April 23 is World Book Day, started by UNESCO to make more people like reading. On that day, everyone is encouraged to pick up a book, sit quietly for a few hours, and just read. Twenty-eight years ago, World Book Day first began. Today, because of our smartphones and other electronic devices, many of us are finding it difficult to focus on anything for more than a few minutes at a time.
One study I saw compared the reading level of 13-year-olds a hundred years ago to 13-year-olds today. Another study found that, just a few years ago, 37% of people thought that it was interesting to read, but that number has now dropped to 17%.
I've always thought of books-real books, printed on paper - to be my friends. And I would love the book and allow myself to jump into another world. A good book, such as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, would make me so happy that I was sad to have it end.
And I find that the books I enjoy the most are those that were written hundreds or even thousands of years ago. For example, China's "Four Books and Five Classics" were written before the Qin dynasty. We don't have to read all of these books, but even reading just some of them will give us a better understanding (理解) of Chinese culture. On World Book Day or any day, pick up a book and sit quietly for a few hours and read. You may just find a new friend.
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A. At that time, it wasn't difficult for people to just sit and read books. B. They'll also help us to better understand ourselves. C. It found that your grandparents had a better level of reading than you do now. D. When I was a school boy, I often picked up a book for hours every day. E. My mother always places her favourite book on her bed and reads it every night. |
Do you think it is important for students to read books? Why or why not? (至少写出两个理由)
