Ten years ago, many people thought that the age of the physical book(纸质书) was coming to an end. The objects that had been the companions(伙伴) of millions of readers for hundreds of years were about to die out. Soon, we’d all be reading on little electronic screens and laughing at the memory of places called “libraries” and “bookshops”.

But it seems not true about the idea of the death of the physical books. At least in the UK, as The Guardian noted, sales of e-books are falling while sales of paper books are rising. More surprisingly, it’s young people who are buying the most physical books. More than 60 percent of 16-to-24-year-olds preferred print books to e-books. The most popular reason given was: “I like to hold the product.”

Books become very personal objects to lovers of reading. It often starts with the way they get them. Many buyers of books like to write down their name on the inside cover when they've bought one. And we carry books around with us everywhere.

If there’s a mark made on the pages from coffee or food, it doesn’t matter. These accidents make the book – our book – even more personal. It’s as if readers of physical books make friends with them.

Of course, some could say that the devices on which people read e-books, like Kindles and iPads are also objects that we like. But it isn't quite the same. A Kindle, can hold as many pieces of writing as a whole library. But a story we remember from our time turning its pages in our favourite armchair enters our memory forever. Physical books are as valuable to some readers as items of jewelry or photographs of family members.

This “friendship” people develop with books isn’t just about feelings. Research has shown that readers remember more information read from physical books than electronic ones.

However, there’s no doubt e-books are here to stay. They aren’t simply a “here today, gone tomorrow” thing. But it’s also certain that physical books, which have been in production since the fifteenth century, are here to stay, too.

1.What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Physical books will soon no longer be made.

B. Sales of e-books and print books are both rising.

C. Lovers of physical books are mostly old people.

D. Physical books are making a comeback in the UK.

2.Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a feature of physical books?

A. Readers can form a very close relationship with their books.

B. Physical books may carry readers’ valuable memories.

C. Readers get more information from physical books than e-books.

D. It is easier for readers to make notes on physical books.

3.Why did the author write this article?

A. To explain why physical books will not disappear soon.

B. To describe different reading tastes in the UK.

C. To explain what makes physical books personal.

D. To recommend that readers read more physical books.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have just opened a small restaurant. In order to attract customers (吸引顾客),they put a notice( 布告) in front of the restaurant, which said "Meals on the House for Three Days."

A foreign student who didn't know much English happened to pass by the restaurant on the second day. It was lunchtime and he felt very hungry. "Well, here is a restaurant. I am going to have something to eat." He walked to the restaurant when he saw the notice. "American people are really strange. They even eat meals on the house! But how can I get up to the top of the house?" he said to himself.

He looked around and found a ladder against a tree nearby. He was very glad. But as he reached the top, he heard someone shouting at him, "Hey, what are you doing up there?" Mr Smith was looking at him angrily, and beside him was a policeman. “Doesn’t your notice say ‘Meals on the House for Three Days’? Is it just a joke?" the foreign student answered.

On hearing this, both Mr. Smith and the policeman laughed. Do you know what the meaning of MEALS ON THE HOUSE is? Look it up in the dictionary.

1.Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the of the small restaurant.

A. waiters B. owners C. cooks. D. neighbours

2.The student was .

A. an American B. a Chinese C. a Japanese D. a foreigner

3.The story happened in

A. England B. Australia C. the USA D. Canada

4.“Meals on the house” here means .

A. “eating in the house” B. “serving meals at the house”

C. “you can eat meals in the house” D. “you can eat without paying”

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