1 . A CLEAN, GREEN ENERGY FUTURE

Nowadays, many countries are making the important change from fossil fuels to clean, green and renewable sources of energy. Fossil fuels produce emissions, but renewable energy sources cause limited damage to the environment.

Here are the main types of renewable energy, with facts and examples from around the world.

Solar

Solar panels turn heat from the sun’s rays into electricity, and solar heaters use that energy to heat water directly. Germany has the highest solar capacity in the world, but China is the world’s largest market and the largest producer of solar technology.

Hydropower

The power of water turns turbines which produce electricity. Since ancient times, watermills have been used a lot. Most of the renewable energy in China comes from hydropower plants, such as the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station.

Geothermal

This has been a natural source of energy for thousands of years. Today, heat from below the earth’s surface heats water into steam that turns turbines to generate electricity. The USA has the largest capacity, with over 80% generated in California. The Yangbajing Power Plant is the largest geothermal plant in China.

Wind

Tall turbines are turned by the wind to produce electricity. Wind “farms” are built on land, or offshore, to take advantage of more frequent and powerful winds at sea. The world’s largest wind farm is the London Array. It has 175 wind turbines and is 20 km off the coast of England. Researchers think China could meet all her electricity demands from wind by 2030. Wind farms in provinces such as Gansu have an endless wind supply.

1. Which country is the top in solar capacity worldwide according to the passage?

A．China.

B．Germany.

C．The USA.

D．England.

2. Which type of energy in China will play the greatest role in the future according to the passage?

A．Solar.

B．Hydropower.

C．Wind.

D．Geothermal.

3. In which column of a newspaper could the passage be found?

A．Business.

B．Science.

C．Culture.

D．Travel.

6 . There are festivals going on somewhere in the world every day of the year. These range from very large events to local celebrations in tiny villages. We have selected a few of the more unusual, colourful festivals from around the world.

Mighty Mud (泥; 泥浆) Mania: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Children’s dreams really do come true in the City of Scottsdale. Children aged 1 to 13, get to join in the mud race Mighty Mudway features water and mud games. There are also water slides, sandcastle buildings and fun for all ages. Moms and dads, remember to send your kids out with old clothes and shoes.

Songkran Festival, Thailand

What better way to celebrate the “start of the return of rains” than with a country-wide water fight? Thais celebrate their festival officially from April 13th until April 15th. These three days represent the last day of the old year, the day of transition, and the first day of the New Year. Water battles fought out for days in the streets of every town and city over the country.

The La Tomatina Festival, Spain

On the last Wednesday of every August thousands of Spaniards take part in the La Tomatina Festival in Bunol. Truckloads of tomatoes are pulled in each year and dumped in the city centre. The people throw tomatoes at each other for the whole day, but the only rule is that the tomato must be flattened in the hand first, before being thrown. Even elderly grandmothers have been known to take part.

Canberra Sled Dog Classic: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Dog sledding is one of the fastest growing sports on the east coast of Australia. As there’s no snow (the trail is earth and sand and is smooth and wide with a few hills and turns) , the sleds have wheels instead of runners, but the excitement is the same.

1. Which festival is most suitable for 10-year-old Jack and his younger brother?

A．Mighty Mud Mania	B．Songkran Festival
C．The La Tomatina Festival	D．Canberra Sled Dog Classic

2. How is the Songkran Festival in Thailand traditionally celebrated?

A．With a dog sledding race.	B．Through a country-wide water fight.
C．By having a nationwide tomato fight.	D．By building sandcastles in a muddy environment.

3. What do the festivals above have in common?

A．They are all for adults.	B．They happen in the same season.
C．They all have joyful atmosphere.	D．They all happen in the same country.

7 . DREAM CAR ART CONTEST 2025

Flying cars, zero-emission hover boards (零排放悬浮滑板), space buggies for moons and planes. Who knows what the future of mobility will look like? So, the Company is inviting children across the China to share their wildest and most imaginative car design

WHO CAN ENTER?

Anyone who is under 15 years old, who lives in China, can enter the Dream Car Art Contest.

WHEN CAN I ENTER?

The opening date for competition entries is 11th October 2024 and the last date for submission is 31st December 2024. The winners will be announced on 11th February 2025.

HOW CAN I ENTER?

Digital Entries

This year, for the first time ever, we will be accepting digital submissions as well as the usual postal entries. This includes computer-generated pictures made using a computer, tablet or phone, as well as scans of artwork created by hand. Designs put together by lots of people won’t be accepted.

Postal Entries

Postal entries can be created using all forms of colored pencils, markers, crayons and water paints. Entries also need to beonA3orA 4paper to be accepted. Designs put together by lots of people won’t be accepted.

WHAT’S THE PRIZE?

The top three best artworks will be selected, with the Gold winner receiving an iPad, Silver and Bronze winners receiving a tablet and all winners’ receiving a gift pack. Winners will be announced in February through an online ceremony.

1. What is the closing date for entries?

A．31st December 2024.	B．11th October 2024.
C．15th December 2025	D．11th February 2025.

2. Which of the following will be ruled out?

A．Sending in a digital entry.

B．Creating an entry on A3 paper.

C．Scanning an artwork created by hand.

D．Submitting an entry designed by many people.

3. What will all winners get?

A．An iPad.

B．A gift pack.

C．A sum of money.

D．A tablet.

9 . Save your annual leave and explore beautiful towns and places with day trips less than two hours from London, offering a change of scenery, delicious food and a good walk. You can head into work the next day feeling refreshed.

Margate

The old will remember Margate as a somewhat mocked holiday location, a vintage (复古的) style amusement park with rides. However, the young are now moving here in droves as they take advantage of the excellent transport links and the working opportunities. Another draw is the Turner Contemporary art gallery opened in 2011 to celebrate artist JMW Turner, and his connection to Margate. The gallery is free to enter and has spectacular views.

The New Forest

At over 200 square miles, the New Forest is a protected national park dotted with small towns. There are many trails to walk or cycle, which are worth planning in advance. Thenewforest.co.uk is a useful resource as it has walking and cycle routes split into family, dog-friendly and those that take in pubs or villages.

Brighton

There is something for everyone in Brighton: traditional fish and chips, vegan and restaurants, the Royal Pavil ion and shops — both vintage and contemporary — selling clothing, jewellery, chocolate and records. Any of the small coffee shops would be a great first stop before heading to the very pink Books for Amnesty shop.

The Cotswolds

With the instantly recognisable pale-yellow stone cottages and seemingly unending supply of pubs, the towns and villages that comprise the Cotswolds are well worth a visit. Spend the morning walking around Chipping Norton, a market town with shops and theatres. Be sure to pop-in to Jaffé and Neale, the bookshop and cafe that has been open since 2006.

1. What attracts the younger generation in Margate?

A．Its amusement park.	B．The protected national park.
C．The Turner Contemporary art gallery.	D．Its convenient transportation and working chances.

2. Where should you go if you want to walk with your dog?

A．Brighton.

B．The New Forest.

C．Margate.

D．The Cotswolds.

3. What do Brighton and The Cotswolds have in common?

A．Life style.

B．Traditional food.

C．Coffee houses.

D．Ancient cottages.

10 . There are plenty of things that students can do to enrich their lives. Perhaps the most valuable is volunteering. Below you can find a list of projects you can join.

The Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka

Duration (持续时间): 1 week

Price: £891

Age: 16+

Details: Live in a village near a national park in Sri Lanka;

            Observe wild elephants in their natural habitat;

            Meet people from around the world.

The Volunteer Project in Greece

Duration: 2 weeks

Price: £619

Age: 18+

Details: Help to protect endangered sea turtle populations in Greece;

            Learn sea turtle monitoring techniques (监视技术);

            Explore the lovely beaches during your free time.

The Volunteer Project in Portugal

Duration: 2 weeks

Price: £459

Age: 18+

Details: Help to support wolf protection and learn about the endangered Iberian wolf;

            Work alongside a team of professionals and meet new people;

            Explore Portugal’s amazing tourist and cultural sights during your free time.

The Volunteer Project in Iceland

Duration: 2 weeks

Price: £575

Age: 18-60 years

Details: Help to reforest some areas so the trees can help to clean the air;

            Live and work in the wonderful southern part of Iceland;

            Take part in the recovery of Iceland’s ecology (生态).

1. Which of the four projects has the shortest duration?

A．The Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka.	B．The Volunteer Project in Greece.
C．The Volunteer Project in Portugal	D．The Volunteer Project in Iceland.

2. How much does it cost to join The Volunteer Project in Portugal?

A．£891.

B．£619.

C．£459.

D．£575.

3. What can volunteers do in Iceland?

A．Reintroduce Iberian wolves into the wild	B．Master sea turtle monitoring techniques.
C．Watch wild elephants.	D．Help to plant trees.