1 . 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.

2 . If having to make a choice between reading an e-book and a printed book, which would most people choose? Some would go for an e-book while some still prefer the hard-printed book.

Undoubtedly, e-books do have benefits. Firstly, changes to an electronic publication are relatively easy to make. They are quicker to obtain. E-books are more easily updated. The printed books on many subjects can become outdated very quickly. Secondly, e-books can be easily and quickly kept up to date. You usually get far more than just the e-books. Most e-books are sold with bonuses and related information that usually do not come with the purchase of a printed book. Moreover, they take up less space. Instead of a big library, you can fit literally thousands of books on your computer. It also makes it easier to share this information with families and friends.

For nearly twenty years, additionally, futurists have been predicting the development of printed books. The conventional view has been that digital e-books are on the verge of replacing paper books. However, this has not been the case. A printed book has its advantages too. Firstly, it is an object that can be carried and used alone. It needs no electric outlet (插座), no batteries, nothing. Secondly, e-books will always require some forms of support that the printed book does not need.

I believe that the online publishing has not taken off because people want real books. What is being published online more and more are pamphlets (小册子) and things that really do not need to be in print. These are stuff that people throw away afterward. More often, people do not want to read a book on the computer. What could be better than a paper book? It lasts a long time. These books are designed to last a long time without disappearing.

To sum up, there is no denying that the printed book is still very much preferred over its digital cousins. Reading electronic publications is just not the same when it comes to books. People are still very interested in real books and notebooks.

1. What can we know about an e-book?

A．It will never be out of date.	B．It always gives you an added bonus.
C．It can deliver information quickly.	D．It has taken the place of printed books.

2. Which statement would futurists probably agree with?

A．Printed books will disappear.	B．Printed books can be used alone.
C．E-books have many restrictions.	D．E-books have no drawbacks.

3. What is one cause of the failed online publishing?

A．The low demand for book industry.	B．The expectations from people.
C．The guidance of policy.	D．The desire for the printed books.

4. What does the author think of the future of the printed book?

A．Hopeless.

B．Unpredictable.

C．Costly.

D．Promising.

3 . Four Seasonal Best-Sellers Online

Are you among the parents who are seeking books for your children during the coming winter vacation? The following seasonal best-sellers may be on your list of choices.

Salt

Salt, in which Helen Frost tells a story about friendship between Anikwa and James, was set in a time of war. Anikwa and James spent their happy days together in the forests of the Indiana Territory until facing the cruel war. As a children’s literature, it was once considered as a Kirkus Reviews Best Book in 2013.

Now

Now was set in the present day. This is the final book in Morris Gleitzman’s series that began with Once, continued with Then and Now. In the novel, Felix, a successful man with painful memories of his childhood recalls his time with his granddaughter Zelda. It has been popular with teenagers since it came out. Now is one of Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books of 2012.

Green

Die-cut (模切的) pages bring surprise after surprise in this magical new book. How many kinds of green are there in the world? Laura Vaccaro Seeger shapes a respect to a single color that will delight and quite possibly shock you. Green was considered as Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book of 2012 and a 2013 Caldecott Honor Book.

Holes

In this wonderfully creative novel, Louis Sachar makes up a puzzle about Stanley Yelnats, a boy who was sent to juvenile detention center (少年管教中心) Camp Green Lake, and forced to dig a hole a day, five feet across in the hard earth of the dried-up lake bed. It is a darkly humorous tale. The book wins the Winner of the National Book Award and was one of the best sellers among children.

1. Who is the author of the book Salt?

A．Helen Frost.	B．Anikwa.
C．Stanley Yelnats.	D．Louis Sachar.

2. What do we know about the book Green?

A．It tells a serious but funny story.

B．It describes different kinds of one color.

C．It talks about friendship in the period of war.

D．It is one of the series by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.

3. What do the four books in the text have in common?

A．They are set in modern times.

B．They share the same honor as each other.

C．They don’t sell as well as first published.

D．Their readers are mostly children.

4 .

	Lord of the Flies An airplane evacuating schoolboys from Britain during World War II is shot down over a remote tropical area. Two boys, Ralph and Piggy find the other surviving boys and begin to organize the group. As time passes, rivalries are formed, rules are broken and civilized behavior has turned savage. Lord of the Flies is a classic study on human nature, adolescence, and competition by William Golding.
	The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer’s best friend, stakes out his own adventure in this classic coming-of-age tale. Tired of trying to be good and fearful of his drunken father, Huck Finn runs away and takes Jim, a man who has escaped enslavement, with him. Together they sail down the Mississippi River on a raft and experience dangerous as well as comical adventures along the way. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an enduring classic.
	A Separate Peace A friendship forms between two boys attending a New England boarding school during World War IL. Gene, smart and socially awkward, draws the attention of Phineas, a handsome, athletic and outgoing boy. The two become friends, but war and rivalry lead to a tragic accident. John Knowles is the author of A Separate Peace, a classic story about friendship and adolescence.
	Of Mice and Men Best friends Lennie and George travel from farm to farm in California looking for work while trying to avoid trouble. Although both men are good workers and have dreams of owning their own farm, they never stay at one job long because of Lennie. Lennie is a simple-minded gentle giant who doesn’t know his own strength and often gets into trouble. When tragedy strike, George must make am awful decision that will alter the plans he and Lennie have made for their future. Of Mice and Men is a classic John Steinbeck story about migrant workers and the downtrodden surviving the Great Depression.

1. Which pair of books covers the subjects of adolescence and competition?

A．Of Mice and Men and Lord of the Flies

B．Lord of the Flies and A Separate Peace

C．The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Lord of the Flies

D．A Separate Peace and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

2. What often upsets George’s plan for the future?

A．George’s tendency to get into trouble.	B．Lennie’s dependence on George.
C．Lennie’s inability to manage his own strength.	D．George’s identity as a migrant worker.

3. Which of the four books includes the element of humor?

A．Lord of the Flies	B．A Separate Peace
C．Of Mice and Men	D．The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

5 . It's the most wonderful time of the year! The winter holidays are the perfect chance to get comfortable with a good book, and luckily we have some best sellers right now. We're sure you'll find what you're looking for.

Sunday Funday by Katherine Hallgan

Hardback, $20 (10 percent off with membership)

A great book full of seasonal activities that families and friends can enjoy together. From gardening projects to creative hand-made things and warming winter recipes (食谱), there's something for everyone, whatever the weather.

The History of the World in 100 Animals by Simon Barnes

Hardback, $16.99

This beautifully pictured book explores the good relationship between humans and animals, from bees to chimpanzees (黑猩猩) who share more than 90% of our DNA. If you are crazy about animals, this is the book for you.

Accidentally Famous by David Baddiel

Paperback, $12.99

Nothing amazing ever happens to Billy Smith but when TV workers visit his school he becomes popular, but as everyone knows, being famous comes with a price. David Baddiel's laugh-out-loud book asks what life would be like if everyone suddenly knew your name.

Eddie Albert and the Animal Gang by Paul O'Grady

Paperback, $15

This action-filled adventure from TV favourite Paul O'Grady follows a young boy with a very special gift—he can talk to animals! On a trip to Amsterdam, Eddie meets a monkey in danger and rescues the young creature with the help of his animal friends.

1. What is the member price for Sunday Funday?

A．$20.

B．$19.

C．$18.

D．$10.

2. Which book is about the price of being famous?

A．Sunday Funday.	B．Eddie Albert and the Animal Cang.
C．Accidentally Famous.	D．The History of the World in 100 Animals.

3. What do the books by Simon Barnes and Paul O'Grady have in common?

A．They are published in hardback.	B．They stress harmony with animals.
C．They are full of beautiful pictures.	D．They speak of famous TV persons.

6 . "My Best Teacher Ever" Contest（竞赛）

Essay（文章）Topic

Who was/is your best teacher ever? What makes him or her the best?

Contestant

The contest is open to all students.

Word: not more than 300

Essays will be judged on the following criteria（标准）by Readers editorial staff（工作人员）:

•originally, creativity﹣﹣﹣40 percent

•clarity of presentation﹣﹣﹣40 percent

•grammar, punctuation, spelling﹣﹣﹣20 percent

Contest Deadline （最后期限）

Entries must be postmarked on or before April 26,2020,or mailed by EST on that date. Email your entry with attached essay and entry information to web﹣contest@readers.com or mail your entry with attached entry form to this address:

Readers Publishing My Best Teacher Ever Contest

Attn: Anne Flounders 44 South Broadway, 18th Floor White Plains, NY 10601

Prizes

Winning students will win a $50 gift card and may have their essays published on readers. com. Winning essays will be announced on May 7, 2020, on readers. com and winners will be told directly.

1. Essays will be judged on the following criteria EXCEPT________.

A．punctuation

B．creativity

C．presentation

D．handwriting

2. According to the text, your essay________.

A．should have a total of 300 words at least	B．can't have any mistakes in grammar
C．should be mailed on or before April 26, 2020	D．will be judged by some best teachers

3. If you become a winner, you________.

A．will be given $50 in cash	B．may have your essay published online
C．will be told of your success online	D．can have the Readers magazine for free

7 . The long summer vacation is a perfect time for reading, and these are the books you'll want on your reading list. Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you have something through our links, we may cam a commission（佣金）.

The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers

If you or your children grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, you'll want this 2018 book by Maxwell King to be at the top of your list. It is the first full-length biography of Mr. Rogers and gives readers a never-before inside look at the life and carcer of the beloved television icon.

The Darwin Affair

Billed as one of the most “inventive and entertaining novels of 20l9,” this Victorian-era thriller by writer Tim Mason is a perfect addition to your summer reading list. Set in London in 1860, it details the events that occur after an intruder（闯入者）tries to murder Queen Victoria, Fast-paced and lively, this page-turner would appeal to fans of Charles Dickens.

Becoming

In her New York Times Best Seller biography, former First Lady Michelle Obama gives readers a personal glimpse into her childhood, schooling, early career choices, marriage and life in the White House. Eye-opening and inspirational, Becoming gives us a fascinating look into the life of one of the most recognized women in America.

The Leon Sisters

This new novel by best-selling author novelist Jill Shalvis is sure to appeal to fans of her previous contemporary romance novels. It tells the story of Mindy Lemon, a mom of three, and her sister Brooke. If you're a fan of romance novels, you'll want to add it to your list.

1. How did Mr. Rogers gain his popularity?

A．Through his character on TV.	B．Through Maxwell King's book.
C．By watching neighborhood.	D．By writing biographies.

2. What do we know about The Darwin Affair according to the text?

A．It is entertaining and relaxing.	B．It is published in London.
C．It tells a story in the 19th century.	D．It is written by Charles Dickens.

3. Whose book will you choose if you want to read books about love stories?

A．Maxwell King's.

B．Tim Mason's.

C．Michelle Obama's.

D．Jill Shalvis's.

8 . Suddenly we heard the sound of a carriage. It was the two Lintons, Hindley, Frances and Catherine. They all ran into the house and stood in front of the large fire in the sitting room to get warm.

I told Heathcliff to go and join them. He opened the kitchen door as Hindley was coming out of the sitting room. When Hindley saw him, he pushed him back into the kitchen saying, “Joseph! Keep him away from the sitting room!”

Then he noticed Heathcliff’s nice clothes. “Look at you!” he said sneering. “Who do you want to impress? Get out or I’ll pull your hair until it’s longer than it is now!”

“It’s long enough already,” observed Edgar Linton. He was standing at the sitting room door. “It hangs over his eyes like a horse’s mane!” Edgar didn’t say this to insult Heathcliff but Heathcliff became violent immediately. He suddenly picked up a pan of hot apple sauce and threw the contents in Edgar’s face. Edgar screamed. Hearing her brother’s cries, Isabella, followed by Catherine, came running out. Hindley caught Heathcliff by the arm, took him to his room and gave him a beating.

I didn’t have much pity for Edgar but I cleaned his face. His sister was crying and wanted to go home. Catherine was confused and embarrassed and didn’t say anything.

Hindley came back and told the children to return to the sitting room and have their dinner. As soon as they saw the food on the table they forgot everything because they were hungry. I looked at Catherine. Her eyes were dry as she cut her meat.

“What an insensitive child,” I thought. “She doesn’t really care about Heathcliff.”

I watched her lift the meat to her mouth and then suddenly her eyes filled with tears. To hide her feelings, she dropped her fork on the floor and bent down to pick it up. So she wasn’t as insensitive as I thought!

Some musicians came to play for us in the evening. While everyone was listening to them, Catherine escaped and climbed the stairs to Heathcliff’s room. She called him but there was no answer so she climbed along the roof and into his room through a small window. Later they came downstairs to the kitchen together. I gave Heathcliff some supper but he didn’t eat it.

“I don’t care how long I have to wait, Nelly,” he said, “but I’m going to take my revenge on Hindley. I only hope he doesn’t die first!”

“Heathcliff!” I said. “You should learn to forgive.”

“No! I must have satisfaction,” he replied. “I’m going to think of a good way to take my revenge. If I think about that, I won’t feel the pain.”

1. What do we know about Hindley from the text?

A．He assumed Heathcliff would hurt the kids.

B．He hated Heathcliff as he had nicer clothes.

C．He didn’t see Heathcliff as a family member.

D．He pushed Edgar Linton to insult Heathcliff.

2. What does the underlined word “insensitive” in paragraph 7 mean?

A．Not able to tell right from wrong.

B．Not caring about other peopled feelings.

C．Not affected by physical effects of changes.

D．Not clever enough to make quick responses.

3. Why did Catherine bend down during dinner?

A．She dropped her fork on the floor by accident.

B．She was trying to wipe away her tears secretly.

C．She felt rather bored to eat with those children.

D．She knew she was being observed by someone.

4. What can we infer from the text?

A．Heathcliff occupied an important place in Catherine’s heart.

B．Heathcliff used to being laughed at by other kids.

C．Isabella was very angry to see his brother badly injured.

D．Nelly took pity on Heathcliff and supported his revenge.

9 . Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Harry Potter )

by Newt Scamander (Author), J. K. Rowling (Author), Olivia Lomenech Gill (Illustrator)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander's classic compendium (汇编) of magical creatures, has delighted generations of wizarding readers. With this beautiful, large-scale new edition illustrated in full color, muggles (麻瓜) too will have the chance to discover where the Runespoor lives, what the Puffskein eats, and why shiny objects should always be kept away from the Niffler. Profits from the sale of this book will go to Comic Relief and J.K. Rowlings international charity, Lumos, which will do magic beyond the powers of any wizard.

Product details

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; Reprint edition

Language: English

Hardcover: 160 pages

ISBN-10: 1338216791

ISBN-13: 978-13382 16790

Reading age: 8 years and up

Grade level: 3-6

Item Weight: 2.82 pounds

Dimensions: 9.8 x0.9x 11.5 inches

Benjamin Coleman

★★★★☆

This has to be my favorite of the illustrated editions

The “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” illustrated edition has to be opinion the most beautiful of all of the ones released so far. Each of the pages is illustrated beautifully for every fantastic creature you can possibly imagine in the Potter universe. My personal favorite was the dragon section which has beautiful illustrations of several different species of dragons. This book is a must buy for both new and older fans of the series and a great collection item for any Potter fan. So if you’re looking for a great present who loves Harry Potter, get these illustrated editions!

Michelle E Krupski

★☆☆☆☆

Disappointing book

1. The size of the book is inconsistent with the other HP illustrated series, which is disappointing.

2. The book does not have a dust jacket which is inconsistent with all of my other HP books and disappointing.

3. The illustrations lack depth. The majority of the book is just rough sketches with color. I can imagine that myself. What I was anticipating was amazing detail and a beautiful book. What I received looks like a rough draft. Not worth the price I paid.

1. What do we know about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?

A．It is intended for children aged 3-6.

B．Olivia Lomenech Gill is one of the authors.

C．Earnings from the Sale of this book will go to charity.

D．It is about the fight between muggles and the Runespoor.

2. According to Coleman, which section attracts him most ?

A．The dragon section.

B．The Niffler section.

C．The Runespoor section.

D．The section related to Harry Potter.

3. What does Krupski think of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?

A．The story in the book lacks depth.

B．The book is too big to be put on the shelf.

C．The illustrations don’t live up to her expectations.

D．The book arrived damaged with scratches on the covers.

10 . On Feb. 19, the same day Harper Lee passed away, the world lost another literary giant. He was 84-year-old Umberto Eco, an Italian writer, whose masterpiece The Name of the Rose won him international fame when it was published in 1980. The novel sold more than 10 million copies in about 30 languages and was made into a movie in 1986 starring British actor Sean Connery.

A USA Today obituary (讣告) thus describes: “Eco was an author of books ranging from novels to scholarly books to essay collections; Eco was enthusiastic about the obscure as well as ordinary daily life; As a scholar, critic and novelist, he also did research on the mysterious theory of semiotics-the study of signs and symbols in language and the technical languages of the Internet.

The Name of the Rose can be seen as a much more complicated version of US writer Dan Brown’s popular novel The Da Vinci Code. The book is set in a 14th century Italian Monastery (修道院) where monks are being murdered one by one in terrible manners. Two monks who travel to the monastery try to solve the murders. The book’s mystery develops around a complex-designed library and a lost Aristotle’s book on comedy.

Although the novel is full of Latin phrases and devotes many pages to analysis of Christian beliefs and ancient philosophy, it’s a fascinating detective thriller.

Eco also wrote some harsh literary criticism. He once wrote that “books always speak of other books, and every story tells a story that has already been told”.

1. What can we learn about The Name of the Rose?

A．It earned Harper Lee worldwide reputation.

B．It featured the main character Sean Connery.

C．It was translated into no more than 30 versions.

D．It had its film adaptation following the book’s publication.

2. From the USA Today obituary, which of the following can be inferred?

A．Eco not only wrote novels but also some dramas.

B．Eco was merely interested in ordinary daily life.

C．Eco was an expert in the Internet.

D．Eco was more than a novelist.

3. What does the book The Name of the Rose describe?

A．A story copied from the novel The Da Vinci Code.

B．Chain murdering in an Italian Monastery.

C．A long-lost ownerless book.

D．A complex-designed library.

4. What does the underlined quote said by Eco imply?

A．Stories are far from reality.	B．Creativity is hard to come by.
C．Some books are well worth reading.	D．Writers need to polish their language.