1 . Reading is an exercise for the mind. It is good for our vocabulary and literacy skills, teaching us math or science concepts and helping us learn history. Apart from those, reading has another benefit. Have you read a story and felt tears well up because of a character’s suffering? If so, that is because you have empathy (共情) for the character.     1    

Research shows that human brains react differently to stories and facts.    2     In addition, your brain thinks you are in the story, which means you experience the characters’ thoughts as if they were real.

    3     This skill, called emotional intelligence (EI), can make it easier to communicate and connect with people. Research shows that building this intelligence can lead to greater tolerance. One study found that people who read the Harry Potter novels, which tell stories about humans fighting against the evil, were less likely to behave unfairly towards powerless groups including refugees (难民).

This theory of EI has been put into practice in schools. After reading The Boy at the Back of the Class, a story about a boy who is a refugee escaping from the war, students in St Michael’s High School were inspired to do a 10-mile walk for the non-profit organization — Refugee Action.    4    

    5     Not only are we more likely to engage in helpful behaviors when we feel empathy for other people, but others are also more likely to help us when they experience empathy. For society to develop, communicative and empathetic individuals really matter.

A．In a way, all this increases our ability to read well.

B．This permits people to limit their emotions that others are feeling.

C．Many more areas of your brain light up when you’re enjoying a story.

D．It also stimulated them to raise £1,000 for the homeless caused by war.

E．Reading encourages us to empathize with others, which could be beneficial.

F．Empathy helps you to read people’s emotions and work out the best way to respond.

G．It helps you see into other people’s hearts and can be learned through various stories.

2 . What are the speakers talking about?

A．A book.

B．A writer.

C．An organization.

3 . What is the man interested in these days?

A．Maths.

B．History.

C．Geography.

4 . What are the speakers mainly talking about?

A．A book.

B．A website.

C．A match.

5 . Teenage years are an unforgettable season of life and books read at that time also make a difference. Much like the best children’s books ever written, these following top teen-centered books offer hope for the future and nostalgia for young life.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Because of cancer, protagonist (主人公) Hazel Lancaster believes her life is over. But then she meets Augustus Waters, and the way he makes her laugh—the way he makes her feel seen—makes her want to live again. The Fault in Our Stars will attract young adults with themes of life and death, true love, and friendship that surpass circumstances. This book is especially worth reading if you love sad books.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

In this classic book, Bilbo Baggins is summoned (召唤) on a great ad venture that will change his life forever. With themes of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and more, The Hobbit is an adventure waiting to happen for those willing to experience the dangerous business of stepping into the story.

Dune by Frank Herbert

A science fiction novel for the ages, Frank Herbert’s Dune tells the adventures of Paul Atreides—who will become known as Muad’ Dib—as he and his family strive to bring humankind’s greatest dream to life while living on a desert planet. Though written in 1965, much of Dune’s story may be more connected to 21st-century readers than it was to bookworms who picked it up in the 1960s.

Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene

This collection of classic mystery novels was actually written by various authors under the pen name of Carolyn Keene. Over the past few decades, Nancy has developed with the times—to the point where she’s now using a cell phone to investigate her never-ending mysteries. Today, Nancy is drawing a whole new generation of fans, thanks to a television show launched in 2019.

1. What do The Fault in Our Stars and The Hobbit have in common?

A．They both tell great adventures.	B．They both have heartbreaking endings.
C．They both contain the theme of friendship.	D．They both focus on how to change life better.

2. Which is true about Dune?

A．It is a science magazine.	B．It became a hit in the 1960s.
C．It is the best young adult book.	D．It is more suitable for modern readers.

3. Why is Nancy Drew attracting a new group of readers?

A．A TV programme.	B．The appearance of television.
C．It’s mysterious authors.	D．An unknown cell phone.

6 . Searching for the perfect gift can be difficult, especially age-appropriate material for teenagers. Look no further. We have a list of the best teen magazines. Give the gift of reading to your teens today!

	Muse For teens up to age 14, Muse teaches, challenges, and excites readers of both genders. Sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute, this magazine features award-winning authors and focuses on science, history, and the arts. Whether your teen is interested in genetics, video games, outer space, beekeeping, robots, or mythology, this magazine has it all!
	Sports Illustrated Kids Perfect for sports fans aged 8 to 14, SI Kids supplies readers with interesting sports news they won’t want to miss. Articles on favorite athletes feature incredible photography and illustrations. Girls and boys alike will enjoy the advice from athletes, coaches, and experts in the field: they’ll find tips on nutrition, performance, morale, and more.
	Girls’ Life Magazine Designed for 10 to 15-year-olds, Girls’ Life provides inspiration and entertainment for every reader. She’ll find tips for dealing with stress, navigating high school, achieving academic success, and beauty and fashion advice. This print magazine delivers fun—quizzes, reader submissions, and more—helping guide young women through their teen years while still allowing them to be young.
	National Geographic Kids While designed for kids aged six and up, this magazine features a lot of important, fun information about the world around us. Discover great stories about wildlife, current events, pop culture, science, technology, other kids’ adventures, and more! They’ll feel like they’re exploring the places themselves, with stunning photography, lively stories, and exciting facts.

1. Which of the following can you learn from Girls’ Life?

A．News about award-winning authors.	B．Information about interesting events.
C．Suggestions from coaches about nutrition.	D．Advice on dealing with pressure.

2. Which magazine has the youngest readers?

A．Girls’ Life.	B．Muse.
C．Sports Illustrated Kids.	D．National Geographic Kids.

3. Who is the passage mainly written for?

A．Parents.	B．Teenage boys.
C．Kids.	D．Teenage girls.

7 . 假定你是李华，你的英国笔友Tom通过电子邮件询问你最喜欢的一本书。请你给他回复一封邮件，内容包括：
1. 书的名称及内容简介；
2. 对你的影响。
注意：1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear Tom,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

10 . 听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why does the man talk to the woman?

A．To borrow a book.

B．To return a book.

C．To change a book.

2. What will the man probably do next?

A．Wait for a call.

B．Go to another place.

C．Check on the computer.