文秋芳编
4 Some people look to a book for pleasure rather than for understanding. (enlightenment)
5 The experiment in banning alcohol drinks in the United States actually led to an increase in crime. (prohibiting)
6 I‘m not sure if it is to their advantage for readers to read this review before they start the book. (advantageous)
7 Miller‘s Tropic of Cancer was, without doubt, one of the most infamous novels of the 20th century. (indubitably) 1 If someone makes a confession, do they tell you something (a) personal and secret, or (b) which everyone knows?
2 If someone whets your appetite for something, do they make you (a) desire for it, or (b) dislike it? 3 If you wade through piles of documents, do you (a) read or deal with them, or (b) just ignore them? 4 If you have to forego something, do you (a) finish it quickly, or (b) do without it?
5 Is someone who has business acumen (a) good at business, or (b) without any business skills? 6 Is a repetitive job one in which you do (a) different things, or (b) the same thing every day?
7 If you do something on the side, do you do it (a) in addition to a regular activity, or (b) where no one can see you do it?
Reading and interpreting 1 What is the first struggle that he has with books?
Miller‘s first struggle is to obtain books and get his hands on them.
2 Why is it difficult to lay hands on them?
The books are not in the public library because someone has already borrowed them and Miller doesn‘t have the money to buy them.
3 What sort of books are prohibited for a young man?
Books which are considered to be immoral for a young person to read.
4 What is the best way to be introduced to a book?
Through the passionate recommendation of someone who has read the book.
5 What is an unused book lying on a shelf compared with?
It is compared with wasted ammunition. This means that it is useless. It is also compared to money because it should be in circulation.
6 Why does Miller suggest resisting your impulses and not opening a book as soon as you get it? He says you should think intensely about the title, author, and likely contents, imagining what you
would have written yourself about it. Then you may decide you don‘t need to read it, or, if you do read it, you will read it with more interest and acumen.
Language in use
word formation: -ous 1 a writer who has achieved fame (famous)
2 readers who show curiosity (curious)
3 someone who feels envy (envious)