1．The television news feature about Ben Heckmann，an eighth grader from Farmington，Minn，was breathless in its praise．"At 14，he has accomplished something many adults can't achieve，"the reporter said，"Ben is a twice-published author．"But Ben's two"Velvet Black"books，describing a fictional rock band，were not picked from a pile of manuscripts（手稿）by an eagle eyed publisher．They were self-published，at the cost of $400by Ben's parents．
Over the past five years，print-on-demand technology and a growing number of self publishing companies whose books can be sold online have inspired writers of all ages to avoid the traditional gatekeeping system for determining who could call himself a"published author．"
The mothers and fathers who foot the bill say they are simply trying to encourage their children，in the same way that other parents buy equipment for a promising baseball player．But others see self-publishing as a lost opportunity to teach children about hardship and perseverance．Mr．Robbins，a critic，thinks it is wonderful to start writing at a young age，but worries self-publishing sends the wrong message．"There are no prodigies（神童） in literature，"he said．"Literature requires experience，in a way that mathematics and music do not．"Alan Rinzler，a publishing industry veteran，suggested parents hire a professional editor like him to work with their child to tear a manuscript apart and help make a better．Ben's father，Ken，said Ben's ambitions"weren't to knock Harry Potter off the list，"but"to get that good feeling inside that you've done something．"
Ajla Dizdarevic，12，who has self-published two books of poetry，has been on television and in local newspapers．"Being a published author，"she said，"was always a dream of mine．"Her new dream：three books by age 15．
36．Which of the following is true of Ben？A
A．He has achieved something unusual for his age．
B．His self-published books were well received．
C．His manuscripts were favored by the publisher．
D．He was thought little of by the public media．
37．What makes it possible for writers of all ages to self-publish their works？D
A．The rapid increase of online readership．
B．The increasing number of publishers．
C．The immediate access to marketing agencies．
D．The development of printing and publishing．
38．Why do some parents pay the self-publishing bill？B
A．They want to offer opportunities to their children．
B．They want to give encouragement to their children．
C．They want to help their children avoid hardship．
D．They want to show love and care for their children．
39．What dose Alan Rinzler suggest that children should do？C
A．Be forbidden to write booksB．Start writing at an early age
C．Be professionally guidedD．Learn from experience
40．Why do some children self-publish works according to the last part？A
A．Just to achieve their dreams．B．Just to earn more money．
C．Just to gain self-confidence．D．Just to satisfy their parents．
分析 本文通過Ben Heckmann小小年紀就出版書作的話題開篇，點出了如今許多不同年齡的作家都在自費印刷出版的問題，尤其是討論了兒童出書的現象，并給出了合理的解釋和建議：希望父母們可以使兒童們可以得到專業的指導．
解答 36．A．細節理解題．由第一段第二句"he has accomplished something many adults can't achieve"，他完成了許多成年人不能做到的事情，可看出，在他的年紀，做了許多不尋常的事情．故選A．
37．D．句意推斷題．從第二段可得到，過去的時間里，按需印刷技術和許多自我出版的書籍的銷售激發了作者們避免傳統出書渠道．可推斷出是印刷術的發展推動了這一現狀的發生．故選B．
38．B．細節理解題．由第三段首句"The mothers and fathers who foot the bill say they are simply trying to encourage their children，"可看出，父母來付印刷的錢是為了去鼓勵孩子．故選B．
39．C．句意推斷題．從第三段中間"Alan Rinzler，a publishing industry veteran，suggested parents hire a professional editor like him to work with their child to tear a manuscript apart and help make a better．"Alan Rinzler建議家長雇傭專業編輯和孩子一起工作來使文稿不斷完善趨于更好．因此可推出他建議孩子們得到專業的指導．故選C．
40．A．句意推斷題．文末的"Being a published author，"she said，"was always a dream of mine"可看出一些孩子印刷作品只是為了實現他們的夢想．股選A．
點評 本文在出題方面題型較為簡單，多為理解句意題．只需考生找到并理解對應題目的原文即可，選項沒有干擾性，判斷正確選項難度不大．因此啟發考生做題時要先通讀題干，帶著問題去閱讀，能更快找到對應句子，做出判斷．
