1 . The best TED Talks on gratitude (感激)

David Steindl-Rast: Want to be happy? Be grateful

This 15-minute talk, from “monk and interfaith scholar” David Steindl-Rast, discusses gratitude and specifically its relationship to happiness. In the talk, Steindl-Rast argues that: “it is not happiness that makes us grateful” but “gratefulness that makes us happy”.

Louie Schwartzberg: Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.

This 10-minute talk comes from photographer Louie Schwartzberg, with the aid from the above-mentioned Steindl-Rast. In the talk, Schwartzberg presents some of his photographs of nature and explains how they can lead to feelings of gratitude with a story about life from a child’s perspective (视角) as well as life from an elderly man’s perspective.

Brian Doyle: 365 Days of Thank You

This 8-minute talk comes from Brian Doyle, who discusses how a near-death experience led him to start thinking about the role of gratitude in his life. Specifically, Doyle made a commitment to sincerely thank one person in his life every single day for a full year. This short talk is not just an inspiring story but might cause the viewers to consider how they can be grateful in their daily lives.

Hailey Bartholomew: 365 Grateful Project

This 12-minute talk from Hailey Bartholomew is, like Doyle’s, centered on a daily, year-long project. Unlike Doyle’s, however, Bartholomew’s focuses on photography and using photography to find gratitude in her life every day. Photographers who enjoyed Schwartzberg’s TED Talk should give this one a watch, as should anyone who wants to go through a similar project to find the gratitude in their own lives.

1. What makes people happy according to David Steindl-Rast?

A．Beauty.

B．Gratitude.

C．Nature.

D．Faith.

2. What can we know about Brian Doyle’s talk?

A．It shows many pictures.	B．It’s based on a year-long project.
C．It’s the shortest of all the talks.	D．It tells about a child’s experience.

3. In which column of a website can you read the passage?

A．Education.

B．Opinion.

C．History.

D．Lifestyle.

2 . If you want to improve your English through reading original English works, here are some recommendations.

Charlotte’s Web

By E. B White

This is a lovely novel that all age groups can understand. Aimed at native English speaking children, there are many adults who still say this famous book is their favorite. This is part of the national curriculum in many schools around the world, so it’s quite possible this book will also come up in conversation. You can almost guarantee that the majority of native English speakers have read this book at least once.

The Outsiders

By S. E. Hinton

This short novel is perfect for EFI learners. It has modern themes and typical teenage issues that people around the world have experienced. There are very few cultural notes in this, which means you don’t need much background information. The sentences are short and easy to understand. The vocabulary is also very easy. You should be able to read this book without difficulty.

Number the Stars

By Lois Lowry

This is a realistic novel. It is based on history. Unlike other historical literature, it’s easy to understand. If you already know a lot of information about World War II, this might be an interesting book for you. It’s not recommended if you don’t know too much about the World Wars. In this case, you will be focusing on trying to understand the facts too much so you will not enjoy the book as much.

Thirteen Reasons Why

By Jay Asher

This story take place in the present, which means the writer writes using simple grammar. ”All sentences are short and the vocabulary is relatively easy. The interesting grammar and short paragraphs make this a quick and easy book for ESI learners. This is an award-winning book and on New York Times best book list, so it is worth a read.

1. Which book had you better avoid reading if you don’t know too much about history?

A．Charlotte’s Web.

B．The Outsiders.

C．Number the Stars.

D．Thirteen Reasons Why.

2. Which books are perfect for a foreigner to learn English?

A．Charlotte’s Web and The Outsiders.	B．The Outsiders and Thirteen Reasons Why.
C．Thirteen Reasons Why and Number the Stars.	D．Charlotte’s Web and Number the Stars.

3. What do the four novels have in common?

A．All of them are designed for children.	B．All of them are easy to understand.
C．All of them are award-winning books.	D．All of them have modern themes.

3 . Could J. K. Rowling please leave Harry Potter in peace? 2010 was a good time to move on. We all know that Harry Potter’s last adventures hit the bookstore in 2007, and three years later the Warner Bros adaptations ran their course in cinema, too. For many fans, the young wizard had worked his magic through most of their childhood. But in 2018, a new Harry Potter extended universe film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald, was out.

I love Harry Potter series and I always will. It’s all there in my memory: I remember the first delight at reading “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal”. The wizarding treasure hunt, thrown by my parents for my ninth birthday with my dad dressed as Hagrid in the garden, was so clear in my mind. I remember deciphering (破译) my copy of the Deathly Hallows, the first book I read in English, and having to check the French for “wand”. The 2001 trip to the cinema to see Philosopher’s Stone, and all the ones that followed are kept clearly.

However, someone needs to call a halt to the endless afterlife of Potter’s fictional universe. It was enough in the seven books and eight films. We didn’t and don’t need a community website, a theatre play, the printed script of said movie, and even more movies.

Rowling has created 21^st-century modern literary classic. I always look up to her as the textbook classy writer: respectfully drawing attention from readers, successful but wise enough to withdraw. She also cares much about the causes she holds dear. In 2011 alone, she donated 16% of her net worth to charities. Of all contemporary authors who hit gold, Rowling remains one of the very most inspirational.

The saddest thing is that Rowling helped with the writing of the Cursed Child. She regularly “revealed” new details about Potter’s magical world on Twitter. Today, I decided to give up: I don’t follow Rowling on Twitter. I don’t want to see the new film. Thank you, Joanne Kathleen Rowling. I have enough valued stories—I don’t need new ones any more.

1. The last book of Harry Potter series was published in ______ .

A．2007

B．2010

C．2011

D．2017

2. We can learn from Paragraph 2 that the author ______ .

A．felt rather easy to understand Harry Potter series

B．was quiet fond of Harry Potter series and its films

C．read Harry Potter series with the help of his parents

D．missed the time of watching Harry Potter movies with his parents

3. What does the underlined phrase “call a halt to” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Share.

B．Appreciate.

C．Stop.

D．Change.

4. What does Paragraph 4 mainly talk about?

A．The talent J. K. Rowling has.

B．The author’s praise for J. K. Rowling.

C．The influence of J. K. Rowling’s works.

D．The author’s expectations of J. K. Rowling.

4 . Four Best Books in 2021

Now I will recommend four best books to you.

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

by Joanna Ho

This wonderful picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate your Asianshaped eyes. A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her friends’. They have big, round eyes. They have eyes that are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future. This book will resonate with readers about 5 years old.

Hardcover: $19.8

Second-hand: $10

Amari and the Night Brothers

by B. B. Alston

Amari Peters has never stopped believing her missing brother, Quinton, is alive. When she finds a ticking briefcase in his closet, she’s certain that a secret organization holds the key to locating Quinton. In order to find him, now she must know about magic. This book will attract teens aged about 18 years old.

Hardcover: $21.7

Second-hand: $9

Dog Man

by Dav Pilkey

The world is losing out of control as new villains flood into town. Everything seems dark and full of disappointment. But hope is not lost. Can the incredible power of love save the day? Dog Man series explores love, kindness and the importance of doing good. Readers about 5 years old will like to read it.

Hardcover: $33.1

Second-hand: $13

Starfish

by Lisa Fipps

Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been teased for her weight, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules — like “no making waves” “avoid eating in public” and “don’t move so fast”. And she’s found her safe space — her swimming pool — where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. It suits readers about 5 years old.

Hardcover: $35.6

Second-hand: $11

1. What is special about Amari and the Night Brothers?

A．It is intended for teenagers.	B．It teaches readers how to love.
C．It is the cheapest among the four.	D．It features colorful pictures.

2. What can readers learn by reading Dog Man?

A．The way of overcoming difficulty.	B．The necessity of losing weight.
C．The ability to train a dog.	D．The importance of doing good.

3. Which book saves you most if you buy a used one?

A．Eyes That Kiss in the Corners.	B．Amari and the Night Brothers.
C．Dog Man.	D．Starfish.

5 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Why do lights grow closer to the little house?

A．The city is becoming larger.

B．Villagers use better lamps.

C．People come to visit the village.

2. What does the little house miss later?

A．The natural scenery.

B．The life in a big city.

C．The visitors to the village.

3. What is the speaker probably doing now?

A．Having a tour.

B．Giving a lecture.

C．Selling a book.

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A new English version of a modern classic Chinese book for children, I Want To Be Good by Huang Beijia, a well-known     1     (write) in China, was published in January     2     (eventual) by UK-based New Classic Press.

The book, which was translated by Nicky Harman, a UK-based prize-winning literary translator, had been picked     3     a “Top Children’s Book in Translation” by the International Committee of the Children’s Literature Association.

As     4     matter of fact, it became a classic when it was first published in 1996 by the Chinese publisher and     5     (sell) over 5 million copies in China since then. It has also been adapted for cinema, television and stage, and translated into nine     6     (language) including English, French, Korean, Vietnamese and Arabic.

The book tells the story of a 10-year-old girl     7     is under pressure to do better and pass important school exams. The author said the story was inspired by her personal life,     8     (indicate) “the complicated relationship between mother and daughter” and challenging “the traditional thought of being a Tiger Mother in the     9     (compete) learning environment in China.”

The book has been much loved in China as it has encouraged a generation of young readers     10     (achieve) their dreams, and most importantly, to be themselves.

7 . Railroads and Literature

Nineteenth-century writers in the United States, whether they wrote novels, short stories, poems or plays, were powerfully drawn to the railroad in its golden years.    1    By the 1850’s, the railroad was a major presence in the life of the nation. Writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau saw the railroad both as a sign to development and as an object of suspicion. The railroad could be and was a despoiler of nature. Furthermore, because of speed and noise, it might be a despoiler of human nature as well.

    2     Deeply philosophical historians such as Henry Adams hated the role that the new craze for business was playing in destroying traditional values. A distrust of industry and business continued among writers throughout the rest of the nineteenth century and into the twentieth.

    3     One thinks of melodramas, boy’s books, thrillers, romances and the like rather than novels of the first rank. In the railroads’ best years, between 1890 and 1920, there were a few individuals in the United States, most of them with solid railroading experience behind them, who made a profession of writing about railroading-works offering the ambience of stations yards and locomotive cabs.     4     But anyone who takes the time to consult their fertile writings will still find much information about the place of the railroad in the life of the United States.

A．These writers who can genuinely be said to have created the “railroad novel” are now mostly forgotten, their names having faded from memory.

B．By the 1850’s and 1860’s, there was a great distrust among writers and intellectuals of the rapid industrialization of which the railroad was a leading force.

C．The “railroad novels” are good examples of the effects industry and business had on the literature of the United States.

D．For the most part, the literature in which the railroad plays an important role belongs to popular culture rather than to serious art.

E．In fact, writers responded to the railroads as soon as the first were built in the 1830’s.

F．Many writers had the experience of working on railroads.

8 . 4 Books that Work Better on Audio

Strained eyes from staring at a screen all day? Give your eyes a break and dive into these audiobooks instead. Listening to an audiobook stimulates the same parts of the brain as reading does, and it is also helpful if you’re feeling anxious or depressed. Here are a few examples:

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

Bryson’s genius lies in his ability to write about hard subjects—from Shakespeare to the human body—while making them seem so easy. Listening to it will teach you about everything from the Big Bang to particle physics, without ever feeling like a lesson.

The Best of Me by David Sedaris

Now, for the first time, David Sedaris reads his autobiographical stories on Radio 4, bringing us his funniest and most memorable work. It opens our eyes to what is at absurd and moving about our daily existence, which is almost impossible to read without laughing.

Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

There’s no shortage of LOTR audiobooks knocking around on Audible, as they have broad appeal across all age groups, being an ideal company for family car journeys. These are complete and clock in at a full 22 hours and 38 minutes, perfect for those looking to get their money’s worth.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

This tale of Abraham Lincoln mourning his son in a graveyard full of ghosts is the winner of the 2017 Booker prize. The book has no less than 166 different narrators—the result being that some readers complained of getting lost. But the audio one makes easy work of distinguishing between varied characters with their distinctive voices.

1. Which is not an advantage of an audiobook?

A．Reduction in anxiety.	B．Easy access without pay.
C．Protection for eyes.	D．Activation of the brain.

2. Which audiobook best suits people who prefer humorous content?

A．A Short History of Nearly Everything.	B．The Best of Me.
C．Lord of the Rings.	D．Lincoln in the Bardo.

3. What’s special about the audio version of Lincoln in the Bardo?

A．It makes the story more attractive.	B．It suits people of all ages.
C．It tells the characters apart.	D．It helps the author win a prize.

9 . Books on the History of Ukraine

The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine
By Serhii Plokhy
Basic Books; 395 pages; $29.99. Allen Lane; £25

The author is the most distinguished historian of Ukraine (乌克兰) writing in English. This book covers the many centuries in which Ukraine was attacked by powers from all points of the compass. Mr Plokhy shows how Ukrainian language, culture and identity boomed through hardships — which helps explain why Ukrainians are fighting heroically to defend themselves.

Borderland: A Journey Through the History of Ukraine
By Anna Reid
Basic Books; 368 pages; $18.99. Weidenfeld & Nicolson; £10.99

The author first published this mixture of memoir (回忆录), travelogue and history in 1997, but updated it in 2015. She introduces appealing Ukrainians, bygone and contemporary, including Taras Shevchenko, the national poet, etc. Ms Reid does not avoid the horrors of the country’s past; but she also finds room for hope.

The Ukrainian Night: An Intimate History of Revolution
By Marci Shore
Yale University Press; 320 pages; $26 and £25

The title comes from a poem by Vladimir Mayakovsky, and the book is an account of prodemocracy (支持民主) revolution in Ukraine in 2013-14. The author describes the feelings of people then — the sense of unity and the motivation of those who headed east to fight the Russian-backed enemies in the Donbas. She also describes the implications of Ukraine’s fate for the future of Europe.

Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine
By Anne Applebaum
Doubleday; 496 pages; $35. Allen Lane; £25

The starvation, known as the Holodomor, swept Ukraine in 1932-33, killing around 4 million people. Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer-prize winning author, convincingly argues that the starvation was awful, yet left psychological wealth for Ukrainians who bonded together to preserve their nationalism.

1. Where does the book The Ukrainian Night take its name from?

A．From a film.	B．From a poem.
C．From a magazine.	D．From a newspaper.

2. Which book is the cheapest in dollars?

A．Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine.

B．The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine.

C．Borderland: A Journey Through the History of Ukraine.

D．The Ukrainian Night: An Intimate History of Revolution.

3. What theme do the four books share?

A．They predict the future of Ukraine.	B．They face up to historical challenges.
C．They pity Ukrainians for their misfortune.	D．They admit the weaknesses of humans.

10 . Like so many young bookish kids I wrote poems and stories and filled pages of journals with dreams. But even though I adored writing, I still knew that being a real-life writer was a dream both great and impossible.

At different times I harboured the possibility that it might work. When I was seventeen, I wrote a story that was published in a collection. At college, I entered local writing competitions and had success. A couple of times, I wanted to register for a creating writing degree offered by Harvard University, but each time, the fear of failure held me back. Then I understood the dream was indeed impossible and I gave up writing setting out on the path to become a teacher.

Years later, after my daughter was born and deep in the intense world of a newborn, I felt urged to scribble (草草写下) madly. Then, two years later, late at night as I fed my second daughter. I read a book written by one of my teachers and it lit me up. I was hungry to make a reader feel something as intensely as she had made me feel.

I got in touch with my old teacher and with her encouragement, I finally registered for a creative writing degree and got actively involved in the writing events. At a literary event, I listened to a panel of writers and publishers talk about the need to be brave and take chances. At the end of the event, I took one of those chances, handing my as-yet-unfinished manuscript (手稿) to one of the panelists, who told me to send her the first three chapters via e-mail.

Six months later, I had my first publishing contract and felt like I’d won the lottery (彩票). There are a thousand different paths to publication, most of them with some rocky patches before the thrilling moment you hold your book in your hands.

1. Why did the author quit the idea of being a writer?

A．She had applied for a degree.	B．She lacked sufficient courage.
C．she became known for a story.	D．She wished to make a teacher.

2. What did the author decide to do after she read her teacher's book?

A．Realize the dream of being a writer.	B．Make readers interested in the book.
C．Tell us her feeling about the teacher.	D．Write about caring for young children.

3. What did the literary event bring to the author?

A．A certificate in writing.	B．A talk with good friends.
C．A platform for manuscripts.	D．A chance of publishing a book.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．My Path to Publication.	B．My Views on Dreams.
C．My Talents for Writing.	D．My Conversation with Panelists.