The Inventionof Hugo Cabret，by Brian Selznick，is a novel like no other.There are pages of exciting events and then suddenly，wait! A picture with tiny details，then a big picture that takes up the whole page-and the next page，and the next page，and the next！The pictures are actually telling the story.It’s like a book and a movie all in one.
I recently had the opportunity to talk with Selznick about his unique novel.I wanted to know just how he came up with the concept of writing a novel that reads like a picture book.
“Because the book was so much about movies and the history of cinema，I also wanted to figure out how to make a book that was also like a movie，” Selznick said.
Writing and illustrating the book was a long and hard process，Selznick said.One of the challenges was figuring out what the story was really about and what happens to the main character，Hugo.Selznick also had to figure out how to make the narrative and the pictures work together to tell the story.
Working with pictures was natural for Selznick.He has actually spent most of his career as an illustrator and really considers himself more of an artist than a writer.
But sometimes figuring out what was going to happen in the story was not easy，he told me.He had no idea what the story was going to be about when he started writing.He didn’t know if it was going to be sad，adventurous，or exciting.For now，Selznick doesn’t plan on writing a sequel (续集) to the book，but he warns，“You can never say never.”

1. 1.

   The Inventionof Hugo Cabret is ________.

   1. A.
      a novel on which a popular movie has been based
   2. B.
      a novel only using pictures explaining series of events
   3. C.
      a book which tells children how to draw pictures
   4. D.
      a book packed with pictures-a combination of words and drawings
2. 2.

   What does Brian Selznick think of writing the novel?

   1. A.
      Challenging.
   2. B.
      Time?saving.
   3. C.
      Adventurous.
   4. D.
      Foolish.
3. 3.

   By saying “You can never say never”，Selznick means ________.

   1. A.
      it’s hard to say whether he will continue writing the book
   2. B.
      it is such a difficult book that he won’t continue it
   3. C.
      he will never give up writing a sequel to the book
   4. D.
      he will never write a novel like The Inventionof Hugo Cabret
4. 4.

   It can be inferred that the text is ________.

   1. A.
      an introduction to an unusual novel
   2. B.
      a summary record of an interview
   3. C.
      a biography of the novelist Brian Selznick
   4. D.
      an ad persuading kids into buying the novel

The Invention of Hugo Cabret，by Brian Selzniek，is a novel like no other．There are pages of exciting events and then suddenly wait! A picture with tiny details，then a big picture that takes up the whole page--and the next page，and the next page，and the next！ The pictures are actually telling the story．It’s like a book and a movie all in one．

    I recently had the opportunity to talk with Selzniek about his unique novel．I wanted to know just how he came up with the concept of writing a novel that reads like a picture book．

“Because the book is so much about movies and the history of cinema，I also wanted to figure

out how to make a book that is also 1ike a movie，”said Selzniek．

   Writing and illustrating（作插图）the book was a long and hard process，Selzniek said．One of the challenges was figuring not what the story was really about and what happened to the main character，Hugo．Selzniek also had to figure out how to make the narrative and the pictures work together to tell the story．

  Selzniek has actually spent most of his career as an illustrator and really considers himself more of an artist than a writer．‘‘I’ve always drawn，ever since I was a little kid．I was encouraged to draw，and so that’s what I feel most comfortable with，”he said．

    He still enjoys many of the things he liked as a kid．That’s why it's not so hard for him to think about what kids would like to read in a book．In fact，sometimes he feels like a kid himself．

    But sometimes figuring out what was going to happen in the story was not easy，he told me．He had no idea what the story was going to be about when he started writing．He didn’t know if it was going to be sad，adventurous，or exciting．Selzniek turned to friends for advice on the book．For now，Selzniek doesn’t plan on writing a sequel（续篇）to the book，but he warns，“You can never say never．”

1．The Invention of Hugo Cabret is           

A．a novel on which a movie has been based

B．a novel only using pictures explaining series of events

C．a book which tells children how to draw pictures

D．a book packed with pictures—a combination of words and drawings

2．It can be inferred that the text is          

  A．an introduction to an unusual novel

  B．a summary record of an interview

  C．a biography of the novelist Brian Selzniek

  D．an ad persuading kids into buying the novel

3．According to paragraph 4，working with pictures is    for Selzniek．

  A．difficult     B．embarrassing     C．natural      D．troublesome

4．What does Selzniek mean by saying “You can never say never”?

  A．It’s hard to say whether he will continue writing the book．

  B．It is such a difficult book that he won’t continue it．

  C．He will never give up writing a sequel to the book．

  D．He will never write a novel like The Invention of Hugo Cabert．

Do you want to improve the way you study? Do you feel nervous before a test? Many students say that a lack of concentration (注意力) is their biggest problem. It seriously affects their ability to study, so do their test results.

If so, use these tips to help you.

Study Techniques

l  You should always study in the same place. You shouldn’t sit in a position that you use for another purpose. For example, when you sit on a sofa to study, your brain will think it is time to relax. Don’t watch TV while you are studying. Experts warn that your concentration may be reduced by 50 percent if you attempt to study in this way. Always try to have a white wall in front of you, so there is nothing to distract (make less concentrated) you. Before sitting down to study, gather together all the equipment you need. Apart from your textbooks, pens, pencils and knives, make sure you have a dictionary. If your study desk or table is needed when you are not studying, store all your equipment in a box beside it.

l  Your eyes will become tired if you try to read a text which is on a flat surface. Position your book at an angle of 30 degrees.

l  Be realistic and don’t try to complete too much in one study period. Finish one thing before beginning another. If you need a break, get up and walk around for a few minutes, but try not to telephone a friend or have something to eat.

Test-taking Skills

l  All your hard work will be for nothing if you are too nervous to take your test. Getting plenty of

rest is very important. This means do not study all night before your test! It is a better idea to have a long-term study plan. Try to make a timetable for your study which lasts for a few months.

l  Exercise is a great way to reduce pressure. Doing some form of exercise every day will also

 improve your concentration. Eat healthy food too.

l  When you arrive in the examination room, find your seat and sit down. Breathe slowly and

deeply. Check the time on the clock during the test, but not too often. Above all, take no notice of everyone else and give the test paper your undivided attention.

1.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. You should study in a different place every day, so you don’t get bored.

B. Your concentration will improve if you study and watch TV at the same time.

C. Check the time during the exam at a certain time.

D. Staying up all night and studying is tiring, but you will learn a lot using this method.

2.What does the underlined word “it” （paragraph 2）refer to?

A. Your study desk or table.    B. Your textbook.

C. Your dictionary.             D. The equipment you need.

3.What can be inferred from the passage?

A. You shouldn’t look at everyone else during the test.

B. You will have enough energy to deal with your study and exams by eating healthy diet.

C. You’ll concentrate more if there is nothing to distract you.

D. If you feel tired during study, you can walk around for a few minutes.