped by the Red Sea on three sides and with views of sandy beaches and desert mountains, Soma Bay can attract nature lovers most, Spreading across almost 2,500 acres, the Egyptian tourist attraction has an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player, a golfing enthusiast, as well as the largest Thalasso spa in Africa. Kiteboarding, diving and horse riding are all on offer, too.

Of Soma Bay’s five accommodation options, a five-star hotel enjoys a fantastic location on the highest point of the Soma Bay peninsula. It has a number of guest rooms and suites with private balconies, as well as four on-site restaurants, You can enjoy beach-side pizza, take afternoon tea, or stop for a drink by the 18th hole. They are all offered by the hotel.

The Prize

With the official permission of Soma Bay, the winner can enjoy a four-night stay in a classic room at the five-star hotel on a half-price basis. The prize includes return economy class flight tickets with overhead cabin luggage from the UK to Hurghada International Airport up to the value of £650 per person, with direct routes available from cities including London, Manchester and Bristol, plus return airport transfers to Soma Bay (UK transfers aren’t included).

To Enter

Answer the following question online at natgeotv,com/uk/competitions:

ON WHICH SEA IS SOMA BAY LOCATED?

Competition closes on 31 October 2023.

The winner must be a UK adult resident, aged 18 or over.

1. What does the five-star hotel offer?

A．Games on a golf course.	B．Tickets for kiteboarding.
C．Something to eat and drink.	D．Accommodation on the beach.

2. What can the winner get?

A．A free stay in the perfect hotel.	B．A return airport transfer to the UK.
C．A possible direct flight ticket from Bristol.	D．A first class flight from the UK to Hurghada

3. What do we know about the competition?

A．It welcomes children.	B．It covers multiple questions.
C．It targets at Egyptian citizens.	D．It ends on the last day of October.

2 . LONDON — British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Wednesday that boycotting the Beijing Olympic Games is not the right path to take.

“We are ever excited about prospects for the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing,” Miliband said in an interview with Chinese reporters in London before his visit to China.

“Everything we have seen and read suggests that preparations are proceeding in an excellent way. We very much look forward to a very successful Olympics, successful for China and successful for the world. We certainly believe that boycotts are not a right way,” he said.

“China has big responsibilities around the world. We are looking forward to working with the Chinese government to ensure the values of stability, security and social justice. And only today I spoke with (Chinese Foreign Minister) Yang about our joint work that could help the situation in Darfur. And the Chinese envoy (特使) to Darfur is in London today, that sort of engagement is the right way to go and boycotts are not the right way,” Miliband said.

“The prime minister (Gordon Brown) is determined to represent the whole of the country with his attendance to the Games,” he added.

Miliband expressed his high regard to the bilateral (双边的) relations between Britain and China. “I can’t think about a time that our relations are stronger, that is symbolized by the visit of the prime minister to China last month but also by cultural events like China now going on in Britain.”

British people are fascinated by the changes and improvements going on in China, and are trying to build bridges between the two nations, the foreign secretary said.

“Both our countries are challenged by the facts of globalization. Economic and social changes are producing challenges for both the societies, challenges about security and stability, challenges about justice, challenges about environment, and the theme of my visit is how our two countries can work together and learn from each other in adapting to these challenges,” the secretary told Chinese reporters.

1. According to the British Foreign Secretary, the right way to deal with China is ________.

A．to boycott the Beijing Olympic Games

B．to support the Beijing Olympic Games

C．to send the Prime Minister to attend the Beijing Olympic Games

D．to work together with China

2. In the last paragraph, the foreign secretary wants to tell us that ________.

A．Globalization is a challenge

B．Both countries face many different challenges

C．Britain wants to work together with China to face challenges

D．Britain wants to learn from China to face challenges

3. The best title of this passage is ________.

A．China and Britain enjoy a good relationship

B．Boycotts of Olympics are not the right path

C．Beijing Olympic Games will be successful

D．Foreign Secretary speaks highly of China

3 . On a bright Sunday at the Westmoreland Park pond (池塘) in Portland, Oregon, USA, boats are lining up for something special.

A loud voice comes out of the loudspeaker, welcoming everyone to the yearly Milk Carton Boat Race. The event has been part of the Portland Rose Festival, a popular event that brings Oregonians together, since 1973. Teams excitedly compete for the People’s Choice Award.

Adam Baker, whose organization supports the event each year, says that this is an important race for all of Oregon, especially Portland.

“This is a community event where we can get people to plan how to build special boats—made with used milk containers (容器), to think long-term on how to build a better boat, how to collect materials, and get everybody working together,” says Baker. “You can have single riders, grown-ups, youths, mixed ages. There's engineering. There’s teamwork.”Colton Snook has been taking part in the Milk Carton Boat Race for 10 years. “It’s our family tradition in the summer,” he says, Colton and his boat, “Chocolate Thunder,” end up winning first place in the grown-up races — and not for the first time.

When the youth teams line up, there is a boat that looks just like a beloved movie character—Lightning McQueen from Pixar, s Cars. Connor, the 8-year-old captain, rows across the pond for the first time at high speed and finishes second.

Connor and his family built the boat together, making a wood frame (框架) first and then adding milk boxes to increase its ability to float. He says that Cars inspired the building and designing of his boat: “I really like the movie.”

The event ends with a warm goodbye from Adam Baker and a promise to be back next year.

1. What can we learn about the Milk Carton Boat Race?

A．It is held once a year.

B．It has been held for 10 years.

C．It is open to people across the US.

D．It is older than the Portland Rose Festival.

2. What is special about the boats at the race?

A．They are space-saving.

B．They are created by children.

C．They are offered by Adam Baker for free.

D．They are made with used milk containers.

3. Connor got the idea of building his boat from ________.

A．Colton’ boat.	B．a popular movie.
C．a family member.	D．a movie producer.

4. What is the main purpose of this text?

A．To report a boat competition.

B．To introduce a traditional festival.

C．To encourage people to learn boat building.

D．To draw attention to community development.