1 . A pickup game is a game of some kind that is not part of a regularly scheduled season of competition or a championship series.    1    . There are no repercussions (负面影响) beyond the final score in terms of standings or future commitment.

    2    . But the types of games that use the term have expanded today. It is now used to refer to casually scheduled games of softball, volleyball, tennis, and even chess.

Pickup games are spontaneous (自发的) and informal.     3    . An all-men’s pickup game may be played as “Shirts vs No Shirts”; it is an easy way to identify teammates and distinguish them from the competitors. “Inside Shirts vs Out Shirts” “White Shirts vs Colored Shirts” and “Men vs Women” are other teams created with the goal of knowing who is who.

Recently, attempts have been made to use the Internet to schedule pickup games. This is a way of helping players connect with other players in their local area and allowing them to have complete teams whenever possible.     4    .   For example, gender, game choice, age, location, and how far they are willing to travel to a game. The main draw of pickup games is that they are meant to be a fun way to practice or show off skills with friends. If a player makes a mistake, he won’t be taken out of the game and worried about losing his playing time.     5    .

A．You could play pickup football, baseball, etc.

B．He can laugh it off and continue on with the game.

C．This method makes the game much more competitive.

D．Potential players are asked to provide their information.

E．The term “pick up game” often refers to basketball games.

F．Instead, it is a game with teams often made up on the spot.

G．But people have a variety of methods to pick teams and identify them.

2 . Short Story Competitions.

The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize

The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize held by the Royal Society of Literature (RSL) annually is currently open for entries. Entries from those over 18 years old who are residents in the UK are welcome.

Closes: 20 August

Word limit: 2,000 -- 4,000 words

Entry fee: Free

Prize: £1,000 and publication in prospect online

The Tasmanian Writers' Prize

Since 2009, Forty Source Publishing has awarded writers the Tasmanian Writers’ Prize for the most outstanding short story submitted into this competition. Entries from Australian and New Zealand residents are welcome.

Closes: 15 February

Word limit: 3,000 -- 4,000 words

Entry fee: $20

Prize: $500 and publication in Forty South

The Nature Writing Prize

Created by the Nature Conservancy Australia, the Nature Writing Prize is open for submissions. Writers, 18 years and older are invited to write an essay to explore their relationship and interaction with the Australian landscape.

Closes: 19 February

Word limit: 3,000 -- 5,000 words

Entry fee: $25

Prize: $7,500 dollars and publication in Griffith Review online

The Stringybark Open Short Story Award

Stringybark Publishing is asking writers to enter a short story into the Stringybark Open Short Story Award. The judges are looking for a story written for an audience of 16 years and older. Closes: 31 January

Word limit: 1,500 -- 1,800 words

Entry fee: $14 for 1 story, $26 for two stories, $36 for six stories (max)

Prize: Over $1,000 in cash and books

1. What do we know about the competition held by the RSL?

A．It is free for participants.	B．Its deadline is 19 February.
C．It is open for writers across the world.	D．Its entries are for readers of 18 years or older.

2. What is the word limit for stories exploring the human-nature relationship?

A．1,500 --1,800 words.	B．2,000 -- 4,000 words.
C．3,000 -- 4,000 words.	D．3,000 -- 5,000words

3. Which competition awards its winners cash and books?

A．The Nature Writing Prize.	B．The Tasmanian Writers’ Prize.
C．The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize.	D．The Stringybark Open Short Story Award.

3 . It’s time to sign up for Kids Bowl Free 2023!

Dates range from center to center and state to state. The center my family signed up for starts from May 3rd but I saw a couple of centers in Pennsylvania and South Carolina that had start dates in APRIL!

Be sure the kids are signed up for Kids Bowl Free 2023.

The Kids Bowl Free 2023 program is not specific to a certain chain of bowling alleys (保龄球场). You can find a participating center near you. Kids (under 15 years old) can get TWO free games EVERY DAY at a participating center. Most places will require a bowling shoe rental-not included in the program.

But wait! That’s not all!

You can also sign up teens and adults for a summer pass for $39.95. Up to 4 people get two games every day during the summer with the family pass so that the whole family can bowl every day!

USE CODE: HOT25 on the Family Pass page * to save 25%! Making it just $29.95!

If the code HOT25 doesn’t work, when it asks if you want to sign up for the Family Pass, find the tiny “No Thanks” button and click it. When you do that, you’ll be offered a discount code!

Shoe rental not included.

Save even more on your kids bowl free when you don’t have to rent shoes! Search Ebay for bowling shoes and get a great deal! I got us each a pair for this year and if we bowl 6 times our shoe cost will be less than if we rented shoes 6 times. And with our own shoes, we can go more often!

1. What benefit does the program offer?

A．Free summer passes.	B．Free games for young kids.
C．Discounted shoe rentals.	D．Discounted goods at Ebay.

2. How much will you pay at least for a family pass of 3 people?

A．$10.

B．$29.95.

C．$39.95.

D．$89.85.

3. Who has written the text probably?

A．An Ebay seller.	B．A shoe producer.
C．A participating parent.	D．A bowling center operator.

4 . Olympic Games organizers in France presented the 2024 Olympic torch (火炬) that will light the Summer Games in the country a year from now. In the Olympic torch tradition, many people carry the torch in turn from Greece to the current location of the Games. After it has traveled thousands of kilometers. the torch will light the Olympic cauldron (火炬台) at the Opening Ceremony of the next Olympic Games.

French designer Mathieu Lehanneur created the torch. which is 70 centimeters long and made of lightweight steel. Lehanneur said its shape is inspired by the famous Seine River, which flows through Paris. He said the torch is equal from top to bottom and all around the middle, which stands for equality between athletes. The twisting shape of the torch represents peace.

The torch was made with lightweight steel. Its lower half copies the movement of the Seine, along which the opening ceremony will take place for over 500,000 viewers.

Lehanneur said he wants the torch to represent the kind of event that Paris 2024 hopes to be. “I wanted to move away from the torch appearing as an object of conquest (征服),” Lehanneur said. He also told reporters that designing the torch was much more techn1cal than he thought it would be. “The magic is not the torch itself. but the flame” Lehanneur said.

The torch will be lit up in Olympia, Grecce on April 16, 2024, followed by a nine day torch relay before sailing across the Mediterranean Sea from Athens to Marseille on May 8. It will then pass through several important places , which include Strasbourg , the Pantheon in Paris, the Mont Saint-Michel and multiple French territories.

Tony Estanguet, the Paris 2024 chief, said the torch is “very ,very beautiful”. He also said it is “...very pure, It’s perfectly balanced in the hand.”

1. Why is the torch equal from top to bottom?

A．It is easy for torch-bearers to carry.	B．It is the symbol of the Seine River.
C．It represents peace among nations.	D．It shows equality between players.

2. What can be inferred from Lehanneur’s words?

A．He wishes Paris 2024 to be the best ever.	B．The torch is more important than the flame.
C．Designing the torch is harder than he thinks.	D．He thinks highly of the torch’s appearance.

3. How long will it take the torch to travel from Greece to France?

A．Twenty two days.

B．Fifteen days.

C．Nine days.

D．Eight days.

4. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．A travel brochure.

B．A sports magazine.

C．A science report.

D．A research paper.

5 . Show Your Money Smarts Contest 2023

Show Your Money Smarts Contest aims to give the youth a jump start by equipping them with the power of knowledge to make sound financial choices.

Why Participate:

Learn how to use credit wisely in this year’s fifth annual contest. Compete with other youths across the state of Michigan in this 30-question online challenge during the month of May and win prizes. Start developing a good credit score and history at a young age and learn how to make your credit work for you!

Teachers, librarians and other youth development professionals also can win a $25 gift card if a non-related youth you referred to the contest wins. One gift card per referring adult.

Who Should Participate:

Any youth 13-19 across the state of Michigan.

When:

Register by May 13, 2023, by 11:59 pm. ET. Complete the contest by May 31, 2023, 11:59 pm. ET.

How to Participate:

● You must sign up to be qualified for prizes. If a non-related teacher, librarian or other youth development professional referred you to this contest, you will want to include their names and emails for their chances to win a prize too!

● Learn about credit by attending an in-person class, a Zoom class, reading articles, or completing the Nearpod class here and/or exploring other credit education resources found on the Michigan 4-H website.

● On May 14, you will receive an e-mail with the game code (代码) for Quizizz. The game will be available for two weeks.

● Go to quizizz. com/join on a phone or tablet and enter the code using the same name when you register.

● High scoring youth will be entered for a prize drawing to win a $25 gift card. A maximum of 10 youth winners will be selected. Winners will be notified by June 8, 2023.

1. What knowledge is involved in the contest?

A．Game knowledge.

B．Library knowledge.

C．Computer knowledge.

D．Financial knowledge.

2. What is a must to win the prize?

A．Being a member.

B．Having a referrer.

C．Registering in advance.

D．Taking training courses.

3. What can we learn about the contest?

A．It is an online contest.	B．It charges low entry fees.
C．It is held every five months.	D．Any teenager can take part.

6 . WALKIE TALKIE TOWER CLIMB

Dare to take the stairs for a run challenge! Sign up and climb up London’s Walkie Talkie building on 4 March 2023. Run or walk up the Walkie Talkie building, and raise money to help seriously ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Climb over 35 floors and 896 steps before being rewarded with a celebratory drink.

gosh. org/get-involved/fundraising-events

RACE TO REMEMBER

Why not take on Race to Remember. Join Team Combat Stress on 11th November 2023 and help raise funds for veterans (老兵). Choose from a 76km or a 36km walk or run. All races finish at the HMS Victory in Portsmouth. The registration fee is 75 (76km event) or 40 (36km event).

events. combatstress.org.uk

TIME TO RUN

Run for research and take on 50 miles in 50 days! Take on this virtual run anywhere, anytime between 1 March and 19 April. We’re investing in pioneering projects that could slow, stop or change Parkinson’s completely. And we aim to deliver the next new treatment in years. By taking part in Time to Run, you’re funding Parkinson’s UK research. Your fundraising will help us fast track the most promising treatments. Sign up today for just 5.

events. parkinsons.org. uk/TTR23

LONDON MARATHON

Get your running shoes on and join Depaul UK for the TCS 2023 London Marathon. We’ll cheer you on as you help raise vital funds for young people affected by homelessness. Starting in Greenwich Park, you’ll run over Tower Bridge towards a memorable finish on The Mall. Join us at the start line and show your support for young people, To secure your place, sign up today.

kurt. sullivan.depaulcharity.org. uk

1. Which website would you visit if you want to climb stairs?

A．events. combatstress.org. uk

B．events. parkinsons.org. uk/TTR23

C．kurt. sullivan.depaulcharity.org. uk

D．gosh. org/get-involved/fundraising-events

2. Who will benefit from TIME TO RUN?

A．Sick children.

B．Veterans.

C．The homeless.

D．The Parkinson’s patients.

3. What are these activities aimed for?

A．Fun.

B．Health.

C．Charity.

D．Workout.

7 . Are you ready for a FIFA World Cup^TM like no other?

With Qatar playing host to the first FIFA World Cup^TM ever in the Arab world, a unique and extraordinary stage has been created for the teams, the players and, of course, you the fans. Explore the individual elements of your FIFA World Cup^TM here, which we hope you enjoy during your time in Qatar.

Official Mascot (吉祥物) of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM

It’s me! La’eeb^TM

Welcome to my page! La’eeb^TM is my name―an Arabic word, meaning super-skilled player―and I love the beautiful game. I also love supporting, and not just from the stands. I love supporting all of you who have a vision, work hard and aim to achieve your dreams!

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM Official Soundtrack (原声带)

A symbol of how music―and football―can unite the world

A multi-song collection, featuring international artists across a variety of musical genres delivering a smash hits, sets the tone for a truly global celebration at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM.

Check out the catchy and uplifting songs that make up the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM Official Soundtrack here:

● Hayya Hayya (Better Together)―Trinidad Cardona, Davido, and Aisha

● Arhbo―Ozuna featuring GIMS

● Light the Sky―Rahma, Balgees, Nora and Manal

● Dreamers―Fahad Al Kubaisi and Jung Kook(BTS)

Official Poster

Hayya to Qatar 2022^TM

The Official Poster is on display at Hamad International Airport, where it will remain at Gate DI8 throughout the FIFA World Cup 2022^TM. Everyone will have the chance to see the poster as they travel from and transit through Qatar.

1. Which of the following is not true about the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM?

A．The Arab world has never held FIFA World Cup TM before

B．The official Mascot of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM is La’eeb

C．It shows us that music and football can unite the world.

D．The Official Poster will be on display at Gate DI7 of Hamad International Airport.

2. What can we know about FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM Official Soundtrack?

A．The official soundtrack consists of more than four songs.

B．Rahma, Davido, Nora and Manal jointly composed Light the Sky.

C．The soundtrack is made up of several attractive and inspiring songs.

D．Arabian singers across different musical genres are more popular.

3. Where can we find the text?

A．In a book

B．On a website

C．In a newspaper

D．In a magazine

8 . More and more people around the world are joining in dangerous sports. Some people climbed the highest mountains; some traveled to unknown parts of the world; some sailed small boats across the largest sea. Now some people begin to look for new excitement.

Bungee jumping and motorcycle racing (摩托车赛) are quite thrilling sports. Bungee jumping only lasts for a few minutes or even seconds. You jump from a high place, about 200 meters above the ground, and there is a rubber band (橡胶带子) tied to your legs. When you jump down, the rubber band pulls you up. About 2,000,000 people around the world have tried bungee jumping.

Why do people join in these dangerous sports? Some scientists say that it is because modern life has become safe and it is not interesting. In the past, people lived in danger. They had to go out and look for food, and life was like a fight but was interesting.

Many people think that there is little excitement in life. They live and work in safe places, buy food in shops, and there are doctors and hospitals to look after them if they become ill.

1. People like to join in dangerous sports because ________.

A．they have a lot of free time

B．they can go to the hospital if they are hurt

C．they need excitement

D．they don’t need to look for food

2. What does the underlined word in Para 2 mean?

A．safe

B．dangerous

C．beautiful

D．ancient

3. The following statements are right EXCEPT________?

A．everyone’s life is dangerous now.

B．many people live and work in safe places.

C．many people buy food in shops.

D．people can go to see the doctors when they become ill.

9 . Have you heard of the following events?

Sheep shearing (修剪)

It’s a big sport in New Zealand, which proudly hosts the annual Golden Shears International Championships. Held in the town of Masterton in March, the four-day event seeks to identify the world’s fastest sheep shearer. The event is not all about shearing; live bands bring a party atmosphere to it. It’s attractive to many tourists.

Lucha libre

It’s a form of freestyle wrestling with a devoted fan base in its native Mexico. Competitors are famous for their well-made masks, which keep their identities a secret. That’s until they are defeated in the fight, which often requires losers to show their faces. Don’t forget to bring some loose change: when viewers are impressed by a victorious wrestler, they throw money at them. You may enjoy the event once a year.

Lawnmower (割草机) racing

This annual sport now has its own governing body—the British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLRA). It has a 30-race championship that runs from May to October. Most races are part of larger rural events, such as the Cranleigh Show in Surrey, where viewers can experience other events. The BLRA remains un-commercial and donates all profits to organizations that help people who are poor, sick, or in difficulties.

Wife carrying

Every year a small town of Sonkajaervi in Finland hosts the event: the International Wife Carrying Championships. During this competition, husbands have to carry their wives along the track which is 250 m long and features several barriers on land and a 1-m deep water pool. Two couples start at the same time and run as fast as they can. The winning couple is the one that completes the course in the shortest time.

1. What are viewers advised to do while watching Lucha libre?

A．Wear a mask.	B．Cheer for the loser.
C．Look at the wrestler’s face.	D．Take some coins with them.

2. Which event is related to charity work?

A．Sheep shearing.	B．Lawnmower racing.
C．Lucha libre.	D．Wife carrying.

3. What do the events listed in the text have in common?

A．They are held annually.	B．They attract many tourists.
C．They are international sports.	D．They are favored by the young.

10 . Tobogganing, or sledding (雪橇), likely comes before the colonization of North America. Records show that Canada’s First Peoples used small sleds to transport their belongings and food between camps, Raymond Flower writes in The History of Skiing and Other Winter Sports. But modern-day sled races can trace their origins back to the Swiss Alps in the late 1800s when British tourists decided to race in wooden luges (a sled used by one person) that locals had used to travel through snow. The origin is debatable in snowy northern New York, however, where there $ evidence that Albany held bobsled (a sled used by two or more people) races as early as 1885.

Wherever they began, sled races quickly became popular. The famous Cresta Run, named after the Swiss town near the base of its course, was built in 1885 using snowbanks. The first organized competition was in 1898, hosted by the first bobsled club in nearby St.Moritz (a city in Switzerland). It was then that sledding began to separate from the luge to include two new sports: bob sledding, and skeleton sledding (俯式雪橇).

Cresta Run is considered the birthplace of the skeleton, a particularly daring form of sledding. Unlike the luge, where competitors ride feet-first on a sled with metal runners, the skeleton sledding is a steel sled with a slim appearance. Riders lie down on the sled headfirst, then drop suddenly down an ice track. Bobsledding, meanwhile, involves teams of two to four in which the person in front controls directions and the player in back brakes when needed. It earned its name after competitors started swinging back and forth to speed up the sled.

Bobsledding initially overtook skeleton sledding in popularity, becoming one of a handful of sports played at the first Winter Games in 1924. The skeleton sledding was limited to the Cresta Run for decades because other bob runs around the world were not built for the steel skeleton sled. But in the 1970s, adjustments were made to both the skeleton and bob runs in order to include the event at future winter games.

1. What can we infer about Raymond Flower?

A．He is a writer.

B．He is good at sledding.

C．He invented the sledding race.

D．He set the first record of sledding.

2. How does skeleton sledding differ from the luge?

A．Skeleton sledding runs on metal runners.

B．Skeleton sledding doesn’t have back brakes.

C．Riders on Skeleton sledding sled with their feet.

D．Skeleton sledding needs players to lie down on it headfirst.

3. What limited the popularity of skeleton sledding?

A．Its special shape.

B．Its speed.

C．Its steel runners.

D．Its unsuitable adjustments.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Why is sledding so popular?

B．How did sledding develop in Switzerland?

C．What are sledding adventures about?

D．How did people kill time in North America?