Question

Do you know that some people don’t do their reading assignments（任務）？It’s shocking , but it’s true . Some students don’t even read short texts that they are assigned in class . There are many reasons for this . They may be unwill ing to focus . They may be unconfident readers . Whatever the reason is , it has to stop today . Here’s why .

Reading stimulates（刺激）your mind . It is like a workout for your brain . When people get old , their muscles begin to weaken and their strength leaves them . Exercise can prevent this loss . The same thing happens to people’s brains when they get older . Brain power and speed decline with age . Reading strengthens your brain and prevents these declines . You can benefit from reading in the near-term , too .

Reading provides knowledge . Knowledge is power . Therefore , reading can make you a more powerful person . You can learn to do new things by reading . Do you want to make video games ? Do you want to design clothing ? Reading can teach you all this and more . But you have to get good at reading , and the only way is to practice .

Reading expands your vocabulary . Read everything that you can at school , no matter whether you find it interesting or not . Even a “boring” text can teach you new words . Having a larger vocabulary will help you better express yourself . You will be able to speak , write and think more intelligently . What’s boring about that ?

Reading can change the way that you understand the word. Do not just discount(忽視) a text because it is unfamiliar to you . Each time you read , you are introduced to new ideas and given broader views on things . You can learn how people live in faraway places . You can learn about cultures different from your own . Reading is good for your state of mind . It has a calming effect . It can lower your stress levels and help you relax . You can escape from your troubles for a moment when you read , and it’s a positive escape.

The benefits of reading far outweigh those of acting like a fool . So do yourself a favor : the next time you get a reading assignment , take as much as you can form it . Squeeze（擠壓） it for every drop of knowledge that it contains . Then move on to the next one.

1.Some people don’t read because

A. they have many other activities

B. they are confident about themselves

C. they are bored or unwilling to focus

D. they could hardly understand the texts

2.The writer probably agrees that__________.

A. reading helps you to remain calm

B. reading enables you to get a good job

C. reading keeps you strong and safe

D. reading changes your word around

3.The word “decline ” in Paragraph 2 means “_______”.

A. keep slow B. stay normal

C. become smarter D. grow worse

4.This passage is mainly about

A. the power of knowledge

B. the advantages of reading

C. methods used in reading

D. making good use of knowledge

Answer 1