07th edition latest compilation of 220 English reading comprehension passages

Author: Shi Chunzhen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book was first published in 1999 and is revised annually. This is the seventh revision. Since its publication, the book has been deeply loved by a wide readership. Seeing that it has helped readers learn English, especially in improving their reading comprehension skills, I feel truly gratified. I am also deeply grateful for the valuable suggestions many readers have offered. The book includes a total of 220 English reading comprehension passages. The passages are primarily argumentative and expository essays, covering topics such as science, economics, social life, culture and education, as well as human physiology and psychology. All passages are selected from books and periodicals published abroad. This year, based on valuable reader feedback, the book underwent a major revision. The basic principle of the revision is to prioritize the reader's needs, further facilitate learning, enhance the book's educational function, make self-study more convenient, and help readers quickly improve their true English reading comprehension skills. After this revision, the book is divided into three main parts. The structure of each part is as follows:
Part 1, for comprehensive reading practice, consists of 180 passages divided into 30 units, with 6 passages per unit. The first four passages in each unit are multiple-choice exercises, each followed by 5 reading comprehension questions. These questions focus on in-depth issues, primarily addressing the main ideas and themes of the passages, the author's perspective and attitude, judgment, inference, and deduction based on the passage's logic. The fifth passage is a matching exercise, with 7 options to choose from to fill in 5 blanks in the passage. The sixth passage is an English-to-Chinese translation exercise, requiring the translation of 5 underlined sentences into Chinese. To facilitate learning, the book has enhanced its educational features. Each unit now includes a vocabulary list of words beyond the syllabus, significantly reducing the time readers spend looking up unfamiliar words. Each unit also provides annotations for each passage, explaining the most difficult sentences for readers. Each annotation not only analyzes the syntactic structure of the complex sentences but also provides their Chinese translations. Some units include annotations for the answers to the exercise questions. At the end of each unit, the answers to all exercises in that unit are provided.
Part 2, for single-topic reading practice, consists of 15 passages divided into 3 units, with 5 passages per unit. Each unit includes a vocabulary list of words beyond the syllabus and annotations for each passage.
Part 3, for single-topic English-to-Chinese translation practice, consists of 25 passages divided into 5 units, with 5 passages per unit, designed for English-to-Chinese translation exercises. The answers to the translations are provided at the end of each unit.
The final appendix is a classified list of all words beyond the syllabus. Some readers may wonder whether it is necessary to memorize all 1,968 words beyond the syllabus covered in the book. I believe that while vocabulary is indeed important in learning English, it should not be studied as mere knowledge. The primary purpose of learning vocabulary is to use it proficiently in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Learning vocabulary is not about knowing more, but about using it more effectively. Readers should first focus on mastering the syllabus vocabulary. The vocabulary lists for each unit and the classified list of words beyond the syllabus in the appendix are designed to reduce the difficulty of looking up unfamiliar words. There is absolutely no need to spend excessive time memorizing these words beyond the syllabus. If you have extra time, I recommend first memorizing the 328 words beyond the syllabus listed in Appendix 1, as they may be more useful.
This book is suitable for readers preparing for postgraduate entrance exams. If candidates can read all 220 passages and complete all exercises, their English reading comprehension skills will undoubtedly improve significantly. Do not merely use this book as a simulation test. The questions or translation exercises after each passage are merely tools for readers to self-assess their understanding. The score you achieve after completing each unit does not reflect your performance in the actual exam. The primary purpose of this book is to help readers improve their true English reading comprehension skills. If readers focus on thoroughly understanding each passage and master all 220 passages, their postgraduate entrance exam scores in English will undoubtedly improve significantly. The passages in this book cover a wide range of topics, hoping to provide readers with some benefits in expanding their knowledge. This book can be used as an English reading textbook for readers with a level above the College English Test Band 4, or for those interested in improving their English reading comprehension skills.