1 . I have a special place in my heart for libraries. I have for as long as I can remember. I was always an enthusiastic reader, sometimes reading up to three books a day as a child. Stories were like air to me and while other kids played ball or went to parties, I lived out adventures through the books I checked out from the library.
My first job was working at the Ukiah Library when I was 16 years old .It was a dream job and I did everything from shelving books to reading to the children for story time.
As I grew older and became a mother, the library took on a new place and an added meaning in my life. I had several children and books were our main source(来源) of entertainment. It was a big deal for us to load up and go to the local library, where my kids could pick out books to read or books they wanted me to read to them.
I always read ,using different voices ,as though I were acting out the stories with my voice and they loved it !It was a special time to bond with my children and it filled them with the wonderment of books .
Now, I see my children taking their children to the library and I love that the excitement of going to the library lives on form generation to generation.
As a novelist, I’ve found a new relationship with libraries. I encourage readers to go to their local library when they can’t afford to purchase a book. I see libraries as a safe haven(避风港) for readers and writers, a bridge that helps put together a reader with a book. Libraries, in their own way, help fight book piracy(盗版行为) and 1 think all writers should support libraries in a significant way when they can. Encourage readers to use the library. Share library announcements on your social media. Frequent them and talk about them when you can.
1. Which word best describes the author’s relationship with books as a child?| A．Cooperative. | B．Uneasy. | C．Inseparable. | D．Casual. |
| A．Pleasure from working in the library. |
| B．Joy of reading passed on in the family. |
| C．Wonderment from acting out the stories. |
| D．A closer bond developed with the readers. |
| A．Sponsor book fairs. | B．Write for social media. |
| C．Support libraries. | D．Purchase her novels. |
| A．Reading: A Source of Knowledge |
| B．My Idea about writing |
| C．Library: A Haven for the Young |
| D．My Love of the Library |
2 . I must have always known reading was very important because the first memories I have as a child deal with books. There was not one night that I don't remember mom reading me a storybook by my bedside. I was extremely inspired by the elegant way the words sounded.
I always wanted to know what my mom was reading. Hearing mom say, “I can’t believe what’s printed in the newspaper this morning,” made me want to grab it out of her hands and read it myself. I wanted to be like my mom and know all of the things she knew. So I carried around a book, and each night, just to be like her, I would pretend to be reading.
This is how everyone learned to read. We would start off with sentences, then paragraphs, and then stories. It seemed an unending journey, but even as a six-year-old girl I realized that knowing how to read could open many doors. When mom said, “The C-A-N-D-Y is hidden on the top shelf,” I knew where the candy was. My progress in reading raised my curiosity, and I wanted to know everything. I often found myself telling my mom to drive more slowly, so that I could read all of the road signs we passed.
Most of my reading through primary, middle and high school was factual reading. I read for knowledge, and to make A’s on my tests. Occasionally, I would read a novel that was assigned, but I didn’t enjoy this type of reading. I liked facts, things that are concrete. I thought anything abstract left too much room for argument.
Yet, now that I’m growing and the world I once knew as being so simple is becoming more complex, I find myself needing a way to escape. By opening a novel, I can leave behind my burdens and enter into a wonderful and mysterious world where I am now a new character. In these worlds I can become anyone. I don’t have to write down what happened or what technique the author was using when he or she wrote this. I just read to relax.
We’re taught to read because it’s necessary for much of human understanding. Reading is a vital part of my life. Reading satisfies my desire to keep learning. And I’ve found that the possibilities that lie within books are limitless.
1. Why did the author want to grab the newspaper out of mom’s hands？| A．She wanted mom to read the news to her. |
| B．She was anxious to know what had happened. |
| C．She couldn't wait to tear the newspaper apart. |
| D．She couldn't help but stop mom from reading. |
| A．her unique way to locate herself |
| B．her eagerness to develop her reading ability |
| C．her effort to remind mom to obey traffic rules |
| D．her growing desire to know the world around her. |
| A．It would help her update test-taking skills. |
| B．It would allow much room for free thinking. |
| C．It would provide true and objective information. |
| D．It would help shape a realistic and serious attitude to life. |
| A．explore a fantasy land |
| B．develop a passion for leaning |
| C．learn about the adult community |
| D．get away from a confusing world |
3 . Our most commonly held code for success is broken. Conventional wisdom（普遍看法）holds that if we work hard we will be more successful，and if we are more successful，then we’ll be happy. If we can just find that great job，win that next promotion，lose those five pounds，happiness will follow. But recent discoveries in the field of positive psychology have shown that this code is actually backward：Happiness fuels success，not the other way around. When we are positive，our brains become more engaged，creative，motivated，energetic，and productive at work. These discoveries have been repeatedly proved by rigid research in psychology and neuroscience（神经科学），management studies，and the bottom lines of organizations around the globe.
In The Happiness Advantage，Shawn Achor，who spent over a decade living，researching，and lecturing at Harvard University，draws on his own research—including one of the largest studies of happiness and potential at Harvard and others at companies like UBS to fix this broken code. Using stories and case studies from his work with CEOs of Fortune 500 in 42 countries，Achor explains how we can reprogram our brains to become more positive in order to gain a competitive ability at work.
Based on seven practical，actionable principles that have been tried and tested everywhere from classrooms to boardrooms，stretching from Argentina to Zimbabwe，he shows us how we can capitalize on The Happiness Advantage to improve our performance and maximize our potential.
A must-read for everyone trying to stand out in a world of increasing workloads and stress，The Happiness Advantage isn’t only about how to become happier at work. It’s about how to get the benefits of a happier and more positive mode of thinking to achieve the extraordinary in our work and in our lives.
1. What do we know about the new discoveries in Paragraph1?| A．Conventional code for success is totally useless. |
| B．The more we are successful, the happier we are. |
| C．Positive psychology is really backward. |
| D．Happiness contributes greatly to success. |
| A．To reprogram one’s brain to be healthier. |
| B．To make people more positive and competitive. |
| C．To study stories and cases of CEOs. |
| D．To make lectures at Harvard University. |
| A．provide fund for | B．make full use of |
| C．in search of | D．stand out for |
| A．To help people stand out in the world. |
| B．To arouse people’s sense of happiness. |
| C．To help people decrease the work stress. |
| D．To strongly recommend the book. |
4 . I am reading a novel at the moment, a story set in Britain and India in the 19th century. It was written by an Indian author who now lives in Denmark, but neither in the language of Hindi nor Danish. Although the paperback edition I’m holding was published in New Delhi, India, four years ago, I (an American) purchased it recently from a second-hand bookshop in Tokyo, Japan.
That’s quite a history already. But there’s more.
The novel is a tale of various mysteries, all expertly put into a well-structured story by a very skillful author. Yet my particular copy presents even more mysteries than the tale.
One summer morning in the year of my paperback’s publication — on July 15, 2012— someone else was reading it while eating breakfast in a restaurant in Mumbai, India.
I know this because I found a receipt of coffee and bread inside. I also know that this person was not the owner of the paperback immediately before me.
In fact, the owner before me was not Indian at all, but Japanese.
I know this because in the book there are handwritten notes in Japanese —translations of English words with which the reader was unfamiliar.
Japanese being a language of characters, not letters, it is not easy to determine if the note writer was a man or a woman. But the care taken to write the translations neatly in the limited spaces available on each page indicates a woman’s hand clearly, and probably a university student, who would keep a dictionary at hand while reading a novel.
But why did she suddenly stop reading? The last translation in my paperback appears on Page 83, less than a third of the way through the novel. Did she give up because the book was proving too difficult? Or was there some other reasons?
Many a novel presents mysteries, all of which are solved by the end of the tale. The mysteries presented by my little paperback, however, remain mysteries, all expertly put into a well-structured story, not by a skillful writer, but this time by the numberless vagaries（变化莫测）of life itself.
1. What can we learn about the novel?| A．It is about a world trip. |
| B．It is well written. |
| C．It was written in an American restaurant. |
| D．It was first published in the 19th century. |
| A．the pretty handwriting | B．the food written on the receipt |
| C．the good condition of the book | D．the effort taken in writing the notes |
| A．He is a great reader of historical fiction. |
| B．He is a hard-working university student. |
| C．He is a productive writer with sensibility. |
| D．He is a careful observer with imagination. |
| A．The tale of a Paperback | B．Different Life Experiences |
| C．Unsolved Mysteries of Life | D．A Book’s Exciting Adventure |
5 . There are numerous benefits of reading good books.
●Determine your reading goal.
●
●Get a responsible reading partner to promote your reading. Goals need to be backed up in order to help put a check and encourage you during times you don't feel motivated.
To develop a reading culture, you must first analyze your current reading habits. Do you read at all?
| A．Do you study hard at school? |
| B．Make a list of books for each month. |
| C．Do you start off and stop at some point? |
| D．Get up early and go to bed late to back up your goal. |
| E．It's important to start off by setting a goal to create a reading habit. |
| F．Get a friend willing to read, and create a plan to help you achieve your reading goals. |
| G．It can make you think deeper, sharpen your skills and teach you more about your field. |
6 . Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun, according to a Common Sense Media report published Monday.
While the decline over the past decade is steep for teen readers, some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children’s lives, and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading.
According to the report’s key findings, “the proportion (比例) who say they ‘hardly ever’ read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively today.”
The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children, ages 2—8, remain largely the same. But the amount of time spent in reading each session has declined, from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per session.
When it comes to technology and reading, the report does little to counsel(建议) parents looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading. It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time.
The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading. Data shows that kids and teens who do read frequently, compared to infrequent readers, have more books in the home, more books purchased for them, parents who read more often, and parents who set aside time for them to read.
As the end of school approaches, and school vacation reading lists loom(逼近) ahead, parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading list and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore.
1. What is the Common Sense Media report probably about?| A．Children’s reading habits. |
| B．Quality of children’s books. |
| C．Children’s after-class activities. |
| D．Parent-child relationships. |
| A．In paragraph 2. | B．In paragraph 3. |
| C．In paragraph 4. | D．In paragraph 5. |
| A．E-books are of poor quality. |
| B．It could be a waste of time. |
| C．It may harm children’s health. |
| D．E-readers are expensive. |
| A．Act as role models for them. |
| B．Ask them to write book reports. |
| C．Set up reading groups for them. |
| D．Talk with their reading class teachers. |
7 . Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve
Published by OUP Press
ISBN: 978-0-192-73455-6
Oliver grew up in a family of explorers—but his biggest adventure is about to begin! Along with his new friends, Oliver goes off to look for his missing parents.
I really like this book because it’s not one of those short stories that are over too quickly, but a longish book that takes time to read. I recommend this book and give it 5 stars.
Ginny, age 8
Lady Lydia: Read Me a Story by Anne Lavis
Published by A H Stockwell
ISBN: 978-0-722-34327-2
Lady Lydia is old and eccentric (古怪的), but she is never lonely. She shares her home with bats and mice and spiders, and all the animals round about are her friends too.
My lovely daughter Alice likes all the pictures of the animals in this book, but she doesn’t like it when the pages have lots of writing on with no pictures. Alice rates this book 2 out of 5.
Alice, age 4
I Am a Woolly Hat (EARLY READER) by Salma Koraytem
Published by Orion Books
ISBN: 978-1-444-00844-9
Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reading together.
This book makes my sweetheart Lucie feel lovely inside and the drawing are not as good because the colors are not bright like other books. Lucie rates this book 3 out of 5.
Lucie, age 4
A Royal Fairytale by Ink Robin
Published by Egmont
ISBN: 978-1-405-26843-1
See Kate and Will’s romance develop from their studying days at Edinburgh through to their happy wedding at Buckingham Palace with the royal family, even the queen, in tow.
My little angel Amy likes the book. The best parts are the wedding and fireworks as she likes fireworks and the colors on the page are really bright. Amy rates it 4 out of 5.
Amy, age 4
1. Which book might an animal lover prefer?| A．A Royal Fairytale. | B．Oliver and the Seawigs. |
| C．Lady Lydia: Read Me a Story. | D．I Am a Woolly Hat (EARLY READER). |
| A．Ginny and Alice. | B．Lucie and Amy. |
| C．Ginny and Amy. | D．Alice and Lucie. |
| A．Philip Reeve. | B．Anne Lavis. |
| C．Salma Koraytem. | D．Ink Robin. |
8 . In recent years, little free libraries of all shapes and sizes have popped up. Often built by community members, they could be found on street corners and the sidewalks across the United States, hoping to share their book collections with their neighbors. Minneapolis, Minnesota, even hosted the first Little Free Library Festival, where book fans came together to promote literacy (读写能力)in their communities.
For the most part, little free libraries have more in common with book sharing shelves in hotels, local parks, coffee shops and other public spaces than the traditional public library. Based on the rule of "take a book, leave a book," these little libraries can take many forms from birdhouse-like wooden structures to redesigned newspaper selling machines, Robert Wirsing writes for the Bronx Times.
The little free library organization began when a citizen of Hudson, Wisconsin, named Todd Bol built a little one-room schoolhouse, filled it with books and placed it in his front yard to honor his mother who passed away in 2009. Together with a local educator named Rick Brooks, the two began placing little free libraries across Wisconsin and sharing the idea with people across the country.
"Something we are eager for in this information age is that connection between people," Bol tells Margret Aldrich for Book Riot. "I want to show how Little Free Library is about readers inspiring readers. It goes on and on."
While Little Free Libraries seem like a harmless means to promote literacy by sharing books with neighbors, a few of the roadside landing libraries have caused minor legal problems. officials in Los Angeles and Shreveport, Louisiana, have told some citizens that their homemade libraries broke city roles and that they would have to remove them to avoid being fined.
Still, little free libraries have been well accepted by their commnunities. For anyone interested in making their own at home, the organization has posted helpful tips and guides for building the little book lending boxes in their neighborhoods.
1. What can we know about the little free libraries in America?| A．They are state-owned. |
| B．They are popular nationally. |
| C．They are set up to sell books. |
| D．They help those with no books to read. |
| A．They lie in many public places. |
| B．They share a large collection of books. |
| C．They compete with traditional public libraries. |
| D．They exist mainly in the form of wooden houses. |
| A．To remember his dead mother. |
| B．To help people form a habit of reading. |
| C．To set an example to other communities. |
| D．To share his knowledge, with other citizens. |
| A．They cause minor legal problems. |
| B．They should continue to exist. |
| C．They mean a lot to community members. |
| D．They should be supported by the government. |
9 . Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table, reading his book. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to copy him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa, I try to read the book just like you, but I don’t understand it, and I forget what I understand as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the book do?”
The grandpa quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.”
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandpa laughed and said, “You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned. Out of breath, he told his grandpa that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, so he went to get a bucket instead. The grandpa said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You’re just not trying hard enough.” The boy again dipped the basket into the river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandpa the basket was empty again. Out of breath, he said, “Grandpa, it’s useless!”
“So, you think it is useless?” the grandpa said, “Look at the basket.”
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean.
“Grandson, that’s what happens when you read the book. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you’ll be changed, inside and out.”
1. What puzzled the grandson most was _________.| A．why he forgot what he read soon | B．whether it was useful to read books |
| C．what kind of book he could understand | D．how he could read books like his grandpa |
| A．To get him to realize the use of reading books. | B．To punish him for not reading carefully. |
| C．To clean the dirty basket in the river. | D．To train him to run faster. |
| A．The old are always wiser than the young. | B．It is foolish to carry water with a basket. |
| C．You can’t expect to remember all you read. | D．Reading books can change a person gradually. |
| A．Grandpa and Grandson | B．Carrying Water in a Basket |
| C．Baskets and Books | D．Reading for Total Changing |
10 . A good book can be satisfying. If reading is a habit you’d like to get into, there are some ways to develop it.
●Realize that reading is enjoyable if you have a good book. If you have a difficult book and you are forcing yourself through it, it will seem like a task.
●Set time. You should have some time during every day when you’ll read for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
●Always carry a book.
●
●Reduce television/ the Internet. If you really want to read more, try cutting back on time on TV or the Internet.
| A．Go to bookstores. |
| B．Find a quiet place. |
| C．This may be difficult for some people. |
| D．Wherever you go, take a book with you. |
| E．Have some good tea or coffee while you read. |
| F．It means you will read no matter how busy you are. |
| G．If this happens, give up the book and find another one that you’ll really love. |
