April 23rd is World Book Day, a meaningful festival that reminds people of the lasting value of reading, an activity that has deeply influenced people's spiritual life. In China, national reading surveys show that more and more people of different ages have formed the habit of reading in their spare time.
Many foreign countries have also taken effective measures to promote nationwide reading. In Belgium, almost every neighbourhood has a public library where teenagers can borrow various books completely free of charge. These libraries hold regular story-telling activities and writer meetings every week, which make reading more attractive and joyful for local residents.
Why is reading so popular? In fact, it is far more than a common hobby. Reading is closely linked to a country's development. And it helps people gain wisdom and develop creativity, which pushes the whole society forward. Furthermore, reading develops our thinking skills. It trains us to observe, compare, analyze and think critically(批判地). A number of studies have proved that teenagers who keep reading regularly are more likely to come up with
original ideas.
In short, reading plays an irreplaceable role in personal growth and a nation's future. It enriches our inner world, carries forward excellent culture and drives our country to make steady progress. Therefore, we should keep good reading habits and let books guide us toward a brighter tomorrow.
任务一 阅读理解。
1. What do national reading surveys in China show?
A. World Book Day has a long history.
B. More and more people are interested in reading.
C. Reading has become a habit for all Chinese people.
D. Many cities organize reading events every month.
2. What does the underlined word "original" probably mean?
A. creativeB. strangeC. commonD. funny
3. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. World Book Day is important for people all over the world.
B. Many foreign countries encourage national reading.
C. Reading is good for personal growth and a nation's future.
D. Reading can help students have a better job in the future.
任务二 阅读与回答问题。
1. When is World Book Day?
It is on April 23rd.
2. Where can teenagers borrow books for free in Belgium?
They can borrow books for free in public libraries.
3. What activities do Belgian libraries hold every week?
They hold regular story-telling activities and writer meetings every week.
4. What two main benefits does reading bring to people besides being a hobby?
It helps people gain wisdom and develop creativity, and it develops people's thinking skills.
5. What is your opinion of reading?（请自拟一句话作答）
I think reading is very important; it can open my eyes and help me learn more knowledge.（言之有理即可）
