Every kid wishes to be an adult. But now as grown-ups, some adults find they cannot leave childhood behind.They become "kidults" (kid+adult). Being a kidult has become a lifestyle-choice among young people across Asia.
Some kidults collect toys they once played with. Hello Kitty, Garfield, and Snoopy have many adult fans around the world. It is not unusual to see a 20-something woman with a big, Garfield-shaped cushion (坐垫)on her sofa or a Hello Kitty mobile phone accessory (挂件).
Other kidults still enjoy children's stories and fairy tales. For example, Bloomsbury even published the Harry Potter novels with an adult cover. That way, no one else on the subway will know that an adult is actually reading a children's book!
"Kidults can be like vitamins to society. Adults who value their childhood and hold on to pure, child-like emotion may be needed in such a rough and dry society," said Lee Sojung, professor of Foreign Studies at Hankuk University(韩国外国语大学). He added that kidult culture may fill the generation gap between adults and kids. It could give children and their parents books, movies, and cartoon shows to enjoy together. He may be right.
Tim Greenhalgh, a professor, explained that some kidults just refuse to grow up. They value childhood because life in a busy and stressful city frightens them. Kidults would like to forget their age and openly show their fear of society and adulthood.
1.
Why did Bloomsbury publish the Harry Potter novels with an adult cover?
A. Bloomsbury knows some kidults don't want people to know that they are kidults
B. Bloomsbury thinks it can attract more readers
C. Bloomsbury knows kidults prefer to chose books for adults in nature
D. Bloomsbury thinks the cover with an adult is better
2.
Being a kidult is good in some way EXCEPT that _______.
A. it is helpful to solve some social problems
B. it can make people listen to their parents
C. it can improve the relationship between parents and their kids
D. it can help kidults feel relaxed
3.
According to the writer, _______.
A. our society is very dull
B. kidults have mental problems
C. being a kidult is nothing wrong
D. some people can never grow up
O. Henry was a pen name used by an American writer for short stories. His 36 name was William Sydney Porter. He was born in North Carolina in 1862. As a young boy he lived an exciting life. He did not go to school for very long, 37 he managed to 38 himself everything he needed to know. When he was about 20 years old, O. Henry 39 to Texas, where he tried different 40. He first worked on a newspaper, and then had a job in a bank. When some money went missing from the bank, O. Henry was believed to have 41 it. Because of that, he was sent to 42. During the three years in prison, he learned to 43 short stories. After he got out of prison, he went to New York and 44 writing. He wrote mostly about New York and the life of the poor there.
Most of O. Henry's 45 are set in his own time, the early years of the 20th century. Many take place in New York City, and deal for the most part with ordinary 46: clerks, policemen, waitresses. O. Henry's short stories are well known 47 their wit, wordplay, warm characterization and clever twist endings. And his stories were 48 more playful and optimistic. People like his stories, 49 simple as the tales were, they would finish with a sudden change at the 50, to the reader's surprise.
1.
A. real B. middle C. first D.last
2.
A. or B.and C. for D. but
3.
A. learn B.teach C. allow D. turn
4.
A. went B. lived C. stayed D.left
5.
A. stories B. books C. banks D. jobs
6.
A. defended B. stolen C. preserved D. reacted
7.
A.prison B.homeland C. neighbourhood D. jungle
8.
A.read B. write C. tell D.take
9.
A. liked B. believed C. continued D.stopped
10.
A. families B.stories C.fantasies D. deeds
11.
A.things B. writers C. people D. readers
12.
A. like B. as C. to D. for
13.
A.very B.less C. so D. much
14.
A. when B. how C.because D. so
15.
A. end B. last C. first D. beginning
--- Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the nearest bookstore?
--- I’m sorry. I’m a stranger here.
--- ___________.
A. No problem B. Doesn’t matter C. Thank you , anyhow. D. Thank you very much.
– John seems to be upset. What happened?
-- The boss disliked the plan he ________ for the new project?
A. put up with B. put forward C. put away D. put up
– You must have your work done within 2 days.
-- Finishing a task in such short time is a (an) __________.
A. conclusion B. challenge C. explanation D. approach
Much to my _______, most of the people ______ to the party were old friends.
A. astonishing; inviting B. astonished; invitied
C. astonishment; inviting D. astonishment; invited
