Question

Read a whole book in English? Me?

Yes, you. Believe it or not that may be easier than you think. Not all classics are too difficult or complicated. So you’re not limited to simplified versions (簡(jiǎn)寫本). And the easier books are not for young children.

Books in their original versions (原著) may send you to the dictionary. And you might not understand everything you read. But reading one from cover to cover will give you a real sense of accomplishment. The key is to find the right books. Let’s take a look at these.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis)

Stepping into an old wardrobe, four English schoolchildren find themselves in the magical world of Narnia. In this delightful land, they find friends among the many talking creatures.

The children soon discover, however, that Narnia is ruled by the White Witch. Edmund, one of the children, falls under her power. Who can free Narnia? Only Aslan, the great and noble lion. He alone knows the Deeper Magic. But the children themselves must help fight the battle against the White Witch and those who save her.

The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway)

Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman, hasn’t caught any fish in more than 80 days. Sailing far out from land, the old man hooks an enormous fish. That begins an agonizing three-day battle. First he struggles against the great fish. Then he must fight off the sharks that circle the little boat and threaten to eat his fish. Exhausted and bleeding, the old man arrives back at shore. But his fish, his beautiful fish…

Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize for this superb story of strength and courage, of victory and regret.

A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine Lingle)

Meg’s father, a US government scientist, has been missing for many months. He had been experimenting with time travel when he mysteriously disappeared.

Now Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin will try to rescue him. But first they must outwit the forces of evil they encounter on their journey through time and space. Can they find Meg’s father before it is too late?

This novel is more than just a science-fiction adventure. It’s an exploration of the nature of our universe.

The Pearl (John Steinbeck)

One day Kino, a poor Mexican pearl diver, finds a magnificent pearl. With it he dreams of buying a better life, new clothes and schooling for his son. Instead it brings only evil. His wife pleads with him to get rid of it. “No,” says Kino. “I will have my chance. I am a man.” But when he kills a man who is trying to steal the pearl, Kino and his wife must run for their lives.

This tale of dreams, justice and the power of greed is told simply and beautifully.

The Long Winter (Laura Ingalls Wilder)

It’s winter, 1880-8-1, on American’s northern prairies. Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls and their four girls stay near the kitchen stove to keep warm. Heavy snowstorms cut them off even from neighbors. With the trains stopped, no supplies can reach the town. Food and fuels are running out. Day after day the girls must grind wheat for bread and twist hay to burn. At times they nearly lose the battle to keep their spirits up.

This story provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of early American settlers.

64. In this passage, the author intends to ________.

A. recommend a few simplified versions of classics

 B. recommend a few original versions of classics

C. tell us how to read an English book from beginning to end

D. tell us how to find proper English books to read

65. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the White Witch is properly _________.

A. an evil woman with magic power                B. a friendly woman with magic power

C. a delightful talking creature                     D. a powerful lion with magic

66. The underlined word “outwit” in the passage probably means _________.

A. get rid of  B. seize control of        C. beat by being cleverer  D. make the most of

67. A Wrinkle in Time is different from other books mentioned in the passage in that _______.

A. it is not a science-fiction             B. it tells a true story of adventure

C. it provides some scientific knowledge     D. it tells the battle between justice and evil

Answer 1

BA CC