Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Methods of training animals have changed greatly in recent years. Zoo keepers have always had problems getting the animals to leave their cages in order for the cages to be cleaned, and also training them to move indoors when appropriate. Another problem was that many of the large animals became _ and bored. In the last twenty years, scientists have done research on dolphins and whales, training them to obey commands. The scientists found they could get animals to obey by rewarding them with food and affection when they responded correctly.
Proper training allows the animals to receive the care they need. It was very difficult to get untrained animals, especially the larger ones, to stay still when they needed medical attention. Now they can be trained, on command, to remain still and even to allow blood samples to be taken and shots administered. All this is accomplished through positive reinforcement, without the use of any force. Affection training, as this process is called, has been used with great success on a wide variety of zoo animals. Animal behavior experts have taught zoo keepers to train bears, tigers, monkeys, and many other species to behave in a way that provides for better animal-keeper interaction. This training also keeps the animals from becoming bored and inactive.
Although some people proclaim  that this training is inhumance and cruel to animals, results have shown that captive animals who previously were not doing well flourish under the new training procedures.

<question>:
The word "listless" means   _  .

<options>:
A countless
B obedient
C inactive
D mysterious

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Methods of training animals have changed greatly in recent years. Zoo keepers have always had problems getting the animals to leave their cages in order for the cages to be cleaned, and also training them to move indoors when appropriate. Another problem was that many of the large animals became _ and bored. In the last twenty years, scientists have done research on dolphins and whales, training them to obey commands. The scientists found they could get animals to obey by rewarding them with food and affection when they responded correctly.
Proper training allows the animals to receive the care they need. It was very difficult to get untrained animals, especially the larger ones, to stay still when they needed medical attention. Now they can be trained, on command, to remain still and even to allow blood samples to be taken and shots administered. All this is accomplished through positive reinforcement, without the use of any force. Affection training, as this process is called, has been used with great success on a wide variety of zoo animals. Animal behavior experts have taught zoo keepers to train bears, tigers, monkeys, and many other species to behave in a way that provides for better animal-keeper interaction. This training also keeps the animals from becoming bored and inactive.
Although some people proclaim  that this training is inhumance and cruel to animals, results have shown that captive animals who previously were not doing well flourish under the new training procedures.

<question>:
Which of the following is valid conclusion based on this passage?

<options>:
A It is safe to pet any animal.
B Many animals respond favorably to rewards and affection.
C Animals in the wild can be trained.
D Animals should not be kept in zoos.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Methods of training animals have changed greatly in recent years. Zoo keepers have always had problems getting the animals to leave their cages in order for the cages to be cleaned, and also training them to move indoors when appropriate. Another problem was that many of the large animals became _ and bored. In the last twenty years, scientists have done research on dolphins and whales, training them to obey commands. The scientists found they could get animals to obey by rewarding them with food and affection when they responded correctly.
Proper training allows the animals to receive the care they need. It was very difficult to get untrained animals, especially the larger ones, to stay still when they needed medical attention. Now they can be trained, on command, to remain still and even to allow blood samples to be taken and shots administered. All this is accomplished through positive reinforcement, without the use of any force. Affection training, as this process is called, has been used with great success on a wide variety of zoo animals. Animal behavior experts have taught zoo keepers to train bears, tigers, monkeys, and many other species to behave in a way that provides for better animal-keeper interaction. This training also keeps the animals from becoming bored and inactive.
Although some people proclaim  that this training is inhumance and cruel to animals, results have shown that captive animals who previously were not doing well flourish under the new training procedures.

<question>:
The writer's purpose is to   _  .

<options>:
A persuade people not to feed animals in the zoo
B show how easy it is to train animals
C explain method of training animals through rewards
D criticize zoo keepers

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Methods of training animals have changed greatly in recent years. Zoo keepers have always had problems getting the animals to leave their cages in order for the cages to be cleaned, and also training them to move indoors when appropriate. Another problem was that many of the large animals became _ and bored. In the last twenty years, scientists have done research on dolphins and whales, training them to obey commands. The scientists found they could get animals to obey by rewarding them with food and affection when they responded correctly.
Proper training allows the animals to receive the care they need. It was very difficult to get untrained animals, especially the larger ones, to stay still when they needed medical attention. Now they can be trained, on command, to remain still and even to allow blood samples to be taken and shots administered. All this is accomplished through positive reinforcement, without the use of any force. Affection training, as this process is called, has been used with great success on a wide variety of zoo animals. Animal behavior experts have taught zoo keepers to train bears, tigers, monkeys, and many other species to behave in a way that provides for better animal-keeper interaction. This training also keeps the animals from becoming bored and inactive.
Although some people proclaim  that this training is inhumance and cruel to animals, results have shown that captive animals who previously were not doing well flourish under the new training procedures.

<question>:
Which of the following is an opinion?

<options>:
A Zoo keepers had problems in getting animals to leave their cages.
B Training is cruel to animals.
C Animals obey commands if they are trained to do so.
D Many animals can be trained, on commands, to remain still.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
When learning a second language,it is important to study the culture of the language you're learning.Anyone can learn another language's grammar from a textbook,but what good is this learning if you don't understand the culture of the person you're speaking to? Only in learning another language and its culture will you be able to proficiently communicate with a person in that language.There are many ways to enhance your language studies by studying the country's culture;this can include reading literature,watching movies,or listening to popular music.
Many schools in the United States emphasize the importance of culture understanding in language classes.Instead of memorizing only vocabulary words and grammar patterns,classes from elementary schools to universities are teaching literature,pop songs,and films in their classes.From these various mediums students can learn a great deal about the culture of a language they study.These different forms of media can teach various characteristics about the language,culture,and history of a society.
Literature can allow you to understand the history and current debates confronting a culture.For example,if you read John Steinbeck's GraPes of Wrath you can understand the history and problems of ordinary American farmers in the Great Depression.In watching films one can learn about what is popular in a society, and also slang phrases one definitely won't find in a textbook.In pop songs one can understand what the current craze in a culture is;what kind of music people like to listen to,what that culture finds romantic,and even what the contemporary"cool"viewpoint in that society is.
If you truly are interested in learning a language,don't underestimate the importance of learning about the language's home culture.Of course one must learn a language's grammar and vocabulary, but this will only get you so far in actually being able to communicate effectively.So if you are learning a language,take the time to also study the culture.

<question>:
The best title for this passage would be  _  .

<options>:
A Important Factors in Learning a Second Language
B The Importance of Culture in Learning a Language
C Effectively Communicating in a Second Language
D Why You Should Watch Films and Listen to Music When Learning a Foreign Language

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
When learning a second language,it is important to study the culture of the language you're learning.Anyone can learn another language's grammar from a textbook,but what good is this learning if you don't understand the culture of the person you're speaking to? Only in learning another language and its culture will you be able to proficiently communicate with a person in that language.There are many ways to enhance your language studies by studying the country's culture;this can include reading literature,watching movies,or listening to popular music.
Many schools in the United States emphasize the importance of culture understanding in language classes.Instead of memorizing only vocabulary words and grammar patterns,classes from elementary schools to universities are teaching literature,pop songs,and films in their classes.From these various mediums students can learn a great deal about the culture of a language they study.These different forms of media can teach various characteristics about the language,culture,and history of a society.
Literature can allow you to understand the history and current debates confronting a culture.For example,if you read John Steinbeck's GraPes of Wrath you can understand the history and problems of ordinary American farmers in the Great Depression.In watching films one can learn about what is popular in a society, and also slang phrases one definitely won't find in a textbook.In pop songs one can understand what the current craze in a culture is;what kind of music people like to listen to,what that culture finds romantic,and even what the contemporary"cool"viewpoint in that society is.
If you truly are interested in learning a language,don't underestimate the importance of learning about the language's home culture.Of course one must learn a language's grammar and vocabulary, but this will only get you so far in actually being able to communicate effectively.So if you are learning a language,take the time to also study the culture.

<question>:
In the above passage literature is described as an important way to learn   _  about a culture.

<options>:
A history
B political issues
C social issues
D all of the above

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
When learning a second language,it is important to study the culture of the language you're learning.Anyone can learn another language's grammar from a textbook,but what good is this learning if you don't understand the culture of the person you're speaking to? Only in learning another language and its culture will you be able to proficiently communicate with a person in that language.There are many ways to enhance your language studies by studying the country's culture;this can include reading literature,watching movies,or listening to popular music.
Many schools in the United States emphasize the importance of culture understanding in language classes.Instead of memorizing only vocabulary words and grammar patterns,classes from elementary schools to universities are teaching literature,pop songs,and films in their classes.From these various mediums students can learn a great deal about the culture of a language they study.These different forms of media can teach various characteristics about the language,culture,and history of a society.
Literature can allow you to understand the history and current debates confronting a culture.For example,if you read John Steinbeck's GraPes of Wrath you can understand the history and problems of ordinary American farmers in the Great Depression.In watching films one can learn about what is popular in a society, and also slang phrases one definitely won't find in a textbook.In pop songs one can understand what the current craze in a culture is;what kind of music people like to listen to,what that culture finds romantic,and even what the contemporary"cool"viewpoint in that society is.
If you truly are interested in learning a language,don't underestimate the importance of learning about the language's home culture.Of course one must learn a language's grammar and vocabulary, but this will only get you so far in actually being able to communicate effectively.So if you are learning a language,take the time to also study the culture.

<question>:
Which of the following opinions was NOT expressed in the passage above?

<options>:
A Language learning needs to be supplemented by cultural learning.
B Cultural learning can give key insights into a society's history, language,and current trends.
C A majority of time should be given to cultural learning while learning a second language.
D The key to effective communication is language and cultural proficiency.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Mobile phone users will be able to charge their devices wirelessly for the first time from 2015.
Fujitsu, the Japanese technology company, has created a system capable of charging quite a few portable electronic devices in the meanwhile, such as mobile phones, digital cameras and laptop computers without the need for cable connections. Electric cars users may also eventually be able to charge their vehicles wirelessly using the same technology according to Fujitsu, which presented a system at an Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers Conference at Osaka Prefecture University.
Claiming to be the world's first of its kind, the technology works on the basis of the transmission of electricity using magnetic fields between the charger and the electronic device. The system enables wireless charging at distances of up to several metres, with the final aim of installing public "charging spots" on the streets in order to enable easy charging around the clock.
Scientists at Fujitsu Laboratories are planning to commercially sell products including the new wireless charging system as early as 2012 but did not make it clear how much they would cost. "This technology makes it possible to add compact wireless charging functions into mobile phones and enabling several portable devices to be charged at the same time without any restrictions on their position in association with the charger," the company said in a statement.
The growing popularity of portable electronic devices ranging from iPads to e-readers is expected to fuel a boom in wireless recharging technology developments over the coming decade.
Mobile phone users in Japan can currently fill up their batteries using disposable portable plug-in battery-operated devices -- available at most train stations and convenience stores -- although phone companies warn any use for too long can damage the phones.
The new system displayed by Fujitsu, however, is significantly advanced and represents the next generation of portable recharging systems using highly tuned wireless technology. The company added, "We are also looking at applying the results of this work to fields other than portable electronics, including power transmission between circuit boards or computer chips, and providing mobile charging systems for electric cars."

<question>:
The writer's purpose of writing the passage is_.

<options>:
A to analyze the current international situation
B to introduce a new technology applied to charging wirelessly
C to encourage customers to purchase the new charging devices
D to warn people against using disposable portable plug-in battery-operated devices

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Mobile phone users will be able to charge their devices wirelessly for the first time from 2015.
Fujitsu, the Japanese technology company, has created a system capable of charging quite a few portable electronic devices in the meanwhile, such as mobile phones, digital cameras and laptop computers without the need for cable connections. Electric cars users may also eventually be able to charge their vehicles wirelessly using the same technology according to Fujitsu, which presented a system at an Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers Conference at Osaka Prefecture University.
Claiming to be the world's first of its kind, the technology works on the basis of the transmission of electricity using magnetic fields between the charger and the electronic device. The system enables wireless charging at distances of up to several metres, with the final aim of installing public "charging spots" on the streets in order to enable easy charging around the clock.
Scientists at Fujitsu Laboratories are planning to commercially sell products including the new wireless charging system as early as 2012 but did not make it clear how much they would cost. "This technology makes it possible to add compact wireless charging functions into mobile phones and enabling several portable devices to be charged at the same time without any restrictions on their position in association with the charger," the company said in a statement.
The growing popularity of portable electronic devices ranging from iPads to e-readers is expected to fuel a boom in wireless recharging technology developments over the coming decade.
Mobile phone users in Japan can currently fill up their batteries using disposable portable plug-in battery-operated devices -- available at most train stations and convenience stores -- although phone companies warn any use for too long can damage the phones.
The new system displayed by Fujitsu, however, is significantly advanced and represents the next generation of portable recharging systems using highly tuned wireless technology. The company added, "We are also looking at applying the results of this work to fields other than portable electronics, including power transmission between circuit boards or computer chips, and providing mobile charging systems for electric cars."

<question>:
According to the new technology, electricity can be transmitted by_.

<options>:
A using batteries
B using the electronic devices
C using magnetic fields
D using disposable portable plug-in battery-operated devices

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Mobile phone users will be able to charge their devices wirelessly for the first time from 2015.
Fujitsu, the Japanese technology company, has created a system capable of charging quite a few portable electronic devices in the meanwhile, such as mobile phones, digital cameras and laptop computers without the need for cable connections. Electric cars users may also eventually be able to charge their vehicles wirelessly using the same technology according to Fujitsu, which presented a system at an Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers Conference at Osaka Prefecture University.
Claiming to be the world's first of its kind, the technology works on the basis of the transmission of electricity using magnetic fields between the charger and the electronic device. The system enables wireless charging at distances of up to several metres, with the final aim of installing public "charging spots" on the streets in order to enable easy charging around the clock.
Scientists at Fujitsu Laboratories are planning to commercially sell products including the new wireless charging system as early as 2012 but did not make it clear how much they would cost. "This technology makes it possible to add compact wireless charging functions into mobile phones and enabling several portable devices to be charged at the same time without any restrictions on their position in association with the charger," the company said in a statement.
The growing popularity of portable electronic devices ranging from iPads to e-readers is expected to fuel a boom in wireless recharging technology developments over the coming decade.
Mobile phone users in Japan can currently fill up their batteries using disposable portable plug-in battery-operated devices -- available at most train stations and convenience stores -- although phone companies warn any use for too long can damage the phones.
The new system displayed by Fujitsu, however, is significantly advanced and represents the next generation of portable recharging systems using highly tuned wireless technology. The company added, "We are also looking at applying the results of this work to fields other than portable electronics, including power transmission between circuit boards or computer chips, and providing mobile charging systems for electric cars."

<question>:
What is certain according to the passage is that_.

<options>:
A the charging system can serve one portable electronic device at a time
B all the convenience stores in Japan can provide the charging service now
C wireless charging works within a distance of up to several metres
D the new product doesn't look promising

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Much of the water we use comes from snow. Melting snow provides water for rivers, electric power centers and agricultural crops. In the western United States, mountain snow provides up to 75% of all surface water supplies.
Snowfall helps to protect plants and some wild animals from cold, winter weather. Fresh snow is made largely of air trapped among the snow crystals. Because the air has trouble moving, the movement of heat is greatly reduced.
Snow also is known to influence the movement of sound waves. When there is fresh snow on the ground, the surface of the snow takes in, or absorbs, sound waves. However, snow can become hard and flat as it becomes older or if there have been strong winds. Then the snow's surface will help to send back sound waves. Under these conditions, sounds may seem clearer and travel farther.
Generally, the color of snow and ice appears white. This is because the light we see from the sun is white. Most natural materials take in some sunlight. This gives them their color. However, when light travels from air to snow, some light is sent back, or reflected. Snow crystals have many surfaces to reflect sunlight. Yet the snow does take in a little sunlight. It is this light that gives snow its white appearance.
Sometimes, snow or ice may appear to be blue. The blue light is the product of a long travel path through the snow or ice. In simple terms, think of snow or ice as a filter. A filter is designed to reject some substances, while permitting others to pass through. In the case of snow, all the light makes it through if the snow is only a centimeter thick. If it is a meter or more thick, however, blue light often can be seen.

<question>:
How many functions of snow are discussed in the passage?

<options>:
A One
B Two
C Three
D Four

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Much of the water we use comes from snow. Melting snow provides water for rivers, electric power centers and agricultural crops. In the western United States, mountain snow provides up to 75% of all surface water supplies.
Snowfall helps to protect plants and some wild animals from cold, winter weather. Fresh snow is made largely of air trapped among the snow crystals. Because the air has trouble moving, the movement of heat is greatly reduced.
Snow also is known to influence the movement of sound waves. When there is fresh snow on the ground, the surface of the snow takes in, or absorbs, sound waves. However, snow can become hard and flat as it becomes older or if there have been strong winds. Then the snow's surface will help to send back sound waves. Under these conditions, sounds may seem clearer and travel farther.
Generally, the color of snow and ice appears white. This is because the light we see from the sun is white. Most natural materials take in some sunlight. This gives them their color. However, when light travels from air to snow, some light is sent back, or reflected. Snow crystals have many surfaces to reflect sunlight. Yet the snow does take in a little sunlight. It is this light that gives snow its white appearance.
Sometimes, snow or ice may appear to be blue. The blue light is the product of a long travel path through the snow or ice. In simple terms, think of snow or ice as a filter. A filter is designed to reject some substances, while permitting others to pass through. In the case of snow, all the light makes it through if the snow is only a centimeter thick. If it is a meter or more thick, however, blue light often can be seen.

<question>:
Why does snowfall help to protect plants from cold?

<options>:
A Because snow crystals contain heat.
B Because snow crystals have air in them.
C Because snow crystals are easy to blow away.
D Because snow crystals send out heat when melting.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Much of the water we use comes from snow. Melting snow provides water for rivers, electric power centers and agricultural crops. In the western United States, mountain snow provides up to 75% of all surface water supplies.
Snowfall helps to protect plants and some wild animals from cold, winter weather. Fresh snow is made largely of air trapped among the snow crystals. Because the air has trouble moving, the movement of heat is greatly reduced.
Snow also is known to influence the movement of sound waves. When there is fresh snow on the ground, the surface of the snow takes in, or absorbs, sound waves. However, snow can become hard and flat as it becomes older or if there have been strong winds. Then the snow's surface will help to send back sound waves. Under these conditions, sounds may seem clearer and travel farther.
Generally, the color of snow and ice appears white. This is because the light we see from the sun is white. Most natural materials take in some sunlight. This gives them their color. However, when light travels from air to snow, some light is sent back, or reflected. Snow crystals have many surfaces to reflect sunlight. Yet the snow does take in a little sunlight. It is this light that gives snow its white appearance.
Sometimes, snow or ice may appear to be blue. The blue light is the product of a long travel path through the snow or ice. In simple terms, think of snow or ice as a filter. A filter is designed to reject some substances, while permitting others to pass through. In the case of snow, all the light makes it through if the snow is only a centimeter thick. If it is a meter or more thick, however, blue light often can be seen.

<question>:
It can be inferred that   _  .

<options>:
A hard snow is better in protecting wild animals than fresh snow
B fresh snow is better in sending sound waves than hard snow
C fresh snow is better in taking in sound waves than hard snow
D hard snow provides less water than fresh snow

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Much of the water we use comes from snow. Melting snow provides water for rivers, electric power centers and agricultural crops. In the western United States, mountain snow provides up to 75% of all surface water supplies.
Snowfall helps to protect plants and some wild animals from cold, winter weather. Fresh snow is made largely of air trapped among the snow crystals. Because the air has trouble moving, the movement of heat is greatly reduced.
Snow also is known to influence the movement of sound waves. When there is fresh snow on the ground, the surface of the snow takes in, or absorbs, sound waves. However, snow can become hard and flat as it becomes older or if there have been strong winds. Then the snow's surface will help to send back sound waves. Under these conditions, sounds may seem clearer and travel farther.
Generally, the color of snow and ice appears white. This is because the light we see from the sun is white. Most natural materials take in some sunlight. This gives them their color. However, when light travels from air to snow, some light is sent back, or reflected. Snow crystals have many surfaces to reflect sunlight. Yet the snow does take in a little sunlight. It is this light that gives snow its white appearance.
Sometimes, snow or ice may appear to be blue. The blue light is the product of a long travel path through the snow or ice. In simple terms, think of snow or ice as a filter. A filter is designed to reject some substances, while permitting others to pass through. In the case of snow, all the light makes it through if the snow is only a centimeter thick. If it is a meter or more thick, however, blue light often can be seen.

<question>:
The color of snow and ice appears white because snow crystals  _  .

<options>:
A send back none of the sunlight
B send back all of the sunlight
C take in most of the sunlight
D take in some of the sunlight

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
The Siemens Foundation holds a Mathematics,Science and Technology Competition for high school students every year.The Foundation created the competition to improve student. Performance in mathematics and science.The contest is open to any student who is an American citizen or permitted to live in the United States The Siemens Foundation joined the College Board and six universities to create the competition.More than 1,600 students took part in the contest last year.
    Experts from the universities judge competitions in six parts of the country.Individual and team winners from those events then compete nationally.They demonstrate their projects to university professors and scientists.A winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics,Joseph Taylor,led the judging group for the latest contest.
    The results from that judging group produced a first in the history of the competition It was the first time in which girls won both the individual and the team prizes.Forty-eight percent of those who entered the latest contest were young women.
    The individual winner was Isha Jain of Bethlehem,Pennsylvania.She received 100,000 dollars toward her college education for her studies of bone growth in zebra fish.The Siemens judges said she was the first to discover that bone grows in many short periods of time.They also said her work was equal to that of a student who had completed four years of college.
    The top team winners were two seventeen year olds from Plainview,New York.Janelle Schloss berger and Amanda Harin off shared a prize of 100,000 dollars for their college educations.The young women studied bacteria responsible for the disease tuberculosis(,TB).They created substances that kill tuberculosis by attacking a protein.The Siemens
 Foundation says their discovery could lead to a new treatment for drug resistant TB.

<question>:
The Siemens Foundation holds the science competitions for American hi.gh school students in  order to_.

<options>:
A encourage them to complete their schoolwork
B improve their knowledge of science
C earn enough money for college
D show them the importance of science

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
The Siemens Foundation holds a Mathematics,Science and Technology Competition for high school students every year.The Foundation created the competition to improve student. Performance in mathematics and science.The contest is open to any student who is an American citizen or permitted to live in the United States The Siemens Foundation joined the College Board and six universities to create the competition.More than 1,600 students took part in the contest last year.
    Experts from the universities judge competitions in six parts of the country.Individual and team winners from those events then compete nationally.They demonstrate their projects to university professors and scientists.A winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics,Joseph Taylor,led the judging group for the latest contest.
    The results from that judging group produced a first in the history of the competition It was the first time in which girls won both the individual and the team prizes.Forty-eight percent of those who entered the latest contest were young women.
    The individual winner was Isha Jain of Bethlehem,Pennsylvania.She received 100,000 dollars toward her college education for her studies of bone growth in zebra fish.The Siemens judges said she was the first to discover that bone grows in many short periods of time.They also said her work was equal to that of a student who had completed four years of college.
    The top team winners were two seventeen year olds from Plainview,New York.Janelle Schloss berger and Amanda Harin off shared a prize of 100,000 dollars for their college educations.The young women studied bacteria responsible for the disease tuberculosis(,TB).They created substances that kill tuberculosis by attacking a protein.The Siemens
 Foundation says their discovery could lead to a new treatment for drug resistant TB.

<question>:
Isha Jain of Bethlehem won her prize because_.

<options>:
A she had finished her college study
B she had studied the disease tuberculosis
C she had worked equally with boys
D she had obtained a result about bone growth

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
The Siemens Foundation holds a Mathematics,Science and Technology Competition for high school students every year.The Foundation created the competition to improve student. Performance in mathematics and science.The contest is open to any student who is an American citizen or permitted to live in the United States The Siemens Foundation joined the College Board and six universities to create the competition.More than 1,600 students took part in the contest last year.
    Experts from the universities judge competitions in six parts of the country.Individual and team winners from those events then compete nationally.They demonstrate their projects to university professors and scientists.A winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics,Joseph Taylor,led the judging group for the latest contest.
    The results from that judging group produced a first in the history of the competition It was the first time in which girls won both the individual and the team prizes.Forty-eight percent of those who entered the latest contest were young women.
    The individual winner was Isha Jain of Bethlehem,Pennsylvania.She received 100,000 dollars toward her college education for her studies of bone growth in zebra fish.The Siemens judges said she was the first to discover that bone grows in many short periods of time.They also said her work was equal to that of a student who had completed four years of college.
    The top team winners were two seventeen year olds from Plainview,New York.Janelle Schloss berger and Amanda Harin off shared a prize of 100,000 dollars for their college educations.The young women studied bacteria responsible for the disease tuberculosis(,TB).They created substances that kill tuberculosis by attacking a protein.The Siemens
 Foundation says their discovery could lead to a new treatment for drug resistant TB.

<question>:
The competitors show their talent by_.

<options>:
A presenting their projects to the judging group
B taking part in an examination
C handing in the whole of their projects
D designing a project on the spot

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
The Siemens Foundation holds a Mathematics,Science and Technology Competition for high school students every year.The Foundation created the competition to improve student. Performance in mathematics and science.The contest is open to any student who is an American citizen or permitted to live in the United States The Siemens Foundation joined the College Board and six universities to create the competition.More than 1,600 students took part in the contest last year.
    Experts from the universities judge competitions in six parts of the country.Individual and team winners from those events then compete nationally.They demonstrate their projects to university professors and scientists.A winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics,Joseph Taylor,led the judging group for the latest contest.
    The results from that judging group produced a first in the history of the competition It was the first time in which girls won both the individual and the team prizes.Forty-eight percent of those who entered the latest contest were young women.
    The individual winner was Isha Jain of Bethlehem,Pennsylvania.She received 100,000 dollars toward her college education for her studies of bone growth in zebra fish.The Siemens judges said she was the first to discover that bone grows in many short periods of time.They also said her work was equal to that of a student who had completed four years of college.
    The top team winners were two seventeen year olds from Plainview,New York.Janelle Schloss berger and Amanda Harin off shared a prize of 100,000 dollars for their college educations.The young women studied bacteria responsible for the disease tuberculosis(,TB).They created substances that kill tuberculosis by attacking a protein.The Siemens
 Foundation says their discovery could lead to a new treatment for drug resistant TB.

<question>:
From this passage we learn that_.

<options>:
A only American citizens take part in the competition
B fewer girls used to take part in the competition
C more than half girls took part in the recent competition
D all winners' prizes are for their college educations

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
The Siemens Foundation holds a Mathematics,Science and Technology Competition for high school students every year.The Foundation created the competition to improve student. Performance in mathematics and science.The contest is open to any student who is an American citizen or permitted to live in the United States The Siemens Foundation joined the College Board and six universities to create the competition.More than 1,600 students took part in the contest last year.
    Experts from the universities judge competitions in six parts of the country.Individual and team winners from those events then compete nationally.They demonstrate their projects to university professors and scientists.A winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics,Joseph Taylor,led the judging group for the latest contest.
    The results from that judging group produced a first in the history of the competition It was the first time in which girls won both the individual and the team prizes.Forty-eight percent of those who entered the latest contest were young women.
    The individual winner was Isha Jain of Bethlehem,Pennsylvania.She received 100,000 dollars toward her college education for her studies of bone growth in zebra fish.The Siemens judges said she was the first to discover that bone grows in many short periods of time.They also said her work was equal to that of a student who had completed four years of college.
    The top team winners were two seventeen year olds from Plainview,New York.Janelle Schloss berger and Amanda Harin off shared a prize of 100,000 dollars for their college educations.The young women studied bacteria responsible for the disease tuberculosis(,TB).They created substances that kill tuberculosis by attacking a protein.The Siemens
 Foundation says their discovery could lead to a new treatment for drug resistant TB.

<question>:
What is a good title for the passage?

<options>:
A Preparations for High School Students Before College
B A Chance to Demonstrate Their Knowledge of Science
C Distinguished Meeting of prefix = st1 /AmericanHigh SchoolStudents
D Young Women's Great Contributions to Science

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
For most people, Christmas is a time to relax in the company of family and friends. But for Santa Claus, and the thousands of fake Santas who impersonate  him every year, the Christmas season is time to get to work.
Although  Santa Claus waits until Christmas Eve to take his famous sleigh   ride, Santa impersonators can be found at shopping malls around America throughout the six weeks leading up to December 25. "When you see Santa talking with kids at your local mall, that's when you know Christmas really is on the way," says Mary Lewine of New York City.
With the excitement of Christmas, people often forget about the real people behind the red robes   and white beards, but being a mall Santa. is a tough job. "There is more to it than just sitting in a chair. There is more to it than just a red suit," said Timothy Connaghan, who has worked as a Santa for.38 years. "Children can really put the wear and tear on you."
A recent survey showed some of the challenges that mall Santas face every year. About 90 percent of Santas claimed that children pulled their beards to see if they were real, and 60 percent said that up to ten kids cough or sneeze on them every day. Even more disturbing, one-third of the Santas admit to having children wet themselves while sitting on their laps.
So why would anyone take this job? For Ben Brauch, a retired high school teacher who has worked as a Santa for the last six years, the answer is simple-the children. "I see maybe 12,000 kids in a six-week period.
It's hard work, but it's worth it because you get to play with kids." In fact, Brauch loves his job so much that he keeps his white beard long all year.

<question>:
According to Timothy Connaghan, we can conclude that   _

<options>:
A all children are moved to tears when seeing Santa
B a mall Santa is always sitting in a chair
C a mall Santa tolerates a lot during Christmas
D Santa impersonators are greatly admired

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
For most people, Christmas is a time to relax in the company of family and friends. But for Santa Claus, and the thousands of fake Santas who impersonate  him every year, the Christmas season is time to get to work.
Although  Santa Claus waits until Christmas Eve to take his famous sleigh   ride, Santa impersonators can be found at shopping malls around America throughout the six weeks leading up to December 25. "When you see Santa talking with kids at your local mall, that's when you know Christmas really is on the way," says Mary Lewine of New York City.
With the excitement of Christmas, people often forget about the real people behind the red robes   and white beards, but being a mall Santa. is a tough job. "There is more to it than just sitting in a chair. There is more to it than just a red suit," said Timothy Connaghan, who has worked as a Santa for.38 years. "Children can really put the wear and tear on you."
A recent survey showed some of the challenges that mall Santas face every year. About 90 percent of Santas claimed that children pulled their beards to see if they were real, and 60 percent said that up to ten kids cough or sneeze on them every day. Even more disturbing, one-third of the Santas admit to having children wet themselves while sitting on their laps.
So why would anyone take this job? For Ben Brauch, a retired high school teacher who has worked as a Santa for the last six years, the answer is simple-the children. "I see maybe 12,000 kids in a six-week period.
It's hard work, but it's worth it because you get to play with kids." In fact, Brauch loves his job so much that he keeps his white beard long all year.

<question>:
Why does Ben Brauch love his job of Santa impersonator?

<options>:
A Because he can keep his white beard long all year.
B Because he as nothing else to do after retiring.
C Because he can earn a large sum of money.
D Because he enjoys playing with children.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
For most people, Christmas is a time to relax in the company of family and friends. But for Santa Claus, and the thousands of fake Santas who impersonate  him every year, the Christmas season is time to get to work.
Although  Santa Claus waits until Christmas Eve to take his famous sleigh   ride, Santa impersonators can be found at shopping malls around America throughout the six weeks leading up to December 25. "When you see Santa talking with kids at your local mall, that's when you know Christmas really is on the way," says Mary Lewine of New York City.
With the excitement of Christmas, people often forget about the real people behind the red robes   and white beards, but being a mall Santa. is a tough job. "There is more to it than just sitting in a chair. There is more to it than just a red suit," said Timothy Connaghan, who has worked as a Santa for.38 years. "Children can really put the wear and tear on you."
A recent survey showed some of the challenges that mall Santas face every year. About 90 percent of Santas claimed that children pulled their beards to see if they were real, and 60 percent said that up to ten kids cough or sneeze on them every day. Even more disturbing, one-third of the Santas admit to having children wet themselves while sitting on their laps.
So why would anyone take this job? For Ben Brauch, a retired high school teacher who has worked as a Santa for the last six years, the answer is simple-the children. "I see maybe 12,000 kids in a six-week period.
It's hard work, but it's worth it because you get to play with kids." In fact, Brauch loves his job so much that he keeps his white beard long all year.

<question>:
What is the best title of the text?

<options>:
A Santa impersonators during Christmas
B The coming Christmas
C Shopping malls in America
D A disturbing job

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
On December 8, Xinhua News Agency published a list of news keywords that it believes sum up the year 2009.
The phrase "low-carbon life" had been heard in China before 2009, but in 2009, it has become popular among young Chinese who are concerned about the environment. It comes as world leaders are talking about fighting global warming in Copenhagen, Denmark. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are the main cause of global warming, which leads to extreme weather and other conditions.
Living a low carbon life means trying to cut carbon dioxide emissions  in one's daily life. For example, burning less coal and oil, which produce CO
. It means walking, biking or taking buses, rather than using a private car.
"A(H1N1) flu" is also on Xinhua's list. Since April, 2009 the virus has made over 100,000 people ill on the Chinese mainland and 325 people had died of it as of December 9. But as US magazine
pointed out recently, the best evidence suggests it is no more dangerous than a bad seasonal flu.
The year 2009 saw the growing impact of the Internet on society, with the word "duomaomao", meaning hide-and-seek, becoming a hit on the web. On February 12, Li Qiaoming died of brain injuries several days after being detained  by police in Jinning county, Yunnan Province. Police said it was an accident sustained while he was playing hide-and-seek with his fellow prisoners.
cast doubt on this explanation and called for an investigation. It turned out that Li had been beaten to death by other prisoners.
Another phrase connected with the Internet on the list is "Net Addiction Camps". Many parents send children obsessed  with the web to "Net Addiction Camps" for treatment. But some camps use physical punishment or electrical shocks. In 2009, some young people died as a result of the extreme methods, which led to a nationwide discussion. In November, the Ministry of Health banned the use of physical punishment to keep children off the net and dropped the term "net addiction ". It did not say that excessive  net use is a mental illness either.

<question>:
The purpose of the passage is to    _   .

<options>:
A call on the public to live a low-carbon life
B show the great effect of the Internet
C introduce some news keywords of the year 2009
D warn people not to be addicted to the Internet

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
On December 8, Xinhua News Agency published a list of news keywords that it believes sum up the year 2009.
The phrase "low-carbon life" had been heard in China before 2009, but in 2009, it has become popular among young Chinese who are concerned about the environment. It comes as world leaders are talking about fighting global warming in Copenhagen, Denmark. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are the main cause of global warming, which leads to extreme weather and other conditions.
Living a low carbon life means trying to cut carbon dioxide emissions  in one's daily life. For example, burning less coal and oil, which produce CO
. It means walking, biking or taking buses, rather than using a private car.
"A(H1N1) flu" is also on Xinhua's list. Since April, 2009 the virus has made over 100,000 people ill on the Chinese mainland and 325 people had died of it as of December 9. But as US magazine
pointed out recently, the best evidence suggests it is no more dangerous than a bad seasonal flu.
The year 2009 saw the growing impact of the Internet on society, with the word "duomaomao", meaning hide-and-seek, becoming a hit on the web. On February 12, Li Qiaoming died of brain injuries several days after being detained  by police in Jinning county, Yunnan Province. Police said it was an accident sustained while he was playing hide-and-seek with his fellow prisoners.
cast doubt on this explanation and called for an investigation. It turned out that Li had been beaten to death by other prisoners.
Another phrase connected with the Internet on the list is "Net Addiction Camps". Many parents send children obsessed  with the web to "Net Addiction Camps" for treatment. But some camps use physical punishment or electrical shocks. In 2009, some young people died as a result of the extreme methods, which led to a nationwide discussion. In November, the Ministry of Health banned the use of physical punishment to keep children off the net and dropped the term "net addiction ". It did not say that excessive  net use is a mental illness either.

<question>:
What can be inferred from the incident of "duomaomao"?

<options>:
A Hide-and-seek is a dangerous game.
B Li was beaten to death by other prisoners.
C Police did a great job in the investigation  .
D It was the influence of the Internet that led to the truth.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
On December 8, Xinhua News Agency published a list of news keywords that it believes sum up the year 2009.
The phrase "low-carbon life" had been heard in China before 2009, but in 2009, it has become popular among young Chinese who are concerned about the environment. It comes as world leaders are talking about fighting global warming in Copenhagen, Denmark. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are the main cause of global warming, which leads to extreme weather and other conditions.
Living a low carbon life means trying to cut carbon dioxide emissions  in one's daily life. For example, burning less coal and oil, which produce CO
. It means walking, biking or taking buses, rather than using a private car.
"A(H1N1) flu" is also on Xinhua's list. Since April, 2009 the virus has made over 100,000 people ill on the Chinese mainland and 325 people had died of it as of December 9. But as US magazine
pointed out recently, the best evidence suggests it is no more dangerous than a bad seasonal flu.
The year 2009 saw the growing impact of the Internet on society, with the word "duomaomao", meaning hide-and-seek, becoming a hit on the web. On February 12, Li Qiaoming died of brain injuries several days after being detained  by police in Jinning county, Yunnan Province. Police said it was an accident sustained while he was playing hide-and-seek with his fellow prisoners.
cast doubt on this explanation and called for an investigation. It turned out that Li had been beaten to death by other prisoners.
Another phrase connected with the Internet on the list is "Net Addiction Camps". Many parents send children obsessed  with the web to "Net Addiction Camps" for treatment. But some camps use physical punishment or electrical shocks. In 2009, some young people died as a result of the extreme methods, which led to a nationwide discussion. In November, the Ministry of Health banned the use of physical punishment to keep children off the net and dropped the term "net addiction ". It did not say that excessive  net use is a mental illness either.

<question>:
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

<options>:
A The phrase "low-carbon life" had been popular among young people before 2009.
B Global warming mainly results from greenhouse gases.
C A (H1N1) flu is more dangerous than a bad seasonal flu.
D Li Qiaoming died of an accident while playing hide-and-seek with his fellow prisoners.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
On December 8, Xinhua News Agency published a list of news keywords that it believes sum up the year 2009.
The phrase "low-carbon life" had been heard in China before 2009, but in 2009, it has become popular among young Chinese who are concerned about the environment. It comes as world leaders are talking about fighting global warming in Copenhagen, Denmark. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are the main cause of global warming, which leads to extreme weather and other conditions.
Living a low carbon life means trying to cut carbon dioxide emissions  in one's daily life. For example, burning less coal and oil, which produce CO
. It means walking, biking or taking buses, rather than using a private car.
"A(H1N1) flu" is also on Xinhua's list. Since April, 2009 the virus has made over 100,000 people ill on the Chinese mainland and 325 people had died of it as of December 9. But as US magazine
pointed out recently, the best evidence suggests it is no more dangerous than a bad seasonal flu.
The year 2009 saw the growing impact of the Internet on society, with the word "duomaomao", meaning hide-and-seek, becoming a hit on the web. On February 12, Li Qiaoming died of brain injuries several days after being detained  by police in Jinning county, Yunnan Province. Police said it was an accident sustained while he was playing hide-and-seek with his fellow prisoners.
cast doubt on this explanation and called for an investigation. It turned out that Li had been beaten to death by other prisoners.
Another phrase connected with the Internet on the list is "Net Addiction Camps". Many parents send children obsessed  with the web to "Net Addiction Camps" for treatment. But some camps use physical punishment or electrical shocks. In 2009, some young people died as a result of the extreme methods, which led to a nationwide discussion. In November, the Ministry of Health banned the use of physical punishment to keep children off the net and dropped the term "net addiction ". It did not say that excessive  net use is a mental illness either.

<question>:
Which of the following doesn't mean a low-carbon life ?

<options>:
A Using a private car.
B Using efficient light bulbs.
C Walking, biking or taking buses.
D Turning your air-conditioner one degree higher.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
About a year ago, a couple with three children moved into the apartment next door to me. I never heard any noise from the children, but the parents were always _ at them.
We often met. I always spoke, but the only answer I ever got was a hello from a four-year-old girl. One day when I returned, they were just coming back to their apartment and the little girl was holding the door in the hall open for the others. I remained in the car doing unnecessary things. The parents were telling her to hurry. I looked up and saw the little girl was still holding the door open, waiting for me. I hurried as much as I could and thanked her. She was smiling from ear to ear.
That afternoon I was at the K-Mart and saw a white teddy bear. I thought of the little girl and said to myself, "I bet she would like it." So I bought it for her.
The next day there was a knock on the door and it was the little girl and her father. She was so proud of her bear and thanked me. Then I noticed her mother and the other children were there in the hall, too.
Now when we meet in the hall, we all speak in a friendly manner. Last night we had about four inches of snow. The temperature was below zero. When I opened the outside door, there was my car with all the snow removed. The man next door was the only person I knew in the whole building, so when I saw him the next day, I asked him if he was the nice person that removed the snow. He said NO. He wanted to, but his wife said she wanted to do it.
Isn't it amazing that the small kind act of a four-year-old girl can change so many things for the better?

<question>:
Why did the author do unnecessary things in his car?

<options>:
A His neighbor yelled at him.
B He did not know how to kill time.
C The weather was cold outside.
D He did not wanted to be embarrassed.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
About a year ago, a couple with three children moved into the apartment next door to me. I never heard any noise from the children, but the parents were always _ at them.
We often met. I always spoke, but the only answer I ever got was a hello from a four-year-old girl. One day when I returned, they were just coming back to their apartment and the little girl was holding the door in the hall open for the others. I remained in the car doing unnecessary things. The parents were telling her to hurry. I looked up and saw the little girl was still holding the door open, waiting for me. I hurried as much as I could and thanked her. She was smiling from ear to ear.
That afternoon I was at the K-Mart and saw a white teddy bear. I thought of the little girl and said to myself, "I bet she would like it." So I bought it for her.
The next day there was a knock on the door and it was the little girl and her father. She was so proud of her bear and thanked me. Then I noticed her mother and the other children were there in the hall, too.
Now when we meet in the hall, we all speak in a friendly manner. Last night we had about four inches of snow. The temperature was below zero. When I opened the outside door, there was my car with all the snow removed. The man next door was the only person I knew in the whole building, so when I saw him the next day, I asked him if he was the nice person that removed the snow. He said NO. He wanted to, but his wife said she wanted to do it.
Isn't it amazing that the small kind act of a four-year-old girl can change so many things for the better?

<question>:
What the four-year-old girl did made the author feel   _  .

<options>:
A warm
B sad
C upset
D angry

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
About a year ago, a couple with three children moved into the apartment next door to me. I never heard any noise from the children, but the parents were always _ at them.
We often met. I always spoke, but the only answer I ever got was a hello from a four-year-old girl. One day when I returned, they were just coming back to their apartment and the little girl was holding the door in the hall open for the others. I remained in the car doing unnecessary things. The parents were telling her to hurry. I looked up and saw the little girl was still holding the door open, waiting for me. I hurried as much as I could and thanked her. She was smiling from ear to ear.
That afternoon I was at the K-Mart and saw a white teddy bear. I thought of the little girl and said to myself, "I bet she would like it." So I bought it for her.
The next day there was a knock on the door and it was the little girl and her father. She was so proud of her bear and thanked me. Then I noticed her mother and the other children were there in the hall, too.
Now when we meet in the hall, we all speak in a friendly manner. Last night we had about four inches of snow. The temperature was below zero. When I opened the outside door, there was my car with all the snow removed. The man next door was the only person I knew in the whole building, so when I saw him the next day, I asked him if he was the nice person that removed the snow. He said NO. He wanted to, but his wife said she wanted to do it.
Isn't it amazing that the small kind act of a four-year-old girl can change so many things for the better?

<question>:
The passage mainly tells us  _  .?

<options>:
A Children should be polite to their neighbors.
B People should be kind and communicate with each other.
C Your neighbors are not as bad as you think.
D Things can be changed by removing snow.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
My father's family is not a musical family.They are a family of words.My brother has my father's dark hair,his love of a good argument.I take after my mother.From her I inherited a curious nature,a sense of adventure,bright red hair.I did not,contrary to her hopes,inherit a talent for the piano.That fact was established beyond doubt after unsuccessful attempts to draw music from me.
The piano lessons began when I was four.My mother was convinced that I would be a child Mozart.She found the ideal teacher-Madame Oblenka,a strict Russian woman,whose pursed lips were enough to frighten a wild horse into submission.Madame Oblenka,who expected a little Mozart,was not very delighted to find a little girl banging her fists  on the keys.
I tried to please her."Feel the music,"she urged.I"felt"it and winced  my ears-for what is more unpleasant than a series of wrong notes played continuously?She"felt"my music,too,which is why she always left with an angrier expression than when she came.
Once,when I was ten,I managed to record one of my own rehearsals .In order to escape my practice sessions,I would close myself behind the door of the piano room,put on the tape recording,and read until the tape had finished.That method worked for a week,until my mother began to wonder why I always missed the same B-sharp.She knocked on the door,and,receiving no answer,came in to check on me and found that I had fallen asleep while the tape of my performance played on and on.
I was twelve when my parents finally acknowledged that my hidden talent was not about to emerge  any time soon.My mother,refusing to admit defeat,told me to pick another instrument."Choose anything you want,Honey,"she said,assuming that freedom of choice would inspire devotion.I thought long and hard and chose the drums.My parents,sensitive to noise,would be less than overjoyed by a daily bombardment of playing.I imagined my father in his study,cotton wads in his ears.
I worked my way through several other instruments before my mother hit on another idea.Maybe I wasn't meant to be an instrumentalist.Realizing that drama might be more suited to my talents,Mom took me to a drama teacher.However,he put me backstage,painting scenery.Once I recovered from my sense of injury,I realized the wisdom of his choice.I loved the active,practical backstage world,and I discovered that I had a knack for constructing and painting.I loved the challenge of taking our scanty supplies and using them to make something beautiful.Imagining a scene and then seeing it emerge before me-this,to me,was close to magic.
I'm a sculptor now,and every day I experience afresh the joy of being fully absorbed in the act of artistic creation.It's a wonderful,blissful  feeling.I realize that my parents,in their misguided attempts to interest me in music,were trying to give me this feeling.And now I feel grateful.Perhaps they went about it in the wrong way,but their hearts were in the right place.

<question>:
Madame Oblenka always felt angry because   .

<options>:
A the author was too young to play the piano well
B the author often pointed out the wrong notes of her
C the author kept banging on the keys unconsciously
D the author's performance was far from satisfactory

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
My father's family is not a musical family.They are a family of words.My brother has my father's dark hair,his love of a good argument.I take after my mother.From her I inherited a curious nature,a sense of adventure,bright red hair.I did not,contrary to her hopes,inherit a talent for the piano.That fact was established beyond doubt after unsuccessful attempts to draw music from me.
The piano lessons began when I was four.My mother was convinced that I would be a child Mozart.She found the ideal teacher-Madame Oblenka,a strict Russian woman,whose pursed lips were enough to frighten a wild horse into submission.Madame Oblenka,who expected a little Mozart,was not very delighted to find a little girl banging her fists  on the keys.
I tried to please her."Feel the music,"she urged.I"felt"it and winced  my ears-for what is more unpleasant than a series of wrong notes played continuously?She"felt"my music,too,which is why she always left with an angrier expression than when she came.
Once,when I was ten,I managed to record one of my own rehearsals .In order to escape my practice sessions,I would close myself behind the door of the piano room,put on the tape recording,and read until the tape had finished.That method worked for a week,until my mother began to wonder why I always missed the same B-sharp.She knocked on the door,and,receiving no answer,came in to check on me and found that I had fallen asleep while the tape of my performance played on and on.
I was twelve when my parents finally acknowledged that my hidden talent was not about to emerge  any time soon.My mother,refusing to admit defeat,told me to pick another instrument."Choose anything you want,Honey,"she said,assuming that freedom of choice would inspire devotion.I thought long and hard and chose the drums.My parents,sensitive to noise,would be less than overjoyed by a daily bombardment of playing.I imagined my father in his study,cotton wads in his ears.
I worked my way through several other instruments before my mother hit on another idea.Maybe I wasn't meant to be an instrumentalist.Realizing that drama might be more suited to my talents,Mom took me to a drama teacher.However,he put me backstage,painting scenery.Once I recovered from my sense of injury,I realized the wisdom of his choice.I loved the active,practical backstage world,and I discovered that I had a knack for constructing and painting.I loved the challenge of taking our scanty supplies and using them to make something beautiful.Imagining a scene and then seeing it emerge before me-this,to me,was close to magic.
I'm a sculptor now,and every day I experience afresh the joy of being fully absorbed in the act of artistic creation.It's a wonderful,blissful  feeling.I realize that my parents,in their misguided attempts to interest me in music,were trying to give me this feeling.And now I feel grateful.Perhaps they went about it in the wrong way,but their hearts were in the right place.

<question>:
Which of the following best reveals the author's attitude towards piano practice?

<options>:
A She tried to make the piano teacher pleased.
B She recorded her performance for improvement.
C She played the recording instead of practising.
D She repeated the same mistake in practising.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
My father's family is not a musical family.They are a family of words.My brother has my father's dark hair,his love of a good argument.I take after my mother.From her I inherited a curious nature,a sense of adventure,bright red hair.I did not,contrary to her hopes,inherit a talent for the piano.That fact was established beyond doubt after unsuccessful attempts to draw music from me.
The piano lessons began when I was four.My mother was convinced that I would be a child Mozart.She found the ideal teacher-Madame Oblenka,a strict Russian woman,whose pursed lips were enough to frighten a wild horse into submission.Madame Oblenka,who expected a little Mozart,was not very delighted to find a little girl banging her fists  on the keys.
I tried to please her."Feel the music,"she urged.I"felt"it and winced  my ears-for what is more unpleasant than a series of wrong notes played continuously?She"felt"my music,too,which is why she always left with an angrier expression than when she came.
Once,when I was ten,I managed to record one of my own rehearsals .In order to escape my practice sessions,I would close myself behind the door of the piano room,put on the tape recording,and read until the tape had finished.That method worked for a week,until my mother began to wonder why I always missed the same B-sharp.She knocked on the door,and,receiving no answer,came in to check on me and found that I had fallen asleep while the tape of my performance played on and on.
I was twelve when my parents finally acknowledged that my hidden talent was not about to emerge  any time soon.My mother,refusing to admit defeat,told me to pick another instrument."Choose anything you want,Honey,"she said,assuming that freedom of choice would inspire devotion.I thought long and hard and chose the drums.My parents,sensitive to noise,would be less than overjoyed by a daily bombardment of playing.I imagined my father in his study,cotton wads in his ears.
I worked my way through several other instruments before my mother hit on another idea.Maybe I wasn't meant to be an instrumentalist.Realizing that drama might be more suited to my talents,Mom took me to a drama teacher.However,he put me backstage,painting scenery.Once I recovered from my sense of injury,I realized the wisdom of his choice.I loved the active,practical backstage world,and I discovered that I had a knack for constructing and painting.I loved the challenge of taking our scanty supplies and using them to make something beautiful.Imagining a scene and then seeing it emerge before me-this,to me,was close to magic.
I'm a sculptor now,and every day I experience afresh the joy of being fully absorbed in the act of artistic creation.It's a wonderful,blissful  feeling.I realize that my parents,in their misguided attempts to interest me in music,were trying to give me this feeling.And now I feel grateful.Perhaps they went about it in the wrong way,but their hearts were in the right place.

<question>:
Why did the author choose the drums as a musical instrument?

<options>:
A She was eager to free herself from piano lessons.
B She was reluctant to play an instrument.
C She was confident of handling them.
D She was fond of beating drums.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
My father's family is not a musical family.They are a family of words.My brother has my father's dark hair,his love of a good argument.I take after my mother.From her I inherited a curious nature,a sense of adventure,bright red hair.I did not,contrary to her hopes,inherit a talent for the piano.That fact was established beyond doubt after unsuccessful attempts to draw music from me.
The piano lessons began when I was four.My mother was convinced that I would be a child Mozart.She found the ideal teacher-Madame Oblenka,a strict Russian woman,whose pursed lips were enough to frighten a wild horse into submission.Madame Oblenka,who expected a little Mozart,was not very delighted to find a little girl banging her fists  on the keys.
I tried to please her."Feel the music,"she urged.I"felt"it and winced  my ears-for what is more unpleasant than a series of wrong notes played continuously?She"felt"my music,too,which is why she always left with an angrier expression than when she came.
Once,when I was ten,I managed to record one of my own rehearsals .In order to escape my practice sessions,I would close myself behind the door of the piano room,put on the tape recording,and read until the tape had finished.That method worked for a week,until my mother began to wonder why I always missed the same B-sharp.She knocked on the door,and,receiving no answer,came in to check on me and found that I had fallen asleep while the tape of my performance played on and on.
I was twelve when my parents finally acknowledged that my hidden talent was not about to emerge  any time soon.My mother,refusing to admit defeat,told me to pick another instrument."Choose anything you want,Honey,"she said,assuming that freedom of choice would inspire devotion.I thought long and hard and chose the drums.My parents,sensitive to noise,would be less than overjoyed by a daily bombardment of playing.I imagined my father in his study,cotton wads in his ears.
I worked my way through several other instruments before my mother hit on another idea.Maybe I wasn't meant to be an instrumentalist.Realizing that drama might be more suited to my talents,Mom took me to a drama teacher.However,he put me backstage,painting scenery.Once I recovered from my sense of injury,I realized the wisdom of his choice.I loved the active,practical backstage world,and I discovered that I had a knack for constructing and painting.I loved the challenge of taking our scanty supplies and using them to make something beautiful.Imagining a scene and then seeing it emerge before me-this,to me,was close to magic.
I'm a sculptor now,and every day I experience afresh the joy of being fully absorbed in the act of artistic creation.It's a wonderful,blissful  feeling.I realize that my parents,in their misguided attempts to interest me in music,were trying to give me this feeling.And now I feel grateful.Perhaps they went about it in the wrong way,but their hearts were in the right place.

<question>:
The author's mother can be best described as   .

<options>:
A devoted and stubborn
B encouraging and independent
C helpful and considerate
D hardworking and generous

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
My father's family is not a musical family.They are a family of words.My brother has my father's dark hair,his love of a good argument.I take after my mother.From her I inherited a curious nature,a sense of adventure,bright red hair.I did not,contrary to her hopes,inherit a talent for the piano.That fact was established beyond doubt after unsuccessful attempts to draw music from me.
The piano lessons began when I was four.My mother was convinced that I would be a child Mozart.She found the ideal teacher-Madame Oblenka,a strict Russian woman,whose pursed lips were enough to frighten a wild horse into submission.Madame Oblenka,who expected a little Mozart,was not very delighted to find a little girl banging her fists  on the keys.
I tried to please her."Feel the music,"she urged.I"felt"it and winced  my ears-for what is more unpleasant than a series of wrong notes played continuously?She"felt"my music,too,which is why she always left with an angrier expression than when she came.
Once,when I was ten,I managed to record one of my own rehearsals .In order to escape my practice sessions,I would close myself behind the door of the piano room,put on the tape recording,and read until the tape had finished.That method worked for a week,until my mother began to wonder why I always missed the same B-sharp.She knocked on the door,and,receiving no answer,came in to check on me and found that I had fallen asleep while the tape of my performance played on and on.
I was twelve when my parents finally acknowledged that my hidden talent was not about to emerge  any time soon.My mother,refusing to admit defeat,told me to pick another instrument."Choose anything you want,Honey,"she said,assuming that freedom of choice would inspire devotion.I thought long and hard and chose the drums.My parents,sensitive to noise,would be less than overjoyed by a daily bombardment of playing.I imagined my father in his study,cotton wads in his ears.
I worked my way through several other instruments before my mother hit on another idea.Maybe I wasn't meant to be an instrumentalist.Realizing that drama might be more suited to my talents,Mom took me to a drama teacher.However,he put me backstage,painting scenery.Once I recovered from my sense of injury,I realized the wisdom of his choice.I loved the active,practical backstage world,and I discovered that I had a knack for constructing and painting.I loved the challenge of taking our scanty supplies and using them to make something beautiful.Imagining a scene and then seeing it emerge before me-this,to me,was close to magic.
I'm a sculptor now,and every day I experience afresh the joy of being fully absorbed in the act of artistic creation.It's a wonderful,blissful  feeling.I realize that my parents,in their misguided attempts to interest me in music,were trying to give me this feeling.And now I feel grateful.Perhaps they went about it in the wrong way,but their hearts were in the right place.

<question>:
We can learn from the passage   .

<options>:
A parents should encourage their children to create art
B the ordinary backstage work can help one succeed
C you can only get better at something if you practice
D art should be treated as a joy rather than a burden.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Everyday Food
by Martha Stewart
No matter how busy you are, at the end of the day you want meals that are easy toprepare. And you want lots of choices and variations. You'll find all of that in this book:
250 simple recipes for delicious meals that bring freshness and nutrition.
Paperback, published by Random House,$16.79
Zeroes
by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti
New York Timesbestselling author Scott Westerfeld teams up with Margo Lanagan and
Deborah Biancotti in the book about six teenagers with amazing abilities. These teenagers have powers that set them apart. They can do things ordinary people can't.
Paperback, published by Simon&Schuster,$12.99
Mrghty Jack
by Ben Hatke
Jaek dislikes summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his sister, Maddy. It's lots of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever. But one day, at the market,Maddy does talk to tell Jack to trade their mom's car for a box of mysterious seeds. It'sthe best mistake Jack has ever made.
Hardcover, published by First Second,$14.15
Only Daughter
by Anna Snoekstra
She's caught stealing. She's homeless and on the run. But she happens to look the same asa girl who went missing a decade ago, Rebecca Winter. She assumes Rebecca's identity,using it as a way out. Little does she know her new life as Rebecca is itself a prison and itlooks like a killer might be after her.
Kindle edition, published by Harlequin Enterprises,$8.88

<question>:
Who wrote a book to help you cook a meal?

<options>:
A Martha Stewart.
B Anna Snoekstra.
C Ben Hatke.
D Scott Westerfeld.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Everyday Food
by Martha Stewart
No matter how busy you are, at the end of the day you want meals that are easy toprepare. And you want lots of choices and variations. You'll find all of that in this book:
250 simple recipes for delicious meals that bring freshness and nutrition.
Paperback, published by Random House,$16.79
Zeroes
by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti
New York Timesbestselling author Scott Westerfeld teams up with Margo Lanagan and
Deborah Biancotti in the book about six teenagers with amazing abilities. These teenagers have powers that set them apart. They can do things ordinary people can't.
Paperback, published by Simon&Schuster,$12.99
Mrghty Jack
by Ben Hatke
Jaek dislikes summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his sister, Maddy. It's lots of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever. But one day, at the market,Maddy does talk to tell Jack to trade their mom's car for a box of mysterious seeds. It'sthe best mistake Jack has ever made.
Hardcover, published by First Second,$14.15
Only Daughter
by Anna Snoekstra
She's caught stealing. She's homeless and on the run. But she happens to look the same asa girl who went missing a decade ago, Rebecca Winter. She assumes Rebecca's identity,using it as a way out. Little does she know her new life as Rebecca is itself a prison and itlooks like a killer might be after her.
Kindle edition, published by Harlequin Enterprises,$8.88

<question>:
How isZeroesdifferent from the rest books?

<options>:
A It tells a story.
B It's in paperback.
C It's quite popular.
D It's a co-written book.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Everyday Food
by Martha Stewart
No matter how busy you are, at the end of the day you want meals that are easy toprepare. And you want lots of choices and variations. You'll find all of that in this book:
250 simple recipes for delicious meals that bring freshness and nutrition.
Paperback, published by Random House,$16.79
Zeroes
by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti
New York Timesbestselling author Scott Westerfeld teams up with Margo Lanagan and
Deborah Biancotti in the book about six teenagers with amazing abilities. These teenagers have powers that set them apart. They can do things ordinary people can't.
Paperback, published by Simon&Schuster,$12.99
Mrghty Jack
by Ben Hatke
Jaek dislikes summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his sister, Maddy. It's lots of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever. But one day, at the market,Maddy does talk to tell Jack to trade their mom's car for a box of mysterious seeds. It'sthe best mistake Jack has ever made.
Hardcover, published by First Second,$14.15
Only Daughter
by Anna Snoekstra
She's caught stealing. She's homeless and on the run. But she happens to look the same asa girl who went missing a decade ago, Rebecca Winter. She assumes Rebecca's identity,using it as a way out. Little does she know her new life as Rebecca is itself a prison and itlooks like a killer might be after her.
Kindle edition, published by Harlequin Enterprises,$8.88

<question>:
What do we know aboutOnly Daughter?

<options>:
A Its heroine enjoys her life on the run.
B Its heroine lives with a false identity.
C It provides different kinds of editions.
D It is written by Harlequin Enterprises.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Dear Jorge,
Are you enjoying your break from school? My family are now in Sacramento, California. We are here paying a visit to visit to my aunt Gloria. We have been to the California State Capital Building, the nature center, and the zoo. I have seen many interesting things, but one stands out above the rest. This morning we drove from my aunt's home to Calistoga to see California's Old Faithful Geyser . I had read about it in my book, Sightseeing in California; Where You Should Go.You have probably heard of Old Faithful, the geyser father north in Yellowstone National Park. This California geyser is sometimes called" Little Old Faithful."
When we arrived California's Old Faithful was only a calm pool of water. The geyser didn't look very deep. " What's the big deal?" I wondered. As I turned, I saw some steam rising from the water. Before I knew it, there was hot water shooting up about 60 feet into the air. We could not believe our eyes! It continued for almost three minutes.
Aunt Gloria told me that the water came from an underground river. She also said that the water temperature was about 95degC. This water can sometimes shoot 170 feet into the air.
My aunt said that other geysers around the world reach hotter temperatures and shoot water even higher than California's Old Faithful Geyser. I'd love to learn more about this geyser and other geysers in different countries when I get home. I'll see you soon!
Your friend,
Bennetto

<question>:
According to the text, Bennetto   _  .

<options>:
A visited his aunt Gloria by himself.
B had never heard of Old Faithful Geyser.
C thought nothing of Old Faithful Geyser at first.
D flew all the way from Sacramento to Calistoga.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Dear Jorge,
Are you enjoying your break from school? My family are now in Sacramento, California. We are here paying a visit to visit to my aunt Gloria. We have been to the California State Capital Building, the nature center, and the zoo. I have seen many interesting things, but one stands out above the rest. This morning we drove from my aunt's home to Calistoga to see California's Old Faithful Geyser . I had read about it in my book, Sightseeing in California; Where You Should Go.You have probably heard of Old Faithful, the geyser father north in Yellowstone National Park. This California geyser is sometimes called" Little Old Faithful."
When we arrived California's Old Faithful was only a calm pool of water. The geyser didn't look very deep. " What's the big deal?" I wondered. As I turned, I saw some steam rising from the water. Before I knew it, there was hot water shooting up about 60 feet into the air. We could not believe our eyes! It continued for almost three minutes.
Aunt Gloria told me that the water came from an underground river. She also said that the water temperature was about 95degC. This water can sometimes shoot 170 feet into the air.
My aunt said that other geysers around the world reach hotter temperatures and shoot water even higher than California's Old Faithful Geyser. I'd love to learn more about this geyser and other geysers in different countries when I get home. I'll see you soon!
Your friend,
Bennetto

<question>:
The water Bennetto saw high in the sky   _  .

<options>:
A disappeared at once.
B was too hot to touch.
C came from a deep sea.
D was 170 feet in height.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Dear Jorge,
Are you enjoying your break from school? My family are now in Sacramento, California. We are here paying a visit to visit to my aunt Gloria. We have been to the California State Capital Building, the nature center, and the zoo. I have seen many interesting things, but one stands out above the rest. This morning we drove from my aunt's home to Calistoga to see California's Old Faithful Geyser . I had read about it in my book, Sightseeing in California; Where You Should Go.You have probably heard of Old Faithful, the geyser father north in Yellowstone National Park. This California geyser is sometimes called" Little Old Faithful."
When we arrived California's Old Faithful was only a calm pool of water. The geyser didn't look very deep. " What's the big deal?" I wondered. As I turned, I saw some steam rising from the water. Before I knew it, there was hot water shooting up about 60 feet into the air. We could not believe our eyes! It continued for almost three minutes.
Aunt Gloria told me that the water came from an underground river. She also said that the water temperature was about 95degC. This water can sometimes shoot 170 feet into the air.
My aunt said that other geysers around the world reach hotter temperatures and shoot water even higher than California's Old Faithful Geyser. I'd love to learn more about this geyser and other geysers in different countries when I get home. I'll see you soon!
Your friend,
Bennetto

<question>:
What was expressed in Bennetto's letter?

<options>:
A Anger
B Doubt
C Courage
D Excitement

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Dear Jorge,
Are you enjoying your break from school? My family are now in Sacramento, California. We are here paying a visit to visit to my aunt Gloria. We have been to the California State Capital Building, the nature center, and the zoo. I have seen many interesting things, but one stands out above the rest. This morning we drove from my aunt's home to Calistoga to see California's Old Faithful Geyser . I had read about it in my book, Sightseeing in California; Where You Should Go.You have probably heard of Old Faithful, the geyser father north in Yellowstone National Park. This California geyser is sometimes called" Little Old Faithful."
When we arrived California's Old Faithful was only a calm pool of water. The geyser didn't look very deep. " What's the big deal?" I wondered. As I turned, I saw some steam rising from the water. Before I knew it, there was hot water shooting up about 60 feet into the air. We could not believe our eyes! It continued for almost three minutes.
Aunt Gloria told me that the water came from an underground river. She also said that the water temperature was about 95degC. This water can sometimes shoot 170 feet into the air.
My aunt said that other geysers around the world reach hotter temperatures and shoot water even higher than California's Old Faithful Geyser. I'd love to learn more about this geyser and other geysers in different countries when I get home. I'll see you soon!
Your friend,
Bennetto

<question>:
Bennetto wrote the letter mainly to  _  .

<options>:
A talk about his holiday experiences.
B ask Jorge to visit Old Faithful Geyser.
C express his thankfulness to Aunt Gloria.
D give Yellowstone National Park some advice.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Expensive perfumes   come in tiny bottles, but many hide a whale-sized secret.
To perfect a particular smell, perfume-makers often use an ingredient that comes from sperm whales, called ambergris  . But using ambergris, which helps a perfume last longer, is strongly opposed by many people who think it is wrong to kill whales just so we can smell sweet. Joerg Bohlmann is neither a perfumer nor a whale expert. He's a plant biologist at the University of British Columbia in Canada. But his discovery of a new plant gene   might push whales out of the perfume business.
The gene comes from fir trees, found throughout North America and commonly used as Christmas trees. The trees produce a chemical that can be used in perfume in place of ambergris-but _ . "There's a problem that many people wouldn't consider. In the tree, the chemical is mixed with many others. That makes separation a challenge," Bohlmann says. "lt's like trying to isolate sugar from a biscuit. "
This is where science becomes useful. When Bohlmann learned that fir trees produce the ambergris-like chemical, he decided to use his gene know-how to find the instructions for how to make the ambergris-substitute.
Bohlmann found that gene and took it out of the tree cells. Then he did something that might sound strange to someone who doesn't work in genetics: Bohlmann put the gene from the tree into yeast   cells.
Yeast may sound familiar because it's used to make things like bread, wine and beer. Biologists like to work with yeast because it easily adopts new genes and changes its features and behaviour. When Bohlmann put the fir tree gene into the yeast, the yeast started making the same chemical that had been produced by the tree.
Perfumers pay big money for ambergris because it is a fixative, which means it holds a smell in place on a person's body.
"Cheap perfumes smell good in the first hour or so and then everything is gone," explains Bohlmann. "But expensive perfumes are much more stable.  Their smell lasts much longer, for hours or even a day after you apply them. "
The new chemical, made from the tree genes, can be used as a fixative, too. And using yeast to make it is far cheaper than acquiring ambergris.
Bohlmann admits he never thought he'd get into the perfume business. But now, he says, producers have been calling to find out how to use his technology in new perfumes.

<question>:
It can be inferred from the passage that if a perfume contains ambergris,  _  .

<options>:
A its user probably supports whale hunting
B it is probably very expensive
C its smell will last for about an hour
D there will be a whale symbol on the bottle

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Expensive perfumes   come in tiny bottles, but many hide a whale-sized secret.
To perfect a particular smell, perfume-makers often use an ingredient that comes from sperm whales, called ambergris  . But using ambergris, which helps a perfume last longer, is strongly opposed by many people who think it is wrong to kill whales just so we can smell sweet. Joerg Bohlmann is neither a perfumer nor a whale expert. He's a plant biologist at the University of British Columbia in Canada. But his discovery of a new plant gene   might push whales out of the perfume business.
The gene comes from fir trees, found throughout North America and commonly used as Christmas trees. The trees produce a chemical that can be used in perfume in place of ambergris-but _ . "There's a problem that many people wouldn't consider. In the tree, the chemical is mixed with many others. That makes separation a challenge," Bohlmann says. "lt's like trying to isolate sugar from a biscuit. "
This is where science becomes useful. When Bohlmann learned that fir trees produce the ambergris-like chemical, he decided to use his gene know-how to find the instructions for how to make the ambergris-substitute.
Bohlmann found that gene and took it out of the tree cells. Then he did something that might sound strange to someone who doesn't work in genetics: Bohlmann put the gene from the tree into yeast   cells.
Yeast may sound familiar because it's used to make things like bread, wine and beer. Biologists like to work with yeast because it easily adopts new genes and changes its features and behaviour. When Bohlmann put the fir tree gene into the yeast, the yeast started making the same chemical that had been produced by the tree.
Perfumers pay big money for ambergris because it is a fixative, which means it holds a smell in place on a person's body.
"Cheap perfumes smell good in the first hour or so and then everything is gone," explains Bohlmann. "But expensive perfumes are much more stable.  Their smell lasts much longer, for hours or even a day after you apply them. "
The new chemical, made from the tree genes, can be used as a fixative, too. And using yeast to make it is far cheaper than acquiring ambergris.
Bohlmann admits he never thought he'd get into the perfume business. But now, he says, producers have been calling to find out how to use his technology in new perfumes.

<question>:
According to the passage, why are yeast cells often used in genetic research?

<options>:
A They're much cheaper to use than ambergris.
B They can reproduce much faster than other cells.
C They share some of the qualities of plant genes.
D They can take on the characteristics of other genes.

<answer>: