The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study of 15-year-old school pupils' performance in mathematics, science, and reading undertaken by the OECD. A closer look at the reading tests (show) the interesting fact girls are outperforming boys in reading and that this is associated with girls' greater enjoyment of reading.
One key area which has a major impact reading performance, is reading for enjoyment rather than simply for study or school work purposes. Interestingly, the PISA study found that in almost all countries assessed, girls read for enjoyment more than boys. In (country) such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands, the difference between boys and girls was most significant. However, in places like Japan, boys and girls read for enjoyment at almost identical level.
What's more, an interesting area which the PISA study looked at was the types of literature that both girls and boys generally enjoy. Boys were found to enjoy reading magazines, newspapers and comic books more than girls. Girls were found to be twice as likely (enjoy) works of fiction as boys.
While reading in all forms is certainly (benefit) and should be encouraged, the low numbers of boys (read) for enjoyment and their (limit) choices when they do, is evidence of an issue that needs to be addressed. Countries need to think about ways to inspire interest for boys in reading and ensure that they (expose) to a wide variety of different types of literature from a young age.
Taking breaks while studying contributes to better learning in a number of ways, and creates a major impact on the process of learning. Find out why a study break is essential, and how it helps you score the best.
Scientists conclude that the brain stops registering a constant stimulation over a gradual period of time, and declares it to be unimportant. The brain decodes(译) a monotonous(单调的) activity and gets habituated to it, no longer stimulating the brain to act in any way. Once this happens, you find yourself unable to concentrate, thereby destroying the purpose of a study session—learning. A "break" does just that; it breaks the monotony for the brain. A change in place, a walk around the block, a cup of coffee; these little things can be limited in your study sessions to relax the mind, break the monotony, improve concentration levels, and finally assist the learning process.
The purpose of a study session is to study as much as possible and remember most of what has been learned in it. To be able to achieve this, it is absolutely necessary to continuously stay focused. It is highly likely that long hours of studying can become monotonous and cause you to believe that you are "learning", when you are only just "reading". A short rest eases out your stressed mind, brings you back on track, and allows you to start studying with newfound focus levels.
With a relaxed mind, improved concentration and focus levels, and a better capacity to retain information, it is obvious that your study session with breaks will turn out to be more productive, and you will get more benefits than you previously did. Put more such better-yielding study sessions together, and what do you get? Perfect grades and a winner of the "race".
How to Remember What You Read
Reading is important. But the next step is to make sure that you remember what you've read! You may have just read the text, but the ideas, concepts and images (形象) may fly right out of your head. Here are a few tricks for remembering what you read.
●
If the plot, characters, or word usage is confusing for you, you probably won't be able to remember what you read. It's a bit like reading a foreign language. If you don't understand what you're reading, how would you remember it? But there are a few things you can do... Use a dictionary; look up the difficult words.
●Are you connected?
Does a character remind you of a friend? Does the setting make you want to visit the place? Does the book inspire you, and make you want to read more? With some books, you may feel a connection right away. How willing are you to make the connections happen?
●Read it; hear it; be it!
Read the lines. Then, speak them out loud. And, put some characters into the words. When he was writing his novels, Charles Dickens would act out the parts of the characters. He'd make faces in the mirror, and change his voice for each character.
●How often do you read?
If you read frequently, you'll likely have an easier time with remembering what you're reading (and what you've read). As you make reading a regular part of your life, you'll make more connections, stay more focused and understand the text better. You'll learn to enjoy literature—as you remember what you read!
A. Are you confused?
B. Practice makes perfect.
C. What's your motivation?
D. Memory is sometimes a tricky thing.
E. Marking helps you remember what you read.
F. But other books require a bit more work on your part.
G. You can do the same thing when you are reading the text!
The first day at school has left a deep1 on me. I'll never forget it.
As soon as I rushed into the classroom, the bell rang. A young beautiful woman came in, but she was2, no smile on her face. "You are not permitted to3me in the course of class unless..." She was speaking when I heard a 4"Lily, Lily" from outside the door. My grandmother was standing there with a pair of socks in her hand. I didn't realise I was bare feet until then. I wanted to5them, but I dare not do that. I shook my head, 6"Don't wait here any longer. Leave quickly." As I did so, I still7my eyes on my teacher. I really didn't want her to take8 of me, but she did. She went out to get the socks. When she gave them to me, she looked at me for a while. My face suddenly turned red and my heart9faster. I began to put the socks on. Unfortunately I was so nervous that my10hands couldn't get them onto my feet easily. Just then I heard my name called. I rose from my seat quickly. "Can you 11 the numbers from one to one hundred?" the teacher asked. I nodded. To her surprise, I did very well. Finally she said, "Be12, please. Study hard." I looked up at her to find a smile on her face. I felt13at last.
The first day at school has stayed in my14as something embarrassing but 15.
1）学会学习:养成良好的学习方法、习惯 (可举例说明)……
2）学会与人相处:对人真诚、友善, 帮助别人，与人相处融洽……
3）培养良好的品质:坚定、乐观, 敢于挑战困难，努力实现梦想……
写作要求:
1）词数80词左右；
2）开头、结尾已给出，不计入总词数；
3）可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：optimistic adj. 乐观的
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning! I'm Li Hua. I feel it an honour to give a speech here about "What I Want to Learn in Senior School?"
……
Thanks for listening.
Jason threw the papers on my desk—his eyebrows knit into a straight line as he glared at me. He pointed a finger at the paper. "Next time you want to change anything, ask me first," he said, turning on his heels and leaving me in anger. "How dare he treat me like that," I thought. I had changed one long sentence, and corrected grammar, something I thought I was paid to do.
As the weeks went by, I grew to dislike Jason. One day, another of his episodes left me in tears. I stormed into his office, prepared to let the man know how I felt. I sat across from him and said calmly, "Jason, the way you've been treating me is wrong. I've never had anyone speak to me that way. As a professional, it's wrong, and I can't allow it to continue. "
Jason assumed a nervous smile and leaned back in his chair. I closed my eyes briefly. "I want to make you a promise. I will be a friend," I said. "I will treat you as you deserve to be treated, with respect and kindness. You deserve that. Everybody does." I slipped out of the chair and closed the door behind me.
Jason avoided me the rest of the week. Papers and letters appeared on my desk while I was at lunch, and my corrected versions were not seen again. I brought cookies to the office one day and left some on his desk. Another day I left a note. "Hope your day is going great," it read. Over the next few weeks, Jason reappeared but there were no other episodes.
One year after our "talk", I discovered I had cancer. I was thirty-two, the mother of three young children, scared. Friends and loved ones visited and tried to find the right words to comfort me. No one knew what to say, and many said the wrong things. Others wept.
注意：续写词数应为150左右。
One day, Jason came into the hospital room awkwardly, and placed a box beside me.
……
For ten years, I have watched those red and white flowers blossom every spring.
