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 本文通过Ben Heckmann小小年纪就出版书作的话题开篇，点出了如今许多不同年龄的作家都在自费印刷出版的问题，尤其是讨论了儿童出书的现象，并给出了合理的解释和建议：希望父母们可以使儿童们可以得到专业的指导．
解答 36．A．细节理解题．由第一段第二句"he has accomplished something many adults can't achieve"，他完成了许多成年人不能做到的事情，可看出，在他的年纪，做了许多不寻常的事情．故选A．
37．D．句意推断题．从第二段可得到，过去的时间里，按需印刷技术和许多自我出版的书籍的销售激发了作者们避免传统出书渠道．可推断出是印刷术的发展推动了这一现状的发生．故选B．
38．B．细节理解题．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，父母来付印刷的钱是为了去鼓励孩子．故选B．
39．C．句意推断题．从第三段中间"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建议家长雇佣专业编辑和孩子一起工作来使文稿不断完善趋于更好．因此可推出他建议孩子们得到专业的指导．故选C．
40．A．句意推断题．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为了实现他们的梦想．股选A．
点评 本文在出题方面题型较为简单，多为理解句意题．只需考生找到并理解对应题目的原文即可，选项没有干扰性，判断正确选项难度不大．因此启发考生做题时要先通读题干，带着问题去阅读，能更快找到对应句子，做出判断．
