1 . Books are a great way to learn new things and explore interesting stories.
You’re not exposed to blue light.
We are exposed to blue light so often, which is harmful to the eyes and could create issues later in life.
You may sleep better.
Reading before bed can be helpful in increasing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. Along with longer sleep duration, reading at bedtime could improve your sleep quality once you doze off(打盹儿). If you’ve chosen to read something particularly boring, it’s likely to put you to sleep even faster.
Enjoying a book means being focused on a single plot or topic for several hours, even if we are only reading for 10 to 20 minutes every night. As a result, we become better at concentrating, and we may find that we improve our attention spans in the rest of our daily activities.
Reading boosts your brain power.
Reading allows you to take in new information. The more you learn, the smarter you become. You don’t have to read something academic, or even non-fiction, for your brain to benefit.
| A．Reading reduces stress |
| B．It helps you concentrate better |
| C．Besides, they offer health benefits as well |
| D．However, try to choose a book that’s interesting to you |
| E．Even lighthearted fiction can work to exercise your brain |
| F．That light also tricks your brain into thinking it is daytime |
| G．Creating a relaxing environment allows your body to become sleepy |
2 . 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. |
| A．Edward Gorey’s. | B．Tomi Ungerer’s. |
| C．Sempé’s. | D．William Steig’s. |
| 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. |
| A．Books That Changed My Life | B．Best Cartoonists in the World |
| C．Happy Memories in My Life | D．Writers That Amazed the World |
3 . There’s nothing more fascinating than an inspiring, unputdownable read. Whether it’s the latest autobiographical hit or gripping cult novel, finding a book you really connect with is always a cherished win.
As we say goodbye to our summer beach reads, we’ve already begun stockpiling a list of winter page-turners. Top of the pile: Fiona McCallum’s new novel, A Life Of Her Own.
Labelled one of Australia’s master storytellers, Fiona McCallum is known for her heart-warming stories of self-discovery and already boasts 10 bestsellers.
Her latest release is set to be no different, telling the uplifting story of overcoming adversity (逆境) and following your dreams.
The tale centres on Alice Hamilton, a recently-graduated mature-age student who is looking to make her next career move. Struggling to navigate her way through the job market, Alice is faced with the dilemma of finding a financially-secure job that she enjoys — a feat that she soon discovers to be difficult — while maintaining a healthy and committed relationship with her partner David.
Faced with the increasing pressure of unemployment, Alice interviews for a role at a major real estate agency in Melbourne and lands the job. Excited about the prospect of the new role, yet filled with anxiety about having to make new friends, Alice’s circumstances unfortunately take a turn for the worst.
Bullied and exploited (压榨) by her boss Carmel on a daily basis, Alice has to find the courage to face her fears, prioritise her wellbeing and stand up for herself. However, the consequences of her actions lead her into further trouble. As Alice’s life continues to spiral, an unexpected trip back to the country town she once fought to escape provides her with a newfound perspective on her career path and relationship.
Returning to Melbourne with clarity and a fresh outlook, Alice decides to take charge of her life. Faced with making tough decisions in order to do so, Alice has two possible outcomes: crumble under the pressure or find the strength to chase her dreams.
1. Which is closest in meaning to “page-turners” in Paragraph 2?| A．Summer reads. | B．Readable books. |
| C．Reading lovers. | D．Latest novelists. |
| A．Make a career plan. | B．Study a job market. |
| C．Find a secure job. | D．Seek a new partner. |
| A．Indecisive. | B．Weak-willed. |
| C．Courageous. | D．Kind-hearted. |
| A．To introduce an Australian novel master. |
| B．To help readers understand a new novel. |
| C．To encourage to fearlessly chase dreams. |
| D．To recommend a winter fascinating read. |
4 . I have always loved the Arthurian legend (传奇), as there is something quite special about King Arthur, and of course Merlin, my favourite character from the stories.
Death of an Empire is the second volume in MK Hume’s “Merlin” series which details Merlin’s life from birth. Merlin travels across the Roman Empire in search of his father, a voyage of discovery to understand just who he was. Eventually Merlin gets involved in the fight against the Hun’s invasion (入侵) of Europe at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plain.
Serving under the General Flavius Aetius, Merlin builds a reputation by saving the lives of thousands of soldiers. When he finally reaches Rome, he saves many more. But a far deadlier conflict between Emperor Valentinian and Senator Petronius Maximus is around the corner and Merlin must use all his strength to carry out his work.
If I had to choose just one word to describe this novel, there would be no other choice than “immersive (身临其境的)”. There has clearly been a serious amount of research carried out by the author. Combined with the descriptive prose and imaginative story, the book really does attract you from almost the very start. The story really does feel like you are a part of it as Merlin travels across the Roman Empire.
The author does a great job of mixing the rich history with established Arthurian legend. The battle scene is handled very effectively. The author employs a very effective form to show the main fight and this not only adds a degree of tension and a good level of excitement but almost makes you feel like you are right there hearing about what happened.
Death of an Empire is a very fine novel, a wonderfully rich tale and a rewarding story.
1. Why does Merlin travel across the Roman Empire?| A．To visit King Arthur. | B．To enjoy a nice view. |
| C．To get a well-paid job. | D．To find out his origin. |
| A．It is a mixture of history and legend. |
| B．It features difficult language. |
| C．It speaks highly of an emperor. |
| D．It is a masterpiece of Merlin. |
| A．An effective description. | B．A long-running battle. |
| C．A wonderful feeling. | D．A well-known legend. |
| A．A news report. | B．A history story. |
| C．A book review. | D．A science fiction. |
5 . For many kids, reading doesn’t come easily. For parents, they can read with their kids often, and trying these simple ways can help their kids become excited about reading.
Read and reread.
Read aloud. Reading aloud to kids helps them build their vocabulary, introduces new facts and ideas, and helps them connect sounds with letters on the page. By reading with kids, parents also show they enjoy reading for fun themselves!
Create opportunities to read and write beyond the pages. It is necessary for parents to provide kids with many chances to read every day. Parents can write notes and leave them on children’s pillows, in a lunchbox or in a pocket. Parents can also ask friends and relatives to send postcards, letters, emails or text messages.
Get help if parents are worried. If parents are concerned about their children’s abilities or willingness to read, they can get help.
| A．Start with kids’ choices. |
| B．Reading aloud is not difficult for kids. |
| C．Parents should pick their own favorite readings. |
| D．Many kids reach for the same books again and again. |
| E．Parents had better talk to their children’s doctors or teachers. |
| F．Reading aloud provides time for parents and kids to enjoy together. |
| G．Besides, parents can leave some special letters and words on the fridge. |
6 . Let us continue with all sorts of great books. These four ones are worth reading.
Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands
Kate Beaton is best known for humor. She tells how hopeless she was to pay off college loans, and she spent two years in her 20s working in the oil fields of Alberta. Beaton also considered how her years in the oil sands affected her own creativity. Her surroundings seemed almost designed to limit her imagination. The book is a vital turning point in the career of an important artist.
Nowhere Better Than Here
In her first middle grade novel, Sarah Guillory has written an exciting story about a brave girl fighting against the effects of climate change. When the worst flood in a century hits, thirteen-year-old Jillian is determined to find a way to keep her hometown Boutin and its spirit alive.
It Won’t Always Be Like This
Malaka Gharib has got a sharp eye for character details. Now in the book, Gharib revisits her teens. She tells about leaving Los Angeles, where she lived with her mother and visiting her father in Egypt every summer. Looking back at this time with adult eyes, she recalls her teen self with a mix of liking and anger.
Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life
It tells the true story of the author Jerry Pinkney’s childhood growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the book, Jerry also mentions his reading and writing problems. Only drawing could offer him a sense of calm, control and confidence. Jerry eventually became one of the most celebrated children’s book illustrators (插图画家) of all time.
1. What did Beaton think of her days in oil fields?| A．It was full of mystery. |
| B．It was helpful to her works. |
| C．It narrowed her imagination. |
| D．It gave her inspiration for drawing. |
| A．Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life. |
| B．It Won’t Always Be Like This. |
| C．Nowhere Better Than Here. |
| D．Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands. |
| A．They both mention the authors’ growth experiences. |
| B．They both describe the scenes of adulthood. |
| C．They both center on climate problems. |
| D．They both tell inspiring stories. |
7 . Tips to Create Great Readers
Are great readers born or are they made? Obviously, children don’t enter the world knowing how to understand a text or make a prediction.
Build habits at the moment of writing. Just like adults, children use writing to gather their thoughts about a text and communicate their ideas to others.
Build habits at the moment of reading. Independent reading time is important for any reading programme. It’s a chance for children to put together everything they’ve learnt in reading lessons and fly using their own wings.
| A．Build habits at the moment of error. |
| B．Make sure children fall in love with reading. |
| C．Then, you can review their written responses. |
| D．They grow into great readers by learning great habits. |
| E．But it only works if they really do spend that time reading. |
| F．Specific lines or phrases from the text help to reveal that information. |
| G．Therefore, you can develop their writing and reading skills at the same time. |
8 . Masuma Ahuja can vividly recall what she wore on her first day of school in the United States: black jeans and a gray and orange T-shirt.
It was the early 2000s and her family had just moved from India to Pittsburgh. She remembers an American boy at her middle school asking her, on that very first day, about what she was wearing. He said, “Oh, I didn’t realize that you wore Western clothes in India.”
He thought India was a place where there were snake charmers and elephants on the street. The India that her classmate had pictured was pulled from storybooks and fantasy but the reality was that Ahuja grew up in more wealthy neighborhoods of Mumbai and Bangalore. Those misconceptions about the lives of those in different places — especially women and girls — stuck with her as she went on to become a journalist at The Washington Post and CNN.
And it raised a question — what is life really like for girls around the world? She sets out to answer it in her new book, Girlhood: Teenagers Around The World In Their Own Voices. Published in February, it captures snapshots (捕获快照) of everyday life from 30 girls around the globe in the form of diary entries.
There’s Claudie, a 13-year-old surfer from Pango Village in Vanuatu who dreams of becoming a lawyer; Halima, a 17-year-old from Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, who listens to and intends to follow a famous singer Celine Dion and helps her father peel (削皮) potatoes for his job before school; Sattigul, a 16- year-old who comes from a family of nomadic herders (游牧民族) in Mongolia, loves her pet eagle and wants to be an English translator one day.
When asked about what she hoped her readers could take away from her book, Ahuja said, “I hope that every reader will find themselves reflected in unexpected corners of their stories. And I hope that every girl who picks up the book recognizes that her voice is important and unique.”
1. How did Ahuja’s American classmate feel about her dressing?| A．Terrified. | B．Bored. | C．Pleased. | D．Surprised. |
| A．To realize her dream to be a famous journalist. |
| B．To help women to fight for their place at work. |
| C．To advertise her own country around the world. |
| D．To show the real lives of girls in different places. |
| A．They do well in schoolwork. | B．They have their own dreams. |
| C．They live in wealthy families. | D．They make a living themselves. |
| A．Ahuja’s praise for girls’ confidence. | B．Why every girl’s voice matters a lot. |
| C．Ahuja’s expectations for her readers. | D．Why girls think highly of Ahuja’s book. |
9 . Authors Share Their Favorite Books
Kristan Higgins
“Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh was a book I read over and over as a kid. I loved Harriet’s independence and drive and her ability to get where she wanted. Most of all, Harriet reminded me that everyone has a story worth reading.”
Kristan Higgins is a New York Times-bestselling author of more than 20 novels.
Nisha Sharma
“I was crazy about Pride and Prejudice from the moment I read the very first sentence. Elizabeth Bennet is a strong-willed heroine who knows her mind and her heart. At a young age, Jane Austen made me believe that strong women like Elizabeth deserve love from men who respect their intelligence. I can confidently say Jane Austen’s story shaped the direction of my writing career.”
Nisha Sharma is the author of My So-Called Bollywood Life.
Elyssa Friedland
“I absolutely adore Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. What could be better than a story about a girl forced to obey every order because of a gift from a fairy (仙女)? Tired of being taken advantage of, the girl, with a talking book as her companion, leaves her home to find the fairy to return her unwanted gift. This is a story about taking matters into one’s own hands and using wisdom and determination to overcome what seems like an insurmountable obstacle (不可逾越的障碍).”
Elyssa Friedland is the author of the novel named The Intermission.
Vesper Stamper
“It’s hard to beat the Bronte sisters for their woman power. My favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, which proves that a girl or woman can have inner strength and great power by being herself, even if that is ‘poor, plain and little’. Jane refuses to give in to moral convenience, at great cost to herself. As a result, she finds true love and changes the lives of those she comes across. A lesson for me: Sometimes it’s in the small acts that a real change is made.
Vesper Stamper is the author of What the Night Sings, an incredibly moving novel.
1. Whose book is Nisha Sharma’s favorite?| A．Louise Fitzhugh’s. | B．Jane Austen’s. |
| C．Gail Carson Levine’s. | D．Charlotte Bronte’s. |
| A．Harriet the Spy. | B．Pride and Prejudice. |
| C．Ella Enchanted. | D．Jane Eyre. |
| A．Their main characters are females. | B．Their authors were born very poor. |
| C．They focus on seeking for true love. | D．They describe the authors’ own lives. |
1. What is the woman reading?
| A．The Silk Road. |
| B．The Travels of Marco Polo. |
| C．The Journey of Venice. |
| A．In 1271. | B．In 1275. | C．In 1295. |
| A．For 4 years. | B．For 17 years. | C．For 24 years. |
| A．Dangerous. | B．Comfortable. | C．Easy. |
