1 . The fast development of AI-generated content (AIGC), especially AI translation, is accelerating (加快) the speed at which China's online novels are being introduced to the world, while global online writers tend to flood to a common platform to expand the world's online novel market, according to the 2023 China Online Literature Exporting Overseas Trend Report.

"Online literature not only brings Chinese culture and works to the world, but also witnesses the global development of this Chinese model," said the president of a publisher.

"After going through publishing authorization (授权), overseas translation and exporting models overseas, China's online literature has reached a new stage of global IP co-creation as writers from different countries and regions work together to develop online literature IP, which has led to a new wave of globalization in online literature," he added.

"As of October 2023, an overseas website owned by the publisher, had launched about 3,600 translated works of Chinese online literature," said the report. The platform has been visited by more than 220 million users, who spend more than 1.5 hours daily on reading. More than 150,000 comments are usually made in a single day, including exchanges about works and discussions about the cities, food and culture from various countries.

With the help of AI, the translation efficiency (效率) of online novels has increased by nearly 100 times, and the cost has been reduced by more than 90 percent. "Due to these advantages, the platform WebNovel will introduce AI translation for English, Spanish, French, Japanese and other languages, to help good Chinese and foreign stories to reach a wider international audience," said Yang Chen, editor-in-chief of the publisher.

Chinese online literature has been exported overseas for more than 20 years. It has shared with the world not only excellent cultural works, but also a set of creative mechanisms (机制) and industrial models based on the digital age. As such, global industrial integration has become a significant trend in the development of online literature.

1. What's the value of China's online literature according to paragraph 2?

A．It contributes to regional cooperation.

B．It encourages global development.

C．It benefits overseas translation.

D．It helps spread Chinese culture.

2. What does the writer want to show by listing the data in paragraph 4?

A．To stress the importance of translating Chinese works.

B．To show the popularity of Chinese online literature.

C．To explain why Chinese literature develops so fast.

D．To call on people to read Chinese literature online.

3. What's the advantage of AI translation?

A．It produces better quality works.	B．It enables writers to work together.
C．It provides more language choices.	D．It's more productive and economical.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．China Online Literature Faces New Challenges

B．AI Translation Boosts Global Cooperation

C．AI Helps Chinese Web Novels Sail Overseas

D．Online Literature Goes Viral Globally

2 . The UK is experiencing a boom in book clubs, according to new data from event listing companies. Book club listings on the ticketing site Eventbrite increased by 350% between 2019 and 2023. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, book club listings on the site rose by 41%. Another event listing site, Meetup, reported a 14% increase in the number of RSVPs to book clubs between January 2023 and January 2024, compared with a 4% increase in RSVPs for all UK-based events.

Victoria Okafor, who co-runs the book club Between2Books, said the heightened interest in reading may be partly the result of a general “shift in hobbies”, as GenZ (the generation around 00s) turned to other ways to spend their free time. Besides, during the global health crisis period, many people were forced to slow down and pick up or reignite hobbies, and online book clubs provided a platform to connect with others.

Social media may be helping with the visibility of book clubs, too, said Okafor. “People may come across your page accidentally, but from there people have the knowledge to attend should they wish. I think this makes a big difference compared to just hearing things from word of mouth.”

Many of the book clubs listed on Eventbrite carry specific themes — Sheffield Feminist Book Club, Bring Your Baby Book Club, and Modern Chinese Literature Online Book Club.

Okafor’s club, Between2Books, focuses on books by writers traditionally excluded (排除) from the classics. She thought she began seeking out such stories “embarrassingly late”. “Reading authors of color brought back a joy to my reading that came from not only seeing elements of myself and culture reflected in novels but also reading stories that could be funny or empowering as opposed to the accounts of struggle that can often surround stories of people of color,” she said. “The variety of books makes reading and discussion so rich and I think that’s what attenders are drawn to.”

1. How is paragraph 1 mainly developed?

A．By giving examples.	B．By listing figures.
C．By analyzing causes.	D．By presenting theories.

2. What does the underlined word “reignite” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Return.

B．Reward.

C．Regain.

D．Reconnect.

3. Which is one of the reasons for the boom of book clubs?

A．The influence of social media.	B．The recommendation of old generations.
C．GenZ having a stronger thirst for knowledge.	D．Some people shifting the focus of their lives.

4. What attracts people to join Okafor’s club according to the last paragraph?

A．The diversity of books.	B．The reputation of writers.
C．The humor of the works.	D．The suggestion of the organizer.

3 . Coastal Living

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Coastal Living brings you the best seaside spots to shop, eat, and adventure. Enjoy endless inspiration for getaways and family travel traditions, and must-try seafood recipes. Whether you’re looking for the perfect cruise, coast, or cuisine, our digital journal delivers you all the best.

Coastal Living, published by Meredith, is currently published 4 times annually.

Real Simple

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Find everyday easy solutions with this digital magazine. You’ll enjoy time-saving tips on reducing stress, organizing, dinnertime favorites, beauty products, fashion and tested and trusted health advice. Real Simple is your go-to source to infuse (注入) clean spaces and practical solutions into your busy life.

Real Simple, published by Meredith, currently publishes two double issues, which counts as two of 12 issues in an annual subscription.

Midwest Living

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Discover the best of the American Midwest. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or a breathtaking adventure, Midwest Living delivers the inspiration to get you packing. You’ll also get a local eye on the best restaurants and must-visit seasonal celebrations. Plus, soul-warming recipes you’ll love, gardening tips and so much more!

Midwest Living Magazine, published online by Meredith, is currently published 6 times annually.

Successful Farming

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Get insight and insider information on the world of agriculture in every digital issue of Successful Farming. Farmers have turned to Successful Farming for more than 100 years to get sustainable advice on land, soil, markets, and more.

Successful Farming, published by Meredith, is currently published 12 times annually. Frequency of all magazines are subject to change without notice.

1. Which magazine comes out quarterly?

A．Coastal Living.	B．Real Simple.
C．Successful Farming.	D．Midwest Living.

2. Who are most likely to subscribe to Real Simple?

A．Fashion designers.	B．Reporters.
C．Famed chefs.	D．Housewives.

3. What do the four magazines have in common?

A．They are about daily life tips.	B．They are electronic magazines.
C．They introduce different lifestyles.	D．They have the same selling price.

4 . 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 Mansfield

Prelude 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 Porter

Katherine 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 Nabokov

It 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. Salinger

This 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.

2. What do we know about Katherine Anne Porter and Vladimir Nabokov?

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.

3. Who are the target readers of the text?

A．Science fiction fans.	B．Family-based short story lovers.
C．Those who plan to be writers.	D．People trying to have a family.

5 . Flights of imagination take wing with picture books

Room for Everyone (ages 4-8)

Written by Naaz Khan, illustrated by Merce Lopez

Hop on the dala-dala (a kind of minibus taxi) on the way to the blue crystal waters of Zanzibar! Rhythmic language dances across the pages as more and more people and their belongings pile into (挤进) the vehicle on the way to the beach. It seems there can’t possibly be room, but “after some moving around and fun, they make enough room for everyone.” This is a book you will be happy to read again and again because it’s so full of sunlight and energy.

Gladys the Magic Chicken (ages 4-9)

Written by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Adam Rex

It’s a big, sweeping story that’s just right for sharing a belly laugh (捧腹大笑) with the whole family. Set in ancient times, the story centers around a much-celebrated chicken named Gladys. At 48 pages, this is longer than the standard picture book, which helps give it a bigger feeling.

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (ages 4-10)

Written and illustrated by Erin Entrada Kelly

Readers might know Erin Entrada Kelly from her Newbery Medal-winning chapter book, “Hello, Universe”. In this start of a series aimed at younger readers, Kelly again creates rich characters, but this time with short chapters and cute line drawings that work perfectly for early independent chapter-book reading.

A Boy Named Isamu (ages 3-7)

Written and illustrated by James Yang

One of the unexpected charms of this book is that it is told in the second person. The lines between audience and character, observer and artist, and reader and listener soften to allow us to explore isolation (孤独) and creativity along with the protagonist (主人公). This book might help everyone understand how one might be “alone but not lonely”.

1. What can be learned about Room for Everyone?

A．It consists of simple words.	B．It is an award-winning book.
C．It features cute line drawings.	D．It is full of fun and happiness.

2. Who wrote a book that suits independent readers?

A．Merce Lopez.

B．Adam Rex.

C．Erin Entrada Kelly.

D．James Yang.

3. What is special about A Boy Named Isamu?

A．It is told in the second person.	B．It involves short chapters.
C．It has two characters.	D．It is for older readers.

6 . A Book-list by Trusted Critics

I Can Explain
Shinsuke Yoshitake

Has your mom ever caught you picking your nose or biting your nails? In this book, bad habits yield complex explanations that justify their very existence.

And really, how hard is it to believe that nose pickers are actually pushing hidden nose buttons that release “cheerful beams” that make everyone happy?

Where Butterflies Fill the Sky
Zahra Marwan

What happens when you have to leave your home where the desert reaches all the way to the sea and 100 butterflies always fill the sky? This picture book about immigration deals with its serious subject matter while keeping heart, humor and family close at hand.

It tells the true story of how the girl and her family moved from one land to another.

Farmhouse
Sophie Blackall

Our lives are our stories. In this one Sophie Blackall manages to spin a single sentence capturing the imagined lives of a houseful of children on a farm. The images and story were inspired by the detritus (废弃物) she discovered in an old farmhouse.

The resulting images are sure to delight children and adults alike, while the story is a reminder of what we leave behind.

My Brother Is Away
Sara Greenwood

It’s never easy to explain that a family member is imprisoned, and it can be especially hard for children.

This simple picture book draws on the author’s own childhood to tell the story of a young girl whose brother is in prison. A gentle and hopeful story for kids about very adult situations and complex feelings.

1. What is Where Butterflies Fill the Sky about?

A．A story of 100 butterflies always filling the sky.

B．A story of immigration, family, and finding home.

C．A story of serious matters of a girl and her mom.

D．A story about very adult situations and complex feelings.

2. Which book will leave the reader with a heavy heart?

A．Where Butterflies Fill the Sky.	B．I Can Explain.
C．Farmhouse.	D．My Brother Is Away.

3. Who do you think the books are written for?

A．Senior students.

B．Adults.

C．Kids.

D．Foreigners.

7 . The following are the comments on The Berry Pickers.

Donna David

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024

I enjoyed the story. The characters were interesting and the story of the people working in the blueberry fields in Maine was of great interest to me. But there’s a problem. In the story, they speak about coming to Maine for 2 months. The blueberry season was and is 3 — 5 weeks. I think the author should have been a little more thoughtful in her research to make it more accurate (精确的).

Mom2AC

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024

This is such a beautiful and heartbreaking story of two families—one filled with love, pain, and loss, the other with secrets. The story was beautifully written and had me in tears at the end. I love books that have me thinking about the characters once the book is finished.

Diana Jaycox

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023

I read The Berry Pickers as part of a Kindle Reading Challenge. The Berry Pickers was not my normal pick of reading material. That is what I love about the Kindle Reading Challenges; I am forced to try new authors. This is not the kind of novel you can read in one setting. No, The Berry Pickers, requires you to read slowly, enjoying the richness of Amanda Peters’ words, and her great settings.

EH

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024

As I began reading, I thought I’d mistakenly bought a book for young adults. It’s not badly written, but it is too simple for its subject matter. It’s also overly long, and would have worked better as a novel.

1. What is Donna David’s complaint about The Berry Pickers?

A．It’s very long.	B．It’s inaccurate.
C．It’s too simple.	D．It’s poorly-organized.

2. Who think highly of The Berry Pickers?

A．Donna David and EH.	B．Diana Jayeox and EH.
C．Mom2AC and Diana Jaycox.	D．Donna David and Diana Jaycox.

3. What’s the purpose of the text?

A．To share comments on a book.	B．To record personal experiences.
C．To complain about bad service.	D．To introduce a reading activity.

8 . ※ 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.

2. What is When You Were Everything mainly about?

A．Friendship and growth.	B．Lost love and gained hope.
C．Learning to be more independent.	D．Dealing with pressure from schoolwork.

3. Which book suits whoever wants to read about adventures?

A．The Hobbit	B．Brown Girl Dreaming
C．When You Were Everything	D．The Hound of the Baskervilles

10 . It’s no secret that reading good news feels a lot better than reading bad news. Like, would you rather bite into a lemon, or sip on a fresh glass of lemonade?

    1    The world is full of problems and conflicts and we need to stay informed and alert (警觉的) to what’s going on around us. While reading traditional, more negative news is important, consuming good news is also part of staying informed.     2    And it also brings meaningful benefits, like reduced stress and anxiety, higher rates of engagement, community building skills, and inspiration for creating a better world. Plus, knowing what to look for in the good news landscape is a key part of improving our media literacy skills and being thoughtful news consumers.

In fact, good news, known as solutions journalism, is becoming more popular, as publishers and news stations discover the benefits of sharing positive stories. Good Good Good is one of them.     3     A team of reporters and editors there work daily to deliver stories that make readers feel hopeful and equipped to do more good with possible solutions.

“If it bleeds, it leads.” has long been a saying used in the media to describe how news stories about violence, death and destruction draw readers’ attention.       4     The thing is, however, there’s also good stuff out there—the delightful and kind parts of humanity. “Beautiful stories are happening worldwide.    5    When you do find them, the world can suddenly feel like a very different place. Good news is a vital part of how we learn about the world and solving the world’s problems.” Hervey, one of Good Good Good’s editors said.

A．Share good news with people around you.

B．It’s just that we don’t hear as much about them.

C．But the “bad news” has its place in the world.

D．It provides a more balanced view of the world.

E．And so, negative news stories are everywhere on news media.

F．Heartwarming stories make you cry and feel good.

G．The news media company is devoted to providing good news intentionally.