The Best Way to Enjoy a Book I am no slow eater.I can't remember the number of times I was told as a child not to gobble my food.Nor have I been a slow reader.I went through books like combine harvesters through crops in the English village of my childhood.
Perhaps I will continue to gobble my food until my last meal on this planet.But books!They are an entirely different matter.Having been prevented from visiting bookstores and libraries during these days of isolation.I have decided to make changes.After all，didn't someone once say， "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good."
I imagine slow reading to be like slow cooking：a variety of ingredients mixed into something one can truly enjoy.Slow reading means enjoying each sentence，absorbing all of those paragraphs of description that had probably been sweated over by the author and，more often than not，skipped over by readers like me.
This isn't to say I pay only random attention to a book.Before deciding on one to buy or borrow，I always read the synopsis and the "About the Author" section.I would also read the dedication，the foreword and the author's acknowledgments.Only then do I move on to the book's opening sentence.This is essentially how I had selected the two books that I most recently finished.
In order to truly enjoy these two novels，I rationed my reading to two hours a day-no more and no less.A funny thing happens when you take two hours out of the day – every day – for something you really，really enjoy.I experienced a quiet sense of accomplishment that I had missed for years.
English writer Kate Atkinson's Transcription has been advertised as "a novel of rare depth from one of the best writers of our time." Award-winning Newfoundler Michael Crummey's The Innocents，meanwhile，is said to be "a richly imagined and fascinating story of hardship and survival." I am glad I didn't read Transcription at my usual pace.I suspect I would have missed much of the brilliance of the writing.Instead，I made myself completely involved in the life of 18-year-old Julie.I often paused at the end of a chapter to reread it for the joy of laughing aloud at the heroine' observations.
The Innocents is about the life of two orphans in an isolated bay in Newfoundland.It was hard not to run through this powerful narrative—but I resisted the temptation.My patience was rewarded with a deeper understanding of the character and rich description of northern Newfoundland— so real that I could almost feel the lichen （地衣） between my toes.
So here I am，two books finished that took me a month to read.I have been entertained，enriched and transported in time and place like I never have before.Having discovered the joys of taking my time over a book now，I doubt I will ever again announce proudly， "It only took me a day or a couple of hours to finish!"
（1）According to the article，the author used to DD.
A．read novels while gobbling her food.
B．spend no more than two hours reading every day.
C．consider it a waste of time to read fictional stories.
D．finish reading a book in a day or even a couple of hours.
（2）The underlined proverb "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good，" probably means
DD.
A．even the craziest ideas can become popular.
B．even the most popular ideas can go out of fashion.
C．even the most positive situations can harm someone.
D．even the most negative situations can benefit someone.
（3）The author compared reading to cooking in order to illustrate that CC.
A．it is fun to read book related to food.
B．it is rewarding to pick up various types of books.
C．it is worthwhile to appreciate the brilliance of every sentence.
D．It is important to read the synopsis before deciding on a book to read.
（4）While reading The Innocents，the author BB.
A．imagined herself to be an orphan.
B．ended up with a deep appreciation of the story.
C．read through the descriptive part of the book quickly.
D．thought about the relationship between hardship and survival.
【答案】D；D；C；B
【解答】
【点评】
声明：本试题解析著作权属菁优网所有，未经书面同意，不得复制发布。
发布：2024/4/20 14:35:0组卷：5引用：2难度：0.3
相似题
-
1．It is widely believed that biodiversity（生物多样性）is promoted to save species.But in reality species exist only as part of ecosystems and cannot survive unless their ecosystems are protected along with as much as possible of the diversity they contain.
Protecting habitats（栖息地）is important for keeping biodiversity.In 2003，over 102，000 habitats covering nearly 19 million square kilometres，or 11.5% of the world's land surface，were under some form of protection.Though this is a great improvement since 1962，when just 1，000 protected habitats were listed，it is still not considered enough to stop the ecocide that is endangering the world's biodiversity.
For a number of environmentalist，protecting the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots（热点地区）is critical to saving habitats and species.But many hotspots are endangered already，having lost up to three-quarters of their original plants.
The poor state of most biodiversity hotspots results directly from population growth and migration（迁移） into these areas.A study found that by the mid-1990s around 1.1 billion people lived in these hotspots.Moreover，the annual population growth rate in these areas was 1.8%，higher than the global average of 1.4%.The PAI report concluded that human-related environmental changes will continue to put pressure on hotspots.Therefore，keeping biodiversity requires paying close attention to population size.
Protecting hotspots is not simply a matter of putting up fences and employing guards.The best results are achieved when local people are educated about the value of wildlife，and actually gain a share of the benefits from eco-tourism.Only then do they have a chance to see the benefits of protecting hotpots.
（1）What can we infer from paragraph 1？
A．The loss of any species can affect humans.
B．Endangered species are paid more attention to by humans.
C．Species can still survive when their ecosystems are destroyed.
D．Ecosystem protection is as important as diversity protection.
（2）What does the underlined word "ecocide" in paragraph 2 mean？
A．Ecosystem protection.
B．Reduction of the number of species.
C．Serious damage to habitats.
D．Habitats protection.
（3）What's the direct cause of the terrible state of the hotspots？
A．Population growth in hotpots.
B．Migration out of these areas.
C．Global warming.
D．The global average population growth rate.
（4）What's the author's opinion on protecting the hotspots？
A．It's simple to carry out.
B．It leads to the increase of tourists.
C．It's closely connected with local people.
D．It suggests that the local people are well educated.发布：2025/1/6 16:30:6组卷：0引用：1难度：0.5 -
2．Most of us spend our lives seeking the natural world.We go fishing，sit in the garden，have a picnic，live in the suburbs or go to the seaside.The most popular leisure activity in Britain is going for a walk.When joggers jog，they don't run on the streets.Every one of them tends to go to the park or the river.
But despite this，our children are growing up naturedeprived（剥夺）.I spent my boyhood climbing trees.These days，children are robbed of the ancient freedom，due to problems like crime，traffic，the loss of the open space and strange new ideas about what is best for children，that is to say，things that can be bought，rather than things that can be found.
The truth is to be found elsewhere.A study in the US：families had moved to better housing and the children were assessed for ADHD—Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder（注意力缺陷多动症）.Those whose accommodation had more natural views showed an improvement of 19%；those who had the same improvement in material surroundings but no nice view improved just 4%.
ADHD is one of the great problems of modern childhood.One study after another indicates that contact with nature gives huge benefits to ADHD children.However，we spend money on drugs rather than on green places.
The life of old people is measurably better when they have access to nature.The increasing concern for the growing population of old people is in quality rather than quantity of years.And study after study finds that a garden is the single most important thing in finding that quality.Even problems with crime and aggressive behaviour are reduced when there is contact with the natural world.
We need the wild world.It is essential to our wellbeing，our health and our happiness.
（1）According to the author，people enjoyto seek nature.
A．jogging on the street
B．running in the gym
C．shopping in the supermarket
D．sitting in the garden
（2）From the second paragraph，we can see that.
A．Children don't want to approach nature
B．children probably spend less time in nature nowadays
C．climbing trees will certainly do good to the children
D．children tend to be happier as a result of their material satisfaction
（3）In what way do people benefit from their contact with nature？
A．Children with ADHD can be cured.
B．Children's performance at school is greatly improved.
C．Problems with crime and violent behavior will easily be solved.
D．A garden nearby improves the quality of old people's life.
（4）what is the main idea of this passage？
A．Access to nature improves our life.
B．Nature treats children for ADHD.
C．Getting close to nature reduces crime.
D．Man can't live without natural areas.发布：2025/1/6 16:30:6组卷：0引用：1难度：0.5 -
3．New editions of Roald Dahl's classic books，such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda，are now available in bookstores.Some passages relating to weight，mental health，gender and race were changed.The changes made by Puffin Books，a division of Penguin Random House，first were reported by Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper.
The changes to Dahl's books mark the latest debate over cultural sensitivity.Those who support updates seek to protect young people from cultural，ethnic and gender stereotypes in literature and other media.Critics complain that revisions to suit 21st century sensibilities risk weakening the genius of great artists and preventing readers from facing the world as it is.
The Roald Dahl Story Company controls the rights to the books.The company said it worked with Puffin Books to review the texts because it wanted to ensure that"Dahl's wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today."
Inclusive Minds，a group that is working to make children's literature more inclusive and accessible，reviewed the language in a partnership effort with Puffin Books.Inclusive language avoids terms that could be seen as excluding specific groups of people.Any changes were"small and carefully considered，"the company said.
"When publishing new print runs of books written years ago，it's not unusual to review the language used alongside updating other details，including a book's cover and page layout，"the company said their guiding principle throughout had been to maintain the storylines，characters，and the spirit of the original text.
PEN America，a community of some 7，500 writers that advocates for freedom of expression，said it was"alarmed"by reports of the changes to Dahl's books.Suzanne Nossel，chief executive of PEN America，commented on Twitter.She said if we try"to correct for sensing slights （怠慢） instead of allowing readers to receive and react to books as written，we risk distorting the work of great authors and clouding the essential lens （透镜） that literature offers on society."
Laura Hackett is a childhood Dahl fan who is now deputy literary editor of London，England's Sunday Times newspaper.She had a more personal reaction to the news."The editors at Puffin should be ashamed of the botched surgery they've carried out on some of the finest children's literature in Britain，"she wrote."As for me，I'll be carefully putting away my old，original copies of Dahl's stories，so that one day my children can enjoy them in their full，nasty and colorful glory."
（1）What is the reason for the changes to Dahl's books？
A．To make Dahl's books more enjoyable.
B．To review the language used and add details.
C．To remove words that show disrespect to some people.
D．To keep the storylines，characters，and the spirit of the original text.
（2）What might the underlined word in Paragraph 6 probably mean？
A．Preventing.
B．Appreciating.
C．Understanding.
D．Misrepresenting.
（3）Which of the following may Laura Hackett agree？
A．The new version of the books is worth collecting.
B．The original version of the books are more valuable.
C．The original books weaken the genius of great artists.
D．The new version allows readers to receive books as written.
（4）What might be the proper title of the passage？
A．New Changes to Roald Dahl Books Start Argument
B．Different Opinions on New Editions of Classic Books
C．Authors or Publishers both Control the Right to Books
D．New Editions of Roald Dahl's Classic Books Available
（5）What is the purpose of the passage？
A．To persuade readers to buy Roald Dahl's classic books.
B．To entertain readers by the changes of Roald Dahl's books.
C．To recommend the new version of Roald Dahl's classic books.
D．To inform diverse views on the changes of Roald DahI's books.发布：2025/1/30 8:0:1组卷：5引用：1难度：0.4
