An idea that started in Seattle's public library has spread throughout America and beyond.The
concept is simple: help to build a sense of community in a city by getting everyone to read the same
book at the same time.
      In addition to encouraging reading as a pursuit (追求) to be enjoyed by all, the program allows
strangers to communicate by discussing the book on the bus, as well as promoting reading as an
experience to be shared in families and schools.The idea came from Seattle librarian Nancy Pearl
who launched (发起) the  "If All of Seattle Read the Same Book" project in 1998.Her original
program used author visits, study guides and book discussion groups to bring people together with
a book, but the idea has since expanded to many other American cities, and even to Hong Kong.
     In Chicago, the mayor (市长) appeared on television to announce the choice of To Kill a
Mockingbird as the first book in the "One Book, One Chicago" program.As a result, reading clubs
and neighborhood groups sprang up around the city.Across the US, stories emerged of parents and
children reading to each other at night and strangers chatting away on the bus about plot and character.
     The only problem arose in New York, where local readers could not decide on one book to
represent the huge and diverse population.This may show that the idea works best in mediumsized
cities or large towns, where a greater sense of unity (一致) can be achieved.Or it may show that
New Yorkers rather missed the point, putting all their energy and passion into the choice of the
book rather than into discussion about a book itself.
     Ultimately, as Nancy points out, the level of success is not measured by how many people read
a book, but by how many people are enriched by the process, or have enjoyed speaking to someone
with whom they would not otherwise have shared_a_word.

1. What is the purpose of the project launched by Nancy?

A. To invite authors to guide readers.
B. To encourage people to read and share.
C. To involve people in community service.
D. To promote the friendship between cities.

2. Why was it difficult for New Yorkers to carry out the project?

A. They had little interest in reading.  
B. They were too busy to read a book.
C. They came from many different backgrounds.
D. They lacked support from the local government.

3. According to the passage, where would the project be more easily carried out?

A. In large communities with little sense of unity.  
B. In large cities where libraries are far from home.  
C. In mediumsized cities with a diverse population.
D. In large towns where agreement can be quickly reached.

4. The underlined words "shared a word" in Paragraph 5 probably mean ________.

A. exchanged ideas with each other
B. discussed the meaning of a word
C. gained life experience
D. used the same language