Books were my true friends when I was 12 years old. I was so thankful that the authors wrote those books. The     1     (kind) they offered me with their books saved my life. My     2     (big) dream was to become an author. I decided I     3     (work) hard and realize my dream so that I could write books     4     would help other teenagers the way those books helped me.

World Read Aloud Day is celebrated each year on the first Wednesday of February. It     1     (start) by the Lit World. Org website in 2010 and has now reached 65 countries.     2     (it) goal is to encourage people worldwide who cannot read to enjoy the benefits of a book. The website asks everyone to celebrate the day by taking a book, finding an audience, and reading it out aloud. It is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write     3     (belong) to all people.

Chinese book culture has a long history. Its roots can be traced back thousands of years, to the earliest known     1     (write) records in China. Over the centuries, books     2     (be) an essential part of Chinese culture, playing a vital role in preserving knowledge and     3     (provide) a source of inspiration for generations.

The first major development in Chinese book culture was the invention of woodblock printing by Bi Sheng in the 11th century. This revolutionized book production, making it much     4     (easy) to produce and distribute books. During China’s Ming Dynasty there was a great booming of books and it     5     (see) the birth of China’s best-known book, Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en, which is still     6     (wide) read and studied today.

In modern times, new forms of literature such as science fiction and fantasy have grown in     7     (popular), while electronic books are becoming increasingly popular. The development of book culture has had a great impact     8     Chinese society, with many books becoming cultural touchstones and inspiring people to think about their lives and the world around them.

With its rich history and diverse contents, Chinese book culture provides a window into Chinese society. From ancient classics to modern bestsellers, Chinese books can open up     9     new world of ideas and knowledge for readers around the globe. Being an important part of our global culture, it is     10     everyone should learn more about.

These days, more and more Chinese people enjoy sending and receiving messages on the phone, which can help them to get the latest news and communicate with friends. But I think I should read more books besides the texts. The more,     1     better. It can improve my language skills and also can help me to get good grades.

Before you start reading, ask     2    (you) why you are reading this book. Most people read for two main     3    (reason), pleasure or knowledge. Clearing about your reading purpose can not only help you choose the books you really need to read, but also remind you why reading the book is of great     4    (important) to you, so you will decide     5    (read) and finish the book faster.

No matter what you are reading, it is important to enjoy     6     you read. Your friends may tell you the books they are interested     7    , but those books might not be the ones you enjoy. Whenever you realize that you aren’t enjoying the book you are reading, give it up.

It is true to read the books that     8    (borrow) from libraries     9    (fast) than those I buy. The reason is that I don’t need to return those books I buy. Having a reading goal     10    (help) you work out how much reading you need to do in a week or even a day. Before you read each book, you should know what time you need to complete this book by.

“What shall I read” You might have asked     1    (you) this question more than once. If you are not sure what to read, you can get ideas from different     2    (source), but it is also important to develop your own taste.

To start with, ask your friends, parents and teachers     3    (recommend) what books you ought to read. Most people will be happy to share their favourite books with others. Teachers in particular can provide suggestions for interesting reading materials that can     4    (find) in the library or bookshop easily. You could also read book reviews in newspapers, in magazines     5    online.     6     book review can often tell you whether a book is worth reading or not.

These ideas should point you in the right direction. However, you must also decide for yourself what kind of books to read. You do not have to read a book just because everyone recommends it. Instead, look for books on topics     7     interest you. Take time to look through the collections     8     different sections of your local library, and you are likely to come across books you love to read. Over time, you may find yourself     9    (well) able to seek out books to your taste and enjoy     10    (read) all the more.

Zhu Yanjun shared poetry reading experience with students at a primary school in Jingning county, Northwest China’s Gansu province,     1     April 10, 2023.

Zhu Yanjun, 50, is the runner-up of the 2023 Chinese Poetry Competition. After graduating from junior high school in 1992, he     2     (stop) his schooling and began to work as a migrant worker.

    3     he was always busy working during the day, he kept on spending his spare time to pursue his passion for poetry. This year, he     4     (final) appeared in the Chinese Poetry Competition and won second place,     5     (amaze) the audience with his talent.

Zhu’s passion for poetry runs through every aspect of his life. Whenever he goes to a city for work, he first visits     6    (bookstore). On rainy days when the construction site     7     he works stops work temporarily, he usually rushes to the bookstore early in the morning and spends the whole day reading books. In order to make use of his time     8    (read) poetry, he always carries some notes of copying poems in his pocket.

In March of this year, Zhu Yanjun returned to his hometown and got a chance to work as a staff member at the cultural center of Jingning County. This job gives him more time to study the stories behind the poems and     9     (many) opportunities to share his experience with others. Zhu wishes to inspire more people around him to explore the     10     (hide) beauty of reading.

This year, the 13th Spring Festival Joint Exhibition of Chinese Books,     1    theme was “Reading China”, was held on January 24th in 85 bookstores worldwide. It carried out a variety of activities such as book exhibitions and cultural performances. Books     2    (display)in the exhibition were philosophical and   artistic, which     3    (close) met the needs of overseas readers. Overall, this year’s book exhibition presented the newest and finest Chinese publications     4     local readers so that they could better understand China in the new era.