In February, the publishing company Puffin released (发行) new editions of some books by Roald Dahl that had been edited to remove or replace rude language. Dahl’s original work included terms that were once considered acceptable but that many people today find upsetting, such as describing characters as “fat” and “ugly”. Puffin said it changed those words and others so the books “can continue to be enjoyed by all.” Many people argued against the move, however, saying it amounted to censorship (bans on people’s ideas or language). Others say it’s good to remove outdated and hurtful language. What do you think? Should publishers revise old books?
Yes — times and language change. Society’s values are always changing. What would have been acceptable to say or do 50 years ago might not be OK anymore. People are right to point out when somebody says something hurtful, so the same should apply to books with rude language. A careful editor is able to successfully remove words or terms that upset people without changing what originally created by the author. The most important thing is that children (and adults) read books — and lots of them. Any minor changes to the text that make Dahl’s — or another writer’s--stories more accessible and inclusive are a good thing.
No — books should be left as they are. Censorship is dangerous because it limits what a person can say or how they express themselves. If we allow people to censor one author’s work, what’s to stop them from doing the same to every author’s work in the future? If somebody disagrees with an opinion or is angered by an idea, it doesn’t mean no one else should hear it. A healthy society hugs many different beliefs and points of view. If some people find certain words or descriptions upsetting, the best approach isn’t to ban or change them but to discuss, debate, and make people aware of why the material is hurtful. It can help people learn and understand.
【小题1】Why did Puffin revise the books by Roald Dahl?
| A．To replace some childish words. | B．To maintain its popularity. |
| C．To have people express freely. | D．To make people accept the books. |
【小题2】What is people’s reaction to Puffin’s move?
| A．Showing full support. | B．Showing total disagreement. |
| C．Holding varied opinions. | D．Holding no special thoughts. |
【小题3】Which point of view would the “No” group agree with?
| A．It is necessary to replace the outdated words. | B．Books can attract more readers by updating. |
| C．It is important to adjust our way to read. | D．Books should be treated the way they are. |
【小题4】In which part of a newspaper does this passage probably come from?
| A．The big debate. | B．Around the world. | C．National news. | D．Science and technology. |
