認識世界讀書日

浙江 陳 時

每年的4月23日為世界讀書日，全稱為“世界圖書與版權日”，設立目的是推動更多的人去閱讀和寫作，希望所有人都能尊重和感謝為人類文明做出過巨大貢獻的文學、文化、科學、思想大師們，保護知識產權。

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World Book Day, also known as International Day of the Book or World Book and Copyright Day, is an annual event on 23 April celebrating authors, readers,illustrators and books. It is officially organized by UNESCO and is also celebrated in the United Kingdom every first Thursday in March.

In 1923, booksellers in Catalonia, Spain, first connected 23 April and books. Vicente Clavel Andrés, a Valencian writer, believed that author Miguel de Cervantes should be honored. Originally, the celebration was on Cervantes' birthday, 7 October, but was later changed to his death day on 23 April. It was only in 1995 that the UNESCO officially declared 23 April as the date to celebrate World Book Day. Today, World Book Day has grown into a hugely successful annual celebration of books and reading.

The date is also the death or birth anniversary of outstanding authors including William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Robert Bridges and Michael Crichton. Each year, UNESCO chooses a World Book Capital where activities are held and supported by the book industry.

There are over 100 countries celebrating World Book Day. In the United Kingdom, it is celebrated every first Thursday in March because April often coincide with （與……同時發生） the Easter holiday and 23 April is also the National Saint's Day of England, specifically St. George's Day. On this day, children in the UK dress up as their favorite characters for school and community events. It is a celebration of authors, illustrators and the importance of reading. According to researchers, children who love reading are not only good readers, but they tend to develop a broader vocabulary and understand other cultures easily.

For over twenty years, with booksellers, publishers, authors, illustrators, librarians and teachers and through storytelling, events and a huge variety of fun activities, World Book Day has been changing lives through the love of books and shared reading. World Book Day now provides reading with pleasure resources throughout the year.

Reading Check

Decide if each statement is true（T） or false（F）.

（ ）1. World Book Day is celebrated every two years.

（ ）2. World Book Day is originally celebrated in honor of Miguel de Cervantes.

（ ）3. One of World Book Day's goals is to protect copyright.

（ ）4. The annual World Book Day capital can change every year.

（ ）5. The United Kingdom usually holds World Book Day in May.

（ ）6. World Book Day may influence people in different areas currently.

Language Study

別讓小“詞”變小“刺”?！按獭彪m小，但扎在哪里都難受。你能用好小詞嗎？ 快來試一試吧！

Fill in the following blanks with proper articles or prepositions.

World Book Day, also known 1._________International Day of the Book, is 2._________annual event 3._________23 April celebrating authors, readers, illustrators and books. It is officially organized 4._________UNESCO and is also celebrated in the United Kingdom every first Thursday 5.________March.

Roughly starting in 1923, World Book Day, now, has grown into 6.________hugely successful annual celebration 7. _________books and reading. There are over 100 countries celebrating World Book Day.