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(2017·长沙市统一模拟)In between running one of the world's largest charitable agencies and acting as Microsoft's technology advisor，Bill Gates manages to find time to read books，both long and short.Now Gates—who has been labeled a“greedy”reader—has released a list of his favorite books.All of the books are standout reads，according to the billionaire，most of which are focused on business and economy.
Here are Bill's top four picks(with parts of his full review of each book)．
Business Adventures，by John Brooks
Brooks' collection was published in 1969 and remains one of Gates' favorites.He reread it again this year，labeling it the best business book he has ever read.
“Shortly after we met，Warren Buffett lent me this collection of business articles from The New Yorker from the 1950s and 1960s.I loved them as much as he did.Brooks' insights(洞察力)into business have aged beautifully，and they are as true today as ever.”
Capital in the TwentyFirst Century，by Thomas Piketty
Piketty's novel hit the shelves in August 2013 and sparked much discussion concerning income inequality throughout this year.Gates also got to sit down with Piketty himself after reading the nonfiction work to discuss the topic.
“As I told him，although I have concerns about some of his secondary points and policy prescriptions，I agree with his most important conclusions：inequality is a growing problem and governments should play a role in reducing it.”
How Asia Works，by Joe Studwell
Studwell's work，which was published in May 2014，addresses how countries such as Japan，South Korea and China have continued to achieve high growth，and why other countries have failed to do the same.
“The agriculture section of the book was particularly insightful.It provided ample food for thought for me as well as the whole Agriculture team at our foundation.And it left us thinking about whether parts of the Asian model can apply in Africa.”
Making the Modern World：Materials and Dematerialization，by Vaclav Smil
Smil's books are a constant favorite of the Microsoft's founder—one of his books makes Gates' list almost every year.“Making the Modern World”came out late in 2013 and explores the global use of materials，from silicon to wood and plastic.
“If anyone tries to tell you we're using fewer materials，send him this book.With his usual skepticism and his love of data，Smil shows how our ability to make things with fewer materials—say，soda cans that need less aluminum—makes them cheaper，which actually encourages more production.”
【语篇解读】 本文介绍了比尔·盖茨喜欢阅读的四本关于商业和经济的书。
1．The books mentioned in the text are all about ________．
A．charity in the world
B．business and economy
C．poverty in the world
D．Bill Gates' life experience
B [考查细节理解。根据第一段的最后一句“All of the books are standout reads，according to the billionaire，most of which are focused on business and economy.”可知，比尔·盖茨喜欢的这些书都是优秀读物，其中大部分书与商业和经济有关，故B项正确。]
2．Of the books，________ is best praised by Bill Gates.
A．How Asia Works
B．Capital in the TwentyFirst Century
C．Business Adventures
D．Making the Modern World：Materials and Dematerialization
C [考查细节理解。根据第三段的第二句“He reread it again this year，labeling it the best business book he has ever read.”可知，Business Adventures这本书是最受比尔·盖茨称赞的，故C项正确。]
3．Gates once had a personal discussion with the author of ________.
A．Capital in the TwentyFirst Century
B．Business Adventures
C．How Asia Works
D．Making the Modern World：Materials and Dematerialization
A [考查细节理解。根据第五段的第二句“Gates also got to sit down with Piketty himself after reading the nonfiction work to discuss the topic.”可知，比尔·盖茨和Capital in the TwentyFirst Century这本书的作者坐下来交谈过，故A项正确。]
4．In How Asia Works，the author analyses ________．
A．why African agriculture cannot develop fast
B．how they can apply Asian economic model in African countries
C．why Asia is slow in agricultural development
D．how some Asian countries have rapidly grown in economy
D [考查细节理解。根据第七段中的“addresses how countries such as Japan，South Korea and China have continued to achieve high growth”可知，How Asia Works主要介绍了一些亚洲国家如日本、韩国和中国是如何快速发展经济的，故D项正确。]
