Grammar Breakthrough in News English

Author: Yan Yuanshu
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2002-09-01
Features: How can you quickly and effectively improve your English proficiency? This is a question frequently pondered by every English learner. "Improve English through Reading" sounds great. However, when it comes to implementation, confusion sets in. The market is flooded with English reading books, yet most are mere compilations of English articles, supplemented with a few questions, with similar layouts and arrangements. Many readers feel that after working through several books, even if they answer all the questions correctly, they remain uneasy. Upon closer examination, almost every article contains sentences that act as "roadblocks," their meanings vague and seemingly unintelligible. The books provide no explanation for these issues—either the compilers are too advanced in English to notice or ignore them, or the readers' English level is truly lacking. In any case, a lingering "knot" remains, one after another. Despite reading numerous articles, English proficiency doesn't seem to improve. Even with English books and newspapers, even if the words are recognized, reading through remains hazy and confusing.
To address this issue, we have specially introduced the "English Grammar Breakthrough Series" compiled by Professor Yan Yuanshu, a PhD holder in British and American Literature from the University of Wisconsin and the former Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages at National Taiwan University. Upon its publication in Taiwan, this series instantly swept the island and has remained popular for years. Readers enthusiastically shared their experiences: "This series is just right for me," "My English level has improved," "My English has made great leaps forward," and "One step at a time—big breakthrough in English!" How did this effect occur? It all stems from the original intention behind the "English Grammar Breakthrough Series." The purpose of this series is to help readers overcome the "roadblocks" in English and make reading smooth and effortless. To achieve this, it completely discards the conventional format of English reading books and takes a different approach—collecting numerous difficult and long sentences from authentic English articles of various styles and types. Readers can identify the essence of these "roadblocks"—their tricks and "traps"—through intuitive charts and analyses, followed by in-depth yet clear explanations and precise translations. You'll be amazed to discover that once "monstrous roadblocks" are dissected, they crumble effortlessly. Confidence soars, enthusiasm for learning English skyrockets, and as you read carefully, you steadily build your English foundation. When the books are finished, you look back and exclaim, "Wow, my English level has indeed broken through!" And when you revisit the previous "knots," you realize they were nothing.
The "English Grammar Breakthrough Series" includes five books: Junior High, High School, University, Business English, and News English. Readers can choose based on their own needs and situations. To create a pleasant reading experience, the compilers have appended amusing English idioms after each difficult sentence and complemented them with humorous cartoons, offering a fresh visual appeal that is truly delightful.