初一英语课外阅读训练
(A)
The idea for the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone came to Joanne Kathleen Rowling in 1990. It took her seven years to finish writing it. During those seven years she had a number of jobs, including one job as an English teacher in Portugal.
Rowling sent the book to four publishers(出版商) before one of them bought it. She was very happy to sell her book because it was her life's dream to be a published writer. Before she sold(卖) her book, Rowling was living in a small apartment with her daughter and was so poor that she could not afford heat in the winter.
Harry Potter became very successful with children and adults in England. The book also really took off in the United States. After her second and third books were published, the three Harry Potter books filled the top three places on many newspapers' lists of best-sellers. Then the books were made into popular movies. Without question, Rowling's life had completely changed, in just three years.
Harry Potter books have now sold more than 30 million books around the world and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. In 1997, Rowling was earning ￡70 (about US$110) a week. By the end of 2001, she had earned over ￡150 million ($250 million), making her one of the most successful female writers of all time.
1. This reading is about _________.
A. Harry Potter's life B. the writer's life
C. how the book became a movie D. why Harry Potter is popular
2. Which sentence is true about the first Harry Potter book?
A. Four publishers bought it. B. It took the writer several years to finish it.
C. It was first published in Portugal. D. Rowling got the idea from her daughter.
3. Rowling's dream was _________.
A. to be a magician B. to make a movie
C. to have her books published D. to be an English teacher
4. How many languages has Harry Potter been translated into?
A. more than 35 B. about 135 C. about 90 D. more than 150
5. Which sentence is true about Rowling?
A. Many other writers have been much more successful than she.
B. Not many writers are as successful as she is.
C. She is more successful than all other writers.
D. She became successful because of a movie.
（B）
Reading books is a good hobby for all kinds of reasons(理由).
First, reading books is f________. You can always keep yourself amused if you like reading. This is especially useful when the weather is bad. It is a relaxing hobby too. You can really become lost in a book.
Next, you can read a book a________: in a car, in a waiting-room, on a plane, in bed — even in the bath. All you need is a book! Reading is a convenient hobby as it is easy to stop and then start again.
A________ good reason for reading books is that it is useful. If you read as a hobby you will get better and better at it. This m_________ that you will read faster and will become better at understanding what you read. As your reading improves, you will probably find your schoolwork becomes much e_________. Many school subjects depend on good reading and, as you read, you learn more and more.
Some people say that reading is out of date. This is not true. You have to be able to read to use a computer and, the better you read, the better your computer skills will be. Reading is n________ out of date!
Good readers are most likely to be good writers, too. They are usually good at spelling as well, and have more things to write about. Reading books is a wonderful hobby, one of the best. W_________ other hobby could be more useful, or more enjoyable.
(C)
阅读下面三条海滩度假潜水规则及有关的三篇报道（Report A、B and C）,并回答问题.
Rules
（1）It is best to buy a swim suit to match your skin(皮肤) color. Sharks(鲨鱼) can see colors.
（2）If you see a shark, try to keep still. Do not kick your arms or legs about.
（3）Do not swim on your own.
Report A:
John was in the water with two girls. He saw a shark nearby. He shouted and waved his arms. The shark attacked(攻击) him but not the girls.
Report B:
Jenny was a very good swimmer. She bought a new bright red swim suit. She was wearing this swim suit, swimming with some friends when the shark attacked her.
Report C:
Tom was very keen to go diving. The water was not clear. Tom went on his own and was never seen again.
Questions:
Report A:
1. Which rule did John break? ________________________________________________
2. Why didn’t the shark attack the girls? ________________________________________
Report B:
3. Which rule did Jenny break? _______________________________________________
4. Why didn’t the shark attack her friends? ______________________________________
Report C:
5. Which rule did Tom break? ________________________________________________
6. What do you think happened to him? _________________________________________