Books have great power. Between their pages, readers can be transported to anywhere imaginable and become just about anyone … or anything. Unfortunately, many children all over the world don’t have access to books! For several years now, Maria Keller, a 16-year-old girl from Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been changing that fact.
When she was 8 years old, Maria already loved reading. She also noticed that some of her classmates didn’t read as much as she did. When she asked her mother why that could be, her mother said that they might not be able to afford books. Maria had never thought of this. She could not believe that some children might not have bedtime stories read to them. She became determined to change this. With her mother’s help, Maria created Read Indeed, a non-profit organization committed to collecting and distributing books to children in need.
During the early stages of Read Indeed, Maria set the goal to collect and distribute 1 million books by the time she was 18. It didn’t take long to reach that goal! She reached her goal at age 13! Today, at age 16, she has collected over 2.8 million books and has shipped them to many states and countries around the world.
She says, “I cannot live without books. As I continue my mission, I have learned that the number of kids who have no books is in the hundreds of millions, so I just can’t leave off, even after reaching my original goal of 1 million books distributed.”
She recently set a new goal: to distribute donations to kids in need in every state in the United States, and every country in the world. She keeps track of her progress on a large map at the warehouse where they store and sort books. And now, as Maria prepares to attend college, her younger brother Ryan Keller is taking over Read Indeed.
1. What had young Maria never thought of? (no more than 10 words)2. What is the main idea of Para.2? (no more than 10 words)
3. What does the underlined phrase in Para.4 probably mean? (1 word)
4. Why will Ryan Keller be in charge of Reed Indeed? (no more than 5 words)
5. What can you learn from Maria’s story? Please explain. (no more than 20 words)
| A．A book. | B．A writer. | C．An organization. |
3 . We are seeking volunteers to join our program and make a difference in the lives of young children by sharing the joy of reading. As we know, in the field of education, the ability to read fluently and comprehend written text holds the key to unlocking a world of knowledge and opportunities. For children between the ages of 5 and 10, this skill is particularly crucial, as it forms the foundation for their academic and personal growth.
An Hour a Week from You
You’ll spend one hour a week reading stories with a child aged 5 to 10 years, on our secure online platform. The program involves two 30-minute sessions a week with the same child, spanning six weeks. Our online volunteering can fit around your schedule and there’s no need to travel. We ask all our volunteers to complete at least three programs a year, so we can continue to support as many children as possible.
A World of Opportunity for Them
With just one hour of your time each week, you can make a profound difference in a child’s life, nurturing their love for reading and fostering (促进) their ability to navigate the vast ocean of written communication. In essence, you help young readers make progress and open up a world of opportunity for their future.
Remember: YOUR TIME, THEIR FUTURE
As a bookmark volunteer, you’ll:
**help children gain the reading skills they need to progress at school and in life.
**help boost a child’s confidence by giving them one-to-one attention.
**show that learning to read can be fun! It’s amazing when you introduce a young reader to a book, comic, or poem that they love.
Join our community! Join us on this incredible journey! Volunteers can share tips and stories on our online forum and meet like-minded people at the online events. Enrich your week. Taking time out of your day to read with a child can support your own well-being as you enjoy a new experience. Together, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to succeed both in school and beyond.
1. What is the impact of the reading program on children’s future?| A．Enhancing their future career in literature. |
| B．Guaranteeing academic success in higher education. |
| C．Developing children’s preference for online learning. |
| D．Creating a foundation for learning and future success. |
| A．To ensure stable support for children. |
| B．To enhance volunteer experience. |
| C．To meet educational guidelines. |
| D．To reduce administrative tasks. |
| A．People hoping to improve reading skills. |
| B．People preferring one-to-one interactions. |
| C．People having a heart for helping others. |
| D．People needing support from communities. |
| A．Boosting children’s literacy and passion for reading. |
| B．Enhancing children’s overall academic performance. |
| C．Providing a platform for online social interactions. |
| D．Training children to become professional writers. |
| A．Improvement in professional skills. | B．Joy in assisting a child’s growth. |
| C．Free books and comics. | D．Financial rewards. |
4 . On a cool autumn evening, while wandering through the streets of the old town, my attention was captured by a charming bookstore located between towering buildings. The warm light through its windows drew me closer, and without realizing it, I stood at its entrance, peering through the glass.
Earlier that day, after enjoying a pleasant lunch with friends, I had decided to explore the city on foot. Despite passing through this part of town numerous times, I had never spotted the charming bookstore. However, on this particular evening, something about it seemed irresistibly inviting.
Gently brushing away the fallen leaves from the window frame, I took a closer look inside. Rows of shelves filled with books of various sizes and colors stretched across the small and friendly interior, each volume whispering tales of adventure and wisdom. As my eyes moved over the titles, a wave of fond memories washed over me, transporting me back to my childhood.
Growing up, my world was dominated by sports and outdoor activities, often at my father’s insistence. He would say, “You need to play football, Alex. It builds character.” Yet deep down, I always felt out of place on the football field, my mind wandering to distant lands and heroic tales.
Every Sunday, after an exhausting football match, I would secretly go to my room and lose myself in books. The characters became my friends, and their journeys provided my escape. I still vividly recall the overwhelming joy I experienced when I first read about the adventures of a young wizard. His bravery and determination deeply touched me.
One day, our school librarian noticed my passion for reading and suggested I join the book club. Hesitant and unsure of my father’s reaction, I took the club flyer (宣传单) home, my heart racing with a mix of fear and hope. To my surprise, he was supportive, his typically serious expression softening as he signed the permission slip.
Joining the book club marked a turning point. I discovered a community where I truly belonged, and my passion for reading was embraced and nurtured. I began to craft my own stories, each one reflecting my dreams and desires.
As I stood there, lost in these thoughts, the door of bookstore opened, inviting me in. Stepping inside felt like coming home, a place where dreams and reality met. It was a reminder of how books had shaped my life, guiding me through the challenges of childhood and inspiring me to find my true passion.
1. What was the author’s first impression of the bookstore on the autumn evening?| A．It appeared to be closed and deserted. | B．It seemed disappointing and dark. |
| C．It was incredibly welcome. | D．It looked modern and busy. |
| A．To improve his strong personal qualities. |
| B．To keep him physically fit and healthy. |
| C．To prepare him for a sports career. |
| D．To follow a family tradition. |
| A．strict and demanding | B．mindless and annoying |
| C．considerate and approving | D．protective and understanding |
| A．It isolated him from social life. | B．It made him give up on sports entirely. |
| C．It shaped the author’s personal growth. | D．It changed the author’s view on reading. |
| A．Meeting expectations. | B．Pursuing one’s passions. |
| C．Exploring with excitement. | D．Prioritizing physical activities. |
5 . I grew up in libraries, or at least it feels that way. I was raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, just a few blocks from the brick-faced Bertram Woods branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library system. I went there several times a week with my mother. She and I would walk in together, but as soon as we passed through the door, we each headed towards our favorite sections. The library might have been the first place I was ever given autonomy.
Even when I was maybe four or five years old, I was allowed to head off on my own. Then, after a while, my mother and I would reunite at the checkout counter with our finds. Together we’d wait as the librarian pulled out the date card and stamped it with the checkout machine — that giant fist thumping the card with a loud chunk-chunk, printing a crooked due date underneath a score of previous crooked due dates that belonged to other people, other times.
Those visits were dreamy, frictionless (没有摩擦的) periods that held the promise of leaving me richer than I’d arrived. It wasn’t like going to a store with my mom, which guaranteed a tug-of-war between what I wanted and what my mother was willing to buy me; in the library, I could have anything I wanted.
After we had finished checking out the books, I loved being in the car and having all the books we’d gotten stacked on my lap, pressing me under their solid, warm weight, their Mylar covers sticking a bit to my thighs. It was such a thrill leaving a place with things you hadn’t paid for; such a thrill expecting the new books we would read. On the ride home, my mother and I talked about the order in which we were going to read our books, a serious conversation in which we planned how to pace ourselves through this charmed period of grace until the books were due.
When I was older, I usually walked to the library by myself, lugging back as many books as I could carry. Occasionally, I did go with my mother, and the trip would be as engaging as it had been when I was small. Even when I was in my last year of high school and could drive myself to the library, my mother and I still went together every now and then, and the trip unfolded exactly as it had when I was a child, with all the same beats and pauses ‘and comments and daydreaming, the same perfect rhythm we’d followed so many times before. After my mother passed away two years ago, I plunged into a deep shadow of grief for a long time. When I miss my mother these days, I like to picture us in the car together, going for one more magnificent trip to Bertram Woods, during which we talked, laughed — as if she were still in my company, giving me inexhaustible strength.
1. In this passage, the word “autonomy” (paragraph 1) is closest in meaning to “________”.| A．vitality | B．freedom | C．inspiration | D．entitlement |
| A．the author and her mother borrowed books that no other people had ever read before |
| B．the author and her mother were dreaming of going to the library |
| C．the author and her mother would play some games when they were shopping |
| D．the author would fail to buy what she wanted in the store |
| A．they would plan to read their newly-borrowed books with feverish enthusiasm |
| B．they would have a serious conversation about which book attracted them the most |
| C．they would be anxious to recommend to each other the books they had borrowed |
| D．they would agree on buying the books they had just borrowed if they enjoyed them |
| A．Grieved. | B．Shocked. | C．Miserable. | D．Comforted. |
| A．One specific memory of a childhood trip to the library. |
| B．The fond childhood memories of her mother taking good care of her. |
| C．How her affection for going to the library has endured into her own motherhood. |
| D．Why her own child made up their mind to become a librarian after finishing college. |
Science has a lot of uses. It can uncover laws of nature, cure diseases, make bombs, and help bridges to stand up. Indeed science is so good’ at what it does that there’s always a temptation (诱惑) to drag it into problems where it may not be helpful. David Brooks, author of The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement, appears to be the latest in a long line of writers who have failed to resist the temptation.
Brooks gained fame for several books. His latest book The Social Animal, however, is more ambitious and serious than his earlier books. It is an attempt to deal with a set of weighty topics. The book focuses on big questions: What has science revealed about human nature? What are the sources of character? And why are some people happy and successful while others aren’t?
To answer these questions, Brooks surveys a wide range of disciplines (学科). Considering this, you might expect the book to be a dry recitation(背诵)of facts. But Brooks has structured his book in an unorthodox (非常规的), and perhaps unfortunate, way. Instead of introducing scientific theories, he tells a story, within which he tries to make his points, perhaps in order to keep the reader’s attention. So as Harold and Erica, the hero and heroine in his story, live through childhood, we hear about the science of child development and as they begin to date we hear about the theory of sexual attraction. Brooks carries this through to the death of one of his characters.
On the whole, Brooks’ story is acceptable if uninspired. As one would expect, his writing is mostly clear and, to be fair, some chapters stand out above the rest. I enjoyed, for instance, the chapter in which Harold discovers how to think on his own. While Harold and Erica are certainly not strong or memorable characters, the more serious problems with The Social Animal lie elsewhere. These problems partly involve Brooks’ attempt to translate his tale into science.
1. What is the main idea of paragraph 2?(no more than 10 words)2. Why does Brook use a story to introduce scientific theories?( no more than 15words)
3. According to The Social Animal, how can we learn about the science of child development?(no more than 10 words)
4. Please explain the underlined word ”weighty" in English.(no more than 1 word)
5. Do you like Brooks’ way of dealing with science in The Social Animal? Why?(no more than 20 words)
7 . Storytelling is an ancient art form that has been used to hand down legends, tales and factual stories. Perhaps the first thing that springs to mind when you think of storytelling is the fantasy land that took shape in your mind while Mom or Dad told you stories about princes, castles and monsters, with a unique voice for each character.
Storytelling does not just take place at bedtime or round a campfire, however. It can take some other forms, either via the books we read or the films we watch. But they usually have some elements in common: rather than a list of dry facts, stories have plots and they introduce characters. We respond to stories, particularly when there is emotional detail.
And unlike what we suppose, storytelling is not just a form of entertainment, but a form of learning as well. Long before reading and writing became widely spread and available, oral storytelling had already been a form that the wisdom and knowledge of the people were passed down from elders to children. A good story engages our curiosity, emotions and imagination.
Storytelling helps with learning also because stories are easy to remember. Research has found that learning obtained from a well-told story is remembered more accurately, and for far longer, than from facts and figures.
And above all, stories have a transformative power to allow us to see the world in a different way than we do if we just encounter it on our own. Stories are an entry point to understanding a different experience of the world.
This aspect of storytelling-presenting a different perspective of the world—is important when it comes to connecting with each other. It gives us an opportunity to learn from another person’s experience and it can shape, strengthen or challenge our opinions and values. So, when someone tells us their own personal story, we catch a glimpse (瞥见) of a view of the world that may be slightly or significantly different from our own. When we see the world as they see it, or walk in their shoes, the experience can inspire empathy (共情；同理心) with them.
1. What occurs to us the moment we think of “storytelling”?| A．A child's imaginary world. |
| B．Voices of Mom or Dad. |
| C．An ancient art form. |
| D．Factual stories. |
| A．Form and style. |
| B．Facts and figures. |
| C．Emotional and physical details. |
| D．A series of events and characters. |
| A．It carries more wisdom and knowledge. |
| B．It is more widely available to young learners. |
| C．It satisfies our imagination and releases our emotions. |
| D．It makes what is learned more precise and longer lasting. |
| A．By offering us more opportunities to know people. |
| B．By helping us stay connected with the contemporary world. |
| C．By allowing us to understand the world the way they see it. |
| D．By enabling us to tell reality from imagination. |
| A．The History of Storytelling |
| B．The Power of Storytelling |
| C．The Forms of Storytelling |
| D．The Art of Storytelling |
8 . Some libraries use unique architecture to encourage visitors to settle down with a new book, or use mobile libraries to bring books to hard-to-reach populations. No matter how they achieve it, these novel libraries are keeping the magic of reading alive.
Beach Library (Albena, Bulgaria)
Reading a book on the beach is a classic, and in Bulgaria, one library encourages tourists to do just that. The white, weather-resistant shelves, lined up not far from the surf, hold 6,000 books in 15 languages so every visitor can find the perfect beach read to enjoy while soaking up the sun’s rays.
The Camel Library Service (North Eastern Province, Kenya)
To combat (防止，减轻) low literacy rates in the desert of Kenya, the government created a mobile library composed of nine camels bringing books to villages. The library travels four days a week serving the region’s people. Currently the service focuses on children, but with more funding they plan to increase their reach both in distance and the titles they carry.
Bishan Library (Singapore)
Built in 2006, this library is meant to invoke (在脑海中唤起) a modern glass treehouse. Glass pods (吊舱) of varying colors stick out of the building randomly to create comfortable yet airy corners for reading throughout the building. At the same time, a more open-plan children’s room on the basement level invites interaction while preventing noise from going up and disturbing those concentrating in the high places above.
Seikei University Library (Tokyo, Japan)
Libraries are usually known for their quiet atmosphere, but this one encourages conversation. Pritzker Prize-winner Shigeru Ban designed the library with space-age, free standing soundproofed pods to respect those who need uninterrupted study, while also being conducive (有助于) to other methods of learning.
Macquarie University Library (Sydney, Australia)
A surprising combination of the cutting edge and sustainability, this building was made from recycled materials, features a green roof, and was designed to imitate the look of a eucalyptus tree (桉树). It is also state of the art, using robot cranes to bring requested books to the front desk.
1. In the Beach Library, visitors can________.| A．enjoy surfing and buy souvenirs |
| B．find a wide variety of beach reads |
| C．lie in the treehouse and read comfortably |
| D．read in a free-standing soundproofed pod |
| A．It sells books to people in the desert. |
| B．It increases literacy rates in the desert of Kenya. |
| C．It provides transportation for people in the desert. |
| D．It focuses on increasing access to books for adults. |
| A．It is a library without any noise. |
| B．Its children’s reading area is at the top. |
| C．It has a separate reading area for children. |
| D．It gives visitors a feeling of being in nature. |
| A．Beach Library. |
| B．Bishan Library. |
| C．Seikei University Library. |
| D．Macquarie University Library. |
| A．They are both made of glass. |
| B．Their designs are both related to trees. |
| C．They are both environmentally friendly. |
| D．They both use high technology to serve readers. |
9 . I was born a bookworm. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t read: It was almost like breathing to me. My fictional worlds took me to all the places I needed to go and I experienced everything indirectly.
My father was in the military service when I was a child, so we moved every two years, but we insisted on going to bookshops wherever we lived. He would take me to the nearest bookshop every Saturday morning and wait patiently while I browsed (随便看看)—after all, the choosing of a new book is something that cannot be rushed. And so started my lifelong love affair with bookshops.
One day I was thinking up the setting for How to Find Love in a tiny bookshop when a feeling of calm, contentment, and excitement came over me. It was a feeling of perfect happiness. That was my light bulb moment: My book would be set in a bookshop, and I could explore what books meant to each of my characters and how they had shaped their lives.
The book isn’t just about discovering romantic love. It’s about finding the love of books: something that can sustain you throughout your life, and provide escape, entertainment, education, comfortd and wonder. And, as I learned from my own father, it’s a love you can share with everyone. There is nothing more satisfying than sharing something you have read with someone else, knowing they will love it as much as you do.
But if we are to keep bookshops alive, we need to use them, and to encourage the next generation to make them a part of their life and view bookshops as a treat, a pleasure, an adventure, a gateway, so they become something we can’t live without. Thus my challenge to you, fellow readers, is to go to your local bookshops as often as possible and come out with something that might change your life.
1. Why did the author often move when he was a child?| A．Because her father loved travelling. |
| B．Because her father was in the army. |
| C．Because her parents divorced. |
| D．Because her parents wanted to find a better school for her. |
| A．Distant. | B．Casual. |
| C．Inseparable. | D．Cooperative. |
| A．A moment of relief. | B．A moment of peace. |
| C．A moment of sudden shock. | D．A moment of sudden inspiration. |
| A．How books affect people’s lives. | B．Romantic stories of the author’s parents. |
| C．How bookshops become popular. | D．Touching stories between father and daughter. |
| A．Purchase her books. | B．Go frequent book shopping. |
| C．Share books with others. | D．Sponsor local bookshops. |
10 . How to Use a Modern Public Library
Has it been a while since your last visit to a public library? If so, you may be surprised to learn that libraries have changed for the better. It’s been years since they were dusty little rooms with books. They have transformed themselves into places where you can develop your love of knowledge meet interesting people, or find out how to start a business.
Check out a book. While libraries still loan out(出借)books, you’ll find it easier to get a copy of whatever you’re looking for, thanks to a cooperative network of area libraries. Via such networks, libraries share their books with each other through the use of delivery vehicles. Once the book you’ve requested is delivered to the nearest branch, they will inform you by e-mail, so you can pick it up.
Check out other items. The library is now a multimedia zone, loaded with information in many formats(载体形式). You can borrow movies on DVDs, music on CDs, and popular magazines. Some libraries even loan out toys and games. If a popular magazine you want isn’t offered and the library keeps a list of such requests, they may bring it in when enough interest is shown.
Join targeted reading groups. Libraries will often hold reading-group sessions targeted to various age groups. Perhaps you’d like to learn a language or improve your English. The library may sponsor a language group you could join. If you have difficulties reading, ask about special reading opportunities. Your library might be able to accommodate you. And you might find it relaxing to bring your small kid to a half-hour Story Time while you sit quietly in a corner with a good book.
Start a business using the help of your local library. If you want to have a business of your own, your local library can become a launch space for it. In library books and computers, you can find information on starting a business. Many libraries will help you with locally supplied information about business management shared through chambers of commerce(商会)and government agencies, and they will offer printing, faxing and database services you need.
1. Public libraries connected by a cooperative network benefit readers by______.| A．sharing their books on the Internet |
| B．giving access to online reading at a library branch |
| C．sending a needed book to a library branch nearby |
| D．making the checkout procedures diverse |
| A．A magazine and an e-book. |
| B．A game and an oil painting. |
| C．A music CD and a kid’s toy. |
| D．A DVD and a video player |
| A．the kid to learn a new language |
| B．the parent to enjoy quiet reading |
| C．the kid to overcome reading difficulties |
| D．the parent to meet their program sponsor |
| A．providing relevant information and supporting services |
| B．offering professional advice on business management |
| C．supplying useful information of your potential buyers |
| D．arranging meetings with government officials |
| A．To point out the importance of public libraries. |
| B．To encourage people to work in public libraries. |
| C．To introduce the improved services of public libraries. |
| D．To call for the modernization of public library systems. |
