Part 1

Forms of Life

Mammals are covered by hair or fur, have a backbone and warm-blooded.

All female mammals produce milk for their young.

Reptiles are covered by scales and include snakes, lizards and turtles.

Reptiles have a backbone and are cold-blooded, which means they often rely on the external sources of heat.

Birds are covered by feathers and are warm-blooded.

Most birds can fly and many types of birds migrate great distances.

Most insects such as ants and bees have a small, 3-part body with 3 pairs of legs.

Some insects, like mosquitoes, spread diseases that cause the deaths of many humans.

Unlike animals, plants get the energy that they need from the sun.

Plants convert light energy, along with carbon-dioxide and water, into chemical energy.

Instruments

Scales and rulers are used to measure weight and length.

Units of weight include kilograms and pounds, and units of length include centimeters and inches.

These instruments are used to observe very large and very small objects.

Telescopes are used by astronomers, and microscopes are used by biologists and doctors.

These appliances are used in the kitchens of almost every home.

Stoves are used to heat food, and refrigerators are used to keep foods cool or cold.

Household tools like these, are used to build and repair things.

Hammers are used to pound in nails and screwdrivers are used to turn a screw.

Part 2

Sciences

Biology is the study of life, including its structure and evolution.

Biologists study how life survives and reproduces.

Chemistry is the study of matter, including the structure of atoms and molecules.

Chemists study how various substances interact with each other.

Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences.

Astronomers study the structure and evolution of the universe, including the study of stars, planets.

Geology is the study of the structure and history of the Earth and other planets.

Geologists study different types of rocks, earthquakes and different layers of the Earth.

Mathematics is the study of numbers, shapes, patterns and change. Mathematics is used by all other branches of science.

Disasters

Here are some types of terrible events that hurt or kill people.

Earthquakes are caused by forces deep within the Earth.

During earthquakes, many people are often killed by collapsing buildings and bridges.

Floods happen when rivers rise and overflow their banks.

Floodwaters damage or destroy many houses and businesses.

Fires destroy buildings, land and forests.

There are many causes for fire, including lightning.

In a hurricane, high winds destroy buildings and sometimes cause flooding.

Some hurricanes have winds of more than 200 miles an hour.

Car accidents happen when cars collide or when drivers lose control of their cars.

One of the main causes of car accidents is driving too fast.

Part 3

Sources of Energy

Solar energy is one of the cleanest and most plentiful sources of energy.

Solar power depends on sunlight, so in cloudy weather and at night, no power is generated.

Wind energy is non-polluting, but it’s only useful in places where there is a lot of wind.

Wind turbines(风力涡轮机) convert thekinetic energy(动能) of the wind intomechanical power(机械动力).

Nuclear energy(核能) is efficient and doesn’t produce carbon gases as a waste product.

The dangers of nuclear power includedeadly(致命的)radioactive(放射性的；有辐射的) waste products.

A major source of energy comes from the burning offossil fuels(化石燃料), such as coal and oil.

When we burn fossil fuels, waste gases, such as CO2 are produced.

Fossil fuels remain the largest source of energy for most counties.

Hydropower(水利发电) comes from the kinetic energy of falling water.

Output is reliable and can be regulated to meet the demand, except during periods ofdrought(干旱).

Types of Words

Here are some different types of words in English.

Words that are nouns and pronouns are used to represent objects.

A noun or a pronoun can be a person, an animal or a thing, including an idea.

Verbs are used to express actions, such as to sit down or stand up.

We also use verbs to express relationships, such as to love someone or to own something.

We use adjectives to describe objects, such as a tall building.

Adjectives are used with nouns and pronouns, but not with verbs.

We use adverbs to describe actions, such as to run fast or to walk slowly.

Adverbs express the quality of an action, such as how well or poorly something is done.

We use conjunctions to connect things or actions, such as to read and write.

Conjunctions include words such as and, or, because, but and yet.

Part 4

Sources of Pollution

Waste water and carbon gases from farm animals are bad for the environment. 

Animal wastes and other chemicals flow into the ground and pollute water supplies.

Exhaust gases from automobiles are a major cause of air pollution and global warming. 

As a result, many companies are trying to produce more efficient and cleaner cars.

Pesticides(农药) and fertilizers(化肥，肥料) are used by farmers to grow corps, such as fruits and vegetables. 

These chemicals pollute the water supplies when they flow into the ground or rivers.

Factories, like this one, allow harmful chemicals to get into the air or water. 

Companies need to try harder to protect the environment and our health.

Nuclear waste products are radioactive and can pollute the environment for thousands of years. 

They need to be safely transported and stored in a safe place.

Historical Figures

The British writer, Jane Austen, was born in England in 1775, one of seven children. 

She wrote some of the most popular love stories of all time.

One of the most famous female rulers in history, Cleopatra(埃及艳后) had affairs with Julius Caesar(凯撒大帝) and later with Mark Antony(马克安东尼).

She was known for her great beauty and charming voice.

Her family ruled Egypt for more than 100 years before she was born.

Born in 1756, Mozart composed and performed some of the world’s greatest classical music.

 He was the youngest of seven children and by the age of five he was already composing music.

The son of a king, Alexander the Great was a military leader who created one of the largest empires in the ancient world. 

As a youth, Alexander was taught by the Greek philosopher(哲学家) Aristotle.

Mahatma Gandhi was a 20th century leader who used nonviolent resistance(非暴力抗争) to lead India to independence. 

Gandhi dedicated his life to the pursuit(追逐) of truth.