鐘翠頻 黃連英
With large publishers topping the book charts, we ask whether the big five are shaping our book buying habits, or if theres room for independents to break through. Some of the biggest-selling novels of all time just so happened to be attached to major publishers.
So why is it that certain brands resonate (引起共鳴) with audiences so much? Is it their logos that especially draw our attention? And does who the book is published by ultimately make a difference as to whether we buy it?
Why a brand resonates with an audience is a key part of the puzzle. Every time you read a book that you enjoy, you likely look at the publisher attached to it. That name is a signal that they will produce other content that fits with that same style.
However, major publishers are known for separating out their genre categories and thus creating a shared continuity. From a psychological standpoint, consumer habits are thus based on trust. Trust that a publisher will be consistent in the books they deliver and that investing time in them is more reliable than an untested source.
Logo choices matter. Logos like Simon&Schusters are instantly recognisable, and may draw you to certain books.
The best way to study whether those brands actually resonated with audiences is by looking at what sold well in 2022. Using Amazons bestseller archives, something quickly becomes apparent. Its all the top brands at the height of the list.
Independent bookshops are helping to introduce book buyers to lesser known indie publishers. Expert Cassandra Davis notes that, “I have found that indie bookshops are more likely to stock an indie publishers books, especially if the author is local to the bookshop. And, ultimately, readers are going to buy whats for sale in the bookshop, unless theyre requesting a specific title they may have seen advertised or on social media.”
Thus, supporting local bookshops is a vital way to keep the indie industry alive and change these trends.
(材料出自Readers Digest,有刪改)
1. Whats the function of the questions in Paragraph 2?
A. Illustrating the points.
B. Comparing opinions.
C. Arousing readers interest.
D. Providing evidences.
2. Why does a brand resonates with an audience according to Paragraph 3?
A. It provides reader with the most popular topics.
B. It has the logo readers are familiar with.
C. Its a key part of the puzzle readers enjoy.
D. Its content corresponds to readers same interest.
3. What can be inferred according to Paragraph 6?
A. Sales show top brands have a great influence.
B. Amazons bestseller archives become apparent.
C. Independent bookshops enjoy great popularity.
D. Top brands actually resonated with audiences.
4. Whats Cassandra Daviss attitude towards independent book companies?
A. Negative.B. Supportive.
C. Neutral. D. Doubtful.
1. C。解析:推理判斷題。材料第二段的大意為:為什么某些品牌會(huì)引起讀者如此大的共鳴?是它們的標(biāo)志特別吸引我們的注意嗎?這本書是由誰(shuí)出版的,最終會(huì)對(duì)我們是否購(gòu)買它產(chǎn)生影響嗎?由此可知,作者通過(guò)問(wèn)句激發(fā)讀者的興趣。故選C。
2. D。解析:細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)材料第三段的最后一句“That name is a signal that they will produce other content that fits with that same style.(這個(gè)名字是它們將制作其他符合相同風(fēng)格的內(nèi)容的標(biāo)志)”,我們可知,一個(gè)品牌能引起觀眾共鳴的原因在于其內(nèi)容符合讀者的興趣。故選D。
3. A。解析:推理判斷題。根據(jù)材料第六段中的“Using Amazons bestseller archives, something quickly becomes apparent. Its all the top brands at the height of the list.”,我們可知,亞馬遜的暢銷書排行榜顯示,處于榜單最頂端的都是頂級(jí)品牌。由此可見,頂級(jí)品牌有很大的影響力。故選A。
4. B。解析:觀點(diǎn)態(tài)度題。根據(jù)材料倒數(shù)第二段,我們可知,專家對(duì)獨(dú)立圖書公司持積極的態(tài)度,認(rèn)為獨(dú)立的圖書公司在未來(lái)可能會(huì)有一席之地。故選B。