1 . A recent survey in the US found that Gen Z-ers and Millennials (千禧一代) visit libraries more often than their parents or grandparents. The young love libraries because they are secure, comfortable, free and — as my 11-year-old would say — “aesthetic”. This means they look good in the background of an Instagram post or TikTok video. Libraries are also a great place to meet people. If you’re both young and in a library, chances are that you have similar interests.
And then, too, there are the books. Gen Z-ers are turning out to be big readers, especially of paper books. Even though they have smartphones, the most limitlessly distracting devices ever invented, in their pockets, many are deliberately choosing to pick up a piece of 15th-century technology instead. They like the fact that books are self-contained and require concentration.
There is, sometimes, a sense of nostalgic (怀旧的) cosplay in the way young people read. In New York, for example, the latest TikTok-fuelled craze is reading with strangers in bars. You have to buy a ticket in advance, and then you all gather and sit in silence for 30 minutes, reading whatever book you’ve brought along. Like an expensive version of going to the library, except that afterwards you all have a drink and talk about books.
The very thought of it makes me suffer, but that’s because I’m a child of the 1970s and 1980s. To me, reading is a private pleasure, while screens — TV or cinema — are social. I did once, in a fit of ambitious parenting, introduce a “family reading hour”, during which my husband and children were pressed to join me at the fireside for some silent reading. It could not have felt more performative if we had dressed up in top hats and crinolines (旧时的裙衬). But still, I applaud these young readers — for knowing what is good for them, for seeking out human connection, for finding the beauty and pleasure in old institutions, and for bringing new life to the library.
1. What does the underlined word “aesthetic” in paragraph l mean?A.Visually appealing. | B.Similarly private. |
C.Spiritually relaxing. | D.Economically practical. |
A.Paper books are cheaper than smartphones. |
B.Paper books are easier to carry around. |
C.Paper books are a form of nostalgic entertainment. |
D.Paper books offer a distraction-free reading experience. |
A.The popularity of TikTok in New York. |
B.A gathering attended by strangers free of charge. |
C.A new reading trend integrating the old and new. |
D.Historical costumes and their appeal to young readers. |
A.To highlight her success in parenting the children. |
B.To illustrate her attempt to combine personal and joint reading habits. |
C.To criticize the lack of interest in performance among family members. |
D.To emphasize the importance of dressing formally during family activities. |
A.A book. | B.A writer. | C.An organization. |
1. 经典阅读的现状;
2.经典阅读的意义;
3.你的呼吁。
注意1.词数80左右;
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
Dear fellow students,
Last week I did a research on students’ reading classics.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Yours,
Li Hua
1. 学生的阅读问题;
2. 阅读的好处;
3. 你的期望。
注意:
1. 词数80左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Good morning, everyone,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you.
5 . English history is vast, from its rule under the Romans to the rise, heights and decline of the British Empire. When choosing a book to recommend on my country’s history, I wanted something that could summarize this sweeping history but didn’t get stuck in the details of things that hold me back from thoroughly engaging with this truly rich history. Then, I found Dominic Haynes’ A Brief History of England. It had just what I was looking for and was a real joy to read.
The book is a whistle-stop tour through the whole of English history, from its earliest people to the movement of settlers from Europe. It looks at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Elizabeth I’s reign (统治) and the lasting impact of Shakespeare. Then it touches on the English Civil Wars and the shift of rule from kings and queens to the parliament (议会) running the country and the establishment of the political parties of the Whigs (辉格党) and Tories (托利党) still functioning today in some form as the currently ruling Conservative Party (保守党). It also covers the Napoleonic Wars and the world wars and even contemplates (思考) England’s post-Brexit (脱欧后的) present and future.
This really is quite the sweeping tome. However, it’s very short. This means it’s easy to navigate and get a hold of a huge amount of history, but it also means it’s very light on the details. At times, this can be frustrating, as there are parts where it feels like just another paragraph or page would really elevate this book. But for an introduction to English history or perhaps a reminder or refresher, it’s great and particularly useful as it is likely to fill in some gaps in your knowledge.
Furthermore, because of the pace of the book, there’s not a dull moment. It’s a real page-turner, covering the succession (交替) of kings and queens, wars, famines (饥荒) and changes in the social order of the country at home and the country’s influence across the world.
One reviewer on Amazon described the book as “a small masterpiece”, and said, “This is a great book for anyone who wants to get a crash course in English history or for those who want a quick reference to that subject.”
So, jump in, dear readers, and get a hold of what made England what it was, what it went on to be, and where it may stand in our global future.
1. What is the main focus of Dominic Haynes’ A Brief History of England?A.Detailed exploration of England’s political parties. |
B.An introduction to the British Empire’s rise and fall. |
C.A brief overview of England’s historical shifts and events. |
D.In-depth analysis of England’s post-Brexit policies. |
A.Its pace is slow and frustrating. |
B.There’s a shortage of information on wars. |
C.It dives too deeply into political complexities. |
D.It lacks detailed information due to its shortness. |
A.A book that is exciting to read. | B.A book that has lots of pages to turn. |
C.A book that is easy to understand. | D.A book that is complicated. |
A.Jump into the UK’s past. | B.The ebb and flow of the UK. |
C.The significance of studying the UK’s history. | D.The UK, you always live in people’s hearts. |
6 . Reading for pleasure can be an important and enjoyable childhood activity. Unlike listening and spoken language, which develop rapidly and easily in young children, reading is a taught skill and is acquired and developed through specific learning over time. Until now it has been unclear what effect—if any—encouraging children to read from an early age will have on their brain development, cognition(认知) and mental health later in life.
To find out this, researchers from the universities of the UK and China looked at data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) groups in the US. Of the 10,243 participants studied, just under a half had little experience of reading for pleasure or did not begin doing so until later in their childhood. The remaining half had spent between three and ten years reading for pleasure.
The team found a strong link between reading for pleasure at an early age and a positive performance in adolescence on cognitive tests that measured such factors as verbal learning, memory and speech development, and at-school academic achievement. These children also had better mental health, when assessed using a number of clinical scores and reports from parents and teachers, showing fewer signs of stress and depression, as well as improved attention and fewer behavioral problems such as aggression and rule-breaking.
Children who began reading for pleasure earlier also tended to spend less screen time—for example, watching TV or using their smartphone or tablet—during the week and at weekends in their adolescence, and also tended to sleep longer.
The best amount of reading for pleasure as a young child was around 12 hours per week. Beyond this, there appeared to be no additional benefits. Instead, there was a gradual decrease in cognition, which the researchers say may be because they are sedentary and spend little time on other activities that could be cognitively improving, including sports and social activities.
1. What did the research focus on?A.The state of children’s reading ability. | B.The development of reading for pleasure. |
C.Effects that early reading has on children. | D.Difficulties in listening, speaking and reading. |
A.Improve their performance at school. | B.Better their mental pressure. |
C.Better their observation ability. | D.Reduce their screen and sleeping time. |
A.Sitting still for a long time. | B.Developing hobbies. |
C.Taking physical exercise. | D.Participating in community activities. |
A.Benefits of early reading for pleasure. |
B.Ways for children to master a taught skill. |
C.Important and enjoyable childhood activities. |
D.Cognitive tests measuring academic achievement. |
7 . Soon there will be a Review Blitz! In a month, we are searching for reasonable reviews that reflect your sincere opinions. Just keep in mind that the deadline for your reviews is October 23, 2023.
Rules:
To enter, you must be a teen (aged 13-19) with a Teen Creativity account.
Submissions ought to be relevant to the topic.
Each review must be no more than 250 words.
There is no restriction on the number of pieces you can submit.
Guidelines:
Give a brief summary of the book. Avoid explaining the entire plot or telling your reader how the book ends.
Inform the reader what you like or dislike about the book.
Recommend the book to specific readers. Does the book lend itself well to older teens? Would science fiction enthusiasts show interest in this book? It’s helpful for readers to think about the book in light of other books they’ve read.
Remember that it’s okay to have a strong opinion! Don’t start sentences with “I think”, “I believe” or “In my opinion”.
Prizes:
All participants will be given a certificate.
First prize winners will respectively have one review published in Teen Creativity magazine and obtain a free 6-month magazine subscription.
Second-place winners will each receive a free 3-month magazine subscription.
You’ll receive these prizes before December 28, 2023.
Submit your works to www.teencreativity.com. We hope reviewing books brings you joy.
1. Which of the following meets the requirement of Review Blitz?A.A person can present no more than one piece of work. |
B.Each piece of work can have a maximum of 250 words. |
C.Reviews must be written by people under 20 years old. |
D.Works must be uploaded by the end of October 2023. |
A.The likes and dislikes of the book. |
B.The recommendation to all readers. |
C.Statements containing “In my opinion”. |
D.A summary that demonstrates the whole plot. |
A.Self-learners. | B.Teaching staff. |
C.Professional trainers. | D.Bookish adolescents. |
1. 小说名称;
2. 内容梗概;
3. 小说对你的影响。
注意:
1. 写作词数应为80词左右;
2. 短文题目已为你写好,请在答题卡的相应位置作答。
My Favorite Novel
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9 . From learning about protecting wild animals and natural habitats to reading about the effects of recycling, books are perfect for showing people how to get involved. Here are four of such books.
Tall Trees
Describing the wildlife that lives in Northern California’s redwood forests, it turns story time into a counting lesson as readers count all the creatures in the forests. Readers will also love remembering Tony Frederick’s playful poetry about the animals of the forest.
Save the Bees
Bethany Stahl has a whole series of “Save the...” books, and they all have great lessons for readers. The explanations are fun and perfect for animal lovers who want to learn how to make a difference. On her website, she even has links to free books, which are great resources for parents or teachers.
My Friend Earth
The message of this book, written by Patricia MacLachlan, is beautiful and simple, encouraging kids to learn about Earth and all that it does. It has acute die-cut (模切) design, which is fun for little hands to explore, although those under 4 might need some help. It covers a wide range of topics and will help kids gain an appreciation for everything from rain and wind to bears and birds.
Thank You, Earth
The author of this book, April Pulley Sayre, has written many award-winning books, and this one is truly special. It was written in a letter format (格式), thanking Earth for so many great natural moments. You’ll find beautiful pictures in this book.
1. Whose book includes poems about wildlife?A.April Pulley Sayre’s. | B.Bethany Stahl’s. |
C.Patricia MacLachlan’s. | D.Tony Frederick’s. |
A.Tall Trees. | B.Save the Bees. |
C.My Friend Earth. | D.Thank You, Earth. |
A.It has a special theme. | B.It is in the form of a letter. |
C.It is based on real events. | D.It targets at teenagers. |
1. How does the man like reading books about computers?
A.Boring. |
B.Interesting. |
C.Difficult. |
A.Learn computers with her. | B.Give up his current job. | C.Bury himself in reading. |