He often ________ us English stories．

1. A.
   speaks
2. B.
   tells
3. C.
   says
4. D.
   talks

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English writer teaches us a lot about life

    Charles Dickens is a great British writer in the 19th century. Most of his books are still popular even today.

    In 1812, Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England. Dickens didn't like playing with other boys when he was a little child, but he loved reading books. Childhood was not easy for Dickens. He began to work at a factory at the age of 12. Every day, he spent 10 hours washing bottles and cleaning shoes.

    When Dickens was 16, he became a reporter for a newspaper. During that time, Dickens wrote his first book, The Pickwick Papers. The book came out in 1836-37 and made Dickens rich and famous. His hard times were at an end.

    Most of Dickens' books are about the difficulties of living in Victorian England. The characters（人物）in his books are often children. They usually live a hard life in a boarding（寄宿）school, or have to work in a factory at a young age.

    However, Dickens' works are all about hope. He wrote sad and dark stories, but they are always filled with humor（幽默）. And most of his stories have happy endings, as with A Christmas Carol. It is about a selfish man. He finds love and friendship after looking back on his life one Christmas Eve.

1.Where was Dickens from?

2.Was life difficult for Dickens when he was a child?

3.What made Dickens rich and famous?

4.What do the children in his books usually do?

5.Why does the writer say "Dickens' works are all about hope."?