I didn't just read a book in print, on an e-reader or even on a mobile phone. Instead, I read a book on dozens of devices. I was not trying to set a Guinness World Record. I wanted to answer a question I often hear: {#blank#}1{#/blank#}? So I set out to try them all, reading a chapter on each: the Amazon Kindle, the first and second generation Apple iPads and mobile phones. To be fair, I also read a chapter in that old-fashioned; form—a print book.

    The book I chose was The Alienist. For the first chapter, I turned to an Amazon Kindle. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. The kinder is light. Its six-inch screen is the perfect size for reading, and reading on its black-and-white-E-Ink display doesn't harm your eyes. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}, and on average you charge the device only once a month. My only complaint with the Kindle design was the placement of the keyboard at the bottom of the device.

    Despite the small screen on a mobile phone, I found reading on one to be simple and satisfactory. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, but all of the phones on which I read chapters felt somewhat similar.

    If I had wanted to, I could have bought my book through dozens of e-book apps in the Apple App Store. Most are free and offer access to thousands of free e-books or paid versions. Both iPads 1&2 offer an immersive(身临其境的)reading experience. I found myself jumping back and forth between my book and the web, looking up old facts and pictures of New York City. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    For the last chapters of the book, I read the print one, which is still my favourite choice.

    Since we are comparing devices. So I guess I need to choose one. In the end it might come down to Kindle. But if money is tight, go for print. My used print book cost only $4 from Amazon.

A. Battery life is outstanding

B. Which e-reader is the best for reading books

C. Shopping on Amazon for the Kindle is simple

D. Should students make use of the devices to read

E. No wonder a lot of readers also speak highly of it

F. Reading on the Amazon Kindle is a joy in many aspects

G. The brightness and size of the mobile phone's screen did vary

    Have you ever used any language learning apps? If you want to learn a language and speak it right away, modernize your learning style and adopt an app. It doesn't cost much, but it's worth a lot. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Learn anywhere and anytime

Personally, I love to review my vocabulary quietly in my bed before sleep using a language learning app. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Of course, it's also possible to learn a language with a book, but it's so much more entertaining when you are using a language learning app!

    Never waste time again

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. More often than not, we will get really annoyed or even stressed when time is wasted. However, when using a language learning app, time seems to go by quickly. We can take the opportunity to review and play a little while we have to wait around.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Have you ever taken up a course at night? I have, but I found it hard to complete it because there were many restrictions. I was required to attend classes twice a week on a fixed schedule. But when we study on our own with a language learning app, we can study at our own pace.

    Save your money

    Most language schools haven't evolved to meet the needs of modem society. And that's before we've even begun to talk about the price, which is often quite unaffordable. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. But the benefits are huge, offering you the freedom and independence to learn at very little expense.

A. Quicken your progress

B. Work without restrictions

C. Mobile apps can handle complex applications

D. Learning with the help of an app doesn't cost much at all

E. When I travel, I also use it to listen to some podcasts (播客)

F. We all have the experience of waiting for an appointment or a bus

G. Here are some benefits of language learning apps used on smart phones

    UK readers set a new record in translated fiction sales in 2018, with Chinese novels contributing to the boom.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} . It says the sales have increased by 20% in 2018 compared with the previous year in an article on March 6. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} , such as Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem and Jin Yong's A Hero Born. According to annual research commissioned by the Man Booker International(MBI) prize, total sales of translated fiction in the UK increased last year by 5.5 percent, amounting to a value of 184m yuan (£20.7m)-the highest figure since the research was first conducted in 2001.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} . "The rise in sales of translated fiction shows how hungry British readers are for terrific writing from other countries," said the administrator of the MBI prize, "This in really exciting news, and welcome confirmation that publishers have responded to the proven popularity and marketability of translated literature," said Charlotte Collins, co-chair of the UK's Translators Association.

    Anna Holmwood, translator of A Hero Born, has worked as a literary agent, and has seen firsthand how Chinese titles continue to gain a greater audience worldwide, particularly in the English speaking world. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . She said the success of books by Louis Cha and Liu Cixin reflects British readers' growing appetite for new stories outside the English-speaking world. Publishers need to be more willing to introduce fresh work to readers. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} . "I think British readers are more open-minded because of the diversified culture in the UK," Holmwood said. She also said that cit typically takes a few books into a series for sales to truly pick up, and "book two (of Jin Yong's four-volume series, Legends of the Condor Heroes) only just came out" in late January, suggesting Yong may have another hit on his hands.

A. It means taking more of a risk though

B. She sees it as a sign of the UK's market shifting

C. The record of sales in the UK comes from Chinese fiction

D. Chinese science-fiction and fantasy novels were sold strongly

E. Reading is the best way of putting themselves in others' shoes

F  Award-winning science fiction have been put into many languages

G.The Guardian highlighted the "extreme growth" in translated fiction sales

    From time to time, we all get a bit down. Maybe we are feeling bad because we're not doing well with our goals. There are many reasons for feeling down, but I'm not able to discuss all of them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}
    Make a list. Sometimes we are sad simply because we are troubled by all the things we have to do.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Make a list of the most pressing things you have to do. Thus you're getting things under control. You can see, right in front of you, what you need to do, and that can pick up your mood.
    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}You've made a list, and you still feel puzzled? Well, get started on the first thing you need to do. Once you get into action, you'll feel better. And once you start doing something, you will feel much better than lying around feeling sorry for yourself.
     {#blank#}4{#/blank#}I like Brown Eyed Girl, the Kinks, the Ramones, or an upbeat Beatles tune. You might have your own brand of feel-good music. Whatever it is, let yourself move to the beat. It may just be what the doctor ordered.
    Talk about it. Get a best friend, family member or coworker you can talk to.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}It can also help you work out the reasons you're feeling down.

A. Take action.

B. Play some lively music.

C. Get out of the house and do something.

D. Getting things off your chest makes a big difference.

E. Start simply by picking up a piece of paper and a pen.

F. Do whatever you need to do to feel good about yourself.

G. What I can talk about are some things that have worked for me.

    3D printing is becoming more and more popular. We are now able to print things such as clothing, musical instruments and so on.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some scientists are trying to revolutionize the dining experience by doing this. They hope that having a 3D printer in the kitchen will become as commonplace as the microwave or blender. Scientists say that they are easy to use: {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can also modify the instructions to make the food exactly how you want it. This means that it would be very quick and easy to create tasty and nutritious meals.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}There would be less need for traditional growing, transporting and packaging processes as food production would be a lot more efficient.

    Printing food could also help people who suffer from dysphasia（言语困难）. They could program the printer to print softer versions of their favourite foods so that they would not have trouble swallowing them.

    However, some people think that a future of 3D-printed food would be a disaster. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Imagine a world where there was no need for farming or growing crops and the same tastes and textures could be printed from a raw 'food ink'. Likewise, traditional cafes and restaurants might lose business.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Is it really possible to get the nutrients we need from food-based inks and gels?

    What's more, cooking and eating together with family and friends will disappear. It is hard to imagine a world where the pastime of cooking is dead and meals can be created at the touch of a button.

A. It will create many jobs.

B. It could take away many jobs.

C. Also, there are concerns about the nutritional value of printed food.

D. You simply have to select a recipe and put the raw food 'inks' into the printer.

E. Using 3D printers to create your meals would also be saving the environment.

F. But can you imagine printing food?

G. Printing food is great for your health.

    Everyone wants to be self-confident, but maybe we just don't know how to be. Here are some tips on how you can feel more confident about yourself.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Everyone has shortcomings. When you have found your shortcomings, work to overcome them. If you are a shy person, take part in social activities, such as parties, and speak to at least one or two people there.

    Second, try to spend more time with positive people. Successful and confident people have their own ways of settling problems. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Third, set goals for yourself. With each goal you achieve, you self-confidence will increase. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} We are afraid that we might lose. Stop thinking like that and give yourself a chance.

    Fourth, start each day with a sense of opportunity. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Think positively about yourself.

    Actually everyone has his or her own way of becoming confident. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Friends might have useful suggestions, too.

    In short, as long as you try new things, you are sure to become more confident.

A. You should talk with your friends.

B. Pay attention and learn from them.

C. First, don't think about your weak points.

D. It's not always right to ask friends for help.

E. sometimes we might be afraid of trying new things.

F. First, you should know what your weak points are.

G. Start your day by reading something encouraging.