真题是最好的阅读材料，无论从选材，问题设置还是难易程度，都没有比真题更好的阅读材料了。要是把英语真题已经阅读到非常熟练的地步，非要做些其他的阅读，那么还是推荐张剑的160。因为这本书的阅读与真题最接近。
其他的书，不是题设不够好，就是内容添加了过多的生词，做起来实在没有必要。

阅读练习的话，这三本都大同小异的，最重要的是不要盲目的题海战术，做一道题要有一道题的收获，阅读是做的练得比较多会好一些，但不是一味的做。多注意总结一些 思路跟技巧，比如说 推理题、直观题等 ，都有一定的套路的。有需要的话，可以浏览一下我们的 网 页，搜集一些好的方法

why does the vicar refuse to cut down the tree

the tiny village of frinley is said to possess a cursed tree. because the tree was mentioned in a newspaper the number of visitors to frinley has now increased. the tree was planted near the church fifty years ago but it is only in recent years that it has gained an evil reputation. it is said that if anyone touches the tree he will have bad luck if he picks a leaf he will die. many villagers believe that the tree has already claimed a number of victims. the vicar has been asked to have the tree cut down but so far he has refused. he has pointed out that the tree cut down but so far he has refused. he has pointed out that the tree is a useful source of income as tourists have been coming from all parts of the country to see it. in spite of all that has been said the tourists have been picking leaves and cutting their names on the tree-trunk. so far not one of them has been struck down by sudden death

new words and expressions 生词和短语

blessing n. 福分，福气
disguise n. 伪装
tiny adj. 极小的
possess v. 拥有
cursed adj. 可恨的
increase v. 增加
plant v. 种植
church n. 教堂
evil adj. 坏的
reputation n. 名声
claim v. 以……为其后果
victim n. 受害者，牺牲品
vicar n. 教区牧师
source n. 来源
income n. 收入
trunk n. 树干

参考译文

据说弗林利这个小村里有一棵“该诅咒的树”。就因为报上提到过这棵树，所以现在来弗林利参观的人越来越多。该树是50年前栽在教堂附近的，但只是近几年才得到了一个坏名声。据说，谁要是触摸了这棵树，谁就会交上恶运；如果谁摘了一片树叶，谁就会死去。很多村民相信此树已经害了不少人。人们曾请求教区的牧师叫人把树砍掉，但他直到现在也没有同意。他指出，由于人们从全国各地纷纷前来参观这棵树，它成了一个有用的财源。尽管有上述种种说法，但游客们还是照常摘树叶和把他们的名字刻在树干上。然而到目前为止，还没有一个人暴死呢！

我觉得还不错！