1 . The Best National Parks to Visit in Winter
While most parks tend to draw families in the summer and fall, there are also ideal spots for adventurous winter trips.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The country’s oldest and best-known national park takes on an almost otherworldly atmosphere in winter: the air filled with rolling steam, the strong colors of hot springs, the surrounding white landscapes, let alone the impressive wildlife during this time, like bison, wolves, and playful red foxes. Just book a guided hiking tour to get a ranger’s perspective on the park and local people.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
With its giant red rocks and unique trees, you’ll feel like stepping onto a foreign planet as you spend hours hiking the Panorama Loop or Maze Loop. The park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, featuring virtually zero light pollution and the country’s best views of a starry sky.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
A significantly lower number of visitors in winter means you can take in unblocked views of the South Rim, and get to see the rare beauty of the Grand Canyon dusted with snow. For those adventurous and daring, it is recommended to hike the Bright Angel Trail and take the chance to see the canyon’s wintertime wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and bald eagles.
Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
Surprise! Not all wintertime national park trips need to involve snow. Virgin Islands National Park is most famous for its white-sand beaches. You can also hike inland to visit old sugar plantations, or venture out to the water to swim along with sea turtles and manta rays. You will definitely enjoy a different winter here.
1. Which park will one choose if he/she is interested in stars?| A．Yellowstone National Park. | B．Joshua Tree National Park. |
| C．Grand Canyon National Park. | D．Virgin Islands National Park. |
| A．We can have a poor view of the South Rim there. | B．It lies in an area with rolling steam and hot springs. |
| C．There is a slight decline in visitor numbers in winter. | D．The Bright Angel Trail is challenging in cold weather. |
| A．Hiking. | B．Skiing. | C．Swimming. | D．Hunting. |
2 . It’s currently December and Christmas is almost here. And what better way to spend time with your loved ones than sitting down to watch some classic Christmas movies? Listed below are four films that will make you laugh, cry or both this Yuletide (圣诞节期间).
The Grinch (2000)
This is a Christmas must-watch and one of Jim Carrey’s best performances. It was also originally a children’s book written by Dr Seuss, which I would recommend reading! It’s the story of a green monster who wants to ruin Christmas, but who in the end discovers the power of love and generosity. It sounds cheesy and cliché (陈词滥调), but I promise it’s a great film with plenty of laughs along the way.
Love Actually (2003)
While this is not a personal favourite of mine, people in the UK absolutely Jove this film. It has a star-studded cast, featuring actors and actresses such as Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. It might be a little difficult to follow as there are lots of different sub-plots, so I recommend watching a dubbed version (配音版) in your native language. However, the heart-warming elements of the film make it worth watching.
Home Alone (1990)
This blockbuster (轰动一时的电影) is one of my favourite films of all time and I would watch it all year round if I could. It tells the story of a boy, Kevin, who is left alone in his house when his large family forget to take him on vacation with them. While the family are away, burglars (小偷) try to rob the house and Kevin must protect his home by setting traps. The trips, falls and traps will have you laughing out loud as you watch a 10-year old boy outsmart two grown men.
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
You can’t have Christmas in an English-speaking country without watching this film. It’s not funny like Home Alone or The Grinch, but it is incredibly touching. It’s about a man who claims to be Santa, but nobody believes him except a lawyer and a little girl. The storyline may seem a little childish, but you can enjoy it at any age. I cry every time I watch it and I’m 21!
1. In which film can you see Jim Carrey’s wonderful performance?| A．The Grinch. | B．Love Actually. |
| C．Home Alone. | D．Miracle on 34th Street. |
| A．It’s one of the authors favorite films. |
| B．We’d better watch a clubbed version. |
| C．It’s a film about the power of love and generosity. |
| D．Some handkerchief papers are necessary when you watch it. |
| A．They are very touching. |
| B．They are only fit for children. |
| C．They are funny and make people laugh a lot. |
| D．They are popular and tell a story about kids. |
3 . 2022 Kids News Short Story competition
Kids News is starting its 2022 Kids News Short Story competition and wants to read all your wonderful stories. Kids News editor(编辑）Kamahl Cogdon encouraged all kids to enter and get all their creative stories down on paper.
"Last year we received almost 2,000 entries and the stories were great," Ms Cogdon said." We have some very creative young minds across Australia and we are looking forward to reading more of their fantastic stories this year."
How to enter
◎Entry to the competition is free for children from Kindergarten to Year 9 studying in an Australian school. One entry per person.
◎All entrants(参赛者）must get permission（许可）from their schools and parents before entering this competition.
◎Entrants can choose any topic they want.
◎Entries must be submitted（提交）through the online competition form located at www.kidsnews.com.au.
◎The competition starts at 9 am on Wednesday, May 11,2022,and ends at 5 pm on Sunday, July 3,2022.
Age categories:
Kindergarten to Year 2:entry must be between 250 and 750 words.
Years 3–4:entry must be between 250 and 750 words.
Years 5–6:entry must be between 500 and 1,000 words.
Years 7–9:entry must be between 500 and 1,000 words.
Prizes
Winners will get the following prizes:
First prize(one for each age category)
10 copies of your winning short story published(出版）into a printed book with a personally designed cover.
Apple iPad—valued at $ 529
Harper Collins Book Pack—valued at $ 100
Second prize (one for each age category)
Harper Collins Book Pack–valued at $ 100
Third prize (three for each age category)
Harper Collins Book Pack-valued at $ 30
1. What can we know about the competition?| A．It is open to kids from around the world |
| B．It is held for the first time this year. |
| C．It is free for kids to enter. |
| D．It requires no permission from the entrants' schools. |
| A．Write no less than 750 words. |
| B．Finish his or her story by May 11,2022. |
| C．Choose a topic from a given list. |
| D．Submit his or her story online. |
| A．Apple iPad valued at $ 529. |
| B．Harper Collins Book Pack valued at $ 100. |
| C．Harper Collins Book Pack valued at $ 30. |
| D．10 copies of his or her winning short story. |
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas This book takes you through waves of emotion as you start to undcrstdad the main character, the 9-year-old son Bruno of the Auschwitz commandant(（司令官）. The plot taking place during the Holocaust（大屠杀）,we witness the horror from the boys viewpoint . who just wants friends. You 11 be shocked by some of the more surprising aspects of the book as the boy befriends one of the boys on the other side of the fence. | The Book Thief The story is about a young girl named Liesel who has to live with foster parents(养父母）during World WarⅡ. On the way to her new home. her bother dies, setting the sad tone for the story. There is hope, however, when Liesel discovers her love for reading and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing at tacks as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. |
The Fault in Our Stars This is probably the most likely book to make you cry, as it records the experiences of teens who are dying from cancer and living their last days in love. Their life is tragic and jarring at the same time as we watch their health deteriorate （恶化）. The real tragedy is the love between the main characters, who know that it is certain to "die". | A Child Called " It" Easily one of the saddest stories of abuse in recent decades. A hild Called " It" is based on the true story of Dave Pelzer, a boy from C alifornia who suffered at the hands of his sadistic(施虐癖的)family, the tears will conic from both sadness and the inspiration lied to Dave's fight for survival in an environment where he is considered worthless. |
| A．The Book Thief. | B．A Child Called “it” |
| C．The Fault in Our Stars. | D．The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. |
| A．Liesel's brother | B．The 9-year-old son Bruno. |
| C．A young girl named Liesel. | D．Have Pelzer, a boy from California. |
| A．They all expose the dark side of society. | B．They are all emotionally powerful. |
| C．They are all connected with wars. | D．They all have a sad ending. |
