There is distinction between reading for information and reading for understanding. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    The first sense is the one in which we read newspapers, magazines, or anything else. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Such materials may increase our store of information, but they cannot improve our understanding. And clearly we don't have any difficulty in gaining the new information, for our understanding was equal to them before we started. Otherwise, we would have felt the shock of puzzlement.

    The second sense is the one in which we read something that at first we do not completely understand. Here the thing to be read is at the first sight better or higher than the reader. The writer is communicating something that can increase the reader's understanding. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Otherwise one person could never learn from another. Here “learning” means understanding more, not remembering more information.

    What are the conditions in this kind of reading? First, there is inequality in understanding {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Besides, his book must convey something he possesses and his potential readers lack. Second, the reader must be able to overcome this inequality in some degree. And he should always try to reach the same level of understanding with the writer. If the equality is approached, success of communication is achieved.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It is the least demanding and requires the least amount of effort. Everyone who knows how to read can read for entertainment if he wants to. In fact, any book that can be read for understanding or information can probably be read for entertainment as well.

A．Thus, we can employ the word “reading” in two distinct senses.

B．Such communication between unequals must be possible.

C．We can get access to the content of those materials easily.

D．The writer must be “superior” to the reader in understanding.

E. The writer should have a better communicating skill.

F. Besides gaining information and understanding, there's another goal of reading—entertainment.

G. Reading for entertainment is capable of increasing our understanding for   information.

    Rather Public speaking and critical thinking

    What is critical thinking? To a certain degree, it's a matter of logic (逻辑) — of being able to spot weaknesses in other people's arguments and to avoid them in your own, it also includes related skills such as distinguishing fact from opinion and assessing the soundness of evidence .

    In the broad sense, critical thinking is focused, organized thinking – the ability to see clearly the relationships among ideas{#blank#}1{#/blank#}The greatest thinkers, scientists, and inventors have often taken information that was really available and put it together differently to produce new ideas. That, too, is critical thinking.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} As the class goes on, for example, you will probably spend a good deal of time organizing your speeches. While this may seem like a purely mechanical (机械的) exercise, it is closely connected with critical thinking. If the structure of your speech is loose and confused, chances are that your thinking is also disordered and confused. If, on the other hand, the structure is clear, there is a good chance your thinking is too. Organizing a speech is not a matter of arranging the ideas your already have{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    What is true of organization is true of many aspects of public speaking.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} As you work on expressing your ideas in clear accurate language, you will improve your ability to think clearly and accurately{#blank#}5{#/blank#} As you learn to listen critically to speeches in class, you will be better able to assess the ideas of speakers in a variety of situations.

    If you take full advantage of your speech class, you will be able to develop your skills as critical thinker in many circumstances. This is one reason public speaking has been regarded as a vital part of education since the days of ancient Greece.

A. Rather, it is an important part of shaping the ideas themselves.

B. This may seem like a lot of time, but the rewards are well worth it.

C. It may also help you to know that there is no such thing as a perfect speech.

D. As you study the role of evidence and reasoning in speechmaking, you will see how they can be used in other forms of communication as well.

E. The skills you learn in your speech class can help you become a more effective thinker in a number of ways.

F. If you are wondering what this has to do with your public speaking class, the answer is quite a lot.

G. It has often been said that there are few new ideas in the world, only reorganized ideas.

Urbanization

    Until relatively recently, the vast majority of human being lived and died without ever seeing a city. The first city was probably founded no more than 5,500 years ago. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In fact, nearly everyone lived on farms or in tiny rural (乡村的) villages.

    It was not until the 20th century that Great Britain became the first urban society in history—a society in which the majority of people live in cities and do not farm for a living.

    Britain was only the beginning.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The process of urbanization—the migration (迁徙) of people from the countryside to the city—was the result of modernization, which has rapidly transformed how people live and where they live.

    In 1900, fewer than 40% of Americans lived in urban areas. Today, over 82% of Americans live in cities. Only about 2% live on farms. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Large cities were impossible until agriculture became industrialized. Even in advanced agricultural societies, it took about ninety-five people on farms to feed five people in cities. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Until modern times, those living in cities were mainly the ruling elite ( 精英) and the servants, laborers and professionals who served them. Cities survived by taxing farmers and were limited in size by the amount of surplus（过剩）food that the rural population produced and by the ability to move this surplus from farm to city.

    Over the past two centuries, the Industrial Revolution has broken this balance between the city and the country. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Today, instead of needing ninety-five farmers to feed five city people, one American farmer is able to feed more than a hundred non-farmers.

A.That kept cities very small.

B.The rest live in small towns.

C.The effects of urban living on people should be considered

D.Soon many other industrial nations became urban societies.

E.But even 200 years ago, only a few people could live in cities.

F.Modernization drew people to the cities and made farmers more productive.

G.Modern cities have destroyed social relations and the health of human beings.

    Do you remember those times when your mother told you to avoid talking to strangers? But now you're not a child anymore. In fact, there are advantages of talking to strangers.

    You can meet a really great person.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You can meet a person who'll become your best friend in future. You can also meet someone who'll give you a chance to get your dream job or somehow help you in life.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    You have some opinion about different subjects and you know your friends' and relatives' points of view about them too. But there are millions of other people who think differently and can give you unpredictable yet smart ideas that'll broaden your horizons.

    You improve your social skills.

    Whatever social skills you have, you can make them better when talking to strangers. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can better these skills when talking to a stranger.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    If you belong to that shy type of people, talking to a stranger may seem to be a real challenge for you. I'm also extremely shy but I realize it's not an issue at all. You can overcome your fear of being judged by others by talking to strangers and become more confident.

    You can cheer someone up.

    The thing you'll definitely like about talking to strangers is that you can make someone's day better. Smile and people will smile in return. Compliment people and they'll think something pleasant about you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    The most successful people all have certain habits in their daily routines. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Forming a new good habit can be a struggle, but it is well worth the effort. Here are the four steps you can follow to form good habits.

    Set your goal.

    Before you can begin to work on your new habit, it is worthwhile to consider your goal.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Make sure that your goal is specific, measurable and realistic to increase your chances of success.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Having good habits that are in line with the goals can improve your chances of achieving your goals. After you have set your goal and worked out all of the specifics (细节) of achieving that goal, find a habit that is part of achieving that goal. Consider what good habit would help you achieve that goal.

    Consider your motivation.

    Once you have identified your goal and the new habit you need to achieve this goal, take some time to consider your motivation.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Good motivation can be the difference between success and failure in terms of forming a new habit. So take your time to consider your motivation.

    Give yourself time.

    Forming a new habit can take a long time. Some people can form a new habit in as little as a few weeks, while other people will take several months. As you work to form your new habit, just keep in mind that it may be a while before it comes true. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Identify ways to achieve goals.

B. Find the habit you want to form.

C. Good habits are sure to make you a success.

D. These habits help contribute to their success.

E. Figure out exactly what you hope to achieve.

F. Try to be patient with yourself as you form your new habit.

G. Your motivation is the reason you want to form this new habit.

How to read more and learn more

These days,more and more Chinese people enjoy sending and receiving messages on the phone.It can help them to get the latest news and communicate with friends.But I think I should read more books besides the textbooks;the more,the better.It can broaden my mind and improve my language skills.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some tips for you.

Clear your purpose for reading.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Most people read for two main reasons,pleasure or knowledge.Clearing about your reading purpose can not only help you choose the books you really need to read,but also remind you why reading the book is important to you,so you will keep reading and complete the book faster.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

No matter what you are reading,it is important to enjoy what you read.Your friends may introduce you the books they love,but those books might not necessarily be the ones you enjoy.

Give up books that you don't enjoy.

You may have chosen books that you are interested in,and they are right purpose.But while you are reading them,there may still be some books that you don't enjoy reading.Whenever you realize that you aren't enjoying the book you are reading,give it up.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

Set a reading goal.

It is interesting that I read the books borrowed from libraries faster than those I bought.The reason is that the books I bought don't have a due date!I don't need to return those books.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Before you read each book,ask yourself what time you need to complete this book by.

A.Read only what you are interested in.

B.Read the books borrowed from others.

C.Remember reading shouldn't be a burden.

D.Of course,it also can help me to get good grades.

E.We need to get the latest news and communicate with friends.

F.Before you start reading,ask yourself why you are reading this book.

G.Having a reading goal helps you work out how much reading you need to do in a week or even a day.