1 . Best Poetry Writing Contests in 2024

The Poetry. com Contest

Poetry. com offers monthly contests for poets worldwide to build passion and enjoyment for the creative poem writing process! Poems remain anonymous (匿名) before applicants vote on what they believe should be the winning entry.

Top Prize: $500

Additional prizes: personalized Poetry. com gifts for runners-up

Entry fee: $25

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Wine Country Writers’ Festival Writing Contest

Welcome to the 4th annual Wine Country Writers’ Festival (WCWF) writing contest. Three categories and over$1,800 total value in cash and prizes are to be awarded. Enter your short fiction or nonfiction (2,000 words max) or up to 48 lines of poetry. Judged blindly by professional writers. No previously published works.

Top Prize: $200

Additional prizes: free registration package to the Wine Country Writers’ Festival

Entry fee: $11

Deadline: June 02, 2024

Tom Howard Poetry Contest

Welcome to the 20th annual Tom Howard Poetry Contest. Submit your published or unpublished work, a poem in any style, whether it rhymes or not.

Top Prize: $3,000

Additional prizes: $200 for 10 honorable mentions

Entry fee: $20

Deadline: October 01, 2024

The One Page Poetry Contest

One Page Poetry focuses on the art of expressing a poetic theme on a single page, whether your poem is four lines or forty, whether yours is a love poem, inspirational poem, or just one that is fun. We welcome all poetic forms, as long as they fit on a single page.

Top Prize: $2,000

Additional prizes: 2nd: 1,000; 3rd: 500

Entry fee: $25

Deadline: September 30, 2024

1. Which of the following offers the highest top prize?

A．The Poetry. com Contest.	B．WCWF Writing Contest.
C．Tom Howard Poetry Contest.	D．The One Page Poetry Contest.

2. What is unique to Wine Country Writers’ Festival Writing Contest?

A．It is held once a year.	B．It has honorable mentions.
C．It judges entries blindly.	D．It accepts other types besides poetry.

3. What do the Poetry. com Contest and the One Page Poetry Contest have in common?

A．They charge $25 for entry fee.

B．They have professionals as judges.

C．They require poems on one page.

D．They offer tailored gifts as prizes.

2 . Beijing police said on Friday that a Chinese soccer fan who ran onto the field to hug soccer legend Lionel Messi during a match on Thursday in Beijing, has been detained (逮捕).

During a friendly match between Australia and Argentina in the Workers’ Stadium in the city’s Chaoyang district on Thursday, the fan, whose surname is Di, ran onto the field, giving a hug to his favorite footballer Messi. He was run after by security guards but he managed to flee and high-five Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez before being caught.

The match was only interrupted by Di’s act for a short period. On the field, Argentina triumphed over Australia with a 2-0 win eventually, although the game was likely to be remembered for other reasons.

In a series of videos posted online after the game the fan apologized to his hero for his “bad behavior”. “Messi, I’m sorry... I’m really sorry to meet you this way. I really wanted your signature , but they were running after me, so I didn’t ask for it,” he said.

The police said on Friday that Di, 18, has been given an administrative custody , with a ban of watching similar matches in stadiums within the next 12 months. The police did not tell clearly how many days Di will be detained, but under the Chinese law, punishment for such an offence is no more than 10 days. If the situation is serious, it could be expanded to 15days at most.

The police said, “There are rules of games. Players who break the rules will be punished by judges, or even get yellow or red card. Soccer fans watching games also have rules to follow. Acts that cross the lines will also be punished according to the law.”

A Chinese state media said while the fan’s passion was understandable, it did not support his behavior, adding that it would interrupt the game and end anger public safety.

Most people expressed their admiration for the fan’s courage because he did what they had wanted to do but dared not to. At the same time, they also criticized Di for not obeying the game rules and bringing many security risks to the event.

1. What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?

A．To give a brief introduction of the event.

B．To provide background information about the match.

C．To explain what fans should do when attending a game.

D．To warn the fans not to break the public rules.

2. Why was the Chinese soccer fan arrested by the police?

A．Because he gave a hug to the judge.

B．Because he interrupted the game for a long time.

C．Because he managed to escape punishment.

D．Because his behavior was against the rule of football match.

3. What does the underlined word “triumphed over” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Competed against.

B．Defeated.

C．Conflicted with.

D．Misunderstood.

4. What do most people think of Di’s behavior?

A．They totally admired his courage.

B．They criticized him for attacking the guard.

C．They disapproved of his breaking the rules.

D．They wanted to follow suit and hugged their favorite stars.

3 . Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix 2024

From April 19 to 21, the much-anticipated 2024 Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix will come alive with the roar of engines at the Shanghai International Circuit. Details about tickets for the event are as follows.

Ticket Price:

[Grandstand]              [Session]                                        [Price (RMB)]

A Platinum                    3 Day Ticket                                        3880

• A High                    3 Day/Fri./Sat./Sun. Ticket              2880/490/890/2490

• A Low                    3 Day/Fri./Sat./Sun. Ticket              2280/390/690/1990

• H/K                           3 Day/Fri./Sat./Sun. Ticket              1480/290/590/1290

• C/F/J/L                    3 Day Ticket                                        480

Ticketing Instructions:

• This event adopts electronic tickets with one ticket per person. Children require a full-priced ticket, and children under the age of three are not allowed entry.

• For each session of this event, a maximum of 4 tickets per mobile phone number and 1 ticket per ID card number can be purchased. When purchasing tickets, buyers must provide the audience’s real name, a valid personal ID, and a valid mobile phone number. After a successful purchase, ticket purchasers should retain e-ticket seat information appropriately.

• Ticket refunds can be requested without fees from the date of purchase until 24: 00 on February 29, 2024. From 00:00 on March 1, 2024, to 24: 00 on April 15, 2024, refunds will invite a 10% handling fee. No refunds will be accepted from 00: 00 on April 16, 2024. Returned within 7 working days.

• This event implements real-name verification with ID card and facial recognition for entry.

• The schedule and arrangement of the competition may be subject to changes, and please stay tuned to Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix official WeChat and Weibo for the latest information.

1. What should be offered to buy a ticket?

A．The audience’s nickname.	B．The audience’s e-ticket seat information.
C．The audience’s WeChat number.	D．The audience’s available phone number.

2. How much will be returned if a couple return their Sat. Ticket of K on March 15?

A．59 yuan.

B．531 yuan.

C．1, 062 yuan.

D．1, 180 yuan.

3. What can we know about Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix 2024?

A．It will last 7 days.	B．It will be exciting and noisy.
C．It doesn’t limit the audience’s age.	D．It will never be postponed or cancelled.

4 . Scholarship Competition

(140 Scholarships available)

Contribute to improving the world with IED！

If you’re passionate about Design, Fashion, Visual Arts, or Communication, seize the opportunity to be part of our contest. You could win one of 140 scholarships offered by Fondazione Francesco Morelli, IED. These scholarships cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fees for Bachelor’s Degree programs, Five-Year Diplomas, Four-Year Diplomas, and Foundation Courses available at our campuses in Milan.

Humanity, the environment, and sustainability are key in design. We deeply include this philosophy, evident in every course and project we undertake. While there are many angles to approach this theme, what matters is our collective goal.

Find inspiration in the world around you, release your creativity, and push your boundaries.

To enter the scholarship competition, submit your concept by June 22nd. Your concept should solve a major planetary issue, identify its causes, and propose design-driven solutions.

Your concept is required to be developed in 2 steps: a mood board and a text.

·The digital mood board is your chance to express yourself using any technique or style you like. It’s a collection of images, objects, colors, and words, whether in physical or digital form. By mixing images and objects, the mood board helps you see different angles of your project and boosts your creative process.

·In the text (which should be between 150 and 300 words), explain your idea, why you chose the design of your mood board, and what inspired you to use that language and technique.

Combine both your text and mood board into one file, keeping it under 8 MB and saving it in any commonly used format. If you decide to make a video, share the link to it on Vimeo.com or Youtube.com.

Make sure to read the regulations carefully and enter the competition. The deadline is June 22, 2024.

1. Who is the competition mainly intended for?

A．Any fashion design lover.	B．Any environmentalist.
C．University teachers in Milan.	D．Students for further education.

2. What is required to include in the competition entry?

A．A description with as many words as you like to use.

B．A video well linked on Vimeo.com or Youtube.com.

C．A combination of a mood board and a text into one file.

D．A design to show your great gratitude for scholarship.

3. What might be the theme for this year’s competition?

A．Creativity for human beings.	B．Creativity for the earth.
C．Creativity for scholarship.	D．Creativity for the degree.

5 . Defeating Daniil Medvedev in New York on Sunday, Djokovic, one of the greatest tennis player, bagging 24 Grand Slam (大满贯) singles titles, equalized the record held by Australian Margaret Court, the same number of singles titles in the all-time count.

With the victory, Djokovic became the oldest US Open men’s singles champion in the Open Era. In total, he has 10 Australian Opens, seven Wimbledons, four US Opens and three Roland Garros titles, making him the only man to win all four majors at least three times. “When I realized that, I started to dream new dreams and set new goals. I never imagined that I would be here talking about 24 Slams,” he said afterwards.

Djokovic reached all finals in the Grand Slams in 2023, and the only loss was at Wimbledon, when Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, 20, brought home the champion after an intense battle lasting four hours and 43 minutes.

Djokovic, at 36, shows few signs of losing physical edge. He stays healthy, keeps exceptional skills and always desires to win more. Capturing his first Grand Slam in 2008, Djokovic bagged half of his 24 major titles after he turned 30.

“One of the biggest lessons I have learned probably mentally throughout my career is that even if you find a formula (方案) that works, it’s not a guarantee, and actually most likely it’s not going to work the next year, so I keep reinventing myself and always trying to find better ways to win,” said Djokovic.

For Djokovic, who always gets tough when the going gets tough, 24 is just a number that he can go beyond. “I’ll continue to prioritize Grand Slams as my most important tournaments and where I want to play the best tennis. That will stay the same in the next season, or I don’t know how many more seasons I have in my legs,” he added, “So, let’s see.”

1. What does the underlined word “equalized” in the first paragraph probably mean?

A．Set.

B．Broke.

C．Levelled.

D．Approached.

2. What can we know about Djokovic according to the passage?

A．He won 12 Grand Slams in his thirties.

B．He won all the finals in the Grand Slams in 2023.

C．He attached the same importance to all the matches.

D．He is the oldest men’s singles champion in the open era.

3. What seems the “secret” of Djokovic’s great achievement?

A．Losing physical edge.	B．Attending more Grand Slams.
C．Following a good formula.	D．Finding flexible and proper strategies.

4. Which of the following can best describe Djokovic?

A．Confident and emotional.	B．Ambitious and devoted.
C．Aggressive and stubborn.	D．Enthusiastic and generous.

6 . Essay Contest

Imagine this: You’ve got all the power, money, and resources in the world to save the planet. What would you accomplish first, and how would you do it? In honor of Earth Day (April 22), we’re looking for creative and resourceful environmental solutions to save the Earth. As part of the most environmentally conscious generation in history, we know you’ve got ideas, and we’re looking forward to hearing them!

Deadline: April 1st, 2024
Rules:
● You must be a teen (aged 13-19) with a Teen Ink account to enter.
● No inappropriate content.
● Submissions must relate to the topic.
Guidelines and Details:
● Try to keep your essay limited to 300-400 words.
● There is no limit to the number of solutions you can submit.
How to Submit:
● Submit entries through our website. All entries submitted to Teen Ink are automatically considered for the contest.
● Submit your work to the “Hot Topics－Environment” category of Teen Ink. You can find this selection after selecting the initial “Article / Poetry” submission type.
Prizes:
● All participants will receive a certificate.
● First prize winners will each have their essays published in Teen Ink magazine and get a free 6-month magazine subscription.
● Second prize winners will each get a free 3-month magazine subscription and receive a $25 Amazon gift card.
● Honorable mentions will each receive a T-shirt.
1. Which requirement should be met for a qualified entry?

A．It should be in the form of poetry.	B．It should be submitted on April 1st, 2024.
C．It should be related to environmental solutions.	D．It should be a description of personal experience.

2. What is required of teens to join the contest?

A．They should have experience in nature conservation.	B．They should submit a recommendation letter.
C．They should register on Teen Ink.	D．They should write in English.

3. What will all winners get besides certificates?

A．A gift card.

B．A T-shirt.

C．Their published essays.

D．Free magazines.

7 . 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.

8 . For the first time in the competition’s history, two athletes are sharing a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships.

The USA’s Katie Moon and Australia’s Nina Kennedy found themselves in a difficult situation during the women’s pole vault (撑竿跳) final. They both cleared 4.90 meters, but neither managed to clear 4. 95 meters on any of their three attempts.

Kennedy says she looked at Moon and said, “Hey, girl, maybe you want to share this?”

“And the relief on her face — and you could see it on my face — and it was mutual (相互的). And yeah, absolutely incredible to share a medal with Katie Moon. You know, we’ve been friends for so long, so it’s super special,” Kennedy told reporters after the final.

Thousands of fans were on their feet at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, for Date 5of the competition, which hosts almost 2,000 athletes from 192 countries. The dramatic event lasted two hours and ten minutes. Katie Moon told FloTrack that as the final progressed, it became clear that very little separated the two athletes.

As the competition was going. I kept thinking. “I don’t want this to go to a jump-off (加赛),” Moon told sports journalist Anderson Emerole. “This competition was the toughest battle I’d say that I’ve had. It was very emotionally draining (消耗), and I think that’s why both of us were feeling like. ‘We’re not really feeling the jump- off right now.’”

It was Moon’s second consecutive gold medal at the World Championships. She also w on an Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021. With a personal record of 4. 95meters. Moon appeared to be the favorite.

Kennedy, however, did not back down. Not only did she set a new personal record, but she also broke the Australian record by eight centimeters when she sailed over the 4.90-meter high bar. She held back tears after the career-defining leap.

“It was a miracle to get the gold. I think a miracle happened tonight.” Kennedy told reporters.

1. What did Nina Kennedy suggest Katie Moon do?

A．Continue the competition.	B．Take a break first.
C．Share the gold medal.	D．Let go of the fear.

2. How did Katie Moon feel about Nina Kennedy’s proposal?

A．Joyful.

B．Confused.

C．Mixed.

D．Disappointed.

3. What can we infer about Nina Kennedy and Katie Moon?

A．They felt tired physically and mentally when competing.

B．They didn’t take the competition seriously.

C．They were looking forward to a jump-off.

D．They hadn’t won a gold medal before.

4. What was the previous Australian record for the women’s pole vault?

A．4.80 meters.

B．4.82 meters.

C．4.95meters.

D．4.98 meters.

9 . NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon

Join us on Sunday, April 28, 2024, for the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon! Starting in North Brooklyn, the route offers stunning waterfront views and passes under the historic Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges. Experience the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, from Fulton Street & Flatbush Avenue to the grandeur of Grand Army Plaza, and finish in Prospect Park.

Registration:

Fees for NYCRUNS members are $135 if registered by December 13th. Non-members pay $150. Register early to secure your spot in this unforgettable race! NYCRUNS members can enjoy a $10 discount on the registration fee. Additionally, up to 50% of the race fee can be covered using Race Credit.

Amenities:

NYCRUNS is known for putting on running events of the highest quality. After the race, celebrate your achievement with the official race shirt and an incredible medal with pride! When you finish, enjoy fresh Brooklyn bagels, NYS apples and more!

Awards:

Top finishers in various age groups will be recognized. Prize money will only be awarded to athletes who complete the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon in a gun time faster than the qualifying time. Athletes may be subject to drug testing to ensure a fair and equal field.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Non-profits interested in group volunteering, please contact us.

Transportation:

Public transportation recommended.

Closest stations: L train to Bedford Avenue, G train to Metropolitan Avenue.

Register today and be a part of this unforgettable Brooklyn experience!

1. What is the starting point of the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon?

A．Prospect Park.	B．North Brooklyn.
C．Williamsburg Bridge.	D．Manhattan Bridge.

2. How much is the early bird registration fee for non-members?

A．$75.

B．$135.

C．$150.

D．$200.

3. What can participants expect to receive after completing the race?

A．A shirt and a finisher’s medal.	B．Prize money based on the age.
C．Free transportation services.	D．A gift from NYS Apple Stores.

10 . The winning artworks from the first Young Botanical Artist Competition are appearing in an exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London. The competition was open to young people aged 16 to 25 and received more than 1, 000 entries from people in 77 countries.

Botanical art is a special type of drawing or painting that helps botanists describe plants and fungi. It brings to life the tiniest details of grasses, flowers and trees, including their colour and shape, and has been an important scientific tradition for hundreds of years. In fact, Kew Gardens, which is 264 years old and home to 50, 000 plants, has always had a botanical artist in its team.

The theme of the competition was trees, and the winner of the 16 to 18 age group was Marianna Zych (aged 17) from Poland. Her entry, Prunus Serrula, shows the delicately peeling bark of the Tibetan cherry tree, which Zych created with watercolours after just one month of painting classes. The winner of the 19 to 25 category was Khanh Ly Nguyen from Vietnam, whose watercolour, Bauhinia Variegata Leaf, reveals the clear details of an orchid tree leaf.

Both will appear in an exhibition of 50 artworks at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery at Kew Gardens. All of the featured artworks were picked for their creativity and accuracy by a panel of judges that included botanical artists from around the world. The exhibition runs until April 2024 and visitors are also being asked to vote for the People’s Choice award, which will be announced in April.

Maria Devaney, who manages galleries and exhibitions at Kew Gardens, said botanical art is about inspiring curiosity and discovering the natural world. “It’s been wonderful to see such an enthusiastic response to the competition as a whole,” she said. Dr Shirley Sherwood, a writer and botanist who collects plant pictures, said she was delighted to see first-hand the next generation of talented botanical artists.

1. What can be inferred about Marianna from the third paragraph?

A．She has formally studied painting since childhood.

B．She is from Poland which is full of Tibetan trees.

C．She has limited experience in watercolor painting.

D．She is famous for revealing the details of tree leaves.

2. What is Shirley’s attitude to the new generation of botanical artists?

A．Skeptical.

B．Indifferent.

C．Disappointed.

D．Optimistic.

3. What would be an appropriate title for this article?

A．The Historical Significance of Botanical Illustration

B．Young Talents Blossom at the Royal Botanic Gardens

C．The Evolution of Botanical Art in Modern Times

D．Gardening Tips from the Experts at Kew Gardens

4. Where could this article most likely have been published?

A．On a fashion website.	B．In a gardening magazine.
C．In an academic textbook.	D．In a cooking review journal.