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<extra_id_5>One day my dad was walking home and he had a big ice-cream cone. He had chocolate and vanilla and strawberry ice-cream on top of each other. He was moving his head back and forward to some music that he was playing when a spider dropped on his ice-cream for a little bite. My dad saw right away that a spider was on it and he brushed the spider off. After the spider was put on the floor, a fly flew into his ice-cream, right where the spider had been! Oh how terrible! My dad made the spider leave and right after that he saw an alligator come running up to him wanting a bite of his ice-cream too! My dad dropped his cone, ran away, and bought a yoghurt instead. He thought about buying a dingdong, but since dinner time was so close and he had such a big lunch, he thought a yoghurt would be better. It's a much safer and better dessert. 165 words. Why did my dad not eat a dingdong?
<extra_id_0>Dinner time was so far away and he had such a small lunch.
<extra_id_1>The yoghurt tasted much better.
<extra_id_2>Dinner time was so close and he had such a big lunch, he thought a yoghurt would be better. It's a much safer and better dessert.
<extra_id_3>The dingdong was too much money and did not taste good.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>International Studies (BA) Key features *Recognizes the "global community" * Has close connections with practical research * Much of the teaching is done in small discussion groups About the course The course gives you chances to know great power politics between nation states. It will provide more space to study particular issues such as relationship among countries in the European Union, third world debt, local and international disagreement, and the work of such international bodies as the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, and the World Bank. The course puts theories into the working of the international system with close attention to particular countries. You will also have a better knowledge of methods of solving the international problems. Related courses *BA (Hons) Community Management * BA (Hons) Public Policy and Management Employment possibilities *International organizations * International business Earth Science (BSc) Key features * Based on key courses and the latest research findings *Pays much attention to practical skills *Offers chances for fieldwork About the course The demand for natural resources is becoming an increasingly serious problem for the future of mankind. Graduates in Earth Science will play an important role in meeting this demand, and in knowing the meaning of using the natural resources. The course covers geography and geology. You will carry out fieldwork in the UK and possibly overseas, and a research in an area of interest to you in the final year. Related courses BSc (Hons) Geography; BSc (Hons) Geology Employment possibilities Mineral , oil, water or other related engineering industries. After taking the course of International Studies, the students will _ .
<extra_id_0>become practical and open-minded
<extra_id_1>have a greater ability to discuss theories
<extra_id_2>know how to settle international problems
<extra_id_3>have good jobs in any international organizations
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>If sustainable competitive advantage depends on workforce skills, American firms have a problem. Human-resource management is not traditionally seen as central to the competitive survival of the firm in the United States. Skill acquisition is considered an individual responsibility. Labour is simply another factor of production to be hired--rented at the lowest possible cost--much as one buys materials or equipment. The lack of importance attached to human-resource management can be seen in the corporate management. In an American firm the chief financial officer is almost always second in command. The post of head of human-resource management is usually a specialized job, off at the edge of the corporate hierarchy. The executive who holds it is never consulted on major strategic decisions and has no chance to move up to Chief Executive Officer(CEO). By way of contrast, in Japan the head of human-resource management is central--usually the second most important executive, after the CEO, in the firm's hierarchy. While American firms often talk about the vast amounts spent on training their work force, in fact they invest less in the skills of their employees than do either Japanese or German firms. The money they do invest is also more highly concentrated on professional and managerial employees. And the limited investments that are made in training workers are also much more narrowly focused on the specific skills necessary to do the next job rather than on the basic background skills that make it possible to absorb new technologies. As a result, problems arise when new breakthrough technologies arrive. If American workers, for example, take much longer to learn how to operate new flexible manufacturing stations than workers on Germany (as they do), the effective cost of those stations is lower in Germany than it is in the United States. More time is required before equipment is up and running in production, and the need for extensive retraining generates costs and creates bottlenecks that limit the speed with which new equipment can be used. The result is a slower pace of technological change, and in the end the skills of the bottom half of the population affect the wages of the top half. If the bottom half can't effectively make the processes that have to be operated, the management and professional jobs that go with these processes will disappear. What is the position of the head of human-resource management in an American firm?
<extra_id_0>He is one of the most important executives in the firm.
<extra_id_1>His post is likely to disappear when new technologies are introduced.
<extra_id_2>He is directly under the chief financial executive.
<extra_id_3>He has no say in making important decisions in the firm.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>American author Mark Twain once noted that "life would be surely happier if we could only be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18." Twain's words were only one of many complaints about aging. The ancient Greek poet Homer called old age "hateful", and William Shakespeare termed it "terrible winter". Alexander the Great, who conquered most of the known world before he died around 323 B.C., may have been looking for a river that healed the of age. During the 12th century A.D., a king called Prester John ruled a land that had a river of gold and a fountain of youth. But the name linked most closely to the search for a fountain of youth is 16th-century Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. He thought it would be found in Florida. In St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S., there's a tourist attraction. It is said to be the fountain of youth that Ponce de Leon discovered soon after he arrived in what is now Florida in 1513. However, elderly visitors who drink the spring's water don't turn into teenagers. But the tale of the search for a fountain of youth is so appealing that it survives anyway, says Ryan K. Smith, a professor of history. "People are more attracted by the story of looking and not finding than they are by the idea that the fountain might be out there somewhere." Still, a few grains of truth have helped to support . Kathleen Deagan, a professor of archaeology, says a graveyard and the remains of a Spanish mission dating back to St. Augustine's founding in 1565 have been discovered near the so-called fountain of youth. Michelle Reyna, a spokesperson for the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, says the fountain has been a tourist attraction since at least 1901 and may have been attracting visitors since 1860. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage _ ?
<extra_id_0>The underlined words "the story" refers to Alexander the Great ruling a land that had a river of gold and a fountain of youth.
<extra_id_1>Augustine, which is the oldest city in the U.S, lies in Florida.
<extra_id_2>Some elderly visitors find themselves younger after drinking the water from the fountain of youth.
<extra_id_3>Kathleen Deagan is the spokesperson for the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>The Toltec---as they were now called ---began to know great abundance and enjoy the generous gifts of the land, as had been foretold by Quetzalcoatl. "He has great powers.He has made us rich.We have not known hunger since he arrived.Where he places his eyes and hands,everything is abundance and beauty." They were happy, they were proud. At that time they all still worked at the jobs Quetzalcoatl assigned to them. Tula grew. People came from far away to admire its growth. Many asked permission to settle down and enjoy its abundance,which was distributed according to the needs of the people. Topiltzin was in charge of distributing the riches,under the orders of Quetzalcoatl, so that no one would want. They were all content because they all had more than they had ever had. Many worked.They were busy all day. Quetzalcoatl had spent six years among the Toltecs. The house for the heart of the people was almost finished and the granaries full when he decided. "There is prosperity and abundance in all the land.Let us extend it beyond the mountains.We shall go to the land of the Chichimecs.It is time to take my mission to them. I shall make them better,I shall make them live together,I shall gather them in towns,I shall teach them to till the land and to build their homes." "Let us leave them in their land as they are now ,"Topiltzin argued,"They are savages ;their life is violent and disorderly.They move freely,like the wind in the mountains and the plains,with nothing to keep them.Leave them where they are.There is much that we must do in our own land. "I do not belong to this land alone.They are all my brothers,I am to give all of them, I shall look for them. I shall take the gods of Tula to them,"Quetzalcoatl said. "Think carefully about what we shall do.You do not know them.They do not understand words. They are like savage animals,like jaguars," Topiltzin insisted. "I shall go,"said Quetzalcoatl."My life must be accomplished.This time you will not accompany me because you do not have the will to go.I shall leave soon with some of my followers." "Do not go with so few people! I shall accompany you with skillful warriors who are used to killing Chichimecs and avoiding their traps." Topiltzin insisted. "I am not going there with violence. I shall go to them as I came here,to take them the gifts of life and the doctrine of sin and redemption ." "You have not spoken of sin and redemption for a long time," Tattle remarked. He had been listening attentively to the dialogue,and was then close to seventeen years of age."You have not come near the Tree you planted in the square in a long time.The Tree has no shoots,it has not grown,it looks sad and lonely." "During this time,Tattle,I have often thought of it.There was confusion in my spirit.Now the Tree orders me to spread good in other lands,to make other brothers happy. It will soon have shoots." This reading passages is most probably an account of _ .
<extra_id_0>history
<extra_id_1>politics
<extra_id_2>a contemporary life
<extra_id_3>a myth or legend
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Climate change is making it harder than usual for scientists to figure out what the future will bring and what impact weather changes will have on society and the economy. An upsurge of severe weather events has already destroyed homes, businesses and lives. Some fairly simple changes may reduce the toll. In a laboratory test, a house built with conventional techniques is falling apart in hurricane-force winds. The survivor has stronger shingles, thicker roof boards, and metal straps holding floors together. Wind tunnel tests were done by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. It says stronger construction costs a little more, but holds up much better to extreme weather. The growing number of unusually strong storms, like Typhoon Haiyan, has convinced the Chairman of the U. S. Senate Homeland Security Committee, Tom Carper, that extreme weather is the "new _ )." "Extreme weather events have increased in frequency over the past 50 years and are expected to become even more common, more intense, and more costly," said Carper. Hurricane Sandy hit beachfront businesses along the U.S. East Coast, including Carper's home state. Insurance companies had to pay out huge claims. To limit such losses, the insurance industry can raise premiums for businesses in vulnerable locations and offer discounts to clients who make their buildings more resilient with upgraded construction techniques. Managing risks is the job of insurance brokers like Kevin Connelly of the Graham Company, who spoke to VOA via Skype. "We are either going to price your insurance at a huge markup, or we are not going to write (sell it) it at all, which is just as bad obviously," said Connelly. Drought is another suspected consequence of climate change, and dry ground means more wildfires in California. Current mathematical models of climate change do a poor job of predicting the economic impact of drought and other weather events, says Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Robert Pindyck, who spoke via Skype. "I think all we can do, taking all of that into account, is come up with some very rough numbers, very rough estimates, "said Pindyck. "Consensus estimates that maybe experts provide, that give us a view of what would the catastrophic outcome look like if we don't do anything?" To help deal with this serious problem, Pindyck says policymakers should take actions such as imposing a tax on carbon dioxide emissions. A carbon tax would encourage companies and families to use less energy and generate fewer of the gases thought to be driving changes in the climate. But other analysts say it is unlikely a new tax will get approval in the U.S. Congress any time soon. In a laboratory test , what kind of houses can stay up?
<extra_id_0>a house built with conventional techniques
<extra_id_1>A house with stronger shingles
<extra_id_2>A house with thinner roof boards
<extra_id_3>a house with metal floors .
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>Hours & Admission Open Daily 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. except major holidays (see below) July and August only - Thursdays until 7:00 p.m. Please Note: all MIT Museum sites are wheelchair accessible. Admission beginning July l, 2013 Adults: $10.00; youth under 18, students, seniors: $5:00; children under age 5: free Admission is free the last Sunday of each month, all day, from September 2013 -June 2014 Evening programs are free with Museum Admission Visit our Partner Organizations pages for more information about discounts . Closed, 2013: January l: New Year's Day May 27: Memorial Day July 4: Independence Day September 2: Labor Day November 28: Thanksgiving Day December 24 & 25: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day December 31: Early Closing for New Year's Day How much do they have to pay in total if a family, including grandparents, parents and a child of 8, go together on the last Sunday of November 2013?
<extra_id_0>$0.
<extra_id_1>$25.
<extra_id_2>$30.
<extra_id_3>$35.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>In Jewish history, King Solomon is considered to be the wisest man who ever lived. There are many stories about the wisdom of King Solomon. Here's one. One day two women came before the King. They carried with them a little baby, which was set down on the floor, at the foot of Solomon's throne. One of the women said "Five days ago I gave birth to a child. This woman and I live in the same house, and three days later she also gave birth, but that same night her child died, and at midnight she arose and, while I was sleeping, took my son away from me, and laid her dead child in its place. When I awoke in the morning I thought at first that my son was dead, until I realized that it was not my child." "No," interrupted the second woman, "she is lying, my lord, she is lying! The living child is mine and the dead is hers!" "No," cried the first woman, wildly. "No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine." King Solomon raised his hand for silence. "One of you says 'my child lives and yours is dead ', and the other says 'your child is dead and my child lives': there is a simple way to resolve the matter. Bring me a sword." A sword was brought, and the crowd waited to see what the King would do. "Very well," he said, "cut the child in half, and give them each half." The first woman turned pale. She said in a trembling voice. "Give her the child. I beg you, do not kill it." But the other woman's face remained hard. "Let it be neither mine nor yours," she said, "divide it as the King has ordered." Then Solomon arose, and pointed to the first woman. "The child belongs to her," he said. "Give her the child, and do not kill it. She is its mother." Word of this judgment spread throughout Israel, and people marveled at the wisdom of the King. The lesson of this story is rather simple. It is easy to tell the people who really care: they are willing to give up their half in order to keep the whole alive. In short, sometimes insisting on getting your fair share is still a losing strategy. The other women's face remained hard because_.
<extra_id_0>she thought it was fair to cut the baby in half
<extra_id_1>she was very sad.
<extra_id_2>it was not her own baby
<extra_id_3>she hate the king
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>"I was only thirteen when four of my team members and I were chosen by my swim coach to train with the Chinese National Team. The following piece shows how that experience has influenced me." The night before I left for China, my mother called me into her room. I entered not knowing what to expect. I sat down at the end of her very neatly-made bed, opposite the bedroom table on which she kept a Ming-style vase illustrated in great detail. She told me that my great-grandmother was still living in the surroundings of Beijing. Her name was Ren Li Ling and she was 97 years old. This was the first time I had ever heard of her. The dragon on the vase snaked through the flowers and vines as my mother said, "Pu Pu, look at me. You need to hear this so that when you go to China you will understand. You must keep this knowledge in your heart." She told me a story about my grandfather, Ren Li Ling's son, who left Beijing to go to college in Taiwan. She told me how the Chinese civil war kept him away from his mother for fifty years, so neither of them even knew that the other was alive. No one from Taiwan could visit, write, or call anyone in mainland. All lines of communication were cut off. She told me of my grandfather's devotion to his own children, and how difficult it was for him to send his daughter to America for her education, fearing that same separation. He gave my mother all that he could give -- nineteen years of love and fifty years of savings. I learned how my mother, through means only available in this country, would finally be able to unite my great-grandmother with my grandfather again. The dragon curled around the vase, connecting the separate vines. For a fleeting second, I felt it was present in my mother's room. It was all very strange, yet very clear. I began to understand that this trip to China was not just for me; it was for my mother, and her father, and his mother. Now, I had not only a future, but more significantly, a past. I saw the world with new eyes. And so I went to China and met my great-grandmother. My great-aunt picked me up at the training center, and we rode in a taxi through the crowded city. The noise of the taxi and the city united into a deep roar. We finally stopped in front of a narrow street lined on either side with small one-level houses. As we made our way to a house like all the others, I drew the stares of many people in the street. My great-aunt led me through a rotting doorway into a room with a furnace , table, and a rocking chair where an old woman wearing gloves sat facing the doorway, covered with a worn brown blanket. I walked over and immediately embraced this frail woman as if I had known her all my life. My limited, broken Chinese wasn't up to expressing my complicated feelings. And even though I couldn't completely understand what she was saying in her thick Beijing accent, I knew -- the same way I knew what my mother had been trying to tell me before I left. Her joy shone through her toothless smile. She wouldn't let go of my hand. I haltingly asked her how she had managed to live such a long life. She answered in words I will never forget, "Hope has kept me alive. I have lived this long because I wanted to see my son before I died." My fellow team members must have wondered how two people separated by three generations could be so close. Before this trip, I would have wondered the same thing. And even now, I can't quite explain it. We were as different as two people can be; some 85 years and 8,000 miles apart. We came from two entirely different cultures; yet we were connected by a common heritage . I stayed for dinner which was cooked in a black iron wok over the furnace. The meal was lavish , prepared in my honor. As I began to eat, with my great-grandmother beside me, I felt the dragon was present. But this time, the feeling didn't pass; the dragon had become a part of me. My great-grandmother passed away last year at the age of 100. With her highest hopes and wildest dreams fulfilled, I know she died happy. The dragon is mentioned several times in the passage because _ .
<extra_id_0>the vase with the dragon on it is very valuable and beautiful
<extra_id_1>it stands for the blood running in every Chinese
<extra_id_2>it is a sign of the writer's devotion to his birthplace
<extra_id_3>the writer's mother hoped the writer would be as strong as a dragon
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>Dogs can also go to school to learn how to help people who cannot hear. If a person cannot hear, we say he or she is deaf. Dogs who help deaf people must learn many different sounds. Then they must be able to show the deaf person what is making the sound. When they hear a visitor at the door, dogs learn to walk to the deaf person and then walk to the door. And if a telephone rings, they walk to the deaf man or woman and then walk to the telephone. These dogs can also help deaf mothers. If a baby is crying in another room, dogs walk to the mother and then to the baby. These dogs wear a yellow coat to show that they are special dogs that are helping a deaf person. There have been many times when these dogs have saved a life. You may see in a newspaper that a dog heard a fire alarm and lay down near the deaf person's feet. That is the sign for danger. The person knows that something is wrong and can go away from the fire. Special dogs can also help people who are disabled in various ways. For example, dogs can pull off their gloves or socks! Think how difficult your life would be if you were blind, deaf or disabled! But if you had a special dog like this to help you, your life would be much easier. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
<extra_id_0>Special dogs can do what people cannot do.
<extra_id_1>Special dogs can only help people who are deaf.
<extra_id_2>Special dogs can help people in every part of their life.
<extra_id_3>Special dogs can make some people's life much easier.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>American schools begin in September after a long summer holiday. There are two terms in a school. The first term is from September to January, and the second is from February to June. Most American children begin to go to school when they are five years old. Most children are seventeen or eighteen years old when they finish high school. High school students study only four or five subjects each term. They usually go to the same class every day, and they have little homework for every class. After class they do many interesting things. After high school, many students go to college. They can go to a small one or a large one. Many college students work after class to get some money for their studies. From this passage, we know that in America a summer holiday begins in _ .
<extra_id_0>January
<extra_id_1>September
<extra_id_2>February
<extra_id_3>June
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Have you ever seen snow? Many people in the world have not. Some countries never have snow; some have only a little on the tops of very high mountains. In the north of England, there is quite a lot of snow every winter, but in the south of England, there is usually little. When a student from a warm country comes to England in autumn for the first time, he feels cold at first. There are often dark clouds, grey sky and cold rain in England in autumn, and most students from warm countries do not like this. But snow is different. Though it is cold, it is also beautiful. Perhaps, after several dark mornings, the student wakes up one day, and there is a lot of light in his room. He thinks "Is it so late?" and jumps out of bed. But no, it is not very late. He looks out of the window and there is the snow on the ground and on the houses and everywhere. The light of his room comes from clean, beautiful snow. In the autumn of England, we can NOT often see _ .
<extra_id_0>grey sky
<extra_id_1>dark clouds
<extra_id_2>strong winds
<extra_id_3>cold rain
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Everyone takes drugs.Sometimes a drug might be called a herb but the effect is the same.Drugs and herbs can make life better for they are used to improve health.From the simplest headache to a cure for cancer, people believe that certain drugs can help them.But there is danger if the drugs are not used in a proper way. American teenagers sometimes use certain drugs to feel good.They call this "getting high".The problem is that once a young man or a young woman has the feeling of"getting high",they want to do it often.If school is boring or too hard,students might get depressed and a drug or herb might help them feel better.If the student takes too much of a drug,the body may change in a wrong way such as a confused mind,poor sight,a headache,and an uncomfortable stomach. Schools now have D.A.R.E.program which means Drug Abuse Resistance Education.This program was started so that young students from age 10 to 18 might understand how a drug affects their bodies.The main point of the program is education.Once a student understands certain drugs can cause ill health,he will know he should not use them. Education is the key to good nutrition as well.If a student eats correctly,he or she will be full of energy which leads to good study habits and good grades.Poor nutrition may cause the need for more sleep and poor concentration.Proper food is similar to the proper use of drugs.Both allow a healthy body to grow while misuse of them prevents a person from developing normally. Drugs can make life better and improve health when people_.
<extra_id_0>use them in a proper way.
<extra_id_1>take too much of them in a special way.
<extra_id_2>have a little of them in any way.
<extra_id_3>use them every now and then.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Vanessa Brown, a senior lecturer of art at Nottingham University, explores the cultural and psychological relation between sunglasses and our modern idea of "cool." Her research has uncovered about why most of us look better in shades. Because they really make your misshapen face look better. Put on a pair of sunglasses, and an instant beauty as a result of balance! The dark lenses cover up any unbalanced oddities around your eyes, and research on facial attractiveness shows a clear link between balance and our sense of beauty. Because of mystery. Many of the quick judgments we form about people come from looking in the eyes; shade yours, and you're instantly a more attractive presence. Eye contact helps us form judgments about someone's intelligence, confidence, and sincerity and sunglasses keep us literally in the dark about forming those perceptions. And it works both ways, because the wearer of the sunglasses feels more mysterious, too. Because of their historical link with sharpness and attraction. We take their existence for granted today, but sunglasses are relatively modern, Brown said. Sales started to pick up in the 1920s, but they didn't become commonplace until about two decades after that. The way sunglasses were most used prior to their commercialization helps explain their inside coolness, Brown said, because in their early days sunglasses were primarily used during risky water and snow sports, which made them seem "daring and totally modern." Soon after that, Hollywood stars of the 1950s and 1960s started wearing sunglasses to defend themselves from being recognized by the public or bothered by paparazzi , whose flashbulbs would often explode violently, Brown said. Anyhow, movie stars' adoption of them strengthened a sense of romance. Also--and this is more from my own personal research than Brown's--hang-overs. They're really great for hiding hang-overs. The writer believes that Hollywood stars prefer to wear sunglasses _ .
<extra_id_0>to hide their hang-overs
<extra_id_1>not to be recognized in the public
<extra_id_2>to be more attractive and romantic
<extra_id_3>to escape the flashbulbs of paparazzi
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>What is a difference between mitosis and meiosis?
<extra_id_0>Mitosis occurs in all the cells in animals and plants, while meiosis occurs in only in bacteria.
<extra_id_1>In mitosis, the products are identical to the parent cell, while in meiosis the products are different from the parent cell.
<extra_id_2>In mitosis, one cell divides into two cells, while in meiosis two cells combine to make one cell.
<extra_id_3>Mitosis involves separating the chromosomes, while meiosis involves only the cytoplasm of the cell.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>On behalf of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for conserving electricity during this period of continuous hot, dry weather in Texas. At ERCOT, we have been working around the clock to keep the electricity flowing, making sure you have the resources you need to stay productive and well this summer. While we are always charged with making sure you have adequate electricity, this summer has caused a particularly serious challenge to the electric grid . Because the heat has been sustained over the entire state with little or no rain or cloud cover, the strain on the electric grid has been greater than ever before. In Dallas and Austin, we are beating all-time records for triple-digit heat. We have hit three all-time demand peaks in the last two weeks alone, meaning we've used more electricity on three days this summer than on any other day in the history of ERCOT, which covers most of Texas. Additionally, Texas is experiencing economic and population growth while much of the rest of the country is not. All of these factors are contributing to very high energy usage this summer. As you probably read in your newspaper or saw on the news, ERCOT has issued appeals for conservation across the state this August. We have encouraged businesses and residential customers to help us save electricity between the critical hours of 3 and 7 p.m. For instance, turning off unnecessary lights, appliances and electronic equipment can help conditions significantly. Conservation efforts help us avoid statewide rotating outages and keep your lights on and air-conditioners running. Conservation not only keeps power and cool air flowing to every citizen, it ensures that uninterrupted power flows to critical care customers, who are easily harmed in the extreme heat. While ERCOT has not called for rotating outages this summer, it is important to remember that we only carry out these orderly, temporary outages to prevent a catastrophic collapse of the electric grid. As you may remember from the Northeast blackout a few years ago, once a grid failure occurs, it can take days to restore power to all consumers. Your conservation efforts help us prevent this from happening. While ERCOT always carries reserves, our power supply is not unlimited. With your help and conservation efforts, though, we can keep residents and businesses healthy and productive this summer. We can know from the passage that _ .
<extra_id_0>a grid failure occurred in the Northeast several years ago
<extra_id_1>the residents of Texas don't like hot, dry weather
<extra_id_2>more electricity has been consumed this summer than in any other summer
<extra_id_3>it takes weeks for the grid to return to normal once it fails
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>From the moment that an animal is born it has to make decisions . It has to decide which of the things around it are for eating , and which are to be avoided ; when to attack and when to run away . The animal is , in fact , playing a very dangerous game with its environment , a game in which it must make decision--a matter of life or death . Animals' ability to act reasonably is believed to come partly from what we may call "genetic learning" , which is different from the individual learning that an animal does in the course of its own lifetime . Genetic learning is learning by a species --animals of the same kind--as a whole , and it is achieved by selection of those members of each generation that happen to act in the right way . However , the role of genetic learning depends upon how similar the future environment is to the past . The more important individual experience is likely to be , the less important is genetic learning as a means of getting over the problems of the survival game . Because most animals live in ever changing evironments from one generation to the next , it is not surprising to find that very few species indeed depend wholly upon genetic learning . In the great majority of animals , their particular ways of acting in a new environment are a compound of individual experience added to the action patterns animals are born with .That is why animals can survive . When the environment doesn't change much ,_.
<extra_id_0>animals cannot act in a right way
<extra_id_1>genetic learning is less important for animals
<extra_id_2>individual learning plays a less important role
<extra_id_3>animals cannot get over problems on their on their own
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>"OK,"I said to my daughter as she bent over her afternoon bowl of rice."What's going on with you and your friend J.?" J.is the leader of a group of third-graders at her camp-- a position Lucy herself occupied the previous summer. _ and every day at snack time, she tells me all about it, while I offer the unhelpful advice all summer long. "She's fond of giving orders, "Lucy complained."She's turning everyone against me.She's mean.And she's fat." "Excuse me," I said, struggling for calm."What did you just said?" "She's fat." Lucy mumbled ."We're going upstairs," I said, my voice cold."We're going to discuss this." And up we went.I'd spent the nine years since her birth getting ready for this day, the day we'd have the conversation about this horrible word.I knew exactly what to say to the girl on the receiving end of the teasing, but in all of my imaginings, it never once occurred to me that my daughter would be the one who used the F word-Fat. My daughter sat on her bed, and I sat beside her."How would you feel if someone made fun of you for something that wasn't your fault?" I began."She could stop eating so much," Lucy mumbled, mouthing the simple advice a thousand doctors have given overweight women for years. "It's not always that easy," I said ."Everyone's different in terms of how they treat food." Lucy looked at me, waiting for me to go on.I opened my mouth, then closed it.Should I tell her that, in teasing a woman's weight, she's joined the long tradition of critics? Should I tell her I didn't cry when someone posted my picture and commented , "I'm sorry, but aren't authors who write books marketed to young women supposed to be pretty?" Does she need to know, now, that life isn't fair ? I feel her eyes on me, waiting for an answer I don't have.Words are my tools.Stories are my job.It's possible she'll remember what I say forever, and I have no idea what to say. So I tell her the only thing I can come up with that is absolutely true.I say to my daughter, "I love you, and there is nothing you could ever do to make me not love you.But I'm disappointed in you right now.There are plenty of reasons for not liking someone.What she looks like isn't one of them." Lucy nods, tears on her cheeks."I won't say that again," she tells me, and I pull her close, pressing my nose against her hair.As we sit there together, I pray for her to be smart and strong.I pray for her to find friends, work she loves, a partner who loves her.And still, always, I pray that she will never struggle as I've struggled, that weight will never be her cross to bear.She may not be able to use the word in our home, but I can use in my head.I pray that she will never get fat. The author's attitude towards her daughter can be best described as _ .
<extra_id_0>loving but strict
<extra_id_1>indifferent but patient
<extra_id_2>satisfied and friendly
<extra_id_3>unsatisfied and angry
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>In northern China winter is long and cold, lasting from December through March. You can often see snow. Summer lasts from May through the end of August. The best time to visit northern China is spring and autumn. The days are warm but the nights are cool. Winters in central China feel colder than they look. You will seldom see snow. Winters are short, lasting from January to the end of March. Summers are long hot and humid, lasting from April through September/October. In spring flowers are blooming and the tree's leaves turn green so there is an air of freshness. However, autumn usually sees clearer skies, and it rains a little. It is very wet in the south and high temperatures last for a long time. Winter from January to March, is short but can feel very cold. But it doesn't snow. Summer through September is the rainy season where temperatures and humidity reach highs. In autumn the heat and humidity weather stops. There is always a chance of rain. In most places of China summer is _ .
<extra_id_0>cool
<extra_id_1>warm
<extra_id_2>humid
<extra_id_3>dry
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Old-Fashioned Play--For Pay Kids !Come have a ball! Or 60,000 of them! There's a new type of business franchise that is appearing in shopping malls and neighborhoods acrossprefix = st1 /Americaoffering pay-per-use indoor playgrounds ,which feature toys ,games ,supervised fun and a workout that doesn't break the family bank. As public playgrounds grow increasingly worn and dirty, the for-profit centers offer clean, safe supervised activity as well as a variety of challenging exercises to develop youngsters' physical fitness, usually for a fee of around 5$ an hour. "Playgrounds are dirty ,not supervised," says Dick Guggenheimer ,owner of the two-month-old Discovery Zone in Yonkers, N.Y., part of Kansas City-based chain, "We are indoors; we are padded ;parents can feel their child is safe". In order to satisfy the need of two-earner families ,the new franchise stayed open in the evenings ,long after traditional public playgrounds have grown dark and unusable .However these new playgrounds are not meant to be day-care centers .Parents are expected go stay and play with their kids rather than drop them off. But several also provide high-tech baby-sitting services. At some of the Discovery Zones, parents can register their children in special supervised programs, then leave them and slip away for a couple of hours to enjoy a movie or dinner. If there is a problem ,Mom and Dad are called. The most fun of all, though, is getting to do what parents used to do in the days before two-earner families and two-hour commutes; play with their kids. That ,at least ,is old-fashioned, even at per-hour rates. What does the writer mean by saying "old-fashioned"?
<extra_id_0>The so-called new playground is outdated.
<extra_id_1>The new playground is also enjoyed by old people.
<extra_id_2>The new playground is actually enjoyed by parents.
<extra_id_3>The new playground offers a fashion which is poplar in the past.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Which of the following is an example of an assistive device?
<extra_id_0>contact lens
<extra_id_1>motorcycle
<extra_id_2>raincoat
<extra_id_3>coffee pot
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>There are many people who could be Olympic Champions. I'd estimate five million people could have beaten me in the pole-vault on the years when I won it, at least five million. Men were stronger, bigger, and faster than I could have done it, but they never picked up a pole, never made the efforts to vault their legs off the ground to try to get over the bar. Greatness is all around us. It's easy to be great because great people will help you. What was fantastic about all the conventions I went to was that the greatest in the business would come and share their ideas, their methods and their techniques with everyone else. I have seen the greatest salesmen showing young salesmen exactly how they did it. They didn't hold back. I have also found it true in the world of sports. I'll never forget the time I was trying to break Dutch Warmer Dam's record. I was about a foot below his record, so I called him on the phone. I said, "Dutch, can you help me? I seem to have _ . I can't get any higher." He said, "Sure, Bob, come on up to visit me and I'll give you all I got." I spent three days with the master, the greatest pole-vaulter in the world. For three days, Dutch gave me everything he'd seen. There were things that I was doing wrong and he corrected them. To make a long story short, I went up eight inches. That great guy gave me the best that he had. Great people will share. Great people will tell you their secrets. Look for them, call them on the phone or buy their books. Go where they are, get around them and talk to them. It is easy to be great when you get around great people. What would be the best title for the passage?
<extra_id_0>Benefit from the Greatness around Us
<extra_id_1>Many Men Are Better than Me
<extra_id_2>Share Your Greatness with People around You
<extra_id_3>My Hearty Thanks to Warmer Dam
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>A lot of grown-ups worry that spending too much time playing video games isn't good for a kid's health. Now some doctors have noticed that kids who bring their hand-held game players to the hospital seem less worried about being there. These patients also seem to experience less pain when they are concentrating on a superhero adventure or a car race. At the Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Maryland, young patients are finding hospital visits easier to deal with, thanks to a test program called the Hospital-based On-line Pediatric Environment (HOPE). Patients in HOPE have a life-threatening condition where their kidneys no longer filter wastes from their blood. To get their blood cleaned, these kids must be hooked up to dialysis machines at the hospital three times a week, for at least three hours each time. HOPE allows kids to play online sports, racing, and adventure games with each other. Eventually they will be able to connect with kids in other hospitals who are suffering from the same problem. "We want to use the power of the Internet to bring together kids who feel that they are separated by their illness, and let them know that they are not alone," said Arun Mathews, the doctor who heads the program. He loves video games himself and got the idea to connect kids all over the country. Many researchers elsewhere are testing video game programs that might help young patients. For example, nine-year-old Ben Duskin of San Francisco, who was struggling with cancer helped to design a video game where players get rid of cancer cells. That's all great news, because doctors already know that reducing pain and worry helps patients heal faster. Which of the following plays the most important role in the HOPE project?
<extra_id_0>Music.
<extra_id_1>The Internet.
<extra_id_2>Novels.
<extra_id_3>Films.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>Johnny the Explorer Johnny was three when he ran away from home for the first time. Somebody left the garden gate open. Johnny wandered out, crossed some fields, and two hours later, and arrived in the next village. He was just able to give his name and address. By the time he was seven, Johnny used to vanish from home two to three times a year. Sometimes he covered quite long distances on foot. On other occasions he got on a bus or even a train, and simply sat there until someone asked for his ticket. Generally the police brought him home. "Why do you do it?" they used to ask. "You aren't unhappy at home, are you? .... ""Of course not," Johnny replied." Then why?" "I just like seeing places," Johnny told them. Johnny continued to "see places" although everyone tried to stop him. His parents used to watch him closely, and so did his teachers; but sooner or later Johnny managed to slip away. As he grew older, his favorite trick was to hide on a long distance truck. Sometimes he used to travel hundreds of miles before anyone discovered him. It is hardly surprising that eventually Johnny managed to get on board a plane. He was twelve at the time. It was a cargo plane and, a few hours later, Johnny found himself in Cairo. How did he get on board? No one knows! According to Johnny himself, it was easy: he just went into the airport, walked along some corridors and got on board the nearest plane. In spite of all this, Johnny did well at school. He enjoyed maths and languages and, perhaps not surprisingly, he was especially good at geography. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" his teachers asked him. Johnny did not take long to answer that question. "An explorer!" he answered. "But it's difficult to become an explorer in this modern age." they tried to tell him, But it was no use: Johnny knew what he wanted! Just before he left school, Johnny saw a notice in one of the daily papers. An expedition was about to go to Brazil to travel up the Amazon River. There were vacancies(,) for three young people "willing to work hard and with a sense of adventure". Johnny applied, and, one month later, he was on his way to Brazil. People around Johnny _ .
<extra_id_0>tried to stop him from slipping away
<extra_id_1>kept following him to get him back
<extra_id_2>booked tickets for him if necessary
<extra_id_3>were closer about how he traveled abroad
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Young Jack moved to a new house. When entering his new bedroom, he saw that it was full of toys but it was tidy. That day he played all he liked, but went to bed without tidying up. The next morning, when Jack got up, he found all the toys had been put back in their proper places. He was sure that no one had entered his bedroom, but the boy didn't pay much attention to it. The exact same thing happened that day, and the next day. But on the fourth day when he went to get his favourite toy, the toy jumped out of his hands and said, "I don't want to play with you!" Jack felt surprised, but the same happened with every toy he touched. Finally, one toy said to him: "We don't want to play with you. You always leave us so far away from our proper places. You don't know how _ it is for us to climb back up onto the shelves, or jump into the box. We feel most uncomfortable and unhappy. You don't know how uncomfortable and cold the floor is! We don't play with you any more if you don't promise to leave us in our proper places before you go to bed." Jack remembered how comfortable he felt in his bed and how bad he felt when he had once slept in a chair. He realized how badly he had treated his friends, the toys. He asked for their forgiveness , and from that day on he always put his toys nicely in their proper places before he got into bed. The purpose of the text is to tell us that _ .
<extra_id_0>we should have a good sleep
<extra_id_1>we should be fair to every friend
<extra_id_2>we should treat our friends well
<extra_id_3>we should always keep our rooms tidy
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>It was on the afternoon of the day of Christmas Eve, and I was in Mrs. Prothero's garden, waiting for cats, with her son Jim. It was snowing. Patient and cold, our hands wrapped in socks, we waited to snowball the cats. The wise cats never appeared. We were so still in the snows that we never heard Mrs. Prothero's first cry from the bottom of the garden. Or, if we heard it at all, it was, to us, like the cry of the neighbor's Polar cat. But soon the voice grew louder. " Fire!" cried Mrs. Prothero. And we ran down the garden, with the snowballs in our arms, towards the house; and smoke, indeed, was pouring out of the dining room. This was better than all the cats in Wales standing on the wall in a row. We loaded with snowballs, stopped at the open door of the smoke-filled room. Something was burning all right; perhaps it was Mr. Prothero, who always slept there after midday dinner with a newspaper over his face; but he was standing in the middle of the room, saying, " A fine Christmas!" There was no fire to be seen, only clouds of smoke and Mr. Prothero standing in the middle of them, waving his slipper as though he were conducting. " Do something," he said. And we throw all our snowballs into the smoke---I think we missed Mr. Porthero---and ran out of the house. " Let's call the police," Jim said. "And Ernie Jenkins, he likes fires." But we only called the fire-brigade, and soon the fire-engine came. Mr. Porthero gout out just in time before they turned the hose on. When the boys saw smoke pouring out of the dining room, _ .
<extra_id_0>they were joyful and excited
<extra_id_1>they were frightened and worried
<extra_id_2>they were sorry for Mrs. Prothero
<extra_id_3>they were anxious about Mr. Prothero
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Just as the stock market rises and falls in response to what people are willing to put their money behind, we have inside ourselves an inner economy that rises and falls in response to our beliefs about what is possible. Sometimes the degree to which we are willing to challenge our belief systems determines the success of our inner economy. For example, imagine that your family of origin had a belief that musical talent was not something they possessed. As a member of that group, you would likely inherit that same belief about yourself. As a result, even if you had a great desire to create music, you might be hesitant to really get behind yourself, fearing that your investment would not pay off. Even if you had the courage to follow your passion, your inner belief that you are not inherently talented would probably be a major drawback to investing your energy in your dream. On the other hand, if you found a way to release that negative belief, a great flood of energy would pour forth, greatly increasing the likelihood of your success. How much energy we are willing to invest in the various ideas, dreams, and visions we carry within is like the money people are, or are not, willing to invest in the various products available for trade on the stock market. And in both cases, belief plays a key role in determining how willing we are to get behind something. One way to open up the possibility for greater success in our inner economies is to understand that belief is not the reliable guide we sometimes think. There are other more reliable things of success that we can put our faith in, such as passion, feeling, and sense. Some of the most successful investors in the stock market are the ones that go against the grain (to be something that one does not like doing), trusting their sense over the common opinion held by common people about what will work. In the same way, we can learn to trust our heart's desires and our sense to guide us, questioning any beliefs that stand in the way of our ability to fully invest in ourselves. As we take out energy from limiting ideas about what is possible, we free up the resources that have the power to make our inner economy prosper. The purpose of the author is_.
<extra_id_0>to teach us a lesson
<extra_id_1>to give us some useful suggestions
<extra_id_2>to tell us that our belief is not reliable
<extra_id_3>to encourage us to invest in the stock market
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>Across the planet there are millions of people who engage in some type of meditation, the practice of concentrating and clearing the mind to bring the body into a state of peace, at least a semi-regular basis. For some, particularly among practitioners of Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, this is _ of their religious practice. For others, particularly in Western cultures, meditation tends to be a response to stress. With the world economy approaching meltdown and people worried about their job or their ability to keep their home, it's a way for people to attain a state of peace of mind and well-being. For those interested in taking up the practice, instruction in meditation for beginners can be found in literally thousands of sources. One of the most popular styles of mediation in the West, with classes offered in most major cities, is called Transcendental Meditation. TM, as it is known among its practitioners, first came to worldwide attention when the Beatles began practicing it in 1967. For direct, guided, personal instruction in meditation for the beginner, TM may be the hallmark. Part of the confusion about how to practice meditation effectively is due to the fact that there are literally hundreds of techniques championed by various groups and individuals. As a general principle, it might be said that all meditation techniques seek to have the practitioner attain a state of consciousness that is different to our ordinary state of awareness. They attempt to train people to clear their minds and achieve a sense of inner peace. It sounds simple enough, but of the huge number of people experiment with meditation, very few are able to maintain its practice over the long haul. In most cases, this is due to frustration over the inability to experience any dramatic, instantly recognizable effects. This is quite a sad state of affairs, that so few these days are willing or equipped to persist in something that doesn't provide immediate life-changing results. It reflects a culture in which demands for discipline and sustained effort are considered unnecessary or even unfair. It is no surprise therefore that many people abandon their efforts at meditation before they have a chance to bear fruit. But for anyone who does decide to take up this worthwhile practice, please remember. You must clear your mind, relax and "take it as it comes". Maintain the practice with a sense of discipline and devotion, and eventually benefits of inner peace and calm will be yours. What can we infer about meditation from the passage?
<extra_id_0>It has two main types.
<extra_id_1>It is practiced by many famous artists.
<extra_id_2>Its benefits are not immediately obvious.
<extra_id_3>Most people find it a very good way to relax.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Some people believe that classes, teachers and school buildings will no longer be necessary in the near future because of the Internet and other new technology. Perhaps this will be true one day, but if the world has no schools, I can't imagine how our society will be. In fact, we should learn how to use new technology to make schools better. We should invent a new kind of school connected to libraries, museums, science centers, labs and even companies. Technological companies should create learning programs for schools. Scientists could give talks through the Internet. TV networks and local stations could develop programs about things students are studying in school. Labs could set up websites to show new technology, so students could see it on the Internet. Is this a dream? No. There have been many cities where this is beginning to happen. Here the whole city is connected to the Internet, and learning can take place at home, at school, and in the office. Businesses provide programs for the schools and the society. The schools provide computer labs for people without their own computers at home. Because everyone can go on the Internet, older people use it as much as younger ones, and everyone can visit faraway libraries and museums as easily as nearby ones. How will this new thing of school change the usual way of learning? It is a little early to be sure, but it is very exciting to think about it. Technology will change the way we learn; schools will change as well; and we will learn something from the Internet. What the writer thinks is that _ .
<extra_id_0>schools are still necessary
<extra_id_1>more schools should be built
<extra_id_2>there should be fewer schools
<extra_id_3>more computers are needed in schools
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>There are plenty of creams etc on the market that help you look younger, but today, Dr Oz is going to show how some people are actually living longer. "We are going to talk about extreme life extension," he says. "I am talking in details about allowing us to go into our second century of life with the energy that you have when you are a young person." Owing to advances in technology and research on how diet affect the aging process, Dr Oz says it might be possible for some people to live to see their 120th birthdays. There's one man in Oprah's audience who Dr Oz says may become the first man in history to live to be 150 years old. Joe Cordell is one of thousands around the world who believe they've found the key to an extreme long life --- calorie restriction leads to a longer, healthier life. At 59 Joe weighs 130 pounds. He may not look like a person who needs to count calories, but as part of his life extension program, he inspects every mouth of food that passes through his system. Every day for the past seven years, Joe has limited himself to about 1,950 calories. He believes that by eating less and restricting his caloric intake, he will _ a genetic switch that slows the aging process. Joe doesn't take away himself of food. Instead, the then 52-year-old father filled up on natural fruits, vegetables and lean proteins that were packed with necessary vitamins and nutrients. "Whenever you are thinking about calorie restriction, you should continually think about getting the most nutritional amount per calorie," Joe says. In keeping with this principle, Joe starts every morning with three apples...but he only eats the peels. "Most of the fiber is in the peel, and more importantly, most of the nutrients are in the peel," he says. "It is important to eat some nuts with breakfast so that you do take in some fat, some healthy fats," he says. "I think it helps the absorption of the nutrients, and it is very filling." For lunch, Joe usually eats a large salad, loaded with vegetables. At dinnertime, he and his family enjoy lean meat or fish and more vegetables. When Joe started practicing calorie restriction, he weighed 175 pounds. Since then, he has lost 45 pounds, and he says he hasn't had a cold in seven years. Though he is in his "golden years", researchers studying Joe say he has the body of a 20-year-old athlete. According to the passage, the extreme life extension refers to _ .
<extra_id_0>living very long even sick
<extra_id_1>how to make people lead a happy life
<extra_id_2>living long and having a healthy body
<extra_id_3>how to arrange our foods every day
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>According to the Ministry of Health, 260 million Chinese people have chronic diseases, and 85 percent of all deaths in China are caused by such diseases. Among them, cardiovascular disease has bothered more people than any other kind of chronic disease. According to the WHO(World Health Organization), salt consumption , one of the key causes of high blood pressure that can lead to cardiovascular disease, is much higher in China than in other countries. Douglas Bettcher, the director of the WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative, says, "The average Chinese person consumes about 12 to 14 grams (of salt) per day, while the suggestion of the WHO is consumption of less than 5 grams per day. High salt consumption is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and high pressure in China. Changing the way that food is prepared could reduce salt consumption in China. Another major risk factor in China is smoking. Dr Michael O'Leary, a representative of the WHO, says, "We know already that one million deaths in China are related to smoking, This is an enormous number. It means that we are seeing nearly 3000 deaths a day in China, or two deaths every minute, related to smoking. According to O'Leary, about 26 percent of men who die from smoking-related diseases in China die before the age of 60. People who can still contribute a great deal, in other words, are dying too young. China has tried to ban smoking , but more efforts are needed. More than half of chronic diseases are preventable by changing lifestyles and reducing risks. The four key risk factors are: smoking, diets high in fats, salt and sugar, environments that prevent physical activities, and alcohol consumption. These are the areas on which efforts to make changes need to concentrate. According to the WHO, how much salt should a Chinese person consume?
<extra_id_0>About 12 to 14 grams per day.
<extra_id_1>Less than 5 grams per day.
<extra_id_2>About 17 to 19 grams per day.
<extra_id_3>About 7 to 9 grams per day.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>"Clean your plate!" and "Be a member of the clean-plate club!" Just about every kid in the US heard this from a parent or grandparent. Often, it's accompanied by an appeal: "Just think about those starving orphans in Africa." Sure, we should be grateful for every bite of food. Unfortunately, many people in the US take too many bites. Instead of "cleaning the plate', perhaps we should save some food for tomorrow. According to news reports, US restaurants are partly to blame for the growing bellies(,). A waiter puts a plate of food in front of each customer, with two to four times the amount recommended by the government, according to a USA Today story. Americans traditionally associate (......) quantity with value and most restaurants try to give them that. They prefer to have customers complain about too much food rather than too little. Barbara Rolls, a nutrition professor at Pennsylvania State University, told USA Today that restaurant portion(,) sizes began (or grew) in the 1970s, the same time that the American waistline began to expand . Health experts have tried to get many restaurants to serve smaller portions. Now, apparently, some customers are calling for this too. The restaurant industry trade magazine QSR reported last month that 57 percent of more than 4,000 people surveyed believe restaurants serve portions that are too large; 23 percent had no opinion; 20 percent disagreed. But a closer look at the survey indicates that many Americans who can't afford fine dining still prefer large portions. Seventy percent of those earning at least $150,000 per year prefer smaller portions; but only 45 percent of those earning less than $25,000 want smaller. It's not that working-class Americans don't want to eat healthily. It's just that, "after long hours at low-paying jobs, getting less on their plate hardly seems like a good deal. They live from paycheck, happy to save a little money for next year's Christmas presents." Why do American restaurants serve large portions?
<extra_id_0>Because Americans associate quantity with value.
<extra_id_1>Because Americans have big bellies.
<extra_id_2>Because Americans are good eaters.
<extra_id_3>Because Americans are greedy.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>There are many types of reports. A report is simply an account of something that has happened. The commonest are new reports. We get them in newspapers, over the radio and on television. Sometimes cinemas also show us newsreels . The main purpose of a newspaper is to provide news. If you examine a newspaper closely, you will find that there are all types of news: accidents, floods, fires, wars, fashions, sports, books, etc. The news covers everything that happens to people and their surroundings. Sometimes there are news items which are very amusing. A news report is usually very short, except when it is about something very important, but it contains a lot of information. It is also written in short paragraphs. The first paragraph is, in fact, a summary of the news item. It gives all the necessary information--what, when, where, how and why. The other paragraphs give full details of the subject. There may also be interviews with people. The words actually spoken by them are within inverted commas . Often there are photographs with the news to make it more interesting. According to this passage, the main purpose of a newspaper is to _ .
<extra_id_0>earn money
<extra_id_1>make the readers happy
<extra_id_2>provide news
<extra_id_3>draw attention
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>One summer morning a tiger is walking near a lake. He wants to eat something. He is very hungry. In the lake, a duck is swimming ."That is my breakfast," thinks the tiger. "Good morning, Mr. Duck!" says the tiger. "Go away, you bad tiger!" says the duck. "I want to tell you something about your friend, Miss Chicken. If you don't come, I'll go. Good bye. Mr. Duck." "Wait a minute," says the duck. "Tell me!" The tiger looks around ,"I don't want other animals to know it. Come up to me," says the tiger. Then Mr. Duck swims to the tiger. As soon as(............) he gets to the bank ,the tiger gets it and eats it up. He laughs best that laughs last.. The duck _ from the tiger.
<extra_id_0>like
<extra_id_1>likes
<extra_id_2>wants to see
<extra_id_3>wants to know something about his friend
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Throughout history, rainbows have been a source of mystery and legend. Rainbows are also important symbols in a number of cultures around the world. In the Old Testament of the Bible(<<>> ), for example, God shows Noah a rainbow to let him know that the Flood is over and that he will never destroy the earth again with flooding. When it rains, the color1s that make up white light separate because they bend at different angles when they pass through water. The result is some of the color1s can be seen by the human eyes, as well as some that cannot. Everyone knows that we can sometimes see rainbows on a rainy day. However, you actually have a chance of seeing a rainbow anytime there is light behind you and water in the air in front of you. So, if you want to know what it feels like to have the power of God, get a spray , stand with your back to the sun, and create a rainbow! Which of the following is true about rainbows?
<extra_id_0>Rainbows once destroyed the earth in history.
<extra_id_1>Japanese believe the rainbow is made from wild flowers.
<extra_id_2>The rainbow shows that the human eyes can see all the color1s in the light.
<extra_id_3>It is possible for us to see rainbows on rainy days as well as on sunny days.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Each year about a quarter of a million Americans study abroad. For many of them, a summer or a semester in a foreign country now involves more than just sitting in classrooms and hanging out with other American students. Instead, they are encouraged and sometimes required to be involved in the local communities they are studying in. "It's ly important that they know something about how people in other parts of the world live and think, and how they behave," says William Finlay, head of the sociology department at the University of Georgia. In 2008, he co-founded a study abroad program with South Africa's Stellenbosch University. It combines traditional academic in-class learning with community involvement. "We've been working with a non-government organization in the township. Our students typically either work with little children in day care centers or work in the library and teach very basic computer skills to young children," says Finlay. The three-week program proved to be an unforgettable experience for Hillary Kinsey. She says, "It was interesting to learn the history of the area and then talk to these people and see what the social dynamics were, and how certain groups felt about other groups." When Hillary Kinsey returned home from South Africa, she and other students in the program established a non-profit group. Kinsey says the group wants to contribute to advancing education and development in South Africa. "One of the purposes of the group is that we hope to raise money and awareness about the situation where those people live and help to promote any sort of educational development that we can, " Kinsey added. While many study abroad programs focus on helping Americans to learn foreign languages, others take a more intensive approach. "In all of our locations, we place students with local roommates," says Mark Lenhart, director of CEF Academic Programs, which sends more than a thousand students to China, Korea and other countries each year. He says American students benefit from such one-on-one interactions, in spite of the challenges they face. Lenhart says, "They have to adjust to the local life. This will enable students to become more employable when they graduate." The purposes of Hillary Kinsey's non-profit group include all of the following, EXCEPT _ .
<extra_id_0>learning more about South Africa
<extra_id_1>raising money for local people
<extra_id_2>helping to develop education in South Africa
<extra_id_3>raising people's awareness of the local situation
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>The bicycling craze came in when we were just about at the right age to enjoy it. At first even "safety" bicycles were too dangerous and improper for ladies to ride, and they had to have tricycles. My mother had (I believe) the first female tricycle in Cambridge; and I had a little one, and we used to go out for family rides, all together; my father in front on a bicycle, and my poor brother Charles standing miserably on the bar behind my mother. I found it very hard work, pounding away on my hard tyres; a glorious, but not a pleasurable pastime. Then, one day at lunch, my father said he had just seen a new kind of tyre, filled up with air, and he thought it might be a success. And soon after that everyone had bicycles, ladies and all; and bicycling became the smart thing, and the lords and ladies had their pictures in the papers, riding along in the park, in straw hats. My mother must have fallen off her bicycle pretty often, for I remember seeing the most appalling cuts and bruises on her legs. But she never complained, and always kept these accidents to herself. However, the great Mrs. Phillips, our cook, always knew all about them; as indeed she knew practically everything that ever happened. She used to draw us into the servants' hall to tell us privately: "Her Ladyship had a nasty fall yesterday; she cut both her knees and sprained her wrist. But don't let her know I told you." So we never dared say anything. Similar little accidents used to occur when, at the age of nearly seventy, she insisted on learning to drive a car. She never mastered the art of reversing , and was in every way an unconventional and terrifying driver. Mrs. Phillips used then to tell us: "Her Ladyship ran into the back of a milk-cart yesterday; but it wasn't much hurt"; or "A policeman stopped her Ladyship because she was on the wrong side of the road; but she said she didn't know what the white line on the road meant, so he explained and let her go on." Mrs. Phillips must have had an excellent Intelligence Service at her command, for the stories were always true enough. Cycling became popular when _ .
<extra_id_0>air-filled tyres began to be used
<extra_id_1>the writer's father popularized it
<extra_id_2>noble people started enjoying it
<extra_id_3>newspapers had pictures of cyclists
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>FOR most people, life without plants is unimaginable. They feed us, clean up our air and brighten up our gardens. But what if someone told you that even our smartphones can benefit from plants? Meet the scientists from the Freiburg University of Mining and Technology in Germany. According to reports from Reuters, they have come up with a way to take the important element germanium from plants. The element was first discovered in Germany (hence the name) and was used to develop the first transistor because it can transport electricity very quickly. Nowadays, silicon-germanium alloy plays an important role in making computers, smartphones and fiber-optic cables . Although germanium can be found in soil around the world, it is difficult to extract . In the traditional process, people take the material after zinc mining or burning coal. But the Freiburg scientists decided to fall back on the natural world. Biology professor Hermann Heilmeier is one of the scientists who are using common plants for this uncommon process. "Different energy crops are being planted, for example, sunflowers, corn ... we want to use them for phytomining. In German we call it 'mining with plants'." Others have used this method in the past with metals like gold and copper . But in their study, the Freiburg scientists brought germanium from the soil into the roots and shoots of the plants, harvested them and then took the element from the plants. The process did not cost too much because germanium can be taken after plants are processed for use as biogas . So many of the costs are already covered in existing biogas plants. However, there is still a lot of work to do before we can all experience the benefits. At the moment germanium can only be harvested in very small amounts, just a few milligrams per liter. Now scientists are working on different plants to improve this. "As is so often the case, industry is still waiting because they want to see everything already working. Then they say, 'We'll have it.' But of course we have to complete the step in between first," said Professor Martin Bertau, head of industrial chemistry at Freiburg University. What can we conclude from the article?
<extra_id_0>Germanium can be easily produced during the process of mining zinc or burning coal.
<extra_id_1>Sunflowers and corn are currently the most efficient plants to use when extracting germanium.
<extra_id_2>The process of harvesting germanium from plants isn't costly because after harvesting, the plants can be used for biogas.
<extra_id_3>The new method for extracting germanium that the Freiburg scientists are trying is greener and cheaper than the traditional one.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>College life can become a great struggle because students have to balance school, a social life, and sometimes a job as well. The following steps could help the grades of college students. Go to class. Why did your parents pay for your tuition or why are your parents paying their taxes for financial aid? Even when you don't feel like attending class, just go. 71 Many classes have in-class assignments, pop quizzes, and case studies that only could be taken in class. If you are not there, you might lose points. Some students start better than they finish. They do that in order to give themselves room to slack near the end of the semester, which can be a mistake. Push yourself to do your best on every assignment. Stay on top of your game and don't lose focus.
<extra_id_0>Stay organized.
<extra_id_1>Maintain 100% effort throughout the semester.
<extra_id_2>You might get participation points, and the professor will also get to know you better.
<extra_id_3>The rest of the day would be your own time. E.Use your time effectively and efficiently. F.Find your own best method of studying. G.Balance work, school and social life.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>There is a Web site called the "World Database of Happiness." It combines and analyzes the results of hundreds of surveys from around the world that have been conducted on life satisfaction. Most of the findings are predictable, but a few are surprising. The database makes it clear that there is not a strong connection between material wealth and general contentment. It is a cliche to say that money can't buy happiness, but the old saying seems to be supported by research. Many people still cling to the belief that gaining riches will be the answer to all their problems, yet they are probably mistaken. Studies have been carried out on people who acquired sudden wealth, such as lottery winners. In most cases, after the initial joy had worn off, people were not left with a sense of lasting happiness. In fact, they tended to revert to the way they felt before they became rich. Previously contented people continue to be contented, while those who were miserable before sink back into misery. If material wealth does not bring happiness, then what does? Perhaps happiness has something to do with where you live. The authorities at the World Database on Happiness have surveyed levels of happiness in different countries. Apparently, people in America, Canada, and Singapore are very happy; people living in India and Russia, not surprisingly, are not happy. Other surveys consistently point to the importance of relationships. Family relationships in particular seem to be the key to long-term contentment. The Web site suggests that falling in love and having children are two of the situations that bring the greatest happiness. Nowadays people look to technology as an alternative source of satisfaction. People increasingly spend more time alone watching TV or surfing the Internet rather than spending time with family. Can technology truly make people happy? It is too difficult to tell, but one thing is sure: If the Web site's research is accurate, time spent with your family is a better investment than time spent making money. Which factor can bring lasting happiness definitely according to the study?
<extra_id_0>Sudden wealth.
<extra_id_1>Surfing the Internet.
<extra_id_2>Family relationship.
<extra_id_3>Winning lottery.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>On March 17 there will be an explosion of green colour across the world in celebration of St Patrick's Day. The Irish traditionally wear something coloured green on this day as the colour is connected with Ireland. Another St Patrick's Day tradition is for the non-Irish to make jokes about the Irish. Usually these jokes will be about Irish stupidity or their famous thirst for alcohol, or their reputation for telling tall(untrue) stories. These characteristics are all part of the famous Irish stereotype that Irishman are hot-tempered drinkers, who love to fight and will do anything to avoid a day's work. The real joke, however, is that this negative Irish stereotype still exists. The stereotype might have had some truth back in the 19th century when Irish was poverty-stricken and starving. Many Irish moved to the United States to escape famine , but there they had to compete, occasionally with their fists, for jobs and housing with other immigrant groups. It was on America's streets that the Irish earned their reputation for street fighting. However, it was far from truth today, with the exception of the drinking perhaps. Today, the Irish are admired for their story telling gifts and musical talents. It is no accident that several of the greatest writers of the 20th century were Irish. Or that many of today's most popular music groups such as singer Enya and rock band U2, are Irish born and growing. Lonely Planet readers even ranked Ireland as the friendliest country in the world. However, one bit of the Irish stereotype is true, their love for drink. Drinking in Ireland is a job, but it's not necessarily something to criticize. It was the Irish after all who created one of the world's best-loved beers, Guinness. Which of the following statements does NOT belong to the Irish stereotype?
<extra_id_0>Irishmen are good at street fighting.
<extra_id_1>Most Irish people are always very lazy.
<extra_id_2>Irishmen are hot-tempered drinkers.
<extra_id_3>Irish people are famous for their stupidity.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Maybe it is true that we do not know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we do not know what we have been missing until it arrives. It takes an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Do not expect love in return; but if it does not, be content it has grown in yours. Do not rely on one's appearance; it can trick you. Do not rely on wealth; even that fades away. Rely on someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You cannot go on well in life until you let your past failures and heartaches go off. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people do not necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Happiness waits for those who cry, those appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too. When you were born , you were crying and everyone around you was smiling . Live your life so that when you die , you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying . Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
<extra_id_0>If you give someone your love, you are sure to receive love in return.
<extra_id_1>We often don't know what we have lost until it happens someday.
<extra_id_2>It is wise not to rely on anybody because you are likely to be deceived.
<extra_id_3>If it takes you a short time to love someone, you will easily forget the person.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>The Erie Canal was the first important national waterway built in the US. It crossed New York from Buffalo on Lake Erie Troy to Albany on the Hudson River. It joined the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. The canal served as a route over which industrial goods could flow into the west, and materials could pour into the east. The Erie Canal helped New York develop into the nation's largest city. The building of the canal was paid for entirely by the state of New York. It cost $ 7 143 789, but it soon gained its price many times over. Between 1825, when the canal was opened, and 1882, when toll charges were stopped, the state collected $121 461 891. For a hundred years before the Erie was built, people had been talking about a canal which could join the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. The man who planned the Erie Canal and carried the plan through was De Witt Clinton. Those who were against the canal laughingly called it "Clinton's Ditch ". Clinton talked and wrote about the canal and drew up plans for it. He and Governor Morris went to Washington in 1812 to ask for help for the canal, but they were unsuccessful. Clinton became governor of New York in 1817, and shortly afterwards, on July 4, 1817, broke ground for the canal in Rome, N.Y. The first part of the canal was completed in 1820. As the canal grew, towns along its course developed fast. The length of the canal is 363 miles. We can see that the Erie Canal _ .
<extra_id_0>joined the Great Lakes together
<extra_id_1>crossed New York from north to south
<extra_id_2>played an important part in developing New York City
<extra_id_3>was the first waterway built in the US
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Mrs. Black is such a heavy woman in the world that one day she goes to see the doctor. The doctor tells her that she should eat more vegetables and less meat. So the next morning she only has an egg and a glass of milk for breakfast. And she has some rice and vegetables for lunch. In the evening, she feels very hungry. She begins to cook supper. She makes some hamburgers with chicken. She puts a little chicken and lots of vegetables in each hamburger. She has five hamburgers for supper. After that, she feels better and goes to bed. After a week, she goes to see the doctor again. The doctor is so surprised to find that she is heavier. But Mrs. Black tells him that she has more vegetables and less meat every day! Why does Mrs. Black go to see the doctor?
<extra_id_0>Because she has a cold.
<extra_id_1>Because she can't eat meat.
<extra_id_2>Because she can't sleep well.
<extra_id_3>Because she is too fat.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Have you heard of the following places on Earth that look completely alien? Waiotapu, New Zealand Steam and gases rising through the pool create bubbles of mud, at the site of what was once a volcano. While Waiotapu is a popular tourist spot, visitors are warned to stay on walkways built by the government for fear that they fall through thin crust surfaces and risk being burned by hot geothermal gases or fluids. Rio Tinto, Spain Rio Tinto is a river in southwestern Spain that originates in the Sierra Morena mountains of Andalusia. It flows generally south - southwest, reaching the Gulf of Cadiz at Huelva. As a possible result of the mining, Rio Tinto is notable for being very acidic (pH 2) and its deep red color1 is due to iron dissolved in the water. The Pinnacles, Australia This stretch of desert landscape in Australia's Nambung National Park boasts thousands of weathered rock projections that rise out of yellow sand hills -- some topped by round roofs, while others form sharp-edged columns. The spires , some of which reach 11 feet in height, are limestone formations sculpted by wind, vegetation, rain, sun and time over millions of years. Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii The closest thing on Earth to a Venusian environment may be the smooth, black basalt formations on Hawaii's Big Island. One of the best examples of a Venus-like volcano is Kilauea Volcano, the youngest and southernmost volcano on the island, and one of the world's most active. Since 1952, there have been more than 34 eruptions at Kilauea, which in Hawaiian tradition is the home of Pele, the volcano goddess. Where should you go if you want to watch an active volcano?
<extra_id_0>New Zealand.
<extra_id_1>Spain.
<extra_id_2>Australia.
<extra_id_3>Hawaii.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Michael froze as he heard the voice on the radio saying that a man had been murdered by a bullet that had come from the sky. Thinking that the shot they had fired possibly was the shot that killed Mr. Ward, he immediately drove off. For the next two months, Michael and Joe hid the secret that the bullet had actually shot Mr. Ward. During this time, Jenna Ward started to realize life without her father. While Jenna mourned the death of her father, a strange boy started to appear at the front steps of the church. After many nights of watching this boy, she finally recognized that it was Michael who was sitting on the steps every night. After months of finding out where the shot came, the police arrived at Michael's house. His dad mentioned the gun that Michael had received from his grandpa at his birthday party. Michael told the police that Joe had borrowed the gun. Upon this, Joe said that the gun had been stolen out of his car along with his CD player. After the police were gone, Michael met Joe and told Joe the gun was under the wood pile in his backyard. One day , Michael came home to find the police searching his backyard with metal detectors .When the Sergeant went into the woods behind the house , he came out with a bullet that Joe and he had shot off on his birthday .The bullet matched the one that they had recovered from Mr Ward , but without the gun , the police could not place Michael as the killer. With the pressure increasing .Michael finally broke down and realized he had to give up .On a Saturday morning , he went to Jenna's house to confess to her and her mother and then turned himself in . From the passage we can learn that _ .
<extra_id_0>Michael lent the gun to Joe at his birthday party
<extra_id_1>the gun together with a CD player was stolen from Joe's car
<extra_id_2>Michael hid the gun under the wood pile in his backyard
<extra_id_3>the Sergeant discovered the bullet in the wood pile
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>It was a hot afternoon. I had a quarrel with the airport staff and then was asked to have a drug test .I missed the flight home later because of bad weather. Now my flight home was full and running late. I felt sorry and unlucky. At that moment,I noticed a 5-year-old boy standing by his mother watching me. He left his mother and slowly walked towards me."Great!"I thought sadly,"Now I have to take care of a 5-year-old child. My day is now complete." As he came closer,I found it was my hat that he was after. I wanted to tell him not to touch my things,but I was curious to know what he would do with my hat. With wide eyes,he gently touched my hat. He looked up at me,smiling,but saying nothing. I asked him if he wanted to wear my hat,he excitedly nodded,still smiling. I placed my hat on his head,but it fell down around his ears. He didn't mind and held it up with both hands. He ran to show his mother,then back to me,still smiling. With much respect,he slowly took off my hat with both hands and gave it to me. I put my hat on and gave him an airplane card. Holding the card carefully with both hands,he looked up at me and said,"Mister,you sure are lucky.""Yes,I sure am,"I said. I admired the wisdom of a 5-year-old boy,as I got the last seat on that flight home. What did the writer feel when he watched the boy walking towards him?
<extra_id_0>Unhappy.
<extra_id_1>Interested.
<extra_id_2>Surprised.
<extra_id_3>Excited.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>There was once a man called Mr. Flowers, and flowers were his only joy in life. He spent all his free time in one of his four glass-houses and grew flowers of every color, with long and difficult names, for competitions. He tried to grow a rose of a new color to win the silver cup for the Rose of the Year. Mr. Flowers' glass-houses were very near to a middle school. Boys of around thirteen of age were often tempted to throw a stone or two at one of Mr. Flowers' glass-houses. So Mr. Flowers did his best to be in or near his glass-houses at the beginning and end of the school day. But it was not always possible to be on watch at those times. Mr. Flowers had tried in many ways to protect his glass, but nothing that he had done had been useful. He had been to school to report to the headmaster; but this had not done any good. He had tried to drive away the boys that threw stones into his garden; but the boys could run faster than he could, and they laughed at him from far away. He had even picked up all the stones that he could find around his garden, so that the boys would have nothing to throw; but they soon found others. At last Mr. Flowers had a good idea. He put up a large notice made of good, strong wood, some meters away from the glass-houses. On it he had written the words: DO NOT THROW STONES AT THIS NOTICE. After this, Mr. Flowers had no further trouble; the boys were much more tempted to throw stones at the notice than at the glass-houses. Mr. Flowers' good idea was to _ .
<extra_id_0>write some words on the glass
<extra_id_1>put up a large notice to cover his glass-houses
<extra_id_2>give the boys something else to throw stones at
<extra_id_3>send for policemen
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Many everyday American expressions are based on colors. Red is a hot colour. Americans may say they are red hot about something unfair. They are red hot when they are very angry about something. The small hottasting peppers found in many Mexican foods are called red hot for their colour and their fiery taste. Fast loud music is popular with many people. They may say the music is red hot, especially the kind called Dixieland jazz. Pink is a lighter kind of red. People sometimes say they are in the pink when they are in good health. The expression was first used in America at the beginning of the twentieth century. It comes from the fact that many babies are born with nice pink skin that shows that they are in good health. The colour black is often used in expressions. People describe a day on which everything goes wrong as a black day. A blacklist is illegal now. But at one time, some businesses refused to employ people who were on a blacklist for belonging to unpopular organizations. The colour green is natural for trees and grass. But it is,an unnatural colour for humans. A person who has a sick feeling in his stomach may say he feels a little green. A passenger on a boat who is feeling very sick from high waves may look very green. Sometimes a person may be upset because he does not have something as nice as a friend has. That person may say he is green with envy. Some people are green with envy because a friend has more dollars or greenbacks. Dollars are called greenbacks because green is the colour of the back side of the paper money. When we say someone feels a little green, it means he/she _ .
<extra_id_0>enjoys himself in boating
<extra_id_1>is hit by a high wave
<extra_id_2>has a stomachache
<extra_id_3>likes trees and grass
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Most of the time, people wear hats to protect themselves from _ weather conditions. Hats are also worn to show politeness and as signs of social position. But nowadays, hats, especially women's hats, are much more than that. More exactly, hats have changed into fashion and style symbols by many movie stars. What's more, people now consider many different features when choosing even a simple hat. Many designers point out that, when choosing the right hat, it's important to consider the color of your skin as well as your hair, your height, and the shape of your face. First of all, the color of the hat should match the color of your skin and hair. For instance, black hats should be avoided if you are dark skinned. If a purple hat is placed on top of red hair, one will look as attractive as a summer flower. Second, the height of the hat is also an important point. Tall women should not go for hats with tall crowns, just as short women should choose hats with upturned brims to give the look of height. Third, and most importantly, the shape of the face decides the kind of hat one should pick. A small, gentle hat that fits the head looks good on a small face. However, women with big, round faces should choose a different style. As the saying goes, "Fine feathers make fine birds." A good hat can not only help your dress but also support your features, so why not choose the best possible one next time you want to be in public? What is the best title for the article?
<extra_id_0>How to Show Your Social Position.
<extra_id_1>How to Improve Your Features.
<extra_id_2>How to Choose a Proper Hat.
<extra_id_3>How to Design a Nice Hat.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Standard English is that variety of English which is usually used in print,and which is normally taught in schools and to non-native speakers learning the language.It is also the variety which is normally spoken by educated people and used in news broadcasts and other similar situations.The difference between standard and non-standard,it should be noted,has nothing in principle to do with differences between formal and informal language:Standard English has informal as well as formal variants. Historically the standard variety of English is based on the London Dialect of English that developed after the Norman Conquest resulted in the removal of the Court from Winchester to London.This dialect became the one preferred by the educated,and it was developed and promoted as a model,or norm,for wider and wider parts of society.It was also the norm that was carried overseas.But not one unaffected by such export.Today,standard English is codified to the degree that the grammar and vocabulary of English are much the same everywhere in the world where English is used:difference among the local standards is really quite minor,so that the Singapore,South Africa,and Irish varieties are really very little different from one another so far as grammar and vocabulary are concerned.Indeed,standard English is so powerful that it puts a tremendous pressure on all local varieties,to the degree that many of the long-established dialects of England have lost much of their vigor and there is much pressure on them to converge towards the standard.This latter situation is not unique to English:it is also in other countries where processes of standardization are under way.But it sometimes creates problems for speakers who try to strike some kind of compromise between local norms and national,even super-national ones. The main topic of the text is
<extra_id_0>the difference between standard English and non-standard English.
<extra_id_1>the influence between standard English and non-standard English.
<extra_id_2>the origin and development of standard English used nowadays.
<extra_id_3>the difference between standard English and the London dialects.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>A team of British surgeons has carried out Gaza's first organ transplants for a long-term plan to train local medical staff to perform the operations. Two patients underwent kidney transplants at the Shifa, Gaza's biggest public hospital. The operations were conducted a fortnight ago by a volunteer medical team from the Royal Liverpool hospital. Ziad Matouk, 42, was born with one kidney and was diagnosed with renal failure several years ago. Matouk, whose wife donated one of her kidneys, hopes to return to his job within six months. The couple had sought a transplant in Cairo, but were rejected as unsuitable at a state hospital and could not afford the fee at a private hospital. "We were desperate," said Matouk. The UK-Gaza link-up began about a year ago after Abdelkader Hammad, a doctor at the Royal Liverpool hospital, was contacted by an anaesthetist at the Shifa, who outlined the difficulties the Gaza hospital was facing with dialysis . The Shifa is forced to rely on generators because of power cuts; spare parts for its ageing dialysis machines have been difficult to import; and supplies of consumables are often scarce. After an exploratory trip last April, Hammad---whose family is Palestinian---and three colleagues from Liverpool arrived in Gaza via Egypt last month, bringing specialist equipment. Two patients were selected for surgery. The first, Mohammed Duhair, 42, received a kidney donated by his younger brother in a six-hour operation. Two days later, Matouk received a transplant after his wife, Nadia, 36, was found to be a good match. The surgeon was carried out by the British team, assisted by doctors and nurses from the Shifa. "We are very satisfied with the results," said Sobbi Skaik, head of surgery at the Gaza hospital. Skaik hopes that Gaza medical teams will eventually carry out kidney transplants independently, and that other organ transplants may follow. The Shifa is working with the Gaza ministry of health on a plan to train its doctors, surgeons, nursing staff and laboratory technicians in transplant surgery at the Royal Liverpool. "Funding is a problem," said Hammad. "In the meantime we'll go back as volunteers to Gaza for the next couple of years to do more transplants." The Liverpool team's next visit is scheduled for May. What effect does Gaza's first organ transplants hopes to get?
<extra_id_0>Helping poor Gaza people to regain health to make more money.
<extra_id_1>Releasing Gaza hospitals' pressure of lack of professional doctors.
<extra_id_2>Assisting the Royal Liverpool hospital in perfecting their operations.
<extra_id_3>Calling for international attention at Gaza's poor medical service.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>When you watch TV and play video games you make global warming worse! It may seem hard to believe, but when electricity is made, so are greenhouse gases . This means that every time you use electricity you help make global warming worse! Cars are also making global warming worse. They burn fossil fuels in their engines, and send lots of greenhouse gases into the air. Global warming may be a big problem, but we can all help stop it. People can try to drive their cars less. Or even get ones that run on sunlight! You can also help. Let's try one of these top ideas: (1) Try to use less electricity. Turn off lights, your television, and your computer when you've stopped using them. To make electricity, fossil fuels are burned in big factories. But burning fossil fuels also makes greenhouse gases. You should also try to watch less TV. (2) Plant trees. Not only is it a fun thing to do, but it is also a great way to lower the number of greenhouse gases in the air. Trees take carbon dioxide out of the air when they grow. (3) Don't throw away your rubbish, try to recycle it. If rubbish is not recycled, it is put in the ground. There it rots and makes a greenhouse gas called methane .So try to recycle cans, bottles, plastic bags and newspapers. It'll make you feel great! And it'll help the Earth. If we _ , we may make global warming worse.
<extra_id_0>use less electricity
<extra_id_1>drive a car on sunlight
<extra_id_2>plant trees
<extra_id_3>throw away rubbish
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>To Make Everybody Happy Peter's uncle lives in the country. Once in summer, Peter goes to stay with him for a few weeks. Whenever they go for a walk or for a drive in the car and pass somebody, his uncle waves to the passer-by. Peter is surprised and says, "Uncle Georage, you seem to know everybody here. Where did you meet them all?" "I don't know all these people." answers his uncle. "Then why do you wave to them?" "Well, Peter ," says his uncle "When I wave to someone who knows me, he is pleased. He goes on his journey with a happier heart. But when I wave to someone who doesn't know me , he is surprised and says to himself, ' Who is that man? Why did he wave to me?' So he has something to think about during the rest of his journey, and that makes his journey seem shorter.So.I.make.everybody.happy. Peter goes to the country _ .
<extra_id_0>for his winter holidays
<extra_id_1>to see his sick uhcle
<extra_id_2>to spend summer with his uncle
<extra_id_3>because he gets into trouble
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>The social sciences, as the name shows, are the scientific study of the behavior of human beings, both in groups and individually. There is no past or present information of human beings who were not in groups. The groups may be small, like the family, or large, like a city or nation. But in order to reach complete development, man must be a member of a society. It is true that some individuals are more solitary than others. Some like monks or hermits may decide, for religious or other reasons, to leave their society and live alone. But these are unusual individuals, and even they cannot separate themselves completely from the rest of mankind. A society, then, seems to be the natural environment of mankind. Scholars who study mankind in social organizations are called social scientists. The human behavior which social scientists study is learned behavior. The behavior of the human body as a living organism is studied by the biologist, the biochemist, or the physician. This behavior of man's physical body is inherited through the genetic development of his species. For example, all physically normal and healthy humans learn to walk as their bodies grow and develop. Social scientists concern themselves with the behavior that man must learn so that he can take his place in a social group. In order to be a functioning member of that group, each member must learn to behave in a way acceptable according to the differences among societies. The social scientists are newcomers to academic studies. By the end of the 19th century, the natural sciences had developed a method, by which they were able to understand the physical world. By using the scientific method, chemists, physicists, and astronauts, for example, learned a great deal about the universe. It seemed reasonable to apply the same method to the study of man's social life. Through this kind of study man may learn to understand himself much better. The scientific method is a way of collecting facts in order to describe an existing situation as correctly and completely as possible. The description must consist only of what can be perceived , analyzed, measured and recorded. Feelings and personal opinions or ideas have no place in scientific description. The fact must be observed and described in such a way that another scientist could repeat the same study and get the same results. Which of the following is NOT taken into account in the scientific method?
<extra_id_0>Careful observations.
<extra_id_1>Accurate measurements.
<extra_id_2>True feelings and personal ideas.
<extra_id_3>A reasonable analysis.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>A scientist who developed a way to calculate how much water is used in the production of anything from a cup of coffee to a hamburger was awarded the 2008 Stockholm Water Prize. Professor John Anthony Allan of the University of London in Britain won the award for introducing the idea of "virtual water ", a calculation method that has changed the nature of trade policy and research. Allan has written seven books and published more than 100 papers. The Stockholm International Water Institute said this idea is now embedded in the production of foods and industrial products. The institute said Allan's work had made a big effect on global trade policy and research, especially in water-scarce regions. "The improved understanding of trade and water management issues on local, regional and global scales are of the highest value for the successful and sustainable use of water resources," it said. "People do not only use water when they drink it or take a shower," the institute said. "Behind the morning cup of coffee, there are 140 liters of water that was used to grow, produce, package and ship the beans." That is about as much water as a person in England uses on average for all daily drinking and household needs. "For a single hamburger, about 2,400 liters of water are needed. In the USA, the average person uses nearly 7,000 liters of virtual water every day." It said that was more than three times the average use of a Chinese person. What effect does the idea of virtual water have?
<extra_id_0>It helps us realize the importance of trade.
<extra_id_1>It helps people do successful business.
<extra_id_2>It helps us make use of water scientifically.
<extra_id_3>It tells us how much water we use a day.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>When English as a foreign language is taught to children at the primary and early secondary levels of education, it is generally taught with a general education aim in mind--that is, it is regarded as a "good thing" for them to learn a foreign language as a part of a broad education. There is usually, however, no immediate and specific requirement for such children to make use of the language in any communicative situation. The purpose of learning the language is essentially a "deferred" purpose, deferred till the tertiary level of education, normally at university, where, it is agreed, a knowledge of English would be helpful in their academic studies. Immediate aims of learning English are defined by the requirements of examinations. Inevitably what is taught to primary and secondary level children is not a communicative knowledge of English language use, but a knowledge of how the rules of English operate. The language system is taught by means of systematic audio-lingual drill and exercise techniques based on habit formation theory of learning and a structural description of English. This may be an effective manner of teaching English usage, but it is less certain that an understanding of how these rules are related to language in use for communicative purpose is an automatic result of this instruction. What the thousands of children succeed in learning in this way is what is necessary in order to pass examinations. Whether such examinations accurately reflect the uses to which English will be put at the tertiary level is another matter altogether. Adults, on the other hand, unless they are learning a foreign language for "pleasure" at evening institutes, as a "cultural" and social experience, are generally highly conscious of the use to which they intend to put it. That use is frequently associated with an academic or professional requirement; without a knowledge of the foreign language, their development in their chosen sphere of work could be restricted or at least adversely affected. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
<extra_id_0>English teaching should prepare children for the passing of examination.
<extra_id_1>English should be taught to children at primary and secondary levels.
<extra_id_2>English teaching should help students with their future academic studies.
<extra_id_3>English teaching at primary and secondary levels should focus only on grammar.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Why would happen if the screw was loose on a bicycle's tire?
<extra_id_0>it would need to be repaired
<extra_id_1>you could tape it
<extra_id_2>it might fall off
<extra_id_3>it might get flat
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Drinking green tea is known to be good for you. Some people suggest drinking 2-3 cups of it a day, and I would say at least one is highly advisable. As many people have already known, tea is filled with powerful antioxidants that will help stop free radicals . Free radicals are harmful to our systems in that they can lead to cell and DNA change, even cell death, and can lead to cancer. Green tea has been drunk throughout Thailand, China, India and Japan for centuries. It is known in these places that green tea can help improve digestion and mental clearness and lower one's blood sugar. It can also help control bleeding, so that injuries can be cured more quickly. Some studies even suggest that drinking green tea on a regular basis can help a person lose weight. Green tea can help a person feel fuller throughout the day with its pleasant smell and taste, and just taking the time to smell it can help ease one's hunger. In short, both studies of green tea and its history show that it is a great thing to drink for your health. How can drinking green tea help one lose weight?
<extra_id_0>By making one feel less hungry.
<extra_id_1>There is no fat in green tea.
<extra_id_2>By burning one's energy.
<extra_id_3>By making one stop wanting to drink.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>A city has an outbreak of a disease that affects an unusually large portion of its population at the same time. Which term best describes the outbreak?
<extra_id_0>pandemic
<extra_id_1>plague
<extra_id_2>epidemic
<extra_id_3>infection
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>A famous study was done in a school by a professor from a university. At the start of the school year, the teachers were given the names of five children. They were told that these five were the most excellent students in the class. But the fact was that these students were only average ,and they were not the best students at all. Well, guess what? At the end of the year, all the five average students scored among the highest in the class. What made these average students change so much to become top students?The only difference was the change in their teachers' attitude . Because the teachers believed that these five kids were the top students,they expected more from them. And so these five average students began to believe and expect more from themselves. So they worked harder to do as well as they could. Do you know why? If you expect the best from people, they'll usually want to give you their best. A great leader said, "Treat a person just how he appears to be on the outside, and you'll make him even worse. But treat a person like he's already a success,and you'll help make him the best he can be." Like the true story of 7-year-old Johnny, his teacher got so angry with him that one day she said,"Johnny,you're the naughtiest boy in this class. I'm sure you'll never change." The next year Johnny had a new teacher. And on the first day of class,she met with Johnny after school and said,"Johnny, I've heard a lot about you! But do you know that I don't believe a word of it." And every day after that, this new teacher treated Johnny as if he was one of the smartest students even when Johnny did naughty things. Later on, Johnny became a school leader. Because that's the power of our belief and attitude toward children. Why did the writer tell us the story of 7-year-old Johnny?
<extra_id_0>To let us know how good his new teacher was.
<extra_id_1>To show the importance of encouragement.
<extra_id_2>To show that the boy was clever enough.
<extra_id_3>To let us know the famous boy.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>*Geographic Championship August 9, 2007 - "What historic site was carved from sandstone in about 1200 B.C.? This site includes two huge temples and statues of an ancient ruler." That's the question that gave three students from prefix = st1 /Mexicovictory over teams fromCanadaand theUnited Statesin the final round of the English National Geographic World Championship, a biennial contest of geography knowledge. Fourteen other international teams competed in the event, which has been since 1993. Continued on Next Page >> *House fire put off Sept. 16, 2007 -- A home located at 240 Cexter AvenueinMeridencaught fire around 5:45 Sunday afternoon. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the first floor of the wood-frame house was in flames. The Meriden Fire Department had it under control by 6:47 pm. The house suffered such heavy damage that the electricity was cut off. The house has been declared unlivable until repairs can be made. There was no one in the house at the time. One firefighter was taken to MedicalCenterat 7:15 pm when he complained about not feeling well. Police are now looking into the cause of the fire. Continued on Next Page >> *Extinct languages Sept. 18, 2007 - In the vast outback of northern Australia, the native languages of the Aborigines are slowly dying. But a team of explorers and linguists are fighting to keep these dialects alive through the five - year Enduring Voices project, funded by the National Geographic Society. As the team tracks down speakers of these _ languages, including the only known speaker of a language long thought to be extinct, they learn why losing the wisdom of these mother tongues is a "tragedy for humanity." Continued on Next Page >> Which team won the Eighth National Geographic World Championship in 2007?
<extra_id_0>Canada
<extra_id_1>Mexico
<extra_id_2>America
<extra_id_3>Australia
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>Gaudi Nanda sees a wearable computer as a handbag --- one that's built out of four-inch squares and triangles of fiber, with tiny computer chips embedded in it. It looks, feels and weighs like your typical leather purse. That's where the similarities end: this bag can wirelessly keep track of your belongings and remind you, just as you're about to leave the house, to take your wallet. It can review the weather report and suggest that you take an umbrella. This purse can even upload your favorite songs onto your scarf. Surely, a computing purse and scarf set may seem like the stuff of science fiction. But these devices, part of next generation of wearable computers, could become commonplace within a few years. Dupont created new super strong fibers that can conduct electricity and can be woven into ordinary-looking clothes. And the chipmaker developed chip packaging allowing wearable computers to be washed, even in the heavy-duty cycle. As a result, these new wearable devices are different from the heavy and downright silly versions of the recent past, which often required users to be wrapped in wires and type on their stomachs. Unlike their predecessors, these new wearable computers also make economic sense. When her bag becomes commercially available in two to three years, Nanda expects it will cost around $ 150, which is the price of an average leather purse. Here's how the bag works: You place a special radio-signal-transmitting chip onto your wallet. A similar radio in your purse picks up the signal and notifies you that you've forgotten to take your wallet. In turn, sensors on your purse's handles will notify the computer that you've picked up the purse and are ready to go. Already, these new kinds of wearable devices are being adopted for use in markets like auto repair, emergency services, medical monitoring - and even, increasingly, for consumers at large. _ According to the passage, the new wearable computers _ .
<extra_id_0>require users to operate on the stomach
<extra_id_1>pick up the signals through wires and chips
<extra_id_2>are being applied in some different areas now
<extra_id_3>are smarter but more expensive than the old ones
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>My favourite quilt is always on my bed. Even in warm weather. It is not a large quilt but very beautiful: made up of many brightly color1ed woolen squares of every imaginable color1--red, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, cream. From the start, I loved this quilt. Just to look at it is to feel comforted. How many years have passed since my mother gave the quilt to me and my husband Ray Smith? I can only guess: thirty years? thirty-five? The beautiful little quilt in all the color1s of the rainbow has followed me from one house to another. The same bed, in different bedrooms in different houses in different periods of my life. In this most recent period, the quilt is laid on my bed in a house in Princeton, New Jersey, into which I moved in 2009. My mother visited this house. When she'd visited Ray and me in my former home, less than five minutes from this house, Mom had always helped out in the garden; we would garden together, and we would prepare meals together, while my father, a gifted amateur pianist, played my piano in the living room. Whenever my parents came to visit us, my mother would bring gifts for us: mostly items she had knitted, or sewn. For years, I wore dresses and jackets my mother had sewn. There is nothing so comforting as wearing clothes your mother has sewn or knitted for you. In February 2008 when my husband was in hospital, and after he died unexpectedly a week later, often I lay in bed too exhausted to move, beneath the rainbow-color1ed quilt. The bed became my shelter, and my "nest". My mother's quilt made me realize how love lasts in the most comforting way. We desire comfort, but comfort can come to us from only a few sources. I know that I have been very fortunate. I never stop giving thanks to my wonderful parents who gave me their love, for this quilt on my bed, as special and beautiful in 2013 as it was in the late 1970s. The author's purpose in writing the text is to _ .
<extra_id_0>show her love for her parents
<extra_id_1>tell readers to respect their parents
<extra_id_2>describe how beautiful her quilt is
<extra_id_3>ask readers to treasure what they have
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>I'm John.My father is a factory manager.He comes from America.My mother is a teacher.She's English.She can speak some Chinese.She is an English teacher at schoo1.I'm a student in my mother's schoo1.At school I can play with my Chinese friends.We can play football,basketball and table tennis.My mother can play the piano and tennis.She can also sing well. John can _ .
<extra_id_0>sing
<extra_id_1>play the piano
<extra_id_2>play tennis
<extra_id_3>play table tennis
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Last Sunday, Aron Ralston, an experienced hiker and mountaineer, set off to walk alone through the Bluejohn desert canyon in Utah. He was planning an eight-hour, 21-kilometer hike. While he was climbing through a narrow part of the canyon, a big stone weighing about 400 kilos fell and trapped his right arm. When he failed to return to the mountain camp where he was staying that night, people simply thought he had decided to camp out somewhere in the canyon. When he still had not returned by Tuesday, the alarm was raised, A search party set out on Wednesday evening, but there we no sign and his family began to fear the worst. In fact, Ralston, 27, was lying trapped in the canyon. By Tuesday, he had run out of water. By Thursday, he realized that he would not survive unless he took unusual action, so he used his pocket knife to cut his arm below the elbow . He then climbed down to the bottom of the canyon. There he met two other hikers, who helped him back to safety. He received some help at a local hospital before being carried to St. Mary's hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado for surgery. Ralston's astonishing survival brought equal amounts of praise and criticism. While praising the climber for his bravery and calm, experts also pointed out he had broken the first rule of outdoor pursuits. He had failed to leave words with anyone of where he was going that day. This was in fact Ralston's second near-death experience. In February, he was buried up to the neck in snow by an avalanche while skiing in the Colorado Rockies. Ralston not only managed to dig himself out but he also rescued his skiing companion, who had been completely buried in the snow. Ralton rescued himself and his friend in less than 15 minutes. When a big stone trapped his right arm, _ .
<extra_id_0>he went on climbing the canyon
<extra_id_1>he managed to return to the mountain lodge
<extra_id_2>he cut off part of his arm to survive
<extra_id_3>two other hikers helped him out
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Standing alone at Browns party,Anna Mackintosh thought about her husband Edward,establishing him clearly in her mind's eye. He was a thin man,forty-one years of age,with fair hair that was often untidy.In the seventeen years they'd been married he had changed very little:he was still nervous with other people,and smiled in the same shy way,and his face was still almost boyish. She believed she had failed him because he had wished for children and she had not been able to supply any.She had been annoyed for this fact over the years and in the end,quite some time ago now,she had consulted Dr.Abbat at Edward's request. In the Browns'rich living room,its walls and ceilings giving out a bright light with a metallic surface of imitation gold,Anna listened to dance music coming from a tape recorder and continued to think about her husband. In a moment he would be at the party too,since they had agreed to meet there,although by now it was three quarters of an hour later than the time he had planned to come. The Browns were people he knew in a business way,and he had said he thought it wise that he and Anna should attend this gathering of theirs. She had never met them before,which made it more difficult for her,having to wait about,not knowing a soul in the room. When she thought about it she felt herself unfairly treated,for although Edward was kind to her and always had been,it was far from thoughtful to be as late as this. Because of her nervous condition she felt afraid and had developed a sickness in her stomach.She looked at her watch and sighed. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
<extra_id_0>Edward had changed very little in character and appearance in the seventeen years after he got married.
<extra_id_1>Anna went to the Btowns' house alone.
<extra_id_2>Anna was very anxious to meet her husband
<extra_id_3>It was exactly half an hour after the party began that Edward arrived at the Browns'party.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>The water level of oceans rises and falls alternately twice a day. This movement of water is called the tide. Tides are causer by the pull of the sun and the moon on the earth' s surface; since the moon is closer, it affects the tides more than the sun. When the moon is directly overhead, it actually pulls on the water that is below it. This causes the water level to rise because the water is pulled away from the earth. As the moon disappears over the horizon, the pull lessens and the water level settles back towards the ocean bottom. When the water reaches its highest level, we have high tide. And when the water comes to its lowest level, we have low tide from its lowest point, the water rises gradually for about six hours until it reaches high tide. Then it begins to fall continuously for about six hours until it reaches low tide. Then the cycle begins again. High tide occurs _ .
<extra_id_0>every 12 hours
<extra_id_1>every 6 hours
<extra_id_2>every 24 hours
<extra_id_3>every 18 hours
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Jaguar was very rare. It was said that there less than 20 jaguars in the world, one of which was living in the national zoo of Peru. In order to help this jaguar, Peruvians set up a zoo for it, where there were sheep and deer for the jaguar to eat. However, strange enough, no one had ever seen the jaguar hunt the deer and sheep. What they could see was its lying in its cave, sleeping and eating the meat provided by the zoo keepers. At first, people thought that the jaguar felt too lonely, so they found a female tiger to accompany it. However, it did not make too much sense. The jaguar just sometimes went out of its cave with its "girlfriend" for a while before it came back to its house again' It is normal for the jaguar to be lazy here. Tiger is the king of forest but you simply put some small animals around him. That is why the jaguar shows no interest in going out' a visitor said. So people put five wolves into the jaguar's zoo. Since then, the jaguar did not go back to its cave any more . It either stands on top of the hill yelling or runs up and down the hill without sleeping all day long . Actually, one creature without any _ is a lifeless creature. If a man lives without rivals, he is likely to be satisfied with the present and will not fight for the better. He will hold back before all difficulties . Hard environment tends to make successful people . Therefore, we need some rivals to push us to go ahead in all difficulties and competitions in our lives. Due to our rivals, we can bring out our potential to the best. Due to our rivals, we will continuously improve our abilities when competing with them! Why did Peruvians set up a zoo for the jaguar?
<extra_id_0>To protect this endangered animal.
<extra_id_1>To entertain people.
<extra_id_2>To satisfy people's curiosity.
<extra_id_3>To do some experiments.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>One day a dentist was starting his morning work. Suddenly a man ran in. His face was red and he could only say "Quick! Quick!" The dentist thought he must be very ill. His assistant helped to make the poor man sit in a chair. The dentist gave the man some medicine to make him sleep. Then, he looked into the man's mouth and pulled out all the bad teeth. As soon as the man woke up, he said in a low voice, "Quick, doctor, quick." "It's all right now," the dentist told him, "It's over." "You don't understand," said the man, "I came to tell you your house is on fire." The story took place _ .
<extra_id_0>in the morning
<extra_id_1>in the afternoon
<extra_id_2>in the evening
<extra_id_3>at night
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>prefix = st1 /New Zealand Education Compulsory Education Compulsory education starts at age 5 and ends at age 16. The day children turn 5, they are expected to start school. They can leave school as soon as they reach 16. Class Size The maximum number of students in a class is 30 students. Classrooms Students from year 0--8 stay in the same classroom for most subjects and move to other classrooms only for specific subjects. Even when they move from one classroom to another, they mostly stay together as a class. In year 9, students take some courses with their homeroom class and some optional classes with students from different classes. Starting from year 10, students no longer stay in the same classroom most of the time nor do they move around with their classes. They go to different classes based on their own choice and abilities. Term Dates A school year starts in January and ends in December. There are four terms in a year. Each term is about 10 weeks. Class Schedule School starts at around 8:30 and ends at 15:15. There are only five periods a day and a period is about an hour long. In the morning, around 10:30, there will be a 20--30 minute interval when students and staff have morning tea. Students usually have some snacks during this time, and staff gathers in the staff room to drink coffee and eat some snacks. There is a lunch period at around 12:40 for about an hour. Teachers In New Zealand, teachers have to teach students of different year level at the same time. Most teachers teach students from at least three to four different year levels. In addition, quite a number of teachers teach more than one subject. This is mainly due to the fact that many courses are optional. This passage is most probably taken from _ .
<extra_id_0>an educational booklet
<extra_id_1>a school website
<extra_id_2>a traveling guide
<extra_id_3>an academic report
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Which provides the oldest evidence for oxygen accumulation in Earth's atmosphere?
<extra_id_0>the earliest fossils of animals
<extra_id_1>the earliest sediments of oxidized rock
<extra_id_2>impact craters of oxidized-iron asteroids
<extra_id_3>extensive volcanic calderas of similar age
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>A traveller was staying in an Egyptian village. One day, she held up her camera to take pictures of the children. Suddenly the young ones began to shout at her. The traveller's face turned red and she apologized to the head for what she was doing, and told him she had forgotten that people in some places believed a person would lose his soul if his picture was taken. She explained to him the operation of a camera for a long time. Several times the head tried to say something, but he couldn't. When she believed that the head didn't fear any longer, the traveller then let him speak. With a smile, he said, "The children were trying to tell you that you forgot to take off the lens cap!" The children shouted when the traveller was taking pictures of them because _ .
<extra_id_0>they didn't want to stop playing
<extra_id_1>the traveller forgot to take off the cap on her head
<extra_id_2>the traveller was not doing well with her camera
<extra_id_3>they didn't want to have their pictures taken
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Motorists who used to listen to the radio or their favorite tunes on CDs may have a new way to entertain themselves, after engineers in Japan developed a musical road surface. A team from the Hokkaido Industrial Research Institute has built a number of"melody roads,"which use cars as tuning forks to play music as they travel. The concept works by using grooves .They are cut at very specific intervals in the road surface. The melody road uses the spaces between to create different notes. Depending on how far apart the grooves are, a car moving over them will produce a series of high or low notes, and designers are able to create a distinct tune. Paten documents for the design describe it as notches "formed in a road surface so as to play a melody without producing simple sound or rhythm and reproduce melody-like tones". There are three musical strips in central and northern Japan--one of which plays the tune of a Japanese pop song. Reports say the system was invented by Shizuo Shinoda. He scraped some markings into a road with a bulldozer before driving over them and found that they helped to produce all kinds of tones. The _ speed for melody road is 44kph,but people say it is not always easy to get the intended sound. "You need to keep the car windows closed to hear well,"wrote one Japanese blogger."Driving too fast will sound like playing fast forward, while driving around 12mph[20km/h]has a slow-motion effect, making you almost car-sick." According to the passage, melody roads use _ to create different notes.
<extra_id_0>cars
<extra_id_1>grooves
<extra_id_2>spaces between intervals
<extra_id_3>bulldozers
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>A typical day at work for Cesar Millan might include putting on his running shoes and taking a fourhour jog with 40 dogs--large and small, young and old. Amazingly, most of those dogs belong to him. The rest are at the heart of his work; they are troubled dogs sent to Millan to learn good behavior. Obviously Millan, star of the TV show "Dog Whisperer" and author of the bestselling book Cesar's Way,has a special gift for working with these animals. Growing up on a farm in Mexico, Millan knew he wanted to work with dogs. His first job, at age 15,was helping a veterinarian .He was so good at calming scared dogs and handling all kinds of situations that people started calling him "el perrero", Spanish for "the dog boy".Since then, he has built a rewarding career around his favorite animal. "My grandfather taught me at an early age not to work against nature,"he explains. In nature, _ . They form a group and follow one leader. Millan's specialty is teaching people to be pack leaders for their dogs. Studying dogs on the farm where he grew up,Millan realized they need lots of exercise to be calm. He explains his approach,"Exercise and discipline first,and then affection!"He says a lot of people get it backwards because they don't realize what dogs really need. Therefore, while he trains dogs, he teaches owners to understand that their pets need rules. He's helped famous people like Oprah Winfrey and movie star Will Smith and everyday people too. To find the right career, Millan encourages kids to do what they enjoy. "A lot of people don't realize I've been working with dogs for more than 20 years--long before my TV show or book. Success followed me because I was following my dream of being the best dog trainer in the world." What does Millan advise children to do when it comes to choosing a job?
<extra_id_0>Do what interests them.
<extra_id_1>Never give up and they will succeed.
<extra_id_2>Share their ideas with many other people.
<extra_id_3>Receive training long before they succeed.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Mr and Mrs Smith have just opened a small restaurant. In order to attract customers, they put a notice in front of the restaurant, which said: "Meals on the house for three days." A foreign student who didn't know much English passed by the restaurant on the second day. It was lunchtime and he felt hungry. "Well, here is a restaurant. I'm going to have something to eat," he said. He saw the notice when he walked towards the restaurant. "American people are really strange. They even eat dinners on the house! But how can I get onto the top of the house?" he asked himself He looked around and found a ladder against a tree nearby. He was very glad. But as he reached the top, he heard someone shouting at him, "Hey, what are you doing up there?" Mr Smith was looking at him angrily. Beside him was a policeman. 'Doesn't your notice say 'Meals on the house for three days'? Is it just a joke?" the foreign student answered. On hearing this, both Mr Smith and the policeman burst into laughter. Do you know the meaning of on the house"? The Smiths have _ .
<extra_id_0>opened a restaurant
<extra_id_1>built a house
<extra_id_2>climbed onto the top
<extra_id_3>been policemen
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>I am a mother of three girls. Getting married and having children was my childhood goal in life. By the time I had my third daughter, my middle daughter was not quite two and my oldest was three and a half. I loved them so much, yet there were some days I referred to as "too much of a good thing". As any mother of young children knows, when the children are quiet, they're either sleeping or in trouble. This morning, I knew that the only sleeping child at this time of day could be the baby. I was wondering whether I should enjoy the silence or ruin my peace --- and the girls' fun. Finally, I thought I'd better go and find out what those two were doing. I could hear a noise. It was coming from the bathroom. As I got closer, I could see that the door was closed. I said to myself, "Oh no, please not the toilet again!" Sure enough, when I opened the door I saw Candace and Charity standing around the toilet, dipping their toothbrushes in --- and brushing their teeth! Not only that, but the toilet was unflushed ! I hardly had any words to speak. As I snatched the toothbrushes out of their hands and flushed the toilet I shouted, "What are you doing?" Candace, my oldest daughter, answered, "We're brushing our teeth!" They both smiled at me. Hoping this was the only time they had ever done this shocking thing, I asked, "You never did this before, did you?" Candace answered, "Oh, we do it all the time, mommy. We do it with yours and Daddy's toothbrush, too!" The moral of the story: What you don't know won't hurt you; but when you do find out, it just might kill you! What's the writer's general impression of young children?
<extra_id_0>They are polite and helpful.
<extra_id_1>They are lovely but troublesome.
<extra_id_2>They are clever and full of imagination.
<extra_id_3>They are careless and make silly mistakes.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>Many teenagers feel that the most important people in their life are their friends. They believe that their family don't know them as well as their friends do. In large families ,it is quite often for brothers and sisters to fight ,and then they can only go to their friends for some ideas. It's very important for teenagers to have one good friend or a group of friends. Even when they are not with their friends, they usually spend much time on the phone. This communication is very important in children's growing up, because friends can be the right one to talk about something with .These things are difficult to say to the family. However, parents often try to choose their children's friends for them. Some parents even ask their children not to meet their good friends. What does the passage mainly talk about?
<extra_id_0>How to make friends.
<extra_id_1>The communication is Important in children's growing up.
<extra_id_2>Parents should ask their children to meet then friends.
<extra_id_3>Friends are important to teenagers.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>School is a place that is familiar to everyone. Let's find out what American students do in school. An official dance party is held about twice a year in high schools in the United States. When the final football game is over for the season there is a homecoming party. Sometimes, students select a king from among the football players, and a queen from among the girls. Every student can attend and have fun with the help of their teachers. Sometimes, students, called bookworms, to the surprise of the other students, come to the party in a beautiful dress. The most exciting party that students can go to would have to be a dance party. Students attend it in dresses similar to those of Hollywood stars and the atmosphere is comparable to an Oscar Award party. Since such a party is for seniors, students usually stay up the night trying to enjoy their last year in high school. In American schools, instead of the teachers going to different rooms, students have their own class schedules and go to different classrooms. When a student is away from school, they must have an explanation for being away along with the signature of a parent. The signed paper is then handed in to the school office. High school drop outs and students being expelled are not that uncommon in the States. High absences without excuses are one of the reasons why students are expelled from school. American students also enjoy a number of activities out of school like cheerleading , student government and a host of different sports. Whose presence at the homecoming party can make others amazed?
<extra_id_0>The king and the queen acted by students.
<extra_id_1>The laziest student in study.
<extra_id_2>The teacher who offers advice.
<extra_id_3>Students who study hardest.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Forget Miami, Los Angeles and prefix = st1 /New York. The next big Latin music explosion is on its way in secondary markets across theUnited States, and the numbers are there to back it up. Among all genres ,Latin music was the only one registering growth in 2005. From tiny Vero Beach in northern Florida to Des Moines, Iowa, in the heart of the Midwest, from Charlotte, N. C. to Salt Lake City, Latin music sales are _ Wilson says there are two major reasons for the increase. One is simply the Hispanic population's increase in specific areas, which encourages stores to carry Latin product for the first time. Second, and perhaps more important, is the fact that major companies--whether dealing in music or not--are addressing the Latin consumer at a corporate level, creating Latin departments and hiring Latin ad agencies. One of Handleman's suburban Detroitstores, for example, has expanded its Latin section four times in the last two years. Cities like Milwaukee andDes Moinesare now stocking Latin product. Besides, it also results from economic development. It goes something like this: More often than not, a city or country with a seeming important Hispanic population will suddenly expand its construction or offer affordable housing to those working in larger, neighboring cities. This attracts lower-income workers, many of whom are Latin. Small shops and groceries begin to stock a small selection of music. When the Latin population numbers reach a critical mass, the local mass merchant, if there is one, begins stocking the product. Sooner or later, a local radio station follows; first AM, then FM. Sometimes it's a cable TV show or a small TV station. Of course, there are other driving forces that should not be forgotten, for example, regional Mexican music. The passage mainly tells readers _ .
<extra_id_0>that more and more Americans like Latin music
<extra_id_1>what makes Latin music develop fast in American market
<extra_id_2>why Latin music becomes Americans' favorite music
<extra_id_3>that Latin music is bringing in more benefits for Americans
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>Which unit can be used to describe an object's length?
<extra_id_0>grams
<extra_id_1>minutes
<extra_id_2>liters
<extra_id_3>meters
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Many birds migrate. This means that every year they fly somewhere warm in the winter and then return to the place they came from in the spring. One mystery is how birds know how to travel such long distances without getting lost. Scientists have wondered for years whether they are born with the knowledge of where to go or whether they learn it after they are born. Now, researchers have found evidence that shows that one type of bird, at least, learns how to migrate. The bird is the whooping crane , a tall, white bird that lives in the United States. In the 1940s, the number of these birds decreased to fewer than 25 individuals, and many people feared that they would die out. Thanks to efforts to save them, they have now increased to about 600. However, the birds are not very good at taking care of their young. Because of this, eggs are brought to a site in Maryland. There, scientists from the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership raise the baby birds. Later, the young birds are taken from Maryland to Wisconsin, where the scientists teach them how to fly. From there, they fly about 2,200 kilometers south to Florida to spend the winter. The first time, scientists lead the way in a small airplane. From the second year, though, the birds travel by themselves. For 14 years, the scientists have kept a careful record of every flight the birds have taken between Wisconsin and Florida. They have also recorded which birds fly together, the relationships between the birds, and the gender of each bird. When scientists analyzed the data, they were surprised by the results. These showed that each bird took a very different route. However, as they got older, they flew more and more directly between Wisconsin and Florida. This continued until they were five years old. This indicates that the birds gradually learned the best route to take. Moreover, when an older bird was in a group, the whole group flew more directly. This suggests that the older birds taught the younger ones a quicker route. Scientists say that this evidence marks a big step toward solving the mystery of bird migration. What do we learn from the data?
<extra_id_0>Most birds like to visit new places when migrating.
<extra_id_1>Most birds stop flying to Florida when they are five years old.
<extra_id_2>Younger birds prefer not to fly together with older birds.
<extra_id_3>Younger birds are able to gain an important skill from older ones.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Loved and hated, but never boring. That is what people say of American writer Norman Mailer, who died late last year at the age of 84. He was the author of some of the greatest books of the 20th century. But Mailer will be remembered as much for his personality as for his writing. He was rude and bad-tempered. He violently attacked other authors and even wounded one of his six wives. However, this never stopped Mailer from being successful. People always wanted to read his books. His provocative writing style and willingness to deal with difficult subjects made his books bestsellers. "He was willing to take risks with just about everything," says the author Gore Vidal. "He had a radical imagination, a way of approaching subjects that was never boring." In a career that lasted six decades, Mailer wrote about a wide variety of subjects from history and politics to sport and celebrities. But he was most famous for writing novels and he twice won the Pulitzer Prize. His best book was The Naked and the Dead, a story about the tensions between American soldiers fighting Japan in World War II. Drawn on his own experiences as a soldier, it is a study of men at war examining their cruelty and bravery. Mailer's brilliance as an author was his ability to capture human behavior. He did so through interesting characters, realistic dialogue and rich descriptions. The author William F. Buckley said, "He created the most beautiful metaphors in the English." Mailer leaves behind more than 40 books as his literary legacy . However, he never achieved his life's goal. He wanted to write what he called the "big one", the greatest novel ever written about America. Well, at least it wasn't for a lack of trying. By saying "Mailer will be remembered as much for his personality as for his writing", the author means that_.
<extra_id_0>People will remember Mailer because he has a great personality
<extra_id_1>Mailer's personality is as impressing as his writing
<extra_id_2>People like his writing better
<extra_id_3>Mailer included many personalities in his writing
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>If you're like most students, you may find it challenging to learn a foreign language. However, there are a few tips you can use in order to earn a top grade ---- as well as actually use the skills you've learned. One of the most important and basic lessons in dealing with a foreign language is to learn and understand each concept and lesson before moving on to the next one. If you don't understand one concept but move on to the next chapter anyway, you're less likely to understand the new material. Learning a new language is not only an academic tool, but can help you in your everyday life as well. Being good at another language can help you communicate with other people, and help you when traveling to foreign countries, and even make your resume look better. And it is important to learn correct pronunciation as soon as possible for poor pronunciation can be hard to break. Native speakers of the language as well as others fluent in the language you are learning will appreciate your efforts to learn correct pronunciation. Gather outside materials such as books, study guides, books on tape, and travel books to aid you in learning the language. Your textbooks can't possibly teach you everything you need to know, so seeking outside sources is generally a good rule of thumb to keep in mind. A significant motivator in learning a foreign language is traveling to the country where the language is spoken. That way, you can see firsthand how the language is used, learn the culture, and meet native speakers of the language. Native speakers appreciate sincere attempts of others who take the time to learn their language. Seek out native speakers of your new language in your school or neighborhood. They can help you with many skills, including pronunciation, and they can provide immediate feedback on your progress. In which part of a website would this text probably appear?
<extra_id_0>Entertainment.
<extra_id_1>History.
<extra_id_2>Education.
<extra_id_3>Nature.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>Sarah's New Kitty "Meow." Sarah eyes opened wide when she heard that sound coming from the basket her mother was holding. "Mama, what's that sound? It sounds like a kitty!" she said to her mother as she tried to reach the basket. Her mother was holding it up too high for Sarah to reach. "Sarah," her mother said, "remember I told you that maybe we can get a pet if you could take good care of it? Well, you're seven years old now and I think you're ready for a special present." Sarah's mother set the basket on the floor. Sarah fell on her knees with a big grin on her face. She slowly lifted the yellow kitty and held its soft little body next to hers. Sarah gave the kitty a little kiss. Then she rubbed its head and neck. Soon it started making gentle sounds. "Why is the kitty making those funny sounds?" she asked her mother. "Oh, that's called purring. It's the sound kittens make when they're happy," her mother said. "Can I give it a name?" Sarah asked. "Sure. It's a girl kitty, but choose any name you like." her mother said. Sarah thought about it as her mother got two small bowls and placed them on the floor. Then she put water in one bowl and kitten food in the other bowl. "Okay, Sarah. Let's see if the kitty is hungry." Sarah put the kitty on the floor and it walked over to the food bowl. It quickly started to eat the food. Sarah laughed at the kitten and said, "I know. I'm going to name you Kitty." How old is Sarah?
<extra_id_0>8 years old.
<extra_id_1>7 years old.
<extra_id_2>9 years old.
<extra_id_3>10 years old.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>Tom and Simon were Americans. Once they visited Spain. One day they came into a little restaurant for lunch. They did not know Spanish , and the waiter did not know their American English, either. They wanted the waiter to understand that they needed some milk and eggs. At first Tom read the word "milk"many times. Then Simon spelled it on the table. But the waiter could not understand them at all. At last Tom took out of a piece paper and began to draw a cow. The waiter looked at it and ran out of the restaurant. "How clever you are!" Simon said to Tom, "He understood us at last!" After some time, the waiter came back, he brought no milk with him, but two tickets for a bull-fight down on their table! The waiter did not understand Tom and Simon _ .
<extra_id_0>because he ran out of the restaurant
<extra_id_1>because they wanted some milk and eggs
<extra_id_2>because they wanted some milk
<extra_id_3>because he didn't know American English and they didn't know Spanish
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>Andres conveyed Applewood Farm "to Bogatz, her heirs and assigns, so long as the premises are used for residential and farm purposes, then to Cohen and his heirs." The common law Rule Against Perpetuities, unmodified by statute, is part of the law of the jurisdiction in which Applewood Farm is located. As a consequence of the conveyance, Cohen's interest in Applewood Farm is
<extra_id_0>nothing.
<extra_id_1>a valid executory interest.
<extra_id_2>a possibility of reverter.
<extra_id_3>a right of entry for condition broken
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>When Dean Arnold got his first job, he was miserable , Each time he went to work, he coughed and he couldn't breathe. Working in a bakery when you are allergic to (...) flour can be painful. But Arnold stayed with the National Biscuit Company for ten years. He was a businessman and he helped them improve production. At last his health problems became too serious. He left and formed his own company. With his wife and mother, he founded Arnold Bakery. They tried new recipes changing the kind and amount of flour used. This enabled Arnold to work there without too much pain. The bread, made with unbleached flour , was baked in a brick oven . They began by baking two dozen loaves. The bread was sold door to door for fifteen cents a loaf. Winning customers to his unusual, old-fashioned bread took time. But Arnold, struggling against his allergy, built his bakery into one of the largest in the United States. Dean left the National Biscuit Company because he _ .
<extra_id_0>suffered from allergy to flour
<extra_id_1>didn't like the job
<extra_id_2>wanted to make more money
<extra_id_3>wanted to form his own company
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>New crime prediction software should reduce not only the murder rate, but the rate of other crimes. Developed by Richard Berk, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, the software has already used in Baltimore and Philadelphia to predict which individuals on probation or parole are most likely to murder and to be murdered. "When a person goes on probation or parole he is supervised by an officer. The question is 'what level of supervision is appropriate?'" said Berk. It used to be that parole officers used the person's criminal record, and their judgment to make decisions. "This research replaces those _ ," he said. Technology helps determine level of supervision. On average there is one murder for every 100,000 people. Even among high-risk groups the murder rate is one in 100. Predicting such a rare event is very difficult, but advances in computer technology works. Years ago, the researchers made a dataset of more than 60,000 various crimes. Using the software they developed, they found some much more likely to commit murder when paroled or probated. They could identify eight future murderers out of 100. Berk's software examines roughly two dozen variables , from criminal record to geographic location. The type of crimes, and more importantly, the age at which that crime was committed, were two of the most predictive variables. "People assume that if someone murdered then they will murder in the future," said Berk. " What really matters is what that person did as a young individual. Predicting future crimes sounds well. But we aren't anywhere near being able to do that." "Berk's scientific answer leaves policymakers with difficult questions. By labeling one group of people as high risk, and supervise them closely, there should be fewer murders, which the potential victims should be happy about. It also means that those high-risk individuals will be supervised more aggressively. For human rights advocates, that means punishing people who, most likely, will not commit a crime in the future," said Bushway. "It comes down to a question of whether you would rather make these errors or those errors." Bushway's attitude to the technology put forward by Richard Berk is _ .
<extra_id_0>positive
<extra_id_1>negative
<extra_id_2>objective
<extra_id_3>indifferent
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>A shoe manufacturer randomly selects 10% of the production from each shift. Each of these shoes is checked to ensure that it is correctly made. What is this process called?
<extra_id_0>quality control
<extra_id_1>product distribution
<extra_id_2>production selection
<extra_id_3>research and development
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>The Gold Coast Wax Museum is one of the Gold Coast's longest running attractions. It's a collection of famous figures. It's Australia's largest museum of its kind, featuring more than 110 life-size copies of wax figures of British and Australian History. The Wax Museum is visited by many thousands of the people each year who are amazed at the amazing realism of the life-size figures in real costumes. This is your invitation to wander through at your leisure and meet many important and famous people's figures on Queensland's Gold Coast. Come face to face with such famous people as Michael Jackson, President Barack Obama,Past President John F. Kennedy, King Hussein's Royal Family members, and many others whose lives have all left an unforgettable mark on our world. Information cards are located alongside each figure, helping visitors know them well. The old Coast Wax Museum contains figures which have been crafted by leading local and overseas sculptors to international standards' equal in quality to the world's best, as seen in Europe, the United Kingdom, and USA. The detail in the figures is amazing and includes hair applied one strand at a time, requiring many working hours for one hand and the eyes so real that they seem to follow the viewer around. Price Child (1~3 yrs): free Child (3-~12 yrs): $22.00 Adult: $29.00 Open hours Open 7 days a week, 10 am to 10 pm Closed Christmas Day (25 Dec.) and Anzac Day (25 Apr.) Location Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast) QLD How to get there You can choose any of the Gold Coast airport transfers, car rentals, shuttles and private transfers to/from your hotel. Notice to visitors *All carried items including food and drinks will be inspected upon entry. *Coats, umbrellas, etc. should be left in the checkrooms (max size 40x40x50 cm and max weight 8 kg). *The checkroom is to the left of the Main entrance (PS1.50 per item). *When maximum checkrooms capacity is reached the Museum cannot accept any more items. *Bring your sense of adventure and your camera with you and see something exciting and quite unique. For further information, please _ to see more about gold coast wax-museum/contact Us Page. According to the passage, visitors can _ .
<extra_id_0>visit the Gold Coast Wax Museum anytime
<extra_id_1>enjoy some world-class vivid wax works in the Gold Coast Wax Museum
<extra_id_2>see many members of the Royal Family in person in the Gold Coast Wax Museum
<extra_id_3>meet many leading local and international sculptors in the Gold Coast Wax Museum
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>It's going to be a chaotic day. How do I know? It's Monday. OK, joking. But, I do predict that today will be filled with the normal last-minute tasks, fire drills, and unforeseen events. So, how do you keep yourself from being swept away in the stream of chaos? How do you remain calm while others are rushing and panicking? There's a problem... Panic! When things don't go as planned, how do you react? Are you the calm one who works to fix things? Or the one running around like Chicken Little screaming that the sky falling? Getting upset or alarmed can seem like natural reactions to a problem. Here are a few tips to kelp you remain calm in the face of the storm: * Don't Panic You are better able to find a solution if you aren't panicking. If you can keep your head when others are losing theirs, you will be able to make a dear decision in the chaos. * There Aren't Many True Emergenaes My time as a Naval Officer taught me about true emergencies. In the military, when there is a problem, people can get hurt or die. This is not usually the case when the office copier or email server goes down. Keep things in perspective. There are very few true emergencies in life. * Avoid the "Fight or Flight" When you are stressed, your body will want to go into "fight or flight." Your body was designed to keep you safe from danger, but its natural reflexes aren't always the best solution against a project gone away. Keep your emotions in check and ensure that your physical reflexes don't make bad decisions for you. * Head Into The Problem While everyone else is running away, true leaders walk into a problem. Sticking your head in the sand only makes things worse. Instead of trying to ignore the situition, get to the heart of the issue as soon as possible. Only then can you address it How Will You React? When you find yourself ready to lose it, take a step back. Ask, "In this truly an emergcncy?" Keep your head when others are losing theirs. And you'll find that you are that much closer to a solution. The example of the author's time as a Naval Officer is used to illustrate _ .
<extra_id_0>there are seldom true emergencies in life
<extra_id_1>there are many true emergencies in life
<extra_id_2>some emergencies are really urgent
<extra_id_3>some emergencies can't be predicted
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Which of these best describes how the surface of a beach is formed?
<extra_id_0>mechanical weathering
<extra_id_1>chemical weathering
<extra_id_2>mass movement
<extra_id_3>volcanic eruption
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Dear Aunty, I work at a supermarket, and another girl and I share tasks we must finish before leaving. But she takes half an hour to do something I can do in ten minutes. She always has a story to tell me and stops working when she does. My boss is angry at both of us, but It's not my fault. I don't want to rat on her, but what else can I do? Flustered Dear Flustered, Let me propose a better way. Make a log of all the tasks you share, then suggest to your boss that for efficiency your duties could be divided into two separate checklists. If he's reluctant, go to plan B: the next time this girl starts telling you a story, stop working to listen and call your boss over to hear what a great storyteller she is. I'm sure he'll take it from here. Aunty Dear Aunty, I'm a college student in the Philippines who wants to be wise with money. I'm not an economics or business major student and I don't know anything about stocks. But I really want to buy assets and invest. I receive about 15,000 pesos every school term from my education plan. I don't have any idea how I should spend it. I don't want to just buy new clothes, or hang out with my friends because it would not be wise. I want my money to grow. Please enlighten me. Fastbreakplay Dear Fastbreakplay, Being wise with money is the No. 1 thing to learn. Start with a disciplined and systematic savings plan. When your savings reach a sizeable amount, then you may start investing. In the meantime, invest in yourself by reading up on stock markets and capital markets. Follow the news. Before I started investing during my senior high school years, I had already studied stock market data of the past century as I believe markets tend to repeat themselves. If you master this skill, you will master your reading of the markets. Aunty When Flustered's boss isn't willing to separate their work, Flustered can _ .
<extra_id_0>follow the second advice
<extra_id_1>invite the boss to listen to the girl
<extra_id_2>stop working or do other things
<extra_id_3>report to the boss on time
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Australia's koalas could be wiped out within 30 years unless urgent action is taken to stop the losing in population, according to researchers They say development, climate change and bushfires have all combined to reduce the number of wild koalas sharply. The Australian Koala Foundation said a recent survey showed the population could have dropped by more than half in the past six years. Previous estimates put the number of koalas at more than 100,000, but the latest calculations suggest there could now be as few as 43,000. The foundation collected field data from 1,800 sites and 80,000 trees to calculate the numbers. In one area in northern Queensland estimated to have 20,000 koalas a decade ago, a team of eight people could not find a single animal in four days of searching. The foundation said besides problems caused by cutting down forests, hotter and drier conditions because of global warming had reduced the nutritional value of their staple food, eucalyptus leaves, leading to poor nutrition for them. Koalas, which live in the forests in Australia's east and south, are very fussy about what types of the leaves they eat. Foundation chief Deborah Tabart said: "The koalas are missing everywhere we look. It's really no tree, no me. If you keep cutting down trees you don't have any koalas." She is hoping the new figures will persuade the government's Threatened Species Steering Committee (TSSC) to list the koala as threatened. But committee chairman Bob Beeton said a decision was not likely recently and the koala's status as one of the country's favourite animals would not be a factor. "There's a number of species which are attractive and people have special feelings towards them. We don't consider that," Mr Beeton was reported as saying by the AFP agency. Global warming is an important cause of koalas' reduction because _ .
<extra_id_0>koalas can hardly stand the hot weather
<extra_id_1>koalas cannot get enough water to drink
<extra_id_2>the leaves koalas eat are losing nutritional value
<extra_id_3>the leaves koalas eat cannot grow in hot weather
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_2> |
<extra_id_5>This is my first day in our new school. In the morning, I help my new teacher Mr. Hu put some new English textbooks into a big box. And then I carry it to the classroom. The box is very heavy. I walk very slowly with the big heavy box in my arms. A boy runs very fast to me. He can't stop . Oh, dear! My box drops on the floor and there are books everywhere on the floor. 'I'm very sorry.' The boy says again and again. He helps me to pick up all the books. He then helps me to carry the books to our classroom. Who is he? He is my classmate. His name is Jim. He comes to China with his father. He comes from England. My box drops on the floor because _ .
<extra_id_0>I walk very slowly with it
<extra_id_1>I walk very fast with it
<extra_id_2>Jim walks very slowly to me
<extra_id_3>Jim runs very fast and he can't stop
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_3> |
<extra_id_5>TV Shows and Long Bus Trips Long bus rides are like television shows. They have a beginning, a middle, and an end-- with ads thrown in every three or four minutes. The ads are unavoidable. They happen whether you want them or not. Every couple of minutes a billboard appears outside the bus window."Buy Super Clean Toothpaste.""Drink Good'n Wet Root Beer.""Fill up with Pacific Gas." Only if you sleep, which is equal to turning the television set off, are you spared the unending cry of "You Need It! Buy It Now!" The beginning of the ride is comfortable and somewhat exciting, even if you've traveled that way before. Usually some things have changed--new houses, new buildings, sometimes even a new road. The bus driver has a style of driving and it's fun to try to figure it out the first hour or so. If the driver is particularly daring, the ride can be as exciting as a suspense story. Will the driver pass the truck in time? Will the driver move into the right or the left-hand lane?After a while, of course, the excitement dies down. Sleeping for a while helps pass the middle hours of the ride. Food always makes bus rides more interesting. But you've got to be careful of what kind of food you eat. Too much salty food can make you very thirsty between stops. The end of the ride is somewhat like the beginning. You know it will soon be over and there's a kind of expectation and excitement in that. The seat, of course, has become harder as the hours have passed. By now you've sat with your legs crossed, with your hands in your lap, with your hands on the arm rests--even with your hands crossed behind your head. The end comes just at the right time. There are just no more ways to sit. The writer thinks that the end of the ride is somewhat like the beginning because both are _
<extra_id_0>exciting.
<extra_id_1>comfortable.
<extra_id_2>tiring.
<extra_id_3>boring.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>OSLO ( Reuters) -Six of the world's eight bear species are under threat of extinction after the addition yesterday of the sun bear, the world's smallest type of bear, to a "Red List" which says China's panda is most at risk. The sun bear is threatened partly by poachers who sell its bile as medicine, said the World Conservation Union which runs the list of the threatened wildlife. "Things are getting worse for all the bear species except the American black bear which is unquestionably increasing," said Simon Smart, senior species adviser for the Union. The addition of the sun bear to the authoritative "Red List" after a major review means the American black bear and the brown bear, found from Europe to Alaska, are the only two of eight species still considered robust . The sun bear, found in Asia from Bangladesh to Borneo and weighing up to about 70kg, was rated "vulnerable " by experts at the Union,which consists of more than 80 governments, conservation groups and scientists. The union said there were several thousand sun bears in the wild. "We estimate that sun bears have declined by at least 30 percent over the past 30 years, and continue to decline at this speed," said Ron Steinmetz, head of the Swiss- based Union's sun bear expert team. Scientists did not change the level of threat to any bear species (except sun bears). Deforestation, loss of habitat to roads and cities and poaching are among risks. The Asian black bear, the sloth bear and the Andean bear were all proved again as vulnerable after reassessment of land-living bears. The polar, the only species not reassessed, is separately rated as vulnerable. Pandas were regarded again as endangered, one step closer to extinction than vulnerable, in spite of China's protection efforts for the bamboo-eaters. According to the text, pandas.
<extra_id_0>are in the greatest danger of extinction on the "Red List"
<extra_id_1>are in less danger of extinction now with the China's protection efforts
<extra_id_2>are one step closer to extinction than ever before
<extra_id_3>are not among the 8 bears mentioned in the text
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_0> |
<extra_id_5>Tokyo is one of those places that you can love and hate at the same time. In Tokyo there are always too many people in the places where I want to be. Of course there are too many cars. The Japanese drive very fast, but in Tokyo they often spend a long time in traffic jams . Tokyo is not different from London, Paris and New York in that. It is different when one wants to walk. At certain times of the day there are a lot of people on foot in London Oxford Street. But the streets near the Ginze in Tokyo always have a lot of people on foot; and sometimes it is really difficult to walk. People are very polite; there are just too many of them. The worst time to be in the street is at 11: 30 at night. That is when the night-clubs are closing and everybody wants to go home. There are 35,000 night-clubs in Tokyo, and you do not often see one that is empty. During the day, most people travel to and from work by train. Tokyo people buy six million train tickets every day. At most stations, trains arrive every two or three minutes, but at certain hours there do not seem to be enough trains. Although they are usually crowded, Japanese trains are very good. They always leave and arrive on time. On a London train you would see everybody reading a newspaper. In Tokyo trains everybody in a seat seems to be asleep, whether his journey is long or short. In Tokyo, I stood outside the station for five minutes. Three fire-engines race past on the way to one of the many fires that Tokyo has every day. Tokyo has so many surprises that none of them can really surprise me now. Which of the following is NOT true about Tokyo?
<extra_id_0>The streets become more crowded at 11 : 30 at night.
<extra_id_1>There are more trains than cars.
<extra_id_2>Fire-engines are very busy in the city.
<extra_id_3>Tokyo people are friendly.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |
<extra_id_5>Throughout the history of the arts, the nature of creativity has remained constant to artists. No matter what objects they select, artists are to bring forth new forces and forms that cause change-to find _ where no one has ever seen or experienced it before. Landscape is another unchanging element of art. It can be found from ancient times through the 17th-century Dutch painters to the 19th-century romanticists and impressionists. In the 1970s, Alfred Leslie, one of the new American realists, continued this practice. Leslie sought out the same place where Thomas Cole, a romanticist, had produced paintings of the same scene a century and a half before. Unlike Cole who insists on a feeling of loneliness and the idea of finding peace in nature, Leslie paints what he actually sees. In his paintings, there is no particular change in emotion, and he includes ordinary things like the highway in the background. He also takes advantage of the latest developments of color photography to help both the eye and the memory when he improves his painting back in his workroom. Besides, all art begs the age-old question: What is real? Each generation of artists has shown their understanding of reality in one form or another. The impressionists saw reality in brief emotional effects, the realists in everyday subjects and in forest scenes, and the Cro-Magnon cave people in their naturalistic drawings of the animals in the ancient forests. To sum up, understanding reality is a necessary struggle for artists of all periods. Over thousands of years the function of the arts has remained relatively constant. Past or present, Eastern or Western, the arts are a basic part of our immediate experience. Many and different are the faces of art, and together they express the basic need and hope of human beings. What is the author's opinion of artistic reality?
<extra_id_0>It will not be found in future works of art.
<extra_id_1>It does not have a long-lasting standard.
<extra_id_2>It is expressed in a fixed artistic form.
<extra_id_3>It is lacking in modern works of art.
<extra_id_4> | <extra_id_1> |