The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1939- ), Canadian
Because of pollution, many women are infertile(不育的). New laws create the job of handmaid, a woman who can have babies for rich families. This is the story of Offred, a handmaid. Offred works for Fred and his family. She wonders if she can get away, and she has to hurry.
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell (1903-1950), English
The novel is set in the future, but it is the year 1984. Winston Smith lives in London, part of the English country Oceania. There are three countries in the world: Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia. Big Brother is the leader of Oceania. The government controls everything, even people’s thoughts.
Winston, a government worker, meets Julia, another worker, and they fall in love—a crime in Oceania. The government discovers their secret, and Winston and Julia must go to the Ministry of Love, a centre for enemies of Big Brother.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), English
London, 600 years in the future. The Controllers are the rulers of the world. People don’t know war, disease or pain. They enjoy sports and spare time, but they are not free. The Controllers create babies in factories. Adults are divided into five social classes. When a man from a wild area of the world gets to London, he criticises the society. In the end, he has to choose between joining them or dying.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1920-2012), American
It is 24th century America. People can’t read or own books, as books are against the law. The population gets all their information from the television. Guy Montag is a fireman. Firemen don’t stop fires; they start them. They burn books at a temperature of 451 degrees. One day Montag meets young Clarisse, who makes him question the society he lives in. Soon Montag gets interested in the books he is supposed to destroy.
5. Which book describes Winston and Julia’s love?
A.The Handmaid’s Tale. |
B.Nineteen Eighty-Four. |
C.Brave New World. |
D.Fahrenheit 451. |
6. What can we learn about
Brave New World?
A.It was written in 1894. |
B.It is set in 24th century America. |
C.It describes a society without freedom. |
D.It predicts people’s perfect life in the future. |
7. What do the four books have in common?
A.They are well-known historical novels. |
B.They were all written by American authors. |
C.They centre on the future government of America. |
D.They are about imaginary places where life is hard. |