1 . Napoleon Bonaparte by Emil Ludwig (German1881~1948)
Napoleon Bonaparte is an extraordinary statesman, strategist, the founder of the French First Empire. This biography was written by famous German writer Emil Ludwig, and there’s no doubt that the book is a great success. The writer uses his own writing style to show the charming character of Napoleon to the readers of the book.
Cao Xueqin Biography by Li Jianshu, 2009 (Chinese edition)
The book tells the life story of the novelist Cao Xueqin — author of The Dream of the Red Mansions. Cao was born to a rich family but suffered great poverty for most of his life. He drew on his life experiences to write his famous novel, which was published after his death.
The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, 1903
Even though Keller wrote this autobiography when she was only 22 years old, it is considered a great book in American literature. It tells about her dark and silent childhood, and how her teacher — Anne Sullivan opened up a new world to her by teaching her how to communicate.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, 2011
Isaacson interviewed Steve Jobs over forty times, and interviewed hundreds of Jobs friends, relatives, and rivals to sum up Jobs’ remarkable life. The result is an interesting story of a man driven to succeed and driven to make perfect products.
1. Which of the four books is written by Chinese edition?A.Cao Xueqin Biography. | B.The Story of My Life. |
C.Steve Jobs. | D.Napoleon Bonaparte. |
A.Cao Xueqin Biography. | B.The Story of My Life. |
C.Steve Jobs. | D.Napoleon Bonaparte. |
A.Cao Xueqin Biography. | B.The Story of My Life. |
C.Steve Jobs. | D.Napoleon Bonaparte. |
2 . Now let us look at how we read. When we read a printed text, our eyes move across a page in short, jerky movement. We recognize words usually when our eyes are still when they fixate (固定). Each time we fixate, we see a group of words, this is known as the recognition span or the visual span. The length of time for which the eyes stop — the duration of the fixation — varies considerably from person to person. It also varies within one person according to his purpose in reading and his familiarity with the text. Furthermore, it can be affected by such factors as lighting and tiredness.
Unfortunately, in the past, many reading improvement courses have concentrated too much on how our eyes move across the printed page. As a result of this misleading emphasis on the purely visual aspects of reading, numerous exercises have been devised to train the eyes to see more words at one fixation. For instance, in some exercises, words are flashed on to a screen for, say, a tenth or a twentieth of a second. One of the exercises has required students to fix their eyes on some central point, taking in the words on either side. Such word patterns are often constructed in the shape of rather steep pyramids so the reader takes in more and more words at a successive fixation. All these exercises are very clever, but it is one thing to improve a person’s ability to see words and quite another thing to improve his ability to read a text efficiently. Reading requires the ability to understand the relationship between words. Consequently, for these reasons, many experts have now begun to question the usefulness of eye training, especially since any approach which trains a person to read isolated words and phrases would seem unlikely to help him in reading a continuous text.
1. The time of recognition span can be affected by the following facts except .A.lighting and tiredness | B.one’s purpose in reading |
C.the length of a group of words | D.one’s familiarity with the text |
A.demands more mind than eyes |
B.demands a deeply-participating mind |
C.requires a reader to see words more quickly |
D.requires a reader to take in more words at each fixation |
A.The ability to see words is not needed when an efficient reading is conducted. |
B.The reading exercises mentioned can’t help to improve one’s ability of efficient reading. |
C.The reading exercises mentioned have done a great job to improve a person’s ability to see words. |
D.The reading exercises mentioned can’t help to improve both ability to see and to comprehend words. |
A.The emphasis on the purely visual aspects is misleading. |
B.Many experts begun to question the efficiency of eye training. |
C.The visual span is a word or a group of words we see each time. |
D.The eye training will help readers in reading a continuous text. |
3 . A man may usually be known by the books he reads as well as by the company he keeps; for there is a companionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best company, whether it is of books or of men.
A good book may be among the best of friends. It is the most patient and cheerful companions. It does not turn its back upon us in times of adversity or distress. It always receives us with the same kindness, amusing and instructing us in youth, and comforting and consoling us in age.
There is an old proverb, “Love me, love my dog.” But there is more wisdom in this: “Love me, love my book.” The book is a truer and higher bond of union. Men can think, feel, and sympathize with each other through their favorite author. They live in him together, and he in them. The best books are treasuries of good words, the golden thoughts, which, remembered and cherished, become our constant companions and comforters.
Books possess an essence of immortality. They are by far the most lasting products of human effort. Temples and statues decay, but books survive. Time is of no account with great thoughts, which are as fresh today as when they first passed through their author’s minds, ages ago. What was then said and thought still speaks to us as vividly as ever from the printed page. The only effect of time has been to sift out the bad products, for nothing in literature can long survive but what is really good.
Books introduce us into the best society; they bring us into the presence of the greatest minds that have ever lived. We hear what they said and did; we see them as if they were really alive; we sympathize with them, enjoy with them and grieve with them. The great and good do not die, even in this world. Embalmed in books, people’s spirits walk abroad. The book is a living voice. It is an intellect to which one still listens.
1. According to the author, what is the difference between our books and our friends?A.Books remain patient and cheerful for a longer time. |
B.Books provide comfort in old age, unlike our friends. |
C.Friends can sometimes disappoint us, similar to our books. |
D.Books reflect a person’s character more than their friends do. |
A.To prove the value of time. | B.To highlight the longevity of books. |
C.To show people’s preference for literature. | D.To emphasize the importance of ancient architecture. |
A.Become a wise man by reading. |
B.Read as many classic books as we can. |
C.Cherish the company of our books just like our friends. |
D.Sympathize with your friends through your favorite author. |
A.Companionship of Books | B.Long Live Books |
C.Our Best friends | D.Love Me, Love My Book |
4 . What makes a good reader? You can find the answer in Readers Club. Today, we have some books for you. Come and join the fun!
The Old Man and the Sea won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1953. A year later, Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for Literature. The Old Man and the Sea is generally considered by many to be his greatest achievement. The leading character in this book is a person who can face difficulties and never give up.Hardback ¥21.70 Paperback ¥16.00
Heart, written by Edmondo De Amicis from Italy, is a diary of an Italian boy Eric. In his diary, he writes about the greatest love in the world: love for the nation, for the society, and also teachers’ love, classmates’ love, parents’ love, children’s love.
Hardback ¥27.20 Paperback ¥16.40
Peter Pan, created by Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie. Peter Pan is a young boy who can fly and never grows up. He spends his never-ending childhood having adventures (冒险) on the mythical island of Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys, playing happily with children both inside and outside Neverland.
Hardback ¥22.70 Paperback ¥14.60
Club members will get a discount (折扣) of 10% for hardback books and 20% for paperback books.
If you buy any of the two hardback books, e-books will be free for you.
1. Who won the Nobel Prize for literature?A.Hemingway. | B.Leo Tolstoy. | C.Edmondo De Amicis. | D.Eric |
A.Love. | B.Success. | C.Adventure. | D.loss. |
A.A boy who likes keeping diaries. |
B.A boy who always misses his family. |
C.A boy who enjoys his never-ending childhood. |
D.A boy who loves his teachers and classmates. |
5 . User Guide of Tsinghua University Libraries
Welcome to the best place of Tsinghua Yuan — Tsinghua University Library. Here we have magnificent buildings, abundant resources, convenient facilities, professional staff, considerate services, free atmosphere, etc. We are ready to provide warm welcomes, great supports, and best services for you.
Activate Borrowing Services
As a new user, you need to activate borrowing services by clicking on our homepage. The system adopts INFO system for identification. For freshmen, activating identity on the Electric ID Service System is required before first login. Post-doctors graduating from other universities shall submit a copy of their doctoral dissertation (博士毕业论文) together with their IC Card when making an application at the library card center to open your library privileges.
Borrowing Privileges
Upon presenting a valid university IC Card, you can access and borrow books according to the privileges listed below.
Loan Quotas (借阅限额) | ||
Borrowers | Loan Quotas | Hold Quotas |
Teachers and Students | 100 copies | 20 copies |
International Non-degree Students | 5 copies | 3 copies |
Online Reservation
You can reserve books that have been checked out to other users. You will be informed by E-mail or WeChat once the requested book is available. The requested books will be kept at loan desk only for 3 days.
Renewals
You may renew books online and the new return date is 8 weeks after the renewal day. You may renew books for many times, however, the longest period for general books is 32 weeks (224 days).
Fees for Late Return
Readers who fail to return the books by the due date will be charged ¥ 0.20 per day per book.
1. What do we know about activating borrowing services at the libraries?A.The services are automatically activated for students. |
B.Post-doctors all need to submit a copy of their dissertation. |
C.Freshmen activate the services online before their first login. |
D.Post-doctors are required to use the Electric ID Service System. |
A.Wait that guy to return the book to the libraries. |
B.Ask a librarian for the information of the borrower. |
C.Make an online reservation for the book you need. |
D.Borrow it via the system anyway and wait in the queue. |
A.You may borrow altogether 120 books at one time. |
B.Your requested book will be mailed to you once ready. |
C.You may renew your books as many times as you wish. |
D.You will be fined if you have books past due at your hand. |
6 . Searching for the perfect gift can be difficult, especially age-appropriate material for teenagers. Look no further. We have a list of the best teen magazines. Give the gift of reading to your teens today!
Muse For teens up to age 14, Muse teaches, challenges, and excites readers of both genders. Sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute, this magazine features award-winning authors and focuses on science, history, and the arts. Whether your teen is interested in genetics, video games, outer space, beekeeping, robots, or mythology, this magazine has it all! | |
Sports Illustrated Kids Perfect for sports fans aged 8 to 14, SI Kids supplies readers with interesting sports news they won’t want to miss. Articles on favorite athletes feature incredible photography and illustrations. Girls and boys alike will enjoy the advice from athletes, coaches, and experts in the field: they’ll find tips on nutrition, performance, morale, and more. | |
Girls’ Life Magazine Designed for 10 to 15-year-olds, Girls’ Life provides inspiration and entertainment for every reader. She’ll find tips for dealing with stress, navigating high school, achieving academic success, and beauty and fashion advice. This print magazine delivers fun—quizzes, reader submissions, and more—helping guide young women through their teen years while still allowing them to be young. | |
National Geographic Kids While designed for kids aged six and up, this magazine features a lot of important, fun information about the world around us. Discover great stories about wildlife, current events, pop culture, science, technology, other kids’ adventures, and more! They’ll feel like they’re exploring the places themselves, with stunning photography, lively stories, and exciting facts. |
1. Which of the following can you learn from Girls’ Life?
A.News about award-winning authors. | B.Information about interesting events. |
C.Suggestions from coaches about nutrition. | D.Advice on dealing with pressure. |
A.Girls’ Life. | B.Muse. |
C.Sports Illustrated Kids. | D.National Geographic Kids. |
A.Parents. | B.Teenage boys. |
C.Kids. | D.Teenage girls. |
7 . Four Best Science Books
A Short History of Nearly EverythingPrice: $15.95
Author: Bill Bryson
Release date: February 4, 2003
REASONS TO BUY
+Explains a variety of scientific topics in a vivid and comprehensive way
+No science knowledge required
Thing ExplainerPrice: $19.84
Author: Randall Munroe
Release date: November 24, 2015
REASONS TO BUY
+Explains complex concepts using illustrations and only the most common words in the English language
+Entertaining and easy to understand
+A few of the topics(e. g. the periodic table)also include detailed fold-out diagrams
Ask an AstronautPrice: $9.19
Author: Tim Peake
Release date: October 19, 2017
REASONS TO BUY
+Entertaining Q&A format makes it easy to quickly find answers
+Suitable for both children and adults
+Accompanying graphics (图形) illustrate some of the more complex ideas
Brief Answers to the Big QuestionsPrice: $13.76
Author: Stephen Hawking
Release date: January 1, 2020
REASONS TO BUY
+Does not require prior physics knowledge-there is only one equation in the entire book
+Complex ideas communicated in a simple and understandable language
+Great introduction to the thoughts of Stephen Hawking
1. Which book was published the earliest?A.Thing Explainer. | B.Ask an Astronaut. |
C.Brief Answers to the Big Questions. | D.A Short History of Nearly Everything. |
A.They are priced the same. | B.They include illustrations. |
C.They are hard to understand. | D.They employ a Q&A format. |
A.Tim Peake. | B.Bill Bryson. |
C.Stephen Hawking. | D.Randall Munroe. |
8 . Family plays an important part in much fiction, of course, but sometimes the short story form has offered us an insight into family life that the longer novel does not. Here are some for you to taste.
Prelude, by Katherine MansfieldPrelude is one of Katherine Mansfield's longest and finest short stories. Because Prelude is a modernist short story, the emphasis is on characters rather than plots. Mansfield is using the Burnells’ house-move, and the period when they are busy settling into their new home, as a situation to observe family, women and class.
He, by Katherine Anne PorterKatherine Anne Porter (1890-1980) wrote just one novel and fewer than thirty short stories, yet she is regarded as an important twentieth-century American writer, with He among her most celebrated and critically praised works. An important theme of Porter’s work is the search for meaning in a modern and increasingly materialist world.
Signs and Symbols, by Vladimir NabokovIt is a short story by the Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977), originally published in the New Yorker in 1948. The story centers on an elderly married Russian couple who move to the United States; their son is suffering from paranoid delusions (妄想症) and has been limited to a care center. Signs and Symbols focuses on the couple’s attempt to visit their son and its result.
Down at the Dinghy, by J. D. SalingerThis short story was originally published in 1949. It involves an adult speaking to a child. It is about a young boy who runs from home and goes down to the nearby lake, where he gets into a boat and refuses to speak to his mother. The story ends with the mother bonding with her son.
1. What is special about Prelude?A.It’s about scientific observation. | B.It’s the longest of the four. |
C.It involves moving to a new place. | D.It focuses more on figures than plots. |
A.They are contemporary writers. | B.Their works center on critical thinking. |
C.They both seek for meaning in modern life. | D.Their works were published in the New Yorker. |
A.Science fiction fans. | B.Family-based short story lovers. |
C.Those who plan to be writers. | D.People trying to have a family. |
9 . Do you want to find some books to read? If so, here is a list of them.
Journeys of a LifetimeAdapted from the favorite trips of National Geographic’s travel writers, Journeys of a Lifetime crosses the globe to highlight the world’s most famous and little-known destinations. It presents lots of possibilities, from ocean voyage around Antarctica to horse riding in the Andes. Every continent and every possible form of transport is covered.
Destinations of a LifetimeDestinations of a Lifetime takes you on a photographic tour of the world’s most impressive destinations. Hundreds of the most amazing locations—both natural and man-made—are illustrated with vivid images taken by the world-class photographers. Destinations of a Lifetime includes all the information: when to go, where to eat, where to stay, and what to do to ensure the most interesting experience.
World’s Best Travel ExperiencesPopular actor and award-winning travel writer Andrew McCarthy writes the foreword (序言) to this great book, offering 400 excellent destinations chosen by National Geographic’s family. It will appeal to active travelers looking for the next great trip as well as to the many readers who simply love dreaming of visiting faraway and peaceful destinations.
Lonely Planet’s Ultimate TravelThis collection of the 500 most unmissable sights and attractions in the world has been ranked by Lonely Planet’s global community, so big sights such as the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal battle it out for a prized place in the top 10, making this the only list you’ll ever need.
1. Which book will offer readers the information about restaurants?A.Journeys of a Lifetime. | B.Destinations of a Lifetime. |
C.World’s Best Travel Experiences. | D.Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel. |
A.They offer impressive tourist information. |
B.They recommend faraway locations. |
C.They are included in National Geographic. |
D.They introduce the same destinations. |
A.Fashion. | B.Society. | C.Economy. | D.Literature. |
10 . The red phone box in Britain is a perfect example of the British traditional culture. However, with the fast development of mobile phones, it has lost its place in people’s everyday life. In order to save their loved red phone boxes, people have thought up many ideas, for example, to turn them into toilets or art houses.
In a village in Somerset, a place in South West England, villagers have found a novel way to save their red phone box. They turned it into a mini library to deal with the shortage of libraries in their area. The idea was given by a local villager, Janet Fisher, who lives opposite the phone box. Villagers rallied together to set up the book box. Over 100 books and a variety of movies and music CDs are available at this tiny library. The books are of different kinds, ranging from cooking books to the classics and children’s books.
People can put the books that they have read inside the phone box, and take away the books that they’d like to read. The books are always changing. There is a regular check on the books to keep the phone box collection fresh.
Anyone is free to come to read books there. The phone box library is open every day around the clock and is lit at night. “It’s very pleasing that the red phone box has been saved. More importantly, it can continue providing a service for us,” said one of the villagers.
1. The red phone box has been a symbol of ________.A.the European architecture | B.the British culture |
C.the development of technology | D.British people’s daily life |
A.separate | B.traditional | C.ridiculous | D.new |
A.keep its original function |
B.make up for the lack of library service |
C.provide a place to exchange ideas |
D.to enlarge the collection of the local library |
A.The library is open to the public only at night. |
B.The library was set up by a local villager living opposite a phone box. |
C.People can borrow books and other audio-visual products there. |
D.Regular check is made to keep the books in good order. |