2 . An advance in electronic publishing could make the e-book you are reading seem as dated as a silent film. Publishers hope to explore the growing success of e-books by releasing versions with added soundtracks（电影配音）and musical accompaniments.

The noises in the first multimedia books — released in Britain on Friday - include rain hitting a window in a Sherlock Holmes tale. When the plot of a book reaches the most exciting part, background scores will create tension.

Supporters argue that sound effects are the next logical development for e-books and will add excitement for younger readers. Critics, however, will argue that the noise will ruin the simple pleasure of having the imagination stimulated by reading.

Caroline Michel, chief executive of the literary agency, said the new generation of computer- literate readers was used to multiple sensory input. She said, “Young people have split computer screens where they may be watching television and replying to an email at the same time. If that's what the market wants then we should respond to the market.”

Book track's sound effects work by estimating the user's reading speed. Each lime you turn a page, the software reassesses where you have reached in the text and times the sounds to switch on accordingly. If the soundtrack becomes out of synch （同步），a click on any word will reset it.

Some authors fear that a soundtrack could destroy the peace and quiet of libraries and ruin the pleasure, of reading. David Nicholls, author of Our Day, the bestseller now released as a film, said, “This sounds like the opposite of reading. I have enough trouble reading an e-book because I'm constantly distracted by emails.

Stuart MacBride, the crime writer whose novel Shatter the Bones was an e-book bestseller, sells 18% of his books as electronic downloads. He said, “If I'm reading, I will do the noise in my head. I don’t need someone to tell me what lea cups clinking sounds like. That would irritate （激怒）me.”

1. What do publishers expect an e-book soundtrack to do?

A．Help to release an e-book as a film.	B．Help readers improve reading speed.
C．Add tension at a book's exciting point.	D．Get readers familiar with       the background.

2. Who is in favour of added soundtracks for e-books?

A．Mr. Darcy.	B．Caroline Michel.
C．David Nicholls.	D．Stuart MacBride.

3. What do we know about Stuart MacBride?

A．He was a person who was easy to get angry.

B．He knew a great deal about tea and tea culture.

C．Eighty-two percent of his books described crime.

D．He imagined sounds related to the story when reading.

4. What's the main idea of the passage?

A．Opinions about e-books with soundtracks.

B．Response to the need of the book market.

C．Reasons for traditional e-books becoming outdated.

D．Suggestions on encouraging readers’ imagination.

3 . Having your nose in a book might seem a little anti-social at times — but reading could actually make you a kinder, more considerate person, a study has found. Readers were more likely to act in a socially acceptable manner, while those who preferred watching television came across as less friendly and less understanding of

others' views, researchers said.

123 participants in the study were quizzed on their preferences for books, TV and plays at Kingston University, London. They were then tested on how much they considered people's feelings and whether they acted to help others. Researchers told the British Psychological Society conference in Brighton yesterday that fiction fans showed more positive social behavior.

Readers of drama and romance novels were also empathic, while lovers of experimental books showed the ability to see things from different directions. Comedy fans scored the highest for relating to others. The study suggested reading allows people to see different points of view, enabling them to understand others better.

The researchers added, “Exposure to fiction relates to a range of empathetic abilities. Engaging with fictional prose and comedy in particular could be key to improving people's empathetic abilities.”

However, the authors warned the study did not prove cause-and-effect. So it could be that reading causes positive behavior, or it could be that thoughtful, well-mannered people are more likely to prefer reading. So it is a good idea to pick up a book to begin your travel with the author. Each author will show how they would react to certain situations or confrontations through their characters. Everyone can view the same situation differently, and from 1001 different angles. The more you read, the much better you can understand other peoples' opinions.

1. What do we know about reading according to Paragraph 1?

A．It contributes more to one's anti-social role.

B．It is of rare benefit to readers.

C．It is related to one's social position.

D．It can add to one's social adaptability.

2. Researchers tested 123 participants in order to find         .

A．the way to improve reading skills

B．the influence of their preferences

C．the places to get new books

D．the time of reading books

3. What does the underlined word "empathic" in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Understanding.	B．Mad.
C．Sorrowful.	D．Delighted.

4. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To react to certain situations.

B．To understand peoples' opinions.

C．To persuade people to read.

D．To show how to begin travels.