1 . Three very strong women — my mother, my grandmother and Melinda — deserve big credit for helping me become the man I am today. But Blanche Caffiere, a very kind teacher and librarian I’ve never written about before, also had a huge influence on me.
Mrs. Caffiere died in 2006, shortly after reaching her 100th birthday. Before she passed away, I had an opportunity to visit her and thank her for the important role she played in my life.
When I first met Mrs. Caffiere, she was the elegant and engaging school librarian at Seattle’s View Ridge Elementary, and I was a fourth grader. I was desperately trying to go unnoticed, because I had some big weaknesses, like dysgraphia (书写障碍), and had a totally messy desk with books around. And I was trying to hide the fact that I liked to read — something that was cool for girls but not for boys.
Mrs. Caffiere took me under her wings and helped make it okay for me to be a messy, nerdy boy who was reading lots of books. She pulled me out of my shell. She started by asking questions like, “What do you like to read?” and “What are you interested in?” Then she found me a lot of books. For example, she gave me great biographies she had read. Once I’d read them, she would make the time to discuss them with me. “Did you like the book? Why? What did you learn?” She listened to what I had to say patiently. Through those book conversations in the library and in the classroom we became good friends.
Teachers generally don’t want to burden their students with extra reading beyond the homework they’ve given. But I learned from Mrs. Caffiere that my teachers had so much knowledge to share. Looking back on it, there’s no question that my time with Mrs. Caffiere helped spark my interest in libraries and my focus on helping every child in America get the benefit of great teachers. I should give great thanks to the devoted teacher and librarian who helped me find my strengths when I was nine years old. It’s remarkable how much power one good person can have in shaping the life of a child.
1. Which of the following best describes the writer when he was in his fourth grade?| A．Elegant and engaging | B．Shy and untidy |
| C．Weak and desperate | D．Curious and friendly |
| A．She forced the writer to read more books. |
| B．She helped the writer to overcome his weaknesses. |
| C．She turned the writer into a book lover. |
| D．She encouraged the writer not to hide his love of reading. |
| A．She had the greatest influence on the writer. |
| B．She influenced the writer’s decision on helping American children. |
| C．She used to give the writer too much homework to help him learn. |
| D．She hadn’t seen the writer since he left the school. |
| A．A Teacher Who Changed My Life. |
| B．The Story of a Kind Teacher. |
| C．My School Life with Great Teachers. |
| D．Every Student Deserves to Be Encouraged. |
2 . Great Books Winter Program makes you well-prepared for future college classes and the SAT critical thinking section. Now enrollment (注册) is open. Make your plans today!
Program 1: Great Books & Writer’s Workshop at Pepperdine University One and Two-Week Programs .
Choose the one-week Discussion program. Select Writer’s Workshop for students eager to explore the art of creative writing. Or, stay for both!
One-week Tuition: $2,695 Two-week Tuition: $5.390
Program 2: Great Books & Writer’s Workshop at Amherst College One and Two-Week Programs
We will be offering Discussion programs and a Writer’s Workshop for students eager to explore the art of writing in all forms.
One-week Tuition: $2,495 Two-week Tuition: $4,990
Program 3: Great Books at Stanford University
One and Two-Week Programs
Young people gather to experience reading and life at Stanford University. Join us for one week or two of Great Books Discussion programs!
One-week Tuition: $2.995 Two-week Tuition: $5.990
Program 4: A Tall Ship Adventure
Sail from Bangor to Portland, ME
One Week Program
This program for high school students combines the study of literature with living and learning to sail. Time will be divided into discussion and sailing education with visits to coastal islands.
One-week Tuition: $2,995
Note: All on-campus programs have Materials & Events fees of $225 for one week and $475 for two.
1. If you want to learn about different types of writing, which program should you join in?| A．Program 1. | B．Program 2. | C．Program 3. | D．Program 4. |
| A．$2.995. | B．$3.220. | C．$3,470. | D．$6,215. |
| A．Fishing. | B．Discussing. | C．Learning to sail. | D．Visiting islands. |
3 . The following books have come out recently, and possibly you would like to read them.
| Book Name | Author | Price | Introduction |
| This Atmosphere of Love | Franklin Bass Jr. | Paperback S13 E-book $4 | This Atmosphere of Love shares Franklin Bass Jr.’s collection of poems from 2008 to 2012 that speaks about his true feelings and experiences of love. |
| An Irish Girl | Marilyn Hering | Paperback $14 E-book $4 | Inspired by true events of the Irish famine (饥荒), An Irish Girl combines a story of the famine with a heart-broken story of love and loss. |
| The Prison Planet | Denis Goodwin | Hardback $45 Paperback $30 E-Book $5 Audiobook $9 (有声读物) | Sometimes, the reality prescribed (规定) to us doesn’t explain what we experience. If you too know something isn’t right and want to see the bigger picture, the bottom line is here. |
| A Deadly Homecoming | Jane Bennett Munro | Hardback$24 Paperback$14 E-book $4 Audiobook $10 | When her mother asks her to look into a friend’s disappearance, Toni Day heads to her hometown to solve a case that puts her own life into danger. |
| A．Franklin Bass Jr. | B．Marilyn Hering. |
| C．Denis Goodwin. | D．Jane Bennett Munro. |
| A．$75 | B．$105 | C．$120 | D．$150 |
| A．An Irish Girl. | B．A Deadly Homecoming. |
| C．The Prison Planet. | D．This Atmosphere of Love. |
4 . The story of a 92-year-old book lover in a village of Chongqing has touched many recently, Sun Shiquan has collected more than 7,000 books over the past years and has offered a free local library to people there for years.
He was born in Pipa Village in Xiuqi Town of Chongqing’s Chengkou County. Being a bookworm as a child, he read all kinds of ancient books including the Four Books and the Five Classics. In the 1950s, he became one of only a handful of local college graduates and later served as a middle school teacher in the county.
He started to collect books in 1983 and gradually built a collection of many kinds over more than 40 years. Among his holdings is a precious set known as the Si Ku Quan Shu, dating back to Qing Dynasty. It is one of the only seven copies in the country.
Wearing glasses, Sun reads for more than three hours every day. Now he has finished reading most of his collections. Speaking of her father, Sun Ziyu, said, “My father has a habit of making notes on each book. He makes a mark whenever he stops reading so that he can carry on reading from where he left off.”
Village official Liu Jiao said, “Many children in the village love to visit Sun and listen to his stories.” She said the elderly man has earned respect from the whole village. People call him “Teacher Sun” and children call him “great-grandfather”.
Sun Ziyu said her father also writes poems and prose(散文) in his spare time and enjoys reading his works to the family. She said under her father’s influence, family members take the time to read together and exchange views. “That’s their favorite part,” she said.
“My father has loved reading for a lifetime,” Sun Ziyu said. “Reading is his meat and drink.”
1. What can we know from the first two paragraphs?| A．Mr Sun was born in a rich family. |
| B．There was only one free library in Xiuqi Town. |
| C．Mr Sun has been a book lover since childhood. |
| D．It was easy for children to get educated in the 1950s. |
| A．Colorful. | B．Valuable. | C．Demanding. | D．Enormous. |
| A．Mr Sun’s reading habit. | B．Mr Sun’s life experiences. |
| C．Mr Sun’s writing hobby. | D．Mr Sun’s book collections. |
| A．A person with talent. | B．A person worthy of pity. |
| C．A person with disability. | D．A person worthy of respect. |
5 . How to read more and learn more
Today, more and more Chinese people enjoy sending and receiving messages on the phone. It can help them to get the latest news and communicate with friends. But I think I should read more books besides the textbooks, the more, the better. It can open my eyes and improve my language skills.
◆ Clear your purpose for reading
◆
No matter what you are reading, it is important to enjoy what you read. Your friends may tell you the books they love, but those books might not necessarily be the ones you enjoy.
◆ Give up books that you don’t enjoy
You may have chosen books that you are interested in, and they are right to your purpose. But while you are reading them, there may still be some books that you don’t enjoy reading. Whenever you realize that you aren’t enjoying the book you are reading, give it up.
◆ Set a reading goal
It is interesting that I read the books borrowed from libraries faster than those I bought. The reason is the books I bought don’t have a due date! I don’t need to return those books.
| A．Read only what you are interested in |
| B．Read the books borrowed from others. |
| C．Remember reading shouldn’t be a chore (烦恼事). |
| D．Of course, it also can help me to get good grades. |
| E．We need to get the latest news and communicate with friends. |
| F．Before you start reading, ask yourself why you are reading this book. |
| G．Having a reading goal helps you work out how much reading you need to do in a week or even a day. |
6 . Marie Curie and Her Daughters
by Imogen Greenberg
Illustrated (插图) by Isabel Greenberg
You’ve probably heard of scientist Marie Curie and her discoveries, but how about her daughters, Irene and Eve? This beautiful illustrated book follows the adventures of the family as they save lives during wars, travel around the world, and change the history of science.
Swordswoman!
by Devika Rangachari
Discover the amazing true story of Queen Lakshmibai of Jhansi — an Indian queen who could read and write. Find out how she trained other women to fight next to her and became a symbol of resistance to British rule in India in 1857.
Queens: 3,000 Years of the Most Incredible Women in History
by Victoria Crossman
Celebrating queens from all over the world and through history, this book describes Cleopatra of Egypt, Queen Nanny of Jamaica, Catherine the Great of Russia, Empress Jingu of Japan, Boudicca in Britain and Queen Elizabeth II, among others. It’s full of illustrations and details.
The Girl with Her Head in the Clouds
by Karen McCombie
Illustrated by Anneli Bray
London, 1904. When a couple of showmen need help with a stunt, 16-year-old Dolly volunteers. Soon, she’s busy with working as a parachutist (跳伞者). This story is based on the real life of parachute performer Dolly Shepherd.
1. Which of the following books is science-related?| A．Queens: 3,000 Years of the Most Incredible Women in History. |
| B．The Girl with Her Head in the Clouds. |
| C．Marie Curie and Her Daughters. |
| D．Swordswoman! |
| A．Imogen Greenberg’s. | B．Devika Rangachari’s. |
| C．Victoria Crossman’s. | D．Karen McCombie’s. |
| A．They have the same social background. | B．They describe the influence of wars. |
| C．They are created by two people. | D．They are about women heroes. |
7 . The last school bell rings and your kids are off for the summer. For most kids, those thoughts of schoolwork and lessons are a distant memory that they won’t be thinking about again until fall. So it’s important for them to continue some learning.
Have your kids hit the library.
Encourage your kids to read by taking them to the library during the summer. If they don’t have a library card, get them one. Many local libraries sponsor summer reading clubs that keep your kids wanting to read. Be sure to let your kids pick their own books out; summer is for fun reading.
Have your kids read every day.
Ask your kids to read outside in the sun. Join them, read aloud their favorite books, no matter how many times you have read them. Pick a time every day when you all stop and read as a family together. Nothing will stimulate a child to read more than to have adults reading with them.
Find other ways to encourage the kids.
If you are planning a family trip, have them check out the map. Let your kids go online and research where you are going. Have your kids check the weather report in the newspaper or what big event is happening and then have them report back on it at dinner time. Have your kids check out magazines or websites for recipes that can be prepared.
Improve your kids’ writing skills.
Learning to express your thoughts. Writing in a logical manner is a skill that is often lost. To help your kids, have them write about things during the summer. If your kids love something such as animals, have them write reports about them to share with the family. If you are going on a trip, have your kids keep a travel journal.
1. What should parents do in the library?| A．Stay with their kids and read books together. | B．Help their kids find useful books. |
| C．Read more books helpful to their study. | D．Let their kids choose books they have interests in. |
| A．lead their children to finds ways to prepare things by themselves |
| B．encourage their children to use the Internet as much as they can |
| C．write all the things they have experienced during the trip |
| D．check the information and tell the kids what big event is happening |
| A．Nature and Science | B．All about Space | C．Philosophy for Life | D．Family and Society |
8 . One of the best things about historical stories is that they can make you interested in learning more about the actual history of the time period.
This Rebel HeartKatherine Locke
This impressive historical story transports readers to 1956 Hungary during the revolution(革命). Csilla grew up near a magic river, but when her country falls apart, and her world crashes around her, she must decide between leaving her home or fighting to save it.
The Peach RebellionWendelin Van Draanen
In post-World War II California, three teenage girls from different backgrounds get bound(捆绑)together through hardship, secrets, and friendship. In this beautiful coming-of-age story, the girls face the storms on their way bravely, helping each other through love and loss.
Luck of the TitanicStacey Lee
The terrible disaster is as attractive as ever in this historical story. Unable to board the ship as a regular passenger, Val hides in it and manages to travel along. She dreams of getting a job at a circus in New York City, but she doesn’t expect to fight for survival(生存)along the way.
Dream CountryShannon Gibney
A fascinating look at the connection between Liberia and America, Dream Country explores the lives of five generations of a family searching for freedom. Heartbreaking and honest, this journey through history is about family, dreams, and the hope for a better future.
1. What is the purpose of this text?| A．To explain scientific facts. | B．To describe historic events. |
| C．To remember famous people. | D．To introduce historical books. |
| A．She is interested in historical stories. | B．She gets aboard the ship with a ticket. |
| C．She meets many hardships along the journey. | D．She works in a circus in New York city. |
| A．Deep love for their country. | B．Long-lasting friendship. |
| C．Struggling spirit. | D．Spirit of freedom. |
9 . The best books for kids
Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth
Hilo doesn’t know where he’s from, why he fell out of the sky, what he’s doing on Earth—or why he can’t go to school in only his underwear. This series by Judd Winick is as funny as it is exciting, and tells the action-packed adventures of the boy robot who cares deeply about his human friends.Ages 5-12.
Who Was? and What Was? series
Think of each volume in this series as a history lesson for a child. The books cover everything from the Constitution to the Colosseum, and Paul Revere to Pele. The already detailed series continues to add titles—your little one can read up on just about any person, place or historical event. Ages 8 and up.
Encyclopedia Brown series
A children’s version of Sherlock Holmes, this series by Donald J. Sobol satisfies curious readers through the stories of a young detective, Leroy Brown. Nicknamed “Encyclopedia“ for his vast range of knowledge, he welcomes neighborhood kids to present their cases in his garage before setting out to solve the mystery.Ages 8-12.
Holes
One of the rare books to win both a Newbery Medal and a National Book Award, the story by Louis Sachar follows Stanley Yelnats as he fights with the curse that has followed his family for generations. The book with a mystery at its core is by turns funny, heartbreaking and deeply thoughtful. Ages 8-12.
1. What kind of book is the one suitable for 6-year-olds?| A．A romance story. | B．A folk tale. |
| C．Science fiction. | D．A horror story. |
| A．Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth | B．Who Was? and What Was? series. |
| C．Encyclopedia Brown series. | D．Holes. |
| A．Judd Winick’s. | B．Donald J. Sobol’s. |
| C．Leroy Brown’s. | D．Louis Sachar’s. |
10 . Four Most Popular Books
Emily’s House
by Amy Belding Brown
Margaret Maher works as the servant in the family home of poet Emily Dickinson, cleaning, cooking, and defending her hostess from prying (窥探) eyes. Margaret’s special voice brings this novel to life; it’s a viewpoint full of honesty, humor, and clever observations.
All In
by Billie Jean King
The tennis champion writes about her life with self-awareness, while not underplaying her role as a trailblazer (先驱) for women’s rights. She isn’t satisfied with her younger self for feeling a need to hide her sexual identity to safeguard her career, and touches on the damage that secret caused.
Pastoral Song
by James Rebanks
English sheep farmer and writer James Rebanks offers a sustainable method for raising animals, preserving habitat, caring for the environment and helping small farmers all at the same time.
Agatha of Little Neon
by Claire Luchette
This is a novel about desire and sisterhood, figuring out how you fit in (or don’t), and the unexpected friends who help you find your truest self.
Agatha is one of four young nuns (修女), who tend to the residents of Little Neon, a house in Rhode Island. She has lived every day of the last nine years with her sisters: they work together, laugh together and pray together. Their world is contained within the little house they share. The four of them are devoted to Mother Roberta and to their quiet, purposeful life.
1. Who will probably be interested in the book Emily’s House?| A．Those who support women’s rights. | B．Those who love poetry. |
| C．Those who are fond of nature. | D．Those who like playing tennis. |
| A．Emily’s House. | B．All In. |
| C．Pastoral Song. | D．Agatha of Little Neon. |
| A．Amy Belding Brown. | B．Billie Jean King |
| C．James Rebanks | D．Claire Luchette. |
