英语听力精选进阶版 6445

What do you remember about your childhood? I have good memories of exploring the fields near my house and riding my bike around the park. Most of my free time, it seemed, was spent outdoors.

Today, we are told, children don't spend enough time in the fresh air. Many of them are glued to a screen either on a computer, tablet or a TV – they seem to be living in a virtual¹ world. They have lost touch with nature.

But now 400 organisations in the UK, from playgroups to the National Health Service, are encouraging children to have some 'wild time'. They want kids to swap² at least 30 minutes of watching TV or playing computer games for time mucking about outside.

I think it's a great idea. The simple pleasures of exploring and discovering nature help children to learn and keep fit too. Andy Simpson, who is part of the campaign, says: "An extra 30 minutes of wild time every day for all under 12-year-olds in the UK would be the equivalent³ of just three months of their childhood spent outdoors."

There is so much to do outdoors that I don't think 30 minutes a day is enough. Activities such as building dens⁴, climbing trees, rummaging⁵ for conkers and playing hide and seek are just some of the things kids can do. Even if they live in a city, they can go on adventures in the garden or the park.

But I know that children often need a helping⁶ hand from mum and dad. They need to be shown what to do and where to go. Andy Simpson agrees: "We want parents to see what this magical wonder product does for their kids' development, independence and creativity, by giving wild time a go".

So despite the sophisticated⁷ world that young people grow up in now, it seems that going back to basics and experiencing 'nature's playground' is what modern children need. David Bond from Project Wild Thing says "we need to make more space for wild time in children's daily routine, freeing this generation of kids to have the sort of experiences that many of us took for granted".

This might sound a bit old fashioned to you or maybe, like me, it's made you think about sticking on your boots, getting outdoors and reliving your childhood. There's no age limit on enjoying yourself!

Quiz 测验

1. According to this article, what are many children glued to?

Computers, tablets or TVs.

2. True or false? Children only need to play outside for 30 minutes a week.

False. Campaigners think children need at least 30 minutes wild time every day.

3. Who needs to help children get outside and discover nature?

Mum and dad.

4. What does the author say modern children should experience?

Nature's playground.

5. What age do you stop enjoying yourself?

There is no age limit - you are never too old to enjoy yourself.

Glossary 词汇表

exploring 探索

free time 闲暇时光

glued to 不愿离开，完全专注于

virtual world 虚拟世界

mucking about 闲逛，闹着玩儿

discovering 发现，了解

building dens 搭建巢穴

rummaging 四处寻找

adventures 冒险（活动）

a helping hand 援助之手

nature's playground 大自然游乐场

took for granted （认为）理所当然

reliving 重温，回味

1 virtual   

adj.实质上的，事实上的，实际上的

参考例句：

• This reply is a virtual acceptance of our offer.这一回答实质上是接受了我们的建议。
• At that time the East India Company was the virtual ruler of Bengal.那时东印度公司是孟加拉的实际统治者。

2 swap   

n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易

参考例句：

• I will swap you my bicycle for your radio.我想拿我的自行车换你的收音机。
• This comic was a swap that I got from Nick.这本漫画书是我从尼克那里换来的。

3 equivalent   

adj.（to）相等的，等价的；n.相等物，等值物

参考例句：

• Nodding your head is equivalent to saying "yes".点头就等于说“赞同”。
• You will receive the full equivalent of your money.你将收到与你的款项价值完全同等的物品。

4 dens   

n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋

参考例句：

• Female bears tend to line their dens with leaves or grass. 母熊往往会在洞穴里垫些树叶或草。 来自辞典例句
• In winter bears usually hibernate in their dens. 冬天熊通常在穴里冬眠。 来自辞典例句

5 rummaging   

翻找，搜寻( rummage的现在分词 )； 海关检查

参考例句：

• She was rummaging around in her bag for her keys. 她在自己的包里翻来翻去找钥匙。
• Who's been rummaging through my papers? 谁乱翻我的文件来着？

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 sophisticated   

adj.老练的，精密的，尖端的，高雅的

参考例句：

• She has become very sophisticated since she went to live in London.移居伦敦后她变得世故多了。
• This is a very sophisticated machine.这是一台非常精密的机器。