1 . 假如你是李华，你校英文报正在征稿。请你结合下面的名人名言(famous quote): “To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.” (From William Somerset Maugham)，写一篇题为“My Understanding of Reading”的征文。
内容包括：
1. 你对该名言的理解；
2. 结合实例谈感悟。
注意：
1. 词数80左右；
2. 请按格式在答题卡的相应位置作答；
3. 开头已给，不计词数。
My Understanding of Reading

As William Somerset Maugham once said, “To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.”

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2 . In a world featuring endless choices, the search for simplicity has become more than just a desire—it’s a necessity. The book Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No explores the philosophy of simplicity and decision-making. Written by Bruce Mullen, this book goes beyond self-help clichés (陈词滥调) and offers a genuine, actionable approach to guiding life’s choices.

The book recognizes decision-making as the centre of human existence and invites readers to admit each decision carries a weight. “Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No” sums up a sign if can’t rule—a definite “Yes” and a clear “No.” It encourages readers to focus on the “Yes” and stop readers from puting their effort into uncertain things. Another rule stressed in the book is simplicity in decision-making. By adopting simplicity, decision-makers aim to get the key information, focus on the most related factors, and avoid unnecessary aspects, enabling quicker judgments and swifter conclusions.

The book is a practical guide to enhance decision-making skills. The author doesn’t merely express the philosophy but equips readers with the tools they need to apply effectively. From techniques to give preference to tasks to methods for avoiding distractions (分心), the book offers skills for simplifying the decision-making process.

Through personal experiences, Mullen determined the power of simplification, guiding people to make decisions according to one’s own values and desires. Beyond individual context, this book also influences business strategies, relationship dynamics, and societal considerations. Mullen not only explores the essence of   “yes means yes” but stresses the significance of making clear decisions at a crossroads.

“Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No” is more than a book; it’s a philosophy that can change how we approach decisions. For those seeking to guide life with clarity and purpose, this book is a guiding light in the fog of in decision.

1. What are the readers encouraged to do according to paragraph 2?

A．Solve uncertain matters.

B．Summarize a key principle.

C．Concentrate on related things.

D．Make decisions independently.

2. Why is the book a practical guide to readers?

A．To provide readers with life values.

B．To help readers express philosophy.

C．To improve readers’ critical thinking skills.

D．To equip readers with decision-making skills.

3. What is paragraph 4 of the text mainly about?

A．Definition of simplicity.	B．Rules of making decisions.
C．Benefits of stressing clarity.	D．Influences of decision-making.

4. What is the article aimed at?

A．Recommending a book.	B．Sharing a positive attitude.
C．Describing a simple lifestyle	D．Solving philosophical problems.

3 . Reading is a healthy habit that everyone should develop from childhood because of the benefits that come with it.     1     Therefore, take your time and start by reading slowly. The following will discuss the effects of not reading books, so you can basically consider and judge where you are and understand how reading can be beneficial.

    2     People who don’t read and don’t like to read find it harder to learn than people who actually read. For example, most students who fail to develop a reading habit find it difficult to get through school. This then leads to students dropping out, which is bad for society. Reading is a habit that strengthens the brain and develops your inborn love of wanting to learn more. Therefore, not being addicted to books closes you off from this.

Narrow mindedness. Reading a variety of books broadens the readers’ mind. Most people who don’t read have a certain narrow mindedness to them that can easily be noticed.     3     When you don’t read, you’re forced to take everything at face value and then create and shape your views in this way.

Low brain power. One advantage of reading is its ability to improve brain function. Reading can help people become better thinkers and use brains more effectively. People who don’t read usually have low brain power because they don’t exercise the brain as much as readers do.     4    

Poor imagination. Reading books allows you to tap into your imaginative power.     5     This is important because it expands (拓展) your thought process as well as the ability to understand. People who don’t read books usually are short of the inspiration necessary to create imagination. This makes it difficult to be creative.

A．Learning difficulty.

B．The reason for this is simple.

C．Such exercise strengthens the brain.

D．Inability to fully understand the world.

E．It then makes you picture what you read.

F．It is developed slowly just as any habit would.

G．The ability to read is important in today’s world.

6 . Books make great gifts, but which ones to pick? We’ve rounded up some of 2023’s most talked-about reads.

THE COVENANT OF WATER

By Abraham Verghese Publish:2023. 5 $9. 24

Anyone who loves an extremely readable novel that will last through the holidays will enjoy it. This book, which has more than 700 pages, covers the history of a family living at the southern tip of India.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA

By Uzma Jalaluddin Publish:2023. 6 $11. 5

The author reimagines classic (经典) romances—Pride and Prejudice. You’ve Got Mail—with modern settings. It is a humorous retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion that’s as warm and cozy as a cup of tea. The main character Nada has a difficult career and a heart full of regret for her lost love—who just happens to re-enter her life as the novel begins,

KING:A LIFE

By Jonathan Eig Publish:2023, 5 $16. 99

This biography (传记) is about Marin Luther King. It’s a detailed description of his weakness and strength, heroism and important role in the history of American civil rights—a subject that’s as important today as it was in King’s era.

REALLY GOOD. ACTUALLY

By Monica Heisey Publish:2023. 1 $18. 99

Monica Heisey is one of the funniest Canadians most people have ever heard of. It’s a comedy with enough jokes to populate a Netflix stand-up special. If you’ve ever felt lost and hoped that it is leading towards wisdom (智慧), then it is your novel.

1. Which book is the most expensive?

A．KING:A LIFE.	B．MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA.
C．THE COVENANT OF WATER.	D．REALLY GOOD. ACTUALLY.

2. Who wrote a book about an American famous person?

A．Jonathan Eig.	B．Monica Heisey.
C．Abraham Verghese.	D．Uzma Jalaluddin.

3. What do MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA and REALLY GOOD. ACTUALLY have in common?

A．They tell many love stories.	B．They are about human rights.
C．They bring laughter for readers.	D．They are adapted from classics.

7 . As the saying goes, nobody’s perfect. That means we have room for at least some improvement in our lives. And no, we’re not talking about getting a better-paid job or a new haircut; we’re referring to inner improvement. If you’re wishing for some inner improvement in your lives, consider reading the following books.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens written by Sean Covey

To make this book age-appropriate and fun to read, Covey breaks up the text with cartoons, quotes, and brainstorming ideas to bring the book together. The book covers topics like body image, friendships, Internet safety, and much more. The book is especially good for teenagers.

A New Earth written by Eckhart Tolle

The book goes beyond teaching how to live in the moment and helps readers learn how to turn their suffering into peace. All types of suffering are addressed in the book. Whether your suffering is caused by anger, sadness, anxiety, or others, Tolle will help you see life from varied ways, awakening you to your life’s purpose.

Declutter Your Mind written by Barrie Davenport

This book is full of various exercises. You’ll learn how to change negative thoughts to positive ones, strategies to help with relationships, how to identify what’s important to you, how to set goals, and much more. This powerful book will do its part in offering various tips to deal with an overactive mind.

Big Magic written by Elizabeth Gilbert

From creating new habits to dealing with fear and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals, Gilbert analyzes the difficulties a creative person may face in pursuing his dreams. The best part of this book is the usage of stories from regular men and women across the country.

1. Which book best suits one who’s struggling to find life’s purpose?

A．The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.	B．A New Earth.
C．Declutter Your Mind.	D．Big Magic.

2. Who uses real-life examples in his or her book?

A．Sean Covey.	B．Eckhart Tolle.
C．Barrie Davenport.	D．Elizabeth Gilbert.

3. What type of books are the four books?

A．Self-help books.	B．Science books.
C．Health books.	D．Adventure books.

8 . I came across the book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less from a library app and I can say that after reading, it did not disappoint.

The book fits into the personal development category. It talks about how important it is to focus on absolutely important things and remove the unnecessary distractions. The common problem, Greg McKeown says, is spotting the important things. Essentialism means continuously defining where we can create the most value, then finding ways to execute these tasks most effortlessly.

In Essentialism, McKeown draws on experience and insight from working with the leaders of the most innovative companies in the world to show how to achieve the pursuit of less. More importantly, by applying a more selective standard for what is essential, the pursuit of less allows us to regain control of our own choices so we can channel our time, energy and effort into making the highest possible contribution toward the goals and activities that matter.

McKeown further explores the difference between an essentialist and a non-essentialist. He gives fantastic and relatable examples from his life as well as from others to illustrate how functioning as a non-essentialist is harmful for both you and those around you. He says the primary difference in both of them is the one who says yes to everything and the other (the essentialist) says yes only to the things that matter.

He also tells that a non-essentialist will commit to everything and put his personal priorities (优先事项) on the side while that is opposite in case of the essentialist. Whether it is in work-life or personal life, a non-essentialist will try to do more by quick-fix solutions but an essentialist will focus on removing barriers and nothing else. He also gives us examples of famous people like Mahatma Gandhi who followed essentialism.

Finally, the book tells us how to set out the important things in our life — like a routine of 8 hours of sleep, daily journal or playing or relaxing every day to let our minds rest. In today’s fast-paced life, McKeown says, restfulness is a precious escape from the noisy world.

1. What does the underlined word “execute” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Carry out.

B．Switch between.

C．Watch out for.

D．Get away from.

2. What is mainly stressed in paragraph 3?

A．The significance of essentialism.	B．The inspiration for the book.
C．Achievements of essentialists.	D．Strategies for pursuing less.

3. Which of the following is a feature of essentialists?

A．Commitment to daily work.	B．High efficiency in work.
C．Positive influence by celebrities.	D．Concentration on priorities.

4. What does McKeown suggest people do?

A．Avoid tiring work if possible.	B．Find meaning in everyday life.
C．Take a break when necessary.	D．Remain restless and unmotivated.