The Door-to-Door Bookstore, whose author is Carsten Henn, translated from the German by Melody Shaw, is an undoubtedly emotional, inspiring novel about friendships between generations developed through books.
Carl Kollhoff, a 72-year-old bookseller in southern Germany, is beloved among his customers for finding just the right books for them. But his role is threatened when a new boss is determined to push out the star employee.
One of the limited highlights of Carl’s life is to deliver books every evening to a handful of shut-in customers. The selections are made by their stated preferences—for happy endings, tragedy, philosophical works and so on. Trouble happens when a pretty wise (and a little annoying) motherless 9-year-old girl tags along with him on his rounds. She decides Carl is not actually giving his customers what they really need, and comes up with a plan to correct this.
Like Carl’s backpack, Henn manages to fill his novel with books without weighing it down. Chapter titles suggest that classics are involved: The Stranger, The Red and the Black, Great Expectations. Carl, who is terrible with names, assigns a literary character to each customer—Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Longstocking, The Reader—to help him keep them straight.
We gradually come to know these townsfolk: the abused wife, and the ambitious writer with the soothing voice who is paid to read classics to cigar factory workers.
The Door-to-Door Bookstore is also filled with amusing observations. Carl divides readers into hares (野兔), who race through books; fish, who allow books to carry them along on their current; curious lapwings (鸟头麦鸡), who jump ahead to see the ending first; and tortoises, who fall asleep each night after a single page and take months to get through a book, having to turn back repeatedly to check what they’ve forgotten.
Readers will have fun finding themselves in these pages.
1. Where is the text most probably taken from?| A．A review of a book. | B．An essay on literature classics. |
| C．An introduction to a bookstore. | D．A biography of Carl Kollhoff. |
| A．The takeover of a family business by a young girl. |
| B．The friendship between Carl and a 9-year-old girl. |
| C．Carl’s struggle to find the right books for his customers. |
| D．The competition among different bookstores in Germany. |
| A．To compare the book with them. | B．To stress the importance of them. |
| C．To help readers understand the book. | D．To show their popularity. |
| A．Readers will relate to the characters and situations in the novel. |
| B．Readers will find satisfaction in correctly guessing the endings of the books. |
| C．Readers will enjoy the different ways people read books. |
| D．Readers will be amused by the diverse personalities of the customers. |
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【推荐1】This is Water
If you’ve never heard David Foster Wallace’s public speech about his life philosophy, prepare to have your world view shifted. Brilliant and approachable, it is an uplifting, quick, and fun read. In This is Water Wallace encourages us to transform boring tasks into opportunities to practice compassion and be happy with the strangers and, ultimately, ourselves.
The Wisdom of Insecurity
When anxiety strikes, there’s nowhere to run. It is a terrifying feeling that stops us in our tracks and holds us back from realizing our potential. Alan Watts believes the answer lies in embracing the here and now. He says we spend too much time planning for the future or regretting the past. In this book, he shows us just how to live fully in the now and thus lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
Big Magic
Just like the cover image suggests, Big Magic is a literary explosion of inspiration. The worldwide best-selling author of Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert wants you to remove your fears, embrace curiosity, be free of self-doubt and live your most creative life. To do this, Gilbert shared her own creative processes, wisdom, habits, and unique point of view on creativity to help you uncover those “strange jewels”. Big Magic was an instant number-one New York Times bestseller, and it’s one of our must-read happiness books.
Your Life Manual
If you need a little more guidance and direction, then Your Life Manual will lay it all out for you. Author David Ambrose details his unique philosophy without technical terms. These are practical tips you can actually carry out in your own life.This easy-to-read guide offers simple techniques and information to help you experience real happiness.
1. Which book encourages us to live in the moment?| A．This Is Water. | B．The Wisdom of Insecurity. |
| C．Big Magic. | D．Your Life Manual. |
| A．Tips for completing boring tasks. |
| B．Suggestions on realizing potentials. |
| C．Ways to become creative. |
| D．Skills at writing a bestseller. |
| A．David Foster Wallace. | B．Alan Watts. |
| C．David Ambrose. | D．Elizabeth Gilbert. |
【推荐2】Here’re some great books that readers might enjoy this season.
Atana and the Firebird
It was written by Vivian Zhou. Atana is a mermaid (美人鱼) who lives alone on an island. One night,she meets a curious firebird named Ren. They go out to other islands. This attracts the attention of the Witch Queen, who invites them to her palace. But is the Witch Queen the protector she seems to be?
Balto and Togo
The book by Helen Moss connects history with imagination. It is an amazing piece of art. The story is set in Nome,a small community in Alaska. A serious disease breaks out, and it’s up to Balto and Togo, along with the rest of the dogsledding (狗拉雪橇) team, to deliver the life-saving medicine. Will they make it in time?
Gossamer
In her novel Gossamer, Lois Lowry explores how dreams come to be. The book follows several storylines involving tiny dream-giving creatures and the humans. Littlest One is a new dream-giver. From her teacher Thin Elderly, she learns how to collect pieces of memories and turn them into dreams. These are given to an elderly woman, a troubled boy, and a young mother. A new edition of this beloved book is coming out in January.
A Young Adventurer’s Workbook
It’s an interactive book by Sarra Scherb. By making a series of choices,readers shape their own story,creating a title for their adventure, drawing their character, and deciding who the villain (反派) will be. It’s all part of the fun. If you enjoy action, fantasy, and role-playing games, you’ll surely love this book!
1. What do we know about Balto and Togo?| A．It’ll be published in January. | B．It reflects a true event. |
| C．It was written by Vivian Zhou. | D．It describes Helen Moss’ bravery. |
| A．A famous publisher. | B．An author of a book. |
| C．A novel’s character. | D．Lois Lowry’s teacher. |
| A．A Young Adventurer’s Workbook. | B．Atana and the Firebird. |
| C．Balto and Togo. | D．Gossamer. |
【推荐3】Classic works can be enjoyable if you know how to approach them. There are many ways you can take for reading classic novels that will improve your understanding and your enjoyment.
Set a schedule. If you are reading the book for school, you can figure out when you will need to finish the book. Divide the page count with the number of days that you have left.
Read the novel. Every day read at least your minimum page count for the novel. You should try to read uninterrupted in a single session.
Consult the footnotes. You may have an annotated (带注解的) text that has footnotes or endnotes Reading these notes as you work your way through the text can help you understand the historical and social meaning of the book. They can also point out literary allusions (典故), symbolism and double-meanings in the text.
Write in the margins( 空 白 )B e an active reader. Use a pencil to circle, underline, and box any key phrases, quotes, or symbols. Record your reactions to certain parts of the text by using smiley faces. If you have an opinion or you notice something interesting, take a quick note in the margins.
Summarize each chapter. After you finish for the day, write a brief summary of what happens. This will help you recall at a later date what the novel is about.
| A．Always look up the new words. |
| B．Create a list of words you do not know. |
| C．Do not end in the middle of a page or chapter. |
| D．It can also help you process what you read for that day. |
| E．Erase your notes it you are giving your book to someone else. |
| F．Or you could choose to read a certain number of chapters a day. |
| G．Such active reading helps you process and remember the novel with greater ease. |
【推荐1】You’ve seen it in many hit US TV shows and movies.
Every year, rich party animals in the US take planes to places like Florida or Cancun, Mexico.
But for many American students, life is not a TV show, and neither is their spring break.
Having a staycation, which means being a tourist in your own city, is another popular trend. Time Out magazine gave some tips: Visit local art galleries, museums, and tourist attractions;
For those who are not in the mood to go out, Spring Break is also a good time to catch up with hit TV series or play video games.
As Investopedia concluded: “
| A．It’s usually in the middle of March. |
| B．there are lots of ways to spend your time. |
| C．A great spring break isn’t necessarily about where you go. |
| D．A short spring break with friends can get you refreshed. |
| E．to make it a true vacation, go to some nice restaurants. |
| F．Since going to hot spots can cost a lot, road trips have become popular. |
| G．They enjoy cold drinks, and show off their hot bodies in their swimwear on the beach. |
Writing in the late 1800s, Jules Verne was remarkably successful in his 10 guesses about future technologies of air conditioning, automobiles, the Internet, television, and underwater, air, and space travel. Unbelievably, of all places from which to choose, Jules Verne guessed Tampa, Florida, USA as the launching site of the first project to the Moon, which was only 200 kilometers away from the actual 1969 location at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
One of the best-known science fiction books is Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. Published in 1949, it was not meant as a prediction, but as a warning: Orwell was describing what he saw as the outcome of the ideas, trends, and emerging technologies of his time. Many invented terms from this novel have become common in everyday use, such as “big brother” and “doublethink”. Even the author’s name has been made into an adjective—Orwellian—and has become a warning descriptor for situations where privacy is lost and the individual has no power and is completely controlled by the government. Nineteen Eighty-Four was translated into sixty-five languages within five years of its publication, setting a record that still stands.
What helps bring science fiction into being is usually a new discovery or innovation. The author creates an analysis of the potential influence and consequences and then wraps it in a pleasant story. For example, the beginning of space exploration was followed a few years later by the Star Trek television program and movie series. The science fiction author’s self-determined role is search the world of future possibilities upon the road which we are traveling.
1. From the first paragraph, we know that science fiction might be ________.| A．a forecast of how a new discovery could influence mankind |
| B．a brief review of the present drawbacks of technology |
| C．a thoughtful look at the past and a prediction of the future |
| D．an analysis of how a new technology could be used to harm human. |
| A．A prediction of future technologies. |
| B．A warning of unfair and cruel ruling. |
| C．The motive of scientific development. |
| D．An imaginary perfect world of freedom. |
| A．H.G. Wells predicted the Internet in the late 1800s |
| B．Nineteen Eighty-Four adopted some popular terms |
| C．Star Trek movie series were based on space exploration |
| D．Cape Canaveral was mentioned in Jules Verne’s fiction |
| A．A reference of technology. |
| B．A moral compass. |
| C．A record of science development. |
| D．A form of thinking about possibilities. |
【推荐3】Cutting our use of fossil fuels by making energy from solar panels and wind farms is a well-known way to tackle climate change but a new study shows that soil could play a big role too.
Scientists are looking at ways to store the gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) on Earth. That’s because too much of it in the atmosphere is one of the main causes of global warming. CO₂ comes from natural sources and from human activities like burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas). If there is too much of it in the Earth’s atmosphere, it can trap in the Sun’s heat, leading to climate change. The soil study was led by Jacqueline McGlade, former chief scientist at the UN Environment Programme.
McGlade says that if half of the world’s agricultural soil stored just 1% more CO₂, the world would almost be on track to keep to the 2015 Paris Agreement. In the Paris Agreement, most of the world’s countries promised to stop average temperatures rising above a certain point that would be bad for the planet.
McGlade says that changing farming methods will improve the health of soil and its ability to store CO₂. She suggests cutting the use of artificial fertilizers. These are plant foods made from fossil fuels that contain growth-boosting ingredients.
Other ways to help include ploughing less to stop soil drying out or washing into rivers, and planting cover crops. Cover crops are not harvested for food, they are grown to give the soil a break. One cover crop is clover, a plant that naturally gives the soil nitrogen a substance that helps other plants grow.
McGlade says, “Changing farming could make soils carbon-negative, making them absorb carbon and reducing the cost of farming.” She says that, in the long term, it would also boost food production.
1. What’s paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．The concern of scientists. | B．The harm of carbon dioxide. |
| C．The forming reason of climate change. | D．The complexity of the Earth’s atmosphere. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Favorable. | C．Disapproving. | D．Ambiguous. |
| A．By quoting others’ comments. | B．By offering an example. |
| C．By listing statistics. | D．By comparison. |
| A．How to tackle climate change | B．Soil could get climate on track |
| C．Farming is essential to climate | D．How to improve the health of soil |
【推荐1】Being compared to great people like Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein is not something that happens to the average person. At the age of just 23, Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski has already achieved much more goals than most of us ever will in our lifetime.
When she was only 14 years old, the Chicago girl made her own single engine airplane—by herself. She then flew it across Lake Michigan, becoming the youngest person to ever fly their own plane.
She graduated from Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) in 2010 and entered Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
At first, she had to wait to be accepted into the school, but once Professors Allen Haggerty and Earll Murman watched her video they had no doubt. Femalista quoted Haggerty as saying: After just three years at MIT she has already achieved the highest possible grade point average of 5.0.
She is now studying further at Harvard University, with full academic freedom. Once again she is only 23 years old.
What's even more impressive is that she is no longer interested in building planes but has turned her attention to physics, namely black holes and how gravity (重力)affects space and time —that is why she is being compared to Einstein and Hawking.
Pasterski records all of her work on her website Physics Girl, but if you are a little shocked by her achievements, she has some words for you.
During an interview with Marie Claire earlier this year she said: Being optimistic about what you believe you can do. When you're little, you say a lot of things about what you'll do or be when you're older—I think it's important not to forget those dreams."
1. Why does the author mention Einstein and Hawking at the beginning?| A．To honour the two scientists. |
| B．To compare the two scientist. |
| C．To bring out the key character. |
| D．To introduce their achievements. |
a. Study at Harvard University.
b. Wait to be accepted by MIT.
c. Achieve grade point average of 5.0.
d. Graduate from IMSA in 2010.
e. Make a single engine airplane by herself.
| A．edcba. | B．edbca. |
| C．decab. | D．deacb. |
| A．She has full academic freedom at Harvard. |
| B．She records all of her work on her website. |
| C．She becomes the youngest person to fly a plane. |
| D．She is interested in some special fields of physics. |
| A．Independence and concentration. | B．Concentration and optimism. |
| C．Optimism and determination. | D．Friendliness and determination. |
【推荐2】KING LEAR Act 3
NARRATOR: As soon as Goneril has got all she can from her father, she begins treating him disrespectfully. When Lear wants to speak to her, Goneril tells her servant, Oswald, to say she is sick. She encourages her staff to be disrespectful towards Lear and begins complaining about the hundred soldiers Lear has brought with him. However, King Lear soon has a friend by his side. The Duke of Kent, who Lear ordered to leave Britain, cannot abandon his king. He therefore comes to Lear disguised（伪装） as a servant called Caius and asks for a job.
(Enter Lear, several of Lear's soldiers and Kent disguised as a servant.)
LEAR: OK, Caius. I'll give you a trial. And if you prove to be good at your job, I'll keep you on as my servant. (Oswald enters.) Hey, you there. Where's my daughter? (Oswald ignores the king and hurries out of the room.) Hey. What's going on? Call him back. Is he deaf? (A Soldier rushes out after Oswald.) It's as though the whole world has gone to sleep. (Soldier reenters.) Where's that servant? Why didn’t he come back when I called?
SOLDIER: Sir, he answered me very rudely and said he would not come back. LEAR: I don’t believe it!
SOLDIER: Sir, I am sorry, to tell you this, but it seems to me that you are not being treated with the respect due to a king. Everyone here, including your daughter, is behaving very coldly towards you.
LEAR:Mmm. I suspected the same, but I kept telling myself it was my imagination. Please tell my daughter I wish to speak with her. (Soldier bows and leaves. Oswald enters.) Ah, come here my man and answer me. Who am I?
OSWALD: My lady's father.
LEAR: Your lady's father? Is that all I am to you, you dog, you slave! (Lear raises his arm as though to strike Oswald.)
OSWALD: I'll not be hit, my Lord.
KENT: (Kent kicks Oswald's feet out from under him.) And you won't be laid flat on your back either, I suppose. Now get up and get out of here. (Oswald leaves.)
LEAR: My thanks, Caius. I can see you will be a most valuable servant.
(Enter Goneril.) What's up, daughter? You always seem to be frowning lately.
GONERIL: Is it any wonder that I frown when your soldiers are continually drinking and fighting? I thought when I told you about their behaviour you would make them behave, but now I hear you have insulted（侮辱）Oswald. I do believe you are encouraging your soldiers in their bad behaviour.
LEAR: Is this my daughter scolding me?
GONERIL: I have had enough of your soldiers. They are expensive to keep and you don't need them. Besides, their drunken behaviour and bad manners are disgusting. You will send half of them away. And unless you want me to get rid of the rest of them too, I suggest you teach them how to behave properly.
LEAR: That's a lie. My soldiers are good men who know how to behave properly. I won't stay here to be insulted. I still have one more daughter. She'll scratch out your eyes when she hears how you've treated me. Men! Get my horses ready and collect my baggage. I'll leave immediately. I won't stay where I'm not welcome. (Lear and companions leave.)
NARRATOR: Lear sends Kent on ahead to the castle of his other daughter, Regan, to tell her that he will soon be arriving. Goneril sends her servant Oswald to Regan to tell her side of the story.
1. Why did the Duke of Kent disguise himself as a servant?| A．To find a chance to meet Goneril. | B．To share some of the king’s wealth. |
| C．To find a job in the court. | D．To serve and help his king Lear. |
| A．Because he doesn’t know he is the king. |
| B．Because King Lear raises his arm to strike him. |
| C．Because King Lear’s soldiers don’t behave properly. |
| D．Because his master treats King Lear disrespectfully. |
| A．Selfish. | B．Cautious. |
| C．Greedy. | D．Stupid. |
1958：The company’s first foray into the American market was the Toyopet in 1958. It was a flop.
1964：Toyota introduced their Corona line of automobiles and sales hit 6,400 in 1965, marking an increase in popularity.
1969：Toyota began importing the Corolla and in 1985 it would become the first Toyota built in the U.S.
1975：Toyota surpassed the popular German brand Volkswagen to become the top import sold in the U.S.
1986：The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered its first recall of Toyota cars due to “speed control” problems.
1988：The First North American Toyota plant opened in Georgetown, Ky.
1989：Toyota introduced the Lexus LS 400, the company’s first U.S. luxury car. It was a major hit.
1997：Toyota debuted their Prius gas-electric hybrid car.
2002：The first consumer complaints emerged of the Camry’s engine surging under braking.
2004：The NHTSA opened a defect investigation into 2002-2003 Camry, Camry Solara and Lexus ES models.
2006：Toyota “Americanizes” and opened a new plant in Texas to build full-size pickups
2007：Toyota surpassed General Motors to become the world’s largest automaker.
2007：The NHTSA investigated pedal entrapment in some Toyota vehicles, which led recalls of floor mats on Camry and Lexus models.
2007：The NHTSA investigated pedal entrapment in some Toyota vehicles, which led recalls of floor mats on Camry and Lexus models.
Aug. 2009：An off-duty California Highway Patrol officer and three family members were killed when their rental 2009 Lexus ES speeds out of control.
Nov. 2009：Toyota recalled 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota models to remove floor mats that can trap pedals.
Jan. 2010：Toyota recalled approximately 2.3 million more vehicles with potential sticking pedal problems. On Jan. 26, Toyota stopped selling eight models involved in the recall.
Feb. 2010：Prius and Lexus hybrids are now being recalled for brake problems in 2010 models.
1. Which of the following brands belong to Toyota family?
| A．Toyopet, Volkswagen, Lexus, Prius |
| B．Camry, Prius, Lexus, Georgetown |
| C．Corona, Prius, Lexus, Corolla |
| D．General Motors, Lexus, Camry, Corolla |
| A．appreciation | B．sorrow | C．withdrawal | D．resolve |
| A．Lexus LS 400 is a cheaper car |
| B．Prius may be a kind of environmentally friendly car |
| C．Corona became popular as soon as introduced to the US |
| D．Toyota’s plant opened in Georgetown symbolized its “Americanize” tactics |
| A．advertise for Toyota |
| B．introduce Toyota’ s struggle in the US |
| C．uncover Toyota’s braking problems |
| D．display Toyota’s glory |
| A．The world’s largest automaker | B．The rise of Toyota |
| C．Toyota meeting problems in the US | D．Toyota’s failure in the US |
