1 . As a college student in Boston, I formed the habit of buying used books. I enjoy the hunt, the good price and the unrecognized treasures. I find old textbooks, ex-bestsellers, and books on subjects I’ve never heard of but now I must learn all about. I don’t search for rare books, first editions, or leather-bound editions but books that are worth reading.
Rereading, for me, is a pleasure during retirement. The theater and the concert hall become less appealing to me, along with crowds. Staying alone and reading books have become extremely important to me. Literature needs the flesh of experience to have its full effect. Different books offer me insights and ways of expressing that stuck in my mind as grains of sand in an oyster — now shine like pearls. My taste in books improves with age.
While packing for a move, which occurs at intervals of five to seven years, I clear my shelves and pick my books. I abandon a few, later regret my decisions, and look for them again. Several years ago, I got rid of books related to my job — architecture. Some were design guides, reference books, product catalogs, and things that went out of date. Some were historical or centered on a period or an architect. These had given me many hours of pleasure. Will I ever open their covers again? Certainly. I held on to the red bulk of Sir Banister Fletcher’s A History of Architecture and books on Paris, Rome, and Boston.
I gave away drafting equipment and instruments. I threw out rolls and rolls of paper, and old drawings of projects completed long ago, some of which had even been damaged. This time, I stay put in a cottage that suits my status and I’ve moved on in spirit. No doubt I will acquire more used books and throw away more books as passions grow and fade, like feathers changing with the seasons.
1. What does the author consider most important when choosing used books?A.Their appealing covers. | B.Their reasonable prices. |
C.Their collection value. | D.Their excellent content. |
A.He has a deeper understanding of reading. | B.His attitude towards work changes. |
C.His communication skills improve. | D.He has a small circle of friends. |
A.To show some books are worth rereading. | B.To explain his love for architecture. |
C.To suggest we avoid making poor decisions. | D.To recommend Sir Banister Fletcher’s books. |
A.He decides to stop throwing away used books. | B.He will read more books that suit his interests. |
C.He will enlarge his collection of used books. | D.He is bad at using advanced drafting equipment. |
2 . Four Best Books of 2023
The Berry Pickers
by Amanda Peters
After their youngest daughter, Ruthie, disappears during a summer of berry-picking in Maine, a Micmac family from Nova Scotia struggles to move forward. Indigenous Voices Award winner Amanda Peters delivers an un-put-down-able novel of identity, forgiveness, and insistent hope.
The House of Doors
by Tan Twan Eng
This atmospheric novel, set in 1920s Malaysia, tells of a famous author bent on uncovering secrets for storytelling materials. Tan Twan Eng weaves love, duty, betrayal and colonialism into the narrative.
The Revolutionary Temper: Paris, 1748-1789
by Robert Darnton
This interesting history of the decades leading up to the French Revolution offers a populist account of a crazy political moment. Darnton goes beyond what everyday people thought and said to attract readers to what anxious Parisians read, wore, ate and sang on the way to toppling (推翻) the rule of Louis XVI.
The Soul of Civility
by Alexandra Hudson
What can the world’s oldest book teach us about civility (礼貌) today? Alexandra Hudson’s thoughtful and fluent book on how to live well together draws on literature from The Teachings of Ptahhotep, written 4,500 years ago in Egypt, to Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter From Birmingham Jail.
1. What is the main theme of The Berry Pickers?A.The life of a carefree girl. |
B.The history of berry-picking in Maine. |
C.The situation before the French Revolution. |
D.The stories of identity, forgiveness and hope. |
A.A family in Maine. | B.Malaysia in the 1920s. |
C.The French Revolution. | D.Egypt 4,500 years ago. |
A.Alexandra Hudson. | B.Robert Darnton. | C.Tan Twan Eng. | D.Amanda Peters. |
1. Who is Tom Hodgkinson?
A.Founder of a magazine. | B.Publisher of a novel. | C.Editor of a newspaper. |
A.It’s old-fashioned. | B.It’s wide-ranging. | C.It’s student-targeted. |
A.To do a promotion. | B.To discuss an issue. | C.To introduce a lecturer. |
4 . 听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
1. How does Robert sound when speaking of his being a writer?A.Hopeful. | B.Grateful. | C.Doubtful. |
A.He had wild imagination. |
B.He enjoyed sports. |
C.He loved science. |
A.A teacher. | B.A coach. | C.A librarian. |
A.Writing daily. | B.Listening to stories. | C.Reading extensively. |
5 . Where does the conversation probably take place?
A.At a bookstore. | B.In the classroom. | C.In a library. |
6 . 听下面一段独白,回答以下小题。
1. What is Jennifer Green doing?A.Conducting a class. | B.Presenting a speaker. | C.Recommending a book. |
A.Tips for escaping unhappiness. |
B.Benefits of painful experiences. |
C.Ways to develop reading ability. |
A.Share his stories. | B.Discuss his plans. | C.Explain his views. |
7 . International Literacy (读写能力) Day, also called World Literacy Day, was set in 1966 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The purpose was to help improve the world’s ability to read and give people better opportunities in life.
·Collect Books to Donate
Kids in some poor communities might have difficulty getting chances to read the books they need to improve their skills and become better readers.
·Tutor (辅导) a Student How to Read and Write
·
In addition to helping someone read locally, it’s also possible to get connected with a literacy organization through the World Literacy Foundation. This organization mainly focuses on helping children from low-income backgrounds.
A.Connect with a Literacy Organization |
B.Some children struggle to read and write |
C.Collect books for them from used bookstores |
D.And it also helps the children to become lifelong readers |
E.Here are tips about how to celebrate International Literacy Day |
8 . Calling all book lovers! Here’s a bit of information on bookstores, each with a different feel and uniqueness.
Octavia Books
513 Octavia St, New Orleans
With a wide variety of titles in a clean and organized environment, this bookstore offers frequent book signing events and various readings and talks, providing the opportunity to meet the authors and other readers with similar interests. A must-see for the die-hard reader!
Garden District Book Shop
2727 Prytania St, New Orleans
It’s packed full of locally themed books, a large variety of fiction and non-fiction titles, numerous kids’ books, a nice selection of signed books and other novelties. It is most frequently visited by kids. Its website is full of information, including hours of operation, upcoming events, the date of the author event and more.
Faulkner House Books
624 Pirate’s Alley, New Orleans
In the heart of New Orleans’ beautiful and historic French Quarter sits this fanciful and well-liked bookstore. It is located on the bottom floor of Faulkner House, the former home of the American writer, William Faulkner. The shop not only specializes in first publications and unique and out-of-print books — mostly by Southern authors — but also carries new titles.
Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop
631 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans
Named after the owner’s grandparents, it mainly focuses on new and used science fiction, which distinguishes itself from the others, fantasies, graphic novels, and children’s books. Board games are a big deal at this book shop. It offers various gaming opportunities, where readers can choose a game from the gaming library and play to their heart’s content.
1. What do the first two bookstores have in common?A.They hold readings regularly. | B.They provide access to writers. |
C.They’re famous for diverse events. | D.They’re appealing to children. |
A.Octavia St. | B.Prytania St. |
C.Pirate's Alley. | D.N Carrollton Ave. |
A.It offers second-hand books. | B.It contains books on various games. |
C.It has the game design service. | D.It is founded by the older generation. |
9 . What is the man worried about?
A.He cannot find so many history books. |
B.He does not have enough time to read. |
C.He does not have access to the book list. |