This document summarizes the experiences and learning of a student who completed an extensive reading project at their university. They read several English novels, including The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, and Esio Trot by Roald Dahl. The student saw improvement in their reading comprehension and fluency. They now have confidence reading English novels from start to finish. The student found the books interesting and easy to focus on, which helped them finish each one. They hope to continue reading novels in their original English language as a new habit.

1. A Person I Would Like to Give Thanks to
Through out this semester, there’s a person I would like to give thanks to. I
don’t know her Chinese name but her English name is Kelly. First time I saw
her was on Toastmasters’ Demo Meeting. She is one of speakers on that day.
I’ll never forget her topic” Ces’t La Vie.” Before she started to deliver her
speech, her romantic title had already caught my attention because I know its
meaning in English means “It is Life!” I love this sentence in French. I couldn’t
wait for her to talk about this topic.
The moment she got on the stage, I saw a confident woman with her big
smile. I really admired her since she looked so free in front of a lot of people.
She delivered her excellent speech without fear. I could imagine many
beautiful scenes from her vivid description. They all come from our daily life.
The simple pleasures what we often ignore.
I was hesitated to join the club at first. But after her speech, I decided to
take part in this club immediately. I wanted to improve my speaking skill and be
brave when I face this kind of occasions. And now, I’m happy to make this
decision at that time because I can grow up from preparing speech and learn
to be a good audience. Preparing speeches also make me think about my life
deeply. Through out this semester, I want to give thanks to Kelly, who gives
me motivation to be better!

2. A Song I’d Like to Share
I want to share a song named “Singing in the Rain.” which I like dearly.
Some people like rainy day; some may not. But I think there's no one
loves rainy day as much as the man in this video. It seems that why we have
rainy day is all because of him. It's a kind of weather created for him to sing
and dance. Although he is totally gets wet, he doesn't mind. He is carefree and
keeps singing and dancing leisurely. In the video, he looks like the happiest
human in the world.
When I am depressed, I usually listen to this song. It never fails to cheer
me up. Seeing satisfied expression on his face, makes me feel that everything
is wonderful. Even when we encounter difficult situation, we can face it and be
optimistic! If it means to rain only on your head, just accept it and sing happily.
I always get a lot of courage from this song. Hope this song could bring you
happiness. Have a great time enjoy the music!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7QL46cK7B8&feature=player_embedded
Singing In The Rain Lyrics
I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feeling
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
'Cause the sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I'll walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
'Cause I'm singing
Just singing in the rain.

3. Roaming in a Magic World
Have you ever heard a person, whose name is Peter Pan? I think he is an
extraordinary hero for children, at least for Wendy, lost boys and me. There's a
sentence I never forget since I saw this movie, Peter Pan. "All you need is faith,
trust and a little bit of pixie dust." I trust this sentence firmly, it's not lucky
enough for everyone to meet a fairy, but with trust and faith, sometimes we can
fly in another way!
We may hesitate to pursue our dreams, but actually, if we free to do
whatever we want, there are two results. One is that we found our wings are
strong enough to fly up high, this is the better one. But in the real world, we
may often found that we wave our wings as possible as we can, but still drop
on the ground. It’s OK. Even when we hit the ground, we can smell the
fragrance of soil and see the beautiful flowers bloom on the green land. It
sounds not really terrible.
Every time when I feel down, I will pretend I am one of the partners of
Peter Pan and lost boys. They always defeat Captain Hook with courage and
confidence. And, Ivy, a lost girl should be brave and fearless when I confront
challenge and overcome the obstacles with a strong mind.
Optimistic people are not afraid of pursuing their dreams, although it may
become a broken dream finally. If we do every effort trying to achieve our goal,
we will grow up from those experiences. We won't know what will happen in
the future, that's why our life is interesting. I love the unpredictable part of life.

4. Feel free to do whatever we want, and we will become the person who we
want to be gradually.

5. The Color of Love
Love is everywhere.
You can find it when a mother gives her child a hug. You can find it
between a couple’s eye contact. You can find it when a friend gives you a
sincere smile.
Love is everywhere.
We have many ways to find love, and we have many ways to express
love.
But there’s a kind of person who not only find it but also turn it into an art.
That is painter. They draw their feelings with a sentimental heart.
Let me read you a poem by one of my favorite painters to you before I tell
you who it is.
In my paintings
I hide my love
I inhabit my life
Like the tree the forest
Who hears my voice
Who notices my face
Buried in the light of the moon
Like a dead beings of a thousand years ago
He is Chagall. Many people thinks his painting is fantasy and symbolic, but he
thinks his painting is realistic. The painting shows the strong feeling in his mind.
It’s not fantasy but real. In his heart, it’s even more real than what we actually
see. His representative work is “L’anniversaire” which means anniversary in
English. Bella, his fiancée, brings a bunch of flowers to him for celebrating

6. Chagall’s birthday. The perfume of a flower lights the candles on that day.
Since that time, flowers never wither and become one of elements in his
paintings.
Few weeks ago, I went to National Palace Museum for Chagall’s exhibit.
Before that day, I think he is the luckiest painter because his works always
colorful. Look like that he never encounters bad things. That exhibit gives me a
chance to gain a better understanding on him.
Unlike his painting, his life was full of tragedies.
He experienced World War II and after few years, he lost his beloved.
Bella died of an unexpectedly viral infection. I have heard a sentence“If you are
in a deep sadness is all because you were in the same quantity of happiness
before.” When Bella brings flowers to him, she also gives him the whole world.
Bella became the best main model for both his painting and his life. It’s hard for
people imagine how sorrowful to live through the darkest time like him. But
from his works, you still can see love and hope. That’s why I really admire him.
Art is magical and art can heal.
Although we live in different times, we can still receive message what the
painter want to express through the painting. As we mature, we know how to
look things deeply. No one wants to go through bad experiences, but those
things also play an important role in our life. Life may full of sadness but we still
have love, we can turn the sorrowful memories into beautiful power. Chagall
used that power to create outstanding paintings. As time goes by, his paintings
still have big influence on many people. Remind people cherish their love and
never lose hope. I think the elements in Chagall’s painting, flowers, cocks, and
the violinist, are all represent one color. The only one color never fades. It
gives life and art meanings. It’s the color of love.

7. The Passage
Do you remember where you walk through today? Do you remember what
you see? There are always something new or strange happen around us.
These things are too familiarize into our daily life, so we may ignore them. I try
to be more perceptive but sometimes I still forget what a wonderful world I live
in.
To remind myself don’t overlook the loving part of life, I decided to take a
trip by my own. This winter vacation, I went to 苗栗. I ‘m a little afraid of getting
lost but I’m more excited about starting my adventure. I threw myself into this
tour. Did every effort to see the scene I passed thoroughly. I took the bus to 向
天 lake, and I found that cherry trees are bloom. There are many flowers on the
ground. I sat in the bus and looked out through the window. It’s just like a long
pink carpet. At 南庄, I took a walk on the old street. I found that many corners I
didn’t notice before have many nice decorations. Some plants in front of the
store, the picture on the wall, the shadow of each object, and so on. If we just
ignore them and keep going, we will miss the chance to appreciate them. In
the forest, the air really refreshed me. I took a deep breath and felt that I’m full
of energy. With a pleased mind, I came back home. I walked through the way I
pass everyday. Guess what? I walk through the same way everyday. But on
that day, I suddenly found that a cherry tree bloom beautifully near my home. I
was stunned by the scene. I stood under the tree and looked up at it. I asked
myself: how could I didn’t notice this amazing change until now? Many things
change day by day. I’m trying to notice them.

8. You get all you need doesn’t means that you will be happy. Some
people have lovely family, good friends and don’t worry about money, but they
still unhappy. Some people don’t have many fortunes, but they enjoy their life.
It has many ways to find happiness. For me, it’s a treasure I get from those
things look nothing special. Although it’s seems that there nothing worth to be
mentioned in our daily life, I know everything has connection with another one.
I think it’s like a spider web. We won’t think spider is pretty, but when it is
shining under the sun light, it’s really gorgeous. If we know how to appreciate
our life, that ability for our mind is the sun light for the spider web.
Next time when we walk through the way, don’t too get used to the
scene. Try to be more perceptive. Life would be wonderful when we found the
secret beyond our expectation. Be a curious passer who has excellent taste for
life. Sharpen our senses, feeling the light, the wind and the color of nature.

9. Extensive Reading Project Report
Submitted by
陳奕臻
Department of Finance
Student ID # 994008012
Prepared for
Grace Liu
National Central University
January 2nd, 2011

10. Complete Project Evaluation
I wanted to improve my language skills by reading English novels, but did
not fulfill that goal until this semester. Through this extensive reading project, I
could see the improvement in my reading comprehension and fluency. Though
it may not a drastic achievement, I have the confidence to start and finish an
English novel now. I hope to make this a habit of reading novels in their original
language. I am fortunate to be a NCU student because we have numerous
English resources on campus. The books from the reading corner are not
difficult to read but I gain a lot from these books. Because these stories are
imaginative, I was totally drawn into the fantastic world in the story. It is easy to
focus on the story and to finish the book when the material is interesting. This
is a really wonderful start for me to keep going on my new reading life.

11. The Magic Finger
By Dahl, Roald
Summary
Gregg family is good at hunting and they hunt just for fun, however, the girl
thinks it’s a really cruel behavior. She tries to stop the hunting in a polite way
but without any success. The girl decides to turn her magic finger on the Gregg
family. Then, Gregg family becomes a pack of birds and they learn a lesson
from the experience of being treated like helpless animals. Finally, they treat
animals in a kind way.
Response
When I read that the girl has magical power, I was curious about how
would she use her magic finger to let Gregg family knows that life is
precious. Also, I asked myself if I had that super power how I will use it. And
I keep reading the following development. As I read the story I admire the
girl very much. She turns them into birds. It’s a smart idea to make them
really know it’s unfair for animals.

12. Alice in Wonderland
By Carroll, Lewis
Summary
Alice is curious about a rabbit with a watch in his pocket and chases
after him. She falls into a rabbit hole and start her unbelievable adventure in
wonderland. She meets many strange creatures there, such as Cheshire
cat and the talking caterpillar. Finally, she gets involve in a trail because
someone steals the queen’s tart. She tries to defeats the cards and finds her
way home. Suddenly, she wakes up and realizes it’s just a dream.
Response
Alive in Wonderland is one of my favorite cartoons, so when I found
this book, I chose it without hesitation. I love the colorful characters in this
book, especially for Cheshire cat. I love the way he talks and thinks. He
always impresses me a lot. In wonderland, you can choose which way you
want to go, and you will never be disappointed because anything can
happen there! I enjoyed in this book very much.

13. Esio Trot
By Dahl, Roald
Summary
Mr. Hoppy is a lonely man and he loves his neighbor, but Mrs. Silver only
cares about her pet. So Mr. Hoppy tries to catch her attention and comes up
with an interesting idea. He teaches Mrs. Silver how to use the magical spell to
make her turtle grow bigger and bigger and he changes her turtle day by day
secretly. In the end, he wins Mrs. Silver’s heart!
Response
Mr. Hoppy is really a lovely man. His method to catch Mrs. Silver’s
attention seems ridiculous, but it’s really sincere. When I read this book, I often
smiled unconsciously. Even if it is just a story, I still think Mrs. Silver is one of
the luckiest women in the world. It’s a great story since it can let readers in a
nice mood after reading it.