How to become a better reader
Language and literacy(读写能力) are among humans’ greatest inventions. Evolving over the course of human history, languages are a reflection of our cultural and societal attitudes. Today, surrounded by social media, television, movies,and, of course, books, the ability to read and write is important to expressing one’s feelings. Most humans acquire language in early childhood and speak fluently when they are about three years old, but our continued relationship with language gives shape and meaning to our lives. Here are 4 ways to become a better reader.
Write more. Writing and reading go hand-in-hand: How and what you read affects how and what you write, and the best readers often make the best writers. But while much can be learned from close, repeated reading, there are many pleasures to language that can only be experienced through the practice of writing. Try writing every day for a month, and you will never read the same again.
A. Take it slow.
B. Tell your friends.
C. Do more reading.
D. Read aloud.
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【推荐1】In their book Time to Eat the Dog: The Real Guide to Sustainable living, Robert and Brenda Vale say keeping a medium-sized dog has the same ecological influence as driving 10,000 km a year a 2.0 liter car.
“We’re not actually saying it is time to eat the dog. We’re just saying that we need to think abut and know the ecological influence of some of the tings we do and that we take for granted.”
Constructing and driving the jeep for a year requires 0.41 hectares（公顷）of land, while growing and manufacturing a dog’s food takes about 0.84 hectares—or 1.1 hectares in the case of a large dog such as a German shepherd.
Convincing flesh-eating cats and dogs to go vegetarian for the fate of the planet is a non-starter, the Vales say. Instead they recommend keeping “greener”’ smaller, and more sustainable（可持续的）pets, such as goldfish, chicken or rabbits.
The book’s playful title, and serious suggestion that pet animals may be usefully “recycled”, by being eaten by their owners or turned into pet food when they die, may not appeal to animal fans. Annoying as the idea may be, the question is valid given the planet’s growing population and limited resources, Robert Vale said.
“Issues about sustainability are increasingly becoming things that are going to require us to make choices which are as difficult as eating your dog. It’s not just about changing your light bulbs or taking a cloth bag to the supermarket,” he said.
“It’s about much more challenging and difficult issues,” he added. “Once you see where cats and dogs fit in your overall balance of things, you might decide to have the cat but not also to have the two cars and the three bathrooms and be a meat eater yourself.”
1. What does the Vales’ book mainly focus on?| A．The animals’ rights. |
| B．The way to raise pets. |
| C．The influence of driving cars. |
| D．The environmental protection. |
| A．Teaching animal fans. |
| B．Recycling pet animals. |
| C．Killing animals for food. |
| D．Protecting homeless animals |
| A．Easy. |
| B．Inspiring. |
| C．Impossible. |
| D．Challenging. |
| A．Taking a cloth bag to the supermarket is difficult to carry out. |
| B．Raising sheep is a good idea for animal fans in the Vales’ opinion. |
| C．The bigger pet animals are, the worse ecological influence they have. |
| D．Driving cars is more environment-friendly than keeping pet animals. |
【推荐2】When I give public lectures about the climate crisis, the most common question people pose is: “Are you an optimist or a pessimist?”
My answer is yes. California has achieved dramatic emissions reductions in a thriving economy, which makes me hopeful, yet in general the fossil-fuel industry is determined not to change. The second most common question is: “What can I, personally, do?”
That’s a tough one. The major drivers of climate change are collective enterprises such as power grids, industry, large-scale agriculture and transportation systems. Substantial emissions reductions in these settings most likely will not come from personal actions; they will come from laws and policies such as carbon-pricing systems, revised building codes and supports for green investment.
Some people have argued that calls for individual action actually distract us from corporate responsibility. That could explain why the fossil-fuel industry is fond of such requests. Oil giant BP popularized and promoted the idea of a carbon footprint, deflecting attention to its customers who, it suggests, should take personal responsibility by lowering their carbon footprints. One study found that focusing on individual activity actually undermines support for more effective policy initiatives such as a carbon tax. Another problem with personal behavior is that people do not like to be told what to do.
Yet individual acts can grow into influential group activity. One effective act, and one that can be amplified, is to eat less red meat. Cutting meat consumption is a powerful and personal thing most Americans can do to tackle the climate crisis, and they can do it immediately. About 40 percent of greenhouse gases come from agriculture, deforestation and other land-use changes. Meat — particularly beef — drives climate change in two ways: first, through cows’ emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and second, by destroying forests as they are converted to grazing land to satisfy the global demand for beef. By eating less beef, we can start to decrease that demand. You do not have to become a vegan to do this. If every person in the U.S. cut their meat consumption by 25 percent, it would reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 1 percent. That might not sound like a lot, but it would help protect the rain forest, so the positive effects — including reduced water and fertilizer use, improved biodiversity and safeguarded rights of indigenous peoples — would be amplified.
Perhaps most important, social action is contagious — in a good way. If lots of us begin to eat less meat and if we talk about it constructively, we will likely influence others. Pretty soon the 1 percent reduction becomes 2 percent or more. Reduced demand for meat could motivate my local supermarket to carry better produce, making it easier for me and my neighbors to prepare a few more satisfying meat-free meals. Ultimately changes in demand will influence industry. Forty years ago few mainstream supermarkets carried organic products; now nearly all do. Consumer demand did that.
Cutting back on red meat also has the added benefit of being good for your health. So while I wouldn’t advise governments to order people to stop eating hamburgers, if anyone asks, “What can I do?” a simple and accurate answer is: “Eat less meat. It’s in your control, and you can begin right now. It benefits both you and the planet.”
1. Which one plays the most decisive role in emissions reductions according to the passage?| A．Individual actions. | B．Fossil-fuel industries. |
| C．The thriving economy. | D．Effective laws and policies. |
| A．Indigenous peoples turn forests into grazing land. |
| B．Meat is considered as the biggest driver of climate change. |
| C．Small individual acts can make a big difference collectively. |
| D．Most Americans have to become vegans to tackle the climate crisis. |
| A．Appealing. | B．Poisonous. | C．Harmonious. | D．Spreading. |
| A．To explain ways to reduce carbon footprint. |
| B．To persuade people to cut meat consumption. |
| C．To evaluate the effects of healthy eating habits. |
| D．To argue against the emission policies of industries. |
【推荐3】How to Have Open Communication
When you can communicate openly, you can start improving your relationships, both personal and professional, in a number of ways.
Have patience. When emotions are high, it can be easy to be swept in those feelings and want to get all your points across. But this can make communication more difficult because you are so focused on your feelings that you aren’t able to focus on what you need to say. Be patient and allow for silences that happen.
Take the time to listen to what the other person is saying.
Be honest with your thoughts and your feelings. Sometimes we feel the need to soften our words to lessen the blow.
| A．Wait for the appropriate time and place. |
| B．Discuss what you need to communicate openly. |
| C．Bring something positive into your communication. |
| D．This could be because we don’t want to hurt the other person. |
| E．Ask questions if you need to and even repeat what he has said. |
| F．Open communication increases trust and helps bridge differences. |
| G．Sometimes you need time to think and accurately express yourself. |
【推荐1】Whatever you’ve got planned this summer—time at the beach, traveling to exotic destinations, or barbecuing in your backyard—you need a good book to keep you company. Luckily, our “GMA” book editor has picked an exciting list of must-reads to keep the pages turning through the summer.
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
What if your version of the story is the wrong one? That’s what “Trust Exercise” asks. What starts as a love story between two teens at an arts school with a charming teacher becomes an investigation into the ways teenagers protect themselves. As the perspective of the book shifts, the truth breaks. Susan Choi keeps you on your toes until the very last sentence.
Rules for Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane
This beautiful novel tackles loneliness in the digital age and the lost art of visiting. Shy May is given some unexpected time off as a university gardener and is inspired to reconnect with four once-close friends. She chooses to bypass her friends’ online lives to instead meet them IRL (in real life). Gives a whole new meaning to Instagram vs reality.
Mrs Everything by Jennifer Weiner
Get a box of tissues and get ready to meet Jo and Bethie Kaufman—two very different sisters —whose lives, twists and turns we follow over 70 years. New York Times’ best-selling author Jennifer Weiner tackles what it means to be a woman over various generations in this exciting novel.
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
From the No.1 New York Times’ best-selling author of “Eat Pray Love” comes a delicious love story about showgirls in 1940s New York City. Gilbert brings charm, adventure and the idea that you don’t have to be a good girl to be a good person.
1. What does Trust Exercise focus on?| A．Teen love. | B．Arts school education. |
| C．Truth and lies. | D．Teenagers’ self-protection. |
| A．Trust Exercise. | B．Rules for Visiting. |
| C．City of Girls. | D．Mrs Everything. |
| A．They feature history stories. |
| B．The two stories happened in the 1940s. |
| C．They are by New York Times’ best-selling authors. |
| D．The characters have influenced various generations. |
【推荐2】In advance of World Book Day on April 23, the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication released its 17th annual report on the study of Chinese people's reading habits on Monday.
Based on a survey that ranged from August 2019 to February 2020, the report showed 81.1 percent of adult Chinese surveyed have a habit of reading, whether in print or on digital devices, a slight increase of 0.3 percent from 2018. Wei Yushan, director of the academy, said the survey covered 55 cities and towns in the country and it can credibly represent the situation of the whole population.
In 2019, adult Chinese read on average 4.6.5 books in print and 2. 84 digital books, while in 2018 it was 4.67 and 3. 32, a small drop for both.
While the report said most Chinese feel they 're not satisfied with the amount of books they read in a year. 11.1 percent read more than 10 books in print, and 7.6 percent more than 10 e-books. As for children and young people under 17, "the results are more encouraging, according to Wei. The survey revealed they read 10.36 books a year on average, 1. 45 more than in 2018.
Audio(有声的) books are attracting more Chinese, as 30.3 percent of adults and 34.7 percent of minors had a habit of listening to audio books in 2019, increasing by 4.3 and 8.5 percent compared to2018. The report found mobile phones were the top choice of medium when Chinese people read. On average, adults spent 100.41 minutes a day on mobile phones, 15.54 minutes more than in 2018.
A closer look at the report shows people's priority when using the Internet was to socialize (60.2 percent), followed by getting news (59 percent) and enjoying video clips (56.9 percent). Only 20.5 percent of them used it to connect to books, newspapers or journals.
Still, there's good news in the data from younger readers. Wei said 94.3 percent of Chinese families with children under 8 had a habit of reading, and parents spent almost 25 minutes every day reading with their kids, 2.37 minutes more than 2018
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?| A．The 17th World Book Day will be celebrated on April 23. |
| B．The report is released every year by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication. |
| C．More than 80% of the adult Chinese prefer to read on digital devices than in print. |
| D．The survey was conducted throughout the country in2019. |
| A．Kids and teenagers |
| B．Adult |
| C．Students |
| D．The results |
| A．Chinese people spent more time reading audio books in 2018 than in 2019. |
| B．The report indicates Chinese readers' growing interest in online reading. |
| C．There was a drop in the number of books read by average adult Chinese in 2018. |
| D．More Chinese readers tend to read through the mobile phones. |
| A．Unclear | B．Positive |
| C．Skeptical | D．Casual |
【推荐3】“Adolescent Health and Physical Activity” isn’t just another health guide; it’s a comprehensive road-map to understanding the vita connection between physical activity and the well-being of our youth. Penned by the respected Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences, this book is a source of intelligence in an era where adolescent health is of leading concern.
Rather than drowning readers in professional expressions and statistics, this book serves up its insights with clarity and practicality. It’s not just about praising the benefits of exercise; it’ s about showing us how to make those benefits accessible to every adolescent, regardless background or circumstance.
Dive into its pages, and you’ll discover a treasure trove (宝库) of strategies for developing healthy habits in schools, communities, and homes. From transforming physical education programs to empowering parents to be active role models, every chapter is packed with actionable advice grounded in real-world experience.
But it’s not all about the how; this book explores deep into the why. It explores the complex interaction between physical activity and mental health, shining a light on how exercise can be a powerful solution to the stresses and strains of adolescence. And let’s not forget about the elephant in the room: sports injuries. With expert guidance on injury prevention and management, this book ensures that every adolescent can obtain there wards of physical activity without fear of harm.
Basically, “Adolescent Heath and Physical Activity” isn’t just a book; it’s a call to action. It challenges us to rethink our approach to adolescent health and empowers us with the knowledge and tools we need to make a difference. So, whether you’re a parent, educator. healthcare professional, or simply someone who cares about the well-being of our youth, this book is essential reading.
1. What is the primary focus of the book?| A．Investigating adult fitness programs. |
| B．Advocating developing healthy habits. |
| C．Exploring the link between exercise and well-being of youth. |
| D．Analyzing adolescent sports trends and sports injury prevention |
| A．Through abstract theories. | B．With practical and clear insights. |
| C．Through historical narratives. | D．With complex statistical analysis. |
| A．How to benefit from exercise. | B．Advantages of physical activities. |
| C．How to win a match without injuries. | D．Approaches to forming healthy habits. |
| A．To review a book. | B．To show respect to the institute. |
| C．To introduce the research findings of IOM. | D．To stimulate people to concern for adolescent well-being |
