1 . Maps transport us. They make the landscape fit indoors, make us masters of sights we can’t see and spaces we can’t cover. An award-winning book make the grand journeys taken by wild animals fit indoors, too. Where the Animals Go: Tracking Wildlife with Technology in 50 Maps and Graphics by James Cheshire and Oliver Uberti is an engaging volume, gorgeous in its illustrations and text. Its double intent is brilliant, too — to bring each of us closer to the animal world and to highlight fresh ways to think about conservation.
Technology is central to this effort. As Chesire and Uberti explain, a variety of methods including GPS tracking, acoustic tracking, and sunlight-based geolocating have opened. up the scope of the science of animal movement and brought in an era of new precision.
In a stirring passage, Cheshire and Uberti write: “We can see how the lifeblood of the world’s first national park also depends on protecting land outside its borders. And once you see that twice a year some animals are traveling across 23 million acres of state, it’s hard not. to question our reasons for dividing wilderness into so many scraps, each with its own agenda and regulations. Animals use the land as one big, interconnected system. Perhaps we might learn to do the same.”
Cheshire and Uberti hope the book will inspire discourse about the geographic needs of animals. One of their goals for this book is to connect people to the lives and intentional choices of individual animals. People see individuality in their pets; it’s much harder to see in the wild. As a result, to some, animals in the wild may seem like furry robots following a predetermined loop. This is the kind of thinking they hope to shift.
1. What is the function of maps according to the passage?| A．To decorate homes. | B．To educate people. |
| C．To dominate sights. | D．To display landscape. |
| A．To track wildlife with technology. | B．To bring human closer to wildlife. |
| C．To begin in a new era of precision. | D．To show their gorgeous illustration. |
| A．Human needs to see wilderness as a whole. | B．Animals’ agendas are different from man’s. |
| C．We should protect land outside our borders. | D．The survival of national parks lies in protection. |
| A．Wild animals have individuality. | B．Wildlife makes intentional choices. |
| C．Wildlife follows a predetermined path. | D．Wild animals are as furry as robots. |
1. What’s the probable relationship between the speakers?
| A．Close friends. | B．Student and teacher. | C．Assistant and customer. |
| A．Late returns will be fined. |
| B．No books can be renewed. |
| C．ID cards are needed each time. |
| A．Buy a coffee. | B．Pay for the book. | C．Photocopy the ID card. |
3 . The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is one of the best books I have read in years. This is a page turner with complex characters and situations that will make you think hard about friendship, good and evil, betrayal, etc. It is intense and a great book by many measures.
On one level, The Kite Runner is the story of two boys in Afghanistan and Afghan immigrants in America. It is a story set in a culture that has become of increasing interest to Americans since the September 11, 2001 attacks. It also explores the history of the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan. On this level, it provides a good way for people to learn more about Afghan history and culture in the context of the story.
Looking at The Kite Runner as a story about culture, however, misses what the book is really about. This is a novel about humanity. This is a story about friendship, loyalty, cruelty, longing for acceptance, redemption, and survival. The core story could be set in any culture because it deals with issues that are universal.
The Kite Runner looks at how the main character, Amir, deals with a secret in his past and how that secret shaped who he became. It tells of Amir’s childhood friendship with Hassan, his relationship with his father and growing up in a privileged place in society. I was drawn in by Amir’s voice. I sympathized with him, cheered for him and felt angry with him at different points. Similarly, I became attracted by Hassan and his father. The characters became real to me and it was difficult for me to put the book down and leave their world.
I highly recommend this book, especially for book clubs. For those of you who are not in a reading group, read it and then loan it to a friend. You are going to want to talk about it when you finish.
1. The underlined words “a page turner” probably mean that the book is ________.| A．abstract | B．thrilling | C．ridiculous | D．tough |
| A．the beauty of language | B．the history of the Taliban |
| C．the reflection of humanity | D．the culture of immigrants |
| A．The story can provide inspiration for readers of various cultures. |
| B．The author always feels sympathy for the main character, Amir. |
| C．The story is set in the September 11, 2001 attacks in America. |
| D．The secret helped Amir to grow up in a privileged place in society. |
| A．An advertisement of a book. | B．An introduction to a book. |
| C．A summary of a book. | D．A review of a book. |
4 . With summer approaching, it’s time to find some good books to read. Here are some you might like to try.
The Big Miss
The author was Tiger Woods’ coach for six years, and the book is a behind - the - scenes look into the famous golfer’s private life. One reader wrote on Amazon. com , “I’m a big Tiger fan, and I read this in one sitting. Brilliant!”
Steve Jobs
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away.
This is the official biography of his life. It’s based on over forty interview s with Steve, his friends and family members, plus a few enemies.
The Hunger Games
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic（世界末日后的）future. Most people are very poor. Every year, there’s a game show（called “The Hunger Games”）in which 18 teenagers are sent into the wild to battle it out until only one survives. The book has just been made into a highly successful Hollywood movie.
Imagine How Creativity Works
This is a very fun and very convincing book about the creative parts of our brain. It looks at people such as Bob Dylan, and the man who invented post-it notes and asks why they were so creatively successful. The author writes, “Once we know how creativity works, we can make it work for us.”
The Venice Experiment: A Year of Trial and Error Living Abroad
A few years ago, real-life American couple Barry and Debbie decided to escape the rat race and live in Venice for a year. This is the story of their experiences there, and it’s full of funny anecdotes (奇闻轶事) about their struggle to adapt to the Venetian lifestyle. A fellow author said, “For anyone thinking of an overseas adventure, The Venice Experiment is a laugh-out-loud read.”
1. What is special about The Hunger Games?| A．It tells adventures. | B．It is based on real stories. |
| C．It hits the screen | D．It is the most popular book. |
| A．Creative | B．Relaxing. | C．Inspiring | D．Convictive. |
| A．The Big Miss. |
| B．The Hunger Games. |
| C．Imagine How Creativity Works. |
| D．The Venice Experiment: A Year of Trial and Error Living Abroad |
5 . Novels. Why do I read them? I was most
Gradually, it has come back, but it’s all
A few months later, I
| A．surprised | B．eager | C．qualified | D．welcome |
| A．education | B．judgment | C．enjoyment | D．family |
| A．divided | B．turned | C．rolled | D．stuffed |
| A．transported | B．limited | C．admitted | D．followed |
| A．inspection | B．exams | C．messages | D．time |
| A．declined | B．arose | C．remained | D．gathered |
| A．sought for | B．suffered from | C．fallen out of | D．broken away from |
| A．different | B．wrong | C．difficult | D．normal |
| A．prove | B．unearth | C．explain | D．untie |
| A．unwilling | B．unhappy | C．unprepared | D．unable |
| A．identified | B．selected | C．wrote down | D．took back |
| A．plot | B．memory | C．reputation | D．vision |
| A．fruits | B．happenings | C．insights | D．characters |
| A．In addition | B．In short | C．At random | D．For instance |
| A．content | B．familiar | C．bored | D．occupied |
| A．misfortune | B．beauty | C．authority | D．unrest |
| A．lost sight of | B．sorted out | C．chanced upon | D．kept track of |
| A．let out | B．made up | C．edited out | D．looked up |
| A．intensely | B．simply | C．possibly | D．gradually |
| A．lifelong | B．personal | C．new | D．local |
1. Why does the man congratulate Ava?
| A．She saved a sick goose. | B．She finished a new book. | C．She won a competition. |
| A．It’s sad. | B．It’s inspiring. | C．It’s funny. |
7 . ※ Brown Girl Dreaming
By Jacqueline Woodson
As a winner of the National Book Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, and a Newberry Honor Book, in her book, Brown Girl Dreaming, the author uses poetry to tell her true story of growing up as a black woman in the 1960s and 1970s. Woodson’s beautiful language explores big ideas while describing her family, her growing awareness of race and the civil rights movement, and her life in South Carolina and New York City.
※ When You Were Everything
By Ashley Woodfolk
Cleo and Layla have been best friends for years. But in their second year of middle school, everything changes. Layla starts hanging out with her new friends, and the two girls’ friendship slowly ends. Cleo is still trying to make sense of what happened as she tries to make new friends. Told across two timelines, Cleo’s story of sadness surrounding a lost friendship will be relevant for many 8th graders trying to deal with past middle school friend drama and looking forward to high school.
※ The Hound of the Baskervilles
By Arthur Conan Doyle
The famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his friend Watson set out to look into a new case in Dartmoor, England. A man is dead, with many dog paw prints leading to his body. Holmes and Watson arrive in Dartmoor to find several unexplainable events and clues. Together, they start to figure out a puzzle that has defined mystery and detective fiction ever since.
※ The Hobbit
By J. R. R. Tolkien
This story is an opener to the longer and more challenging The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s an adventure story set in a fantasy world. With dwarves (小矮人), hobbits, sword fights, wizards and dragons, the book’s plot and humor have stood the test of time.
1. How is Brown Girl Dreaming different from the other books?| A．It focuses on city life. | B．It uses clear language. |
| C．It has won many awards. | D．It tells humorous stories. |
| A．Friendship and growth. | B．Lost love and gained hope. |
| C．Learning to be more independent. | D．Dealing with pressure from schoolwork. |
| A．The Hobbit | B．Brown Girl Dreaming |
| C．When You Were Everything | D．The Hound of the Baskervilles |
8 . Pigeons have a bad reputation. Maybe these birds’ familiarity makes them an easy target: They are common residents of every continent, save Antarctica. Some people think pigeons are dirty or diseased, as they spend chunks of their days pecking at trash. Others might ignore them entirely, or perhaps go so far as to call them “rats with wings.” But Rosemary Mosco, a science writer, cartoonist, and naturalist, believes these creatures deserve more respect. “We’ve gotten them super wrong,” she says.
In Mosco’s latest book, A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching, she shares her positive views of the species that fell from grace. Once highly valued for their meat, and way finding abilities, pigeons are now largely rejected by human society. But Mosco, a lifelong city-dweller, has always found them fascinating. “If you do watch them, you’re just entranced,” she says. Her travel-sized book details pigeons’ coloration, field marks, and anatomy (解剖结构). But it’s more than a field guide. It’s also an informative account of pigeon history, biology, and behavior, complete with Mosco’s delightful illustrations.
Because pigeons’ fates are so connected with our own, pigeon history closely mirrors ours. Pigeons were distributed across the globe due to centuries of European exploration and colonization. In North America colonists hunted the native Passenger Pigeon for meat and destroyed its native forest habitat, driving it to extinction. Wherever humans domesticated pigeons, some escaped and went wild. Today’s city pigeons are descended from those birds.
Mosco says she’s met more birders who like pigeons than those who hate them. Birders, with well-developed observation skills, can understand pigeons’ entertaining behavior, she says. Plus, if pigeons aren’t enough of a draw on their own, there could be predators, such as hawks or falcons, nearby.
She wants all her readers to be kind to pigeons. But she also hopes that some will follow their pigeon fancy and become hooked on birding. “It’s my secret plot,” she says. After reading her book, you may agree with her that pigeons are as worthy a spark bird as any other.
1. What do the underlined words “fell from grace” mean in paragraph 2?| A．Live in danger. | B．Push the envelope. |
| C．Play with fire. | D．Get out of favor. |
| A．It covers detailed pigeon science with illustrations. |
| B．It shows the author’s views of a particular subject. |
| C．It features numerous beautiful images and diverse cultures. |
| D．It conveys some views of theories accepted widely. |
| A．To learn more about pigeon history and biology. |
| B．To be fond of birding and follow their pigeon interest. |
| C．To stop hating pigeons and start respecting them more. |
| D．To understand pigeons’ behavior and appreciate their beauty. |
| A．A chapter of a book. | B．A book introduction. |
| C．An animal story. | D．An academic paper. |
9 . Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions
It’s important to remember there are a diverse set of holidays available to explore. Below are a few books that help introduce children to different holiday cultures and traditions.
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez
While helping her mother with Christmas celebration, Maria is tempted to try on her mother’s diamond ring. After getting caught up in the joy of the holiday and playing with her cousins, Maria realizes the ring is missing! That’s when she and her cousins come up with a plan to eat all of the tamales, in hopes of finding the ring.
Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger
This is a story about a little girl named Kayla who wants to see her older brother Khari come home so they can celebrate Kwanzaa together as a family. Khari is stuck at college when a snowstorm hits and his car breaks down. Will he make it home in time for Kwanzaa?
A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
This book is a funny, nostalgic tale of Christmas Eve afternoon through Christmas night in Wales, and is full of unique imagery and poetic prose. It will arouse a sense of familiarity for some young readers while introducing them to different aspects of Christmas traditions.
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac
The word otsaliheliga is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This is an amazing story that describes a journey through the seasons with a modern-day Cherokee family. Cherokee history and traditions are also woven into the story in a very kid-friendly way.
1. What makes it difficult for Khari to return home in time for Kwanzaa?| A．A car crash. | B．Delayed flights. | C．Extreme weather. | D．Academic pressure. |
| A．Traci Sorell. | B．Ed Martinez. | C．Dylan Thomas. | D．Trina Schart Hyman. |
| A．how to find hidden treasures at home | B．how to strengthen bonds with friends |
| C．the lifestyles of different ethnic groups | D．different holiday celebrations and customs |
10 . For the students, researchers or simple lovers of knowledge and art, it is a privilege to have a free virtual library at hand, being able to download important texts without spending a single dollar.
◆Internet Archive
It is a non-profit digital library created in 1996 by Brewster Kahle. In addition to millions of books available to the general public, it also hosts a large number of video (movies), audio (music) and software files, etc. It is not necessary to register to access the information, so any user can easily view and download it, although those who decide to register obtain other benefits such as access to more than 1.3 million copyrighted e-books.
◆InfoBooks
Read, Learn, Grow… is the slogan of the digital library. It is divided into three sections to facilitate the search for content, and the first called “Best books to read” focuses on a special collection of various topics classified by famous authors. The second is “Free books and texts”, where you will find public domain literature that you can download, and the third section contains resources to improve your reading.
◆Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a site that has available sixty thousand “free” books that are free of copyright so to speak, since the rights according to certain laws have expired in this case. That is why they can be downloaded with total peace of mind. The Project Gutenberg also has an Open Audio book Collection, almost 5,000 titles from 2023, via a Project Gutenberg collaboration with Microsoft and MIT. These use neural text-to-speech technology for more natural-sounding computer-generated audio books. These audio books are also available on major music/podcast platforms.
1. What most attracts users to Internet Achive?| A．Private software files. |
| B．Easy access to plenty of e-books. |
| C．Classic music of limited edition. |
| D．Various movies of authorized edition. |
| A．Search InfoBooks, Section 1 online. |
| B．E-mail Brewster Kahle to obtain directly. |
| C．Download Software files from Internet Achive. |
| D．Wait for distributions from Project Gutenberg. |
| A．Audio resources are provided online. |
| B．Materials can be adjusted to different users. |
| C．Copyrights of some books are out of date. |
| D．They provide reading strategies training. |
