Want to improve your writing skills? New Writing South is directing the way!
·Towner Writer Squad (班组)for kids aged 13-17
Led by comedy and TV writer, Marian Kilpatrick, Towner Writer Squad will meet once a month at the contemporary art museum for 11 months, starting 12 October, 2014.
The FREE squad sessions will include introductions to a wide range of writing styles, from poetry to play writing and lyrics (抒情诗)to flash fiction, to support the development of young writers.
Application & Selection
If you would like to apply to be part of the Towner Writer Squad, please send a sample piece of your writing (about 500 words), responding to the title‘LUNCH,’with your name, age, address and e-mail address to: debo@newwritingsouth.com.
Once all applications are in, com you will be invited to an open selection event on 17 September,4-5pm, at the gallery of Towner. This will be an informal opportunity to meet the Squad Leader, Squad Associate and other young people.
You will also have a chance to get to know the fantastic gallery space and get a taste of what’s to come.
Deadline for applications: 8 September, 2014
For further information go to: facebook.com/towner or towner.org.uk or newwritingsouth.com
Any questions 一 feel free to send your e-mail to Towner Writer Squad Associate: whame@towner.gov.uk
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·Beginner Writing Project for kids aged 10-13
Due to popular demand, a writing project will be started for eager beginners.
Start time: 6 September, 2014
Meet every other Saturday,2-4pm, at the Towner Study Centre.
Study and write at your own pace 一 you do not have to rush 一 as you have a year to go through the project. Practise under the guidance of some experienced writers and teachers who can help you with basic writing skills. Most importantly, build confidence and have fun while writing!
No previous experience or special background is required. Many others have been successful this way. If they can do it, why can’t you?
Fee: £179
For more information go to: newtowner.org.uk or generate.org.uk
Towner Writer Squad will be started _______.
A.to train comedy and TV writers |
B.to explore the fantastic gallery space |
C.to introduce a contemporary art museum |
D.to promote the development of young writers |
To join the Writer Squad,each applicant should first _______.
A.provide a piece of their writing |
B.meet the Writer Squad Leader |
C.offer their family information |
D.complete an application form |
Applications for the Writer Squad should be e-mailed no later than _______.
A.6 September, 2014 |
B.8 September, 2014 |
C.17 September, 2014 |
D.12 October, 2014 |
What is most important for the beginners?
A.Practising as much as possible. |
B.Gaining confidence and having fun. |
C.Studying and writing at their own pace. |
D.Learning skills from writers and teachers. |
More information about Beginner Writing Project can be found at _______.
A.facebook.com/towner |
B.newwritingsouth.com |
C.newtowner.org.uk |
D.towner.org.uk |
Chinese media and Internet users on Monday condemned lack of morals in society after a toddler was struck twice –by two different vans-and left bleeding on the road as more than a dozen bystanders did nothing to help the seriously injured girl.
The incident, captured by a surveillance camera and broadcast by Southern Television Guangdong (TVS),showed the two-year-old girl was knocked down and run over by a white van on a narrow market street on the afternoon of Oct.13,in Foshan City of Guangdong Province.
The driver fled the scene of the accident,leaving the girl to bleed on the sidewalk.Over the next six minutes,more than a dozen people walked by the girl,yet not one individual did anything to help her.The girl was then hit a second time by another van before an elderly trash collector came to her aid and brought the attention of the girl’s mother,according to the video and eyewitnesses.
Doctors said that the girl,who was put on life support after being hospitalized,remains in a deep coma.The girl’s parents,who are migrants living in the city,are now with her.
Police said the drivers of both vehicles have been arrested.However,the apathy of the bystanders shown in the video has shocked the public,as Internet forums have seethed with anger, and people are questioning the morality of society.
High moral standards were once triumphed as national pride in China where individuals known for selflessly helping others were adored by the public.
But in recent years,the perception(观念)of a decline of morals has become a hot topic as profit and materialism are perceived to be affecting society’s values.
On Sept.2 an 88-year-old man in central China collapsed,his face striking the pavement.Yet,no one came to his aid,and he ended up choking to death on the blood from his nose.
Some have linked the absence of good Samaritans (模范人物)to a previous case in which a man trying to help an elderly woman who fell was accused of harming her.
A strong chorus of opinion on the Internet says laws should exempt(免除)Samaritans from liability(责任),yet laws themselves cannot solve society’s morality dilemma.
Cao Lin,a China Youth Daily commentator,said in a signed article published on Monday that the worry of liability should not be an excuse for not helping,and this case exposes the decline of humanity in Chinese society.According to the passage,what would happen if someone helped others selflessly in the past?
A.He/ she would be condemned by the public. |
B.He/ she would be awarded by the government. |
C.He/ she would have to worry about liability. |
D.The public would feel proud of him/ her and thus showed love and respect for him/ her |
Which of the following is TRUE about this passage?
A.Nobody helped the girl who was struck twice by two different vans. |
B.The toddler died immediately after she was hit a second time. |
C.High moral standards were once regarded as national pride in China. |
D.Journalists from TVS captured the incident by using a camera. |
In recent years,society’s values is believed to be affected by.
A.profit and materialism | B.people’s perceptions |
C.the apathy of bystanders | D.the morals of society |
According to Cao Lin,what is the fundamental reason for not helping the girl?
A.The worry of liability. |
B.Lack of laws that exempt Samaritans from liability. |
C.The decline of humanity in society. |
D.The fear of being accused of harming her. |
Where is the article most probably taken from?
A.A fashion magazine. | B.A news report. |
C.A science fiction. | D.An education column. |
Many facts suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse, according to the doctors. I feel there are a number of reasons for this.
Some people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken and ice cream, at low prices. This has turned out a whole generation of grown-ups who seldom cook a meal for themselves. If there were fewer of these restaurants, then probably children would buy less take-away food.
There is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight. I agree with this, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast food shops. If children are given fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food, or are always allowed to choose what they eat, they will go for sweet and salty foods every time, and this will carry on throughout their lives.
There is a third reason for this situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home, they sit in front of the television or their computers and play computer games. Not only is this an unhealthy pastime(消遣), it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food. What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports.
The above are the main reasons for this problem, and therefore we have to encourage young people to be more active, as well as steering them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits.What kind of children may eat more unhealthy food according to the text? (回答词数不超过6个)
Why do the author thinks that children are becoming overweight? (回答词数不超过10个)
What is the main purpose of the text? (回答词数不超过4个)
What does the passage mainly talk about? (回答词数不超过5个)
Wen Jiabao arrived in Singapore yesterday for an official visit to the country. It is the first visit by a Chinese premier to Singapore in eight years. In the arrival statement, When said he is looking forward to the meeting with Singing pore on ways to deepen East Asian cooperation between two nations so as to contribute to the building of a peaceful, harmonious relationship.
Premier Wen Jiabao and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed to jointly develop an environmentally friendly city in northeastern China. The city will be a model for sustainable development, a Singapore government statement said.The”Sino-Singapore Tjanjin Eco—city” will be developed by a joint venture formed by Chinese and Singapore companies.”This eco-city, to be built in Tianjin, well become another highlight in our relations,” When said after signing an agreement with Lee, who agreed,“On the Singapore side, on all levels,we’ll give this project our full support.”
The two sides will share expertise and experiences in urban planning, environmental protection, resources conservation,recyeling,use of renewable resources and wastewater re-use. China’s economil planning agency issued a set of guidelines earlier this month welcoming foreign investment in environmentally friendly areas such as recycling,”clean”industries and environmental protection.
Bilateral relations between China and Singapore have seen big progress even though the two countries established diplomatic ties only 17 years ago, When said during his talks with Lee.
China and Singapore have also kept close contact and coordination on regional issues, he added. When said China and Singapore are both important Asian countries that share common interests in many areas.
Title: Wen’s visit to Singapore
Main points |
contexts |
General |
To To |
Agreements |
Another |
Co-operation in city planning, environment protection, recycling and so on for |
|
Co-operation in |
|
Guidelines |
China’s |
Once upon a time, there was a scholar who wanted to gain more knowledge each day even though he had already gained enough knowledge. One day, he came to visit a saint and wanted to be his student. The saint provided some tea. He slowly filled the scholar’s cup: the cup was full, yet he kept pouring and pouring. The scholar burst out, “Stop! You can’t add anything to something that’s already full!” The saint set down the teapot and replied, “Exactly.”
Whether it’s the silence between notes in music, or some open time in your schedule, you need space to act effectively. Yet most of us, myself included, tend to stuff as much as possible into whatever room is available-closets, schedules, budgets, relationships, and even the mind itself.
However, some people know how to avoid overstuffing their life. For example, in Australia, it seemed that most people there operated at about 85% of their capacity(能力),unlike Americans pushing as close to 100% as possible. So when you run into Australians you know in the street, they have time to hang out and talk with you.
Remember the cup: its value is in the space, the emptiness it holds. How to empty your “cup”?
Be mindful of the element of space, openness , and emptiness in your life. This includes room in a drawer, the volume of air in a kitchen, and open-mindedness in a friend. Sometimes you’re just stuck with a big bucket of tasks yet to do. But at least empty the bucket faster than you fill it with new tasks. Put some space between finishing one thing and staring another. For example, after sending one email, take a breath before replying to another one. Drop the stuff you can no longer afford to lug around. At sea level, you can run with a brick in your backpack, but if you’re hiking on a mountain, that brick has got to go.By pouring water into the cup, the saint most probably wanted the scholar to know that.
A.he should pay attention to details |
B.he should keep learning every day |
C.he had already gained enough knowledge |
D.he should be very careful in order to succeed |
We learn that compared to Americans, Australians.
A.work much harder |
B.know less about their capacity |
C.spare more time for themselves |
D.spend less time with their friends |
The underlined word“lug”in the last paragraph probably means“”.
A.reach | B.carry | C.see | D.show |
What’s the structure of the passage?
A.Example →advice→ conclusion →story. |
B.Topic→ example →advice→ story. |
C.Story→topic →example→advice. |
D.Reason →topic →advice →example. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
A.The art of life. | B.Value every minute |
C.The art of drinking tea | D.Empty your“cup”at times |
British English and American English are almost the same. But there are slight differences between British and American English in vocabulary, pronunciation, spelling and grammar.
The first difference between British and American English is in vocabulary. Almost all of the words used in British English and American English are exactly the same. Only a very small number of words are used disparately. For example, Americans would say “apartment”, but the British would say “flat” to talk about the place where they live. In addition to some common words, many idiomatic(惯用的)expressions are different. In England people might say “I’ll ring you up tonight”, but in the US, people might say “I’ll call you up tonight”.
The second difference between British and American English is in Pronunciation. The main difference in pronunciation concerns the vowels(元音). Some American dialects and some British dialects use vowels in different ways. Sometimes, Americans and the British don’t understand each other’s pronunciation. But most of the time, the British and Americans do understand each other’s pronunciation because most of the sounds of the two dialects are the same.
The third difference is very small. This is the difference in spelling. A few types of words are spelled differently in British and American English. The most common example is in a word like “center”. In British English, this word would be spelled C-E-N-T-R-E, while in American English the same word would be spelled C-E-N-T-E-R. Another example is “or” vs “our”. The word “color”is spelled C-O-L-O-U-R in Britain but C-O-L-O-R in the US.
There are a few differences in grammar, too. The British may say “Have you got..?” while Americans prefer “Do you have..?” An American might say “my friend just arrived”, but a British would say “my friend has just arrived”. Sometimes function words are used differently: the British may say “at the weekend”, but Americans would say “on the weekend”.What is this passage mainly about?
A.The development of American English |
B.Differences between British and American English |
C.The influences of British English on American English |
D.The causes of the differences between British and American English |
What does the underlined word “disparately” in Paragraph 2 mean?
A.Frequently | B.Regularly | C.Eventually | D.Differently |
According to Paragraph 3, Americans and the British may find it hard to understand each other because of .
A.the different ways of using vowels |
B.the different idiomatic expressions they use |
C.the differences in grammar |
D.the differences in spelling |
Which of the following words probably belong to the American English vocabulary?
a. flavour b. theater c. humor d. centre e. kilometer f. honour g. color
A.abce | B.bcde | C.bceg | D.defg |
Which of the following sentences is most probably used by Americans?
A.I’ll learn with you at the weekend |
B.Have you got a dictionary? |
C.I’ll ring her up tonight. |
D.Do you have a pen? |