阅读理解。
The publication of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince pleases booksellers across China. The British
and American editions were No.1 and No. 3 separately on the sales chart of the Beijing Xidan Book Building
last week. The book's poster is highlighted and news about the book can often be heard on the radio.
Why is the book so attractive to children? With curiosity, I got a copy of "Harry Potter". At first, I wanted
to glance over it and made some criticisms (批评). But, out of expectation, I have been deeply attracted by
the magic world. On the other hand,one can't help asking: Where is our own "Harry Potter"?
The Chinese nation has a history of 5,000 years. With a vast market of youngsters, China did publish many
books popular among children. However, why are the present works not as good as those imported (进口的)?
There come two major reasons: Firstly, quite a number of children's books are of strong sense of teaching,
and lack interest and entertainment. Children often have a feeling of being "educated". No wonder they don't
like them. Secondly, children's reading materials involving "idiom stories" and "Chinese talents' stories", though
always in different covers, are usually much the same. Some books are plagiarized. The authors take words,
ideas from someone else's work. One knows the ending as early as in the beginning. In final analysis, the
authors of the books seldom take children's requirements into consideration.
As a matter of fact, each child has his own wonderful imagination. They hope to understand the world and
nature. Similarly they have their own choices. They dislike similar stories.even if the stories are excellent. First-
class reading for children should be very interesting, which contains knowledge and the essence (精髓) of
national culture, which are presented in children's language.
Market is a touchstone for products. The theory also holds true for cultural products. It is hoped that the
authors of children's books can learn something from the good market of "Harry Potter" and write out more
and better books loved by children.
1. Our books have the following disadvantages EXCEPT that _____. [ ]
A. they have little sense of interest and entertainment
B. many of our books are of the same
C. our authors know what our children need
D. the authors didn't pay much attention to the children's tastes
2. What does the underlined word "plagiarized" mean in Chinese? [ ]
A. 改编
B. 杜撰
C. 印刷
D. 剽窃
3. The reason why Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is so popular is that _____. [ ]
A. it opens a magic world for children
B. it has little sense of teaching
C. it is only written in children's language
D. it is advertised more on TV or poster
4. What does the writer mean by writing "Where is our own Harry Potter"? [ ]
A. We Chinese produce more books than other countries.
B. We are short of books for children and adults.
C. Our authors are expected to make the market of children's books take off.
D. Authors should write books named "Harry Potter".
