1 . Science fiction pioneer and writer Wu Yan won the National Outstanding Children’s literature Award for his latest work China Orbit. The book focuses on the development of the Chinese aerospace industry, and it was inspired by the planning and preparation for China’s first but canceled manned spacecraft, “Shuguang 1”, also known as Project 714, during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“I collected many historical documents and stories and started writing decades ago, Wu remembered. Partly based on Wu’s own experiences in the 1970s, the book is a combination of reality and fiction, and in some ways his own memoir (传记) was added into the science fiction. This innovative and unique writing method makes the book stand out and has even stirred up a debate on how to categorize it. Is it science fiction, popular science, children’s literature, or aerospace literature?
His fellow science fiction writer Liu Cixin, author of The Three-Body Problem, sees it more deeply, and believes China Orbit is not really children’s science fiction or popular science. He thinks it is too complicated to be classed under a single category. He speaks highly of China Orbit as a unique science fiction novel that vividly shows a child’s real-life experience in a military of a specific era.
In Wu’s opinion, China is a big market for children’s science fiction, but it still lacks extraordinary works. He warned people not to try to earn quick money from it after The Three-BodyProblem frenzy (狂热) and movie blockbuster (轰动) The Wondering Earth because Chinese science fiction still has a long way to go. We need to build Chinese science fiction step by step, with an accumulation of really great works. We need to innovate, and treat it as part of building China’s new culture.
1. What is the book China Orbit mainly about?| A．The space industry in China. |
| B．The introduction to Project 714. |
| C．Stories about Chinese outstanding astronauts. |
| D．Preparations for China’s first manned spacecraft. |
| A．He organizes the writing by time. |
| B．He tells the story in the form of debate. |
| C．He focuses on creating the role of children. |
| D．He combines his personal experiences with fiction. |
| A．China Obit has great commercial value. |
| B．Chinese science movies are of poor quality. |
| C．Innovation is crucial to Chinese science fiction. |
| D．Wu Yan is disappointed at the Chinese film market. |
2 . For several days I saw little of Mr. Rochester. In the morning he seemed much occupied with business, and in the afternoon gentlemen from the neigh our hood called and sometimes stayed to dine with him. When his foot was well enough, he rode out a great deal.
During this time, all my knowledge of him was limited to occasional meetings about the house, when he would sometimes pass me coldly, and sometimes bow and smile. His changes of manner did not offend me, because I saw that I had nothing to do with the cause of them.
One evening, several days later, I was invited to talk to Mr. Rochester after dinner. He was sitting in his armchair, and looked not quite so severe, and much less gloomy. There was a smile on his lips, and his eyes were bright, probably with wine. As I was looking at him, he suddenly turned, and asked me, “do you think I’m handsome, Miss Eyre?”
The answer somehow slipped from my tongue before I realized it: “No, sir.”
“Ah, you really are unusual! You are a quiet, serious little person, but you can be almost rude.”
“Sir, I’m sorry. I should have said that beauty doesn’t matter, or something like that.”
“No, you shouldn’t! I see, you criticize my appearance, and then you stab me in the back! You have honesty and feeling. There are not many girls like you. But perhaps I go too fast. Perhaps you have awful faults to counterbalance your few good points.”
I thought to myself that he might have too. He seemed to read my mind, and said quickly, “Yes, you’re right. I have plenty of faults. I went the wrong way when I was twenty-one, and have never found the right path again. I might have been very different. I might have been as good as you, and perhaps wiser. I am not a bad man, take my word for it, but I have done wrong. It wasn’t my character, but circumstances which were to blame. Why do I tell you all this? Because you’re the sort of person people tell their problems and secrets to, because you’re sympathetic and give them hope.” It seemed he had quite a lot to talk to me. He didn’t seem to like to finish the talk quickly, as was the case for the first time.
“Don’t be afraid of me, Miss Eyre.” He continued. “You don’t relax or laugh very much, perhaps because of the effect Lowood school has had on you. But in time you will be more natural with me, and laugh, and speak freely. You’re like a bird in a cage. When you get out of the cage, you’ll fly very high. Good night.”
1. At the beginning Miss Eyre’s impressions of Mr. Rochester were all except .| A．busy | B．sociable | C．friendly | D．changeable |
| A．around | B．on | C．outside | D．concerning. |
| A．tell her all his troubles | B．tell her his life experience |
| C．change her opinion of him | D．change his circumstances |
| A．rude | B．cool | C．light-hearted | D．encouraging |
3 . Shortly after its opening on the first day of Chinese New Year, The Wandering Earth began to gain momentum (展现强劲势头). In a little over a week, it made 2.8 billion yuan in the domestic market alone. The film’s popularity and success has come as a surprise to many reviewers especially since there hasn’t been that much success for Chinese-produced science fiction in the past. Many agree that this film will change the embarrassing situation and bring in a new age for Chinese science fiction.
As a genre (类型), Chinese science fiction has lagged behind general fiction in both the film and publishing industries. Even Liu Cixin’s (the author who wrote the short story on which The Wandering Earth is based) The Three Body Problem —which is currently quite popular — didn’t have many readers until it was translated into English and won the Hugo Award (雨果奖) in 2015. Personally, I haven’t read much of any genre written in Chinese, but I do notice that there aren’t many separate sections of the bookstore dedicated to science fiction. I cannot speak for everyone, but some people seem to have misunderstandings regarding the genre.
My parents were the type who tried to steer me in the direction of non-fiction and the classics. They believed that science fiction and fantasy were “unrealistic nonsense” and would “rot my brain.” Actually, great science fiction writers do their research. More often than not, one can learn a great deal about science and its possible development from reading science fiction. Sure, some of the concepts may be confusing or technical in nature, but that is also part of the appeal. Things like the internet, electric cars and tablet computers were first theorized (建立理论) in science fiction before they were invented. The author simply uses a combination of science and their imagination to create worlds different from the Earth of today, from which we can get bits and pieces that can be turned into a reality.
The world is changing. There may very well be a time when Earth is no longer able to sustain the entire population. We could be living on Mars or in giant spaceships; perhaps we will be forced to move Earth to a new solar system just like The Wandering Earth. Each of these scenarios has appeared in science fiction multiple times. If we are to be prepared for what is to come, we can look into modern science fiction for a window into the future.
1. According to the article, which of the following statements about The Wandering Earth is NOT true?| A．Critics did not expect too much of the film before its release. |
| B．It is the first time that Chinese science fiction has succeed in the film industry. |
| C．The film was adapted from a short story in Liu Cixin’s The Three Body Problem. |
| D．In the future we might be faced with similar crises to the one described in the movie. |
| A．has little interest in science fiction |
| B．has never read Chinese science fiction |
| C．was not allowed to read science fiction by his parents |
| D．has not been prepared for the future development of science and technology. |
| A．the practical significance of science fiction |
| B．real technologies inspired by science fiction |
| C．people’s misunderstandings about science fiction |
| D．imaginary worlds created by science fiction writers |
| A．strategies | B．proposals | C．ideas | D．pictures |
4 . “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” by Cal Newport is an exploration of the challenges posed by our modern, digitally-driven environment and the strategies one can employ to achieve focused success. Newport researches the concept of deep work, emphasizing its critical role in an era marked by constant distractions.
The book addresses the common issue of information overload and the impact of shallow tasks on productivity. Newport argues that the ability to engage in deep, concentrated work is essential for success. The author supports his claims with research, including experiments comparing brain connectivity patterns during deep work and shallow tasks.
Newport’s work agrees with earlier studies, confirming that handwritten notes outperform (胜过) typed ones in academic performance. Beyond academia, Newport presents evidence of the cognitive (认知的) benefits of deep work.
The book provides practical strategies for integrating deep work into one’s professional life, advocating for routines and intentional changing of the brain to resist distractions. Newport introduces concepts like productive meditation (冥想) and the craftsman approach to tool selection, offering readers actionable advice to enhance their focus and productivity.
“Deep Work” has won widespread praise for its insights into productivity in a distracted world. Many praise Newport’s thorough research, combining neuroscience with practical advice. Readers appreciate the real-world examples, from Carl Jung’s focused mindset to a social media pioneer’s distraction-free writing journey.
In conclusion, “Deep Work” stands as a valuable guide for navigating the challenges of the digital age. Newport’s exploration of deep work as a catalyst (催化剂) for success, supported by research and concrete strategies, has left a lasting impact on how individuals approach their professional and personal lives. It serves as a timely reminder to prioritize focus and concentration in an era defined by constant connectivity and distractions.
1. What kind of writing is this passage?| A．A book review. | B．An advertisement. |
| C．A science report. | D．A psychological research. |
| A．By sharing personal experiences. |
| B．By providing practical strategies. |
| C．By doing experiments on brain connectivity. |
| D．By integrating deep work into one’s professional life |
| A．Selective tools. | B．Inflexible mind. |
| C．Changeable routines. | D．Productive meditation. |
| A．Achieving success through focus. |
| B．The necessity of handwritten notes. |
| C．The drawbacks of constant connectivity. |
| D．An analysis of modern workforce challenges. |
5 . In the 19th century the novel came into its own. Thousands upon thousands of novels were published. Of those novels, very few are remembered today. However, there are exceptions: the works of Jane Austen—Pride and Prejudice (《傲慢与偏见》)，Sense and Sensibility (《理智与情感》)—for example. They achieved only modest success at first but grew and grew in fame (名声) and reputation.
How did Jane Austen become so popular? Of course, the novels are romantic (浪漫的). Everyone knows the love story of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett (in Pride and Prejudice), and how they overcome their own pride and prejudice to live happily ever after. The lovers are almost as famous today as Romeo and Juliet.
But there is more to Austen’s popularity than the fact that she wrote about love. The books are very witty (机智的) and ironic (讽刺的), and show a great understanding of society and of people. Pride and Prejudice opens with what must be the most famous sentence in the English novel: “It is a truth universally acknowledged (认可), that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
The truth, of course, is the opposite: wealthy, unmarried young men are extremely attractive to young women. And women—especially penniless (身无分文) or nearpenniless ones—are the subjects of Austen’s tales.
Women nowadays may be more equal to men than they were in Jane Austen’s day. However, a sense that women still basically live in a world dominated (控制) by men ensures that Austen still has many keen readers.
1. What is the point of the article?| A．To describe the status of women in Jane Austen’s time. |
| B．To promote Jane Austen’s novels among teenagers. |
| C．To explore the characteristics of Jane Austen’s novels. |
| D．To analyze why Jane Austen’s novels have such a lasting appeal. |
| A．Jane Austen wrote a total of four novels in her lifetime. |
| B．Most of the novels written in the 19th century are romances. |
| C．Jane Austen is one of the most successful novelists of the 19th century. |
| D．Jane Austen’s novels were a hit when they were first published. |
| A．are poor and young |
| B．are happily married |
| C．marry wealthy men |
| D．are penniless but witty |
a．They are mostly love stories.
b．Most of them have a happy ending.
c．They are full of wit and irony.
d．People can still relate to them today.
e．They explain how to succeed in a maledominated society.
| A．a，b，c | B．a，c，d |
| C．c，d，e | D．b，c，e |
6 . The Thing About Yetis
Everyone knows yetis love winter. They love snowball fights and hot chocolate and building snow houses. But even yetis complain about the cold. So here’s a secret about yetis: Sometimes they miss summer. Sometimes, they have to bring a little bit of summer to the coldest of winter days. Those yetis, they’re just full of surprises.
But Excuse Me That Is My Book
Charlie and Lola have already won the hearts of readers in three winning books. And now they’re quickly gathering more fans as an animated series on the Disney Channel.
In this new tale, Lola has become interested in Beetles, Bugs, and Butterflies, the best book in the whole world. It’s funny, it has pictures, and it is “great and very interesting”. It’s the only book she wants to take out of the library. What will she do when she discovers that somebody else has borrowed her book?
Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales
Brer Rabbit is causing trouble again — this time it brings together all the stories from the Tales of Uncle Remus series.
The Uncle Remus tales, originally written down by Joel Chandler Harris, were first published over a hundred years ago, and serve as the largest collection of African-American folklore. In this four-book series. Julius Lester makes some changes so the stories will be understood and enjoyed by new generations of readers.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Mouse
A lively story about discovering the joy and meaning of Christmas.
When Mr. Mouse and his family move into a big house, they discover something new and wonderful: an evergreen tree decorated with lights and pleasant smells in the air. They hear about a happy man named Santa who brings gifts to celebrate Jesus’s birth on a day called Christmas. So Mr. and Mrs. Mouse decide that their family should celebrate Christmas, too.
1. What’s a secret about yetis?| A．They have snowball fights. | B．They love summer as well. |
| C．They can build snow houses. | D．They eat chocolate sometimes. |
| A．She couldn’t borrow her favorite book. |
| B．She couldn’t find a good book. |
| C．She couldn’t afford to buy her favorite book. |
| D．She couldn’t find a good library. |
| A．The Thing About Yetis. | B．But Excuse Me That Is My Book. |
| C．Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales. | D．Merry Christmas, Mr. Mouse. |
7 . Critics’ choice: The year’s best novels…
1. The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (Harper, $29)
The novel from a celebrated poet, this 800-page work is many things at once: a moving coming-of-age story, an examination of race, and an exploration of American history. Out of curiosity about the secrets in her family, Ailey uncovers stories that trace back to her Native American, Scottish, and enslaved African-American ancestors.
2. Matrix by Lauren Groff (Knopf, $28)
If Matrix were written by anyone else, it would be a hard sell. But Lauren Groff has reimagined the life of 12th-century poet Marie de France so that we can’t help but stay with this royal castoff as she’s sent away, at 17, to run a poor church, which she eventually changes into a shelter for women and a challenge to the male-dominated world.
3. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (Knopf, $28)
A robot that has been programmed to be a sickly teenager’s “Artificial Friend,” Klara serves as our eyes on a troubling near future in which technological progress is pushing moral boundaries. But her outsider view allows the author of Remains of the Day, now a Nobel Prize winner, to explore what makes people irreplaceable.
4. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr (Scribner, $30)
Doerr’s first novel since 2014 covers several hundred years — from 1453 Constantinople to a 22nd-century spaceship escaping from Earth. The book runs 640 pages, but without a wasted word. As engaging as a great bedtime story and as readable as Harry Potter, it’s above all a celebration of the human spirit and its power to dream impossible dreams.
1. Which book is written by a poet?| A．The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois. | B．Matrix. |
| C．Klara and the Sun. | D．Cloud Cuckoo Land. |
| A．Historical events. | B．Pursuit of dreams. |
| C．Human irreplaceability. | D．Teenagers’ friendship. |
| A．They all cover hundreds of years. | B．They are all chosen by critics. |
| C．They are all the author’s first novel. | D．The main characters are all humans. |
8 . Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2024
The Novel Fair is an annual competition initiated by the Irish Writers Centre (IWC). Described by The Irish Times as “A Dragons’ Cave for writers”, each year the Fair aims to introduce up-and-coming writers to top publishers and literary agents.
The Prize
The twelve winners will have the opportunity to present the summary of their novel directly to industry professionals. Leading publishers and agents will be invited by the IWC to meet these writers in person or through a series of online meetings. To get fully prepared for the meeting with publishers and agents, the winners will receive a place in a workshop on “How to Promote Your Novel”, two weeks in advance. Also, applicants who are longlisted (初选) but do not make it to the shortlist of twelve will have their works evaluated and criticized by the judging panel.
How to Enter
Entry fee for application is £55 (Members of IWC can enter for a discounted fee of £45). This competition only accepts manuscripts (原稿) for novels. Applicants are required to send a summary within 300 words and up to five chapters of their novel, which should be 10,000 words (+/-10％). Manuscripts should be submitted online. There is a limit of one entry per applicant.
Entries are welcome from anywhere in the world. Before entering the competition, please ensure that you have read the Novel Fair Terms & Conditions 2024 very carefully as the Fair is open to only novelists who have never published work previously. If you have any questions about the application process, please email novelfair@irishwriterscentre.ie.
1. What’s the purpose of the Fair?| A．To advertise local stories. |
| B．To encourage literary reading. |
| C．To serve as a platform for writers. |
| D．To arouse enthusiasm for writing. |
| A．Deal with the judging panel. |
| B．Improve their writing skills. |
| C．Learn about publishing process. |
| D．Present their novels attractively. |
| A．A summary of 200 words. |
| B．A novel published in 2023. |
| C．A paper manuscript by post. |
| D．A submission of seven chapters. |
9 . Looking for Emily
By Fiona Longmuir
When Lily moves to a sleepy town by the sea she thinks nothing exciting will happen to her again. Then she discovers a secret museum: the Museum of Emily, filled with the belongings of a girl who disappeared many years ago. Will Lily find out what happened to Emily?
Spellstoppers
By Cat Gray
In the seaside village of Yowling, Max learns that he is a “spellstopper” — someone with the ability to control magic. When Max’s granddad is kidnapped (绑架), Max is thrown into an adventure (冒险). Will Max save the day?
Gracie Fairshaw and the Trouble at the Tower
By Susan Brownrigg
Set in the seaside holiday center of Blackpool, England, in the 1930s, this is young detective (侦探) Gracie Fairshaw’s second adventure. She’s excited to see a preview of the Children’s Ballet’s latest performance (演出), but it all goes very wrong and it looks like someone is trying to make the show look bad. It’s up to Gracie and her friends to stop them.
The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks
By Emily Kenny
Alice Tonks joins a new boarding school by the sea but on her first day an encounter (相遇) with a seabird shows she has the ability to talk to animals — and that they need her help. Alice is used to being on her own but soon she’s teaming up with lots of new friends to work out this problem.
1. Which of the following books mentions a secret museum?| A．Spellstoppers. |
| B．Looking for Emily. |
| C．The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks. |
| D．Gracie Fairshaw and the Trouble at the Tower. |
| A．She is good at controlling magic. |
| B．She gets bored at ballet shows. |
| C．She lives in modern times. |
| D．She is a new detective. |
| A．They are all set at the seaside. |
| B．They all focus on friendship. |
| C．They all describe strange things in school. |
| D．They are all based on the authors’ personal experiences. |
10 . If you want to understand China but can’t afford an expensive international flight, these four books can give you a complete overview of the country.
River Town
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze by Peter Hessler-This book is a journal of the author’s two years spent teaching English in a small town called Fuling, situated on the banks of the Yangtze River. Hessler writes about his experiences living in a foreign culture and observing the lives of the town’s residents. The book was published in 2001 and has won several awards, including the Kiriyama Prize.
Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China
It is a book that tells the story of China’s modernization. It was written by Ezra Vogel and published in 2011. The author describes how Deng Xiaoping’s policies led to significant changes in China’s economy and society. The book has received critical honors and won the Lionel Gelber Prize In 2012.
The Search for Modern China by Jonathan Spence
This book is a comprehensive history of China from the Ming dynasty to the present day. The author, a prominent scholar of Chinese history, provides a detailed analysis of the social, cultural, and political changes that have taken place in China over the past 500 years. The book was first put out in 1990 and has since been revised and updated several times. This book was the top bestseller for years.
Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China
Written by Leslie T. Chang, this book, published in 2008, is reportage on the lives of young women who leave their rural homes to work in factories in China’s cities. Chang, a former New York Times correspondent (someone who is employed by a newspaper or a television station etc. to report news from a particular area or on a particular subject), interviewed hundreds of factory girls to provide insight into the social and economic changes in China.
1. What kind of book is River Town?| A．Science fiction. | B．Nonfiction. |
| C．A travel guide of Fuling. | D．A reference book. |
| A．It was published 500 years ago. | B．It was written by a history teacher. |
| C．It was very popular. | D．It has remained the same since its first publication. |
| A．River Town. |
| B．Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China. |
| C．The Search for Modern China. |
| D．Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China. |
