1 . A common theme running in fiction and mythology is the idea of orphan (孤儿) heroes and superheroes. Fairytales introduce us to children of absent fathers and cruel caretakers, like Cinderella and Snow White. Fiction makes much of the parentage of David Copperfield and Jane Eyre. Comic books offer orphaned heroes like Batman, Spiderman, or you’ll notice characters in more modern fiction from films and books like Harry Potter and Leia Skywalker.

Why are so many heroes and superheroes orphans?

Lacking parents, orphan heroes and superheroes are considered “children of the world”. Having raised themselves, and having been freed from much of the complex relationship of child to parent, ophan heroes and superheroes are at much greater liberty to interact with the world, and they may look at the world as parent and all its inhabitants as family.

Some orphans seek only a home and a family. David Copperfield finds this with his aunt. Cinderella and Snow White escape evil stepmothers by marrying. Others, especially of the superhero “cast” are never really given family in the traditional sense. In fact, though they may have strong bonds with friends, or with caretakers, they are constantly attempting to prove worthiness to the world, and are desperate to save the people they do care about.

You can also evaluate orphan heroes and superheroes as a means by which anxiety, loneliness, and independence are emphasized. The comic book type superhero is usually one who suffers always, or at least most of the time. Loss of even one parent can be intensely upsetting and forever change a child’s life, and superheroes may do all in their power to prevent this fate for other children. Empathy for suffering and a desire to end or prevent it for others are increased.

It’s a good idea to consider why we see this theme expressed so commonly. Perhaps we ⅵew these orphans or poorly parented children as ultimately our own. They may not just be children of the world, but may belong to each reader.

1. Why does the author mention some famous characters in Paragraph 1?

A．To clarify the writing purpose.	B．To advertise classic fiction.
C．To support a statement.	D．To make an overall outline.

2. Which of the following drives some orphans to become superheroes?

A．Intention to escape a family.	B．Desire to prove their value to the world.
C．Strong bonds with their family.	D．Wishes for freedom to explore the world.

3. Which word best describes the comic book type superhero?

A．Childish.

B．Dependent.

C．Cheerful.

D．Sympathetic.

4. What may make the theme of orphan superheroes so common?

A．Ophans’ ultimte fate is pitiful

B．Readers have a preference for tragedies.

C．Orphan characters are reflections of the readers.

D．Readers may regard orphan characters as their own kids.

2 . Stories are loved by people of all ages. Stories for kids play a major role in shaping their personalities. Below is a list of some of the best short stories for kids that we’re sure that your child would enjoy reading:

Panchatantra Stories in English

Most children stories significantly focus on teaching morals to kids. Panchatantra stories for kids are designed with the same motive. These are the oldest short moral stories for kids. These amazing small stories for kids in English from Panchatantra have reached an audience worldwide. To attract your kids with exciting stories, we provide you with our versions of some of the most famous and loved Panchatantra Stories for kids.

Fairy Tales Stories

Fairy Tales stories are loved by kids. The world of fantasy attracts everyone. These children stories give them a chance to leap into a world full of possibilities and imagination as well as moral lessons. They build their own versions of the fairies. Thus, such short stories for kids in English can build better creativity in children.

Moral Stories for Kids in English

Moral stories for children are those stories that convey moral values, which are crucial during their upbringing. Usually, moral stories for kids convey principles such as love, respect, honesty, virtues, etc. to their readers. Short moral stories for kids fill kids with a better understanding of what is considered good and what is termed as bad.

Akbar Birbal Stories

For generations, Akbar Birbal Stories have been enjoyed thoroughly by every kid. Akbar and Birbal Stories are a great combination of fun, wit, humour and moral values. These English stories for kids entertain, bring smiles and teach life lessons in effortless ways.

1. Who is the text intended for?

A．Kids.

B．Teachers.

C．Parents.

D．Storywriters.

2. Which stories can encourage children’s innovative thinking?

A．Fairy Tales Stories.

B．Akbar Birbal Stories.

C．Panchatantra Stories in English.

D．Moral Stories for Kids in English.

3. What do these stories have in common?

A．They convey moral values.

B．They are humorous and amusing.

C．Some versions are written by kids.

D．They are stories for people of all ages.

3 . Four Amazing Books for Kids

The World’s Most Amazing Places

Ages 8+

£20

Discover 100 of the world’s most amazing places with this fun-filled book! Featuring colourful hot springs, giant trees and explosive volcanoes, you will be surprised by 1,000 unbelievable facts.

Infopédia 2022

Ages 8+

£12.99

The book has more than 350 pages and is divided into 12 parts. which are common themes in monthly magazines . such as exploration, animals, nature, earth, science and technology. culture and so on. Each column is represented by a colour. which is as easy to identify and locate as a bookmark from the side.

Kids will love keeping up with our rapidly changing planet with this bestselling Infopédia, packed with unbelievable photos, facts, crafts, activities and features!

Animals Riddle (谜语) Book

Ages 6+

£5.99

Entertain your family and friends with this book of brain-teasing riddles that will have everyone scratching their heads!

Big Quiz Book

Ages 8+

£9. 99

An addictive quiz book for all the family featuring 10,000 questions, The Big Quiz Book has something for everyone. With 10 different general knowledge categories — from Science & Technology. Art & Literature, and Natural History, to Food & Drink, Film & TV, and Sport & Leisure — and three increasing levels of difficulty. it offers a fresh and up-to-the-minute quizzing experience that will educate and entertain all the family.

1. How much is the book about world’s different places?

A．£5.99.

B．£9.99.

C．£12.99.

D．£20.

2. Which book is suitable for a 6-year-old kid?

A．Big Quiz Book.	B．Animals Riddle Book.
C．Infopédia 2022.	D．The World’s Most Amazing Places

3. What do the two books Animals Riddle Book and Big Quiz Book have in common?

A．They will entertain the whole family.

B．They are fit for 7-year-old kids.

C．They have three increasing levels of difficulty.

D．They feature 1,000 unbelievable facts.

4 . The sonnet (十四行诗) was introduced into English poetry by Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, during the first half of the sixteenth century. It originated, however, in Italy three centuries earlier, with the earliest examples known being those of Giacomo da Lentini, a Sicilian poet. The form was taken up by the two most famous poets of the Italian Renaissance, Dante Alighieri and Francesco Petrarch, and indeed the latter is regarded as the master of the form.

The Petrarchan sonnet form in English poetry includes fourteen lines. Each line is ten syllables long and divided into five pairs of syllables. In each pair, the first syllable is unstressed and the second stressed. This can be seen if we look at the first line of one of

William Wordsworth’s sonnets, “After-Thought”: “I thought of Thee, my partner and my guide”. If we break down this line into its syllabic parts, we can see the five pairs and the stress pattern (in this example each stressed syllable is underlined), thus: “I thought/of Thee/my part/ner and/my guide.”

The rhyme scheme for the Petrarchan sonnet is equally as strict. The poem is generally divided into two parts, the octave (8 lines) and the sestet (6 lines).

Early on, however, English poets began to vary and experiment with this structure. The first major development was made by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and was taken up and perfected by William Shakespeare. The Shakespearean sonnet also has fourteen lines with each line containing five pairs of syllables, but rather than the division into the octave and sestet, the poem is made up of three quatrains (四行诗) and a final rhyming couplet (对句). And each quatrain has its own rhyme scheme; thus a Shakespearean sonnet would rhyme abab cdcd efef gg. Such a structure naturally allows poets greater freedom to develop ideas.

These, then, are the two standard forms of the sonnet in English poetry, but it should be recognized that poets rarely follow rules exactly and a number of other sonnet types have been developed.

1. What can we learn about the sonnet?

A．It first appeared in the 13th century.

B．It was perfected by Thomas Wyatt.

C．Giacomo da lentini first brought it to England.

D．Dante Alighieri wrote the best sonnets in Italy.

2. How should we break down the sixth line of “After-Thought”?

A．The/Form remains/the Function/never dies.

B．The Form/remains/the Func/tion ne/ver dies.

C． The Form/remains/the Func/tion ne/ ver dies.

D．The/Form remains/the Function /never dies.

3. What is a major feature of the Shakespearean sonnet?

A．Its quatrains are usually stressed.

B．It can be divided into four parts.

C．Its rhyme scheme can change freely.

D．It contains more syllables than the Petrarchan sonnet.

4. What would be the best title for the text?

A．The basic rules of writing English sonnets	B．The unique structure of sonnets
C．Two major forms of English sonnets	D．A group of great sonnet poets

5 . Over the years Ruth Soukup has taught me much about topics ranging from blogging to dejunking to productivity. She’s an inspiring, enthusiastic person who writes for the average woman from the heart. Besides that, she’s fun and authentic (可信的).

In her new book Do It Scared: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Adversity, and Create a Life You Love, Ruth explains something she’s been talking about for years: courage is acting despite your fears instead of being immobilized (使不动) by them. She describes various kinds of fears, shares hard-won principles of courage, and outlines tested ways to turn the ideas into action.

After conducting an extensive survey, Ruth and her team identified seven “fear archetypes (典型)”, ways of letting fear rule your life. She discusses these in detail, explaining how each one of them has positive attributes (属性), how they can hold us back and how we can overcome them.

In the second section of the book, Ruth shares seven principles of courage. She’s encouraging but also tough, because reality is tough. Most of us know these principles of courage, but it is always good to be reminded of them and to see examples in action.

Finally, because the biggest practical antidote (对抗手段) to fear is action, she discusses ways to turn courage into action. Ruth discusses goal setting, motivation, action plans, positive relationships, comparisons, excuses, and celebrating wins. Ruth's personal take, her research, and her suggestions are actually more likely to help you achieve your goals.

Do It Scared is a very positive book. It is also grounded in reality. It's meant to be a practical encouragement to those who are unable to follow their callings because they are paralyzed with fear, and such encouragement is valuable.

Yes, we will have to think for ourselves and evaluate the things Ruth says in the book, but reading Do It Scared could be one step toward learning how better to love those around us. I recommend it to all.

1. What does the author say about Ruth?

A．She is serious but helpful.

B．She struggles with her life.

C．She is an inspiration to women.

D．She lacks productivity and innovation.

2. How is the book Do It Scared developed?

A．By providing detailed descriptions of personal experiences.

B．By combining research, examples and personal opinions.

C．By giving quotes taken from famous speeches.

D．By explaining the causes and effects of fear.

3. What does Ruth mainly focus on in the last section of her book?

A．Principles of courage.

B．Various kinds of fears.

C．Methods of replacing fear with action.

D．Suggestions on setting achievable goals.

4. What is the author's attitude toward the book?

A．It is worth reading.

B．It is purely theoretical.

C．There is no book worse than it.

D．There is room for improvement.

6 . Not all brilliant reads are behind the paywall, some classics are much more accessible—click and download.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice is a really, really good book. A little bit rigid, a little bit repressed, a little bit tender, and painfully class conscious, it’s the full English romance package. Now more than 200 years old, the novel has been retold time and again, finding new audiences each time. Still, there’s no substitute for the original.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

From the Cheshire Cat to Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Alice’s adventures are as strange and wonderful today as they were 150 years ago. Complete with Arthur Rackham’s wonderful illustrations there’s still nothing quite like it. Everyone should go down the rabbit hole at least once.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Perhaps no book does a better job of condensing Charles Dickens’ brilliance than his 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities. Taking place in London and Paris against the background of the French Revolution, the story has inspired countless projects since—even Christopher Nolan’s Batman films. And the best thing? If you like it, all Dickens’ other books are ready and waiting to be read too.

Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

Although Mary Shelley’s central message of people being destroyed by the monsters they create has been largely ignored in the years since publication, the tale itself continues to be very popular indeed, and with good reason. The book’s masterful combination of horror, romanticism, and science fiction makes it as attractive today as it would have been in 1818. Just the thing for nighttime reading.

1. What can you read about in Pride and Prejudice?

A．Cute animals.	B．French Revolution.
C．Scientific discoveries.	D．Class consciousness

2. Which book best suits people who like to read at midnight?

A．Frankenstein.

B．A Tale of Two Cities.

C．Pride and Prejudice.

D．Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

3. What do the four novels have in common?

A．They are romantic novels.

B．They can be read for free.

C．They were created in the early 1900s.

D．They were ignored when first published.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the man’s new book based on?

A．His daily life in South Africa.

B．A news reporter’s experiences.

C．Some big events in South Africa.

2. Why did the man write the book?

A．To share his volunteer experience.

B．To tell people about South Africa.

C．To show his plan after graduation.

8 . Joseph Conrad, a famous English novelist, said that his goal as a writer was “to make you hear, to make you feel, and above all, to make you see. That, and no more, is everything.”     1     Often it leaves a single sharp impression to be turned over and over in the mind. After finishing the story, the reader should have something to think about: the humor of life, its ironies, or the unpredictability of human behavior.

    2     The first and most obvious level is conveyed through the plot. Plot refers to the sequence of events, to the actions of the characters and the situations in which they are involved. To explain the plot, then, is to tell what happened in the story and to whom. In some short stories, plot is the dominating element. In other short stories, plot plays a very minor role.

In Hemingway’s story, The Old Man and the Sea, however, we must approach the content on another level.     3     To understand and appreciate the story, the reader must be able to identify its general topic or theme. The next step is to identify the device by which the author comments on this theme.     4    

Readers cannot appreciate a short story fully unless they react not only to what has been said but also to how it has been said.     5     Style grows out of the writer’s own personality and can be seen in the choice of words and phrases, the arrangement of sentences, the rhythm and tone. Structure refers to the architecture of the story, the way in which the details are selected and arranged to produce the desired effect.

A．They must look for style and structure.

B．In complex stories, careful readers may not always agree with the author.

C．The impact on the reader comes from the sudden and unexpected response.

D．A good short story tries to give the reader a sense of the actual experience.

E．Finally, the reader should be able to explain the insights which the author has given into the theme.

F．The impact of the story comes from the insight it gives us into the needs and desires of youth and old age.

G．In order to read a short story with full understanding, the reader must approach the content on two levels.

9 . Here are some inspiring and thoughtful books that give you a real thirst for life.

My Family and Other Animals

This is the first book in a much-celebrated trilogy by naturalist Gerald Durrell. The story is about the writer’s childhood spent on the Greek island Corfu. Durrell smartly shares his memories of amazing animals and their curious habits with the reader. This book encourages readers to appreciate the world around them in all its beauty.

Frost and Fire

Extreme weather conditions cause people。age abnormally fast. They now have only 8 days to grow up and get old. These days should be used to learn, get married, and raise children. Through all of that, people manage to fight and be jealous—as if they have decades ahead. This short story teaches the reader that even during a small period of time, one can manage to do a lot …or you could give up and not take any chances.

You Changed My Life

This is a true story that lays at the heart of the French movie The Intouchables. A tale of an inspirational friendship between two people whose roads were never meant to cross-a disabled French aristocrat and an unemployed Algerian immigrant. But they met, and it changed their lives.

The Code of the Woosters

Anyone who enjoys easy and light reading would find books by P. G. Wodehouse a source of lasting amusement. Stories of Jeeves, Wooster, and all of the chaos around them are written with a brilliant sense of humor. These novels are capable of lining your spirits p from zero to limitlessness.

1. What can we know about Frost and Fire?

A．It is themed by friendship.	B．It is set in an unreal world.
C．It focuses on climate change.	D．It’s about the writer’s childhood.

2. Which is the best choice if you want to seek inspiration and fun?

A．My Family and Other Animals.	B．Frost and Fire.
C．You Changed My Lift.	D．The Code of the Woosters

3. In which section of a newspaper might the text appear?

A．Man and nature.

B．Health and sports.

C．Book reviews.

D．Amusement.

10 . The Harry Potter series is filled with magic and adventure. The novels are about a young boy who attends an academy for young wizards. Here are a few more books you may enjoy if you like the Harry Potter books.

A Wrinkle in Time

This is a fantasy novel by Madeleine L' Engle. The book is a mix of science fiction and fantasy, and the first in a series about Meg Murry and her extraordinary family. The novel explores individuality, the importance of language, and the pursuit for love across time and space.

The Enchanted Castle

This is a novel by Edith Nesbit published in 1907.In this book，three children—Jerry，Jimmy，and Kathleen—find a magical castle with an invisible princess. Nesbit explores themes of illusion（幻想）against reality，with a magic ring. a fake princess，and the Ugly Wuglies—who come alive. The Enchanted Castle is a classic full of magical mysteries.

The Hobbit

This is a novel by J. RR. Tolkien where you get a chance to meet Bilbo Baggins and follow him on his adventures in Middle-earth. He is a hobbit, comfortably staying at home in his hole until Gandalf calls him away to a great adventure. In his dangerous trip he encounters monsters and he discovers a great deal about himself. The hobbit undergoes great changes after seeing so much of the world and experiencing the dangers of Middle-earth.

1. What do we know about A Wrinkle in Time?

A．It is Madeleine L' Engle's first work.

B．It praises Gandalf's spirit of adventure.

C．It is about personality, language and love.

D．It introduces a magical castle found by three children.

2. What kind of book is The Enchanted Castle?

A．A detective story.

B．A fantasy novel.

C．A love story.

D．A biography.

3. Which is the best choice if you are interested in Bilbo Baggins?

A．Harry Potter

B．A Wrinkle in Time

C．The Enchanted Castle

D．The Hobbit.