https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/free-resources/general/magazine-zone/un-international-literacy-day
Knowing how to read and write is very important in most people's lives. But some people never learn these skills. How can we make sure that everyone gets the chance to become literate（会读写的）? This is the question behind International Literacy Day, which the United Nations celebrates every 8th September.
Since 1967, this celebration has brought attention to people in the world who cannot read or write. It also shows the progress that has been made. In 1980, 43% of the world's people could not read or write, but a 2024 report found that this number had dropped to just 9%. However, about 739 million young people and adults still lack these basic skills, and in some places, such as parts of Africa and southern Asia, the rates are still above 30%.
There is a strong connection between not being able to read and write and being poor. People who can read and write have a big advantage over those who cannot when it comes to studying and training. This means that literate people usually earn more money and even enjoy better health.
A UN study showed that almost 83% of women and girls can read and write, and the number for men and boys is 90%. However, two-thirds of all illiterate people（文盲）in the world are women. This is because girls in some places get fewer chances to go to school, or get married at a young age. Interestingly, in many Western countries, girls usually do better than boys at reading and writing.
Digital technology is changing how we learn. Today, much of the reading we do is on devices such as computers and smartphones. Digital literacy – knowing how to find, understand and use information online – is now seen as an important part of basic literacy. However, there is still a 'digital divide': about 2.6 billion people have no internet, and 1.8 billion of them live in rural areas. To celebrate the day, many libraries, schools and universities hold events, and people can also join in online.
Task 1: Answer the following questions.
1. When is International Literacy Day?
2. How has the illiteracy rate changed since 1980?
3. What do people who can read and write usually enjoy?
4. Why are two-thirds of illiterate people women?
5. What is the 'digital divide'?
6. How can people take part in International Literacy Day?
Task 2: Writing
Suppose a younger student in your school has trouble reading. What will you do to help him? Write about 30 words.
(Write about 30 words.)
词汇短语精讲
1. make sure 确保；务必
例句：How can we make sure that everyone gets the chance to become literate（会读写的）?
提示：make sure 后接of+名词，或 that 从句，表示「确保、务必做到」
2. bring attention to 使关注；引起对…的注意
例句：Since 1967, this celebration has brought attention to people in the world who cannot read or write.
提示：bring attention to 后接被关注的对象，attention 为不可数名词
3. get married 结婚
例句：This is because girls in some places get fewer chances to go to school, or get married at a young age.
提示：get married 表示「结婚」，married 在此为形容词；后接 to sb. 表示与某人结婚
4. join in 参加（活动）
例句：To celebrate the day, many libraries, schools and universities hold events, and people can also join in online.
提示：join in 表示「参加（活动）」，in 后可接活动名称，也可单独使用
5. do better than 比…做得好
例句：Interestingly, in many Western countries, girls usually do better than boys at reading and writing.
提示：do better than 后接比较对象，表示在某方面胜过对方
句子精讲
1. People who can read and write have a big advantage over those who cannot when it comes to studying and training.
结构：主句为 People have a big advantage over those；who can read and write 修饰 People，who cannot 修饰 those，两个 who 定语从句形成对比；when it comes to studying and training 作状语，限定比较范围
语法：who 引导的定语从句 + when it comes to 结构
仿写：用 when it comes to... 引出话题范围，如：When it comes to learning English, practice makes perfect. 句中 who... who... 双重定语从句可用于前后对比。
2. There is a strong connection between not being able to read and write and being poor.
结构：There is 句型 + 名词短语 a strong connection；between A and B 结构，A 为 not being able to read and write（动名词短语），B 为 being poor（动名词短语）
语法：there be 句型 + between...and... 结构；动名词短语作宾语
仿写：用 There is a close connection between A and B 表达两者关联，如：There is a close connection between good sleep and good health.
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