【推荐1】In order to achieve in math, science, English, history, geography, and other subjects, reading skills must be developed when the students are young. Students cannot struggle with word recognition   when they should be reading quickly for understanding of a text.

Since reading is very important to success in school, parents can and should play a role in helping their children become interested in reading and in encouraging their growth in reading skills.

Research shows that children learn about reading before they enter school. In fact, they learn in the best way — through observation. Young children, for example, see people around them reading newspapers, books, maps, and signs.

Parents can do a lot to cultivate an understanding of print by talking with their preschoolers about signs in their environment and by letting their children know they enjoy reading themselves. When reading to your preschooler, you should run your index finger under the line of print. This process is simple and helps children begin to notice words and that words have meaning. They also develop habits of reading.

In the early elementary years, from first through third grades, children continue learning how to read. It is a complex process, difficult for some and easy for others. Care must be taken during these early years not to put too much stress on the learning­to­read process.

Reading for pleasure and information develops reading interests and offers children the chance to practise their reading skills in meaningful ways. Parents of preschoolers should provide reading materials in the home that arouse curiosity or extend their children's natural interest in the world around them.

By encouraging reading in free time, parents take the most important step in improving their children's reading development.

1. What can we conclude from the passage?

A．It is important to develop children's reading ability.

B．Parents should care for their children's studies.

C．It is common for students to ignore their reading habit.

D．Schools should pay more attention to children's reading.

2. What should parents do to help their children build up their reading ability?

A．They should encourage their children to read every day.

B．They should teach their children to read as quickly as possible.

C．They should take great interest in reading by themselves.

D．They should provide financial support for their children.

3. What does the underlined word “cultivate” mean in Paragraph 4?

A．Prevent.	B．Develop.
C．Discuss.	D．Practise.

4. What should a parent NOT do when teaching his child?

A．Find proper reading materials.

B．Encourage his child to read more at home.

C．Help develop his child's interests.

D．Stress the learning ­to ­read process more.

【推荐2】One day when I was 12, my mother gave me an order: I was to walk to the public library, and borrow at least one book for the summer.This was one more weapon for her to defeat my strange problem—inability to read.

In the library, I found my way into the “Children's Room”. I sat down on the floor and pulled a few books off the shelf. The cover of a book caught my eye.It presented a picture of a beagle（小猎兔狗）. I had recently had a beagle, the first and only pet I ever had as a child. He was my secret sharer, but one morning, he was gone, given away to someone who had the space and the money to care for him.I never forgot my beagle.

There on the book's cover was a beagle which looked the same with my dog.I ran my fingers over the picture of the dog on the cover.My eyes ran across the title: Amos, the Beagle with a Plan.Unknowingly, I had read the title.Without opening the book, I borrowed it from the library for the summer.

I read very, very slowly with difficulty. I got the main idea of the story about a dog who, like mine, had been separated from his family and who finally found his way back home.That dog was my dog, and I was the little boy in the book.At the end of the story, my mind continued the final scene of reunion, on and on, until my own lost dog and I were, in my mind, running together.

My mother's call returned me to the real world. I suddenly realized something: I had read a book, and I had loved reading that book. Everyone knew I could not read. But I had read it and I was going to read them.

I never told my mother about my “miraculous”（奇迹般的）experience that summer, but she saw a slow but remarkable improvement in my classroom performance during the next year. And years later, she was proud that her son had read thousands of books, was awarded a PhD in literature（文学）, and authored his own books, articles and poetry.The power of the words has held.

1. What was the Mother's aim to tell the author to borrow a book?

A．To make him learn more about weapons.	B．To help cure him of his reading problem.
C．To encourage him to do more walking.	D．To let him spend a meaningful summer.

2. Why did the book catch the author's attention?

A．It contained pretty pictures of animals.	B．He found its title easy to understand.
C．It reminded him of his own dog.	D．He liked children's stories very much.

3. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A．The author related to the story in the book.	B．The author was forced by his mother to read it.
C．The book told the story of the author's pet dog.	D．The happy ending of the story attracted him.

4. What can be inferred（推断）from the last paragraph?

A．The author has had happy summers ever since.	B．The author's mother read the same book.
C．The author's mother rewarded him with books.	D．The author has become a successful writer.

【推荐3】Top Six Most Challenged Books in 2017

Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) in the States tracked 354 challenges (formal attempts to remove or restrict access to library materials and services) to library, school, and university materials and services in2017. Some individual challenges resulted in requests to restrict or remove multiple titles. Overall, 416 books were targeted. Here are the "Top Six Most Challenged Books in 2017”.

1	Thirteen Reasons Why By Jay Asher Originally published in 2007. this New York Times bestseller has resurfaced as a debatable book after Netflix aired a TV series by the same name. This young adult novel was challenged and banned in multiple school districts, for it discusses self-killing.	4	GEORGE By Alex Gino Written for elementary-age children, this Lambda Literary Award winner was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.
2	Drama Written and illustrated By Raina Telgemeier This Stonewall Honor Award-winning, 2012 graphic novel from a much-admired cartoonist was challenged and banned in school libraries because it includes confused sexual orientation characters and was considered "confusing.”	5	To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, considered an America classical, was challenged and banned because of violence and its use of the N-word to insult black people.
3	The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini This multigenerational novel praised by many critics was challenged and banned because it includes sexual violence and was thought to "lead to 'terrorism" and "promote IsIam.”	6	The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas Despite winning multiple awards and being the most searched-for book on Goodreads during its debut(首秀) year, this young adult novel was challenged and banned in school libraries and curricular because of drug use and offensive language.

1. These six most challenged books are all________.

A．prize winners or well received by the public

B．written for curious young adults in schools

C．banned and challenged in nationwide libraries

D．involved with violence and aggressive language

2. Which of the following would be removed from school libraries to avoid misleading kids into racialism?

A．The Hate U Give.	B．To Kill a Mocking bird.
C．The Kite Runner.	D．Thirteen Reasons Way.

3. It can be concluded from the passage that in the States_______.

A．OIF is responsible for the challenges reported from local schools and universities

B．the government is challenged by intellectual freedom in public materials and services

C．issues like mental illness, drug use and sex education really concern the government

D．best sellers and prize winners are often questioned and rejected by the public

【推荐1】A couple of years ago I graduated from art school. After graduation I was unsure of what to do with my degree. I had majored in illustration (插画专业) and loved it, but didn’t really feel interested in doing illustrations for any companies. This left me with few options other than freelance (自由职业的) jobs and taking care of kids for others.

I spent two years working as a baby-sitter, doing freelance illustrations on the side. It just wasn’t quite enough to pay rent, but I loved it, so I worked well over 50 hours a week, trying to keep up with both.

Just under a year ago I went to a friend’s wedding. I couldn’t think of a gift for them and really didn’t have a lot of money to spare, so I used my talents to create a portrait (肖像) for them. It wasn’t much, but I hoped it would be a good gift. When I handed the portrait to them and they unwrapped it, the looks on their faces were something I did not expect. There were joyful tears in their eyes as they cried, “That’s us! This is so beautiful!”

It’s funny because when I was in art school portraits were always my least favourite assignment. I hated drawing people and was always so much more interested in drawing little furry creatures. Once I saw the looks on my friends’ faces after giving them their portrait, it was all over. I suddenly loved portraits and wanted to do more.

        I now take portraits to every wedding I go to and have given them as gifts to the families I baby-sit for. Every time the reaction makes all of the hard work and time I put into them so worth it. I’ve just started offering couple, family and pet portraits as an item on my Etsy shop.
1. What did the author choose to do after graduation?

A．She worked for a long-term employer.

B．She married and looked after her baby.

C．She pursued further studies in her major.

D．She worked as an illustrator as a side job.

2. Why did the author decide to draw a portrait for her friends as a wedding present?

A．She was eager to show off her talent.

B．She couldn’t afford an expensive gift.

C．Her friends didn’t take wedding photos.

D．She wanted to satisfy her friends’ request.

3. How did the friends feel when they received their portrait?

A．Embarrassed.

B．Motivated.

C．Overjoyed.

D．Depressed.

4. What can be known about the author from the last paragraph?

A．She earned more money to support her talent.

B．She has begun to create her career as an illustrator.

C．She turned to illustrations for pets other than humans.

D．She no longer needs to go to the families she baby-sat for.

【推荐3】This is one of a series of books that I loved as a child growing up in Hamburg in the sixties. I seem to remember getting them sometimes after unpleasant visits to the dentist! The Petzi books described the adventures of a little bear, who wore spotted jeans and was fond of pancakes, and his exploration of the world together with his friends, a pelican, a penguin and a seal.

I think they may have influenced my way of seeing the world as I still prefer to draw animals with clothes on now! There were also two little characters, a frog and a tortoise, which I loved and is something I still try to do in my own picture books — add things to the drawings that are not in the text.

When I was a teenager I discovered cartoonists and illustrators (插画家) like Edward Gorey, Sempé, Bosc and others, but most of all I loved the art of Tomi Ungerer. A French artist covered a wide range of styles and subjects. I think he was probably the strongest influence on my own work as an illustrator.

His sense of humour, his love for details and the absurd, and the world he creates in his drawings, all apparent in Papa Snap, I found very appealing. And again, animals with clothes! His books from the seventies still seem very fresh to me.

When I discovered the work of William Steig, I was already working as an illustrator. He worked as a cartoonist for the New Yorker all his life and came to writing and illustrating children’s books when he was in his sixties. I love his picture books: Solomon the Rusty Nail, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Gorky Rises, Brave Irene — more dressed animals! The wonderful stories and the warmth and emotional precision of his illustrations never fail to touch me. I was delighted when I discovered it in a second hand bookshop on Charing Cross Road.

1. Why does the author like to draw animals with clothes on?

A．He wants to show the respect to animals.

B．He likes to describe something different.

C．He is inspired by the characters in Petzi books.

D．He thinks animals need clothes to keep warm.

2. Whose work did the author like best as a teenager?

A．Edward Gorey’s.	B．Tomi Ungerer’s.
C．Sempé’s.	D．William Steig’s.

3. What can we learn about William Steig?

A．He had the greatest influence on the author.

B．He employed the author as an illustrator.

C．He wrote stories in an absurd and humorous way.

D．He turned to children’s books when he was old.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Books That Changed My Life	B．Best Cartoonists in the World
C．Happy Memories in My Life	D．Writers That Amazed the World