A report by the US' Open Syllabus Project found that the most read books among US college students in the past year were books like The Republic by ancient Greek philosopher Plato and The Clash of Civilizations by US political scientist Samuel Huntington.And according to reports by Chinese college libraries,the most popular books among Chinese students are novels like Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Chinese author Jin Yong.
This is considered by many to be one of the reasons why Chinese students are sometimes not as good at critical thinking or observing global perspectives (视野) as US students—they read too many bestseller novels.
"By reading texts in history/social studies,science,and other subjects,students build a foundation of knowledge in these fields that will also give them the background to be better readers in all areas,"Robert Pondiscio,vice president of the Core Knowledge Foundation in the US told Th.e Washington Post.
According to China Youth.Daily,there are usually five stages when it comes to reading,with popular novels at the bottom.More advanced readers normally go on to read classic fictional literature,history and philosophy,or books with critical ideas.
We spend hours,days or even weeks on a book,so it's only natural that we want to learn something useful in return for our efforts.Many see reading as an investment (投资) in themselves.But this practical view of literature and the thought that history and philosophy books are superior to novels are not agreed by everyone.After all,what they offer are two different kinds of satisfaction.While the former provides knowledge,the latter brings emotional experiences."Fiction and poetry are medicines,"UK writer Jeanette Winterson once wrote."What they heal is the rupture (裂痕) reality makes on the imagination."
1.What are the most popular books among Chinese students?
A. Philosophy books. B. Bestseller novels.
C. History books. D. Books with critical ideas.
2.What do Chinese students lack compared with US students?
A. Careful observation. B. Vast stores of knowledge.
C. Practical use of knowledge. D. Critical thinking.
3.Which of the following does Jeanette Winterson probably agree with?
A. People read books to learn something useful.
B. Imagination is not so important as knowledge.
C. History and philosophy books are superior to novels.
D. Novels can bring necessary emotional experiences.
If you've been to Europe a few times already,chances are that you've hit all the big destinations: London, Paris, Rome,Berlin.On your next trip you can either visit those same cities a second time,or instead you can take a chance and walk the streets of some cities that are a little bit smaller,a little bit less famous,but still full of European grace and charm.Here are four European cities to visit that you probably haven't been to yet.
Besancon,France
This hidden French city has had a long reputation for being a well-kept secret.It can be at once sleepy with few tourists but abundant galleries,restaurants,and a wonderful Beaux Arts museum whose collection is second only to the Louvre.The city is wound by the River Doubs and also touts (吹捧) its own UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Citadel,home to several small museums and a zoo.
Seville,Spain
For the tourist who is already tired of Barcelona and Madrid,Seville offers a different take (意见) on Spain. Located on the Southern coast,it keeps beautiful signs of the long period of Moorish rule,nowhere more than in the Alcázar palace building,just one of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Seville has over a dozen museums, tropical parkland,and probably the best tapas (餐前小吃) culture in all of Spain.
Ghent,Belgium
Ghent is a city that looks like it should be the setting for a fairy tale. All of the typical Belgium features abound here-waffles and beer.Every year from Saturday before July 21,Ghent hosts a ten-day festival.This music and theater festival draws almost 2 million visitors,as the city streets transform into performance spaces for performers,buskers (街头艺人) and musicians.
Palermo,Italy
Palermo is the capital city of Sicily,the southern island off the coast of mainland Italy.The city has an ancient history,and the various cultures that have controlled the island through the years have all left their marks on it. You can see winding street markets,antique (古玩) fairs,and open air nightclubs here.
1.Where can visitors enjoy art collections quietly?
A. Besancon. B. Barcelona.
C. Ghent. D. Palermo.
2.What can visitors do in Seville,Spain?
A. Visit antique fairs and clubs.
B. Enjoy a colorful nightlife.
C. Explore over 20 museums.
D. Hunt for Moorish influences.
3.Which country should a music and theater lover choose to visit?
A. France. B. Spain.
C. Belgium. D. Italy.
4.What do the four European cities have in common?
A. They were once ruled by various rulers.
B. They are less famous but worth a visit.
C. Visitors can enjoy seeing performances.
D. They're all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
假定你是李华，你在某英文网站看到一个关于“Food ＆ Culture”的征文活动。请根据下表内容提示写一篇短文。
中国饺子与文化 | |
历史 | 大约1,500年 |
文化习俗 | 新年食物，家庭团聚，好运象征 |
做法 | 蒸、煎、煮等 |
注意：
1.词数120左右，题目已为你写好；
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Chinese Dumplings and Culture
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词。
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Dear classmates,
It is a pleasure for I to have a chance to make a short speech today. Recently I had found that some of our classmates study late into the night and do not spare some time to take a rest during the day either. They often cannot help fall asleep in class. And some classmates seldom have breakfast, that is also a bad habit and will surely do harm to our health.
In my opinion, it is extreme important for us to have enough sleep and a proper diet. We must learn to make a use of our time, and only in this way can we keep fit or study well. I wonder if you agree me.
There are many debates about1.to allow cell phones in school.Cell phones have benefits,but they also provide disadvantages.
2.(cheat) in school has increased to 75 percent since 1940s.Technology has helped to increase this number and half of students say they don't think cheating with cell phones is3.(difficulty).With built-in cameras,cell phones enable students4.(take)a picture of tests and answers.Then,students can send those5.(picture) to the others.Texting is another way to cheat.Smart phones also have access to the Internet,and students can find answers 6.(they).
Cell phones in school also make teens seldom communicate with others face to face.Even at lunch time a cell phone7.(allow)a student to listen to music instead of talking with friends.
Cell phones provide new tools in teaching,8.is more likely to make students absentminded.9.most obvious is the ringing at wrong times.Because texting is10.(believe)immediate,you can also use a cell phone to carry on a dialog in the middle of class.
Kindness is a simple answer in a sometimes difficult and challenging world.For a long time it has been my work to____and appreciate all people and to____others to do the same.
When my granddaughter Skylar was young and we'd go out,we had a(n)____called "Who can make the most people smile?" And we continue it today.It____for a wonderful day.When Skylar sees someone walking down the aisle with her____down,she'll walk up to her and gives her a big____.I watch her walk on.turn around and smile at Skylar____ perhaps smile at someone else.
Kindness is a chain that____us all together.In 2002,my dad had a series of strokes and other illness.At that time, I was in a women's networking____.One day I asked the ladies if they could send their____energies and maybe do something nice for someone to whom they would not____think about doing something nice.
That same day,I made cookies for the____at the post office.When I gave him the cookies he____looked a little embarrassed."Why,Linda?"he asked."Because I____you!"I answered."When I get here at 6 a.m.and it is still____ outside,knowing you are inside makes me feel____.And when I first moved here and my post office____was always empty,you always____me on.And you keep this place____."That evening his wife called me and said that he was ____."No one even knows his name,let alone bakes him cookies!"
1.A. observe B. recommend C. acknowledge D. judge
2.A. encourage B. train C. praise D. comfort
3.A. contest B. speech C. surprise D. involvement
4.A. answers B. applies C. searches D. makes
5.A. luck B. head C. hand D. shoulder
6.A. sign B. shout C. smile D. gift
7.A. but B. still C. so D. or
8.A. takes B. pulls C. urges D. protects
9.A. achievement B. communication C. organization D. skill
10.A. positive B. possible C. exact D. common
11.A. adequately B. properly C. increasingly D. normally
12.A. manager B. businessman C. guard D. protector
13.A. consequently B. strangely C. otherwise D. actually
14.A. trust B. appreciate C. admire D. inspire
15.A. dark B. cold C. lonely D. inconvenient
16.A. excited B. pleased C. safe D. curious
17.A. address B. box C. window D. seat
18.A. counted B. turned C. put D. cheered
19.A. spotless B. cheerless C. fearless D. fruitless
20.A. interested B. touched C. focused D. worried
