Almost none of us have the time to read everything we’d like to read. Yet we lose countless hours to daily activities that bring us little joy like taking buses and waiting in line. What if we could turn these little blocks of unoccupied time into precious and rewarding moments for learning and reflection?
Founded in 2012, iReader, a micro-learning app on mobile phones, brings the biggest ideas from best-selling books through 15-minute audio (音频) and text. So far, more than 3,000 books have been included, ranging from psychology and parenting to management and economics, with new titles added every day.
Reader is pioneering a new method of reading, with over 9 million users enjoying the benefits already. According to the Pew Research Center (PRC), the British read just 4 paper books a year and over 25% haven’t read a single paper book this year, but reading isn’t dying. There are now more ways for the British to read than ever before, due to the widespread use of e-books and audio books.
The books in iReader are rewritten to ensure it is easy to remember the main content. The way the content is edited has been specifically designed to ensure it is useful in practice. Besides, the content is rewritten with relevant examples in real life, which means users are more likely to remember and apply what is helpful to them.
Holger Seim, German co-founder of this app, declares, “iReader gives you the biggest ideas in the shortest possible time. It transforms great ideas into little packs you can listen to or read in just 15 minutes.”
1.What does the author suggest people do in the unoccupied time?
A. Read and think.
B. Write and share.
C. Avoid taking buses.
D. Bring joy to daily routines.
2.What can we infer from the PRC findings?
A. The British benefit a lot from reading.
B. Reading methods are more important than before.
C. Digital technology are taking the place of paper books.
D. New forms of books are changing the way the British read.
3.How does iReader make the content easy to remember?
A. By bringing fun to it.
B. By making it useful.
C. By using artistic designs.
D. By taking users as examples.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. iReader Prevents Reading from Dying
B. iReader Unites Worldwide Book-lovers
C. iReader: The Best New App Creation
D. iReader: Big Ideas in Small Packages
Smart Kids Festival Events
Smart Kids is a collection of one hundred events scheduled in October. This year, it is experimenting with Pay What You Decide (PWYD). That is, you can decide to pay what you want to or can afford, after you have attended an event. You can pre-book events without paying for a ticket in advance. Here are some of the director’s picks.
Walk on the Wild Side
Not ticketed, Free
Join storyteller Sarah Law to hear science stories about animals. Along the way you’ll meet all sorts of beautiful creatures and discover life cycles and food chains. Best suited to children aged 5-9. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Introduction to Waves
Pre-book, PWYD
Subjects range from sound waves to gravity waves, and from waves of light to crashing waves on the ocean. Mike Goldsmith explores the fundamental features shared by all waves in the natural world.
Science in the Field
Not ticketed, Free
This storytelling night features a scientist sharing his favourite memories of gathering first-hand data on various field trips. Come along for inspiring and informative stories straight from the scientist’s mouth. Join Mark Samuels to find out more in this fun-filled workshop.
Festival Dinner
Pre-book, £25 per person
Whether you want to explore more about food, or just fancy a talk over a meal, join us to mark the first science festival in London. Which foods should you eat to trick your brain into thinking that you are full? Find out more from Tom Crawford.
1.In which event can you decide the payment?
A. Walk on the Wild Side
B. Introduction to Waves
C. Science in the Field
D. Festival Dinner
2.Who will talk about experiences of collecting direct data?
A. Sarah Law.
B. Mike Goldsmith.
C. Mark Samuels.
D. Tom Crawford.
3.What do the four events have in common?
A. Family-based.
B. Science-themed.
C. Picked by children.
D. Filled with adventures.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.When was the sweater bought?
A.On September 25th. B.On October 12th. C.On October 25th.
2.What is the speaker’s problem with the sweater?
A.It became out of shape. B.It was the wrong size. C.It was washed in a wrong way.
3.What does the speaker mainly complain about?
A.The price. B.The service. C.The quality.
4.Who is the speaker probably speaking to?
A.A manager. B.A shop assistant. C.A member of the helpline staff.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What’s the woman?
A.A receptionist. B.A saleswoman. C.A journalist.
2.What is the name of the man?
A.Charles C. Nelson. B.Charles T. Nelson. C.Charles Nelson.
3.What is the date today?
A.May 17th. B.May 18th. C.May 19th.
4.How much will the man pay?
A.$ 250. B.$225. C.$ 200.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the woman’s favorite subject?
A.Spanish. B.Art. C.History.
2.How does the woman feel about her future career?
A.Hesitant. B.Certain. C.Hopeless.
3.What is the woman planning to do straight after leaving school?
A.Work as a journalist. B.Start university. C.Go travelling.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the matter with the cooker?
A.It can’t be turned on. B.It can’t be turned off. C.It can’t get hot.
2.What does the man offer to do with the cooker?
A.Change it for a new one. B.Try to fix it himself first. C.Take it to the repair shop.
