Graduate English Reading Course. Basic Level

Author: Li Guangli / Zhang Wenzhi (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: "Progressive Reading" is a graduate English reading textbook organized by the Beijing Graduate English Teaching Research Association and written by relevant institutions in Beijing. It is suitable for non-English major master's students and some doctoral students in universities and colleges across various disciplines such as humanities, sciences, engineering, medicine, agriculture, and forestry. It is also suitable for working students pursuing master's degrees and some doctoral students preparing to take the national postgraduate entrance examination for those with equivalent academic qualifications.
The "Graduate English Reading Course" is divided into two volumes. The first volume is "Progressive Reading," and the second volume is "Proficient Reading."
The "Graduate English Reading Course (Basic Level)" (Progressive Reading) consists of 5 units, with 3 lessons per unit, totaling 15 lessons. This textbook focuses on the reading skills required by graduate students to master and apply, as outlined in the "Graduate English Teaching Syllabus" and "Examination Syllabus." It systematically introduces reading techniques before each lesson and includes a reading skills introduction, two reading passages (A and B), new vocabulary, annotations, author introductions, and extensive exercises targeting both reading techniques and the passages. The main features of the "Progressive Reading" textbook are as follows:
1. The textbook is structured around reading techniques. Each lesson systematically introduces various reading techniques and provides exercises based on these techniques.
2. The textbook emphasizes the training of graduate students' reading skills. In addition to introducing reading techniques, each lesson includes two reading passages (A and B) and a large number of exercises, such as reading comprehension, vocabulary exercises (A and B), cloze tests, translation exercises, and discussion questions. These exercises are designed to help students apply the reading techniques learned in each lesson, enabling them to truly master and use these skills.
3. The textbook is highly operational. With a focus on reading techniques, each lesson features two passages and extensive exercises, giving teachers greater flexibility in instruction. Teachers can prioritize reading techniques, passages, exercises, or discussions. The accompanying "Teacher's Manual" provides teachers with extensive background information on authors and articles, explanations of language points, translations of difficult sentences, and answers, allowing for flexible classroom organization.
4. The textbook is also suitable for self-study. Due to the features of the Teacher's Manual, it is also ideal for full-time and working graduate students to study independently.
5. The textbook is highly readable. The selected reading materials are written in pure and standard English, with most passages drawn from renowned works by authors in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, including many recent publications. The articles vary in content, subject matter, and genre, including essays, prose, biographies, fiction, argumentative essays, editorials, and newspaper articles.
6. The textbook reflects the authenticity of English reading. The selected reading materials are original English texts with minimal modifications. To ensure students read genuine, unadulterated English, new vocabulary and annotations are placed at the end of each lesson.
7. The textbook is closely aligned with the annual graduate English degree examination organized by the Beijing Graduate English Teaching Research Association, held in January and June. The reading, vocabulary, and cloze tests designed at the end of each lesson match the format of the degree examination, making them useful for preparation. The textbook also includes two additional reading tests in the same format as the degree examination.