1 . We have separate house rules for kids to make sure the LearnEnglish Kids site is a safe environment. So you must follow these rules, and read them carefully.
| Do: | Don’t: |
| ●Use English only. It’s OK to make mistakes —don’t worry! ●Write only in the parents’ section on the site. ●Write about the topic of the page or a reply to other comments(评论). ●Be polite and respect other people’s opinions. ●Use your own words. ●Change your password if you think someone knows it. | ●Don’t write personal information that can give away your children. ●Don’t put contact information in comments. ●Don’t write in the kids’ section on the site. ●Don’t be impolite or hurtful to other people, or use bad language. ●Don’t tell anyone your password! |
We read all comments before we publish them. We do not publish comments that break the house rules. If you think a comment is breaking the house rules, please contact us.
Remember: LearnEnglish Kids is for children who are learning English. If you are a parent or teacher, you can become a member, but you must create a parents or teachers account (账户).
If your child is 12 or younger, they can create a kids account on LearnEnglish Kids.
If your child is 13-17, they can use our website for teenagers.
1. When you make comments on the site, you should ________.| A．use Chinese | B．write down your own name |
| C．write in the children’s section | D．respect other people’s views |
| A．create a safe environment | B．make sure the safety of a kids account |
| C．help kids learn English through the website | D．make sure the safety of kids’ personal information |
| A．the Internet | B．a newspaper | C．a magazine | D．a story book |
2 . Dickens was the most popular novelist of his time, and remains one of the best-known and most-read of English authors. He created some of the world’s best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.
Among fellow writers, Dickens has been admired. Leo Tolstoy, G. K. Chesterton, and George Orwell praised his realism and comic voice as well as his drawing people’s attention to children and the poor. The French writer Jules Verne called Dickens his favorite writer, writing his novels “stand alone, dwarfing all others by their amazing power and suitable expression.” The Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh was inspired by Dickens’s novels in several of his paintings like Vincent’s Chair and in an 1889 letter to his sister stated that reading Dickens, especially A Christmas Carol, was one of the things that was keeping him from killing himself
A Christmas Carol is most probably his best-known story, with frequent new adaptations. It is also the most-filmed of Dickens’ stories, with many versions dating from the early years of cinema. According to the historian Ronald Hutton, the current state of the observance of Christmas is largely the result of a mid-Victorian revival of the holiday spearheaded by A Christmas Carol. William Makepeace Thackeray called the book “a national benefit, and to every man and woman who reads it a personal kindness”.
At a time when Britain was the major economic and political power of the world, Dickens highlighted the life of the forgotten poor and disadvantaged within society. Through his journalism he campaigned on specific issues — such as sanitation and the workhouse — but his fiction probably demonstrated its greatest prowess (非凡的才能) in changing public opinion on class inequalities. The exceptional popularity of Dickens’ novels not only displayed his outstanding ability to create attractive storylines and unforgettable characters, but also ensured that the Victorian public confronted issues of social justice that had commonly been ignored.
1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?| A．Vincent van Gogh appreciates Dickens’ novels very much. |
| B．George Orwell sees Dickens’ novels as a minor of society. |
| C．Jules Verne thinks highly of Dickens and Dickens’ novels. |
| D．Dickens’ fellow writers comment on his novels positively. |
| A．Critical. | B．Appreciative. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Unconcerned. |
| A．Their highlights of the public life in the Victorian era. |
| B．Their vivid characters and focus on social inequalities. |
| C．Their presentation of Dickens’ love for his journalism. |
| D．Their description of British economic and political power. |
| A．Science. | B．Entertainment. |
| C．Literature. | D．Health. |
3 . Every man dreams of having a good car.With luxury cars,like Bentley, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce,going into the world of SUVs, if you have deep pockets, you will be spoilt for choice.
？Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Using a new aerodynamic system allows it to set a car lap record of 6:44 97 at Nurburgring,one of the longest and most challenging circuits in the world.Plus,carbon fiber can be seen everywhere,which makes the car strong and lightweight.There 're only 900 being built and you' ll need to cough up $517,770 to buy one.
？Aston Martin DBX
The DBX is Aston Martin's maiden SUV product.It features a choice of two gas engines-a 4.0-liter V8 from Mercedes and a 5.2-liter V12 from its own.The price is predicted to be around S250,000.
？Audi E-tron
Being an eco-friendly motoring.it is an all-electric SUV that makes up for its rather ordinary appearance with design,luxury and technology.At the front and back are electric motors which insure progress is rapid.In addition to plenty of storage space,the Audi E-tron provides side cameras instead of side mirrors and air suspension that adapts to the terrain(地形）。Hand over$74,800 and it's yours.
？Tesla Roadster
Tesla Roadster will turn most heads,Zero to 60 in 1.9 seconds means it will leave most cars for dust.The top speed is 250 mph,which is also unheard of for most cars-let alone an all-electric one.Having advanced autonomous driving systems and a huge touchscreen for surfing the Internet,it won't make you regret for paying$200,000.
1. What's the meaning of the underlined sentence in the first paragraph?| A．If your pockets are deep,you will have many choices. |
| B．If you have enough money,it will be difficult for you to make a decision. |
| C．If you have much money,you will be spoiled. |
| D．If you have little money,you will have many choices. |
| A．It offers two gas engines. |
| B．It is an all-electric SUV. |
| C．It uses lightweight materials. |
| D．It has the most challenging circuit. |
| A．Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. | B．Aston Martin DBX. |
| C．Audi E-tron. | D．Tesla Roadster |
| A．Self-driving systems. | B．A gas-saving engine. |
| C．Side cameras. | D．Much storage space. |
| A．entertainment | B．sports |
| C．science | D．advertisement |
4 . One of the best things you can do for your health is to drop a few pounds. Or maybe more than a few pounds.
Being overweight increases your danger of heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and the list seems almost endless. You'd better find several simple things you can do on a daily basis — such as making rules of eating more vegetables and less fat and getting more physical activities.
After breakfast, make water your primary drink. At breakfast, go ahead and drink orange juice. But throughout the rest of the day, focus on water instead of juice or soda. The average American consumes (消耗) an extra 245 calories a day from soft drinks. That's nearly 90,000 calories a year — or 25 pounds! An research shows that neither the calories nor sugary drinks give you a sense of fullness the way that food does.
People take only 2,000 to 3,000 steps a day. Adding 2,000 steps will help you keep your present weight and stop gaining weight. Adding more than that will help you lose weight.
Eat five or six small meals or snacks a day instead of three large meals. A 1999 South African study found that when men ate parts of their morning meal at intervals over five hours, they consumed almost 20 percent fewer calories at lunch than when they ate a single breakfast.
1. Where is the passage probably taken from?| A．A travelling diary. | B．A story book. |
| C．A science magazine. | D．An English dictionary. |
| A．Eating more vegetables. |
| B．Getting more exercise. |
| C．Having less sugary drinks. |
| D．Having three large meals. |
| A．Healthy Eating Habits | B．Tips on Losing Weight |
| C．Daily Diet and Calories | D．Exercise Stops Diseases |
| A．Lots of diseases are related to being overweight. |
| B．Those who have a single breakfast eat less at lunch time. |
| C．Taking 4,000 to 5,000 steps a day can help you lose weight. |
| D．An average American consumes 25 pounds of soft drinks a year. |
5 . An increasing part of the world is becoming artificially lit. Artificial light is often seen as a sign of progress: the march of civilization shines a light in the dark; it takes back the night. But some scientists argue that unnaturally bright nights are bad not just for astronomers but also for nocturnal (夜间的) animals and even for human health.
Now research shows the night is getting even brighter. From 2012 to 2016 the earth’s artificially lit area expanded by about 2.2 percent a year, according to a study published last November in Science Advances. However, the measurement does not include light from most of the energy–efficient LED lamps that have been replacing sodium-vapor (钠气灯) technology in cities all over the world ,says Christopher Kyba, a postdoctoral researcher at the German Research Center for Geosciences in Potsdam.
The new data came from a NASA satellite instrument called the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIRS). It can measure long wavelengths of light, such as those produced by traditional yellow-and-orange sodium-vapor street lamps. But VIIRS cannot see the short-wavelength blue light produced by white LEDs. This light has been shown to disturb human sleep cycles and nocturnal animals’ behavior.
The team believes the ongoing switch to LEDs caused already bright countries such as Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the U.S. to register as having stable levels of lighting in the VIIRS data. In contrast, most nations in South America, Africa and Asia brightened, suggesting increases in the use of traditional lighting.
In 2016, a study showed that one third of the world’s population currently lives under skies too bright to see the Milky Way at night. Between 2012 and 2016 the median nation pumped out 15 percent more long-wavelength light as its GDP increased by 13 percent. Overall, counties' total light production correlated with their GDP.
1. Which of the following can best describe artificial light?| A．Convenient but unnatural. | B．Useful but energy-consuming. |
| C．Progressive but uncomfortable. | D．Civilized but harmful. |
| A．Traditional lighting is not used in those countries. |
| B．LED lights are increasingly used in those countries. |
| C．Efforts to reduce harmful light work in those countries. |
| D．People do enjoy stable lighting in those countries. |
| A．To show artificial light has an association with GDP. |
| B．To demonstrate GDP plays an important part in the median nation. |
| C．To stress the median nation was to blame for the light problem. |
| D．To suggest artificial light should be banned in the future. |
| A．A biology textbook. | B．A book review. |
| C．A science magazine. | D．A science fiction. |
6 . The Best Family Reunion Spot in Every State
The location for your family reunion could make the event. Choose one of these unique and comfortable spots in every state.
Alabama—Doublehead Resort, Town Creek
You can’t beat the waterfront cottages available at Doublehead Resort. Each has a washer and a full kitchen. A cottage can sleep ten people, making this resort the perfect relaxing location for your family reunion. This could be the setting for another funny family vacation story.
Arkansas—Whitney Mountain Lodge, Garfield
This Northwest Arkansas hotel has a breathtaking view of Beaver Lake. Located between the Rockies and the Appalachians, this peaceful site is the perfect place to escape with your family. They have three private dining rooms, all available for rent for your events. Arkansas might not be the first family reunion destination that comes to mind, but it has one of the coolest hidden sightseeing.
California—The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, Solvang
If budget isn’t an issue, book a family reunion at the Alisal Guest Ranch Resort in the Santa Ynez Valley. This 10,000-acre cattle ranch (牧场) is the ideal reunion spot for horse-back-riding families, and there’s also a spa for the family members who would prefer to relax.
Delaware—Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes
Enjoy a beachside reunion at one of Delaware’s most scenic state parks. The pavilion (大帐篷) is available for rent, so make your base camp at the group site as you have fun at the two beaches and 18-hole golf course. You can also climb up to a former military bunker (碉堡) for a brief history lesson.
1. What is Doublehead Resort special about?| A．The weather. | B．The sightseeing. |
| C．Its stories. | D．Its cottages. |
| A．Doublehead Resort. | B．Whitney Mountain Lodge. |
| C．Cape Henlopen State Park. | D．The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort. |
| A．Daily life. | B．Travel guide. |
| C．Entertainment. | D．Environment. |
7 . Four Sydney Youth Stamp Group (SYSG) workshops are held each year during the school holidays for children aged 7 to 17. We have a Junior group (7 to 11 year olds) and a Senior group (12to 17 year olds). The workshops are for children at home and abroad, who want to further their stamp collecting enjoyment and skills, and we especially welcome those who are new to this field.
2020 Workshop Dates:
Friday 24 January 2020-- Theme: Italy
Saturday 18 April 2020--Theme: Sport in Australia
Saturday 18 July 2020--Theme: USA
Saturday 10 October 2020-- Theme: Netherlands
Cost: Free
Venue: Philatelic Association of NSW, Inc. (Philas House) 17 Brisbane Street, Surry Hills
Time: 10:30am to 3:00pm (children are to be seated by 10:30am. Parents, please arrive a little earlier to have your children’s names checked off)
How to book: Download a registration form, click here (PDF 24kb). Complete the form and mail it to the Coordinator ( 协调者)。The Coordinator will send you an email confirming your booking. Bookings are accepted up to 28 days before each workshop. Parents can also email the Coordinator to add your name to our mailing list, you will receive a letter in the mail and registration form, about our next workshop.
Items (物品) children can bring(we understand beginners may not have some of these items, but do not worry, just come along):
Stamp Album, with or without stamps
Lead pencil, coloured pencils, scissors, ruler, ballpoint or felt-tip pen
Australian Stamp Catalogue (Seven Seas- - preferably a fairly recent edition)
1. Who are most welcomed in the SYSG workshops?| A．Junior group members. |
| B．Senior group members. |
| C．Foreign stamp collectors. |
| D．Beginners of stamp collecting. |
| A．Sport in Australia | B．Netherlands |
| C．Italy | D．America |
| A．A website. | B．A children magazine. |
| C．A tourist brochure. | D．A newspaper. |
8 . The decline in sea ice seen in the Arctic in recent decades has been linked by scientists to the spread of a deadly virus in marine (海洋的) mammals. Researchers found that Phocine distemper virus (PDV) had spread from animals in the North Atlantic to populations in the North Pacific.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the ice has been retreating by around 12% per decade between 1979 and 2018. These sea ice changes in September (2018) are likely unprecedented (前所未有的) for at least 1, 000 years. “Between 1979 and 2018, the real proportion (比例) of multi-year ice that is at least five years old has declined by approximately 90%,” the IPCC said in their report on the oceans and the cryosphere (冰冻圈) published in September.
Against this changing background, researchers have investigated the likely spread of the PDV infection, which caused a large number of deaths among harbour seals in the North Atlantic in 2002. Melting sea ice is now connecting marine mammals, like these Steller sea lions, which were formerly separated by ice . “As animals move and come in contact with other species, they carry opportunities to introduce and catch new infectious disease, with potentially destructive effects.” said author Dr Tracey Goldstein, from the University of California, Davis.
The authors warn that this trend could continue as they believe climate driven changes in the Arctic ocean will increase. The opportunities for the spread of PDV will likely grow, with uncertain health outcomes for many species.
1. What does the word “populations” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．The marine mammals. | B．The people. |
| C．The virus. | D．The land animals. |
| A．The loss of sea ice. | B．The formation of sea ice. |
| C．The effect of sea ice. | D．The proportion of sea ice. |
| A．How marine mammals adapt to their habitats. |
| B．How a large number of seals died in the Arctic. |
| C．How melting ice is linked to the spread of virus. |
| D．How marine mammals live with the melting ice. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Health. |
| C．Education. | D．Nature. |
9 . Good news! Job offered.
Science Technician
Term time plus 10 days, 37 hours per week
We are looking for a technician to provide a technical support service for science teaching staff. Applications are to be received no later than midnight on 10th February 2019.
Receptionist Administration
Full time
A receptionist is required from 1st February 2019 at Dartford Science & Technology College. The position is only from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Friday, with an hour's break for lunch every day. The successful applicant must have a good telephone manner, good interpersonal skills and IT skills.
Health & Social Care Teacher
Our client, an 11—18 mixed comprehensive school in Ealing, West London, is currently seeking a teacher for Health & Social Care. The position will be a full-time post until July 2020. We require an energetic teacher to develop the learning potential of students. We are seeking someone with excellent subject knowledge who can combine academic strictness and achievement with enjoyment of teaching Health & Social Care.
If you are keen to work, click the button below.
1. The receptionist to be employed will work .| A．20 hours a week | B．37 hours a week |
| C．38.5 hours a week | D．34.5 hours a week |
| A．A full-time science teacher |
| B．A teacher with the ability to get along with people |
| C．A teacher with excellent knowledge about Health & Social Care |
| D．A technician who can provide a technical support service |
| A．on the Internet | B．in a novel |
| C．in a magazine | D．in a newspaper |
10 . While jewelry made from gold can be beautiful, most people admit that wearing the heavy metal over long periods of time can get a little annoying. Now, researchers from Swiss university ETH Zurich have created a new form of lightweight gold that weighs five to ten times less than traditional 18-carat gold—which typically consists of 75 percent gold and 25 percent copper—but has the same purity.
The researchers began by mixing gold with water, salt, protein fibers and other materials. They then replaced the water with alcohol and placed the mixture inside a high-pressure carbon dioxide (CO2) box. The reaction between the gas and alcohol transformed the golden plastic into a light material that can be heated to melt and made into whatever form was needed. "This gold has some characteristics of plastic,” says team leader Raffaele Mezzenga, professor of Food and Soft Materials at ETH Zurich.
In addition to being lighter, the "plastic” gold has other advantages over traditional forms. It can be melted into shape at about 105 degrees Celsius, much lower than the 1,064 degrees Celsius required to melt pure 24-carat gold. The metal's firmness can be easily adjusted by changing the components at the beginning of the process. It is also much easier to vary the color. "As a general rule, our approach lets us create almost any kind of gold we choose, in line with the desired properties, says Mezzenga.
The researchers, who published their study in the journal Advanced Functional Materials on January 10, 2020, believe the new lightweight gold will be able to replace the metallic version in most traditional applications, including jewelry and watches. However, given that most buyers associate high-quality gold with weight, that may take some time. But the material will undoubtedly be beneficial for use inside electronic devices, chemical catalysts (催化剂),and even radiation shielding.
1. Why do many people find the traditional gold annoying?| A．It costs too much。 |
| B．Its purity is too low. |
| C．It feels too heavy to wear long. |
| D．Its beauty lasts a short time, |
| A．The functions of the "plastic" gold. |
| B．The components of the "plastic” gold. |
| C．The characteristics of the "plastic” gold. |
| D．The production process of the "plastic" gold. |
| A．It is easier to process. |
| B．It is more widely used. |
| C．It has a lower temperature. |
| D．It is more convenient to get. |
| A．A diary. | B．A guidebook. |
| C．A novel. | D．A magazine. |
