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<extra_id_5>Today, Anne is hungry. She wants to eat somewhere in town. There is a popular diner in town. She goes there and asks them if she can get fries and a chocolate milkshake. Her friends come into the diner and sit with her. Their names are Jane, Jake and Dave. All of them are 15 years old. Jake gets a big cheeseburger with onions. Jane wants a vanilla ice cream cone with sprinkles. Dave doesn't eat anything. He talks with them instead. After they finish eating, they go back to Jane's house to hang out and play games. Dave wins most of the puzzle games. Jane beats them at a few. They're racing games. Dave leaves after an hour. He needs to go do his reading homework. Jake and Anne leave that evening because it's a school night. They all promise to meet up again the next day to hang out after school. Why does Dave leave Jane's house after only an hour? <extra_id_0>he has to do his reading homework <extra_id_1>he has piano practice <extra_id_2>the others don't like him <extra_id_3>his mother is waiting for him <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>he has to do his reading homework <extra_id_5>Studying abroad is an amazing experience, especially when you come to Australia as an overseas( ) high school student. You can have a lot of fun here, especially on holidays. There are many festivals in Australia. The most important one is obviously Christmas. Each year, the summer holidays at every high school last about two months from the beginning of December to February, which covers the Christmas time. Since it is a long holiday, most overseas students love to fly back to their home countries to spend the time with their families and friends, but a few students still stay in Australia during the holiday to get part-time jobs. It is quite easy to find a part-time job at Christmas. Students often take part in another major social activity. They go to the beach to have fun in the sunshine. The summer in Australia is from December to February, so going to the beach in December is very popular among Australians. Easter in March is another important holiday in the year. It actually combines "Good Friday" and "Easter Monday". Almost every shop closes on Good Friday. And people usually go to see Easter Show. The Chinese New year is not a public holiday in Australia, so every Chinese student still has to go to school to study and do his or her normal duties. Probably people seldom _ on Good Friday in Australia. <extra_id_0>go shopping <extra_id_1>spend the time with their friends <extra_id_2>have fun <extra_id_3>give chocolate eggs to each other <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>go shopping <extra_id_5>From age eight to eleven, I studied at a small school in Bath, England. It was a small school of four classes, with about twenty-five children in each class according to age. For the most part, one teacher had to teach all subjects. However, sometimes the headteacher , Mr. Ronald Broaches would come in and spend an hour or so. He was a large man with a very happy nature. He had a sense of humor and would be glad in telling the children small stories which make us laugh. I found that he took great interest in me and he quickly found that I enjoyed puzzles. He would stop me as I was going to class and take a piece of paper out of his pocket, often with a puzzle on it. As time went on, they slowly gave me an interest in math and problem -solving that stays with me to this day. To this day, I can remember Mr. Broaches' cheerful cry of "Well done!" whenever I got a problem right. I shall always be thankful that our paths crossed. Mr. Bruoaches died just two weeks after I won the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. Unfortunately, I had no chance to speak to him before he died. I learnt late that he had heard of my success and I will always hope that he knew the deep influence he had made on my life. The writer felt sorry because _ . <extra_id_0>Mr. Broaches passed away before he won the Nobel Prize <extra_id_1>he didn't express his thanks before Mr. Broaches died. <extra_id_2>he couldn't find Mr. Broaches after he grew up <extra_id_3>Mr. Broaches didn't know about his success. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>he didn't express his thanks before Mr. Broaches died. <extra_id_5>My grandfather Jack is 96 years old, and he has had an interesting life. He has travelled a lot in his life in the Far East. He visited the Taj Mahal in India and the Pyramids in Egypt. He hunted lions in Africa, and rode a camel in the Sahara Desert. He says the most beautiful place he has travelled to is Kathmandu in Nepal. Jack has married twice. His first wife died when she was 32. He met his second wife Maria while he was cycling round France They have been married for 50 years, and they have lived happily in a small village since they got married. Jack says that he has never been ill in his life. The secret of good health, according to my grandfather, is exercise He goes swimming every morning. He has done this since he was a boy. He also has a glass of wine every night! Perhaps that is his secret! What does Jack do every night? <extra_id_0>He has a glass of wine. <extra_id_1>He goes swimming <extra_id_2>He hunts lions. <extra_id_3>He rides a camel. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>He has a glass of wine. <extra_id_5>There is an old man living with his granddaughter. Every morning the old man goes out for a walk in the park and comes home at half past twelve for lunch. But one morning a police car stops outside the house at twelve. One of the policemen says , "The old man can't find his way home in the park and call us for help, so we bring him home ." The old man's granddaughter is very surprised ,but she thanks the policemen and they leave. "But my grandfather," the granddaughter asks, "You go to the park every day for twenty years. How can't you find your way home ?" The old man smiles, "I'm just tired and don't want to walk home." The old man can't find his way home. Is it really true ? <extra_id_0>Yes, it is. <extra_id_1>No, it isn't. <extra_id_2>We don't know. <extra_id_3>All of the above. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>No, it isn't.
<extra_id_5>Mr. Smith teaches English in a university . He is often busy with his work. When summer or winter holidays come, he often goes out to take vacations to relax. Usually he goes to France because he thinks it's an interesting country. And he can speak French very well. But last month he said to his wife, " I'm not visiting France this time. I want to go to a different country. I _ China. But I can hardly speak Chinese, so I'm going to study it for a month before I go." he studied pretty hard for a month, and then his vacation began. Ten days later, he came back home. His wife asked him, " How about your short vacation in China? Did you have any trouble with your Chinese there?" "No, I didn't." answered Mr. Smith. "But the Chinese did!" Mr. Smith goes out to _ when it's summer or winter holidays. <extra_id_0>have a rest <extra_id_1>learn languages <extra_id_2>look for interesting jobs <extra_id_3>visit musuems <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>have a rest <extra_id_5>Earth Day has come and gone, but it's a fact of daily life that 1.6 billion people around would have no electricity in their homes. Instead, most of them use wood, coal or even animal waste to heat and cook in their homes ,which also gives off greenhouse gases, causing indoor air pollution that kills 1.6million people a year, most of whom are children and women. It's not expected to improve much, and in Africa it's becoming worse now. By 2030, when the Earth's population will be likely to top 8billion, 1.3 billion people will still lack electricity. Of those, 700 million will be in Africa, and 490 million in South Asia. Ghana, in West Africa, most of the northern half of the country lives without lights. As a result, three out of four Ghanans in the north are without electricity to refrigerate with and to cook with, to study with and to start businesses with. Like most others around the world in the same situation, these Ghanans use traditional fuels( wood, coal, animal waste) to meet their cooking needs. What would electricity for everyone around the world cost? The International Energy Agency, which is made up of 28 member countries, figures it would run35 billion dollars a year from 2008 to 2030 to reach _ . The United Nations has been busy with the issue, organizing a meeting on April 28 hosted by Secretary-General Ban Kimoon. ' Energy services are very important formeeting basic human needs, reducing poverty, creating and getting together wealth and keeping advances in social development," He said in an announcement. Why do many children and women die of indoor air pollution? <extra_id_0>Because they would rather heat and cook with traditional fuels than with electricity. <extra_id_1>Because of no electricity they have to use traditional fuels for heating and cooking. <extra_id_2>Because wood, coal or animal waste does great harm to their health. <extra_id_3>Because there are too many greenhouse gases from factories. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Because of no electricity they have to use traditional fuels for heating and cooking. <extra_id_5>Which force keeps the planets in their orbits around the Sun? <extra_id_0>gravity <extra_id_1>magnetism <extra_id_2>electricity <extra_id_3>friction <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>gravity <extra_id_5>According to the studies from the UN, the increase of CO2in the air is responsible for 85% of the temperature increase. CO2goes into the air when we burn fossil fuels to run our industries, cars and so on. Luckily, half of the CO2that we produced is taken in by plants, trees, land and the oceans. The rest gases are still large to cause worry. At the same time, we are cutting down forests that take in carbon from the air. To solve the problem is not an easy job. Developed nations such as the USA, Germany and Australia will have to promise to cut down greenhouse gases by as much as 25-40%. Countries such as India and China that have a large population and growing industry, have to leave a smaller greenhouse gas footprint. Everybody must be active and stick to it. How many countries are mentioned in this passage? <extra_id_0>2 <extra_id_1>3 <extra_id_2>5 <extra_id_3>6 <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>5 <extra_id_5>Gail Mirabella works as a dog trainer for a circus . She used to train her dogs to do _ when she was a kid. Finally, her hobby turned into her job. Several days ago, she talked to Time Magazine reporter, Cameron Young, about her love for dogs. Reporter: Did you always want to be a dog trainer in a circus? Mirabella: When I was a little kid, I did my first dog show, a kid's dog show. And I took first place . From then on, I knew I wanted to work with dogs, but who would know I'd be in a circus? Reporter: Did you have any dogs growing up? Mirabella: Of course. I had a white dog when I was a little baby. Three years later, it died. And then we got two family dogs. On my fourteenth birthday, my uncle bought me a dog. It was a big dog. Reporter: How long does it take you to train a dog, one month, half a year or one year? Mirabella: That depends on the dog. I have thirteen dogs and I let them all play together, but I do a lot of special work with each dog. They know I am their owner because I do all the feeding. Reporter: If you aren't a dog trainer, what will you be? Mirabella: A dog. Just joking. I will probably still work with animals. What job will Mirabella do if she isn't a dog trainer? <extra_id_0>Taking care of animals. <extra_id_1>Doing tricks in a circus. <extra_id_2>Selling all kinds of dogs. <extra_id_3>Working for Time Magazine. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Taking care of animals.
<extra_id_5>The Peales were a famous family of American artists. Charles Willson Peale is best remembered for his portraits of leading figures of the American Revolution. He painted portraits of Franklin and Jefferson and over a dozen of George Washington. His life-size portrait of his sons Raphaelle and Titian was so realistic that George Washington reportedly once tipped his hat to the figures in the picture. Charles Willson Peale gave up painting in his middle age and devoted his life to the Peale museum, which he founded in Philadelphia. The world's first popular museum of art and natural science mainly covered paintings by Peale and his family as well as displays of animals in their natural settings. Peale found the animals himself and found a method to make the exhibits more lifelike. The museum's most popular display was the skeleton of a huge, extinct elephant, which Peale _ on a New York farm in 1801. Three of Peale's seventeen children were also famous artists. Paphaelle Peale often painted still lives of flowers, fruit, and cheese. His brother Rembrandt studied under his father and painted portraits of many noted people, including one of George Washington. Another brother, Rubens Peale, painted mostly landscapes and portraits. James Peale, the brother of Charles Willson Peale, specialized in miniatures . His daughter Sarah Miriam Peale was probably the first professional female portrait painter in America. Which of the following is NOT the child of Charles Willson Peale? <extra_id_0>Titian Peale. <extra_id_1>Rubens Peale. <extra_id_2>Raphaelle Peale. <extra_id_3>Sarah Miriam Peale. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Families come in many shapes and sizes-they can be just two people, or hundreds of aunts, uncles and cousins. Every family is different, and what makes a family is different for everyone. Families don't even have to be related -some families are formed by choice. For this contest, draw us a picture of your family. Contest rules: 1. Your picture must be your very own artwork. Ideas and words should not be copied. 2. Be sure to include your name, age and full address on your picture. 3. Only one picture each person, please. 4. If you want your picture returned, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. 5.Your picture must be signed or e-mailed by a parent, saying it's your own work and that no one helped you. 6.Mailed picture must be postmarked by April 30, 2014. 7.E-mail scanned picture to ask@askmagkids.com, or mail to: Ask Contest, 70 East Lake St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL60601. No faxes, please. The theme of the contest is _ . <extra_id_0>robots <extra_id_1>family <extra_id_2>friends <extra_id_3>art <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Della has a mixture of soil and water in a jar. Which of the following tools would best help Della separate the soil from the water? <extra_id_0>a filter <extra_id_1>a measuring cup <extra_id_2>a balance <extra_id_3>a magnifying glass <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>One night last February, a seventeen-year-old Duffy drove home along a winding road, he saw a strange light thrown against the tree. "I knew it wasn't the moon", he said. "I drive this road all the time and I notice little things out of place." Duffy stopped his car and got out to examine. Below him far down in the deep valley lay a broken car with its headlights on. Thirty minutes earlier, a man had driven off the edge of the road, which has no guardrail. His car fell and rolled end over end, landing on its top more than two hundred feet below. Duffy rushed to call for help, then returned and got down to reach the injured driver. Snow covered the valley and the temperature was below freezing. After struggling back up the cliff, Duffy took off his jacket and shirt and wrapped the injured man in time, along with the blankets from his car. Life-saving deeds are starting to become usual action for Duffy, the oldest of seven children. When he was 12, he saved his ten-year-old brother from drowning. Two years ago, his three-year-old sister ate rat poison, and Duffy cleaned out her mouth, make her drink milk to protect her stomach and called doctors. "We have tried to teach the children good values, and it looks like we have got some reward for it." His father says. The phrase" landing on its top" means the car lay _ . <extra_id_0>on the top of the cliff <extra_id_1>with its wheels upward <extra_id_2>with its head upward <extra_id_3>on the road as usual <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>A job is more than a job,especially to the old. "It's not the money that matters,but the sense of self-worth."56-year-old Cbeng Wonlan said. So,every day Ms Cheng carries a bag of parcels,letters and documents and does her rounds in North Point. She's a courier Five years ago.Ms Cheng was a nurse at a private clinic. She had worked there for 30 years but was Jobless when the doctor migrated. It was difficult for her to find another job as a nurse. "People do not trust my ability when they learn how old I am,"she said. After two years of searching, she eventually found another nursing job. But then after two years,she quit Why? 'My colleagues were young and they didn't understand me because of my age. They often asked me 'You are so old what are you working for? I was very unhappy" She said. So while the rest of her family left for work,she was left to lonely boredom at home .Then her neighbours told her about Employee's Retraining Board(ERB)offering retraining courses for older people. These courses are specifically designed to encourage the older people back to work. "I was interested in courier work. I didn't think my age was a barrier because I was fit." She said .Upon graduating,Ms Cheng was offered a job by the Speeding Shuttle Courier Service Company. But then Ms Cheng was faced with a conflict:she was caught between honour and employment"I felt embarrassed about carrying and delivering letters and parcels." she said. It took Ms Cheng 24 hours to make up her mind:there was nothing wrong or embarrassing about doing the job. So she went off to work as a courier. Ms Cheng's employer is delighted with her responsible attitude and said."I hired older people because they were able and reliable .Age is not an important factor but attitude is Many old people will not run from difficulties but the young ones will" According to Anthony Chong,young people _ . <extra_id_0>are more likely to give up than the older ones <extra_id_1>are less experienced than the older ores <extra_id_2>are filler and stronger than the older ones <extra_id_3>are able and reliable <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son, mentally and physically disabled, were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning .I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the final inning. Shay struggled over to the team's bench and put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the final inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously joyful just to be in the game and on the field. In the bottom of the final inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. Would they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was almost impossible. The first pitch came and Shay missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to throw the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The pitcher could have easily thrown he ball to the first baseman and Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game .Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, beyond the reach of all teammates, The audience and the players from both teams started screaming, "Shay, run to first! " Never in his life had Shay ever run that far but made it to first base, wide-eyed and shocked.. Everyone should, "Run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time, could have thrown the ball to the second baseman, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. All were screaming,"Shay,Shay,Shay,all the way Shay." Shay reached third base when one opposing player ran to help him and shouted, "Shay, run to third." As Shay rounded third, all were on their feet, crying,"Shay, run home!"Shay ran to home, stepped on the home base and was cheered as the hero who the who won the game for his team. That day, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece true love and humanity into this world. Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully hug her little hero of the day! What to you think is the theme of the story? <extra_id_0>True human nature could be realized in the way we treat each other. <extra_id_1>Everyone has his own strength even if mentally or physically disabled. <extra_id_2>Everyone can develop his team spirit in sports and please his parents. <extra_id_3>The results of the game should not be the only concern of the players. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>True human nature could be realized in the way we treat each other. <extra_id_5>An Apple's Words I am an apple. You can find me growing in many places in the world. I am like my cousins, pears and bananas. I am more round than a pear, and bananas are longer than I. I am delicious , so people all over the world like to eat me. I cost very little money and I help make people healthy. There is a saying in English : . Don't you think I'm great? The best title of the passage is _ <extra_id_0>All kinds of fruits <extra_id_1>Apples are delicious <extra_id_2>An apple a day keeps the doctor away <extra_id_3>Apples <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Apples <extra_id_5>The following is the story of a SARS patient named Wang and his fight with the disease. I woke up around 6 : 30 this morning, on my ninth day in hospital since I caught SARS. Glancing over at my roommate, Xiao Huang, a 27-year-old employee of a Beijing software company, I saw he was also awake. After a light breakfast, a nurse came in and took my temperature. It was 36.6 centigrade. We're at Changxindian Hospital in southwestern Beijing, a newly named SARS patient hospital. It seems I am now recovering as my fever has gone down in recent days. When I first got the disease , I spent four days with a temperature above 39.5 centigrade--at one point it reached 40. 1 centigrade. At 8 : 30 am, a nurse took a blood sample and X-ray of my chest. Then my daily treatment began with the help of the experts from Guangdong and WHO. Before the first bottle finished, my wife rang me. I talked with her on my mobile phone. It has become a major connection with the outside world. Several friends also called me in the morning. I am feeling great these days--no fever, no headache and no pain in the chest, which are all symptoms of SARS. My slight cough is gone since I began taking a new round of medicines yesterday. The doctor told me that I may be set free from hospital in two weeks and a half. How long does the writer have to stay altogether in the hospital before he is sent home? <extra_id_0>Seventeen days. <extra_id_1>Nine days <extra_id_2>More than thirty days. <extra_id_3>More than twenty-five days. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>More than twenty-five days. <extra_id_5>SALT LAKE CITY--The Utah Jazz basketball team signed a 5-year-old.Free-agent player to a one-day contract for a special performance in October.The Utah Jazz has just made his dream come true.The boy has suffered from blood cancer since 2012. JP Gibson,who was diagnosed with severe blood cancer,signed his contract with Jazz President Randy Rigby before joining the team for the pre-season training play at Utah Jazz's sport center.JP was joined by his parents,Josh and Megan,and his 2-year-old sister,Elsie. The activity was hosted by the Jazz and photographer Jon Diaz's"Anything Can Be"project,which provides support and hope to families like the Gibsons.Jon Diaz asks children with cancer what their dreams and wishes are,and he writes their stories in a book. JP,wearing a No.1 shirt,even got to play in the play.He passed the ball,and Rudy obert,a player of Utah Jazz,lifted him up so he could dunk and shake hands with some players as fans were cheerful. "JP loves most sports,but basketball is absolutely his favorite," Megan Gibson said in a statement released by the Jazz."When he was just over one year old,he would sit with my husband,Josh,watching games.He started insisting on shooting hoops for an hour each night before bedtime when he was just 15 months old.He knows he has to be 6 before he can play Junior Jazz,and he reminds us all the time that he can't wait until he's 6." Anything Can Beproject _ . <extra_id_0>raises money to help the development of NBA <extra_id_1>provides support and hope to kids loving basketball <extra_id_2>has kids with cancer write their stories in a book <extra_id_3>offers assistance to those who are in misfortune <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>offers assistance to those who are in misfortune <extra_id_5>We have designed all our bank cards to make your life easier. How to use your NatWest Servicecard . As a Switch card, it lets you pay for all sorts of goods and services, wherever you see the Switch logo. The money comes straight out of your account, so you can spend as much as you like as long as you have enough money ( or an agreed overdraft to cover it. It is also a cheque guarantee for up to the amount shown on the card. And it gives you free access to your money from over 31,000 cash machines across the UK. How to use your NatWest Cashcard You can use your Cashcard as a Solo card to pay for goods and services wherever you see the Solo logo. It can also give you access to your account and your cash from over 31,000 cash machines nationwide. You can spend or withdraw what you have in your account, or as much as your agreed overdraft limit. Using your cards abroad You can also use your Servicecard and Cashcard when you're abroad. You can withdraw cash at cash machines and pay for goods and services wherever you see the Cirrus or Maestro logo displayed. We take a commission charge of 2.25% of each cash withdrawal you make. . We also apply a foreign-exchange transaction fee of 2.65%. How to use your Nat West Credit Card With your credit card you can do the following: * Pay for goods and services and enjoy up to 56 days interest-free credit. * Pay in over 24 million shops worldwide that display the Mastercard or Visa logos. * Collect one AIR MILE for everyPS20 of spending that appears on your statement . (This does not include foreign currency or traveller's cheques bought,interest and other charges.) If you carry the Servicecard or the Cashcard , _ . <extra_id_0>you can use it to guarantee things as you wish <extra_id_1>you can draw your money from cash machines conveniently <extra_id_2>you can spend as much money as you like without a limit <extra_id_3>you have to pay some extra money when you pay for services in the UK <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>you can draw your money from cash machines conveniently
<extra_id_5>The secret of carrier pigeons' unbelievable ability to find their way home has been discovered by scientists: _ follow the roads just like we do. Scientists now believe the phrase "as the crow flies" no longer means the shortest most direct route between two points. They say it is likely that crows and other day birds also choose AA-suggested routes, even though it makes their journeys longer. Scientists at Oxford University spent 10 years studying homing pigeons using global positioning satellite (GPS) and got a surprising result. The birds often don't use the sun to decide their directions. Instead they fly along motorways, turn at crossing and even go around roundabouts , adding miles to their journeys. "It really has knocked our research team sideways to find that after a decade-long international study, pigeons appear to ignore their inbuilt directional instincts and follow the road system," said Prof Tim Guilford, reader in animal behavior at Oxford University's Department of Zoology. Guilford said pigeons use their own navigational system when doing long distance trips or when a bird does a journey for the first time. "But once homing pigeons have flown a journey more than once, they can fly home on a habitual route, much as we do when we are driving or walking home from work," said Guilford. "In short, it looks like it is mentally easier for a bird to fly down a road. They are just making their journey as simple as possible." What does the words " _ " refer to? <extra_id_0>The crows. <extra_id_1>The pigeons. <extra_id_2>Day birds. <extra_id_3>Animals that can fly. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Going Zero Waste means more than just managing the rubbish we create.It means reducing it too.While it might seem like a difficult thing to do, it's well worth it.And what better time to start than Christmas? We need to copy the way Nature wastes nothing.Many things are created by human society that we know will soon become useless and be thrown out.How many plastic bottles or even PCs end up in the rubbish bin? Instead,we should design products that can be more easily repaired,reused and recycled. Kamikatsu, a Japanese village,has already gone Zero Waste.The 2,000 villagers compost their leftovers,and recycle everything else.There are 34 different boxes at the re-cycling centre! Residents grumble about the inconvenience,but they also see the benefits. People who live Zero Waste lives are careful about what they do.They never take more than they need.Reusing plastic bags at supermarkets is a great way to reduce waste.And those who plan before they shop avoid having to throw food out later.Also,it's best not to go food shopping when you're hungry:You'll be sure to buy too much! Let's think about how to enjoy a Zero Waste Christmas.By sending recyclable cards,we can help our friends and family reduce waste.And what better way to enjoy the spirit of Christmas than with a real tree that can be replanted in the spring? Going Zero Waste requires us to think more about what happens before and after we act.It takes ambition,and it's not always easy.But just think how good it would be,both for ourselves and for the environment, if we never had to waste anything. What's the main purpose of this passage? <extra_id_0>To enjoy a clean Christmas. <extra_id_1>To complain about the pollution. <extra_id_2>To educate people to behave well. <extra_id_3>To call on people to attend Zero Waste. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>A safari park is a park in which wild animals are kept. They are mainly located in east or central Africa. They often occupy a very wild area, with mountains and rivers. To visit the park and look at the animals, people have to drive around in a car for a few of hours because the park is huge. In south Africa there is a safari park, which contains all sorts of wild animals like lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, zebras, wild pigs, deer and giraffes. There is a wild road leading through the park, but nobody is permitted to walk on the road. Anyone traveling in the park has to go in a car because wild animals may fiercely attack people. From the car he may see almost every types of African wildlife. Some of these are getting rare because people kill them for various reasons. For example, rhinoceroses are killed for their horns, which are used in traditional Chinese medicines for colds and headaches. Perhaps they will be seen only in museums and books one day. Travels may purchase food for the animals. They can feed them when they tour the park. Of course, they should not feed them in a close distance because the wild animals may attack people. In addition, they should only give proper food to the animals. A traveler may carry a gun with him in his journey. The gun is given to him by the government. However, it is not used for hunting. In fact, a seal is fixed to it. The traveler may fire at a wild beast to defend himself in case he is attacked. However, he has to prove to the government that he has been attacked and that he has not fired at a harmless animal. What is the best title of this passage? <extra_id_0>Protecting Wild Animals <extra_id_1>Traveling in South Africa <extra_id_2>A Safari Park in South Africa <extra_id_3>Wild Animals in South Africa <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Audrey is a Chinese-American student. She has found many value differences between Chinese and Americans. About money Americans would like to spend more than they have, so many of them are always in debt . Chinese usually spend less than they have, so many of them have money left in the bank. American kids love to make money by themselves. Chinese kids always ask their parents for money. American parents think it is not useful to send their children to an expensive university. Chinese parents would do anything to send their children to a good university and that might make them very poor sometimes. About school Many American girls take part in sports, dancing and singing groups while Chinese girls take part in _ groups. Some American students think that "B" is a gift while Chinese students think that "B" is terrible. American parents and Chinese parents American parents allow their daughters or sons to go out to have some part-time jobs in their free time or at the weekends. Chinese parents usually don't allow their children to do so in middle or high schools. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage? <extra_id_0>Chinese parents usually give their kids money. <extra_id_1>American children love to make money by themselves. <extra_id_2>The reason why Chinese parents would do anything to send their children to good universities. <extra_id_3>Americans usually spend more money than they have. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Years ago, I worked for a trucking company as a driver. It was my habit to go to company on Saturday and spend a couple hours maintaining my truck. As I was under the truck, I noticed the owner's elderly father making his way over to his grandson's truck next to mine. The old man asked the kid to take him fishing. But the grandson told him all about how much he'd love to, but he couldn't due to the prior promises. The old man then walked away. Some minutes later, the father came out and asked his son what the old man had wanted. After telling the story, the kid ended it with saying, "I'm not taking that old man fishing. It's worse than taking a kid." That just broke my heart. I quit working immediately and headed home. I loaded up something like a lawn chair, a pole , and headed back to the yard. On the way I bought a big bobber and some worms. When I got there, I knocked on the door and invited him fishing. If I was like taking a kid fishing, I had determined to take him where I'd take a kid. When we got there I put him in the lawn chair beside the water, baited and cast the line, and handed him the pole. Soon that big old bobber started to dance; he set the hook, drew the fish in skillfully. And handed the pole to me. I unhooked the fish, re-baited and cast, and again handed it to him. This went on for about half an hour at which point he informed me he was tired and needed to go home. Then I got home. When I got him home I gave the fish to his daughter-in-law with instructions to make sure he got them for dinner and then left. Two weeks later, the old man died. His family told me later all he talked about during that time was his fishing trip. While I get the satisfaction of knowing I took an old man on his last fishing trip, his family has to live with the knowledge that a stranger took their grandpa on his last fishing trip. Whenever you get the chance, don't forget about taking grandpa fishing, you may be in the same place and you'll want your family to care about you too. Why did the grandson refuse the old man's request? <extra_id_0>Because he had invited others. <extra_id_1>Because he didn't know how to fish. <extra_id_2>Because he had to take care of his kids. <extra_id_3>Because he didn't want to take the trouble <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>
<extra_id_5>A failed plot to kill Barack Obama, uncovered by US federal agents recently, has reminded people of the ideas that some humans associate with simple numbers. Two white American Neo-Nazi racists had planned to kill 88 African Americans, before finally assassinating Obama. The number "88" is equated with "HH", initials for the Nazi greeting, "Heil Hitler". "H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet . Many people were not familiar with the Neo-Nazi importance of 88, but associations attached to other numbers are more well-known, if not always believed. The number 13, for instance, is considered deeply unlucky. In the US, many buildings do not have a floor numbered 13. They instead label it 12A, or use the letter M, which is the 13th letter in the English alphabet. New York's John F. Kennedy International airport does not have a gate number 13. And the popular Irish flight carrier, Ryan Air, has banished row 13 from all its planes. Last year when Brussels Airline put 13 dots in their new logo, the flood of complaints was so vast the airline was forced to change their "unlucky logo" and add an additional dot. The fear comes from a Bible story, which states that Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table in the Last Supper. But the most fascinating fear of the number relates to Friday the 13th. It's a day of double bad luck. In the US, many people would not schedule a wedding for Friday the 13th. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in the US, an estimated 17 to 21 million Americans are affected by a fear of this day. From the passage, we can know that the Brussels Airline_. <extra_id_0>doesn't have row 13 <extra_id_1>has 14 dots on its logo <extra_id_2>has no flight take off on Fridays <extra_id_3>was once stuck in a flood <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Human Capital - How what you know shapes your life Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 20 Feb 2007 Language: English ISBN: 9789264029088 Price: C15 I $19 1$10 This book explores the influence of education and learning on our societies and lives and examines what countries are doing to provide education and training to support people throughout their lives. Economic Policy Reforms -- Going/or Growth, 2007 Edition Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 15 Feb 2007 Language: English ISBN: 9789264030473 Price: $60|$75|$41 Based on a broad set of indicators of structural policies and performance, Going for Grcwth 2007 takes stock of the recent progress made in implementing policy reforms and identifies, for each OECD country, five policy priorities to lift growth. Climate Change in the European Alps -- Adapting Winter Tourism and Natural Hazards Management Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 22 Jan 2007 Language: English ISBN: 9789264031685 Price: $24 $32$ 17 The first systematic cross-country analysis of snow-reliability of Alpine ski areas under climate change for five countries in the region: France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany. OECD in Figures 2006--2007--Statistics on the Member Countries -- OECD Observer-- Volume 2006 Supplement 1 Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 05 Jan 2007 Language: English ISBN: 9789264022638 Price.; $15 |$20 |$10 A handy pocket reference containing key data covering the entire range of OECD work including the economy, employment, health, education, migration, the environment, science and technology, public finances, agriculture, trade, and development aid. OECD Economic Outlook -- December No, 80 -- Volume 2006 Issue 2 Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 26 Jan 2007 language-English ISBN: 9789264030954 Price: $80 | $97|$55 OECD's twice yearly assessment and projections for the economies of the OECD area and selected non-members. This edition also looks at the rise in household debt. We can learn from the passage that Alps is _ . <extra_id_0>an Austrian interesting place most attractive in summer seasons <extra_id_1>an European mountain belonging to three countries <extra_id_2>a stadium for skiing lovers from five European countries <extra_id_3>an European mountain famous for its winter skiing <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Two years ago my grandmother was going to turn 75. My family discussed what was the best way to celebrate. Should we throw her a party ? Should we take her on a trip ? We remembered that she had touched so many people's lives, and there were so many people for her to consider. Then someone got the idea that we should include everyone in the celebration by turning it into a tribute to my grandmother. We secretly sent out letters to the people in Grandmother's address book and asked them to send a letter with a memory that they had shared with her. People sent us letters with poems, stories and pictures. The deep feeling that was shared through the response surprised us. We compiled these letters into a memory book and amazed her with it on the morning of her birthday. The unusual thing about my grandmother's friends was not the number that she had, but the connection they shared. In many ways this book of friendship was the greatest achievement of my grandmother's life. I believe that developing true friendships is one of the most important things that anyone can do in one's lifetime. It is not a matter of the number of friends one has, but the quality of the bonds. If one has had at least one true friendship before dying, then one can say one has lived a successful life. I have made many friends and I believe I have begun to develop the same types of friendships my grandmother kept up over her lifetime. I only hope that I will be as successful as she has been. Which of the following words can best describe the author's grandmother ? <extra_id_0>Kind. <extra_id_1>Great. <extra_id_2>Polite <extra_id_3>Pleasant <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Steve Sparks was a young successful lawyer when a bruise on one of the legs of his 3-year-old daughter changed his life. The bruise led to a doctor's visit. The doctor said his daughter was suffering from leukemia . Steve said that in a moment his life changed from what restaurant he was going to take his clients to lunch to whether his daughter Katie was ever going to see her fourth birthday. For three years Katie received a lot of treatment at the Nemours Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and with the help of wonderful doctors, kind nurses, whom Steve and his wife Michelle called heroes, Katie's leukemia was cured . Forever changed by the experience and encouraged by the heroes at Nemours who saved his daughter's life, Steve felt he couldn't go back to business as usual. He felt there was something else he was meant to do and that something else led him to join the Nemours Foundation at the age of 28. The job change came with a 65% pay cut from what he was making as a lawyer, but Steve thought he was right and it was more important to help those who need help. Steve is glad to have made such a choice. Katie is now a healthy 20-year-old college student and Steve is one of the leaders of the Nemours Foundation. In three weeks Steve will have a party for Katie's 21st birthday, and give big thanks to the Nemours by riding his bicycle from Nemours in Jack-sonville, Florida to Wilmington, Delaware. He'll ride 900 miles in 9 days and raise $100,000 for the Nemours Foundation with the hope of saving more children's lives. From the text we can learn that _ . <extra_id_0>Steve hated being a lawyer <extra_id_1>Katie's bruise caused leukemia <extra_id_2>Katie suffered from leukemia at four <extra_id_3>Steve had ever doubted whether Katie could survive <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Which step will most likely ensure that the results of an investigation are valid? <extra_id_0>using a computer to graph results <extra_id_1>verifying that results match the original hypothesis <extra_id_2>comparing the results with those of other scientists <extra_id_3>eliminating any results that appear to be abnormal <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>Running Man is a variety show which is aired in SBS, a famous South Korean TV channel. The show broadcasts on Sunday every week. The translation can be watched on the Internet every Monday. It's very interesting and funny. In the program, everyone should keep running. Here are some information of its hosts and hostess. Liu Zaishi, the main host of the show, is known as National Moderator(,). His friendly, witty and lovely hosting style makes him become one of the most popular hosts and comedians in South Korean. Jin Zhongguo, the strongest man on the show, is known as Sparta-kooks . During the race, he can capture others quickly. But sometimes, he can be very cute. Song Zhixiao, the beautiful actress who is also called Mong Zhi, where "mong" means "confused", because of her facial expressions which makes her seem confused. During the race mission, she is ace because of her superior ability to capture. Young people in Korea love the program very much. Why? Because some South Korean stars will be invited to take part in the race every week . They are divided into several teams with MCs. Many stars have participated in the program, for example, Li Minhao, Girls'Generation , Jin Xiuxian etc. What's more, the program is not only relaxing but also educational--- It teaches people the importance of team spirit. What makes Liu Zaishi one of the most popular hosts and comedians in South Korean? <extra_id_0>His handsome look. <extra_id_1>His friendly, witty and lovely hosting style. <extra_id_2>His facial expressions. <extra_id_3>His ability of capture. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>For Children Museum: Children's Museum, Sundays, 89 North Street, 67641235 Story time: Children's Library, 106 Green Street, Wednesdays during 9:30 a.m -5:00p.m. 66599624 Sports: Soccer Club, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 16 Yangtze Road, 96725643 Basketball Club, Wednesdays and Fridays, 79071632 Cinema: New films for children, 99 Brick Road, 69001354 Useful Phone Numbers Fast Food Restaurant: 66387901 Hospital: 68787451 Visitor Information Center: 800-120-9847 Taxi: 79210583 Visitor Hotel Information: 800-739-7302 You can not get any information about _ from the two notices. <extra_id_0>looking for a hotel <extra_id_1>eating fast food <extra_id_2>doing eye exercises <extra_id_3>taking a taxi <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Who is smarter, human being or artificial intelligence(AI, )?The question swept the world a few months ago. In March 2016, AlphaGo, an AI program developed by Google, had the Go match with Lee Sedol, a South Korean Go player. He is the world top player of this old Chinese game. In October 2015, AlphaGo became the first computer program to beat a professional human Go player. And this time, it beat Lee Sedol 4-1. In fact, before the match, most people believed that Lee would certainly be the winner, because they didn't think that AI was good enough to beat the human mind. However, the result was disappointing. As a machine, AlphaGo would never get tired, while Lee Sedol was only a human and humans must have some weaknesses. AlphaGo's wins over a human champion show that computers can do more difficult tasks. Some people may worry whether computers are now smart enough to beat us at everything. But scientists say that is not the case. Real life problems can be more difficult than the Go game. Thomas Johnson, a scientist of AI said, "It's not hard to get a computer program to remember and produce facts. What is hard is getting computers to use knowledge in everyday situation. " We believe we can use the technology of AI to improve the world. What was the result of the match? <extra_id_0>Google program beat AlphaGo. <extra_id_1>Lee Sedol won AlphaGo 4-1. <extra_id_2>Lee Sedol was beaten. <extra_id_3>Neither side won the match. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>In Washington D.C., 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is a very special address. It is the address of the White House, the home of the president of the United States. Originally the White House was gray and was called the presidential Palace. It was built from 1792 to 1800. At this time, the city of Washington itself was being built. It was to be the nation's new capital city. George Washington, the first president, and Pierre Charles L'Enfant, a French engineer, chose the place for the new city. L'Enfant then planned the city. The president's home was an important part of the plan. A contest was held to pick a design for the president's home. An architect named James Hoban won. He designed a large three-story house of gray stone. President Washington never lived in the Presidential Palace. The first president to live there was John Adams, the second president of the United States, and his wife Mrs.Adams did not really like her new house. In her letters, she often complained about the cold. Fifty fireplaces were not enough to keep the house warm. In 1812 the United States and Britain went to war. In 1814 the British invaded Washington. They burned many buildings, including the Presidential Palace. After the war James Hoban, the original architect, partially rebuilt the president's home. To cover the marks of the fire, the building was painted white. Before long it became known as the White House. The White House is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. Every year more than 1.5 million visitors go through the five rooms that are open to the public. The original home of the president needed to be rebuilt _ . <extra_id_0>because John Adams' wife did not like it <extra_id_1>because it was cold in winter even with 50 fireplace <extra_id_2>because it had been burned down during the war <extra_id_3>because George Washington was not willing to live in it <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>At first sight the planet Mars does not appear very welcoming to any kind of life. It has very little oxygen and water, the temperature at night is below 50 degrees and winds of 100 miles (161 kilometers)per hour cause severe dust storms. However, the surface of the planet seems to show that water flowed across it at some time in the past, and it is believed that there would be enough ice at the poles to cover the planet with water if it melted. Although there is no life on the Mars now, some scientists think there may have been some form of life a long time ago. At that time, the planet had active volcanoes ; the atmosphere was thicker and warmer; and there was water. In fact, in some ways the Mars may have been similar to the Earth, where life exists. Some people believe that the Mars could support life in the future if the right conditions were produced. The first step would be to warm the planet using certain gases which trap the Sun's heat in the planet's atmosphere. With warmth, water and carbon dioxide , simple plants could begin to grow. These plants could slowly make the Mars fit to live on. It is judged that the whole process might take between 100, 000 and 200, 000 years. In the meantime, people could begin to live on the planet in a special closed environment. They would provide a lot of useful information about conditions on Mars and the problems connected with living there. According to the passage, the planet Mars has no _ on it. <extra_id_0>animals <extra_id_1>mountains <extra_id_2>dust <extra_id_3>winds <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>We all need friends and we always have. Our ancestors found that gaining the basic necessities of life was easier in a group. It's estimated that the maximum number of people who lived in early communities of hunter-gatherers was 150. Friends aren't bound(......)by blood or family bonds, employment contracts or legal obligations. Our circle of associates includes work colleagues and people we meet at parties, in the pub or on the train to work. Some associates are much more important than our family. We are capable of exchanging an email with these associates, and may have mutual acquaintances with a good number of them, providing common ground. We do things for one another because we want to. Whether writing an answer to a photo put on Facebook, sending a birthday card by post, or making a hospital visit, the efforts we have made for our friends are out of kindness. It is this nature of friendship which requires nothing in return that makes it beneficial and valuable. Friendships take work, and they need to be nurtured, nourished and maintained. We feel good about helping our friends because we are friends. However, we often lose touch with our friends because of a lack of time and energy. When we are carrying a heavy load at work, involved in a serious relationship or raising children, it's hard to spare time for friends. In these situations, we need to remind ourselves of what friends are for and why they can be so important in our lives. In a survey of more than 2,000 married couples aged 55 or older, for both men and women, having friends was the best predictor of being satisfied in marriage -- possibly because they were more satisfied with their lives as a result of having friends. Researchers suggest social relationships are the reason why women live longer than men, Social bonds reduce the risk of disease by reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rate. A lack of good friends is as harmful to your health as smoking or being overweight. Indeed, people without friends are more likely to die younger. Not only do friendships prolong our lives, they make us happier too. People who are socially active don't feel so stressed or feel they can not enjoy anything easily -- they also tend to feel better about their lives and who they are. What makes friendship beneficial and valuable? <extra_id_0>Its being not bound by blood or family bonds. <extra_id_1>Its being easy to maintain. <extra_id_2>The good we have done to our friends. <extra_id_3>That we make efforts for friends out of kindness. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>A 26-year-old Montreal man appears to have succeeded in his quest to barter a single, red paper clip all the way up to a house. It took almost a year and 14 trades, but Kyle MacDonald has been offered a two-storey farmhouse in Kipling, Sask., for a paid role in a movie. MacDonald began his quest last summer when he decided he wanted to live in a house. He didn't have a job, so instead of posting a resume, he looked at a red paper clip on his desk and decided to trade it on an Internet website. The response was immediate --a fish pen was offered for exchange. MacDonald then bartered the fish pen for a handmade doorknob from a potter in Seattle. In Massachusetts, MacDonald traded the doorknob for a camp stove. He traded the stove to a U.S. soldier in California for a generator. Then he exchanged the generator for an "instant party kit" -- an empty keg and an illuminated Budweiser beer sign. MacDonald then traded the keg and sign for a snowmobile. He bartered all the way up to an afternoon with rock star Alice Cooper, a KISS snow globe and finally a paid role in a Corbin Bernsen movie. "Now, I'm sure the first question on your mind is, 'Why would Corbin Bernsen trade a role in a film for a snow globe? A KISS snow globe,' MacDonald said on his website."Well, Corbin happens to be arguably one of the biggest snow globe collectors on the planet. Now, the town of Kipling, Sask., Canada, with a population of 1,100,has offered MacDonald a farmhouse in exchange for the role in the movie. The town is going to hold a competition for the movie role. MacDonald said: "There're people all over the world that are saying that they have paper clips clipped to the top of their computer, or on their desk or on their shirt, and it proves that anything is possible and I think to a certain degree it's true." MacDonald, who has attracted international media attention in his quest, said the journey has turned out to be more exciting than the goal. "This is not the end. This may be the end of this part of the story, but this story will go on." What can we learn about MacDonald? <extra_id_0>He wanted to gain fame through his quest. <extra_id_1>His success largely depended on the Internet. <extra_id_2>He never expected his aim could be achieved. <extra_id_3>He intends to begin another quest on the Web. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Ladybirds didn't have black spots on their backs at first. Then a storm broke out, and their famous guide, Caius Insectus, disappeared into the flood , and the few ladybirds who survived had to choose a new leader to guide them out of trouble. They decided that their new leader would be the first ladybird to successfully travel south to the Great Lake and return to describe it. Many young ladybirds moved off immediately into this adventure. One by one they returned and told of how beautiful the southern lake was at that time of year, with its clear waters and flowers. However, the last of the ladybirds was late in getting back. He hadn't managed to reach the lake. Everyone criticized him, and they prepared to continue their journey the next day. Following their new guide, they spent a morning walking northwards until they reached some tall thick grassland, where they stopped. There were no clear waters or flowers in front of them. The heavy rain had turned the place into a huge green puddle . Everyone understood what had happened. When the ladybirds had gone out looking for the lake, they had gone in the wrong direction. Now they could see that, except that one late ladybird, they had lied in order to get what they wanted. And so, the late little ladybird was made the Great Guide. They also decided that every time one of them was discovered lying they would paint a black spot on that ladybird's back. From then on, when a ladybird looks at another's back, it can tell whether that ladybird can be trusted. Why did the ladybirds decide to choose a new guide? <extra_id_0>They lost their way in the storm. <extra_id_1>They weren't satisfied with Caius Insectus. <extra_id_2>They needed someone to lead them out of danger. <extra_id_3>They needed someone to help prepare for the storm. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Miss Benson was the kindest and sweetest person that ever walked the earth. She was my second-grade teacher, and I was going to marry her when I grew up. I would sit in my seat for the entire morning. I wouldn't miss one moment for her presence by leaving the room. My hand was always the first to be raised when Miss Benson called for volunteers to clean the blackboards or gather papers. I would arrange and rearrange the papers. They had to be in perfect order before I went back to my seat unwillingly. Early in the term, I started asking my mother to put an extra apple or peach in my lunch, but I never quite worked up the courage to hand my gift to her directly. Each day the delicacy found its way unobserved to the corner of her desk. And each day the response was the same. ''Why, how nice! '' She would pick up the offering and asked: ''What thoughtful little boy or girl brought me this? '' No one claimed the honor, least of all me. I kept my head down, looking at my desk. ''Can it be that I have a secret admirer? '' she added. I would feel the red rising in my face. I was certain that everyone was looking at me, and I would sigh with relief when Miss Benson put the fruit away and started the lesson. Friday was Miss Benson's birthday. Everyone wanted to get her a present. I would give her something, openly. That afternoon was spent combing the fields for wild flowers. Not many were in bloom at that time of year, but finally I managed a patch of beautiful flowers... In the morning I went to the desk and gave the beautiful flowers to Miss Benson. She accepted them happily and held them to her cheek for a moment. My reward was a smile and a pat on the head. The next Monday, Miss Benson was not in class. About the middle of the morning, I was asked to go to the headmaster's office. When I arrived, I was surprised to see my mother. On a table were my beautiful flowers... In the end I was told that the flowers were poisonous. Which of the following is true? <extra_id_0>Sometimes the boy handed his gift to his teacher directly. <extra_id_1>Some classmates of the boy's noticed him put his gift on the corner of her desk. <extra_id_2>The boy was too shy to give his gift to his teacher. <extra_id_3>The teacher knew the boy was her secret admirer. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>The Man Who Never Puts a Foot Wrong Some people do not like anything to be out of place. They are never late for work; they return their books to the library on time; they remember people's birthdays; they pay their bills as soon as they arrive. Mr. Dodds is such a person. Mr. Dodds works in a bank, and lives on his own. The only family he has is in the next town: his sister lives there with her husband, and her son, Mark. Mr. Dodds does not visit his sister, or her family, from one year to the next, but he sends them Christmas cards, and he has not forgotten one of Mark's seventeen birthdays. Last week Mr. Dodds had quite a surprise. He drove home from the bank at the usual time, driving neither too slowly nor too fast. He parked his car where he always parked it, out of the way of other cars, and he went inside to make his evening meal. Straight away, there was a knock at the door. Mr. Dodds opened the door to find a policeman standing on the doorstep. "What have I done wrong?" Mr. Dodds asked himself. "Have I driven on the wrong side of the road? Has there been some trouble at the bank? Have I forgotten to pay an important bill?" "Hello, uncle," said the policeman, "my name is Mark." From the passage we know that his sister . <extra_id_0>never writes back to him <extra_id_1>is the only member of the family that he knows <extra_id_2>lives in the next town with her husband and son <extra_id_3>has a small family: a daughter, Mark and her husband <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>It's never easy moving schools. You're settled in the school you're in, you have your friends and you know your teachers and you just don't want the change. But unfortunately sometimes it is necessary to move schools and start again. Once you've started at the new school there are little tips and tricks you could try to help you fit in and make new friends easily. When you start at a new school you may be nervous and be keen to make new friends as soon as possible. You may feel like you need to make friends by changing who you are. If you want to make friends quickly you may feel like to fit in your need to alter your personality. This is not a good idea. Changing who you are for other people will only make you feel insecure and pressured. Be yourself, you don't need to change and you soon enough will find friends who like you for what you are. When you move to a new school in a new area you may want to keep in touch with friends from your last school and, depending on how far you now live from the old school, you usually can. But that doesn't mean you should avoid making friends at your new school. If you are invited to another pupil's house for tea, take up the offer. You may prefer to go out with your old friends but by getting involved with other pupils you'll find yourself making friends much more easily. The teachers at your new school will be happy to help you settle in. If you are having any trouble fitting in or even if you just want to talk to someone who understands, have a word with your teacher. He or she will be happy to listen to you. If you are having trouble with another class member and you don't know what to do about it, talk with your teacher. Your teacher is there to help so be sure to confide in him or her whenever you need to. Moving to a new school in an unfamiliar area can be hard. You'll be keen to fit in but don't worry too much. Before long you'll have made lots of friends and you'll be having fun again. After moving to a new school, you should _ . <extra_id_0>listen to your teacher <extra_id_1>try to be yourself <extra_id_2>change your personality <extra_id_3>forget your old friends <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Bob is 11 years old. He goes to a boarding school . He stays at school five days a week. He is in the baseball club and music club. He likes playing baseball very much and he is good at singing and playing instruments . He can play the violin , the piano and the guitar well. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, are music teachers. They teach in another school. They like music very much and are successful in music. They often sing at singing shows on TV. Bob's sister, Mary, is 5. She can sing a lot of songs. She can dance well, too. She says she wants to be a musician and a famous dancer. Mary is good at _ . <extra_id_0>dancing <extra_id_1>teaching <extra_id_2>piano <extra_id_3>drawing <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Driving on up to Yosemite with my family was exciting but nerve-racking . I had never been to such an amazing national park before, yet I wasn't the most athletic person so I knew that I couldn't stick through all the hiking up and down. It actually ended up being a fun and adventurous experience. The ride there was definitely long but worth it. As I woke up from my nap, I saw the beautiful scenery of the tall mountains and beautiful streams. The trails were made nicely for visitors. The waterfalls were breathtaking. Climbing up rocks was one of my favorite parts. Even though I fell a couple of times, I still have a lot of fun. The fact that my family and I spent so much time together all trying to find out which route to take and what views to watch really brought us closer together. The great thing about nature is that, it's just you, the views, and the people around you. There's nothing there to bother you and it's the best way to relax and enjoy yourself. Yosemite has 5 of the world's highest waterfalls, and about 300 lakes. The structure of each mountain is incredible; it's formed in ways that almost take your breath away. Some of them are of a deep dark color1 with waterfalls forming; some are formed with spots of green peeking out. It's definitely something you wouldn't want to miss. Yosemite isn't the only great National Park but based on my experience I highly recommend going out and enjoying nature with family and friends. It's a great time to bond, laugh, and take in what Mother Nature offers. According to the passage, Yosemite _ . <extra_id_0>is crowded with visitors every day <extra_id_1>is the only great National Park <extra_id_2>is worth travelling to <extra_id_3>is nothing but a common destination <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>I am a student in China now. My name is Kelly Smith. I live with my parents, two sisters and a brother in Beijing. My parents teach English in No.6 Middle School. I study in the same school. I am happy here, because I like my new school and the classmates. They are very friendly to me. They like to play with me because I look different from them. I have blue eyes and long blonde hair. They often say I look like a doll . Also I speak English well, so lots of students like to talk with me to improve their English. Why does Kelly like her new school? <extra_id_0>Because it is very big. <extra_id_1>Because it is very beautiful. <extra_id_2>Because the classmates are friendly to her. <extra_id_3>Because her parents teach her. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>There was a cat. Her name was Maggie. Maggie was a large cat. She was not tall but rather round. She was happy most of the time. Maggie lived with a family that loved her very much. They all lived in the city together downtown. They were no other animals that lived with them. They lived in an apartment. Maggie was lucky because she and her family lived on the ground floor and they had a big back yard that had a fence. This meant she got to go outside and play! Maggie's family loved her very much. She knew this because they took such good care of her. She had her very own purple cat bed. She loved her bed, and purple. This was her favorite color and her favorite place to sleep. If she did not sleep on the lap of one of her family this was her favorite place to sleep. She also knew that they loved her because they made sure to feed her every day. In fact, they fed many times a day. This is why she was so large. One day when she was in the yard a group of street cats came up to her. "Oink, oink" they said in mean voices. They were teasing her because she was so big. She did not know that other cats thought that being big was a bad thing. She knew they were upset because they did not have a family to feed them. Maggie went in and meowed to the family to come feed these new cats. They did, and from then on, every day, they came to Maggie's to eat, and Maggie became the most popular girl in the neighborhood. Where was Maggie's favorite place to sleep <extra_id_0>in the backyard <extra_id_1>on her purple cat bed <extra_id_2>on her family's lap <extra_id_3>on the street <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>
<extra_id_5>Researchers found that people become happier and experience less worry after they reach the age of fifty. In fact, they say by the age of eighty-five, people are happier with their life than they were when they were eighteen years old. The findings came from a survey of more than three hundred forty thousand adults in the United States. The Gallup Organization questioned them by telephone in two thousand eight. At that time, the people were between the ages of eighteen and eighty-five. The researchers asked questions about emotions like happiness, sadness and worry. They also asked about mental or emotional stress. Arthur Stone in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University in New York led the study. His team found that levels of stress were highest among adults between the ages of twenty-two and twenty-five. The findings showed that stress levels dropped sharply after people reached their fifties. Happiness was highest among the youngest adults and those in their early seventies. The people least likely to report feeling negative emotions were those in their seventies and eighties. The findings appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers say they do not know why happiness increases as people get older. One theory is that, as people grow older, they grow more thankful for what they have and have better control of their emotions. They also spend less time thinking about bad experiences. Professor Stone says the emotional patterns could be linked to changes in how people see the world, or maybe even changes in brain chemistry. The researchers also considered possible influences like having young children, being unemployed or being single. But they found that influences like these did not affect the levels of happiness and well-being related to age. The study also showed that men and women have similar emotional patterns as they grow older. However, women at all ages reported more sadness, stress and worry than men. According to the researchers, what is probably the reason why people grow happier when they get older? <extra_id_0>When people get older, they can't remember bad experiences. <extra_id_1>When people get older, they have no young children to care about. <extra_id_2>When people get older, they don't care about their feelings. <extra_id_3>When people get older, they learn to adjust their feelings. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>When people get older, they learn to adjust their feelings. <extra_id_5>Japanese people,who never miss a chance to be photographed,were lining up to get their pictures on a postage stamp.Vanity stamps with personal photographs went on sale for the first time in Japan as part of an international postage stamp exhibition.The customer's photo was taken with a digital camera and then printed on stamp sheets,a process that takes about five minutes.Sold in a sheet of 10 stamps for $8.80,little more than the cost of lunch in Tokyo,each stamp printed a different scene from a traditional painting along with the photo. The stamps can be used normally to mail a letter,and postal officials hope they will help encourage interest in letter writing in the Internet age."Certainly e-mail is a useful method of communication,but letters are fun in a different way,"said Hatsumi Shimizu an official in the Post Ministry."We want to show young people that letters can be fun too."[ While similar stamp sheets appeared in Australia in 1999 and are now sold in some nations and territories,Japan's fondness for commemorative photos is likely to make them especially popular here.Indeed,officials had prepared 1 000 sheets but they were sold out in less than 30 minutes.Although the stamps are currently only available as a special service during the exhibition,postal officials said they may start selling them on a regular basis in the future. The purpose of this activity is _ . <extra_id_0>to make the international postage stamp exhibition more interesting <extra_id_1>to make more stamps for normal use <extra_id_2>to draw interest in writing letters <extra_id_3>to satisfy Japan's fondness of commemorative photos <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>to draw interest in writing letters <extra_id_5>Putting a cardboard box in a bin instead of the trash can <extra_id_0>conserve energy for later <extra_id_1>save wild animal species <extra_id_2>keep it from the trash <extra_id_3>reduce the height of landfills <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>reduce the height of landfills <extra_id_5>In spring, you may have seen white foam on a green tree or other plants. As a matter of fact, the foam is where young spittlebugs live. These insects are protected by the foam, and they usually don't do much harm to the plants. As we all know, in late summer, a mother spittlebug lays her eggs on the plant. The babies will hatch in spring. After they come to the new world, they begin to eat juice from the plant. The babies eat more juice than their bodies need for food. The extra juice mixes with a special waste that the spittlebugs produce. When this fluid is released, it mixes with the air, forming bubbly foam. What is so great about having a foam home? The space inside is so wet that it can keep the bugs' soft bodies from drying out. And the foam tastes bad, so it keeps away most animals that would eat the bugs. Some birds will reach their heads through the foam to find the bugs. Wasps and ants might eat them, too. But most of the bugs stay safe inside the foam. Once the bugs have grown into adults, they stop making foam. They leave their homes and jump from plant to plant in search of food. The adults look a little like tiny frogs. For this reason they are also called froghoppers. If you see some foam on a plant, you might want to take a careful look inside. Gently push some of the foam aside with a small stick. Deep inside you may see a few insects eating plant juice. They might also be making more foam. Be sure to push the foam back after a moment to cover the insects and keep them safe. Soon the spittlebugs will grow up and leave their foam home. They will join the other insects in the grassland. According to the passage, the white foam _ . <extra_id_0>does much harm to the plant <extra_id_1>protects the plant from being harmed <extra_id_2>is where a mother spittlebug is living <extra_id_3>is plant juice mixed with spittlebugs' waste and the air <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>is plant juice mixed with spittlebugs' waste and the air <extra_id_5>Once Mr King had a cat, and he loved it very much. He called it "Sky", because he thought "Sky" was the strongest name in the world. One day he had a meal at a restaurant with his cat. He met his old friend. He told him about his lovely cat and its name. His friend said, "How foolish you are! Sky is not the strongest thing in the world. My cat is called 'Cloud' because cloud is stronger than sky." After hearing this, Mr King called his cat "Wind" because he thought wind was stronger than cloud. After a few days he suddenly thought that "Wall" was stronger than wind. And "Mouse " was stronger than wall. So he went to his friend to ask for an idea. His friend said, "Don't you think 'Cat' is stronger than mouse?" "Yes, but..." The man thought and thought and then decided his cat's name had better be "Cat" because a mouse was always afraid of a cat. Don't you think Mr King is very silly or funny? He decided his cat's last name was _ . <extra_id_0>Mouse <extra_id_1>Wall <extra_id_2>Cloud <extra_id_3>Cat <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Cat
<extra_id_5>Films provide more than just entertainment.For many people,watching English films is a way to develop language skills.While watching a film,you are immersed in the language and can pick up new expressions that you might not find in a textbook.Some difficulties can arise when watching English films--for example,unfamiliar colloquial language or strong regional accents.With this in mind,here are my tips to help you make progress in English learning while enjoying the films. Choose a film genre that you enjoy. If you like action films,watch an action film--for example Indiana Jones.If you prefer comedies,watch a comedy--anything with Hugh Grant in always provides a laugh!It's simple enough,but if you choose something you enjoy watching in your native language,you're more likely to enjoy it in English. Choose something that you are familiar with. It's best to start off with something simple because in this way you have a higher chance of understanding the film.Disney films such asThe Lion King,or the more recently releasedTangled,are classic examples.Other cartoons such as Up and The Lego Movieare also worth a watch. Ask friends for advice Perhaps you have friends who have already seen English film? If so, they may be able to recommend one. If you need to,use the English _ Subtitles are very helpful for beginners.Using subtitles in your own language is the easiest choice,but for more advanced learners why not consider using English subtitles? This way,you can match the written subtitles to the words spoken on screen.It helps you to develop your language further. One way to get the most out of English films is watching films _ . <extra_id_0>with a foreigner <extra_id_1>about familiar topics <extra_id_2>native speakers recommend <extra_id_3>without words on the screen <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>about familiar topics <extra_id_5>A man punished his 5-year-old daughter for wasting some expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was little and he became more upset when the child used the gold paper to decorate a box and put it under a Christmas tree. However, the little girl brought the gift box to her father the next morning and said, " This is for you, daddy." The father was embarrassed by his earlier anger, but he got angry again when he found the box empty. He spoke to her in a serious manner, "Don't you know young lady, when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside the package?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh Daddy, it is not empty.I blew kisses into it until it was full." The father was moved. He fell on his knees and put his arms around his little girl and he begged her to forgive his unnecessary anger. An accident took the life of the child away only a short time later and it is told that the father kept the gold box by his bed for all the years of his life. Whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems, he would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the child who had put it there. What happened to the girl in the end? <extra_id_0>She went to primary school <extra_id_1>She lost her life in an accident <extra_id_2>She lost her father in an accident <extra_id_3>She lived with her father happily. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>She lost her life in an accident <extra_id_5>Anna Koumikova was born on June 7th, 1981 in Moscow. Her parents' names are Allah and Sergel. When she was 5 years old, her parents sold their TV to buy her the first tennis bat for Christmas. She played in a club near her place until aged 11. Then she moved to Bradenton, Florida(USA) to train with Nick Bollitierri. At 14, she represented Russia in a Fed Cup match and became the youngest player ever to win a Fed Cup match. Kournikova made her WTA first show at 15 years old at the US Open where she finally lost against player Steffi Graf. But she made it to the double quarter finals that same match. In 1996, Kournikova won the Rookie of the Year award and the next year. She improved very much to even make it to the semi - finals in Wimbledon. She lost to world number one Martina Hingis at the French Open and at Wimbledon. In 1999 she won her professional title at Midland, Miehigon, an international Tennis Federation match. She was 5th favourite in Illinois the same year and won her 2nd career ITF match. She won her first grand slam title ill 1999 with Martina Hingis in doubles at the Australia Open. Since then, they have played regularly together and have quickly become one of the 'best pairs. Aim in 1999,she made her first career WTA final in key Biscayne against Venus Williams in a tough 3 set match. She alto won her first doubles tile with Monica Seles in Tokyo. At present Kournikova is more successful on the net than at the net. She remains the "most searched" and "most download " on the internet, three times more popular than the NO. 2 sports figure, Michael Jordan. She is still very young and she seems to have a great future ahead ! Kournikova won her first grand slam title in doubles at the Australia Open with_. <extra_id_0>Steffi Graf <extra_id_1>Venus Williams <extra_id_2>Martina Hingis <extra_id_3>Monica Seles <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Martina Hingis <extra_id_5>A tree frog with which characteristic is more likely to survive than other tree frogs? <extra_id_0>a preference for rare insects <extra_id_1>an unusually high-pitched call <extra_id_2>skin that resembles tree leaves <extra_id_3>a body larger than other tree frogs <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>skin that resembles tree leaves <extra_id_5>Built in 1794 for the 5th Duke of Bedford, this hotel in the heart of Bedford overlooks the River Ouse, which winds through the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside. We offer a flexible approach to conferencing. With purpose-built meeting rooms offering a flexible and functional space, our hotel is designed for comfort and convenience. Day Delegate (/),24 Hour Delegate or room hire only can be arranged to meet your needs and we offer a range of food and drinks for all requirements. The Bedford Swan Hotel provides an impressive range of conference, training and function rooms which are suitable for up to 300 delegates. Our hotel is located about 30 minutes' drive from Luton Airport and a 20-minute walk from Bedford Train Station with regular trains to and from Central London. What to expect: *A professional service from the beginning * Your own event consultant * A great location with car parking * Well-equipped rooms perfect for your meeting or event * Various Day Delegate packages * Personalized dining and refreshment breaks * Accurate billing Discounted Day Delegate Rates from PS 40 per person * Hold your meeting before 30th November 2014 and benefit from our special day delegate rates * Day Delegate Rate from PS40. 00 per person * Minimum numbers of 10 apply Call us on 02348 346566 or e-mail us on info@bedfordsvuanhotel.co.uk The special discount will be given if _ . <extra_id_0>you spend more than 15 days in the hotel <extra_id_1>12 delegates will hold a day meeting on October 10, 2014 <extra_id_2>guests pay PS40, 00 per person for the rooms they live in <extra_id_3>a group of 20 delegates book the hotel rooms on December 2, 2014 <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>12 delegates will hold a day meeting on October 10, 2014
<extra_id_5>Teary Joe was a boy with a special ability: he could make himself cry in less than a second. If he disliked something, or things became difficult, Teary Joe would not hesitate to put on a pitiful face and set great big tears running down his cheeks. In this way he managed to get practically everything he wanted, because no one could resist the pity inspired by his tearful little face. But one day, Teary Joe met Pipo. Pipo was asking people in the street for some change, in return for him helping them in any way he could. Pipo was very poor; he had no home and no family, so he made a living however he could. Even so, Pipo always had the biggest smiles on his face. Joe took to Pipo, so he decided to help him out in making some money. He went over next to Pipo, took off his hat, put it face-up on the ground, and started crying with the most pitiful of expressions. Ina few minutes, Joe's hat was full of coins and sweets, but when Joe offered all this to Pipo, Pipo declined. "I prefer deserving what I receive," answered Pipo with his usual smile, "It's much more fun making an effort to get things. Maybe I haven't gotten everything I've wanted, but I've done a load of interesting things." Teary Joe didn't answer; he just walked sadly away. Joe had got everything he wanted, but he'd done practically nothing of interest the whole day. That evening, having returned home, Joe requested a delicious cake for his supper. When his mother said no, Joe tried to cry but, remembering Pipo and how joyful he was, he tried to get the cake in some other way. Joe spent the whole evening helping his mother to water the plants and organize the library books. In the end there was no cake. But that wasn't so bad, because Joe discovered it had been much more fun doing all those things that evening rather than just sitting crying to get a piece of cake that, in the end, wouldn't have been worth it. According to the passage, Teary Joe _ . <extra_id_0>relied on others' sympathy before <extra_id_1>was joyful in his life <extra_id_2>hated working hard <extra_id_3>was a naughty boy <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>relied on others' sympathy before <extra_id_5>A drunk walks into a bar and says to the waiter, "Waiter, buy everyone in the house a drink, pour yourself one, and give me the bill." So the waiter does just that and hands the man a bill for $57. The drunk says, "I haven't got it." The waiter slaps the guy around a few times, then throws him out into the street. The very next day the same drunk walks into the bar and once again says, "Waiter, buy everyone in the house a drink, pour yourself one, and give me the bill." The waiter looks at the guy and figures _ to _ himself that he can't possibly be stupid enough to play the same trick twice, so he gives him the benefit of the doubt, pours a round of drinks for the house, has a drink himself and hands the drunk a bill for $57. The drunk says, "I haven't got it." The waiter can't believe it. He picks the guy up, beats the living daylights out of him, then throws him out into the street. The next day the same drunk walks back into the same bar and says, "Waiter, buy everyone in the house a drink and give me the bill." In disgust , the waiter says, "What? No drink for me this time?" The drunk replies, "You? No way! You get too violent when you drink." What should be the best title of this story? <extra_id_0>Rounds of Drinks, No Money <extra_id_1>Don't Drink Too Much <extra_id_2>The Clever Drunk <extra_id_3>The Poor Waiter <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Rounds of Drinks, No Money <extra_id_5>Mother Teresa was born in Yugoslavia, on August 27th, 1910. She attended the government school near her home until she was eighteen. At that time, some doctors and nurses from Yugoslavia were working in India, and they often wrote to the school about their work. She decided to join them one day. When she finished school, she went first to Britain. Then a year later she went to India, where she began to train to be a teacher. After training, she was sent to Calcutta, where she taught geography at a school and soon after became headmistress . However, although she loved teaching, in 1946 Mother Teresa left the school and went to work in the poor parts of Calcutta. Later she trained to be a nurse in Panta, and then began her work helping the poor and comforting the dying in the streets of the city. Slowly, others came to help her, and her work spread to other parts of India. Mother Teresa is now a well-known person. Many photos have been taken of her, as she travels the world to open new schools and hospitals in poor countries. In 1979, she was given the Nobel Peace Prize for the lifetime of love and service she has given to the poor. Mother Teresa is now a famous person because she has _ . <extra_id_0>saved many poor people in India <extra_id_1>helped to bring about world peace <extra_id_2>helped to make India a more peaceful place <extra_id_3>taken care of many poor people in the world <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>taken care of many poor people in the world <extra_id_5>Fertilizers added by farmers to the soil contain high amounts of nitrates. How do fertilizers affect the nitrogen cycle? <extra_id_0>More nitrates are available for plants to absorb. <extra_id_1>More nitrates are available for animals to eat. <extra_id_2>More nitrogen gas is released into the atmosphere. <extra_id_3>More nitrogen is converted by bacteria into nitrates. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>More nitrates are available for plants to absorb. <extra_id_5>Nowadays with the development of agriculture, farmers use more technology. However, they are being told more needs to be done to stop them injuring at work. One in five British workplace deaths happens in agriculture even though farmers are only a small part of the working population. During the year 2012/13 there were 1,061 injuries in total and it is thought many more go unreported. Jim Chapman from Warwickshire had his arm torn off by farm machinery seven years ago when he was 23. "You don't realize how much you rely on your second arm until it's gone," he said. He fell against a PTO shaft , a spinning metal bar at the back of a tractor. "It catapulted me from one side of the machine to the other," he said. "I landed on the floor, minus all my clothing. My left arm had been torn off." He admits that the machinery was missing part of its proper safety guard. "But again," he added, "it was a rushed day. There were a few machines that didn't work. Also, I was getting behind with the jobs." Over the last 10 years, other industries that you'd think of as dangerous, like building or quarrying , have lowered the number of workplace deaths and injures. In the farming industry though, deaths remain high with 34 deaths in 2012/13. Judith Hackett, the chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says it is "not acceptable" that the accident statistics for farming are still high. "People in farming don't have minor injuries. When they get injured, it's bad." She said. "When I said to the National Farmers' Union (NFU) that if I had sons I would not want them to work in agriculture, it really made them sit up and take notice." There's a whole host of reasons why farming is as dangerous as it is. It is a very rough industry. Also, it's often because people are left alone. They could be young and inexperienced, or older people, who would have retired maybe 5 or 10 years ago in other industries. Jim wants others to learn from his experience. "Look at what you're doing before you go running in," he said. "You could make a mistake that you'll live with for the rest of your life." What happened to Jim Chapman when he was 23? <extra_id_0>He lost his job. <extra_id_1>He lost one of his arms. <extra_id_2>He lost both of his arms. <extra_id_3>His farm machine broke down. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>He lost one of his arms.
<extra_id_5>Mary Jean Price Walls graduated second in her class in 1950.She had high hopes when she applied to a local college,Southwest Missouri State College.But after sending off her application,she spent months waiting for a reply.It never came. Worse than simply being denied admission ,the school didn't reply to her at all.It wasn't a matter of her school records,but of her skin color:Wallsis African American,and in those days,that fact alone closed a lot of doors. "I was sad and I was hurt,"Walls toldABCNews."I did not expect the skin color would affect my application.I thought I could go to university like other students." Four years later,the government declared that all schools should not discriminate against African Americans-- but it was too late for Walls.She'd moved on with her life, becoming a wife and a mother,and working as an elevator operator.She retired last year,at the age of 77. She stayed quiet about the unfairness she'd faced in Missouri State.Her son,Terry,went through school records and found that she'd been the first black student to ever apply to the college.Today,four percent of the Southwest Missouri State College body is African American--including Terry. Although it's too late for Missouri State to change the past,the school is awarding Walls with an honorary degree from the school.While she knows it's too late for herto change the course of her own life with the degree,it's a chance for her to show her family that Missouri State has changed in the last 60 years,and there's not a single door closed to them anymore. Walls's honorary degree suggests that _ . <extra_id_0>she could change her life with the degree <extra_id_1>her dream of going to college has come true <extra_id_2>she has been leading a happy life with her family <extra_id_3>great changes have taken place in Missouri State <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>great changes have taken place in Missouri State <extra_id_5>The Yale Peabody Museum is open: Monday through Saturday 10:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. M. Sunday Noon to 5:00 p. m. The Museum is closed on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Admission Fees: $9.00 Adults $8.00 Senior citizens 65 years and over $5.00 Children ages 3 through 18, and college students with ID $4.00 Group admission To receive this reduced admission, groups must make a reservation at least 2 weekdays in advance. Group admission is only available with a written confirmation brought to the Museum at the time of the visit. More attention: Some halls may be closed to the public on weekday mornings during the academic year for school group programs, so we recommend visiting after 1 p.m. on weekdays or at any time on the weekends. There is no cafeteria or lunchroom at the Peabody. Information on local eating places is available through our Restaurant Guide or at the Admission Desk in the lobby. Visitors are welcome to picnic on the lawns around the Museum. Photography with handheld cameras is permitted in exhibition halls for personal use only; photography of The Age of Mammals is prohibited at all times. All other uses require the advance written permission of the Yale Peabody Museum. Highlights Tours of the Museum are offered at no extra charge every Saturday and Sunday at 12: 30 and 1: 30 p.m. These 45minute tours of the Yale Peabody Museum's exhibition halls are led by one of our specially trained volunteer guides. The Museum offers free individual admission on Thursday afternoons from 2: 00 to 5: 00 p.m. during the months of September to June. Admission is free to any individual with a valid Yale ID. Check out a Peabody Museum pass at your local library. A Museum pass will give you $5 off each admission for up to 4 people. Ask for it at your local library. The passage is written to _ . <extra_id_0>attract more visitors to the Yale Peabody Museum <extra_id_1>introduce the exhibits in the Yale Peabody Museum <extra_id_2>give instructions about visiting the Yale Peabody Museum <extra_id_3>remind visitors how to get their admission to the Yale Peabody Museum <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>give instructions about visiting the Yale Peabody Museum <extra_id_5>My name is Andrew.There are three people in my family--my father,my mother and I. My father is a bank clerk.And he works in a bank.He thinks it's a boring job.He wants to be a policeman.My mother is a teacher.She teaches Chinese.She thinks her job is very interesting.She works hard and often comes back home very late.In her free time,she likes writing stories for a magazine.I'm a student.I want to be a musician when I grow up. Where does Andrew's father work? <extra_id_0>In a bank. <extra_id_1>At the police station. <extra_id_2>In a school. <extra_id_3>In a shop. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>In a bank. <extra_id_5>I had been rather proud of myself when my friends and family got the ticket, whether it was for speeding, parking or stop sign violations . It was something that happened to others. But last Friday I joined _ . I was asked to do a new project last week. On Friday morning on my way to work, I suddenly remembered that I had spent the past six weeks without considering that I had a week's vacation planned during that time. I was very disappointed with myself for not remembering it. The truth is that I was not paying enough attention to my driving and I did not come to a complete stop at the stop sign in front of a school. I was so distracted that I didn't even notice I had a policeman on my tail with his lights flashing. Finally I looked in my mirror and caught on. The policeman was rude and took my papers. Fortunately, I had everything up to date and since I had never had a ticket before, there was nothing for him to do but write me a ticket. While I was sitting there in the seat of "shame", I felt bad. If I had been that distracted and a child had run onto the road, perhaps I would have not reacted as well as I could have. It was a wake-up call. People at work asked me if I tried to talk my way out of it . Frankly, it never occurred to me. I felt sorry. Now I no longer have a clean driving record. Please be careful out there, as a moment's distraction can lead to tragedy. What made the writer unable to focus on her driving? <extra_id_0>Planning how to spend the vacation. <extra_id_1>Thinking of the forgotten vacation. <extra_id_2>Thinking about her work <extra_id_3>Missing her children. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Thinking of the forgotten vacation. <extra_id_5>Steven Jobs, the CEO of Apple, was not a good student when he was in school. At that time, he always got into trouble with his schoolmates. When he went to college, he didn't change a lot. Then he dropped out . But he was full of new ideas. After that, Steven Jobs worked as a video game designer in a company. He worked there only for a few months and then he went to India. He hoped that the trip would give him some new ideas and a new chance to change his life. Steven Jobs lived on a farm in California for a year after he returned from India. In 1975, he began to make a new type of computer. He designed the first Apple Computer with his friend in his garage. He chose the name"Apple"just because it reminded him of a happy summer he once spent in an apple orchard. His first Apple Computer was a great success. Because of this, Steven Jobs soon became famous all over the world. Steven Jobs designed the first Apple Computer with his friend _ . <extra_id_0>in his school <extra_id_1>in his company <extra_id_2>in his garage <extra_id_3>at home <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>in his garage
<extra_id_5>Who is your role model? Normally the answer to this question would be anyone around you who you find truly inspiring. It could also be someone like J. K. Rowling or Martin Luther King Jr. who have proven to be strong and intelligent people. However, in today's world, stars are regarded as role models along with the heroes listed above, despite their intentions or actions. Teens attempt to imitate their actions for two major reasons. First, to be fashionable and accepted by popular culture, and second>>because stars' actions are so well documented by the media that it seems to grab our attention and turns it to following stars' lives. Much of the reports about stars is shocking and exhibits bad morals or lifestyles that aren't right for teenagers. In addition, almost everything stars do is described beyond truth to make a shocking story by taking it to the next level. However, teens must take responsibility for their actions. We can't always blame stars for influencing us. Only you have control over yourself and only you choose to do something. Our bodies and actions are in the hands of no one else. Now, who ever said stars are role models? Whether they choose to be or not, stars set examples as soon as they step into the spotlight. With reporters following and recording every move they make, it is impossible not to be watched and then be imitated. These people influence, teens whether or not they want to. Why should someone who doesn't want to be setting an example set one? So,should we look up to them or to people who are true and good role models? It's our responsibility as teens to know right from wrong, and it's time for us to take responsibility for our actions. In doing so,we will lean toward those inspiring people that want to be setting an example, and follow in their steps to be like them. It can be inferred from the passage that . <extra_id_0>stars have the responsibility for teenagers' actions <extra_id_1>not all famous stars choose to influence teenagers <extra_id_2>teenagers choose those inspiring people as their role models <extra_id_3>stars set examples immediately they stepped into the spotlight <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>A long time ago there lived a poor slave whose name was Aesop. His face was white, but very homely. When Aesop was about twenty nine years old ,his master lost a great deal of money and was determined to sell his slaves. To do this, he had to take them to a large city where there was a slave market. The city was far away, and the slaves must walk the whole distance. A number of bundles were made up for them to carry. Some of these bundles contained the things they would need on the road. "Choose your bundles, boys," said the master. "There is one for each of you." Aesop at once chose the largest one. The other slaves laughed and said he was foolish. But he threw it upon his shoulders and seemed well satisfied. The next day, the laugh was the other way. For the bundle which he had chosen had contained the food for the whole party. "Aesop is a wise fellow," said his master. "The man who buys him must pay a high price." A very rich man, whose name was Xanthus, wanted a servant. As the slaves stood before him he asked each one to tell what kind of work he could do. All were eager to be bought by Xanthus because they knew he would be a kind master. So each one boosted of his skill in doing some sort of labor. One was a fine gardener; another could take care of horses; a third was a good cook; a fourth could manage a household. "And what can you do, Aesop?" asked Xanthus. "Nothing," he answered. "Nothing? How is that?" "Because, since these other slaves do everything, there is nothing left for me to perform," said Aesop. This answer pleased the rich man so well that he bought Aesop at once, and took him to his home on the island of Samos. In Samos the little slave soon became known for his wisdom and courage. He often amused his master and his master's friends by telling funny stories. His master was so much pleased with him that he gave him his freedom. Why did these slaves want to be bought by Xanthus ? <extra_id_0>Because he was very merciful. <extra_id_1>Because he was very rich. <extra_id_2>Because he lived in Samos. <extra_id_3>Because he would set them free. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Manners nowadays in metropolitan cities like London are practically non-existence, it's nothing for a big, strong schoolboy to elbow an elderly woman aside in the dash for the last remaining seat on the tube or bus, much less stand up and offer his seat to her. This question of giving up seats in public transport is much argued by young men, who say that, since women have claimed equality, they no longer deserve to be treated with courtesy , ) and that those who go out to work should take their turn in the rat race like anyone else. Women have never claimed to be physically as strong as men. Even if it is not agreed, however, that young men should stand up for younger women, the fact remains that courtesy should be shown to the old, the sick and the burdened. Are we really so lost to all ideals of unselfishness that we can sit there indifferently reading the paper or a book, saying to ourselves "First come, first severed", while a grey-haired woman, a mother with a young child stands? Yet this is all too often seen. Older people, tired and quick-tempered from a day's work, are not angels, either-far from it. Many a brisk argument or an insulting quarrel breaks out as the weary queues push and shove each other to get on buses and tubes. One cannot commend this, of course, but on does feel there is just a little more excuse. If cities are to remain pleasant places to live in at all, however, it seems imperative , not only that communications in transport should be improved, but also that communication between human beings should be kept smooth and polite. All over cities, it seems that people are too tired and too rushed to be polite. Shop assistant's won't bother to assist, taxi drivers growl at each other as they dash dangerously round corners, bus conductors pull the bell before their desperate passengers have had time to get on or off the bus, and so on and so on. It seems to us that it is up to the young and strong to do their small part to stop such deterioration . The author probably does NOT agree that in big cities _ . <extra_id_0>Life will be even worse if no change is made <extra_id_1>transport conditions are rather poor <extra_id_2>it's not uncommon to see people quarrel in public places <extra_id_3>it's unreasonable to require the tired people to be polite <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>As our globe makes a complete quick cycle it can and does see the passage of <extra_id_0>multiple hours <extra_id_1>eons <extra_id_2>several years <extra_id_3>decades <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>My name is Kitty. I have a very big and nice room and I have a great school things collection. My brother's room is near my room. He is Mike. And he has a big sports collection. I have twenty erasers, ten pencils, nine rulers and eight pens in my schoolbag. My brother has two baseballs, four soccer balls and five basketballs under his bed. How many balls does Mike have? <extra_id_0>4 <extra_id_1>5 <extra_id_2>11 <extra_id_3>10 <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>Which of these organisms has cells with cell walls? <extra_id_0>bluebird <extra_id_1>A pine tree <extra_id_2>A ladybug <extra_id_3>A fox squirrel <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>A pine tree <extra_id_5>Aside from doing schoolwork and studying, American students must also participate in various extra-curricular activities. Many students get involved in their communities by doing volunteer work at various local organizations. In fact, the school I attend even requires students to perform a certain number of hours of volunteer work per semester. It is part of our study hall grade, as well as a graduation requirement. There are many places to do volunteer work in the community. Some of my classmates volunteer at the local animal shelter, the community table (which provides free meals for needy families), charity stores, and many others. Finding a suitable place to volunteer usually depends on what's available, as well as personal interests. For example, a friend of mine who enjoys swimming volunteers at the recreation center to teach young children how to swim. With all these options out there, I ended up doing most of my volunteer work at a school library and a non-profit bookstore called Friends of the Library. This bookstore sells donated books at cheap prices, and all the profits made are donated to the local library. I thought it was very fitting that I do my volunteer work at a library and a bookstore, because reading has always been very important to me. I love working in the bookstore now, because every sale we make helps our public library expand, and gives it the funds needed to purchase new books. I think everyone should have the opportunity to read, and that we each should do our part to help those who don't have the chance. There is a charity event, called One Book for A Window of Opportunity, in which Chinese students can donate a book to the children of the poor village Fangmaping. They don't have a lot of resources, so reading can be a challenge. To find out more about this event, please visit: http://bbs.enfamily.cn/thread-739278-1-1.html. This passage is written by _ . <extra_id_0>a Chinese student <extra_id_1>an American student <extra_id_2>a Chinese teacher <extra_id_3>an American teacher <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>an American student <extra_id_5>Montreal(Reuters)-Crossing the US-Canada border to go to church on a Sunday cost a US citizen $10,000for breaking Washington's strict new security rules. The expensive trip to church was a surprise for Richard Albert, who lives right on the Canadian border. Like the other half-dozen people of Township 15, crossing the border is a daily occurrence for Albert. The nearby Quebec village of St. Pamphile is where they shop, eat and go to church. There are many such situations in these areas along the largely unguarded 5,530-mile border between Canada and the US -- which in some cases actually runs down the middle of streets or through buildings. As a result, Albert says he did not expect any problems three weeks ago when he returned home to the US after attending church in Canada, as usual. The US customs station in this area is closed on Sundays, so he just drove around the locked gate, as he had done every weekend since the gate appeared last May, following a tightening of border security. Two days later, Albert was told to go to the customs office, where an officer told him he had been caught on camera crossing the border illegally. Ottawa has given out special passes to some 300 US citizens in that area so they can enter the country when Canadian customs stations are closed, but the US stopped a similar program last May. That forces the people to a 200-mile detour along hilly roads to get home through another border checkpoint. Albert has requested that the customs office change their decisions on the fine, but he has not attended a Sunday church since. "I feel like I'm living in a prison." he said. We learn from the text that Richard Albert is _ . <extra_id_0>an American living in Township 15 <extra_id_1>a Canadian living in a Quebec village <extra_id_2>a Canadian working in a customs station <extra_id_3>an American working in a Canadian church <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>an American living in Township 15 <extra_id_5>Nick is a 14yearold school boy.His life is full of exams and studies on weekdays.He has little free time.He thinks playing computer games is the best way to make him relax.When he has free time,he sits in front of the computer.Just like that way,he neither eats nor drinks for several hours. Last weekend,he played games on the computer again.He was too excited and didn't want to move.He didn't have anything for six hours.When he had to go to the bathroom,he found he could not move.He was taken to the hospital.The doctor told him he should do some more different kinds of activities.In other words,he needs more exercise and outdoor activities to make him have a healthy body. After coming back from the hospital,Nick follows the doctor's advice.He often plays soccer with his friends.Sometimes he still plays computer games on weekends,but he never does it for long.Now,he lives a happy and healthy life. How old is Nick? <extra_id_0>13. <extra_id_1>14. <extra_id_2>15. <extra_id_3>16. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>14. <extra_id_5>When someone says, "Well, I guess I'll have to go to face the music", it does not mean he is planning to go to a concert. It is something far less pleasant, like being called in by your boss to explain why you did this or that, and why you did not do this or that. Sour(; )music, indeed, but it has to be faced. The phrase "to face the music" is familiar to every American, young and old. It is at least 100 years old. Where did the expression come from? The first information comes from the American writer James Fennimore Cooper. He said in 1851 that the expression was first used by actors while waiting in the wings to go on stage. After they got their cue(,) to go on, they often said, "It's time to go to face the music." And that is exactly what they did--- face the orchestra which was just below the stage. An actor might be frightened or nervous as he moved on to the stage in front of the audience that might be friendly or perhaps unfriendly especially if he forgot his lines. But he had to go out. So, "to face the music" came to mean having to go through something, no matter how unpleasant the experience might be, because you knew you had no choice. The other explanation comes from the army. Men had to face inspection by their leader. The soldiers worried about how well they looked. Was their equipment clean--shiny enough to pass inspection? Still, the men had to go out, and face the music of the band, as well as the inspection. What else could they do? The phrase 'to face the music" was first used by _ . <extra_id_0>all the Americans <extra_id_1>the American writer James Fennimore cooper <extra_id_2>some American actors <extra_id_3>the American orchestra <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>some American actors
<extra_id_5>Eve was waiting in the corridor outside her class.She was feeling sick.She had two exams that day and physics was first.She really hated physics.It was her worst subject.Lisa looked back at her, and then looked away quickly.Eve thought she looked guilty.She didn't have a problem with physics.She didn't have a problem with anything...Miss Perfect! "Hi, Eve! So what's wrong with you and Lisa?"asked Tina,"I thought you were friends.""Yes, so did I," said Eve."But she hasn't spoken to me for two weeks now.She promised to help me review for the physics exam too, but then she's ignored all my calls and texts." While in the exam, Eve found Lisa was holding her phone on her knee under the table and reading from it.Eve couldn't believe it! Is that how Lisa always got such good grades? She thought about telling the teacher, but she hesitated.The next exam was history.That was Eve's favorite subject but she couldn't concentrate.She didn't know what to do about Lisa.Just then, Mr.Reed, their teacher, walked past."Mr.Reed..." Lisa was called to the teachers' office and there waited Mr.Reed... The history test was over.Eve was walking towards the school gate when she heard footsteps behind her.It was Lisa.Eve could see that she had been crying."Listen," said Lisa."I'm really sorry I haven't answered your calls, but my dad had a heart attack two weeks ago and he's in hospital.He had a big heart operation today and I was very worried about him.So I was reading texts from my mum, but Mr.Reed caught me.He thought I was cheating.He believes me now, but I have to take the exam again.I'm sorry I didn't tell you what was happening.Will you forgive me?" The reason for Eve's feeling sick is most probably that _ . <extra_id_0>she found Lisa was looking back at her <extra_id_1>she had to take two exams within one day <extra_id_2>she was worried about the physics exam <extra_id_3>she had been waiting for too long a time <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>she was worried about the physics exam <extra_id_5>Windy, cloudy, rainy, and cold are words that help describe <extra_id_0>evaporation <extra_id_1>deposition <extra_id_2>matter <extra_id_3>weather <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>weather <extra_id_5>Dear Jack, Thank you for your congratulations,my congratulations to you! I remember Margaret Field very well--the girl with that wonderful red hair and those beautiful eyes. She was the most popular girl in our college. You're a very lucky fellow and I'm sure you'11 be very happy with her. Brenda and I are very lucky,too. Her father gave us this house as a wedding present,so we don't have to pay rent. The house and furniture are insured already,so I can't help you by giving you that kind of business. I wish I'd known earlier that you were in the insurance business. I'd certainly have asked you to give me a policy for the house and its contents. I'm rather doubtful about the value of life insurance. It's my duty,I know,to see that there will be money for my wife,and later on for the children,in the event of my early death. But I feel that it's wiser to put my money into the shares of good business companies. You say I can get a policy that will provide 50,000 when I'm 65. Yes,but that time is nearly forty years away,and what will 50,000 be worth then?The real value of money has been going down and prices go up a little every year,perhaps only 4%or 5%,but the movement is always up,never down. 50,000 in fifty years from now may be worth only two--thirds or even a half of what it is worth today. Now if I put my savings into the shares of the big oil companies,or aircraft manufacturers,the value of the shares will go up with the rise in costs and prices. So the real value of my money would remain about the same,wouldn't it?I know your answer. You'll say that your life insurance policy provides against my possible death. I've got to balance that possibility against the almost certain fall in the value of money* I'd very much like you to meet Brenda. Can you come for a weekend some time?What about next Saturday?If you can manage it,please let me know which train you're coming by,and I'll meet you at the station. We can have a talk about life insurance and perhaps you'll succeed in making me see that life insurance is a good thing. Yours sincerely, Fred This is a letter of_. <extra_id_0>refusing <extra_id_1>inquiring <extra_id_2>complaining <extra_id_3>negotiating <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>refusing <extra_id_5>Most American families like to have a vacation in summer. Summer is a good season for vacation. It is often hot in July and August. Children do not go to school in those two months. Some people like to stay at home, read books, or watch TV. Many families take their lunch to eat at a place with many trees or a nice lake. Some people have enough time and money to travel to other countries like France, Japan and Australia. They usually fly to these countries. Many families travel by car or train to see interesting places in their own countries. Their favorite cities are New York, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Not everyone likes to go to busy cities. Some families travel to mountains or beautiful valleys. ,A, B, C, D,. (5,1,5) _ is a good season for vacation. <extra_id_0>Spring <extra_id_1>Summer <extra_id_2>Autumn <extra_id_3>Winter <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Summer <extra_id_5>No one likes to make mistakes. But a new study says organizations learn more from their failures than from their successes, and keep that knowledge longer. One of the researchers was Vinit Desai, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver Business School. He worked with Peter Madsen from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University in Utah. They did not find much long-term "organizational learning" from success. It is possible, they say. But Professor Desai says they found that knowledge gained from failure lasts for years. He says organizations should treat failures as a learning opportunity and not try to ignore them. The study looked at companies and organizations that launch satellites--and other space vehicles. Professor Desai compared two shuttle flights. In two thousand two, a piece of insulating material broke off during launch and damaged a rocket on the Atlantis. Still, the flight was considered a success. Then, in early two thousand three, a piece of insulation struck the Columbia during launch. This time, the shuttle broke apart on re-entry and the seven crew members died. NASA officials suspended all flights and an investigation led to suggested changes. Professor Desai says the search for solutions after a failure can make leaders more open-minded. He points to airlines as an example of an industry that has learned from failures in the past. He advises organizations to look for useful information in small failures and failures they avoided. He also urges leaders to encourage the open sharing of information. The study appeared in the Academy of Management Journal. The mistakes we learn from do not have to be our own. We recently asked people on our Facebook page to tell us a time they had done something really silly. Fabricio Cmino wrote: Not long ago I wanted to watch TV, but it wouldn't turn on, so I did everything I could to start it. Thirty minutes later my mum showed up and, passing by, said to me "Did you try plugging it'? I'm just dusting, Mum!"So she wouldn't notice how dumb I am sometimes! Bruno Kanieski da Silva told about a time he looked everywhere for his key. It was in hispocket. He wrote: I always promise I will never do it again, but after-a few weeks,where is mywallet? For sure it will be in a very logical place. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? <extra_id_0>Only organizations can learn from mistakes <extra_id_1>We can also learn from failures that have been avoided. <extra_id_2>Lessons from the shuttle flights are more important. <extra_id_3>Leaders often lack an open mind and seldom share information. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>We can also learn from failures that have been avoided.
<extra_id_5>The number of accidents involving pedestrians wearing headphones is on the rise , a report suggests, causing fresh warning from road safety groups in Britain . A US-based study found a total of 116 reports of death or injury to pedestrians wearing headphones between 2004 and 2011 , jumping from 16 in 2005 to 47 in 2011 . Most victims were men (68%) and under the age of 30 (67%) , with around one in ten of all cases (9%) under the age of 18 .Some 89% of the cases occurred in urban areas and more than half (55%) of the victims were struck by trains . Eighty-one of the 116 accidents (70%) resulted in the person's death--- even though a warning was sounded in around a third of the cases . The study concluded , " The use of headphone may be a safety risk to pedestrians , especially in environments with moving vehicles(cars) . Further research is needed to determine if and how headphone use threatens pedestrian safety ." British road safety groups warned pedestrians to be careful. Floor Lieshout , director of Youth For Road Safety , said, " This study shows once more the importance of using all of our senses while we are near traffic . It is important that we find an attractive way to make youth learn about the risks of wearing headphones in traffic ." Andrew Howard , who is the head of road safety at the Automobile Association , added that some pedestrians can be "so focused in their own little world they forget the world going on around them".That can include headphone wearers , Howard said, but also people talking on phones. However , Howard said that more researches needed to be done. Earlier studies have shown that people wearing headphones or talking on phones can suffer "inattentional blindness" which makes them isolated from the world around them . Ian Harvey , at the charity Civic Voice , said that " to defeat isolation and to help build a civic society , people need to interact with each other . He said , " A basis for any civilized society is communication--- Surfing the web , listening to MP3s , reading blogs or sending e-mail is not interacting with a person; it's interacting with a machine. "If people feel socially isolated , they need to have more face-to-face interactions with other human beings and in time , will begin to feel happier and more connected to the world and place they live in ." Howard will probably agree that _ . <extra_id_0>it is safe if you wear headphones in a proper way <extra_id_1>people wearing headphones are more likely to go blind <extra_id_2>most people wear headphones because of loneliness <extra_id_3>it is dangerous to talk on phones while walking <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>it is dangerous to talk on phones while walking <extra_id_5>One day, my wife and I went shopping. We took the car as we had a lot of things to buy because my brother and his family were going to spend the weekend with us. We stopped the car in front of the shop. An hour later we came back to the car with a lot of things. Then the trouble started. We could not open the car door. "Oh, dear," said my wife. "What are we going to do?" "Let's ask that policeman," I said. The policeman was very kind and glad to help us. Soon he got the door open. Just at that moment an angry man came up and shouted. "What are you doing with my car?" We looked at the number of the car, and our faces turned very red. They didn't know it was the wrong car until they looked at the _ of the car. <extra_id_0>color <extra_id_1>owner <extra_id_2>door <extra_id_3>number <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>number <extra_id_5>If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven't you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language? According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes information. It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles. The study also found the effect is greater the younger people learn a second language. A team led by Dr Andrea Mechelli, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English. They were compared with a group of "early _ " who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners. Scans showed that grey matter density in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language. But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference. " _ "said the scientists. It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn. Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales, has researched the link between bilingualism and math skills. "Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible ," he said. "You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas." The findings were matched in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between the ages of two and 34. Reading, writing, and comprehension were all tested. The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better. "Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world," explained the scientists. Who can study a second language easier?. <extra_id_0>The adults <extra_id_1>The teenagers <extra_id_2>The children <extra_id_3>The old <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>The children <extra_id_5>On January 1, Awl and Howser agreed in writing that Awl would build a house on Howser's lot according to Howser's plans and specifications for $60,000, the work to commence on April 1. Howser agreed to make an initial payment of $10,000 on April 1, and to pay the balance upon completion of the work. On February 1, Awl notified Howser that he (Awl) would lose money on the job at that price, and would not proceed with the work unless Howser would agree to increase the price to $90,000. Howser thereupon, without notifying Awl, agreed in writing with Gutter for Gutter, commencing April 1, to build the house for $75,000, which was the fair market cost of the work to be done. On April 1, both Awl and Gutter showed up at the building site to begin work, Awl telling Howser that he had decided to "take the loss" and would build the house for $60,000 as originally agreed. Howser dismissed Awl and allowed Gutter to begin work on the house.""In a contract action by Awl against Howser, which of the following would the court decide under the prevailing American view? <extra_id_0>Howser will win, because Awl in legal effect committed a total breach of contract. <extra_id_1>Howser will win, because Gutter's contract price was $15,000 lower than the $90,000 demanded by Awl on February 1. <extra_id_2>Awl will win, because Howser did not tell him before April 1 about the contract with Gutter. <extra_id_3>Awl will win, because he attempted to perform the contract as originally agreed <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Howser will win, because Awl in legal effect committed a total breach of contract. <extra_id_5>The witch wanted to stop making poisons in her big pot. She wanted to be a cook instead. She could make all sorts of treats, like blueberry sandwiches, orange pizzas, and grape pie. Her best treat she made was strawberry eggs. She wanted the people from town to invite her to parties. She wanted them to ask her to cook for them. Most of all, she wanted them to be friends with her. Her plan was to get them to try her strawberry eggs. They were shaped like eggs but when you would chew on them they tasted like strawberries. They also had medicine in them so they would help people too. They were delicious. Finally the big day came. The witch brought her cart into the town. She was late to town because she got lost. Then her wagon broke and she had to fix its wheel. It was full of the strawberry eggs. The witch started handed them out. At first people were nervous. They did not know the witch well. They knew she was the witch who lived in the woods, all alone. They knew she had made poisons. But once the sheriff tried them, everyone started trying them. After everyone in town had one, they put the witch on their shoulders and cheered for her, even the town's baker. Finally the town's leader asked the witch if she would move into the town. The witch happily said yes and they all had as many strawberry eggs as they could ever want. Why was the witch late to town? <extra_id_0>She had to stop and make medicine. <extra_id_1>She ate some of the eggs. <extra_id_2>She got lost and the wagon's wheel broke. <extra_id_3>She went to a party. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>She got lost and the wagon's wheel broke.
<extra_id_5>The fourth-graders at Chicago's McCormick Primary School are unaware of the difficulty in learning Chinese. For most, who speak Spanish at home, it's becoming their third language. They've been learning and using Chinese words since kindergarten, and it's now second nature to give a hearty "ni hao" when strangers enter the classroom. The classroom scene at McCormick is unusual, but it may soon be a common fixture in American schools, where Chinese is rapidly becoming the hot new language. Government officials have long wanted more focus on security--useful languages like Chinese, and pressure from them--as well as from business leaders, politicians, and parents--has driven a quick growth in the number of programs. Chicago itself is home to the largest effort to include Chinese in US public schools. The program here has grown to include 3,000 students in 20 schools, with more schools on a waiting list. Programs have also spread to places like Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, and North Carolina. It's true that the number of students learning Chinese is tiny compared with how many study Spanish or French. _ see knowledge of the Chinese language and culture as a help in a global economy where China is growing in importance. "This is an interesting way to begin to engage with the world's next superpower," says Michael Levine, director of education at the Asia Society, which has started five new public high schools that offer Chinese. "Globalization has already changed the arrangements in terms of how children today are going to need to think about their careers... The question is, when not whether, the schools are going to adjust." In Chicago, the trend extends beyond schools with high numbers of Asian students. "The fact that my students are 98% low income and 99% Latino and they are succeeding in _ , tells me everyone should have a try at learning languages," says Virginia Rivera, principal at McCormick. "We want to give our young people opportunities to advance... and Chinese is a great opportunity to survive in today's economy," says Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago. How many languages are mentioned in this passage? <extra_id_0>Six. <extra_id_1>Two. <extra_id_2>Three. <extra_id_3>Four. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Three. <extra_id_5>The name "cowboy" conjures up many different images from movies, songs and TV. These imagined cowboys range from white-hat-wearing heroes to gun-shooting hooligans .But, cowboys are actually real people from US history. When the US Civil War ended, many soldiers had no place to call home. So, they began to drift to the country's rural West. Ranchers hired these men to take care of the cattle and work around the ranch. When the ranch owner wanted to sell the cattle, the cowboys would round up the herd from the open prairie and drive the cattle miles to the market. With the invention of barbed wire ,the cowboy era(1865-1890) began to come to an end. But people in the East had always been curious about their lifestyle. Many country/western songs during this time tried to capture the true cowboy spirit. Newspapers published cowboy tales in serial form and adventure novels followed. The bigger the fiction, the better the sales. These novels often portrayed cowboys as cruel and violent men. Cowboys carried the bad reputation for many years afterwards. When movies began to be popular in the 1920s, the cowboy image changed again. Now, a cowboy became the great white knight that loved his horse more than the beautiful ladies he rescued. As the cowboy of the "Old West" spent more time with his horse than the ladies, this era's image was not entirely false. Then, in the 50s,Hollywood began producing so-called "spaghetti westerns ".They earned the nickname because Italian companies financed the films and TV shows. This started the decade's "Cowboy Craze". While this didn't last long, it made modern country / western music, fashion and dance extremely popular. In recent years, with the help of musicians, radio stations and bars, cowboy nostalgia has returned. Even though his image is still changing -- somewhere between ballad singing country boy and bar room fighter -- there's one thing for sure, _ . The purpose of this story is to _ . <extra_id_0>introduce cowboy movies and novels <extra_id_1>introduce various productions associated with cowboys <extra_id_2>show the cowboy's everlasting charm <extra_id_3>inform us about the cowboy's spirit <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>inform us about the cowboy's spirit <extra_id_5>A boy was going to study at the best school in town. In the morning, his grandfather took him to the school. When they went into the playground, the children came up. "What a funny old man," the boy said, making a face. "Hey, fatty ,"another one shouted. The children _ the pair(,) and jumped up and down. Without saying a word, the old man took his grandson out of the school gate. "Wonderful! I don't have to go to school!" the boy said. "You do, but not this one," his grandfather said. "I'll find you another school to go to." Grandfather took his grandson back to his house, asked Grandmother to look after him, and then went out to look for a school alone. Every time he got to a school, the old man went into the playground, and waited for the children to come out at break time. In some schools the children completely ignored the old man, and in others, they made fun of him. When this happened, he would turn sadly and leave. Finally, he went into the very small playground of a very small school, and stood tiredly against the wall. The bell rang, and the children came out into the playground. "Sir, are you all right? Shall I bring you something to drink?" said a voice. "We've got a bench in the playground. Come and sit down," came another voice. Soon a young teacher came out into the playground. The old man greeted him and said, "Finally, I've found my grandson the best school in town." According to the old man,the best school should have the best _ . <extra_id_0>students <extra_id_1>teachers <extra_id_2>library <extra_id_3>playground <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>students <extra_id_5>What is the main function of a plant stem? <extra_id_0>to collect pollen from other plants to make seeds <extra_id_1>to absorb water and plant nutrients from the soil <extra_id_2>to carry food and water to the rest of the plant <extra_id_3>to make food for the plant <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>to carry food and water to the rest of the plant <extra_id_5>Rafting the GRAND CANYON Welcomes You! For an exciting,fun and challenging white water tours,Rafting the GRAND CANYON is here to help you plan the right tour for you.Whether you want to travel for two days or ten,hike in or not,go on an oar raft or motorized trip,we will help you find the trip that meets your needs. For those who will be vacationing on the offseason a trip on the Native American Red River rafting is available year around or a one day trip is available on the Colorado River from Diamond Creek to Pierce Ferry (about three hours from Las Vegas). Most of the trips depart from Lees Ferry,Arizona (approximately 21/2hours from the south rim of the Grand Canyon).We offer partial trips which allow you to get on or off at Phantom Ranch located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim.Requiring a hike in or out,with proper planning the horse ride up or down is also an option.Most trips occur between April and October. Since all rafting on the Colorado requires a permit,planning and reserving your trip requires reservations well in advance.Please let us know when you would like to go and we will contact all the river concessionaires to help you find the best trip for you. For planning your trip,questions,concerns or to make your reservations,please email or call the toll free number below.Since these trips are limited we highly recommend you make your reservations months in advance. To talk to a live person call us toll free:18002226966or 7026556060 If you have any questions regarding a trip,please CLICK _ HERE to fill out our form.This will speed up the process of getting you accurate information regarding your trip. If you would like to send us an email other than about an upcoming trip you can contact us at info@raftingthegrandcanyon.com. We look forward to helping you plan your trip!(Please NO Travel Agents) People usually have a trip to the Grand Canyon in the months except . <extra_id_0>June. <extra_id_1>February. <extra_id_2>October. <extra_id_3>September. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>February.
<extra_id_5>Japanese people work very hard at studying English. They start studying English at the age of 12. Most young Japanese people spend a lot of time and work hard at studying English, but Japanese people are not good at English. Here are the reasons: There are few people from English-speaking countries in Japan. They don't have enough chances to speak with them. Japan is an island country and they feel that other countries are far away. So they don't use English very often. And the Japanese feel that it is strange to talk to each other in English. The Japanese education doesn't always follow the educational trends in the world. It puts a lot of importance on grammar and vocabulary, and less on speaking, listening and reading skills. Many Japanese students' English becomes worse after they go to university .They have to learn English again if they work in English-speaking countries. Sometimes the Japanese feel shy about speaking wrong or broken English. What's the best title foe the passage? <extra_id_0>The Japanese Like English <extra_id_1>When Do the Japanese Being to Learn English <extra_id_2>Why Are the Japanese Weak in English <extra_id_3>How to Study English Well for the Japanese <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Why Are the Japanese Weak in English <extra_id_5>The revolution was over by the time Tom Ford started working in the fashion world. The expensive fashion design houses such as Channel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior, which earned money by designing and making very expensive custom clothes, had lost many of their wealthy customers. To stay in business, they started selling more reasonably priced ready-to-wear clothing along with a wide range of accessories , that is, related products such as shoes, bags, watches. All of these products needed to blend with the clothing and with each other so that they made up a brand that everyone would recognize and wanted to buy. Though they did not use that name, each company needed a "master designer." Born in Texas and growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Ford had a diverse background in the arts. Soon after completing high school, he moved to New York, where he studied art history, trained as an actor, and worked as a model. Following that, Ford completed a program in indoor design, but later decided that he was more interested in designing clothes than in decorating house. He was hired by the firm Cathy Hardwick in 1986, where he began to work as a fashion designer. His talent stood out from the rest and soon he moved to Perry Ellis, where he became design director. Then in 1990 he made an important move by taking a position with the New York branch of Gucci, the famous design house based in Milan, Italy. During his first years at Gucci, the company was going through a very difficult period. Its products were once considered highly desirable, and were worn by famous women such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Jacqueline Kennedy. However, by the early 1990s they had lost their reputation for quality. Other producers had started making cheap, widely available imitations of the brand, and the sales of Gucci's own products had dropped. Things were so bad at one point that Ford was almost fired. However, some people at the company believed in his talent, and in 1994 they hired him to work in Milan as the creative director for the entire company. In this position Ford had artistic control over all of the company's products, as well as its advertising and the design of its stores. Under Ford's direction, Gucci's reputation for cutting-edge style soon returned, and the company began to recover. The style shows starting in 1994 were wildly successful. People loved the low-cut velvet pants, unbuttoned silk shirts, and shiny boots in metallic color1s. By 1999 Gucci, which had almost gone out of business, was worth over $4 billion. When Gucci bought Yves Saint Laurent , Ford became creative director for that fashion house while continuing to design for Gucci. When asked how he would be able to keep the two styles apart, Ford said it wasn't a problem and offered a comparison. Yves Saint Laurent was like Catherine Deneuve, he said while Gucci was more like Sophia Loren. Both are sexy and beautiful women, but with very different styles. Ford left Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent in 2004 to form his own company called simply "Tom Ford". Not long after, he was working together with cosmetics producer Estee Lauder to bring out new beauty products, and then developed and sold a perfume under his own name. His plans for the future? Ford says that someday he'd definitely like to make a film. He puts it his way: "That is the main design project. You don't just get to design what people wear, but you design the whole world and whether characters get to live or die. There is what fashion lacks. In the 1990s, what company was Ford able to help recover from an unsuccessful period? <extra_id_0>Gucci <extra_id_1>Yves Saint Laurent <extra_id_2>Perry Ellis <extra_id_3>Tom Ford <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Gucci <extra_id_5>Yesterday was my stepmom's birthday. I hadn't been home for a long time so I wanted to stop by the house to see her on this special day. I have been struggling financially so I was afraid of the long trip. Gas is so expensive nowadays! Anyway, I filled my tank with gas and set off. I stopped at the shopping mall and found a present. It was the perfect gift and I knew she would love it. But when I got to the cashier my card was declined! I did not have enough money in my account to pay for the gift! So I _ the issue for a few minutes. I could put it back and get something cheaper, but I knew there was nothing else in the store she would like as much. So, I got on my smart-phone and transferred some money from my savings account so I was able to pay for the gift. It took a big chunk of my savings but I wanted her to have something special. She loved the gift and I felt that even though I had spent almost all my money my stepmom deserved the best and I was glad I gave her the best that I could. Before leaving my parents' house, my dad took me to one side and, with our secret hand-shake, he gave me some money. I had not said anything to him about my finances but I guess my dad had just known it. When I got to the car, I saw the amount he gave me was three times what I had spent on the gas and the gift! It goes to show that doing the right thing always comes with great rewards. Why did the writer's father shake hands with the writer in secret? <extra_id_0>Because he wanted to ask the writer for something special. <extra_id_1>Because he wanted to give the writer some money. <extra_id_2>Because he knew the writer had been struggling financially. <extra_id_3>Because he didn't want others to copy their handshake. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Because he wanted to give the writer some money. <extra_id_5>Enjoying a better life at school, with shorter class hours, greater privacy and more rights is all you dream of, right? For students in Shanghai, they are no longer just dreams. This week experts and law-makers in Shanghai had a meeting to talk about a new law . It is called the "Shanghai Underage Protection Law ". The law says students' diaries and letters are their secrets and "Nobody can read them if they don't agree." Do your teachers sometimes say something bad to you? Maybe they send you out of the classroom because you fail to finish doing your homework. If this happens in Shanghai, you can stand up and say "No". Shanghai students may have less homework because of the law. Class hours may become shorter for juniors next year, down from 45 minutes to 40 minutes in some schools. The law also talks about students' health. According to the rules,"Smoking in these places full of kids is not allowed."That means you can ask your teacher to stop if he smokes in a classroom. The law makes schools safer for students. "No dancing halls, Internet bars or computer game bars are allowed within(......)200 meters of a school gate." the law says. The law is great, right? Many students like it. "My mom reads my diaries sometimes. I think she will be afraid if I tell her she is doing something against the law." said Luo Jia, 13, at Shanghai Fuxing Junior School. If you want to know more about the law, go to "www.spcsc.sh.cn". ,. If your teacher smokes in a classroom, you can _ . <extra_id_0>stop her <extra_id_1>agree her <extra_id_2>leave <extra_id_3>smile <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>stop her <extra_id_5>Think of some of your favorite singers. When you listen, they can make you happy or sad, peaceful or angry. They can make you relax or want to get up and dance. Gifted singers have the power to affect us in many ways -- emotionally, physically and mentally. But becoming a great singer isn't as easy as listening to one. It takes practice, devotion and strong lungs! Just ask the well-known American opera star Carol Vaness. At the Metropolitan Opera in prefix = st1 /New York Citywhere she often sings, Carol's voice must be loud enough to be heard by four thousand people. It must reach every person in the theater, without a microphone, even when she's singing softly. The reason Carol can project her voice that far is the way she breathes. "When you breathe, it's like a swimmer taking a deep breath before going underwater," Carol explains. "You have to take a lot of air into your lungs." According to Carol, the main difference between pop singing and opera is "how you breathe, how much air you take in, and how you control it coming out. Regular singing is more like speaking, and it's a lot softer. When I sing for children, they're often surprised by how the vibrations strike their ears -- like waves on a beach, " Carol says. "In opera, the air doesn't just go out of your mouth -- it vibrates in your chest, the way a guitar vibrates when it's played. " Ever since she started piano lessons at the age of ten, Carol has loved music. As she got older, she decided to become a music teacher. When she went to college, she took singing lessons as part of her studies. Her voice teacher discovered that nineteen-year-old Carol had an exceptionally beautiful soprano voice - the highest singing voice for women. Carol decided to make opera her goal, not only because she loved to sing but also because she loved the drama. Opera is a play in which the characters sing the words instead of speaking them. The stories of opera can be tragic or comical. They can be personal stories about two people falling in love or grand stories about kings and queens who lived long ago. As the characters in an opera sing, the emotions expressed by words and music come to life. Today, Carol performs throughout the United Statesand Europe and she has song for almost twenty years. But she has never forgotten where she started singing in the first palace. "Put your heart into your singing and enjoy it," says Carol, "because singing is a great joy. That's why I sing. In fact, that's why everybody sings. " From the passage you can conclude all the following EXCEPT that _ . <extra_id_0>Carol once learned to play the piano <extra_id_1>Carol worked as a music teacher <extra_id_2>Carol has been singing opera for 20 years or so <extra_id_3>Carol is popular with Americans and Europeans <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Carol worked as a music teacher
<extra_id_5>Children form opinions about drugs and alcohol at a very early age. Even four and five year olds have definite opinions about alcohol. Preschoolers, because of the commercials they see on TV, often think that alcohol helps people have more fun and be better athletes! Images of alcohol are everywhere in out society--consumption of alcohol is represented twice per hour in daytime shows, and three times in an average evening program. Despite the wide spread of alcohol in our society, and the problems that can be connected with it, many parents feel uncomfortable when talking about alcohol with their children, or are not sure when and how to start. Many parents believe that teenage drinking is something that their children would never be involved in. Unfortunately, teenage drinking is very common in North Dakota. In a state wide survey of adolescents in junior and senior high school. Only 24% claimed to have never consumed alcohol. When asked about their drinking in the past 30 days: *61% adolescents reported drinking *42% drank five or more drinks in a row *17% reported binge drinking *4.2% reported driving and drinking Other research on rural youth in North Dakota has found that about 10% of a sample of fifth and sixth graders were engaged in frequent drinking. Teenagers who reported alcohol use (especially those who began use in late elementary school and junior high school) were more likely to be depressed, feel less positive about both their family and friends, and have poorer grades. Research has found that children and even teenagers look to their parents in making decisions about important things in their life. Decisions about using alcohol are undoubtedly something that parents will want to provide guidance about. Here are some suggestions about talking to children about alcohol. Which of the following might be the best title of the passage? <extra_id_0>Keeping Away from Alcohol <extra_id_1>Teenage Drinking Becoming Very Common <extra_id_2>Tips on How to Talk to Children about Alcohol <extra_id_3>Talking with Young Children about Alcohol <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Talking with Young Children about Alcohol <extra_id_5>The best family vacation that ever had was going on a road trip to Myrtle Beach. The trip was for 2 weeks during the March break from school. This trip was probably about 20 years ago so it was before the time of things like portable video games and being able to watch movies in the back seat. So to pass the many hours of travel my brother and I had to entertain ourselves and each other. My mum would set the back set up so that it was out own little playroom. She would pack everything up in the feet well so that we had a big level area to play in. We would play cards and board games. When it got to the point that _ we would be sent back to out own side of the seat and would be forced to either nap or read by ourselves until we could be friendly to each other again. I can remember us playing for quite some time when we turned the back seat into a spaceship and travelled around the earth. Another time we turned it into a kitchen and had a bake-off . But the thing that I remember the most and that gave us many hours of enjoyment was using each other's faces as silly Plasticine and making funny faces. We would see how far we could stretch each other's mouth open, see how thin we could make the other's eye by pulling on it. We would keep going until one of us begged for mercy because we had to give our faces a rest. So while I can remember us having a great time on the beach, laughing a lot trying to put the tent up in the rain, what I remember the most of that trip and what always makes me smile the most is remembering the pain that our faces would be in after the trip. What impressed the author most during the trip? <extra_id_0>Playing cards and board games. <extra_id_1>Pulling each other's faces and eyes. <extra_id_2>Having a cooking competition. <extra_id_3>Playing with silly Plasticine. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Pulling each other's faces and eyes. <extra_id_5>"If you talk to the plants, they will grow faster and the effect is even better if you're a woman." Researchers at Royal Horticultural Society carried out an experiment to find that the voice of a woman gardener makes plants grow faster. The experiment lasted a month and by the end of the study scientists managed to discover that tomato plants grew up two inches taller when women gardeners talked to them instead of male. Sarah Darwin was the one making the plants registered the best growth. Her voice was the most "inspiring" for plants than those of nine other gardeners when reading a passage from The Origin of Species. The great-great-granddaughter of the famous botanist Charles Darwin found that her plant grew about two inches taller than the plant of the best male gardener. Colin Crosbie, Garden Superintendent at RHS, said that the finding cannot yet be explained. He assumes that women have a greater range of pitch and tone which might have a certain effect on the sound waves that reach the plant. " _ ,"said Mr Grosbie. The study began in April at RHS Garden Wisley in Survey. Scientists started with open auditions for the people who were asked to record passages from John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids, Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream and Darwin's The Origin of Species.[:Z,xx,k.Com] Afterwards researchers selected a number of different voices and played them to 10 tomato plants during a period of a month. Each plant had headphones connected to it. Through the headphones the sound waves could hit the plants. It was discovered that plants that "listened" to female voices on average grew taller by an inch in comparison to plants that heard male voices. Miss Darwin said, "I think it is an honor to have a voice that can make tomatoes grow, and especially fitting because for a number of years I have been studying wild tomatoes from the Galapagos Island at the Natural History Museum in London." What does the passage talk about? <extra_id_0>Plants enjoy men's voices than women's. <extra_id_1>A botanical experiment in a museum. <extra_id_2>Voice's influence on plant growing. <extra_id_3>Strange phenomenon at Royal Horticultural Society. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Voice's influence on plant growing. <extra_id_5>Friends and Buddies This program is planned for teenagers who have special needs with the goal of meeting within a community with other peers . The purpose of the program is that it will lead to a better understanding of friendships. Gym, Swim, Surprise Guest, and Pizza are included. Ages 12-18, numbers of members are limited. Contact: Gloria Bass. This program is held 2 Fridays per month. Fees: $65/$85 Club Saturday Swim This program is available to anyone aged 5-14 who is challenged by mental, physical, or emotional trouble. The program will be held each Saturday afternoon, 12:00-12:30 pm or 12:30-1:00 pm. Fees: $136/$260 Sibshops (Ages 10-13) Sibshops is a program for siblings of children with challenges. It includes group activities and talk treatment ways with the focus on improving sibling relationships and whole family happiness. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Wednesday: 4:00-5:00 pm. Fees: $50/$65 Banana Splits Banana Splits is an educational support group for children in family trouble. Children aged 9-13 will have the opportunity to meet other children whose parents have separated or divorced, learn to recognize feelings, think of healthy coping skills and have a place to share their struggles through verbal , physical, and artistic experiences. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Tuesday:4:30-5:30 pm. Fees: $50/$65 If you go to Sibshops (Ages 10-13) , you can _ . <extra_id_0>meet with other peers <extra_id_1>solve your mental problem <extra_id_2>improve sibling relationships <extra_id_3>think of healthy coping skills <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>improve sibling relationships <extra_id_5>In June, 2007, a group of students from eight high schools in Winnipeg, the capital of Canada's Manitoba province, will begin test-launching a satellite the size of a Rubik's cube. The one-kilogram Win-Cub satellite, named for its home city and its shape, will be put into low orbit. Once in space, it can perform for a few months or up to several years, communicating information that could help find the signs of earthquakes. There are 80 similar satellite projects worldwide, but this is the first high-school based program of its kind in Canada. 30 Manitoba high school students are having a hand in designing and building the satellite, in cooperation with aerospace experts and 10 students from the University of Manitoba, and with support from two other organizations. The Win-Cube project is not something that goes on a piece of paper; it is real-world engineering, allowing high school students to have an opportunity to learn more about the exciting world of engineering through their participation in this challenging program. It is also taken as a wonderful example of the unique partnerships within Manitoba. Designing, building and launching a satellite with high-school participation will bring this world-class educational project into reality and Manitoba closer to space. "These Manitoba high school students deserve congratulations for their enthusiasm, innovation , and a strong love for discovery," said Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjomson. "We want to make science more relevant, interesting and attractive to high school students by showing them how classroom studies can relate to practical experience in the workplace or, in this case, in space," Bjomson added. The Win-Cube program is mainly aimed at inspiring a strong desire for discovery on the part of the students. It also shows Manitoba's devotion to research and innovation and the development of a skilled workforce -- all important drivers of knowledge-based economic growth. 36. According to the passage, the Win-Cube satellite is _ . <extra_id_0>named after Manitoba and its shape <extra_id_1>intended for international communication <extra_id_2>designed like a Rubik's cube both in shape and size <extra_id_3>challenged by university students around the world <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>designed like a Rubik's cube both in shape and size
<extra_id_5>Who are these people rushing by you on the street? More than 250 million people now call America" home" , but most of them can trace their families back to other parts of the world. If you, look at the names on shop windows, you will see that Americans come from many different lands. The idea that these people, who once were strangers to the United States,have lost the customs and cultures of their original countries and have become "Americans"is really not true. In fact, what exists in America is - more often a kind of " side - by - side" living in which groups of people from other countries often have kept many of their own customs and habits. They join the general American society only in certain areas of their lives such as in schools,business,and sportsbut they keep many of their own native customs and manners socially and at home. This " side - by - side" living has both advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes it may cause disagreements to develop between groups whose ways of life are very different from one another. However, there are also great advantages that come from the variety of cultures brought by settlers from other lands. There is great freedom of choice among ideas ' dress, food, and social customs in America. Everyone can find some part of his or her own familiar world in the United States, in churches, music, food, national groups, or newspaper. Side - by - side living style means <extra_id_0>to make friends with native people <extra_id_1>to keep their own customs while sharing American ones in certain areas <extra_id_2>that the groups of people live nearby <extra_id_3>that they get closer to American society <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Which of these are inherited instead of acquired? <extra_id_0>wealth <extra_id_1>height <extra_id_2>prison time served <extra_id_3>wisdom <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Life-long learning is the concept that "It's never too soon or too late for learning." -- a philosophy that has taken root in a larger number of different organizations. Life-long learning is an attitude -- learners believe that one can and should be open to new ideas, decisions, skills or behaviors. Life-long learning throws the well-known rule "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" out of the door. Life-long learning provides the general public with learning opportunities at all ages and in different ways: at work, at home and through leisure activities, not just through formal channels such as school and higher education. Life-long education is often achieved through distance learning or e-learning, continuing education, home schooling, etc. It also includes training programs for those who want to improve their qualifications, bring their skills up to date or retrain for a new line of work. In later life, especially in retirement, continued learning takes various forms, crossing traditional academic limits. One of the reasons why life-long education has become so important is the rapid progress of modern science and technology. Although the period of primary, secondary and university education is increased, the knowledge and skills gained there are usually not _ for a professional career spanning three or four decades. It can be inferred that _ . <extra_id_0>life-long education is the requirement of fast development of education <extra_id_1>the increased period of school education is a supplement to life-long learning <extra_id_2>the education system is failing to keep pace with rapid technology development <extra_id_3>life-long education is intended for retired workers at home <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>On April 20th,2013, a big earthquake hit Ya'an, Sichuan. Nearly 200 people died. Many people were hurt. Why do earthquakes happen? The surface of the earth has many pieces. These pieces are always moving. When two pieces move past each other, there is an earthquake. Scientists are working hard to find out more about earthquakes. They try to predict them, but it's very hard. Do you know how to get ready for an earthquake? Do you know what to do during an earthquake? Here are some things you should know. What to do before an earthquake Make sure you have two bottles of water, a packet of biscuits, a clean towel , a few band-aids , a radio and a flashlight at home. What to do during an earthquake If you are inside: Stay where you are. Quickly move under a strong desk, or along a wall. This will protect you from falling things. Don't stand near windows. Turn off the lights. Don't get into a lift during an earthquake. If you are in a lift, get out quickly. If you are outside: Don't stand near buildings. Things may fall on you. Lie on the ground until the shaking stops. You need _ at home before an earthquake. <extra_id_0>some water and biscuits <extra_id_1>a clean towel and a few band-aids <extra_id_2>a radio and a flashlight <extra_id_3>A, B and C <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Some Advice on Traval NO.1. Forget Fashion !Always wear your most comfortable clothes when going on long journeys. NO.2. Traveling on trains and buses can be boring. So take a good book to read. NO.3. If you're going somewhere cold, remember your warm clothes. NO.4. Or, if you are going somewhere sunny, remember to wear sun block and sunglasses. NO.5. Always take a camera with you to capture those special moments. NO.6. Be careful with your things whenever you go to busy places, like a train station. There are often thieves there. NO.7. Always leave room in your bag for buying presents. NO.8. Most countries have lower prices for students. So if you have one, take your student card with you and save money. NO.9. Bus tours often stop at expensive shops along the way, save your money by buying presents at local shops. NO.10. If you travel abroad, remember to take your _ Whatever you don't lose it! If you go to Hainan Island for a trip in summer, you should take _ with you. <extra_id_0>warm clothes and sports shoes <extra_id_1>sunglasses and sun block <extra_id_2>fashionable clothes and a big bag <extra_id_3>some fruit and drinks <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>
<extra_id_5>My name is Li Jing. Today let me show you around my community. In front of my apartment , there is a very small garden with a table, four chairs and some flowers. I love taking a walk in the garden in summer. After getting out of the garden, I can get to a big market soon. I walk past the market when I go to work every day. There are fresh vegetables, fruit and meat there. I often buy some fresh fruit there with my friends. After passing the market, I will be near the main road . There are a lot of shops on both sides of the road, like shoe shops, clothes shops ... After walking straight along the main road for fifteen minutes, I can see a bus stop. I only need to pay 0.5 yuan, and then I can go almost anywhere. That's very cheap. I feel very happy to live in a community like this. Who does Li Jing often go to the market with? <extra_id_0>Her classmates. <extra_id_1>Her parents. <extra_id_2>Her friends. <extra_id_3>Her grandparents. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Her friends. <extra_id_5>Korean culture is really exciting right now. The Korean Wave is sweeping Asian countries including China. Young people are going crazy about Korean TV dramas, Korean pop songs, taekwondo and the Korean language. The Korean Wave started a few years ago with the TV series "Winter Sonata". This love story is still popular. People, especially girls, like the beautiful story and handsome actors like Bae Yong Jun . In the music world, Korean girls are making themselves heard in China. You can often find big Korean names like Baby Vox, S. E. S and Finkle at the top of the Chinese music charts . The Korean Wave has also made young people want to try the clothes and hairstyles of pop stars, too. Not only that. Now some girls in China are having plastic surgery to change the way they look. People say some beautiful Korean stars have had plastic surgery. These stars don't make plastic surgery look shameful . Are all the faces of beautiful Korean girls not real? Find out for yourself when you next visit South Korea. When did the Korean Wave start? It started with _ <extra_id_0>the Korean pop songs <extra_id_1>Taekwondo <extra_id_2>the TV series "Winter Sonata" <extra_id_3>the Korean food <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>the TV series "Winter Sonata" <extra_id_5>In a surprising result, the No. 69 Middle School girls' football team yesterday beat their school's boys' team. The boys' team often helped the girls with their training . They had never lost to the girls before, but this time the girls beat them 4 -- 3. After the game, Wu Nai, head of the boys' team, was very unhappy. "We all thought this would be an easy game," he said. "We never thought a team of girls could beat us. This is the saddest day of my life. " But Mr Hu, the boys' PE teacher, said he thought the girls should win. "The boys were too confident ," he said. "I told them before the match that they needed to play well. They all thought that girls' football was a joke. Now they know better. They didn't play carefully, and they lost." The match had started well for the boys. After 30 minutes, they were winning 2 - 0. Their best player, Lu Ming, scored in the thirtieth minute. Earlier, the mid-field player, Ma Zhengquan, had scored the first goal in only the second minute of the match. After the first half hour, the boys seemed to become too confident. At first, the girls had felt a bit nervous , but then they became more and more confident. Just before half time, Li Xiaolin made the score 2 - 1. In the second half, the boys were the first to score. It was from Lu Ming. After that the boys became lazy, but the girls kept on working hard. Hao Meiling scored in the 68th minute, to make the score 3 -- 2. Then Li Xiaolin scored twice in the last six minutes to make the last score 4-3. It was a surprising finish. The girls' PE teacher, Miss Wang, was very pleased with their work. "They were great!" She said. "I told them they could win. I told them that the most important thing was teamwork. The boys' team had some good players, but my girls were a better team!" Why could the girls' team beat the boys' in the football match? <extra_id_0>Because the boys' team helped the girls with their training. <extra_id_1>Because the boys had never lost to the girls before. <extra_id_2>Because the boys' team won the first half. <extra_id_3>Because the girls played together better and worked harder. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Because the girls played together better and worked harder. <extra_id_5>The reason why women love to spend hours in shops while men prefer to be in and out of the high street in minutes can trace back to their hunter-gathering past, find scientists. While women spent their days gathering food, often with children, men were hunters who made plans about how to catch and kill their prey . These two ways of getting food in the past show how we shop in modern times, the study believes. Women would spend hours trying to find the right things, because they had in the past spent ages trying to find the best quality and health-giving food. Men, on the other hand, decided in advance what animal they wanted to kill and then went looking for it. Once it was found and killed, they returned home. Daniel Kruger, professor of the University of Michigan, said the study could be the answer to why there are a lot of _ when couples go shopping together. He said it could also help couples to avoid fights in the shops if they understood the reasons why each sex had different ways of deciding on the perfect present. "In modern times, women are much more likely than men to know when a specific type of item will go on sale. Women also spend much more time choosing the perfect color and texture." Professor Kruger said his study was important because if men and women understood each other's shopping habits they could avoid arguments while shopping. According to Kruger, his study can help to _ . <extra_id_0>develop good shopping habits. <extra_id_1>avoid arguments in shopping between men and women. <extra_id_2>give people tips on choosing good gifts. <extra_id_3>make sure people buy safe food for children. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>avoid arguments in shopping between men and women. <extra_id_5>It's not much, but it's home. Francis Chan, an engineer, lives in Hampstead, north London, in a flat that's just 4ft wide by 21ft long. He loves it. Tiny though it is, it has got all the comforts. Peter Baynes, Chan's architect ,has achieved a clever piece of design, according to architectural experts. The Chan mini-house was built on what was once a path down the side of a big Victarian house. Not an inch of space is wasted. When you step in through the front door, you're standing in the shower, on Britain' s only self-cleansing doormat . A door opens on to an equally tiny toilet with washbasin. Two steps further in comes the kitchen, complete with full-sized cooker and fridge, and washer/ drier. A worktop folds down from the wall. Another step and you're into the dining/ office area. Four people can sit here for dinner, says Chan as he sets the table-top into place. He even has a fold-down drawing-board for when he's working at home. The bed is hidden under a cover board right at the back. "I don't even have to make the bed," Chan says." I just put the cover down. " Chan's business suits hang neatly on the wall over the bed. Daylight comes in through the skylight. The house feels like a very small boat and Chan admits he toyed with the idea of naming it the "boat-house". "It cost around PS4,700 to build last year. Now it's been valued at PS30,000. It proves that good design doesn't need to cost more. It just needs a lot of care." says Chan. Where is Chan's flat? <extra_id_0>Next to a big house <extra_id_1>Under an old building <extra_id_2>In a busy London street <extra_id_3>By the side of a country road <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Next to a big house
<extra_id_5>John is a paper boy. He delivers newspapers to different houses in his street every day. He has about 80 customers . Half of his customers only take the newspapers on weekdays, and about half take the newspapers on weekdays and on Sundays. Two of John's customers only take the newspapers on Sundays. John has to get up at 4:30 every morning to deliver his newspapers. It takes longer to deliver the newspapers on Sundays. The Sunday newspapers are twice as heavy as those on weekdays. John is saving his money to buy a new bicycle. He is also saving money for college . He has already saved 500 dollars. John is saving his money to buy _ . <extra_id_0>a newspaper <extra_id_1>a new bag <extra_id_2>a house <extra_id_3>a new bicycle <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>a new bicycle <extra_id_5>The most important holiday in spring, especially for Christians, is Easter. This Christian holiday is not on the same date every year,but it's always on a Sunday. It can be any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Many people celebrate Easter by buying new clothes. Children celebrate by hunting for colored eggs that their parents have hidden around the house. People also give Easter baskets filled with candy and other goodies to one another to celebrate the day. But the holiday is more than new clothes and good things to eat. On Easter, many people go to church to celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Most people color Easter eggs. Some people hide them. Others just eat them. But no matter what one does with Easter eggs,they are an important Easter tradition throughout the Western world. People from many different cultures celebrate Easter. In both America and Belgium, children look for Easter eggs hidden on lawns and in bushes. In America, children believe the eggs are hidden by the Easter bunny .But in Belgium, the hidden eggs are supposed to have fallen from church bells. In Bulgaria , red Easter eggs are lucky in churches. Bulgarian families also hit these Easter eggs together to see whose is the strongest. The winner looks forward to good fortune that year. Still dozens of other Easter traditions exist. In parts of Austria,for example,children sing from door to door and are rewarded with colorful eggs. In some places of Austria, children sing from door to door for _ . <extra_id_0>blesses <extra_id_1>Easter eggs <extra_id_2>candy and goodies <extra_id_3>Easter bunny <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Easter eggs <extra_id_5>Mr. King is a tall and strong man. He teaches P.E. in a middle school. He has a long beard and takes care of it. It was Sunday yesterday. There was a big football match of the year on the playground in the centre of the city. Mr. King likes the games very much and of course he was going to watch it. With his friends' help he got a ticket a few days ago. After breakfast he hurried to the bus stop, but a lot of people were waiting there. A bus came. There were lots of people on it and it was difficult for them to put their feet. He had to grip the back of the chair. At the next stop a boy got on the bus. He was short and couldn't grip anything. Suddenly the bus stopped and the boy was likely to fall off. He looked around and saw Mr. King's beard and gripped it. The man found it at once and called out,"Go off my beard, boy!" "Are you going to get off, sir?"asked the boy. The boy gripped Mr. King's beard because _ . <extra_id_0>he was afraid to fall again <extra_id_1>he wanted to make the man angry <extra_id_2>he hoped the man to find a seat for him <extra_id_3>he hoped the man to get off soon <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>he was afraid to fall again <extra_id_5>Stage fright or performance anxiety is the anxiety, or fear which may occur in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience. It is most commonly seen in school situations, like stand-up projects and class speeches. It has numerous forms: heart beating fast, trembling hands and legs, sweaty hands, dry mouth etc. In fact, most of the fear occurs before you step on stage. Once you're up there, it usually goes away. Thus, it is a phenomenon that you must learn to control. Try to think of stage fright in a positive way. It heightens your energy, adds color to your cheeks. With these good side effects you will actually look healthier and more physically attractive. Many of the top performers in the world get stage fright so you are in good company. Stage fright may come and go or decrease, but it usually does not disappear permanently. You must concentrate on getting the feeling out and present what you have prepared calmly. Remember "Nobody" ever died from stage fright. But, according to surveys, many people would rather die than give a speech. If that applies to you, and you are an unlucky guy who is with stage fright the whole time, try out some of the strategies as follows to help get yourself under control. Realize that you may never overcome stage fright, but you can learn to control it, and use it to your advantage. Strategies are as follows when the program begins: 1) If legs are trembling, lean on table or shift legs or move. 2) Don't hold notes. The audience can see them shake. Use three-by-five cards instead. 3) Use eye contact. Look at the friendliest faces in the audience. Remember nervousness doesn't show one-tenth as much as it feels. Before each presentation, make a short list of the items you think will make you feel better. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations. You never know which ones will work best until you try. Use these steps to control stage fright so it doesn't control you. Once you are used to stage fright, you will find you on the road to a great speech-maker. Someone may be most likely to suffer from stage fright when he/she is _ . <extra_id_0>attending an English class <extra_id_1>standing in a classroom <extra_id_2>watching a performance <extra_id_3>talking in front of people <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>talking in front of people <extra_id_5>China Mobile, the country's largest mobile communications operator, has accounted for nearly 40 percent of revenues in the domestic telecoms market. That puts it at the top of the six major telecoms operators in the nation, according to the latest official statistics . The other five are: China Telecom, 31.1 percent; China Netcom, 16.6 percent; and China Unicom, 13.4 percent; China Satellite Communications Corp and China Rilcom, 1.5 percent. Mobile communications and the IP phone business have gradually replaced traditional long-distance calls. Mobile communications account for 28.5 percent of the total long-distance communications business. IP phones have 41.4 percent, while traditional long-distance calls are down to 30.1 percent. In another ranking , Nokia, Motorola, Bird, TCL and Siemens came in as the top five mobile phone sellers in China in the first half of this year, according to South Daily. They report also says that during this period, prefix = st1 /Chinaproduced 82 million handsets (including GSM, GPRS and CDMA phones) and sold 80 million. Of the phones sold, 37 million were exported to other countries. Analysts point out that China's lack of key technologies and its heavy dependence on overseas technologies have proved to be an obstacle for development of home-made phone makers. Which do you believe to be true? <extra_id_0>Mobile communications account for the most part of the total long-distance communications. <extra_id_1>China produced and sold most of the mobile phones to other countries. <extra_id_2>Nokia is a very popular foreign phone seller. <extra_id_3>Chinahas had quite advanced core technologies. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Nokia is a very popular foreign phone seller.
<extra_id_5>The story is about two old people named David and Rosy Jackson. Both of them had very bad memories. For example, Rosy would forget to cook dinner or take vegetables home after paying for them. David would show up for work on Sundays, thinking it was Monday. One winter they were to take a long plane trip. When they arrived at the airport, there were only ten minutes left. In that situation, anyone would get into the plane right away. But David and Rosy didn't do so. They went to buy some flight insurance instead. Immediately after they put a two-pound note into a machine, their policy came out. "Who would get the money if the plane crashed, I wonder?" asked Rosy. "My mother, of course," her husband replied. "We should post the policy to her. Now, be quick! Give me a stamp, will you?" he said to Rosy. "The plane is going to take off in another minute." David put the stamp on the envelope, dropped it into a postbox, and suddenly he let out a cry. What do you suppose happened to him? He had posted their plane tickets to his mother. Mr Jackson made such a foolish mistake because _ . <extra_id_0>he was worried about his mother <extra_id_1>he had forgotten to buy a stamp <extra_id_2>he was worried about this flight <extra_id_3>his memory was poor and he posted the letter in a great hurry <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>In the summer of 1980 a Spanish tourist, Gaspar Carner, went to Great Britain on holiday. When he was travelling in Scotland, he decided to visit Loch Ness, the famous lake where people say there is a monster. But while he was going across the lake in a boat, his bag fell into the water. In the bag were his passport, car keys, pen, and all his money. Loch Ness is 150 metres deep, so he didn't expect to see the bag again! Fourteen years later, in 1994, some scientists decided to explore the lake. They looked for the Loch Ness monster. Suddenly one of them saw something black in the water. They carefully went nearer. They thought the black thing was the monster. They went nearer and nearer. It was a bag. They took the bag out of the lake. They found that the photo on the passport was still clear. One of the scientists happened to be familiar with Gaspar Carner. So the bag was returned to him. The reason why the lake is famous is that _ . <extra_id_0>it's very deep <extra_id_1>there may be a monster <extra_id_2>there's a bag in it <extra_id_3>it's in Scotland <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>During the day we work and play; at night we sleep. Our bodies rest while we sleep. In the morning we are ready to work and play again. While we are asleep our bodies grow most. Children usually need more sleep. We can get our lessons better and we feel better too, when we have plenty of rest. Boys and girls need ten hours of sleep every night when they are eight or nine years old. Our bodies need lots of air when we sleep. If we do not get enough fresh air we'll feel tired when we wake up. While in bed we must not cover our heads. If we do, our lungs will not get enough fresh air. If we open our windows at night we can have plenty of fresh air. Cool air is better then warm air. Boys and girls must get enough sleep if they want to grow and be strong. Which is the best air for us? <extra_id_0>fresh air <extra_id_1>Cool air <extra_id_2>Warm air <extra_id_3>Dry air <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>I never thought I would have a life-changing experience at Wal-Mart. Although my thoughts were only on speed, the checkout line I was standing in wasn't moving as quickly as I wanted, and I glanced toward the cashier. There stood a man in his seventies, wearing glasses and a nice smile. I thought, well, he's an old guy! For the next few minutes I watched him. He greeted every customer before scanning the items. Sure, his words were the usual, "How's it going?" But he did something different--he actually listened to people. Then he would respond to what they had said and engage them in brief conversation. I thought it was odd. I has grown accustomed to people asking me how I was doing simply out of robotic conversational habit. After a while, you don't give any thought to the question and just mumble something back. I could say, "I just found out I have six months to live," and someone would reply, "Have a great day!" But that wasn't the end. He gave them the change, walked around the counter, and extended his right hand in an act of friendship. He looked the customers in the eyes. "I sure want to thank you for shopping here today," he told them. "You have a great day. Bye-bye." The looks on the faces of the customers were priceless. There were smiles and some sheepish grins. All had been touched by his simple gesture--and in a place they never expected. They would gather their things and walk out, smiling. Of course, he did the same to me and I got to know his name--Marty. Who was that guy? It was as if Sam Walton had come back from the dead and invaded this old guy's body. I had never walked away from that shop feeling like that. What does the writer intend to express through the text? <extra_id_0>Our everyday life is always full of surprises. <extra_id_1>Being different is a good way of doing business. <extra_id_2>A little positive action can make a big difference. <extra_id_3>Most customers enjoy being treated this way. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>An ATM that spits out cupcakes instead of cash is now filling a popular demand in the American market:late-night desire for freshly baked sweets. In six cities across the country, sugar addicts can now purchase a cupcake for $4.25 from an automatic machine 24 hours every day.The freshly baked goods are made by the California-based cupcake shop Sprinkles. The idea came to the company's co-founders Candace and Charles Nelson when Candace was pregnant with their first child. Candace thought it was ridiculous that she owned cupcake bakeries aad couldn't get a freshly baked treat at an unusual hour.That desire inspired the company's first cupcake ATM in Beverly Hills,Calif.in 2012. Charles said each ATM serves about l,000 cupcakes per day.The machine is so popular that when it appeared in Manhattan, customers were lined up around the block to use _ Yet,inventing the first cupcake ATM was not as easy as convincing customers to use it.When the Nelsons started defigning the machine,they quickly realized nothing existed that could give a fully unbroken cupcake to a customer.The company had to partner with a European firm to develop the technology that could deliver a cupcake without dropping it several feet like a typical machine.After going through a seeond development cycle with the product, the ATMs can now satisfy tlle demand of growing customers and even make as many as four cupcakes at a time. In terms of the company, the-machine allows Sprinkles to do the impossible:increase hours of operation without raising costs.Now the company can sell cupcakes around the clock through the ATM without paying employees. Now the company is partnering with a Middle Eastern company to open 34 new locations abroad. What's the purpose of the text? <extra_id_0>To tell us a newtrend of the diet. <extra_id_1>To advertisefor the cupcake ATM. <extra_id_2>To introduce a newly-invented cupcake ATM. <extra_id_3>To advise more customers to buy cupcakes on ATM. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>For many people in the US,sports are not just for fun. They're almost a "religion".Thousands of sports fans buy expensive tickets to watch their favorite teams and athletes play in person .Other fans watch the games at home,sticking to their TV sets,never missing a game. Many a wife becomes a "sports widow" during her husband's favorite season. Americans' devotion to sports has created a new class:professional athletes. Sports stars often receive milliondollar salaries. Some even make big money by appearing in advertisements for soft drinks,shoes and almost everything. Sports are an important part of American culture. Throughout their school life,Americans learn to play many sports. Many students try out for the school teams. Athletic events at universities attract scores of fans and benefit the whole community. Many people also enjoy noncompetitive activities,like hiking,cycling,horseback riding,camping or hunting. Many sports were imported from other countries. Europeans brought tennis,golf,bowling and boxing to America .Football and baseball came from other Old World games. Only basketball has a truly American origin. Americans export sports fever as well. Satellites broadcast games to sports fans around the globe. NBA is a good example. The names of American superstars like basketball great Michael Jordan have become household words all over the world. Many a wife becomes a "sports widow" in the US probably because _ . <extra_id_0>they are serious in religion <extra_id_1>they are devoted to sports <extra_id_2>their husbands stick to sports <extra_id_3>their husbands are missing <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>their husbands stick to sports <extra_id_5>We all know that good study habits are essential to success. We probably can reduce the academic dishonesty by promoting good study habits among students. Letting the students know how important good study habits are when they come to school. Still, even procrastination can be overcome by proper study habits, and improving study habits is the key to better studying. Good study habits are a great tool to have in the toolbox of life. Many of the tips for success for online students are the same as those for students in a classroom. Consider asking the school's student union to take on a study tips project. Following a few simple study tips can help students effectively learn new concepts and theories. A good way to stay organized is to use folders so that your child can keep his / her assignments. Once children reach the grades where homework and tests are part of the curriculum, there are many things parents can do to encourage good study habits. An effective way is to study before and while they do their homework. Being organized and having homework routines are the most important things in helping your child develop good habits for life. Learning, however, is a process which settles into certain steps. Students with learning problems, however, may still have generally inefficient and ineffective study habits and skills. Becoming aware of your child's learning style will help you understand why they sometimes get frustrated with common study methods. Effective study habits are a very important part of the learning process. Good study habits are all about keeping to a daily routine and giving all subjects equal treatment. If your child's study habits are weak, take a "study skills" course or have someone show him/her good study habits. The problem is that those high-school study habits are hard to shake. Hard work and good study habits are two characters to be nurtured . Motivation and study habits are obviously very important as well. It is important for parents to be aware of their children's learning style because _ . <extra_id_0>every child has his/her own learning style <extra_id_1>it is the only way to learn about their children <extra_id_2>all learning is a process which settles into certain steps <extra_id_3>it helps to know exactly what problems their children have <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>it helps to know exactly what problems their children have <extra_id_5>A man enters a store to buy milk. He walks out of the store with milk. That is all-milk. At the same time, a woman enters the same grocery store also to buy milk. She buys it. But she also buys chicken and lemons to make dinner that night. Then she remembers to buy food for her son to eat at school. She also gets a bottle of wine for drinks with friends and a birthday card for her husband's niece. Then she gets coffee for breakfast, ice cream for dessert and remembers stamps to mail the bills. And don't forget soap for the bathroom. And that is the difference between the female and male brains simply explained in a grocery store. Generally speaking, men do one thing at a time. Women do many. Now scientific research supports this theory about male and female brains. A recent study has confirmed what we have known all along--men and women think differently. Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania studied brain images of 949 people aged from eight to 22 years old. They found that male brains have more connections on one side of the brain, or hemisphere. In the female brains, they found more activity and connections between the right and left sides of the brain. The left side of the brain is known as the side of "reason." The right hemisphere is known as the "creative" side. Regina Verma is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She co-wrote the report. She says when women are asked to do something difficult they might use different parts of the brain. Men, she adds, generally use just one side of the brain. As a result, men generally deal directly with a problem. There is a strong connection between the "understanding" and the "action" parts of their brains. Women, however, might include other parts of the brain when solving a problem. Women take a less direct path to find a solution. What causes the difference between men's and women's behavior? <extra_id_0>Watching things from different sides. <extra_id_1>Having different attitudes towards life. <extra_id_2>Using different parts of the brain to think. <extra_id_3>Reacting at different speed to problems. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Using different parts of the brain to think. <extra_id_5>A great way for teens to cool off during the summer is at water parks. If you live near a water park, you might think about getting a season pass. This way you can go as often as you like. Check to see if there are any water parks around you. Many are indoor facilities. So even if it isn't warm enough where you live to swim outdoors, you can enjoy swimming in a temperature controlled area. The prices are usually good. For example, one ticket to Water World, a water park, is only $5. Some teens like to get a part time job over the summer to make some pocket money. Older teens shouldn't have much trouble finding jobs. An idea is to get some teens together to form your own summer job business. You can walk dogs, bring in the newspapers, feed the cats, collect rubbish, water flowers, etc. Being that it's summer, many people go on vacation and could use someone to look after their houses while they're away. You can also think about other jobs you can do for them. Teens love freedom. Sure you would like to get to such places as the small, movie theaters, the zoo, the beach, picnic, bowling and local amusement park instead of staying home all summer. Then a summer bus pass will be helpful. Check to see if your area has one for you teens. Such a pass costs only $10 for the whole summer. The price is reasonable and also your parents don't have to always drive. Who is the text written for? <extra_id_0>Teachers <extra_id_1>Parents <extra_id_2>Teens <extra_id_3>Travelers <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Teens <extra_id_5>(BEIJING, August 10)--The Beijing Dailyhas put together a number of tips for cost-efficient travel in Beijing. Subway transfer "Transfer" is a word frequently used by volunteers helping visitors choose the best way of transport during the ongoing Beijing Olympics to save time. On the seven subway lines now in operation, the transport authorities have set up a total of 16 transfer stations: Transfer between Line 2 and Line 1 at Jianguomen and Fuxingmen stations; Transfer between Line 2 and Line 5 at Chongwenmen and Yonghegong stations; Transfer between Line 2 and Line 13 at Dongzhimen and Xizhimen stations; Dongzhimen station can also bring you to Beijing Capital International Airport via the Airport Line; Transfer between Line 1 and Line Batong at Sihui and Sihuidong stations; Transfer from Line 1 to Line 10 at Guomao station to reach Zhongguancun, the north Third Ring Road (going north and west) or Jinsong (going south). Via Line 10, transfer to Line 8 at Beitucheng station to reach the Olympic central zone, where the "Bird's Nest" and other venues are located; transfer to Line 5 at Huixinxijie Nankou; transfer to Line 13 at Zhichunlu and Shaoyaoju stations; Sanyuanqiao station takes you to the airport via the Airport Line. From subway to bus Beijing's subway system is thoroughly linked with bus routes. The Beijing Railway Station, which can be reached via the Line 2 subway, has bus lines going north, southeast and to the West Railway Station, covering Chaoyang, Tongzhou, Daxing and other districts. Xizhimen station is linked to many bus routes that go south and northeast. The long-distance bus routes near Dongzhimen station pass through Shunyi, Pinggu and other outskirts. Park and ride Park and ride facilities allow commuters to leave their personal vehicles in a parking lot and transfer to a bus or rail system. In Beijing, because of city planning and other factors, park and ride is limited to bus and subway stations beyond the Fourth Ring Road. Since the Line 5 subway began operating, a low-fare parking lot, the largest in Beijing, was created at Tiantongyuan Beizhan station. Drivers are encouraged to spend just two yuan per day parking their vehicles and take the subway into the city. Which of the following is NOT true? <extra_id_0>From the Beijing Railway Station, you can take buses to the West Railway Station. <extra_id_1>From the Beijing Railway Station, you can take the subway to the West Railway Station. <extra_id_2>The Beijing Railway Station has bus lines going north and southeast. <extra_id_3>The Beijing Railway Station has bus lines going southeast and to the West Railway Station. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>From the Beijing Railway Station, you can take the subway to the West Railway Station.
<extra_id_5>The Body Temperature The temperature of your body should be always just the same, no matter whether the weather is hot or cold. That is why the doctor uses his thermometer when your are sick. The body keeps the same temperature all the time ,because it balances the heat it produces and it gives off. It is always burning up food and , producing heat. It can produce heat faster when it needs to give off heat than when it becomes too warm. Let's see how this happen. The heat of your body is given off mainly through the skin. When you are cold, your skin is tight and shows "good flesh". When you get chilly, you must dance around to keep warm or else you will shiver. Then your muscles begin to work, burn up fuel, and produce more heat. It is not pleasant to shiver, so you usually prefer to warm up by exercise, or put on more clothes to keep heat in. When you are warm, the skin is loose and soft. It is so supplied with blood that heat is given off rapidly. If you get too warm, you begin to sweat ,and more body heat is used in evaporating the moisture from your skin. You wear less clothing, too, in warm weather or warm room, so that warm can be given off freely. You feel less like exercising because your body is warm already, and the extra heat produced by exercise makes you uncomfortable. You can see from the way you feel differently in different kinds of weather. In summer, when it is warm, you feel tired and lazy. You do not care to work or play, but enjoy lying and doing nothing. When you get out of doors in winter, the cold air makes you feel lively. You want to play. When one feels chilly, which of the following will he do? <extra_id_0>His skin becomes tight in order to keep warm. <extra_id_1>He does exercises to make his muscle produce more heat. <extra_id_2>He puts on more clothes to keep heat in. <extra_id_3>He keeps shivering to produce more heat. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>He does exercises to make his muscle produce more heat. <extra_id_5>A public primary school in New York City has stopped giving its students homework. P.S.116 Principal Jane Hsu wrote a letter to parents last month explaining that after more than a year of analyzing studies,the school had concluded that students'after-school time would be better spent on activities like reading at their own pace and playing rather than working on homework. Hsu's letter says that many studies indicate that there is no connection between homework and academic success.Indeed,there are some studies that show that the link between homework and success is doubtful at the primary school level. An important 1989 study on homework by Professor Cooper found that doing homework led students to perform better in school as they grew older.In later grades,students who did homework performed increasingly better than students who did not.In 2006,Cooper published a study that analyzed 15 years'worth of data on the effectiveness of homework.He found that homework had a more positive impact on students as they aged,and identified stronger relations between homework and achievement for students in grades seven through 12 than for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. A 2012 study from the Indiana University School of Education on 10th-graders found little relation between time spent on homework and better course grades,although it did find a positive relation between homework time and standardized test performance. Some parents of P.S.116 students are not happy with the decision to _ homework. "I think they should have homework--some of it is about discipline.I want(my daughter)to have fun,but I also want her to be working towards a goal,"Daniel Tasman,the father of a second--grader at the schoo1. "You have to do homework in order to gain;you have to do homework because they may not be able to comprehend everything in school,"Sharon Blake,a grandmother of a P.S.116 student. Harris Cooper found in his research that _ . <extra_id_0>kindergarten students spent too much time doing activities <extra_id_1>doing homework made the kindergarten students cleverer <extra_id_2>only elderly students should be given homework to do <extra_id_3>students benefit more from doing homework as they grow older <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>students benefit more from doing homework as they grow older <extra_id_5>Every year thousands of young people in England finish school and then take a year off before they start work or go to university. Some young people go to other countries and work as volunteers . Volunteers give their time to help people. For example, they work in schools or hospitals, or they do something helpful for the environment. Pauline Jones, 18, lives in Cardiff, Wales. Next year she is going to university to study Chinese, but now she's living in Belize. Pauline says, "I'm working with other people here to save the coral reefs in the sea near Belize. The reefs here are beautiful, but if the sea water is very polluted, the coral will die. I'm helping to do research on the coral and the fish that live around the reefs. All over the world, coral reefs are dying. We need to do something about the problem before it's too late." "I'm staying with a family here and I help do some housework. I don't get any money, but that's OK. I love my work here, and I'm learning a lot about the people of Belize--and myself! After I finish my work, I want to stay here for another three months. I want to travel around Belize and Central America." Pauline Jones, an eighteen-year-old girl, is living in _ now. <extra_id_0>England <extra_id_1>China <extra_id_2>Belize <extra_id_3>Cardiff <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Belize <extra_id_5>For most teenagers, swapping an old mobile phone with a friend for the latest album or movie ticket might be considered a good trade.But 17-year-old Steven Ortiz set his sights a little higher, and -- after a series of swaps -- is now driving himself to school in a Porsche.The youngster started exchanging items two years ago after a schoolmate gave him an unwanted phone.Through a series of online swaps, Steven worked his way up through newer phones, laptop computers, and street bikes before landing the prized Porsche. Steven developed a love for online trading long before taking up the swaps that led to the Porsche.As a young teenager, he would buy his friends' unwanted mobile phones for around PS20, clean them up and sell them over the Internet for three times that amount. His father, Esteban Ortiz, said Steven was also useful to have around when the family needed something like a new washing machine, as he would use his nose for a bargain to pick up somebody's discarded appliance for next to nothing and fix it up cheaply."I think this is teaching him something.I want him to go to college, and make something of his life.He is learning the value of things, responsibility and negotiation skills." Steven got his first car at 15, but he was too young to drive, so he traded for a golf cart before moving back into cars when he got his license a year ago.Steven said swapping the Bronco, worth about PS10,000 at the time, for the Porsche was actually a trade down because the car was valued at PS6,000.Another downside is the running costs.He must pay PS100 every time the Porsche needs an oil change, and $1,000 for a routine service. Steven, however, still has some way to go before matching the achievement of Canadian Kyle MacDonald, who became famous four years ago for turning a single red paperclip into a two-storey farmhouse through a series of trade. In terms of swapping the Bronco for the Porsche, Steven thought that _ . <extra_id_0>it was a loss as a matter of fact <extra_id_1>he was too young to drive it <extra_id_2>the running costs of both are very high ks5u <extra_id_3>he gained much profit from it <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>it was a loss as a matter of fact <extra_id_5>Several years ago, a student working on a research project in my laboratory approached me with concern."I'm doing something wrong,"she exclaimed. I had seen her research results and knew she was making good progress, so I was surprised to hear that she was having a problem. Over the next several days we went through her experiment; yet I could not find a problem. Finally, I asked her,"Why do you think you're doing something wrong?" "Because I'm not getting what you said I should get,"she replied with some confusion. Her response shocked me. I had not told her what she"should get", but we had discussed some published hypotheses several weeks earlier. On seeing the research data that did not fit these predictions, I recognized that she had a new finding and came to change my hypotheses. But she was interpreting her results as a mistake. With almost four years of a college science major behind her, this student still had the common misunderstanding that science is a boring exercise in proving something we already know to be true. But how can this happen? Throughout school, science is often described in textbooks as a series of"known"facts and figures; for example, DNA is a double helix; earthquakes occur at plate boundaries, etc. Unfortunately, the process by which these discoveries were made and how they fit into scientific progress are often ignored in the classroom. These details help show the nature of scientific discoveries and the tails help show the nature of scientific discoveries and the skepticism that goes with new discoveries before they are accepted. Understanding science is more than memorizing that DNA is a double helix. It is to have the ability to take in new information on diet, exercise, or disease and apply it to our own lives. Understanding the process of science and scientific problem-solving can help us make better decisions every day. The student thought her research project had gone wrong because _ . <extra_id_0>she was not making progress <extra_id_1>her teacher told her so <extra_id_2>she couldn't get enough data <extra_id_3>she had some unexpected findings <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>she had some unexpected findings
<extra_id_5>Walt Disney began to make cartoon movies when he was young. But he didn't have much money and he didn't always have enough to eat. One day a mouse ran near his desk when he worked in his small office. "Would you like to be my pet? "Disney asked the mouse. He caught the mouse and kept it as a pet. A few years later, Disney decided to make a cartoon about it. "I am making a cartoon about a mouse named Mortimer," he told his wife. "Mortimer Mouse? I think Mickey Mouse would be a better name." She said. "You are right!" Disney agreed and made many Mickey Mouse cartoons. People all over the world saw Mickey and loved it. Mickey Mouse made Disney famous. Then come Donald Duck, and Goofy Dog and others. Disney began to make full length cartoons. Then he made cartoon movies for television. Millions of children watched the shows every week. In California, real boats, castles , trains, mountains, rivers, all in one beautiful park. Millions of people came to Disneyland. He died in 1966, but the world will not forget him quickly. Mickey Mouse and all his cartoons will help us to remember him. Which of the flowing sentences is true? <extra_id_0>Disney's wife asked him to make a cartoon about the mouse. <extra_id_1>Mickey Mouse was the name suggested by Disney's wife. <extra_id_2>Disney caught a mouse and made a cartoon about it at once. <extra_id_3>People will remember Disney because of the Disneyland. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Mickey Mouse was the name suggested by Disney's wife. <extra_id_5>Everyone talks about the greenhouse effect and how our Earth and its climate are being affected. We can do a science experiment designed by some kids to show this effect and what is happening to the Earth. First prepare the following items: *2 glass containers that need to be the same size and shape *1 gallon plastic bag *4 cups of very cold water *Ice cubes Fill each container with two cups of cold water. Add the same amount of ice cubes to each container. Then put one of the containers in the plastic bag and close it tight. Put both containers in the sun together and keep them there for at least an hour. At the end of one hour remove the container from the plastic bag and immediately check the temperature of the water. After you record this, find out the temperature of the water that is not covered. When you place the containers in direct sunlight, the air inside the bag becomes very warm. The heat filters in but cannot escape so it stays in the closed plastic bag and increases the temperature. What if you leave that for two, three or four hours? Think about what is happening to the Earth. There are chemicals that are creating a type of plastic bag around the Earth. It causes our air to get warmer because of the heat from the sun being kept in this closed area. Think about your car in the hot summer. This is what happens when you leave your car outside all day. This greenhouse effect has caused your car to be so hot that you sometimes cannot even touch the steering wheel. This science project goes to show what affects our planet. According to the text, the greenhouse effect appears mainly because of _ . <extra_id_0>the hot sunlight <extra_id_1>chemicals around the Earth <extra_id_2>the plastic bag <extra_id_3>human activities <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>chemicals around the Earth <extra_id_5>A student conducts an investigation using mold spores. In one part of the investigation, he needs to closely examine a spore sample. Which piece of equipment does the student need to use to keep mold spores from entering his respiratory system? <extra_id_0>breathing mask <extra_id_1>safety goggles <extra_id_2>rubber gloves <extra_id_3>lead smock <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>breathing mask <extra_id_5>95% of the world's H2O is found in the <extra_id_0>antartic <extra_id_1>artic <extra_id_2>seas <extra_id_3>lakes <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>seas <extra_id_5>Zhou Yan, a Junior 3 student, wishes he never got a mobile phone. Last week, he went to see a doctor because his arms and fingers were injured. The doctor told him that he had had "mobile phone disease ". A growing number of teenagers are getting "mobile phone disease" because more and more are using mobile phones. Zhou got his mobile phone five months ago. He sent messages to his friends with it all the time, even when going to bed. Zhou started to do badly in exams because he spent too much time playing with his mobile phone. His mom got very angry with him, but he didn't stop playing with the mobile phone until his arms got injured. Yang Ling, a doctor, says that if someone uses his mobile phone too much, like Zhou Yan, he might get "mobile phone disease". If teenagers find their arms or fingers hurt , they should go to see a doctor as soon as possible. Yang says teenagers should try to use their mobile phones less, especially at school. The writer wants to tell us _ in the article. <extra_id_0>only a few teenagers have mobile phones <extra_id_1>using mobile phones too much is bad for teenagers' study and health <extra_id_2>mobile phones can help teenagers get out of trouble <extra_id_3>people shouldn't use mobile phones <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>using mobile phones too much is bad for teenagers' study and health
<extra_id_5>Moscow, Russia (Space news)... "The,computer is a better chess player, " insisted Viktor Prozorov, the loser. "It seemed as if it were laughing after every good move, I know I should have beaten it for the sake of mankind , but I just couldn't win," he announced and shook his head sadly. Prozorov's disappointment was shared by sereral grand masters who were present, some of whom were so upet that they shouted at the machine. Many chess players said that this meant the end of chess championships around the world, since the fun had been taken out of the game. The computer walked or rather, rolled-away with 5,000 dollars in prize money and limited its remarks to a set of noises and lights. Which of the following best gives the main idea of this newspaper article? <extra_id_0>5,000 dollars goes to a computer! <extra_id_1>New invention:a laughing computer! <extra_id_2>World's best chess player beaten! <extra_id_3>Computer defeats man in chess! <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Computer defeats man in chess! <extra_id_5>GENEVA, Feb.11 (Xinhua) --The current La Nina weather phenomenon may just be a partial cause of south prefix = st1 /China's freeze-up at the start of 2008, said the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Monday. The latest La Nina pattern, which began in the third quarter of 2007, has picked up strength in the past three months, with sea surface temperatures now about 1. 5 to 2 degrees Celsius colder than average over large parts of the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean, said the latest report issued by the WMO. Presenting the Geneva-based body's report, Rupa Kumar Killi, a WMO climate expert, said the recent month-long snow and ice-storms in China's central, southern and eastern regions could be connected with the La Nina phenomenon, the climatic opposite of El Nino . However, he said China's freeze-up was a result of several causes combined and was partly caused by a cold surge from the north and west. He also said the present La Nina cycle may last at least until mid-2008 and it is also possible, if less likely, that the cycle could stretch into the third quarter. La Nina is a large pool of unusually cold water in the equatorial Pacific that develops every few years and influences global weather. It is the climatic opposite of El Nino, a warming of the Pacific, and both have been associated with extreme weather around the globe. Since Jan. 10, snow, sleet and low temperatures have swept China's southern regions, a rare occurrence for the area. When did the latest La Nina weather phenomenon begin? <extra_id_0>In the spring of 2007. <extra_id_1>In the summer of 2007. <extra_id_2>In the fall of 2007. <extra_id_3>In the winter of 2007. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>In the fall of 2007. <extra_id_5>Tom walked into a shop. It had a sign outside:" Second-hand clothes bought and sold. " He was carrying an old pair of trousers and asked the owner of the shop." How much will you give me for these?" The man looked at them and then said, "Two dollars ." "What!" said Tom. "I had guessed they were worth(...) at least five." "No," said the man, "they aren't worth a cent more than two dollars." "Well," said Tom. Taking two dollars out of his pocket, "Here's your money. These trousers were hanging outside your shop. The list price of them was six dollars and a half. But I thought that was too much money, so I wanted to find out how much they were really worth. " Before the shop owner could think of anything, Tom walked out of the shop with the pair of trousers. From the story we know that _ cheaper than the list price. <extra_id_0>the owner sold the trousers two dollars <extra_id_1>Tom sold the trousers one dollar and a half <extra_id_2>the owner bought the trousers three dollars <extra_id_3>Tom bought the trousers four dollars and a half <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Tom bought the trousers four dollars and a half <extra_id_5>On Friday, June 20th, 29 dogs along with their owners came to Santa Rosa, California. They came there to take part in an unusual competition--one that seeks out and honors the World's Ugliest Dog. Now in its 26th year, the competition is one of the biggest attractions at the annual Sonoma County Fair. Among the leading competitors were Cupcake, who was adopted from a local dog rescue center in January and Shorty, who would have been put to sleep if its owner, Jason, wasn't kind enough to pick it up. Also competing was 11-year-old veteran Grovie. Described by his owner as short and funny, the Chinese pug is a local resident who has taken part in this contest several times. Then there was 2002 "World's Ugliest Dog" and "Ring of Champions" winner, Rascal. The 7lbs naturally hairless dog with very few teeth comes from an impressive background . His grandfather, Chi Chi, holds the Guinness World Record for winning the title "World's Ugliest Dog" seven times! But all these impressively "ugly" dogs had no chance against Peanut. The two-year-old dog was badly burnt in a fire which caused him to lose his lips, most of his body hair and eyelids. Besides winning the title, $1,500 USD in cash and a large trophy , the first time winner also enjoyed an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City where he made scheduled appearances on the Today Show and the Jimmy Kimmel Show. The competition is a great way to honor these dogs, many of whom get their unusual looks because of human abuse . But most importantly, it raises awareness about their adoption by showing the world that ugliness does not prevent dogs from becoming very loving pets. What can we learn from Rascal's impressive background? <extra_id_0>He comes from a family of ugly dogs. <extra_id_1>Most of his family members are well-known. <extra_id_2>His grandfather had won the competition seven times. <extra_id_3>Seven of his family members had won the competition. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>His grandfather had won the competition seven times. <extra_id_5>Face-to-face communication involves much more than the spoken word.In fact, we often communicate our feelings to others through our body language without realizing we are doing so.We communicate through posture, gesture and facial expression.But the eyes also play an important part in this unspoken language.William Shakespeare called the eyes "a window to the soul," and you can learn to look through that window and better understand a person's body language by reading eye movement. Begin a conversation and ask a simple question.Watch carefully for eye movement during the response.If the person looks up, he or she is thinking or forming pictures.This is also a sign of a visual thinker.Looking up and to the left shows recalling a memory, while looking up and to the right could show imaginative construction or lying. If the person looks down, this could be a sign of obedience or even blame.Looking down and to the left can show a person talking to themselves.Looking down and to the right can show that they are feeling strong emotion. Looking sideways can indicate distraction or checking out a potential threat, hut a sideways glance can also show anger.In addition, eyes that look side to side often show shiftiness and lying. A glance usually indicates a desire for something.Glancing at a door could show a desire to leave the room, while a glance, at a person could indicate a desire to talk to them.A glance is also used when it is forbidden to look at something. A person who is lying to you may hold eye contact longer than normal.In addition, this person might smile with his mouth but not with his eyes.Smiling with the eyes is difficult to do if the emotion is not genuine. Rapid blinking of the eyes can occur when a person is thinking, and this can also be another sign of lying.Again, a person who is aware of this sign might overcompensate and stare. The writer wrote this passage to _ . <extra_id_0>introduce the different meanings of the body languages <extra_id_1>teach us how to use eyes to express ourselves <extra_id_2>explain the importance of body languages <extra_id_3>tell us how to read eye movement <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>tell us how to read eye movement
<extra_id_5>Every country has its own way of cooking. American people have their way of cooking, don't they? Most people in the United States like fast food, but if you think that American people don't like cooking, you are wrong. It's true that most Americans eat fast food for their breakfast and lunch, but they also think cooking is interesting. Parents see the importance of teaching their children how to cook, and most Americans say that home cooked meals are the best. Americans have their own way of cooking. For example, baking is the most popular way of cooking in America. Most American families have ovens. American cooks pay attention to the balance of food. In planning a big meal, they try to cook meat, a few vegetables, some bread and often some sweet food. They also like to make the meal look beautiful. There are many kinds of food of different colors, so the meal is healthy and looks beautiful, too. is the most popular way of cooking in the USA. <extra_id_0>Baking <extra_id_1>Cutting <extra_id_2>Frying <extra_id_3>Boiling <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Baking <extra_id_5>Termites eat wood but cannot digest it. Protozoans live in the termites' stomachs and use enzymes to break down the wood. The digested wood provides nutrition for both the termites and the protozoans. What type of relationship is this? <extra_id_0>mutualism <extra_id_1>parasitism <extra_id_2>predation <extra_id_3>commensalism <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>mutualism <extra_id_5>I went on line to check if my pay was in my bank account . To my amazement I discovered that not only had I been paid, but a company I'd never worked for had also paid me! I know I would have been beside myself if my own salary was not in my account, so I tried to get the money back to the right person. Easier said than done. The bank couldn't help as it "wasn't a bank problem." The human-resource department at the company that paid me was unable to help as I didn't have enough details. I rang the bank again. Thankfully I had a sympathetic call operator who gave me a name, so I again rang the company "Daniel" worked for. I expected the bank would contact me to arrange to take the money from my account and repay Daniel. I heard nothing for a month and the money remained in my account when Daniel called, explaining he'd tried to get back his money but had been unsuccessful as neither the bank nor his company felt it was their error. He had rung to ask if I could speak to the bank, but after chatting for a few minutes we realized we could probably fix this problem ourselves. We decided I would take the money from my account and he would pick it up from me. Due to my busy job I was unable to meet Daniel personally but he left me a lovely bottle of wine in exchange for what was rightfully his. I never had any intention of keeping Daniel's pay but red tape made it difficult to do the right thing. It all came down to two people being able to do what a huge bank and a large company couldn't do -- admit a mistake has occurred and fix it. How was the problem solved in the end? <extra_id_0>The author and Daniel solved the problem themselves. <extra_id_1>It cost Daniel a lovely bottle of wine to get back his money. <extra_id_2>The author gave the money back to the company. <extra_id_3>The call operator offered to solve their problem. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>The author and Daniel solved the problem themselves. <extra_id_5>Depression is the second most common cause of disability worldwide after back pain, according to a review of research. The disease must be treated as a global public health priority , experts report in the journal PLOS Medicine. The study compared depression with more than 200 other diseases and injuries as a cause of disability. "Globally, only a small part of patients have opportunities to be treated," the World Health Organization (WHO) says. Depression was ranked at number two as a global cause of disability, but its effects varied in different countries and regions. For example, rates of major depression were highest in Afghanistan and lowest in Japan. In the UK, depression was ranked number three in terms of years when people lived with a disability. Dr Alize Ferrari from the University of Queensland's School of Population Health led the study. "Depression is a big problem and we definitely need to pay more attention to it than we do now," she told BBC News. "There's still more work to be done in terms of awareness of the disease and also successful ways of treating it. The burden is different between countries, so the rate of depression tends to be higher in low and middle income countries and lower in high income countries." Policy-makers have made an effort to bring depression to the forefront, but there is still a lot more work to be done." "There're lots of confusions we know related to mental health," Prof. Alize Ferrari explained. "What one person recognizes as disabling might be different to another person and might be different across countries as well, there are lots of cultural effects and explanations that are related to depression, which makes it more important to raise awareness of the size of the problem and also signs and how to find depression." The data--for the year 2010--follows similar studies in 1990 and 2000 looking at the global burden of depression. Commenting on the study, Dr Daniel Chisholm, a health economist at the department of mental health and substance abuse at the WHO said depression was a very disabling condition. "It's a big public health challenge and a big problem to be thought about but not enough is being done. Around the world only a tiny part of people get any sort of treatment or diagnosis." Dr Daniel Chisholm said. The WHO recently started a global mental health action plan to raise awareness of depression among policy-makers. Who is Alize Ferrari? <extra_id_0>She is a doctor working in a hospital. <extra_id_1>She is a professor at a university leading the study. <extra_id_2>She is an official from the government. <extra_id_3>She is a common teacher taking part in the study. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>She is a professor at a university leading the study. <extra_id_5>The Man Booker Prize for Fiction is awarded for a novel written by a writer from the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland and it aims to represent the very best in contemporary fiction. The prize was originally called the Booker-McConnell Prize, which was the name of the company that sponsored it, though it was better-known as simply the 'Booker Prize'. In 2002, the Man Group became the sponsor and they chose the new name, keeping 'Booker'. Publishers can submit books for consideration for the prize, but the judges can also ask for books to be submitted that they think should be included. Firstly, the Advisory Committee gives advice if there have been any changes to the rules for the prize and selects the people who will judge the books. The judging panel changes every year and usually a person is only a judge once. Great efforts are made to ensure that the judging panel is balanced in terms of gender and professions within the industry, so that a writer, a critic, an editor and an academic are chosen along with a well-known person from wider society. However, when the panel of judges has been decided, they are left to make their own decisions. Meanwhile, the prize sponsor has no further right to take part in any more. The Man Booker judges include critics, writers and academics to maintain the consistent quality of the prize and its influence is such that the winner will almost certainly see the sales increase considerably, in addition to thePS50,000 that comes with the prize. Which task can be done by the Advisory Committee? <extra_id_0>Changing the rules for the prize on their own. <extra_id_1>Selecting the judging committee. <extra_id_2>Making decisions on who is the winner. <extra_id_3>Submitting books for consideration for the prize. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Selecting the judging committee.
<extra_id_5>A group of senior high school students are playing outside on a basketball court. They are shouting with excitement. And they all have the same dream. They wish to play in the NBA, just like Huston Rocket's Yao Ming. "Someday, there will be more Chinese players like Yao in the NBA," said 15-year-old Xie Tao, a senior 1 boy at Shanghai No. 2 Middle School. Xie always watches Yao playing on TV. "He is a great player. He makes me proud to be Chinese," he said. Like Xie, 17-year-old Liu Yan at Beijing No. 22 Middle School is also a big NBA fan. "Since early May, I've not missed one game in the NBA," said the senior 3 student. Basketball is becoming popular in middle schools across the country. And more young players are starting to like the sport. More students are playing the game. Jiang Hui, a basketball teacher at Beijing No. 2 Middle School, said that 85 percent of the students at this school like the sport. "Students are full of passion for the game," Jiang's team won the regional first prize in the 2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League in march. The league is the first national basketball competition for high school students. Playing basketball is a good way to exercise. But students also enjoy it for other reasons. For Li Yan, a Senior 2 at Shanghai No. 12 Middle School, basketball teaches him lessons in life. "When I am in a game, I feel more confident about my studies, " he said. " It also teaches me to have a good team spirit and to enjoy friendship." Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? <extra_id_0>Basketball is becoming popular in middle schools in Chine. <extra_id_1>The 2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League was held in May. <extra_id_2>Playing basketball is a good way to exercise. <extra_id_3>Students enjoys playing basketball for a lot of reasons. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Look carefully at the back of a California state quarter.A man with a walking stick is pictured there.A bird called a California condor is flying overhead. Who is this man,and why is he so important that he is featured on the back of a coin? The man on this quarter is John Muir.Even as a child, Muir loved watching nature. As a young man,he spent much of his life exploring the beauty of the wilderness.He walked more than a thousand miles across the country,through fields and woods.John Muir liked writing about the places he visited,describing their beauty. Muir also wrote about problems.In order to create more farmland for sheep and cattle, rnany trees were being cut down.This made Muir unhappy and worried,because he knew that trees were important to forests and to the animals that lived in them.Muir believed that nature should be conserved instead of being changed by human beings.He wrote articles in magazines and newspapers to spread the word about conserving forests.Soon,others began to listen. Muir wrote letters to important people,such as President Theodore Roosevelt.The president admired Muir's love for nature.When Roosevelt came to visit Muir in California. Muir convinced the president to go camping with him for three nights under the trees so they could talk about conservation.Later,President Roosevelt set aside 148 million acres of land for national forests and established five national parks.National parks are large areas of land that are protected from development. This means that people cannot build homes or businesses there. One of these parks is Yosemite National Park,the area that is featured on the back of the California quarter. Though it has been almost one hundred years since John Muir died,people continue his work today.His work as a conservationist helped us to see the beauty of our natural world.John Muir made us understand the importance of protecting our earth and our resources---then,now,and for the future. Why did President Theodore Roosevelt visit John Muir? <extra_id_0>Because Roosevelt loved watching nature. <extra_id_1>Because Roosevelt received letters from John Muir. <extra_id_2>Because Roosevelt admired John Muir's love for nature. <extra_id_3>Because Roosevelt was sad about the problems with farmland. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>One of the first things that Jim discovered while living with the Greens was that there were different television channels in Britain, the BBC broadcasts on two channels: BBC1 and BBC2. There is a mixture of serious and light programmes on BBC1; there are mainly serious programmes on BBC2. ITV is an independent channel which carries advertisements . There are no advertisements on the BBC, so everyone must pay some money to the BBC each year. There are both serious and light programmes on ITV. Because of the different channels, it is not surprising that you often see each member in Mg. Green's house wants to choose his or her own favorite channel. This is the sort of thing you hear: "There's sports programme on ITV." "What's that, children?" "We were wondering if we could watch the sports programme on ITV." "But I was wondering whether to watch the other programme on BBC1." And so on. The children like ITV; mother prefers BBC1; father prefers BBC2. Jim hasn't made up his mind. What programme did the children want to watch? <extra_id_0>A sports programme. <extra_id_1>A serious programme. <extra_id_2>A light programme. <extra_id_3>An advertisement. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>If you are a high school senior graduating and looking to enter college in 2006, you will take the new exam. The biggest change to the SAT will be the introduction of a new writing section. The writing section will consist of two parts: an essay and a multiple-choice section. Students will be given 25 minutes to respond to a prompt and construct a well-organized essay that effectively deals with the task. The essay question may require students to complete a statement, to react to a quote, or to agree or disagree with a point of view. In any case, a good essay will support the chosen position with specific reasons and examples from literature, history, art, science, current affairs, or even a student's own experiences. Essays will be scored based on the procedures for the current SAT II: Writing Test. Essays will be graded by two independent readers On a scale of 1~6, and their two scores will be combined to form an essay subscore that ranges from 2 to 12. Should the readers' scores vary by more than 2 points, a third reader will score the essay; The readers will be high school teachers and college professors who teach composition. To ensure that essays will be scored in a timely manner, they will be scanned and made available to readers on the Internet for grading purpose. The writing section will also include multiple-choice grammar and usage questions. Some of these questions will call upon students to improve given sentences and paragraphs. Others will present students with sentences and require them to identify mistakes in diction , grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage. The highest possible score on the new writing section will be 800. Scores on the essay and multiple-choice section will be combined to produce a single score. A writing subscore will also be assigned. The highest possible scores on the Critical Reading and Math sections will remain 800 each, making 2,400 a perfect score on the new SAT. Which parts are included in the writing section of SAT according to the passage? <extra_id_0>Essay and multiple-choice. <extra_id_1>Essay and critical writing. <extra_id_2>Multiple-choice and math. <extra_id_3>Multiple-choice and literature. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Sydney Australia--Mobile phone has become a problem for middle schools. Some middle schools in Australia have banned students from carrying mobile phones during school hours. Mobile phone use among children has become a problem for the school this year. Several children have got mobile phones as Christmas gifts, and more students want them. Mary Bluett, an official, said mobile phone use is a distraction to students during school hours and it also gives teachers so much trouble in their classrooms. Teachers were also saying that sometimes students might use phone messages to cheat during exams. She said some schools had tried to ban mobile phones. Some parents felt unhappy because they couldn't get in touch with their children. Many teachers said students should not have mobile phones at school, but if there was a good reason, they could leave their phones at school offices. They also said there were many reasons why the students should not have mobile phones at school: _ were easy to lose and were a distraction from studies. Many people say that they understand why parents would want their children to have phones, but they think schools should let the students know when they can use their mobile phones. Some parents felt unhappy because they couldn't _ during school hours. <extra_id_0>use their mobile phones <extra_id_1>leave their mobile phones <extra_id_2>help the teachers with their work <extra_id_3>get in touch with their children <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>
<extra_id_5>It takes approximately 365 days for <extra_id_0>the Sun to orbit around Earth. <extra_id_1>the Moon to orbit around Earth. <extra_id_2>Earth to orbit around the Sun. <extra_id_3>Earth to orbit around the Moon. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Earth to orbit around the Sun. <extra_id_5>You're listening to Radio Five. Regular listeners know that every Tuesday I give a list of places in the city that are looking for volunteers. Tiny Tot Preschool is looking for someone who will sing songs to the children on Thursday mornings. The best person for this job would be someone who can play the piano or the guitar. Primary School 39 needs volunteers to teach students English after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.If you are good at English,this is a great chace. The Parks Department needs volunteers to help plant many trees before May Day. If you like to work outside and protect the environment, this job is just for you. Lastly, the Community Center is looking for volunteers to work with old people on weekends. You can help read newspapers to the old people with bad eyesight. The Center also needs a few students to do fix-up work on houses. If you often help your grandfather repair his house, maybe this is the best job for you. If you are interested in any of the jobs, you can call us at 5478-6638. That's all for now. People need your help. Volunteer Today. Which of the following if TRUE according to the passage? <extra_id_0>Tiny Tot Preschool's telephone number is 5478-6638 <extra_id_1>Volunteers can help the students with English in Primary School. <extra_id_2>The Parks Department needs volunteers to help give out notices. <extra_id_3>The Community Center is looking for volunteers that can work on Mondays and Wedensdays. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Volunteers can help the students with English in Primary School. <extra_id_5>St James's Palace has announced that while Miss Middleton will wear a wedding ring. Prince William has chosen not to. Rings are typically exchanged by couples during their wedding to represent commitment to each other. Does it matter if husbands don't wear a wedding ring? Prince William's father wears one, his grandfather doesn't and their decisions weren't seen as strange. But reactions to Prince William's decision show that wedding rings for husbands are now the norm. One young man, who spoke to the BBC, thinks William is setting a bad example, saying: "I think it's disgraceful . It's a tradition. You have to wear a ring really. And for someone of the royal family to do that, it's not right. " Broadly speaking, modem husbands tend to wear their wedding rings as a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness. So not wearing one can seem unusual or even dishonest to some, although men haven't always worn them. The wearing of wedding rings has been the done thing for centuries among wives but only became common practice among husbands during World War II. Men fighting overseas usually wore them as a reminder of wives and families back home. Wearing rings is a safety issue for men in certain manual jobs. But how does William explain his decision? A royal officer has said he "isn't one for jewelry". What would be the best title for this passage? <extra_id_0>To Wear Wedding Rings or Not <extra_id_1>Complaint about British Royal Disgraceful Behavior <extra_id_2>The History of Wearing Wedding Rings <extra_id_3>No Ring for Wills <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>No Ring for Wills <extra_id_5>It was the first snow of winter -- an exciting day for every child but not for most teachers. Up until now, I had been old enough to dress myself, but today would need some help. Miss Finlayson, my kindergarten teacher, had been through brst snow days many times, but I think she may still remember this one. I managed to get into my wool snow trousers. But I struggled won my jacket because it didn't fit well. It was a hand-mc-down from my brother, and if made me wonder why I had to wear his ugly clothes, At least my hat and scarf were mine, and they were quite pretty. Finally it was time to have Miss Finlayson help me with my boots . In her calm, motherly voice she said, "By the end of winter, you will all be able to put on your own boots." I didn't realize at the at the time that this was more a statement of hope than of confidence . I handed her my boots and stuck out my foot. Like most children, I expected grown-ups to do all the work. After much pushing, she managed to get first one into place and then, with a sigh, worked the second one on too. I announced, "They're on the wrong feet." She struggled to get the boots off and went through the joyless task of putting them on again. "They're my brother's boots, you know," I said. "I hate them". Somehow, from long years of practice, she managed to act as though I wasn't an annoying little girl, She struggle with me, she asked, "Now, where are your mittens ?" I looked into her eyes and said, "I didn't want to lose them, so I hid them in the toes of my boots. We can learn from the text that Miss Finlayson _ . <extra_id_0>was losing confidence in the little girl. <extra_id_1>gradually lost patience with the little girl. <extra_id_2>became disappointed with the little girl. <extra_id_3>was getting bored with the little girl. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>gradually lost patience with the little girl. <extra_id_5>Lillan Hanson, a college junior, expects to graduate in about two years. Mrs Hanson, a rather unusual student, plans to go on to take more courses after she gets her degree. What makes Mrs Hanson different from most of her classmates? What sets Lillian Hanson apart from the college crowd is her age-73 years. She has been going to college, a few courses at a time, for 27 years. When Mrs Hanson graduated from high school, she went to her local bank and asked for a loan for college tuition and fees. The banker gave her no encouragement. He didn't think that country girl should be borrowing money to go to college. He thought she should be home doing work in the house or around the farm. So Mrs Hanson went home and raised a family of nine children instead of going to college. She still lives with her husband on the farm that has been in the family for five generations. Mrs Hanson never forgot her dream of getting a higher education. When her children were grown, she tried again. She finds the hardest part of going back to school at her age is to be sitting in class for long periods of time, because she is not as agile as she used to be. Mrs Hanson often gets up and walks around between classes to keep her joints from getting stiff. At the beginning of a course in using the computer, the other students all gave Mrs Hanson a warm round of applause when she introduced herself and explained why she was there and what her goals were. A person who is agile is_. <extra_id_0>stiff in the joints <extra_id_1>poor in certain subjects <extra_id_2>intelligent at schoolwork <extra_id_3>able to move around well <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>able to move around well
<extra_id_5>Most people say "yes" much more readily than "no". A friend is moving house this weekend and would like some help, and you agree. But, what you really wanted was a couple of quiet days relaxing at home. Or a roommate spends the entire weekends playing video games and wants to borrow your homework for "reference". You say "yes". Many people say "yes" to these kinds of requests. They tend not to consider their own interests and feelings, and are often angry with themselves afterwards . Saying "no" requires courage and considerable practice, in fact, according to psychologists. "Everyone wants to be liked," says Gabriele Steinki, a German psychologist. "Saying 'no' risks losing the affection of the person asking the favor or even a job." The result is that many people say "yes" just for keeping the peace. But experts say this is regrettable. Anyone should have the right to say "no". In fact, rejecting a request can even help to strengthen a relationship because it expresses a true feeling. But, for people used to agreeing to every request, changing can be a long and uncomfortable learning process. Most people believe that "If I say 'no', I'll lose the affection of the person. But the affection is important to me." This way of thinking can be replaced by this: "If he only likes me because I always do what suits him , the price of his affection is too high in the long term." Steinki says the key is talking to the other person to find a mutual solution. "One needs to present the situation from one's own point of view, and to suggest how the situation can be dealt with to the advantage of both parties. The other person must have the feeling that his interests are being considered." When the refusal is not accepted, Steinki advises us to give the reasons calmly again until the person gets the message . According to the writer, what should you do if you want to refuse the other person's request? <extra_id_0>Just say you can't help him. <extra_id_1>Say sorry to him. <extra_id_2>Refuse him clearly. <extra_id_3>Talk to the other person to find a mutual way. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Talk to the other person to find a mutual way. <extra_id_5>In order to grow two of the exact same plants, a person would reproduce them asexually because the <extra_id_0>genetic diversity is greater. <extra_id_1>offspring would be genetically identical. <extra_id_2>recessive traits would emerge. <extra_id_3>negative traits are suppressed. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>offspring would be genetically identical. <extra_id_5>Every day Yang Hongwei takes the bus home from work, staring silently at the European-style villas , luxury cars and twinkling lights from the shopping center that he sees through the window. Yang works for a software company in Zhongguancun. He dreams of such a life, away from poverty, and that hope has kept him in Beijing for three years since he graduated from university. Soon Yang squeezes his way off the bus to the reality of his life: his home--a 10-square-metre room that costs 550 yuan(81 US dollars) or about one-fifth of his salary in rent every month. It's very cold inside the house as it has no central heating system. He has to stand the long and cold winter. Determined to achieve his dream, Yang says he has changed jobs "numerous" times in the past three years and is considering quitting his present job. Yang's frustration over his life as a migrant is shared by many other graduates that have moved into big cities. Together they have come to be called the "ant tribe", a term created by Chinese sociologists to describe the struggles of young migrants, who, armed with their diplomas, flood to big cities in hopes of a better life only to put up with low-paying jobs and poor living conditions. They share every similarity with ants. They live in colonies in crowded areas. They're intelligent and hardworking, yet unknown and underpaid. The term, sociologists have said, also reflects their helplessness in a world governed by the law of the concrete jungle--only the strongest survive. A survey in Ant TribeII found nearly 30 percent of the "ants" are graduates of famous key universities--almost three times the percentage of 2009. Most have degrees in popular majors, such as medicine, engineering, economics and management. In addition, 7.2 percent of the "ants" have at least a master's degree compared to 1.6 percent in 2009. Most said the economic recovery did not really improve their financial situations, and 66 percent said their incomes fell short of their expectations, the survey also found. For two years, Lian Si, a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Chinese and Global Affairs of Peking University, who has studied the phenomenon, led a team of more than 100 graduate students to follow the groups in university towns like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Xi'an. Lian evaluates the total population of the "ant community" in major cities at one million across China, with about 100,000 found in Beijing alone. Lian predicts that an increasingly challenging job market will see the ant tribe growing further in number. Another 6.3 million graduates are expected to join migrant workers and other job hunters in what promises to be a fierce labour competition. The ant tribe's embarrassing living situations have become a serious social issue, and the government should develop "second-and-third-tier cities" to attract more graduates from big cities. However, "ants" expect more study and training opportunities in big cities, which keeps them in positive mindsets despite their situations. As in the case of Yang, he is optimistic about getting a new job soon, having received eight interview offers in a week after sending out his resume. The prospect of landing a higher-paying job keeps him hopeful of moving out of the slum district soon. The sooner the better. . Which of the following best describes "ant tribe"? <extra_id_0>It refers to the group of low-income graduates living in embarrassing conditions. <extra_id_1>It refers to the people who work hard like ants but are paid little. <extra_id_2>It refers to the sociologists and scholars researching into some social phenomena. <extra_id_3>It refers to some well-educated people who can't survive in society. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>It refers to the group of low-income graduates living in embarrassing conditions. <extra_id_5>A public primary school in New York City has stopped giving its students homework. P.S.116 Principal Jane Hsu wrote a letter to parents last month explaining that after more than a year of analyzing studies,the school had concluded that students'after-school time would be better spent on activities like reading at their own pace and playing rather than working on homework. Hsu's letter says that many studies indicate that there is no connection between homework and academic success.Indeed,there are some studies that show that the link between homework and success is doubtful at the primary school level. An important 1989 study on homework by Professor Cooper found that doing homework led students to perform better in school as they grew older.In later grades,students who did homework performed increasingly better than students who did not.In 2006,Cooper published a study that analyzed 15 years'worth of data on the effectiveness of homework.He found that homework had a more positive impact on students as they aged,and identified stronger relations between homework and achievement for students in grades seven through 12 than for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. A 2012 study from the Indiana University School of Education on 10th-graders found little relation between time spent on homework and better course grades,although it did find a positive relation between homework time and standardized test performance. Some parents of P.S.116 students are not happy with the decision to _ homework. "I think they should have homework--some of it is about discipline.I want(my daughter)to have fun,but I also want her to be working towards a goal,"Daniel Tasman,the father of a second--grader at the schoo1. "You have to do homework in order to gain;you have to do homework because they may not be able to comprehend everything in school,"Sharon Blake,a grandmother of a P.S.116 student. Principal Jane Hsu wrote the letter to the parents to _ . <extra_id_0>analyze the test results of the students <extra_id_1>suggest students'reading at their own pace and playing <extra_id_2>tell them about the conclusion of the research <extra_id_3>give them the reason for the decision of the school <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>give them the reason for the decision of the school <extra_id_5>Wide tree rings mean <extra_id_0>happiness <extra_id_1>thriving <extra_id_2>money <extra_id_3>magic <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>thriving
<extra_id_5>Japanese workers who run secretly out of the office and spend their afternoons hanging around coffee shops may soon be caught out by their bosses. A new cellphonebased tracking device from Hitachi can show, on an employer's computer screen, not only the whereabouts of their workers but also whether they are standing, walking, running--or have fallen over. The system, called Partout, was originally developed as a monitoring device for the families of people with dementia, who may wander off and need to be located. "It's estimated that the number of elderly people with symptoms of dementia will reach 1.5 million in Japan next year," says Hitachi's Keisaku Shibatani. But the high cost of the system--early prices are around PS27,000--has put it out of reach of most families. Indeed, companies with large sales forces and police departments who want to track officers on dangerous patrol duties are interested in the system. Partout uses a multifunction location sensing unit that tracks users through global positioning satellites. The user's body motion is determined by an accelerometer inside the sensing unit: no movement means the subject has stopped, slow movement means they are walking, fast movement means they are running, and strong and unexpectedly sudden movement means the user may have fallen. The date is relayed through the user's cell phone to computer, which displays their position on a map. Graphics record the motion or position of the subject's body. The system Partout can't tell that _ . <extra_id_0>the person is running <extra_id_1>the person is walking <extra_id_2>the person is stopping <extra_id_3>the person is speaking <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Many college-bound freshmen are worrying about more than just who their roommates will be this fall. They may also be nervous about the well-known fact that they are likely to gain weight this school year. Or will they? While many of us remember the extra weight that showed up right around the start of our college careers, we are not always clear on how much weight we realize gained or why. Many nutrition experts and psychologists think that it is the change in environment and the stress of a new beginning that cause the typical college freshmen to gain extra pounds. As students start a new stage of their lives, many eat to deal with the stress of change or loneliness. Often, college students are making meals or choosing foods independently for the first time in their lives. If they live in the college dormitory, they have a wide variety of foods to select from that may be higher in calories and fatter than the foods they consumed living at home. In addition, college social events usually center around food. I clearly remember sitting in my dorm cafeteria for two or three hours on a Saturday morning socializing with my new friends. Instead of eating only one meal, we would start with breakfast, eat throughout the duration of our socializing, and finish with lunch. Food also makes an appearance after late-night parties, as part of a school day, or simply to break the monotony( ). So will this year's typical freshmen really gain 15 pounds? According to a 2006 Tufts University study, students enrolling in college this fall will gain weight, but maybe not the assumed 15 pounds. Based on the students surveyed, the study found that men can expect to gain an average of 6 pounds and women an average of 4.5 pounds during the freshman year. Nutrition experts and psychologists think that _ . <extra_id_0>students should get used to the stress of change through foods they had at home <extra_id_1>the new environment and the stress have something to do with the students' extra pounds <extra_id_2>students should know in what way they gain so much weight <extra_id_3>choosing foods independently can make people lose weight naturally <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>As a boy, Sanders was much influenced by books about the sea, but by the age of fifteen he had decided to become a doctor rather than a sailor. His father was a doctor. So he was often with the doctors and got along very well with them. When he was fourteen, he was already hanging around the hospital where he was supposed to be helping to clean the medicine bottles, but was actually trying to listen to the doctors' conversations with patients in the next room. During the war Sanders served in the army as a surgeon . "That was the happiest time of my life. I was dealing with real sufferers and on the whole making a success of my job." In Rhodes he taught the country people simple facts about medicine. He saw himself as a life-saver. He had proved his skill to himself and had a firm belief that he could serve those who lived simply, and were dependent upon him. Thus, while in a position to tell them what to do he could feel he was serving them. After the war, he married and set up a practice deep in the countryside, working under an old doctor who hated the sight of blood. This gave the younger man plenty of opportunities to go on working as a life-saver. When the war was over, he _ . <extra_id_0>had the happiest time of his life <extra_id_1>started to hate the sight of blood while working <extra_id_2>served the countrymen under an old doctor <extra_id_3>had few chances to be a "life-saver" because he was younger <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Recently, a scientist did some experiments. He left a group of 4-year-olds in a room with a bell and a candy. If they rang the bell, he would come back and they could eat the candy. If, however, they didn't ring the bell and waited for him to come back on his own, they could then have two candies. In videos of the experiment, he can see the children kicking, hiding their eyes--trying to exercise self-control so they can wait and get two candies. The results are different. Some broke down and rang the bell within a minute. Others lasted 15 minutes. The children who waited longer went on to get higher SAT scores. They got into better colleges and had better adult success. The children who rang the bell quickest were more likely to have received worse teacher and parental evaluations 10 years later and were more likely to have drug problems at age 32. The experiments are worth noting because people spend a lot of time thinking about how to improve education, how to become rich. But when the result is not good, they will come back to ask " how do we get people to get the sort of self-control that leads to success? " This is to enter the world of human nature. So these experiments along with everyday experience, tell us that self-control is most important. Young people who can sit through sometimes boring classes to get a degree can work hard in order to learn a language well. They can avoid drugs and alcohol. For people without self-control skills, however, school is a series of failed ordeals . No wonder they drop out and their later life is a group of foolish ideas, such as drug use, stealing and so on. What will those without self-control do at school according to the text? <extra_id_0>Improving their education. <extra_id_1>Suffering a lot from boring lessons. <extra_id_2>Working hard to catch up with others. <extra_id_3>Becoming very rich and successful. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>As a funny student, Brian loved watching comedies best and hoped to become a comedy actor one day. When he heard about the talent show to be held at this school, Brian decided to take part in it. He had never acted in public before, and he was very excited. But some students laughed at him. "You are not funny but silly," Ken, one of his classmates, said to his face. "No one will like what you do," another boy also said to him, loudly. Brian couldn't understand why they were so unkind to him. For a moment, he thought about giving up the show. But he remembered how much his friends liked his jokes, and also his teachers said he was very funny. So he decided to prepare for the show. Brian did a great job at the talent show. Everyone loved his performance , and he won the first prize! His teachers and friends were proud of him. Even so, Ken told Brian that he was not funny, and that he would never be successful. Brian didn't understand why Ken said so, but he realized that it had nothing to do with him. He confidently continued to work towards his dream. As the years went on, Brian met more people like Ken. "You'll do a terrible job," they said to him. Luckily, most people encouraged him and some helped him to become even funnier. He got a lot of chances to perform in movies. He was even invited to appear on television. His fans thanked him because his comedies made them feel good when they were unhappy. Now Brian is a big comedy star! He is doing what he loves best. He never feels worried like those unkind people, and he laughs all day long! What was Brian's wish as a student? <extra_id_0>To be a comedy actor. <extra_id_1>To go to a famous university. <extra_id_2>To take part in a talent show. <extra_id_3>To make more new friends. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>High school could be a scary time for everyone. The school seems bigger; there are more kids and it's a totally new environment. In fact, it isn't that bad. High school is a lot like middle school after a while. The first day of course is always scary, and the first day of middle school must have been the same. Of course, the first few days you might get lost while looking for your classes but after a while, what seemed to be a large school really isn't. One thing that's really cool about high school is that there are so many more classes you can take. If you happen to like art, there are many art classes. In addition, there are other classes that weren't available in middle school like photography or psychology. In high school, there are a lot of things that are similar to how middle school was but at the same time, there are other opportunities available as well. There are more clubs, sports, and other activities you can join in. You're able to join in these activities and make new friends with kids with the same interest as you. These activities also give you a chance to learn something you never had the opportunity to learn before. High school has something for everyone. You just have to decide what to take part in. but there's one thing that's certain that you're going to have just as much fun in high school as you did in middle school. And if middle school wasn't that great for you, high school is a chance to make up for it. High school isn't just about having fun though. You have to be responsible while you're growing up. Teachers aren't going to chase you up to do your homework. The passage is mainly about _ . <extra_id_0>high school life <extra_id_1>how to take art classes <extra_id_2>the fun side of high school life <extra_id_3>how to make new friends in high school <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Central Sports Centre. City Road. All Stars vs Rockets, Saturday 8: 30 p.m. $12 Northerners vs Tigers, Sunday noon $14 BUSHWALKING : Meet at Wanda Station, Saturday 9:00 a.m. sharp for 3-hour walk to Canary Mountains. $7, ph 341-5432 Meet at Westley Station, Sunday 9:00 a.m. sharp for a full day walk to Wombak Valley. $5, ph 341-8643. Bring your own lunch. FOOTBALL: St Martins Sports Centre St Martins vs Doonsberg, Saturday 2:00 p.m. $8 Eastside Central vs Light Hill, Sunday 2:00 p.m. $8 Neill Park Recreation Centre Neill Park vs Robinson, Saturday 2:00 p.m. $11 Essen vs Springwood, Sunday 2:00 p.m. $11 LAWN BOWLS : Tans Town B.C Tans Town vs White Vale, Saturday 9:00 p.m. $10 Wake Hill B.C. Wake Hill vs Colls, Saturday 2: 00 p.m. $9 You may find the passage most probably in a _ . <extra_id_0>handbook <extra_id_1>newspaper about match reviews <extra_id_2>magazine about ball matches <extra_id_3>notice <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Older fathers have uglier children, researchers have claimed after linking age to genetic mutations . The finding comes weeks after leading scientists reported children born to men over the age of 45 run a higher risk of having autism and mental disorders. With age, sperm -producing cells do not copy a man's DNA as effectively, leading to genetic mutations. Martin Fielder, an anthropologist at Vienna University, told the Sunday Times: 'Every 16 years the mutation rate doubles. Other researchers found 25 mutations per sperm in a 20-year-old, but at age 40 it is 65 mutations. By 56, it doubles again. The effect is very visible - someone born to a father of 22 is already 5-10 per cent more attractive than those with a 40-year-old father and the difference grows with the age gap. In contrast, women pass on a maximum of 15 mutations to their baby, regardless of age, according to the study published in the journal Nature. Surveying a group of six men and six women, researchers showed them each 4,018 photographs of 18-20-year-old men and 4,416 of women the same age, and asked to assess their attractiveness. Those with older fathers were consistently considered less attractive. However, the children of older men, though less attractive, are likely to outlive their peers with younger fathers, it is claimed. Professor Lee Smith, a geneticist at Edinburgh University, told the Sunday Times other research found such children have longer telomeres - the caps on the end of chromosomes --- which are associated with longer life. But the mounting research connecting parents' age with autism is cause for concern, experts warn. Autism is an umbrella term for a range of developmental disorders that have a lifelong effect on someone's ability to interact socially and communicate openly. In the UK, around one in 100 adults is thought to be affected by autism, mostly men, caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Researchers said men should be advised about the potential problems in order to help their personal decision-making when it came to having fathering children at older ages. They warned that advancing paternal age faced a risk of 'numerous public health and societal problems'. Among well-known older dads are Simon Cowell, 54, whose son was born earlier this month, and comedian Frank Skinner whose first child was born in 2012 when he was 55. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? _ <extra_id_0>Aging is the cause of genetic mutations <extra_id_1>Mothers have less effect on their children's appearance than fathers <extra_id_2>Children born to younger fathers are more attractive in looks than those born to older fathers and the difference grows with the age gap <extra_id_3>Simon Cowell and Frank Skinner are mentioned as an example to show that older fathers have uglier children <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Central Sports Centre. City Road. All Stars vs Rockets, Saturday 8: 30 p.m. $12 Northerners vs Tigers, Sunday noon $14 BUSHWALKING : Meet at Wanda Station, Saturday 9:00 a.m. sharp for 3-hour walk to Canary Mountains. $7, ph 341-5432 Meet at Westley Station, Sunday 9:00 a.m. sharp for a full day walk to Wombak Valley. $5, ph 341-8643. Bring your own lunch. FOOTBALL: St Martins Sports Centre St Martins vs Doonsberg, Saturday 2:00 p.m. $8 Eastside Central vs Light Hill, Sunday 2:00 p.m. $8 Neill Park Recreation Centre Neill Park vs Robinson, Saturday 2:00 p.m. $11 Essen vs Springwood, Sunday 2:00 p.m. $11 LAWN BOWLS : Tans Town B.C Tans Town vs White Vale, Saturday 9:00 p.m. $10 Wake Hill B.C. Wake Hill vs Colls, Saturday 2: 00 p.m. $9 If you have $18, you can go to watch both _ . <extra_id_0>Walk Hill vs Colls and Essen vs Springwood <extra_id_1>All Stars vs Rockets and the bushwalking at Westley Station <extra_id_2>Neill Park vs Robinson and Eastside Central vs Light Hill <extra_id_3>St Matins vs Doonsberg and Northerners vs Tigers <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Today more and more cars go into families. Which car is the best for people? Different people have different ideas. Some people like the bright colour car made in China. It's really a good choice . The bright colour car made in China is cheap, nice and safe. This kind of cars is suit for the general income family. Some people love famous foreign cars like Japanese cars, American cars and German cars. They're good but too expensive. But most people think famous foreign cars of better quality are better in safety. These are suit for the high income family or for business. Some people like sports cars, because they're fast and exciting. Some sports cars are very nice but very expensive. Only rich people can afford them. Some people like travelling, so they need a travel car. Travel cars are comfortable. But they use much oil . What's the best car for us? Maybe it's a new and popular topic in life. To the writer, the famous foreign car is suit for _ . <extra_id_0>the high income family <extra_id_1>the general income family <extra_id_2>people like traveling <extra_id_3>people like sports <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>Bill and his friends are in a big city. He takes a lot of food. His bag is big and heavy. Soon, Bill gets lost. He walks in the street for a long time and he feels tired . It's eight in the evening, he goes into a restaurant. He asks for some drinks and soon he begins to sleep. When he wakes up ,he can't find any people in the restaurant. The door is closed and he can't go out. He finds a telephone number and begins to call Mt Jackson, the owner of the restaurant. "Hello," says the boy. "When do you open your restaurant, Mr. Jackson?" The telephone wakes up the man and he isn't happy. So he says, "Don't ask me about that. I can't let you in." "Oh, no! I want to go out." Bill's bag is big because _ . <extra_id_0>there's a lot of clothes in it <extra_id_1>he puts much food in it <extra_id_2>he likes big bags <extra_id_3>he takes many books <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Light for the City Edison and his assistants came to New York to set up an electric power system. They hoped it would provide enough electricity to light up a part of the great city. They bought several machines with them. These were called generators , which produced electricity power for lamps in Edison's building. Soon there were lights for the building. Edison lived in a room facing the street and he often worked over night. The light burned brightly and steadily and he often worked over night. People often came and stopped their horse-drawn carriage to look. Everyone knew that Thomas Edison was in town. First, the inventor and his assistants produced several large generators. A great deal of power would be needed to light up even a small part of the city. Then the workers were busy digging deep trenches in the hard earth below the city streets, and Edison had fourteen miles of wire laid into the trenches. The wire connected each building to a generator. Setting up an electric power system was not an easy job. It took a year and a half. In September, 1882, the job was finished. A small group of men stood around Edison inside the power house. The big moment came at last. The inventor, taking a deep breath, pulled a switch. The electric lights flashed up. "Very good! Very good!" a man nearby shouted to praise Edison for what he had done. "Sir," said Edison, "this is only the beginning!" And Edison was right. Soon Edison's lamp were lighting up cities all over the world. It took a year and a half to _ . <extra_id_0>set up the electric system <extra_id_1>produce several large generators <extra_id_2>dig the deep trenches <extra_id_3>lay fourteen miles of wire into the trench <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>A farmer had some puppies to sell. He painted a sign advertising them on the edge of his yard. One day, a little boy came to buy one of the puppies. With a whistle , the farmer called, "Here, Dolly!" Out from the doghouse ran Dolly followed by _ . The little boy stood against the fence . His eyes danced with happiness. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, something wrong with its legs, doing its best to catch up. "I want that one," the little boy said. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would." With that, the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so, he showed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see, sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands." How did the farmer advertise his puppies? <extra_id_0>Advertise them in the newspaper. <extra_id_1>Put up a sign in his yard. <extra_id_2>Show them to his neighbors. <extra_id_3>Send pictures to a magazine. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>The World Health Organization reports a number of people have died of the Ebola virus in central Africa during the last few months. Ebola, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever or Ebola viral disease, is a rare and deadly illness with high death rates in humans and primates. The natural source of Ebola virus remains unknown, although bats seem to be the most likely source. The Ebola virus began spreading after victims were discovered in northeastern Gabon. So far, it is the third time Ebola has spread through Gabon since 1994. Health officials believe people moving across the border spread the disease from Gabon to Congo. Ebola is highly infectious and kills up to 80% of its victims. Researchers do not know the method with which the virus first appears in humans, but they believe it is through infected animals. The disease then spreads from person to person through blood and other body liquids. Ebola victims treated early have the base chance of survival. Signs of Ebola include a high temperature, diarrhea, muscle pains and bleeding inside the body, in severe cases, victims experience chest pains and death. There is no known cure for the disease and no way yet to prevent it. Scientists at the American National institutes of Health are working to develop a vaccine to prevent Ebola. Doctor Cary Nobel is leading the research effort at N-l-H testing center in the eastern state of Maryland. He says that during the past two years, the vaccine has been tested on small animals and monkeys for safety and effectiveness. In the most recent study, four monkeys who had been given the vaccine were completely protected from a deadly injection of the Ebola virus. The study was described in November in Nature magazine. Doctor Nobel says the tests appear to have moved scientists one step closer to a vaccine for humans. Where does the Ebola virus come from? <extra_id_0>Bats. <extra_id_1>Monkeys. <extra_id_2>Infected humans. <extra_id_3>Something unknown. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>What does mining change? <extra_id_0>temperatures <extra_id_1>biological environments <extra_id_2>water levels <extra_id_3>atmospheric pressures <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>
<extra_id_5>Every September in China, people love to talk about the overprotective parents following their children around everywhere during university enrollment. Now, with more than 420,000 youngsters in the UK starting their new college school year, what is their first day like? BBC's Sean Coughlan described it in a recent report. According to Coughlan, at the very beginning it is not hard to spot something familiar to Chinese-a stream of parents arriving with their sons and daughters at the student village. Mothers, fathers and a teenager-now most likely taller than they are - stand together like the three might have done on the first day of primary school. "The approach road to the student village is a long traffic jam of family cars, stuffed full with boxes, pillows and nervous families," he writes. "The door closes on a student's room and parents and children go their separate ways. For many families, if childhood has a final moment, this is it." But saying goodbye to parents is not the only similarity between college freshmen in the UK and China. In both cases, new arrivals most want to know about their Internet connections. "It's their most urgent concern," notes Coughlan. Even on their first day, university in the UK won't be an entirely lonely experience for some new students. "Before they arrive they have been using social networking to get to know their future roommates," writes Coughlan. Still, the first night is something no UK university student ever forgets. There are people they meet and then spend three years avoiding and people who become their friends for the rest of their lives. First week stories are all about over-partying, bad cooking and misguided clothing, Coughlan says. As he concludes: "These new students are entering their own soap opera of romance, friendship and ambition. It's a huge adventure that they've worked for years to achieve." From the article, we can conclude that Sean Coughlan's report is _ . <extra_id_0>descriptive <extra_id_1>critical <extra_id_2>sympathetic <extra_id_3>bitter <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>descriptive <extra_id_5>One reaction to all the concern about tropical deforestation is a blank stare that asks the question, "Since I don't live there, what does it have to do with me?" The answer is that your way of life, wherever you live in the world, is tied to the tropics in many ways. If you live in a house, wash your hair, eat fruits and vegetables, drink soda, or drive a car, you can be certain that you are affected by the loss of tropical forests. Biologically, we are losing the richest regions on earth when, each minute, a piece of tropical forest, the size of ten city blocks, disappears. As many as five million species of plants, animals, and insects (40 to 50 percent of all living things) live there, and are being lost faster than they can be found and described. Their loss is immeasurable. Take rubber for example. For many uses, only natural rubber from trees will do. _ are not good enough. Today over half the world's commercial rubber is produced in Malaysia and Indonesia, while the Amazon's rubber industry produces much of the world's four million tons. And rubber is an important material in making gloves, balloons, footwear and many sporting goods. Thousands of other tropical plants are valuable for their industrial use. Many scientists strongly believe that deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect -- or heating of the earth from increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As we destroy forests, we lose their ability to change carbon dioxide into oxygen. Carbon dioxide levels could double within the next half-century, warming the earth by as much as 4.5 degrees. The result? A partial melt-down of polar ice caps, raising sea levels as much as 24 feet; even 15 feet could threaten anyone living within 35 miles of the coast. Unbelievable? Maybe. But scientists warn that by the time we realise the severe effects of tropical deforestation, it will be 20 years too late. Can tropical deforestation affect our everyday lives? Now, you should have got the answer. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true? <extra_id_0>The forests are losing their function in turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. <extra_id_1>Many of our daily uses are related to the tropical forests. <extra_id_2>Tropical plants can be used to make industrial products. <extra_id_3>High carbon dioxide levels will make the earth warmer. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>The forests are losing their function in turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. <extra_id_5>Blind people are unable to see what the shapes of things are, but they can still sense it thanks contacting it via their <extra_id_0>flying <extra_id_1>singing <extra_id_2>smiling <extra_id_3>hands <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>hands <extra_id_5>Online Money Earning Yes, you can earn money online without any investment or without anytime limit. There is no need to stop any other work. Here I tell you the complete method for online earning. The Method You can earn money through "Bux.to" by clicking on ads on "Bux. to" site. First you need to open an account at "Bux. to". "Bux. to" is a new international and FREE English based service that allows advertisers to reach thousands of potential customers by displaying their ads on our "Surf Ads" page. An exact calculated percentage of all advertising income is paid to our members. "Bux. to" makes money through advertising. How you make money You view websites in 30 seconds through the "Surf Ads" page. Once the 30 seconds is up, you'll either get a green tick sign or a red "x". The green tick sign means you've earned $0.01and the "x" means you have not earned money for the visit. You'll get red x's when you have more than one website from the "Surf Ads" page open. When this happens, you get no credit. Earnings example You click 10 ads per day =$0.10 20 referrals click 10 ads per day =$2.00 Your daily earnings =$2.10 Your weekly earnings =$14.70 How to get paid At present, it only makes payments through "AlertPay". AlertPay is the payment processing solution that we use to pay members. Your AlertPay address is the e-mail address you use to register with AlertPay. You can get a free AlertPay account at http:// alertpay. com. What can we know from the passage? <extra_id_0>You'll earn $0.10 if you click 1 ad. <extra_id_1>You'll get many green ticks if you have many websites open. <extra_id_2>Your AlertPay account is not for free. <extra_id_3>You can get your payments through AlertPay. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>You can get your payments through AlertPay. <extra_id_5>With the Tesla Roadster and other plugin electric vehicles hitting the road,demand is growing for accessible refueling points to recharge them. Carbon Day Automotive, a Chicagobased company,has now demonstrated a solarpowered recharging point, known as the Solar PlugIn Station,which lets motorists easily charge their cars using electricity that has been produced without any environmental damage. The Solar PlugIn Station has gone on show in Chicago as part of the city's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. According to Carbon Day Automotive,the Solar PlugIn Station on show in Chicago is part of the vital infrastructure required for electric vehicles in Chicago and was the focus of a recent visit by the International Olympic Committee. These solarpowered electricity points will be used daily to fuel the city's electric vehicles with power from the sun. By producing the electricity from pollutionfree solar cell, the CO2 emissions are reduced to zero. "Solar energy and electric vehicles are a partnership that is one more step to reducing our dependence on foreign oil," says Richard Lowenthal, CEO of Coulomb Technologies.Coulomb Technologies recently developed the components required for individual recharging stations,marketed as ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations.Carbon Day Automotive is the Midwest distributor for the ChargePoint stations. The Solar PlugIn Station consists of giant solar panels that shade the tiny ChargePoint Networked Charging Station.The solar panel is connected to an underground battery pack,ready for everyday refueling. "Without these stations it would be like driving around in a traditional car without the availability of gas stations," says Scott Emalfarb,CEO at Carbon Day."The day of true plugin electric vehicles will be here sooner than most people realize and the world needs to be ready to accommodate(......)them." We can learn from the passage that _ . <extra_id_0>to recharge the electric vehicles takes a long time <extra_id_1>the Solar PlugIn Station will come into use in 2016 <extra_id_2>the Solar PlugIn Station has gone on show internationally <extra_id_3>Chicago is promoting the use of electric vehicles <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Chicago is promoting the use of electric vehicles
<extra_id_5>Henry hated Wanda, his former wife, for divorcing him and marrying John a short time thereafter. About a month after Wanda married John, Henry secretly entered Wanda and John's rented apartment during their absence by using a master key. Henry placed a microphone behind the nightstand in the bedroom of the apartment, drilled a hole in the nearby wall, and poked the wires from the microphone through the hole into the space in the wall, with the result that the microphone appeared to be connected to wires going into the adjoining apartment. Actually the microphone was not connected to anything. Henry anticipated that Wanda would discover the microphone in a few days and would be upset by the thought that someone had been listening to her conversations with John in their bedroom. Shortly thereafter, John noticed the wires behind the nightstand and discovered the hidden microphone. He then called Wanda and showed her the microphone and wires. Wanda fainted and, in falling, struck her head on the nightstand and suffered a mild concussion. The next day John telephoned Henry and accused him of planting the microphone. Henry laughingly admitted it. Because of his concern about Wanda and his anger at Henry, John is emotionally upset and unable to go to work. If Wanda asserts a claim against Henry based on infliction of mental distress, the fact that John was the person who showed her the microphone will <extra_id_0>relieve Henry of liability, because John was careless in so doing. <extra_id_1>relieve Henry of liability, because John's conduct was the immediate cause of Wanda's harm. <extra_id_2>not relieve Henry of liability, because Henry's goal was achieved. <extra_id_3>not relieve Henry of liability, because the conduct of a third person is irrelevant in emotional distress cases <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>not relieve Henry of liability, because Henry's goal was achieved. <extra_id_5>Salvation Army Angel Program Angel Tree collects gifts for children and families in need. Participate by selecting an angel from any Angel Tree at all Cyprus Credit Union location or any Utah Macy's Department store. Shop for your angel, then return your new, unwrapped gift to the same Angel Tree. Gifts must be returned before December 14. For more information, call (801) 988-5678 in the Salt Lake area,(801) 374-2588 in the Provo area. Utah Association for People with Intellectual Disabilities Holiday Gift Box Program The program serves primarily low-income adults with intellectual disabilities who don't qualify for other programs because of age limits, said Joyce Whalen, the association's board president. To donate, visit the association at 1326 S.2100 East from 9am to about 5:30 pm to choose an ornament that provides information about an individual who will benefit from the program. Shop for new items and return them by December 14. Donations of generic items, such as towels, socks and hygiene products also accepted, as are monetary donations. For more information, call 801-440-1674. Utah Foster Care Foundation's Giving Tree Program The program seeks new gifts and cash donations to fulfill the holiday wishes of more than 1,000 children in state-licensed foster homes." Many of the children in care have been removed from their _ because of neglect or abuse," said Nikki Mackay, the foundation's director. " Christmas can be a difficult time for them." To learn how to support the program, call 877-505-5437. Utah State Hospital Forgotten Patient Program The program provides Christmas gifts for hundreds of patients with mental illness. In the history of the program--which may go back as far as 60 years, organizer Shawna Peterson said, "we've never had a forgotten patient." And she doesn't want this year to change that. To support the program, contact Peterson at 801-344-6088. From the last program, we can infer that _ . <extra_id_0>the patients often forgot to come to the hospital <extra_id_1>the patients are often forgotten to be looked after <extra_id_2>the patients are being taken good care of <extra_id_3>the patients had a poor memory in the hospital <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>the patients are being taken good care of <extra_id_5>A week ago, I had the great pleasure of reading an e-book, By Rich Ezzo.It took only about an hour to read. When I first received a copy, I thought it was a Get Rich Quick type of publication.Nothing is wrong with Get Rich Quick, but my mind just doesn't chase after dreams of wealth.I think that if God ever wants me to be rich, he knows where to find my purse. When I began reading I was overjoyed to find that Rich Ezzo isn't money hungry either.He, too, is hungry far more important than money. Since I love this e-book so much, why wait a week to write the review? Simple.I wanted to see if the effect it had on me was a keeper.After reading the last word of the e-book, I totally agreed with the subtitle which promised to forever change the way we thought about money.I had so many thoughts running around my mind that I had to install a stoplight to stop some while others made their way into the picture, then I yielded them as a few ones arrived in town. . It has been a week and the effect is the same.I truly do look at money differently and have even done a few things differently this week.This is an e-book you'll want to read, I promise.I often recommend books to my daughter, and this is one that I didn't just "suggest"---I left it open at the bottom of the computer and told each one, "Read it, you'll love it." I would never point someone in a direction I wouldn't go myself.I urge you to visit the author's website, , and to download the e-book.You won't regret it. According to the passage, a Get Rich Quick type of publication _ . <extra_id_0>is what the author really cares for <extra_id_1>deals with how to make money <extra_id_2>is also an e-book written by Rich Ezzo <extra_id_3>is more popular than e-books <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>deals with how to make money <extra_id_5>Dear Dr. Know I am unhappy these days. I am a student in Grade 3 of a middle school. I want to be a policewoman in the future . But my mother doesn't like the job. She always says it is too dangerous for a girl to work as a policewoman. She thinks girls should work in the office. She hopes that I can work as a doctor. But I really dislike being a doctor. It's terrible for me to work in the hospital. When I talk with her about it, she is often angry. She always thinks she is right. I don't know what to do. Can you help me? Nancy, Chongqing Where does Nancy want to work? <extra_id_0>In the police station. <extra_id_1>In the hospital. <extra_id_2>At school. <extra_id_3>In the office. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>In the police station. <extra_id_5>What do butterfly wings have to do with computer screens? What do birds have to do with high speed trains? These may sound like strange things to put together. But scientists, inventors, and designers are doing just that. They are learning from nature to create new technology. The word biomimicry combines two words: biology and mimicry. So people using biomimicry try to use examples in nature to design new technology. Biomimicry is not a new idea. People have been studying nature for hundreds of years. Leonardo DaVinci used birds as models to invent his flying machine. And when the Wright Brothers made the first successful airplane, they also studied birds. In 998, Janine Benyus, a natural science writer and teacher, wrote a book about biomimicry. To develop her interest in the subject, Janine Benyus started the Biomimicry Institute. The Biomimicry Institute is a non-profit organization. It brings together scientists, designers, inventors and many other people. It offers classes to teach people biomimicry. It provides money for people to research and test new technologies. And it wants all people, from children to adults, to think about new ways to learn from nature. People involved with the Biomimicry Institute believe that biomimicry can help solve many of the world's problems. Often, new technologies can harm nature, but this is not true for biomimicry. Let's look at some examples. Butterflies have colorful wings because light shines off them in a special way. Scientists want to copy these same ways to make light shine off computers. They hope this will make for more colorful screens. Another example of biomimicry is the bullet train. It travels at speeds of over 250 kilometers per hour! But it had a problem: it made too much noise! Through the observation of birds, scientists thought about a kind of bird, the kingfisher . The kingfisher can dive into water without making any noise because of the shape of its beak . Researchers thought that if they could design the front of the train like this beak, the train would be quieter. Well, it worked! We know from the text that the Biomimicry Institute _ . <extra_id_0>earns a lot by giving classes on biomimicry <extra_id_1>tells people about their technologies <extra_id_2>gives free support to scientists <extra_id_3>teaches children about birds <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>gives free support to scientists
<extra_id_5>It has been more than 50 years since Harvard Business School started admitting women, yet the institution is still trying hard to find out how to best attract and support them. Its latest effort: a program targeting women's colleges--place that are not traditional feeding grounds for the male-majority business school. The program is called Peek. It offers juniors, seniors and recent graduates from women's colleges the opportunity to read and discuss four HBS case studies in class specially taught by top HBS members. About 50 to 70 promising students will pay $500 for their stay there. Women make up 41 percent of Harvard Business School class of 2016--the most the school has had. In 1985, women made up only one-quarter of the graduating class. Harvard is not alone when it comes to struggling with a gender gap . At Wharton, the class of 2016 is 40 percent women; at Standford Business School, it's 42 percent. No top business school had gotten to 50 percent yet. Despite the Peek program's good intention, the $500 fee bothered someone, said John A. Byrne, the editor of business school new site. "The fact that HBS would charge women for the chance of coming to campus rubbed a lot of people the wrong way," said Byrne. HBS said the $500 fee was a "fair price" for room and daily meals at the business school for a weekend, and didn't actually cover the full costs of the program. For years, women students at Harvard Business School failed to keep pace with men. In 2010, Harvard business School got a new manager, Nitin Nohrin, who promised a turnaround. Nohrin designed a program to encourage women students and professors. He promised to change the school's case studies so that at least 20 percent of the people in the business texts would be women. In the eyes of Byrne, Harvard's program _ . <extra_id_0>will be a total failure <extra_id_1>will waste lots of money <extra_id_2>doesn't have many good intention <extra_id_3>will shut some students out <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>In some urban centers, workholism is so common that people do not consider it unusual: they accept the lifestyle as normal. Government workers in Washington D. C., for example, frequently work sixty to seventy hours a week. They don't do this because they have to; they do it because they want to. Workholism can be a serious problem. Because true workaholics would rather work than do anything else, they probably don't know how to relax. Is workholism always dangerous? Perhaps not. There are, certainly, people who work well under stress. Some studies show that many workaholics have great energy and interest in life. Their work is so pleasurable that they are actually very happy. For most workaholics, work and entertainment keep them busy and creative. Why do workaholics enjoy their jobs so much? There are several advantages to work. Of course, it provides people with paychecks, and this is important. But it offers more than financial security. It provides people with self-confidence; they have a feeling of satisfaction when they've produced a challenging piece of work and are able to say, "I made that." Psychologists claim that work gives people an identity through participation in work, they get a sense of self and individualism. In addition, most jobs provide people with a socially acceptable way to meet others. Perhaps some people are compulsive about their work, but their addiction seems to be a safe-even an advantageous-one. It can be inferred from the passage that _ . <extra_id_0>in the eyes of all the common people workaholics are peculiar <extra_id_1>to workaholics, work is the sole source of happiness <extra_id_2>a piece of challenging work may provide the workaholics a sense of satisfaction <extra_id_3>workaholics are as addicted to their job as other people are to drugs or alcohol <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Health officials issued a waring over common energy-saving lghtbulbs after research showed some types could potentially harm the skin and may even raise the risk of cancer. A study by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) found that some eco-friendly lightbuulbs release levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that are above recognized safety limits. The agency urged people who work with lamps nearby to avoid spending more than one hour within a foot of the eco-friendly bulbs. The warning was directed at those using desk lamps for long periods, such as jewellery makers, and others who might have lights close to their faces, such as car mechanics. John O'Hagan, a scientist at the HPA's centre for radiation, chemical and environmental dangers, began tests on the ligthbulbs after patient groups raised concern about them. Among the groups were patients with a skin disease called lupus, which makes people highly sensitive to light. The tests measured UV light from the lamps and found the highest levels of UV radiation, measured 2cm from the lightbulbs, were _ to being outside in direct sunlight in the summer. The most immediate risk from the lightbulbs is a reddening of the skin similar to sunburn, but there is also a small increased risk of skin cancer associated with this, again similar to that of sunburn. The risk of health problems from the lightbulbs was not so high that people should remove them from their homes. People are advised to avoid using open lightbulbs for long close work until the problem is sorted out. It has confirmed that the government will not be reviewing its strategy on introducing energy efficient lightbulbs. We can learn from the passage that _ . <extra_id_0>health officials issued a warning over common lightbulbs. <extra_id_1>jewellery makers should avoid working with the eco-friendly bulbs for more than one hour <extra_id_2>John O'Hagan did tests on the lightbulbs with some patients <extra_id_3>people are advised to avoid using open lightbulbs for long close work <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>A man was cleaning car with a special brush when a little girl who had been watching him said,"My daddy has a brush like that to clean his car too.""Really!"said the man."What kind of car does your daddy have"The little girl answered,"Oh, he hasn't got the car yet, but he's got the brush to clean it."Well, I suppose you have to start somewhere! The important thing is that you do get started. And to do that, we first have to decide what kind of life we want. It's strange how many of us want to live forever, when we can't even decide what to do with our life now! Like the guy who said,"I'm going to stop putting things off, starting tomorrow." You see, even if others have made decisions for you, you can still decide how you'll respond and handle the life that's been handed to you. You still have control of your own attitudes. Happiness is an attitude and choice, no matter what situation you're in. Remember, you can always find someone worse off than you whom you can help. It's only when we stop looking at our own problems and reach out to make others happy that we ourselves can be truly happy. But if you choose not to make a decision that also is your decision you'll live with. There are many smart, talented people who have never enjoyed the success they could have, simply because they could not make a decision and discipline themselves to follow through with it. Remember, if your life doesn't change, it's going to stay the same! It's that simple. So to move on from where you are, you must first decide where you'd rather be. If you can't change your mind, you can't change your life. The great writer Tolstoy said,"Everyone wants to change the world, but no one wants to change himself."So ask yourself right now: What's the one decision I need to make to change my life? Think a minute! Why does the passage tell a story at first? <extra_id_0>In order to introduce a topic <extra_id_1>Because the story is funny <extra_id_2>Because the little girl thought her father would buy a car <extra_id_3>Because author likes to tell stories <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Perhaps the only test score that I remember is the 55 when I was in high school. The test was the final for a course. I remember waiting anxiously as my teacher Mr. Right passed out our papers one by one. It was a rather difficult test. I heard my classmates groaning , and I could tell by the groans that the scores weren't looking good. Mr. Right put my paper on my desk. There in big red numbers, circled to draw attention, was my score, 55! I lowered my head, and covered the score up quickly. A 55 is not something that you wanted your classmates to see. "The scores were not very good, none of you passed," Mr. Right said. "The highest score in the class was a 55." A 55. That's me! Suddenly my sad look didn't look so bad. I had the highest score. I felt a lot better. I walked home alone that day with the low but high score. My father knew that I had a big test that day and asked me as soon as I got home, "How did you do in your test?" "I made a 55," I said. A frown now stood on my father's face. I knew I had to explain immediately. "But Dad, I had the highest score in the class," I proudly stated. I thought that explanation would make a difference. "You failed!" my father replied. "But it's the highest!" I insisted. "I don't care what scores others had, but you failed. What matters is what you do!" my father firmly said. For years, my father was always that way. It didn't matter what others did, it only mattered what I did and that I did it excellently. We often don't understand the wisdom of good parents until we ourselves stand in the parents' shoes. My father's words have carried me throughout life. We can infer from the passage that _ .. <extra_id_0>the father was strict with his child. <extra_id_1>the writer was always poor in tests. <extra_id_2>Mr. Right was worried about the writer. <extra_id_3>the writer was always happy with his scores. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>Everything that humans hear is in the form of waves. Just as the eye sees light waves in the form of color1s, the ear hears sound waves in the form of noises. The ear and the eye turn these different waves into signals that the brain can make sense of. The ears and brain have an amazing ability to recognize particular sounds. For example, a mother often can tell when her baby is crying even if there are other crying babies in the same room. This is because the sound of her baby's cry has special meaning to her and the brain has recorded its importance. The ability to recognize sounds improves with experiences. As the brain receives information about sounds from day to day, it stores the information in its memory. When the brain hears new sounds, it gives meaning to them based on the information already in the memory. This is why certain words or songs can make a person happy. Often it is not the words or songs themselves that cause this feeling. The sounds are connected to happy memories for that person. Another hearing process controlled by the brain is to decide where a sound is coming from. One ear is usually closer to the source of a sound than the other ear is. Sound waves are stronger when they reach the ear that is closer. They also reach the closer ear first. The brain recognizes these differences and uses them to decide the location of the source of the sound. Why does a person feel happy when they hear some songs? <extra_id_0>Because certain words or songs can make a person happy. <extra_id_1>Because a person has the ability to recognize the sounds <extra_id_2>Because the certain sounds are connected to happy memories for that person. <extra_id_3>Because the person feel the song is special <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>"Over the years the unthinkable has become thinkable and today we sense we are close to being able to alter human heredity oe#)." These were the words of David Baltimore of the California Institute of Technology, on December 1st, when he opened a three-day meeting in Washington to discuss the morality and use of human gene editing. Dr Baltimore is an old hand at these sorts of discussions, for he was also a participant in the Asilomar conference, in 1975, which brought scientists together to discuss a safe way of using the then-new tcchnology of recombinant DNA, and whose recommendations influenced a generation of biotechnology researchers. Four decades on, the need for a similar sort of _ has arisen. The International Summit on Human Gene Editing has been held by the national scientific academies of three countries -- America, Britain and China. They are particularly concerned about whether gene editing should be used to make heritable changes to the human germ line, something Dr Baltimore described as a deep and troubling question. Like those of Asilomar, the conclusions of this meeting will not be binding. But the hope is that, again like Asilomar, a mixture of common sense and peer pressure will create a world in which scientists are trusted to regulate themselves, rather than having politicians and civil servants do it for them. The meeting is being held against a backdrop of rapid scientific advance, Since 2012 research into a new, easy-to-use editing tool called CRISPR-Cas9 has blossomed. This technique involves a piece of RNA (a chemical messenger, which can be used to recognise a target section of DNA) and an enzyme called a nuclease that can snip unwanted genes out and paste new ones in. Public interest was aroused in April, when Chinese scientists announced they had edited genes in non-viable ( ) human embryos, and again in November when British researchers said they had successfully treated a one-year-old girl who had leukaemia ( ), using gene-edited T-cells. T-cells are part of the immune system that attack, among other things, tumour cells. The researchers altered T-cells from a healthy donor to encourage them to recognise and kill the patient's cancer, to make them immune to her leukaemia drug, and to ensure they did not attack her healthy cells. In another recent development, a firm called Edit as Medicine, which is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has said it hopes, in 2017, to start human clinical trials of CRISPR-Cas9 as a treatment for a rare genetic form of blindness known as Leber congenital amaurosis . Though other companies are already testing gene-editing therapies, these employ older, clunkier forms of the technology that seem likely to have less commercial potential. Moreover, researchers at the Broad Institute, also in Cambridge, said this week that they had made changes to CRISPR-Cas9 which greatly reduce the rate of editing errors -- one of the main obstacles to the technique's medical use. On the subject of germ-line editing, Eric Lander, the Broad's head, told the meeting it would be useful only in rare cases and said it might be a good idea to "exercise caution? before making permanent changes to the gene pool. The need for caution is advice that might also be heeded by those pursuing work in animals other than people, and in plants -- subjects not being covered by the summit. This passage is most probably a _ <extra_id_0>science fiction <extra_id_1>scientific report <extra_id_2>conference summary <extra_id_3>commercial advertisement <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Not every president is a leader, but every time we elect a president we hope for one, especially in time of trouble. Leadership is as much a question of timing as anything else. The leader must appear on the scene at a moment when people are looking for leadership. And when he comes, he must offer a straightforward and powerful message. Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers who cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand and remember. We have an image of what a leader ought to be. We even recognize the physical signs: leaders may not necessarily be tall, but they must have bigger- than-life, commanding features. We expect our leaders to stand out a little, not to be like ordinary men. Half of President Ford's trouble lay in the fact that, if you closed your eyes for a moment, you couldn't remember his face, figure, or clothes. It also helps for a leader to be able to do something most of us can't. Mao swam the Yangtze River at the age of 72. We want our leaders to be like us but better, special, more so. Yet if they are too different, we reject them. A leader must know how to use power (that's what leadership is about), but he also has to have a way of showing that he does. A leader should know how to appear relaxed and confident. His walk should be firm and purposeful. He should be able to give a good, hearty, belly laugh. Ronald Reagan's career as an actor showed to good effect in the debate with his opponent. He managed to convey the impression that in fact he was the President. A leader rides the waves, moves with the tides, understands the deepest feelings of his people. He cannot make a nation that wants peace at any price go to war, or stop a nation determined to fight from doing so. His purpose must match the national mood. His task is to focus the people's energies and desires, to inspire, to make what people already want seem possible and important to achieve. According to the passage, Reagan succeeded in winning his election largely due to the fact that _ . <extra_id_0>he was once an actor <extra_id_1>he was able to well present himself <extra_id_2>Reagan did much for prefix = st1 /America <extra_id_3>Reagan was a very lucky man <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Living in a foreign culture can be exciting, but it can also be confusing . A group of Americans who taught English in other countries recently discussed their experiences. They decided that miscommunications were always possible, even over something as simple as"yes"and"no". On her first day in Micronesia, an island in the Pacific, Lisa thought people weren't paying any attention to her. The day was hot. She went into a store and asked, "Do you have cold drinks? "The woman there didn't say anything. Lisa repeated the question. Still the woman said nothing. She later learned that the woman had answered her: She had raised her eyebrows , which in Micronesia means"yes". Jan remembered an experience she had in Bulgaria, a country in Europe. She went to a restaurant that was known for its cabbage. She asked the waiter, "Do you have cabbage today? "He nodded his head. Jan waited, but the cabbage never came. In that country, a nod means"no". Tom had a similar problem when he arrived in India. After explaining something in class, he asked his students if they understood. They answered with many different nods and shakes of the head. He thought some people had not understood, so he explained again. When he asked again, they did the same thing. He soon found out that his students did understand. In India, people nod and shake their heads in different ways depending on where they come from. You have to know where a person is from to understand whether they mean"yes"or"no". People in Micronesia show"yes"by _ . <extra_id_0>nodding heads <extra_id_1>raising eyebrows <extra_id_2>shaking heads <extra_id_3>saying"no" <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Britain's private schools are one of its most successful exports.The children of the well-off flock to them,whether from China,Nigeria or Russia :the number of foreign pupils rose by 1.4%in the last year alone. Yet foreign students,whether educated in British private schools or elsewhere,are decreasingly likely to go to English universities.According to the Higher Education Funding Council for England,307,200 overseas students began their studies in the country in 2012-13,down from 312,000 two years earlier and the first drop in 29 years.Student numbers from the rest of the European Union(EU)fell--probably a result of the increase in annual tuition fees in England from PS6,000($10,000)a year to PS9,000.But arrivals from India and Pakistan declined most sharply. In contrast to the visa system for private schools,which is extremely loose(the Home Office counts private schools as favoured sponsors),student visas have been tightened.Foreign students used to be allowed to work for up to two years after graduating.They now have only four months to find a job paying up to PS20,600 if they want to stay in Britain. This change was intended to deal with fake colleges offering two-year work visas.But it seems to have put off serious students too.Nick Hillman of the Higher Education Policy Institute says the government has sent unclear messages about the sort of immigration it wants to restrict.Australia and America,which have more relaxed entry criteria for students,are becoming more favoured destinations. Britain's student-visa system bas become more onerous overall.As a result,Britain is losing out to other countries in the contest for talent.Its unwelcoming attitude will harm its long-term development.And the drift of foreign students from leading British private schools to American colleges may have another, somewhat happier,consequence:America might become rather better at cricket . What can we infer from the text? <extra_id_0>Foreign students are going off English universities. <extra_id_1>American universities are of higher quality than English ones. <extra_id_2>Britain's student-visa system will help its long-term development. <extra_id_3>Britain's new student-visa system is popular with foreign students. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Well, milk may work in the same way! Milk is the natural food for mammalian babies. It helps them grow strong because it is rich in protein , calcium and vitamins. Milk can also help you sleep better because it calms you down. But remember to drink milk with care. Find out how old the milk is. Make sure it is fresh and hasn't gone bad. Don't drink milk when your stomach is empty. Eat some bread or corn at the same time. That'll help you take in more protein and vitamins. Doctors say teens need at least 500ml of milk a day. That's two or three cups. Milk-drinking started long ago, as early as 6,000-8,000BC. At that time people started to keep cows, sheep and goats to get their milk. Of course what you drink today isn't that fresh from the cow. People cool the fresh milk down to 40C to stop the bacteria growing. In factories, milk is pasteurized to stop it growing bad. After disinfections and packaging, it goes to the supermarkets. Yoghourt also comes from milk. People make some special bacteria to change the taste of milk and make the nutrients in it easier for people to take in. Maybe that's why it's getting more popular with people! The sentence "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." tells us that _ . <extra_id_0>the doctor likes to eat apples every day <extra_id_1>the doctor doesn't like apples at all <extra_id_2>the doctor eats an apple each day <extra_id_3>apples are good for our health <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>The Green Magic Tree House, in India, is the perfect hotel for anybody who likes adventure . Guests must drive for miles through the jungle to find it in the middle of tea and coffeeplantation . There are two tree houses to choose from, one 30 meters and the other 35 meters above the ground. Both houses have two floors. The bedrooms are above the living area and there are bathrooms and showers. You can get up to rooms and move between floors byusing ladders . You can go from one tree house to the other on a rope bridge. The houses sometimes move about in the wind but the views are fantastic. Guests can enjoy moving through the jungle, climbing in the mountains, and watching wildlife. There are many unusual plants, birds, and insects in the area. The Ice Hotel is in Jukkasjarvi, a village in Sweden 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Every winter, a team of architects , designers and snow builders build the hotel. This year there are 80 rooms. Everything is made of ice. The walls, the floors, the ceilings , and even the furniture are made of ice. The beds are made of ice, too, but guests sleep on warm deer skins. Outside it can be -37degC, so inside it feels quite comfortable. The hotel has a bar, where guests can drink vodka from glasses made of ice. It's very popular -- because there isn't much else to do. To spend a night at Jules Underwater Lodge in Florida, guests need to scuba dive seven meters under the sea. They enter a small house through a door at the bottom of the building. Inside, the kitchen is stored with food and there is a fridge and a microwave oven . There is a hot shower and comfortable beds and lots of books, DVDs and video games. Most guests, however, spend their time at one of the large windows watching different fishes swimming by. The Ice Hotel _ . <extra_id_0>disappears in August <extra_id_1>is totally made of ice <extra_id_2>organizes lots of activities <extra_id_3>is enlarged every year <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Owning a smart phone may not be as smart as you think. They may let you surf the Internet, listen to music and snap photos wherever you are... but they also turn you into a workaholic . A study suggests that, by giving you access to emails at all times, the all-singing, all-dancing mobile phone adds as much as two hours to your working day. Researchers found that Britons work an additional 460 hours a year on average as they are able to respond to emails on their mobiles. The study by technology retailer Pixmania, shows the average UK working day is between nine and ten hours, but a further two hours is spent responding to or sending work emails, or making work calls. Almost one in ten admits spending up to three hours outside their normal working day checking work emails. Some workers confess they are on call almost 24 hours a day, with nine out of ten saying they take work emails and calls outside their normal working hours. Nearly two-thirds say they often check work emails just before they go to bed and as soon as they wake up, while over a third have replied to one in the middle of the night. Ghadi Hobeika, marketing director of Pixmania, said, "The ability to access millions of apps, keep in contact via social networks and take photos and video as well as text and call has made smart phones valuable for many people. However, there are _ . Many companies expect their employees to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and smart phones mean that people cannot get away from work. The more constantly in contact we become, the more is expected of us in a work capacity ." The text is probably taken from _ . <extra_id_0>a scientific report <extra_id_1>a financial report <extra_id_2>a newspaper <extra_id_3>a travel journal <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>What could be cuter than your puppy giving his doggy friend a kiss on the nose? Nothing, really. But is your dog actual-fly planting a kiss on his friend? Yes, but that's only one of the reasons your dog may lick another dog's nose. Here are some other reasons why your dog may lick another dog's nose. During an introduction, a shy and lower-ranking dog will lower his head, avoid direct eye contact and gently extend his tongue to lick the nose of a more confident and high-ranking dog. The first dog licks the nose of the second dog to simply make it know that:he comes in peace. Dogs who are already friends will also trade kisses. Two strongly bonded dog pals will lick and clean each other. They give each other "dog kisses" showing friendship. Puppies also "kiss" their mothers, but it's not a gesture of love. When puppies stop suckling their mothers' tits for milk and start to eat semisolid food instead;they lick their mothers' mouths and noses in the hope of getting the mother to regurgitate some semi-digested food. So how to help your _ dog make friends with other dogs? You can carefully select confident-but-friendly and good-tempered dogs to play with your shy dog, to help him develop his social skills. Also consider taking him to a special training class that focuses on socialization and positive training technique. Do not disturb them when your two dogs play "kiss" briefly with each other. Sit back and enjoy this display of friendship. Then call them over and have them do a command such as "sit'' or "shake paws". Offer them treats as a reward for being good to each other. If you foster a dog and have three or more resident dogs, introduce the foster dog to your brood dog one at a time and let muzzle licking between them happen naturally. Start with your least reactive or most friendly dog. Never force an in production between the dogs because this can deepen the foster dog's submissiveness or spark a fight. The writer wrote this passage to _ . <extra_id_0>tell us about a study he did recently <extra_id_1>explain why a dog kisses other dogs <extra_id_2>tell us how to raise dogs <extra_id_3>help us to make friends with dogs. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>How did the ancient Chinese keep food warm in winter? Facilities like electric rice cookers, microwaves, and electric kettles, make it easy for people to keep food warm and enjoy a comfortable winter. So how did Chinese people in ancient times keep food warm in winter without these? In fact, ancient Chinese people used their own methods of heat preservation as early as the Shang and Zhou dynasties. * "Wen Ding", ancient rice cooker One of the major functions of an electric rice cooker is to keep food warm. The "Wen Ding", an ancient cooking container, served the same purpose, but instead of using electric energy, the ancient cooking container, served the same purpose, but instead of using electric energy, the ancient cooking container preserved heart by burning fuels like charcoal. The "Wen Ding" unearthed in Nanjing in 1989 is thought to be the oldest of its kind discovered in China, dating back to the Stone Age, The craftsmanship of making the "Wen Ding" was developed in the Bronze Age. The bronze Ding from Shang and Zhou dynasties took on different shapes and structures. * "Ran LU", ancient small hot pot The "Ran LU" is a small size cooking vessel made of bronze, which can be divided into three parts. A charcoal stove forms the main structure, with a bottom tray to hold charcoal ashes, and a movable cup at the top. Some experts have concluded that the vessel's structure suggests it may have been used as a small hot pot and that these vessels became popular in the Warring States Period(475--221 BC) *Bronze You, ancient kettle The Bronze You was one of the most common wine containers during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The Bronze You can also be used to warm wine. For example, the Bronze You with beast mask design, unearthed in Jiangxi province, has an opening where charcoals could be placed. Just as people today can't do without an electric kettle, the Bronze You allowed people to enjoy a hot drink. *Bronze Yan, ancient steamer Although the "Wen Ding" was effective at keeping food warm, the ancient Chinese people later found that its burning produced pollution. As a result, the Bronze Yan was made with a two-tier structure and used to steam rice and other grains. After the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-AD 220), further improvements to the Bronze Yan led to the modern-day steamer. Among the following products, which one may have the longest history? <extra_id_0>The "Wen Ding". <extra_id_1>The "Ren LU". <extra_id_2>The Bronze You. <extra_id_3>The Bronze Yan. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>Dick often goes traveling when the summer holiday begins. But he was out of luck this summer. He went to an old temple on a high mountain by himself. On his way there it suddenly began to rain heavily and he hurried to go down the mountain. When he got to the foot of the mountain, he found the wooden bridge was under the water, so he had to spend the rainy night in a broken farmhouse. He was so hungry that he hardly fell asleep. The next morning the rain stopped and he found the bridge was damaged. He saw the river was not too deep and tried to swim across it. In the middle of the river the water nearly washed him away. Luckily , two farmers saved him, but he lost his bag. They gave him some food and dry clothes. He thanked them and went to the nearest town to call up his parents. At the end of the street, Dick found a small hotel and went in. He asked the price for a room. "A room on the first floor is twenty dollars, on the second floor, fifteen dollars and on the third, ten dollars," answered the owner. The young man had only eight dollars in all his pockets. He said thanks and was leaving. The owner asked, "Don't you like our hotel?" "Yes, it's good," said Dick, "but it's not tall enough!" What did Dick do the next morning when he found the bridge was damaged? <extra_id_0>He went back to the temple <extra_id_1>He stayed in a farmhouse. <extra_id_2>He decided to swim across the river. <extra_id_3>He asked the farmers for some food. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Five Ways to Rock the Rest of the Semester With exams around the corner, how can you possibly pack in one more English word, let alone the causes of the Cold War? Don't worry. Here is our handy guide to help you Power Down So you stayed up too late last night reading Mockingjay for the fifth time. Oops! When you're that fired, your schoolwork suffers. Instead of studying inefficiently while you are sleepy, allow yourself a 15-minute afterschool power nap. Studies show that even a few minutes of shut-eye can improve memory and concentration. Take Notes Not quite grasping that super complicated concept in your chemistry class? You may need to change the way you take notes. Instead of recording every word your teacher says, try using visual hints like pictures, symbols and word bubbles. You can even switch computer fonts or pen color for the important stuff. Dream On Your bed's not just for zzz's. Experts say it may be good to study in bed, too. Why? We're able to absorb more right before bed because we're less distracted and the new information stays in our minds as we sleep. So, slide into bed with a textbook or notes, read for 15 minutes, and then turn off the lights for some sweet and smart dreams. Brain Food You're in the middle of a biology exam when your mind goes blank. You knew this stuff cold at home, but now you can't tell a ribosome from a chloroplast. What's going on? Your brain's in need of some refueling. Have some snacks like apple slices or cheese before class, and have plenty of water, too. If your teacher doesn't mind, pop in a piece of gum during an exam. Some scientists think the chewing increases the flow of oxygen to the brain. Smart Move Ugh! You're taking an English test and you cannot remember the past participle of "understand". What to do? Skip it. Test taking is all about timing, so don't waste it on tricky questions. Move ahead and answer everything you know before returning to the ones you don't. Chances are, once you get back to the toughies, you'll recall the answer or at the very least, you'll have a little more time to come up with one that works. When taking notes, we can do all these except _ . <extra_id_0>draw pictures <extra_id_1>change the typeface <extra_id_2>switch on the computer <extra_id_3>colour the key points <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Su Su is a 16-year-old Beijinger. She studies at the High School Affiliated to Renmin University. She has just published her first book, The Enigma of the Universe (<<>> ). The Enigma of the Universe tells a story of a girl called April. One day she meets an alien boy named Kaka. Kaka takes April on a journey into the universe. Later April finds out a big secret about Kaka... What's special about this book? It's a book written in both Chinese and English. Su wrote the book when she was 14 years old. She was influenced by the book Sophie's World (<<>> ) and the movie The Truman Show (<<>> ). Sophie is a girl who is interested in philosophy . Truman's life is run by television. These stories gave Su an idea for her own book. She decided to write it in English. "My English teacher asked us to write something," says Su. "I thought I'd write about my idea." Su spent a whole summer vacation writing the story. "Sometimes I had to stop because I couldn't find the right words," says Su. "I used the dictionary all the time." After finishing the English novel, Su had another idea. She decided to translate it into Chinese. The job took her just a few days. "It was easy because Chinese is my native language ," she says. Su says her story is "a mixture of philosophy and detective story and science fiction". "My classmates and I have turned it into a DV play," says Su. "I wrote the play and I played April. We will show it in our school soon!" In Which language did Su Su write this book? <extra_id_0>Chinese <extra_id_1>English <extra_id_2>French <extra_id_3>Both Chinese and English <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>For some people, music is no fun at all. About 4% of the population is what scientists call "amusic". People who are amusic are born without the ability to enjoy musical notes. Amusic people often cannot tell the differences between two songs. As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amuics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. In fact, most people cannot begin to understand what it feels like to be an amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping center can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics have to stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in social loneliness. "I used to hate parties," says Margaret, a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition. Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from those of people who can enjoy music. The difference is complex , and it is not connected with poor hearing. Amusics can understand other non-musical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding common speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can't see certain colors. Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed . For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem music. Now she knows that she is not alone. That makes it easier for her to explain. When people invite me to a concert, I just say "No, thanks. I'm amusic." says Margret. Amusics are the people who _ . <extra_id_0>have poor listening <extra_id_1>are born without the ability to enjoy musical notes <extra_id_2>like music at times <extra_id_3>didn't like music when they were young <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Honey bees are a kind of animal most of us learn about very early. In summer, many people step on honey bees and get stung while walking without wearing shoes. Honey bees are normally about third fourths of an inch long. Most bees are workers, which are female, but some are male, called "drones ". Workers are a little smaller than drones. Honey bees live in a nest, called a "hive". A hive can have up to 80,000 bees, mostly workers. It usually lies in a tree with a hole inside. The hive is ruled over by a queen bee. She is the largest bee in the hive, and she is the only female to mate. Males usually just hang around; their only purpose is to mate with the queen. Then they die. The workers do all of the work inside and outside of the hive. Their jobs include: caring for baby bees, cleaning up the hive, making honey... Honey bees are usually very friendly, and they mind their own business. They are too busy to worry about people or other animals. If a person is hardworking, we can say he is as busy as a bee. Are you a bee? Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? <extra_id_0>There is only a queen bee in a hive. <extra_id_1>A queen bee is the largest bee in the hive. <extra_id_2>Male bees work very hard for other bees. <extra_id_3>Bees like to make nests in a tree with a hole inside. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>As a young woman who was always interested in style, I got lucky in interning with a fashion company in Tokyo, last summer. I worked as an assistant in the Business Planning Department, helping with marketing for the 2007 Spring/Summer collections. Fashion is a beautiful industry. But against my expectation, it also has lots of ordinary work. Every day, I would do sample testing, prepare the brochure for future launches, and meet with customers and visitors. Japanese companies had a traditional work style. We had a meeting every morning at 9 o'clock. Every Monday, all employees, including those in other parts ofprefix = st1 /Japan, would take part in a conference call. Every afternoon, after finishing work, each of us would say goodbye to every manager in the company, which took more than five minutes. All of this kept me fresh. And the strict work atmosphere caused me to work harder. At the end of last August, the company's 2007 Spring/Summer collection started with a big show and was very successful. Lots of customers showed an interest in our products, including a businessman from Hong Kong. He went to our company for more details on the products, but he couldn't speak Japanese and none of the staff spoke good English. Just when the situation seemed helpless, I offered to give it a try. I was a Japanese major, but I had also practiced my English often. My translation job was praised by both the customer and my boss. And the guest made a big purchase. The two-month internship taught me a lot about business. And the pay - 150,000 yen, or over 10,000 yuan a month- was enough to cover my daily living costs inTokyo. Moreover, the experience made me stand out. Every interviewer I've spoken with showed an interest and discussed my internship with me. And thanks to this experience, I've found a good job in one of the Big Four accounting firms and will start working this summer. What can you learn from the passage? <extra_id_0>Internship usually plays an important role in finding a good job. <extra_id_1>Chinese are good at English. <extra_id_2>Japanese are good at spoken English. <extra_id_3>And the pay the writer got was enough for her future life. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>When I was at university, I studied very hard. But a lot of my friends did very little work. Some did just enough to pass exams. Others didn't do quite enough. Fred Baines was one of them. He spent more time drinking in the Students' Union than working in the library. Once, at the end of the term, we had to take an important test in chemistry. The test had a hundred questions. Beside each question we had to write "True" or "False". While I was studying in my room the night before the test, Fred was watching television. Fred usually worried a lot the night before a test. But that night he looked perfectly calm. Then he told me of his plan. "It's very simple. There are a hundred questions and I have to get fifty correct to pass the test. I'll take a coin into the examination room. I haven't studied a chemistry book for months, so I'll just toss the coin. In that way, I'm sure I'll get half the questions right." The next day, Fred came cheerfully into the examination room. As he sat tossing a coin for half an hour he marked down his answers. Then he left half an hour before the rest of us. The next day, he saw the chemistry professor in the corridor. "Oh good," he said, "Have you got the results of the test?" The professor looked at him and smiled. "Ah, it's you, Baines, just a minute." Then he reached into his pocket and took out a coin. He threw it into the air, caught it in his hand and looked at it. "I'm terribly sorry, Baines," he said, "You failed!" Fred often went to the Students' Union where he _ . <extra_id_0>worked extra hours <extra_id_1>enjoyed himself in the bar <extra_id_2>borrowed books <extra_id_3>attended a few lectures <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Songs that make our hearts soar can make them stronger too, US researchers reported on Tuesday. They found that when people listened to their favorite music, their blood vessels dilated in much the same way as when they are laughing, or taking blood medications. "We have a pretty impressive effect," said Dr Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. "Blood vessel diameter improved," he said. "The vessel opened up pretty significantly. You can see the vessels opening up with other activities such as exercise." A similar effect is seen with drugs such as statins and ACE inhibitors. When blood vessels open up more, blood flows more smoothly and is less likely to form the clots that cause heart attacks and strokes. Elastic vessels also resist the hardening activity of atherosclerosis . "We are not saying to stop your statins or not to exercise but rather to add this to an overall program of heart health," said Miller, who presented his findings to a meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans. Miller's team tested 10 healthy, non-smoking men and women, who were told to bring their favorite music. They spent half an hour listening to the recordings and half an hour listening to music they said made them feel anxious while the researchers did ultrasound tests designed to show blood vessel function. Compared to their normal baseline measurements, blood vessel diameter increased 26 percent on average when the volunteers heard their joyful music. Listening to music they disliked - in most cases in this group heavy metal - blood vessels narrowed by six percent, Miller said. Miller said he came up with the idea after discovering the laughter caused blood to literally flow more smoothly." I asked myself what other things make us feel real good, besides calories from dark chocolate of course. Music came to mind. ... It makes me feel real good," he said. Most of the volunteers chose country music but Miller said the style is not so important rather what pleases each individual. What can we learn from the text? <extra_id_0>Any kind of music makes blood vessel open. <extra_id_1>Heavy metal music is gradually popular. <extra_id_2>Listening to favorite music makes people feel good. <extra_id_3>Nothing except dark chocolate makes people good. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>THURSDAY, July 9 (Health Day News) -- A new study that found that a lower calorie diet slowed the aging process in monkeys could be the best proof yet that restricted diets might do the same for humans. "The big question in aging research is, 'Will caloric restriction in species closely related to humans slow aging?'" said Richard Weindruch, senior author of a paper appearing in the July 10 issue of Science. This is the first clear demonstration that, in a primate species, we' re inducing a slowdown of the aging process -- showing increased survival, resistance to disease, less brain atrophy and less muscle loss. "This predicts humans would respond similarly," added Weindruch, professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin and an investigator at the Veterans Hospital in Madison. Another expert noted that, despite some highly publicized studies in certain species, the link between restricted eating and longer lifespan has been far from proven. "The idea that dietary restriction extends lifespan in all species is not true. Many strains of rats and mice do not respond. In some strains, it' s actually deleterious," explained Felipe Sierra, director of the biology of aging program at the US National Institute on Aging (NIA), which supported the new study. "The fact that it doesn't work in some mice but it does seem to work in monkeys is surprising and it gives us hope." But there's a larger question: how to change humans' increasingly careless eating habits. "This finding doesn't give me hope that humans are going to go into dietary restriction," added Marianne Grant, a registered dietitian at Texas A&M Health Science Center Coastal Bend Health Education Center in Corpus Christi. According to Felipe Sierra' s idea, we know that _ . <extra_id_0>the restricted diets experiment really had no distinct effect on rats and mice <extra_id_1>humans are finding new ways to slow down the aging process of all the species <extra_id_2>the experiment is unnecessary to be carried on because of the response of the mice <extra_id_3>the experiment confirmed that restricted diets extend lifespan in all species <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Mr. and Mrs. Smith come from London, England. They work in China now. They teach English in a middle school. They like their work very much. They have two children, Sam and Sue. They are both in Shanghai with their parents. Mr. Smith can't speak Chinese, but his wife can speak it very well. Mr. Smith likes swimming and reading, and Mrs. Smith likes swimming and reading, too. They often go swimming in the afternoon and read in the evening. Sam and Sue like playing games with Chinese boys and girls. Sam's uncle works on a farm near London. He likes swimming, too. He wants to work in Shanghai, but he can' t speak Chinese. So he is still there and goes to Chinese classes every day. _ are in different countries now. <extra_id_0>Mr. and Mrs. Smith <extra_id_1>Mrs. Smith and her children <extra_id_2>Mr. Smith and his brother <extra_id_3>Mr. Smith and his children <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>Long, long ago there was a very foolish thief. Do you know what he did one day? When he wanted to steal the bell on his neighbor's door, he walked up to the door, took hold of the bell and pulled hard. The bell made a very loud noise. The thief was afraid and went home. Then he sat down to think, "I must do something about the noise," he said. He thought and thought. At last he had an idea. "Ah, I'll put some cotton in my ears. Then I won't be able to hear the noise." The next day he went to the door of his neighbor, and took hold of the bell. This time he pulled even harder. The bell rang loudly, but the thief did not hear anything. With another hard pull he got the bell out. Just then the neighbor came running out. "Steal my bell? I'll teach you a lesson ,"the angry man shouted. And he hit the thief on the nose. The foolish thief did not know how the neighbor found out he was stealing the bell. "Why did he come out just then?" he wondered . The neighbor ran out probably because _ . <extra_id_0>he knew his doorbell was being stolen <extra_id_1>he thought someone was eager to visit him <extra_id_2>He realized something strange happened <extra_id_3>Both B and C <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Both B and C <extra_id_5>Speaking of Londoners, a stereotype comes to mind -a man in a dark suit with an umbrella in hand and Big Ben barely visible against the foggy sky. Londoners often give the impression of being reserved. But The News York Times recently issued a report headlined True Londoners Are Extinct. What defines a Londoner exactly? The criteria can be tricky. The newspaper discovered that over the last decade, the foreign-born population in London reached 2.6 million, about a third of the city's population. "Foreigners can't be Londoners," a British political campaigner told the newspaper. A true Londoner would never support Manchester United, the newspaper quoted a man in a pub. Fair enough, since one has four other top league clubs to choose from, you must be too ignorant to be a Londoner. Next issue is where you live. There are those who believe that true Londoners are cockneys--those who were born within earshot of Bow Bells. The oddest claim of all was from a pub goer: "A real Londoner would never, never, ever, eat at one of those bloody Angus steakhouses in the West End. That's how you tell." Indeed, London is a city "prejudiced" with directions. You quickly discover which part of the city suits your temperament. West London, one woman said to The New York Times, was too "brittle" for her. But the West End is the place where the noble accent was born along with shopping malls and top flight residential estates. South Londoners hate going north. North Londoners forget there's a south beyond the South Bank. East London is close to the port and the site of early industrial development. It's often considered one of the poorest areas in the city. "You can't cut the prejudice out of London," a university student said to the newspaper. But it is this uneasy charm that gives the city its unique dynamic. If a Londoner supports Manchester United, he will be considered_. <extra_id_0>tricky <extra_id_1>honest <extra_id_2>ignorant <extra_id_3>tolerant <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>ignorant <extra_id_5>As a leading Chinese language school and a cultural exchange institute in China, Global Exchange Education Center has been providing Mandarin (or Putonghua) language courses and cultural exchange programs for over a decade. How to apply for our programs #In order to apply for all of our programs, you must be at least 18 years old. in good health, a senior high school graduate. #Application Procedure for Chinese Language Programs Step 1. Send us a completed application form by email or fax. Step 2. Send us $ 60 application fee after receiving our email confirmation. Step 3. Arrange the payment transfer. Step 4. Plan the trip to Beijing. #Application Procedure for Chinese Business Internship Program Step 1. Send us a completed application form with your CV and personal statement for the program by email or fax. Step 2. Send us $ 310, including $60 application fee and $ 250 internship placement deposit, after receiving our letter of acceptance for the program. Step 3. Arrange final payment transfer after receiving our second confirmation. Step 4. Plan the trip to Beijing. #Personal Statement for applicants for Chinese Business Internship Program You should state why you want to take this program and what your expectations of the program are. How you will make use of this program in your future career. # APPLICATION DEADLINES The applications for most programs are reviewed on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to submit your application ahead of the application deadlines. #Confirmation Having received your application, Global Exchange Education Center usually sends out an email confirmation for the booking within 2-5 working days. If you apply for both of the programs, the total application fees will be _ . <extra_id_0>$310. <extra_id_1>$ 120. <extra_id_2>$250. <extra_id_3>$ 370. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>$ 120. <extra_id_5>A black hole is created when a large star burns out. Like our sun, stars are unbelievably hot furnaces that burn their own matter as fuel. When most of the fuel is used up, the star begins to die. The death of a star is not a quiet event. First there is a huge explosion. As its outer layer is blasted off into space, the dying star shines as brightly as a billion suns. After the explosion gravity pulls in what's left of the star. As the outside of the star sinks toward the center, the star gets smaller and smaller. The material the star is made of becomes tightly packed together. A star is so dense that a teaspoon of matter from it weighs billion of pounds. The more the star shrinks, the stronger the gravity inside it becomes. Soon the star is very tiny, and the gravity pulling it in is unbelievably strong. In fact, the gravity is so strong that it even pulls light into the star! Since all the light is pulled in, none can go out. The star becomes black when there is no light. Then a black hole is born! That's what we know about black holes. What we don't know is this: What happens inside a black hole after the star has been squeezed into a tiny ball? Does it keep getting smaller and smaller forever? Such a possibility is hard to imagine. But if the black hole doesn't keep shrinking, what happens to it? Some scientists think black holes are like doorways to another world. They say that as the star disappears from our universe, it goes into another universe. In other words a black hole in our universe could turn into a "white hole" in a different universe. As the black hole swallows light, the white hole shines brightly--somewhere else. But where? A different place, perhaps, or a different time -- many years in the past or future. Could you travel through a black hole? Right now, no. Nothing we know of could go into a black hole without being crushed. So far the time being, black hole must remain a mystery. Black holes are a mystery--but that hasn't stopped scientists from dreaming about them. One scientist suggested that in the future we might make use of the power of black holes. They would supply all of Earth's energy needs, with plenty to spare. Another scientist wondered if a black hole could some day be used to swallow earthly waste--a sort of huge waste disposal in the sky! When the star begins to die _ . <extra_id_0>there is no fuel left in it <extra_id_1>its outer layer goes into space first <extra_id_2>a huge explosion will happen <extra_id_3>it doesn't give off light any longer <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>a huge explosion will happen <extra_id_5>Mr Brown was going away for a week. Before he left, he said to his son, "if anyone asks for me, you can tell him that your father has been out for doing something, and will be back in a week, then be sure to ask him to sit down for a cup of tea." "OK, Dad," said his son. But he was afraid his son couldn't remember this, he wrote these words down on a piece of paper and gave it to him. His son put it into his small pocket, took it out and looked at it every now and then. Four days passed, but no one came to see his father. The boy thought that there was no man to come and that the piece of paper was of no more use for him, so he burnt it that evening The next afternoon, someone knocked at the door. The boy opened it. A man was standing at the door and said, "Where is your father?" The boy put his hand into his pocket at once and looked for the piece of paper. He could not find it. He suddenly remembered he had burnt it, so he shouted, "No more." The man was very surprised. He asked, "No more? I met your father last week. When did it happen?" "Burnt yesterday evening." The man was very surprised because _ . <extra_id_0>he thought the child's father was dead <extra_id_1>the child didn't ask him to sit down <extra_id_2>the child gave him a cup of tea <extra_id_3>he couldn't find that piece of paper <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>he thought the child's father was dead
<extra_id_5>A child sits at his desk waiting for the teacher to hand back his test and praying that it is not sprayed with red marks. Fellow students in the classroom know a paper that has several red markings on it will usually receive a lower grade. The child with many red markings on his test will quickly fold the paper and stuff it into his desk in the hope that no one will see his test. There is an education movement to retire the reds for softer color1s of purple, green, and blue pens to mark students' work. Many educators understand the psychological harm the constant red markings on the paper do to a child's self-esteem. After a child receives his test back with countless red markings there is a rare chance that he will bother to find out his errors. It is too embarrassing in the classroom to examine his errors and also many children do not want to show their parents their red stained test. The purpose of grading a paper or test is to identify the child's weakness and offer suggestions to improve their ability in a specific subject. Red markings are too for the student to calmly understand their errors ; instead they become upset and begin their self-critical dialogue. No student wants to fail; they just do not know how to excel. All color1s have an influence on our state of mind. Red is a powerful color1 that gives us energy. Colors such as blues and greens are calming color1s to the body. Hospitals often have doctors wear blue or green scrubs because it relaxes the patient on a subconscious level. I have never seen a doctor wear red scrubs because it will stress the patient. Remember this when you decide to mark a child' paper with red, the color1 of blood. The author of the passage probably agrees that_. <extra_id_0>it's better to grade students' papers with softer color1s. <extra_id_1>it's not necessary to point out students' mistakes. <extra_id_2>it's wrong to retire the reds in grading students' papers. <extra_id_3>it's necessary to grade students' papers with red sometimes <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>a little rat startles a cat and ends up as the cat's lunch. What does that make the car? <extra_id_0>the cat is a dog <extra_id_1>the cat is a bad cat <extra_id_2>the cat is carnivorous or omnivorous <extra_id_3>the cat loves milk <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Our school life is very interesting! My friends and I study hard at school. And we are good at our lessons. We are very happy. We have lots of time for our hobbies. My classmates all want to go to different clubs. Helen wants to join the Reading Club. She loves reading books. The Reading Club meets every Wednesday at three thirty. Lily enjoys dancing. She wants to join the Dancing Club. It meets on Mondays at four thirty. There's also an Art Club. It meets on Fridays at four o'clock. Nick doesn't want to join the Art Club. He doesn't like drawing. He thinks it is too difficult for him . Nick likes playing computer games. He wants to join the Computer Club. It meets every Thursday at three forty-five. Mike loves sports. He wants to join the football team. They play football every Monday at three thirty. I want to join the Music Club. I like listening to music with my friends. The Music Club meets on Tuesday at three fifteen. ,: Why doesn't Nick join the Art Club? <extra_id_0>He is busy. <extra_id_1>He likes sports. <extra_id_2>He thinks drawing is easy. <extra_id_3>He thinks drawing is difficult. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Anyone who cares about what schools and colleges teach and how their students learn will be interested in the memoir of Ralph W. Tyler, who is one of the most famous men in American education. Born in Chicago in 1902, brought up and schooled in Nebraska, the 19-year-old college graduate Ralph Tyler became _ while teaching as a science teacher in South Dakota and changed his major from medicine to education. Graduate work at the University of Chicago found him connected with honorable educators Charles Judd and W. W. Charters, whose ideas of teaching and testing had an effect on his later work. In 1927, he became a teacher of Ohio State University where he further developed a new method of testing. Tyler became well-known nationality in 1938, when he carried his work with the Eight-Year Study from Ohio State University to the University of Chicago at the invitation of Robert Hutchins. Tyler was the first director of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, a position he held for fourteen years. There, he firmly believed that researchers should be free to seek an independent spirit in their work. Although Tyler officially retired in 1967, he never actually retired. He served on a long list of educational organizations in the United States and abroad. Even in his 80s he traveled across the country to advise teachers and management people on how to set objectives that develop the best teaching and learning within their schools. Who are most probably interested in Ralph W. Tyler's memoir? <extra_id_0>Top managers. <extra_id_1>Language learners. <extra_id_2>Serious educators. <extra_id_3>Science organizations. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>A mother wanted to encourage her son to play the piano. She bought tickets to the concert of a great pianist. When they arrived at the theater, the mother found a friend. Sbe stopped to talk to ber friend and her son ran off. At eight o'clock'the lights began to dim ,and the concert was set to start. The mother began to look for the boy. Then, she saw her 6-year-old son on stage. He was on the piano bench playing Twinkle, Twinkle little star. The mother was very shocked. Before she could get her son back, the famous pianist himself was on the stage and quickly moved to the piano. "Don't stop. Keep playing," he said kindly to the boy. The great pianist reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass of the song. Soon, his right arm reached around the other side and played a beautiful piece of music. Together, the two impressed people with their beautiful music. In all of our lives, we receive helping hands- some we notice, some we don't. We also have Iots of chances to give helping hands- sometimes we want people to know, sometimes we don't. Little of what we all achieve comes without other's help. What we receive we should give back What does the story tell us? <extra_id_0>It is good to give a helping hand to others. <extra_id_1>Great people always like to help others. <extra_id_2>It is important to give a child a lesson on stage. <extra_id_3>A mother should take good care of her child. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>Google is preparing for changes in its privacy policy beginning March 1st. The company says it plans to replace more than 60 separate policies for different products with one main policy. Privacy activists criticized last month's announcement. They are concerned that the new policy will make it easier to track the activities of users across Google's many products -- from Gmail to YouTube. Marc Rotenberg heads the Electronic Privacy Information Center in Washington. He says Google's aim is to create a single unified profile of its users. "We believe that not only is that a threat to privacy, we actually believe it is illegal, because last year Google entered into an agreement with the US Federal Trade Commission in which they said they would not engage in that kind of data sharing without the permission of their users." Google says its new policy will make it simpler for users to share information across services like Google Search, Gmail and Google Calendar. And it says the new policy will help personalize each user's experience. Over time, it says, users can expect to see better search results, fewer unwanted advertisements and more content targeted to their interests. But Marc Rotenberg says in return, people who choose to use Google will lose control over the information they share. "The type of information you might provide for an e-mail service, for example, such as your address book, which contains private information, is different from the type of information that you might provide for a social network service where people purposely make information publicly available to their friends." Mr. Rotenberg says these two kinds of services should be kept separate. "By trying to combine these two services, in our view, Google is actually undermining a very well established expectation of privacy, especially for popular Internet services like electronic mail." Critics also see a bigger problem with Google's new policy. The plan would not give users a choice to drop out of the data sharing. "In our view, if people want to make their potential information available, they certainly should have the right to do that. What we are objecting to is the effort by the company to take away from the users that choice that they should have. That just seems unfair." Google says it will not be collecting any more data than it does now. And it says users will still be able to control many privacy settings. For example, they can disable their search history and set Gmail chat to "off the record." European Union officials have asked the company to delay the new policy to make sure it would not violate any EU data protection laws. Marc Rotenberg thinks the Federal Trade Commission in Washington might also try to block the new policy. What would be the best title for this passage? <extra_id_0>Google's Privacy Policy to be Changed <extra_id_1>A Threat to Users' Privacy <extra_id_2>Marc Rotenberg Concerned about New Policy <extra_id_3>Users' Unified Profile Created ks5u <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>In the United Sates elementary education begins at the age of six. At this stage nearly all the teachers are women, mostly married. The atmosphere is usually very friendly, and the teachers have now accepted the idea that the important thing is to make the children happy and interested. The old authoritarian methods of education were discredited rather a long time ago--so much that many people now think that they have gone too far in the direction of trying to make children happy and interested rather than giving them actual instruction. The social education of young children tries to make them accept the idea that human beings in a society need to work together for their common goods. So the emphasis is on co-operation rather than competition throughout most of this process. This may seem curious, in view of the fact that American society is highly competitive; however, the need for making people sociable in this sense has come to be regarded as one of the functions of education. Most Americans do grow up with competitive ideas, and obviously quite a few as criminals, but it is not fair to say that the educational system fails. It probably does succeed in making most people sociable and ready to help one another both in material ways and through kindness and friendliness. According to the passage, the U.S. elementary education is supposed to make children _ . <extra_id_0>happy and interested <extra_id_1>competitive and interested <extra_id_2>curious and friendly <extra_id_3>happy and co-operative <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>A speech is a wonderful opportunity to inform, persuade or entertain. The best speeches often take on a combination of all three of these components . However, before you can go about the writing of a great speech, it is important to set goals. Goals keep you,your speech and your audience focused. What a goal is In the context of a speech, a goal is the purpose of the speech, and what it hopes to accomplish. For example, the goal of a eulogy might be to celebrate the life of a loved one. The goal of a speech at a political gathering would be to inform the crowd about the political position of a candidate and persuade them to vote and campaign for the candidatein question . Why a goal is important Without a goal, a speech is without direction. The goal informs the structure and content of the speech. For example, if a speech's goal is to convince people that smoking is bad for them, the speech will be structured with persuasive arguments to back up the goal. A speech with a goal of informing the audience will keep the information fair and factual. A goal is incredibly important to the speech's ability to connect with an audience. If the speaker is unaware of the goal of the speech, the audience will likely be unaware as well. This severely reduces the effectiveness of the message. Aside from informing the audience of the content and structure, a speech's goal drives the speaker to greater heights. If a speaker is asked to speak on a specific subject, but never establishes the goal, they won't know where to start in the research, organizing and writing of the speech. _ If you have been charged with delivering a speech, establishing a goal can seem difficult at first. There are several things to take into consideration. First, think about who you will be speaking to. The demographic of your audience will likely determine whether you will be able to persuade them, or whether they will be able to sit through(......). Second, think about the topic itself. If the topic is something controversial , it may worth your while to consider an informative approach to present both sides of the issue. Finally, consider your resources. A speech with an informative or persuasive goal usually requires a great deal of research, and sometimes takes more time to write. The goal of a speech at a political gathering might be _ . <extra_id_0>to persuade the audience to vote for a candidate <extra_id_1>to celebrate the life of a person you admire <extra_id_2>to entertain the audience with humor and magic <extra_id_3>to persuade the audience to buy new products <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>A new Canada Prize for the Arts and Creativity could be in place by 2010,with large cash prizes for emerging artists in dance,music,theatre and visual arts. The prize is the idea of Tony Gagliano and David Pecaut,founders of the Luminato festival,wh0 were probably able to convince the federal government to back it.The federal budget has allocated$.25 million to support the awards open to emerging artists that have the prestige of a Nobel Prize. "When you think about the major prizes of the world--the Nobel Prize.in Sweden,the Kyoto prizes in Japan or the Booker Prize in the U.K.the bring great,honor and opportunity to the countries that award them,'' Pecaut said."The.idea here is that every year,the Canada prizes will be awarded to the very.best promising emerging artists around the world in those four fields." A jury of international experts would judge the 12 finalists,who would come to Canada and perform or show their work in public to win.the Canada prizes.The performances would be televised,allowing Canadians across the country.to see it. The federal government liked the idea of such an international prize that would advance Canada's brand,draw tourists and arts professionals from around the world.For the Canadian arts people.one of the greatest challenges is connecting to that international arts world to come up with CO--productions and foreign investment and touring chances. A group is working toward establishing the prize by 2010,with potential for semi-final rounds to take place:about the same time as the Vancouver Olympic Games."Thirty or forty years from now,the future outstanding dancers and performers will look back and say.'I broke out on the world scene in Toronto--that's where 1 was discovered'" Towards the founding of the Canada Prize,David Pecaut is_. <extra_id_0>unconcerned <extra_id_1>doubtful <extra_id_2>hopeless <extra_id_3>optimistic <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>A person wants to take a a mode of transportation out that has two wheels so they will need to <extra_id_0>drive <extra_id_1>bus <extra_id_2>cycle <extra_id_3>run <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>Once upon a time there was a boy named Ankit. One day he made a painting and he loved it so much. One night when he slept, an angel came and blessed his painting that it should come alive. He was always lonely. He always wanted a friend to talk to and share his work and secrets. Next morning when he woke up he heard some sounds near his painting. When he looked at the painting, he was surprised that it was talking! He thought that his wish had come true. The man in the painting needed food, water and clothes. The news of the magic painting _ all over the world. It even came in newspapers and in the news on TV. One night a thief came to steal the painting. The moment he came in front of the painting, the man in the picture shouted and said, "Help! Help, a thief!" The thief got scared and ran away. One day the painting said to Ankit that it wanted to be married. Then Ankit had to paint a woman. He made both the paintings marry and live happily ever after. His loneliness was also cured forever. What did the angel do with the painting? <extra_id_0>She took the painting away. <extra_id_1>She blessed it to come alive. <extra_id_2>She drew another one like this painting. <extra_id_3>She put the painting on the wall. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>She blessed it to come alive. <extra_id_5>Years ago people could hardly accept the ideas of a woman's being a doctor. In order to get into medical school in 1847, Elizabeth Blackwell was asked to keep it a secret that she was a woman. This was contrary to her beliefs, and she refused to do it. After entering medical school, prefix = st1 /Elizabethoften had to summon all her courage to free the unkindness of teachers and classmates. By her great efforts, she was able to complete her studies. Many people came to her graduation just to have a look at a woman doctor. Doctor Blackwell soon found that most people were not as ready as to go to a woman doctor. She had to struggle to make a living. Then came the great day when she was offered a job as a doctor in a hospital. She did so well that she was asked to organize a new hospital and medical college. TheUnited Statescan now be proud of thousands of women doctors. What in fact was Elizabeth's great effort in the medical school? <extra_id_0>To study hard to complete her studies. <extra_id_1>To refuse to pretend to be a boy. <extra_id_2>To realize her idea of being a doctor. <extra_id_3>To struggle for the position of the women. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>To struggle for the position of the women. <extra_id_5>"Grandma, Grandma, tell us a story ! "Four darling children sat by my feet, looking up at me expectantly. Suddenly, we were interrupted clapping."Terrific, " the director said, stepping up the stage from the aisle ."Except, could you kids face the audience a bit more? " The kids shifted to face the empty seats, which would be filled in a few days for the church play."Perfect," the director said. "Now, Grandma, read to your grandchildren." hit me. If' only I could read to my real grandchild! I had a granddaughter, but I'd never met her. Sixteen years earlier my son was involved in a relationship that ended badly. But out of' it came a blessing: a baby girl named Lena. I hoped to be a grandmother to her-but shortly after the birth, the mother moved without any address left. Over the years, I asked around town to try and find my son's ex-wife ,but it seemed that she didn't want to be found. I'd just joined this new church a week earlier and was at once offered the part of Grandma in the play. At least now I could pretend to be a grandma. The rehearsals went well, and finally the day of' the show arrived. The performance was great. "You all looked so natural up there, "one of' my friends said. Afterward, we went to the church basement for refreshments .I walked over to one of the girls in the play. Rehearsals had been such a whirlwind that we never really got to talk. "How's my granddaughter? " I joked. "Fine !" she answered. Just then, someone else walked up and asked the girl her name. I wasn't sure I heard the girl's answer correctly. But it made me ask her another question."What's your mother's name? " She told me, I was still in shock."And what's your father's name? "I asked. She told me.It was my son. She'd only started going to that church a week before I did. Since that day of 'the play, we've stayed close. Not long ago, she even made me a great grandma. We can infer that when writing the story, the author felt _ . <extra_id_0>light-hearted <extra_id_1>Heartbroken <extra_id_2>confused <extra_id_3>anxious <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>light-hearted <extra_id_5>Which of the following is true? <extra_id_0>gut flora can make you more healthy <extra_id_1>bacteria is always bad <extra_id_2>bacteria in your brain helps digest food <extra_id_3>gut bacteria always makes you sick <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>gut flora can make you more healthy <extra_id_5>Mr. Brown worked in a factory of a small town. He had been there for twenty years before one day he was sent to the capital for important business. He was quite excited because he had never been there before. Before he set off, he asked his wife and three daughters if they wanted him to buy something for them in London. Mrs. Brown began to think it over and then she said she wished her husband would be able to buy a nice umbrella for her, and so did their three daughters. As he was afraid he would forget it, he drew an umbrella on his hand. To his regret, he lost _ at the station. On the train Mr. Brown sat opposite to an old woman. The woman's umbrella was so nice that he carefully looked at it and said to himself not to forget to buy a few umbrellas like it. When the train arrived at the station in London, he said good-bye to the old woman, took his bag and her umbrella and was going to get off. "Wait a minute, sir," shouted the old woman. "That's my umbrella!" Now Mr. Brown noticed that he had taken her umbrella. His face turned red at once and said in a hurry,"Oh, I'm very sorry, Madam! I didn't mean it!" Seven days later Mr. Brown left the capital. To his surprise, he met the old woman and sat opposite to her again. Looking at the four umbrellas, the old woman was satisfied with herself. "It seems that I had a better choice than the other four women." She thought. We can learn from the passage that Mr. Brown was _ . <extra_id_0>a conductor <extra_id_1>a thief <extra_id_2>a worker <extra_id_3>an umbrella maker <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>a worker
<extra_id_5>How to improve our life? Many people think that they have to accept whatever life throws at them. They'll say, "This is my destiny .I cannot change it." Of course not! You don't have to suffer needlessly. Your life depends on you, not on any other external factor. I know a woman who says she just accepts what life gives her because she has done everything she can to improve it. Guess what her lifestyle is? She wakes up in the morning, goes to work, comes back home, relaxes, chats with people, watches TV, and then goes to sleep. Next day, the same routine cycle follows. Huh! Is this what she calls "doing her best"? She believes she has tried her best and just accepts it in her heart that this is the life that has been intended for her and that her luck can only change if God wills it. She hasn't realized that we have to do our share of making the effort to live the life of our dreams. Remember that you harvest what you sow. You have to get off the sofa, get your eyes off the TV screen, get your hands off the phone(unless it contributes to your success),and get your mind and body to work! Don't expect your luck to change, unless you do something about it. If something goes wrong, don't just regard it as a temporary setback; instead, learn your lesson, make the most of the situation, and do something to solve the problem. It's not enough to think positively; you also have to act positively. If someone's life is in trouble, do you just hope and pray that things will turn out fine? Of course not! You get to do anything you can to save the person. So it is with your own life. It is not enough to hope for the best, but you have to do your best. In other words, don't just stand(or sit)there, do something to improve your life. In Para. 5, the author emphasized the importance of _ . <extra_id_0>positive thinking <extra_id_1>positive action <extra_id_2>hope for the best <extra_id_3>intention to succeed <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Four most Extreme Travel Destinations in the World Coldest Inhabited Place on Earth: Oymyakon, Russia As the coldest inhabited place on earth, the small Russian town of Oymyakon was once only used as a location for political prisoners. Winter temperature average at about -58 degrees F, the ground is frozen all year long. Popular sports include skiing, ice hockey and ice fishing. Closest Place to Outer Space: Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador Mount Chimborazo stands at over 20,000 feet high. Standing on it will put you closest to outer space that man can ever reach on foot. Its peak is completely covered by glaciers, but this mountain has several routes for climbers. Hottest Place on Earth: Lut Desert, Iran Here, temperatures reach as high as 158 degrees F. Though tourists visit this desert land, it's a destination only for those willing to take on the challenge of surviving the heat and the dry climates. Most Isolated Place on Earth: Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom Looking for a getaway from the everyday? This is about as far away from it as you can get. The island is home to fewer than 300 inhabitants and has no airport, Tristan da Cunha is accessible only by sea. How can we get to Tristan da Cunha? <extra_id_0>By air. <extra_id_1>By car. <extra_id_2>By ship. <extra_id_3>By train. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>ELMONT, N. Y. (AP)---Elmont High School senior Harold Ekeh had a plan--he would apply to 13 colleges , including all eight Ivy League schools, figuring it would help his chances of getting into at least one great school. It worked, And then some, The teenager from Long Island was accepted at all 13 schools, and now faces his next big test: deciding where to go. "I was stunned, I was really shocked, "Ekeh told The Associated Press during an interview Tuesday at his home near the Belmont Park racetrack, his four younger brothers running around. He found out last week he had been accepted to Princeton University. That made him eight for eight in the Ivy League--he had already been accepted to Yale University , Brown University, Columbia University , Cornell University , Dartmouth College, Harvard University and University of Pennsylvania. His other acceptances came from Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, Stony Brook University and Vanderbilt University. "We are so proud of him, " said his mother , Roseline Ekeh."Hard work, dedication, prayer brought him to where he is today. " Born in Nigeria, Harold was eight years old when his parents brought the family to the United States. "It was kind of difficult adjusting to the new environment and the new culture, " he said. But he saw his parents working hard, "and I took their example and decides to _ He referenced that effort in his college essay, writing, "Like a tree, uprooted and replanted, I could have withered in a new country surrounded by people and languages I did not understand. Yet, I witnessed my parents persevere despite the potential to give in. I faced my challenges with newfound zeal; I risked insults, spending my break talking to unfamiliar faces, ignoring their sarcastic remarks. " Harold "is tremendously focused in everything he does." said John Capozzi, the school's principal, "He's a great role model. All the students and faculty are so proud of him. " Harold is the second Long Island student in as many years to get into all eight Ivies. Last year, William Floyd High School's Kwasi Enim chose to go to Yale. Harold, who has a 100. 51 grade-point average and wants to be a neurosurgeon, said he was leaning toward Yale, and had heard from Enin, offering congratulations. Like Enin, he's likely to announce his college choice at a press conference later this month. The deadline to decide is May 1. Which of the following is true about Harold? <extra_id_0>He was born into a Nigerian family in the US. <extra_id_1>He planted a tree once he moved to the US, <extra_id_2>He was always welcome and popular in his schools. <extra_id_3>He paid a lot to make his way to offeres from all Ivies. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>"Hey! That isn't fair! Knights can't fly! Only wizards like me can! And maybe also witches." Bobby yelled. "Yes! They can, too!" Frank said, "They're the most powerful and you can't stop me from flying!" "Well, if you fly, then I can fight with a sword, too. It's only fair," Bobby said back. "No! They can't! They aren't even strong enough to pick up a sword. They can't even pick up a knife, they're so weak! I don't even know what you're talking about. You're crazy, aren't you?" Frank pointed his finger at Bobby and ran at him with the sword made out of cardboard. Bobby jumped out of the way as quickly as he could! Bobby then pointed a finger at Frank. "FREEZE!" Frank stopped in place. "Hey, you can't use the freeze spell. How can I fight you if I can't move? I'm going to tell mom." "I can use any spell I want! I can use Freeze, Trap, and Fly! I can do any of them! I'm also telling mom that you think you can fly and you can't. You're a stupid knight with no brains. I have all the brains here." Bobby crossed his arms over his chest and stomped a foot on the ground. "You take that back! I'm the smartest knight there is and I'll get you any day!" Suddenly, Frank pulled Bobby to the ground. "Take it back right now!" "BOYS! What's all the noise?" Mom asked. "Bobby called me stupid!" Frank yelled. "Frank is trying to fly!" Bobby cried. "Oh boy." Mom laughed. What did Frank, the knight, use as a weapon? <extra_id_0>Knife <extra_id_1>Freeze <extra_id_2>Sword <extra_id_3>Staff <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Once there was a rich man who lived with his wife and child.He loved the child so much that he sent him to Oxford university for two or three years.At the end of the first year at the university, this young student came home.He wanted a change.And he also wanted to tell his parents about Oxford. It happened one night that the father, the mother and the young student were sitting at supper.They had in front of them only two chickens.Just as they were about to begin eating, the father said, "My boy, I have spent a lot of money on you to send you to Oxford.Now I want to know what you have learned."The son smiled and said, "Father, I have studied a science which can prove that these two chickens on the plate are really three chickens.""Well," said the father, "This is something I would like very much to know.""There are two chickens on the plate, "said the student.He took one of the chickens in his hand and said, "Here is one more ; and one and two makes three.So here are three chickens."Then the father took one of the chickens to himself, gave the other to his wife, and said, "I will have one of the chickens myself, your mother shall have another, and you can have the third for your supper and nothing else."The father kept his word and so the student went without his supper. (5) The rich man loved his son very much , so he _ . <extra_id_0>senthimtoworkatOxfordfortwoorthreeyears <extra_id_1>wantedhimtoliveatOxfordfortwoorthreeyears <extra_id_2>senthimtoOxfordtostudy <extra_id_3>gavehimalotofmoney <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>Everyone has worries(,). How do you deal with(,) your worries? There is always something you can do to help yourself feel less worried. Sitting there worrying is no fun and it won't solve your problems. Grades(,) at school are often a top worry for children. If you worry most about grades, ask yourself these questions: * Why are grades important? What do grades mean to me? * How do I get ready for class? Do I go over my notes even when there isn't a test? * Do I have a good place to do my homework? * Have I tried different ways of studying? If your worry is about a fight you had with your friend, you might write down all the things you could do----write a note to him or her, invite him or her to watch a basketball game, say sorry to him or her and so on. Once you have a list of things you could do, you can choose one thing that could get your friend back. You can ask for help when you're worried. You can find someone to talk to, such as your parents, friends, and teachers. According to the passage, when you're worried, you'd better _ . <extra_id_0>work hard <extra_id_1>ask for help and talk to someone <extra_id_2>get ready for class <extra_id_3>do your homework <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>What do you like most when you can get one of such things: freedom, true friends, love, honesty and so on? Here are some choices of students: Chen Cheng, 14, Jiangsu: I think I need a true friend. I had some friends before. However, it seemed that they didn't treat me well. I told them my secrets but they didn't share theirs with me. What's worse, they told my secrets to others, which made me very unhappy. I hope to find a true lifelong friend who can share happiness and sadness with me and keep my secrets. Gan Xiaoning 14, Heilongjiang: Freedom is what I want most. I am a bird in two cages. In school, I have to follow the school's rules and listen to teachers. At home, my parents don't allow me to do what I like, either. I have to do everything that they tell me to do: study, study and study some more. So, freedom is the only thing I really want! Yuan Siyu, 15, Guangxi: I am a boy from a poor family. My father works very hard but only makes a little money every month to support the family. I want to go to a key university so that I can find a good job in the future. Then, I can _ enough money to get my family out of poverty and offer my parents a happy life. Qu Yi, 15, Hebei: I want a complete family. My parents got divorced three years ago. Since then, I have had no chance to be together with both of them any more. Now, I am living with my mom and get her love, but I also want my dad's love. I am envious of my classmates who live with their parents. So, I would have a complete family if I could. Who is facing the problem of poverty and decides to fight? <extra_id_0>Qu Yi <extra_id_1>Chen Cheng <extra_id_2>Gan Xiaoning <extra_id_3>Yuan Siyu <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Which of the following is most responsible for the decay of dead organisms? <extra_id_0>water <extra_id_1>mammals <extra_id_2>microorganisms <extra_id_3>nitrogen <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Broker needed a certain rare coin to complete a set that he had contracted to assemble and sell to Collecta. On February 1, Broker obtained such a coin from Hoarda in exchange for $1,000 and Broker's signed, written promise to re-deliver to Hoarda "not later than December 31 this year" a comparable specimen of the same kind of coin without charge to Hoarda. On February 2, Broker consummated sale of the complete set to Collecta. On October 1, the market price of rare coins suddenly began a rapid, sustained rise; and on October 15 Hoarda wrote Broker for assurance that the latter would timely meet his coin-replacement commitment. Broker replied, "In view of the surprising market, it seems unfair that I should have to replace your coin within the next few weeks." 177. For this question only, assume the following facts. Having received Broker's message on October 17, Hoarda sued Broker on November 15 for the market value of a comparable replacement-coin as promised by Broker in February. The trial began on December 1. If Broker moves to dismiss Hoarda's complaint, which of the following is Broker's best argument in support of the motion? <extra_id_0>Broker did not repudiate the contract on October 17, and may still perform no later than the contract deadline of December 31. <extra_id_1>Even if Broker repudiated on October 17, Hoarda's only action would be for specific performance because the coin is a unique chattel. <extra_id_2>Under the doctrine of impossibility, which includes unusually burdensome and unforeseen impracticability, Broker is temporarily excused by the market conditions from timely performance of his coin-replacement obligation. <extra_id_3>Even if Broker repudiated on October 17, Hoarda has no remedy without first 17, Hoarda has no remedy without first demanding in writing that Broker retract his repudiation. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>In the past few decades, Japanese cuisine has acquired global appeal. Japanese restaurants have sprung up almost all over the world. In Kyoto, the Heihachi Tea House boasts a 430-year-old tradition that the owners have kept all in the family. The tea house has been operated by twenty generations of the Sonobe family. The Heihachi Tea House, in the northern part of Kyoto, is one of the city's oldest business establishments. It is said to have opened in 1576. The present owner, Sonobe Heihachi, who is also the chef, represents the 20th generation of the Sonobe family to oversee the tea house. Sonobe Heihachi, restaurant owner, said, "During the middle of the Edo era, from 1603 to 1868, it became customary for commoners to dine in mat rooms. The Heihachi Tea House specialized in a dish comprised of rice with barley . It then became an inn and a little later, a restaurant." Like every other chef, Sonobe Heihachi's day often begins at the market where he personally selects ingredients that will be served to his customers. The restaurant specializes in a style of cuisine known as Kaiseki Ryori--possibly the ultimate in Japanese cooking. It offers both fresh and ocean fishes on its menu, including bream and eels. The owner's son Sonobe Shingo is also an accomplished chef. His skills include the elaborate cutting of a "daikon" radish into strips. Later they will be shredded into thin strands to form part of the garnish for sashimi. Sonobe Shingo admits that when it comes to the small details of running the business, father and son have different ways of thinking. Sometimes they clash. But they share a passion for what they do and continue to preserve an innovative and deeply rooted culinary tradition. The 21st generation owner of the Heihachi Tea House may be _ . <extra_id_0>Sonobe Heihachi <extra_id_1>the first owner of the Heihachi Tea House <extra_id_2>Sonobe Shingo <extra_id_3>Sonobe Heihachi's grandson <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>The Zen of Cat The Man was very sad. He knew that the Cat's days were numbered. The doctor had said there was not anything more that could be done, and that he should take the Cat home and make him as comfortable as possible. The Man stroked the Cat on his lap and sighed. The Cat opened his eyes, purred and looked up at the Man. A tear rolled down the Man's cheek and landed on the Cat's forehead. The Cat gave him a slightly annoyed look. "Why do you cry, Man?" the Cat asked. "Because you can't bear the thought of losing me? Because you think you can never replace me?" The Man nodded "Yes." "And where do you think I'll be when I leave you?" the Cat asked. The Man shrugged helplessly. "Close your eyes, Man," the Cat said. The Man gave him a questioning look, but did as he was told. "What color1 are my eyes and fur?" the Cat asked. "Your eyes are gold and your fur is a rich, warm brown." the Man replied. "And where is it that you most often see me?" asked the Cat. "I see you...on the kitchen windowsill watching the birds...on my favorite chair...on my desk lying on the papers I need...on the pillow next to my head at night." "Then, whenever you wish to see me, all you must do is to close your eyes," said the Cat. "Close your eyes again," the Cat said. "Now lick your hand." The Man widened his eyes in surprise. "Just do it," the Cat said. "Lick your hand, and think of me in all my familiar places." The Man felt foolish, licking his hand, but he did as he was told. He discovered what a cat must know, that licking a paw is very calming and allows one to think more clearly. He continued licking and the corners of his mouth turned upward into the first smile he had shown in days. He waited for the Cat to tell him to stop, and when he didn't, he opened his eyes. The Cat's eyes were closed. The Man stroked the warm, brown fur, but the Cat was gone. The Man shut his eyes hard as the tears poured down his face. He saw the Cat on the windowsill, then in his bed, then lying across his important papers. He saw him on the pillow next to his head, saw his bright gold eyes and darkest brown on his nose and ears. One day, not long after, there was a new cat on his lap. She was a lovely spotted and white...very different from his earlier beloved cat and very much the same. Why was the Man sad and cried? <extra_id_0>Because he had to give the cat away and bring back a new cat. <extra_id_1>Because the Cat was bad-tempered and bad to him. <extra_id_2>Because the Cat was dying. <extra_id_3>Because he would leave the Cat. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>The magnitude of the gravitational force between two planets depends on the <extra_id_0>speed the planets rotate. <extra_id_1>other nearby planets. <extra_id_2>volume of the planets. <extra_id_3>distance between the planets. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>My name is Joan. I'm a student. I'm fifteen. My dad and mom are teachers. I have a sister. Her name is Lily. She is sixteen.She is a student,too.We are from Canada, but we are in Beijing now. Look! The man in a white coat is my dad. The woman in a red dress is my mom.The girl in a pink skirt is Lily and I'm in a yellow skirt. Are we cool? ,. Joan comes from _ . <extra_id_0>Cuba <extra_id_1>Canada <extra_id_2>China <extra_id_3>Japan <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>If you think you're too shy and want to be a little brave, try the followings: You can make it. Tell people you're shy. There's no need to hide it. When they get to know you're a shy kid, they'll understand you better. This also helps you feel more _ in talks. Try to smile more. When you smile, people think you are friendly and easy to talk. Remember that other people have feelings, too; and most people will stay away from an angry-looking face. Learn to be a good talker. If you find it hard to start talks, say something nice about people around you. Think about how great you feel when someone says something nice to you. Doesn't it make you want to keep talking to that person? Get your attention elsewhere. Think more about ways to enjoy parties and games. Don't waste time, say to yourself "You did it". Keep trying and one day you'll never feel "shy" when you talk about yourself Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? <extra_id_0>Ask yourself to smile more. <extra_id_1>Never say something nice about people <extra_id_2>Think less about ways to enjoy parties around you. <extra_id_3>One day you'll never feel "shy" when people talk about you. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Tell our story, make your mark Havering is one of London's largest towns. It is a place of _ , from the shopping and nightlife of Romford to the cultural quarter of Hornchurch; from the industrial Thames riverside in Rainham to the ambitious regeneration project in Harold Hill. The London Borough of Havering has a great story to tell, and we're looking for the right people to tell it. Campaigns and Marketing Manager A creative strategist is needed to plan and deliver campaigns that change behaviour across the town and form Havering's reputation beyond its borders. Media Manager An experienced professional is required, who fully understands how the news media works and works well under pressure. You will manage a team of three, as well as our media message. Communications Business Manager As a senior member of the communications team, you will be part salesperson and part business strategist, with wide-ranging power to increase our commercial potential as much as possible and save taxpayers' money. Senior Media Officers Two experienced persons are needed to turn the stories that we talk about into the stories that everyone is talking about. Community Newspaper Journalist (12month contract at the beginning) Our community newspaper, Living, is being expanded as an energetic publication once every two weeks. We need an editor and a journalist or writer who produces brilliant copy, even against the tightest deadlines. Pay & grading award are yet to be decided for all posts. Full details are available on our website. For an informal conversation about these positions, please contact Mark Leech, Head of Communications, by calling 01708 434373. Any disabled applicants, meeting the necessary standards set out in the profile for a job, will be guaranteed an interview. Please apply online via the Council's website at www.havering.gov.uk or contact the Recruitment Team at 01708 433039. Closing date for completed applications is Friday, 18th April 2008. Interviews will be scheduled for the week beginning 28th April 2008. _ has to be a salesperson, drawing business plans at the same time. <extra_id_0>Community Newspaper Journalist <extra_id_1>Senior Media Officers <extra_id_2>Campaigns and Marketing Manager <extra_id_3>Communications Business Manager <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>
<extra_id_5>"Can't hold a candle to" is a popular expression. It is from the time before electricity, when people used candles for light. Someone who lived in a big house would have a servant light his way by holding a candle. The expression meant that the person who cannot hold a candle to you is not fit even to be your servant. "Hold out" is an expression one hears often in sports reports and labor news. It means refusing to play or work. Professional football and baseball players hold out if their team refuses to pay them what they think they are worth. Members of labor unions hold out and refuse to work until they get the work agreement they want. The expression "hold up" has several different meanings. One is a robbery. A man with a gun may say, "This is a hold up. Give me your money." Another meaning is to delay. A driver late for work may tell his boss, "I was held up by heavy traffic." Someone who was robbed on the way to work might say, "Sorry, boss, I was held up by a hold up." Still another meaning of the expression is for a story to be considered true after an investigation. The same driver late for work could say, "My boss did not believe a hold up held me up. But the police confirmed what I said so my story held up." "Hold on" is another expression. Often it means wait or stop. As you leave for school, your brother may say, "Hold on, you forgot your book." Hold on is also used to ask a telephone caller to wait and not hang up his telephone. Which of the following is NOT one of the meanings of "hold up"? <extra_id_0>A robbery <extra_id_1>To delay <extra_id_2>To prove true <extra_id_3>Wait a moment. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>A group of students investigated the effect of water temperature on the gill movements of goldfish. The students tested water temperatures from 20°C to 10°C at 2-degree intervals. The data showed that as water temperature decreased, the average number of gill movements per minute by the goldfish also decreased. Which type of display is BEST used to show this relationship? <extra_id_0>a bar graph <extra_id_1>a pie chart <extra_id_2>a line graph <extra_id_3>a tally chart <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>How can we see that refracting sunlight causes light to split into different colors? <extra_id_0>shining a light at a mirror <extra_id_1>letting sunlight hit a broken mirror <extra_id_2>setting a diamond outside on a bright day <extra_id_3>shining a flashlight at broken glass on the floor <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Clerk is a clerical worker who has been employed for the past two years in a permanent position in the Wasmania County Public Records Office in the state of Orange. Clerk has been responsible for copying and filing records of real estate transactions in that office. Clerk works in a nonpublic part of the office and has no contact with members of the public. However, state law provides that all real estate records in that office are to be made available for public inspection. On the day an attempted assassination of the governor of Orange was reported on the radio, Clerk remarked to a coworker, "Our governor is such an evil man, I am sorry they did not get him." Clerk's coworker reported this remark to Clerk's employer, the county recorder. After Clerk admitted making the remark, the county recorder dismissed him stating that "there is no room in this office for a person who hates the governor so much." Clerk sued for reinstatement and back pay. His only claim is that the dismissal violated his constitutional rights. In this case, the court should hold that the county recorder's dismissal of Clerk was <extra_id_0>unconstitutional, because it constitutes a taking without just compensation of Clerk's property interest in his permanent position with the county. <extra_id_1>unconstitutional, because in light of Clerk's particular employment duties his right to express himself on a matter of public concern outweighed any legitimate interest the state might have had in discharging him. <extra_id_2>constitutional, because the compelling interest of the state in having loyal and supportive employees outweighs the interest of any state employee in his or her job or in free speech on a matter of public concern. <extra_id_3>nonjusticiable, because public employment is a privilege rather than a right and, therefore, Clerk lacked standing to bring this suit. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>At 9 a.m. on October 15, 2003, our country launched its first manned space-ship, Shenzhou V, into space at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province. It took Yang Liwei and his spaceship about 21 hours to circle the earth 14 times. Yang Liwei is China's first astronaut. He comes from Liaoning Province, and he has been an air force pilot since 1983. He was chosen from 14 pilots after many difficult tests. The life of an astronaut is hard to imagine for many people. To put on a space suit takes 15 minutes with the help of others. Sleeping in space is not easy, either. He has to sleep in a special sleeping bag on the wall because there is no gravity. Yang can eat chicken and rice. It's especially made to eat in space but it doesn't taste nice. "I'm feeling very good in space, and it looks wonderful here," said Yang, "I have looked at our beautiful earth and I have recorded all that I have seen here." China has become the third country in the world to send a person into space after the former Soviet Union and the United States. China is now planning its next launch. Shenzhou VI will be into space within(......) the next years, it may take three astronauts. We are all proud of our motherland. Which of the following is true? <extra_id_0>It took Yang Liwei and his spaceship about 12 hours. <extra_id_1>Life in space is easy for an astronaut. <extra_id_2>China is planning its next launch now. <extra_id_3>Yang Liwei is the first man into space. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>Today, several of the world's nearly 7,000 languages face a serious risk of extinction. "For example, Ainu, a language in Japan, is now seriously threatened, with only 10 native speakers left," said lead study author Tatsuya Amano at the University of Cambridge in England. The scientists found that 25 percent of the world's languages are threatened. After identifying where the endangered languages were, they looked for any environmental and social or economic factors those languages might have in common, such as rugged terrain or rapid population growth. "We found that at the global scale, language speaker declines are strongly linked to economic growth-that is, declines are particularly occurring in economically developed regions," Amano said. One important implication of this new study "is that languages in the tropics and Himalayan region are likely to be increasingly threatened in the near future, because these regions still have many local indigenous languages with a small number of speakers, and at the same time are experiencing rapid economic growth," Amano said. Economic growth may endanger languages for a variety of reasons. For instance, speakers of endangered languages may view another more dominant language as offering economic opportunities, and thus forego their own languages. There are other important factors that might endanger languages, the researchers said. For instance, policies regarding how languages are used and taught in schools can be very different among countries and even within each country, and these factors may explain more detailed patterns in language endangerment. Amano suggested it could be possible to forecast future threats to linguistic diversity. "There exists detailed information on projected future changes in the environment, economies and climates," Amano said. "Using such information, together with the findings of this study and further analysis, we would like to understand what will happen to the world's languages, where it will happen and which languages will be threatened in particular." The writer shows us the reasons that languages are endangered by _ . <extra_id_0>offering some examples <extra_id_1>performing some experiments . <extra_id_2>telling some interesting stories <extra_id_3>making a list of important facts . <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Just one bite of cake that is made with eggs is enough to make John feel very sick. Susan gets a terrible rash whenever she eats anything containing seafood, and David nearly died when he first ate a cookie that included peanuts. David had trouble breathing after he ate the cookie, but his mother knew what to do and she quickly gave him medicine that helped him feel better almost right away. The body's reaction to certain foods can be quite severe, resulting in breathing problems, as in David's case, or loss of consciousness for some. There are many things we eat may cause our bodies to react badly if we have a food allergy . The most common food allergies seem to be related to milk, soy, eggs, wheat flour, peanuts, nuts, and seafood. In fact, these kinds of foods account for 90% of food allergies. According to some studies, the number of children who have a food allergy is growing. But some people now argue that test results might not actually be accurate, so food allergies are not really as common as they may appear. There are three typical ways that doctors test for food allergies. Probably the most accurate way is for a doctor to give a child a food challenge", For this, the doctor watches the child eat small amounts of certain foods to see if the child has an allergic reaction or not. This method is very time consuming so it is used less often than the other two methods: skin tests and blood tests. In a skin test, a doctor puts very small amounts of the parts of the foods that the child may be allergic to under the child's skin, then watches to see if the child's skin reacts to the allergens . In a blood test, doctors take some of the child's blood and add possible allergens to it and then look for chemicals in the blood that indicate a possible allergic reaction. A problem with both the skin test and the blood test is that neither will show how severe an allergic reaction might be. If a test result is positive, the child may have a severe reaction by eating this food, but the child might just as likely only have a slight rash. The test will not show which of these might be the case. Dr. Jennifer Chafen of Stanford University studied 10 years' worth of allergy research to check how accurate the tests are. She found a surprising fact. Skin tests or blood tests given to patients who visited their doctors for treatment of rashes or stomachaches showed that these patients were allergic to certain foods. However, later tests showed that although these patients tested positive, fewer than 50 percent of them actually had blood allergies. So were the results false and can we rely on these test results? The problem might be food intolerance rather than a food allergy. While foodallergies are mainly related to a person's immune system, food intolerance is related to a person's digestive system and the reaction is usually less severe. One of the most common kinds of food intolerance is related to people who have trouble digesting the sugar in products like milk, cheese, and ice cream. Doctors are not sure why the number of cases of food allergies is rising. One factor that may explain part of the problem is our cleaner environment. Most children are exposed to fewer germs these days and some researchers think that for some people, their body's immune system makes work for itself by reacting as if certain foods are harmful. While allergy test results may show false positive results, the tests are still useful and can save lives. Some children lose their food allergies as they get older, so even though doctors do not have a cure for food allergies, sometimes the body finds its own cure. What do skin tests and blood tests NOT show? <extra_id_0>Whether a certain food will produce a rash or not. <extra_id_1>Whether test results are positive or not. <extra_id_2>Whether a person is allergic to a certain food. <extra_id_3>Whether allergic reactions are severe or not. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>A cell phone in a vehicle can be a life-saving communication tool in case of emergency. However, actually using a cell phone while driving can be life-threatening. Studies have shown that new drivers are especially prone to have an accident when they use a cell phone while driving. The reason for this is that new drivers have less experience in concentrating on driving during distractions . Also, several studies done on teen drivers found that many teens often send text messages while driving. Since text messaging involves both the hands and the eyes, this is thought to be more distracting and dangerous than when drivers use a cell phone only for speaking and listening while driving. All drivers who use a cell phone while driving are reported to be at least four times more likely to have an accident than drivers who don't use a cell phone while driving. Such studies have inspired many countries, including the United States, to have at least some bans on hand-held cell phone use while driving. However, many people feel that these restrictions are far from enough. Hand-free cell phones were still found in many studies to distract the drivers' attention even though the drivers had both hands on the wheel . In some studies, drivers themselves admitted that they sometimes become distracted when they use any type of the cell phones while driving. Some studies have shown that using a cell phone while driving is actually just as dangerous as driving drunk! Both cases can impair the drivers' concentration as well as their reaction time to other vehicles or problems on the road. If a cell phone is used in crawling traffic such as a traffic jam, it is not as likely to cause danger as when a driver uses a cell phone at even moderate speeds on twisting and turning roads. By writing this text, the author wants to _ . <extra_id_0>persuade readers not to use cell phone any more <extra_id_1>encourage readers to create a new model of cell phone <extra_id_2>warn readers the danger of using a cell phone while driving <extra_id_3>ask readers to protest against the producer of cell phones <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>"If I rest, I _ "----would be an excellent motto for those who are troubled by the slightest bit of idleness.Even the most hard-working person might adopt it with advantage to serve as a reminder that, if one allows his abilities to rest, like the iron in the unused key, they will soon show signs of rust and, eventually, cannot do the work required of them. Those who would attain the heights reached and kept by great men must- keep their ability polished by constant use, so that they may unlock the doors of knowledge, the gate that guard the entrances to the professions, to science, art, literature, agriculture--every department of human endeavor. Industry keeps the key bright that opens the treasury of achievement.If Hugh Miller, after toiling all day in a quarry, had devoted his evenings to rest and recreation, he would never have become a famous geologist.The celebrated mathematician, Edmund Stone, would never have published a mathematical dictionary, never have found the key to science of mathematics, if he had given his spare moments to idleness, had the little Scotch lad, Ferguson, allowed the busy brain to go to sleep while he tended sheep on the hillside instead of calculating the position of the stars by a string of beads, he would never have become a famous astronomer. Labor defeats all--not inconstant, or ill-directed labor; but faithful, persistent, daily effort toward a well-directed purpose.So industry is the price of noble and enduring success. By saying "Those who would attain the heights reached and kept by great men must keep their ability polished by constant use", the author means _ . <extra_id_0>great men keep their ability polished <extra_id_1>those who use their ability constantly would attain the great height <extra_id_2>those who want to get great achievements must practice their ability constantly <extra_id_3>great men polish their ability to reach their height <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>This tour consists of touring the City, Bay and Surrounds Area of the CBD. Toorak(affluent), CliftonHill(reto), Carlton(little Italy), Fitzroy(bohemian), Kew(Studley Park Boat house), The Yarra River...etc Picture yourself in a Classic Chevrolet Convertible travelling the streets of Melbourne with the wind blowing in your hair and everyone wondering who you are and wishing it was them. Stopping to view The Bay and have your champagne and French pastry on the pier. This is a feeling of luxury, this is unique! Spend a few hours seeing Melbourne and its surrounds from the perspective of a Classic Convertible Chevrolet Impala (either 1965 or 1968).This unique chauffeured tour lasts 2 hours transports you and up to three friends. Choose your own route, or let us choose for you and go to places such as Kew Boulevard along the Yarra - a lovely lush area or maybe the Country area of Warrandyte or the Bay area of St Kilda. You might want to have fish'n'chips at Station Pier or coffee and cake at Brunetti's in Carlton! STOPPING FOR COFFEE AND SNACKS AT CUSTOMERS EXPENSE MORNINGTON PENINSULA TOUR When you think Mornington Peninsula you think of rolling hills and rugged coastline, and a beach on every cove. This tour takes you to an area so diverse of soil, sunshine and rainfall. It has a micro- climate all itself. Its wine and food are unique. There are more than 150 Wineries in the Peninsula. Surrounded by 25 hectares of National Parks it has a mix of rugged coastline, serene wetlands and wild bushland. We start our tour from Melbourne journey to Frankston, Mornington then Red Hill. We travel to a variety of vineyards. Followed by lunch at Montalto Vineyard and Restaurant awarded both a Chef's Hat Rating in the 2009 Age Good Food Guide & 5 red stars in the 2009 Halliday Australian Wine Companion. (5 red stars stand for an outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and typicity!) From here we travel along the picturesque coast line of natural beauty dotted throughout this land of striking contrast. At your leisure we travel back to Melbourne. PHILIP ISLAND TOUR This is our Phillip Island Tour bringing you in touch with wildlife: seals, koalas, penguins not to mention the Island's surfing beaches. Panoramic views of Bass Straight and Cowes. This tour is a very personalized one because there is so much to see and do on this beautiful Island. THE DANDENONGS/YARRA RANGES DELUX TOUR With this Tour we take you to Olinda and Sherbrook Forest which is in the Dandenong Ranges, here we travel the winding Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, which has large lush fern gullies and greenery forest, towering Majestic Mountain Ash and beautiful colourful Rosellas. We stop and visit "The Sky High Observatory" with spectacular views of Mt Dandenong and Surrounds have a cake or a cup of coffee while nestled under the canopy of Australian eucalypts forest and see wildlife in abundance. We continue our journey travelling across to Coldsteam Hills and Yarra Glen, here we have, "The Yarra Valley Wineries".We stop for lunch at either, 'Sweet Water Cafe' or Yering Station After lunch we take in some wine tastings, all at your pleasure before traveling back home via Christmas Hills. If you are interested in animals, which place would you rather visit? <extra_id_0>City sighteseeing tour. <extra_id_1>Momington Peninsula tour. <extra_id_2>Philip Island tour. <extra_id_3>The Dandenongs Delux tour. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>I like to get up late, so my ideal school starts at 9: 00 a. m. It finishes at 3: 00 p. m. So we can do lots of sports after school. In my ideal school, there is a big dining hall. We have an hour for lunch. We can listen to music in the hall. We can have maths every day because I think maths is very interesting. The classes are very small. There are 15 students in each class. We can have a big library with a lot of _ books. We can also have a swimming pool. After school, we only have half an hour of homework every day. Every month, we can go on a school trip to a museum or a theater. How many hours for lessons are there in my ideal school? <extra_id_0>Three hours. <extra_id_1>Four hours. <extra_id_2>Five hours. <extra_id_3>Six hours. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Six hours. <extra_id_5>My teenage son Karl became withdrawn after his father died . As a single parent . I tried to do my best to talk to him . But the more I tried , the more he pulled away . When his report card arrived during his junior year , it said that he had been absent 95 times from classes and had six falling grades for the year . At this rate he would never graduate . I sent him to the school adviser , and I even begged him . Nothing worked . One night I felt so powerless that I got down on my knees and pleaded for help . "Please God ,I can't do anything more for my son . I'm at the end of my rope . I'm giving the whole thing up to you ." I was at work when I got a phone call . A man introduced himself as the headmaster . "I want to talk to you about Karl's absences ." Before he could say another word , I choked up and all my disappointment and sadness over Karl came pouring out into the ears of this stranger . "I love my son but I just don't know what to do . I've tried everything to get Karl to go back to school and nothing has worked . It's out of my hands . "For a moment there was silence on the other end of the line . The headmaster seriously said , "Thank you for your time", and hung up . Karl's next report card showed a marked improvement in his grades . Finally , he even made the honor roll .In his fourth year , I attended a parent-teacher meeting with Karl . I noticed that his teachers were astonished at the way he had turned himself around . On our way home , he said , "Mum, remember that call from the headmaster last year ?" I nodded . "That was me . I thought I'd play a joke but when I heard what you said , it really hit me how much I was hurting you . That's when I knew I had to make you proud ." There was silence on the other end of the line because_. <extra_id_0>the speaker was too moved to say anything to the mother <extra_id_1>the speaker waited for the mother to finish speaking <extra_id_2>the speaker didn't want the mother to recognize his voice <extra_id_3>the speaker was unable to interrupt the mother <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>the speaker was too moved to say anything to the mother <extra_id_5>As summer arrives, it's important to drink more, to keep us cool. Let's look to see what drinks are popular in the US. Sports drinks and fruit drinks are quite popular. But there are two main drinks that Americans enjoy most: water and soda. Around 10.9 billion gallons of water is drunk each year, and 12.8 billion gallons of soda. Soda is the most popular drink. It's fizzy and enjoyed with friends. Perhaps it is the drink of choice for parties. However, if you are playing sports, soda is not a good drink. The fizzy and sweet drinks may make you uncomfortable while exercising. The best drink for sports is water. That's because it has no calories and keeps you fresh during sports. Besides, doctors tell us that drinking water each day is healthy. For many kids, juice or milk are their favorites. These drinks are healthy and give kids vitamins and energy during the day. Adults usually choose between tea or coffee. Americans like to drink _ best. <extra_id_0>coffee <extra_id_1>soda <extra_id_2>water <extra_id_3>Juice <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>soda <extra_id_5>One day, Harry bought a pet hamster name Tom. Tom was round and furry and had a funny smell. Harry loved it when Tom would climb up his arm and into his shirt sleeve. Every day before bed Harry would put Tom into his cage and every morning Harry would take Tom out of his cage and carry him around in his front shirt pocket during the day. Harry would carry Tom everywhere he went. Harry's favorite thing to do was to watch Tom run around in his exercise wheel. Then one day Harry woke and to find that Tom was not in his cage. Tom had gone missing! This made Harry very upset. He looked everywhere for Tom, wondering where he could have disappeared to. Harry called his friends John, Rodney, and Bruno to ask if they knew where Tom was. They said that they didn't know. So Tom asked them if they would help him look for Tom. Only John and Bruno said "yes". to help Harry. After looking for Tom for two hours Bruno found Tom inside an old sock behind Harry's desk. No one knew how he got there. What was the hamster's name? <extra_id_0>Tom <extra_id_1>John <extra_id_2>Bruno <extra_id_3>Harry <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Tom <extra_id_5>Experts recently suggested that teens should start adopting early bedtimes. Before you dismiss it as a habit suited only for young kids, consider that there are serious advantages in being well-rested. And now, even more research suggests that putting phones away before going to sleep is important to teens' well-being. A new study from Seton Hall University School of Health and Medicine Science found that 62 percent of kids used their smart phones before bed, and it's causing less sleep and poor performance in school. Those teens who text before bedtime tend to go to sleep later, and get up later in the morning. Such behavior can be associated with mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Besides, once teens do receive a text, experts found, they tend to respond right away. Then the text conversation continues -- resulting in an even later bedtime. The study's co-author Dr. Peter Polos says this leads to excessive stimulation at night. Light from electronic devices can block the secretion of melatonin -- a hormone that promotes sleep, which makes sleep difficult in the face of overuse of smart phones at night. It's true! More screen time means less sleep time; other studies have suggested the same idea. As for a final piece of advice, Dr. Sushanth Bhat says, since getting the proper amount of sleep is very important for brain development and learning in the teenage years, our study should encourage parents and guardians to limit adolescent smart phone usage at night. Keep in mind that teens aren't the only ones addicted to their phones! Adults can also benefit from setting a tech curfew for themselves. After all, kids learn by example! The author advises parents to _ . <extra_id_0>learn from their kids <extra_id_1>get rid of smart phones <extra_id_2>set a good example to their kids <extra_id_3>try to benefit from hi-tech development <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>set a good example to their kids
<extra_id_5>Accident Report Form Accident A car hit a tree. Four people were in the car. Weather condition There was a heavy rain. Cause The driver named Li Jun drank too much. Date of call March 20th, 2009 Time of call 8:30 p.m. Name of caller A man called Zhang Wei. (He was taking a walk there at that time.) Place Zhongshan Road, Nanjing Conditions of victims Mr. Green hurt his head. Mrs. Green hurt her left leg. Their daughter felt frightened. Their dog died. Action Policemen arrived at 8: 40 p.m. and sent the victims to Gulou Hospital at 8:45 p.m. What time did Zhang Wei call the police? <extra_id_0>At 8:30 a.m. <extra_id_1>At 8:30 p.m. <extra_id_2>At 8:40 a.m. <extra_id_3>At 8:45 p.m. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>At 8:30 p.m. <extra_id_5>Some Advice on Travel 1) Forget fashion ! Always wear your most comfortable clothes when going on long journeys. 2) Traveling on trains and buses can be boring, so take a good book to read. 3) If you're going somewhere cold, remember to put on your warm clothes! 4) If you are going somewhere sunny, remember to bring your sun-block and sun glasses. 5) Always take a camera with you to _ those special moments. 6) Be careful with your things whenever you go to a busy place, like a train station. There are many thieves there! 7) Most countries have lower prices for students, so if you are a student, take your student card with you. 8) Always leave room in your bag for buying presents on the way home. 9) Bus tours often stop at expensive shops along the way, save your money by buying presents at local shops. 10) If you travel abroad, remember to take your passport. Whatever you do, don't lose it! According to the passage, _ is a good way to keep away from boredom while you're on a train or a bus. <extra_id_0>taking a camera <extra_id_1>reading a good book <extra_id_2>listening to music <extra_id_3>sleeping for some time <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>reading a good book <extra_id_5>As we get older, most of us worry about grey hair, wrinkles and maintaining a youthful body. But people often don't realize the voice needs looking after. Here, Mr. Rubin, a voice expert, reveals how to keep your voice youthful. Drink more fluid and avoid spicy food You need water for the vocal cords to vibrate well. The body must be kept hydrated enough to make the vocal cords operate well. Drinking 1.5 liters of water a day at intervals of 15 minutes is very important. Mr. Rubin advises avoiding foods with an annoying effect on the stomach, such as onions, chili, fizzy drinks and chocolate. Rest the throat and talk regularly The vocal cords can be scared if you use your voice during a bad cough. If you have a case of laryngitis with a cold, you should rest your voice for a day or two, and seek medical advice. Simply staying sociable and using your voice is very important. "As older people get less mobile, they can become socially isolated and speak less." says Mr. Rubin. "The elderly need to communicate with people more. By using the vocal cords, they enable the ageing process to slow down. " Improve your posture Good posture is essential to keeping the voice young, so we'd better stand properly. Exercise helps you take deeper breaths as it means there is better airflow through the voice box, producing a stronger tone. Sing in the shower This is one of the best ways to preserve your voice, as it keeps the larynx muscles strong while the steam lubricates the voice box. "Singing is gymnastics for the voice," says Mr. Rubin. Joining a choir is one of the best ways to preserve a youthful tone. Which of the following statements is TRUE in the opinion of Mr. Rubin? <extra_id_0>We should stand properly to keep our voice youthful. <extra_id_1>Professional singers' voices tend to age quickly. <extra_id_2>The steam can do great harm to the voice. <extra_id_3>Taking more onions can keep us healthy. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>We should stand properly to keep our voice youthful. <extra_id_5>It's time for your family to relax and have fun! The following family adventures have links for you to get more information. Take the Rides of Your Life Visit Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, to seek thrills "Even though it's located off the beaten track, experts regularly praise Cedar Point as the best overall theme park of the country," says U.S. News & World Report. The park calls itself the roller coaster capital of the world, and with 16 to choose from, it's hard to argue. It's open daily from May 10 through Labor Day; weekends only from Labor Day through November 2. Tickets start at $ 48.99 per person if purchased online. http://www.cedarpoint.com. Wander Free on a Dude farm Dust off your cowboy boots and ready your cowboy hats for a visit to this Rocky Mountains paradise. Located in Augusta, Montana, "The farm has everything an aspiring cowboy or girl could long for," says Sunset magazine, including hiking trails, fishing trips, campfires with sing-alongs, and, of course, horseback rides. The large farm operates from June through September; kids-only and adults-only programs are available. Total cost starts at $ 1,360 per adult, $ 1,276 per teen, and $ 1,168 per child. http://www.Triplejranch.com. Dig for Dinosaurs Most kids (and adults) love dinosaurs, and to make their wildest dreams come true, head to Fruita, Colorado. The Museum of Western Colorado offers Dino Digs for children ages five and older. You can choose from one-, three-, and five-day expeditions. "Imagine how your child will feel when she helps unearth the fossilized bones of ancient species," says Outside magazine. It lasts from May to October. Digs start at $ 125 per person. http://www.museumofwesternco.com. Surf Sand Dunes Swap your snowboard for a sand-board, and head to Sand Master Park in Florence, Oregon. Real Simple recommends learning the basics at this private dune park, "which offers board rentals and lessons ---- often taught by world-champion sand boarders." Then you can hit the "slopes" to test your skills. From March to June, and September to November. Rentals for a sand-board start at $ 10 per day; lessons start at $ 45 an hour per person. http:/'www.sandmasterpark.com. If you have a 3-day holiday in April, which of the following may interest you most? <extra_id_0>Take the Rides of Your Life <extra_id_1>Wander Free on a Dude farm <extra_id_2>Dig for Dinosaurs <extra_id_3>Surf Sand Dunes <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Surf Sand Dunes <extra_id_5>Music Opera at Music Hall: 1243 Elm Street. The season runs June through August, with additional performances in March and September. The Opera honors Enjoy the Arts membership discounts. Phone: 241-2742. http://www.cityopera.com. Chamber Orchestra: The Orchestra plays at Memorial Hall at 1406 Elm Street, which offers several concerts from March through June. Call 723-1182 for more information. _ . Symphony Orchestra: At Music Hall and Riverbend. For ticket sales, call 381-3300. Regular season runs September through May at Music Hall in summer at Riverbend. http://www.symphony.org/home.asp. College Conservatory of Music (CCM): Performances are on the main campus of the university, usually at Patricia Cobbett Theater. CCM organizes a variety of events, including performances by the well-known LaSalle Quartet, CCM's Philharmonic Orchestra, and various groups of musicians presenting Baroque through modern music. Students with I.D. cards can attend the events for free. A free schedule of events for each term is available by calling the box office at 556-4183. http://www.ccm.uc.edu/events/calendar. Riverbend Music Theater: 6295 Kellogg Ave. Large outdoor theater with the closest seats under cover (price difference).Big name shows all summer long! Phone:232-6220. _ . When can you go to a concert by Chamber Orchestra? <extra_id_0>February. <extra_id_1>May. <extra_id_2>August. <extra_id_3>November. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>May.
<extra_id_5>Book 1: Iggy peck, Architect ----By Andrea Beaty 32 pages, US $ 15.95 This book is the classic oddball story about a kid whose head teacher does not recognize his great talent ( he makes buildings out of anything at hand, including table cloths, fruit and chalk) until it saves her life. Book 2: The Chicken--Chasing Queen of Lamar County ----By Janice N. Harrington 40 pages, US $ 16.00 Our character here loves to run after chickens, particularly Miss Hen, who's very fat. But, as all farming folk know, this is not a good way to produce happy, productive chickens. What will make her change her ways? The author is a professional storyteller and this book is full of fun, and has great illustrations . Book 3: Diary of a Fly ----By Doreen Cronin 40 pages, US $ 15.99 This is the diary of a fly. A fly who, when she's not landing on your head or swimming in your soup, is trying to escape her 327 brothers and sisters who are driving her crazy. Even though she's little--just like her best friends, Worm and Spider--she wants to be a superhero. This is the story of a little fly who's not afraid to dream really big. Book 4:Cherry and Olive ----By Benjamin Lacombe 32 pages, US $ 16.95 Children's books can quickly take little readers into new worlds, such as the big city, 1930s Georgia, or outer space. This book takes us on a little trip to some European capitals. Cherry is fat and likes books, and she has few friends until she meets a stray Shar--Pei puppy . She names it Olive. Through it she finds confidence and friendship. But what will happen when its owner returns? Which of the following is TRUE, according to the text? <extra_id_0>Strange students are mentioned in Book 1 and Book 3. <extra_id_1>Book 4 introduces lots of farm animals. <extra_id_2>A fly is a superhero on outer space in Book 2. <extra_id_3>Book 1 is the cheapest of the four books. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Book 1 is the cheapest of the four books. <extra_id_5>Western airliner manufacturers seem to be tripping over themselves in their eagerness to sign cooperative agreements with Asian partners as a low-cost route to developing new airliners. Their potential Asian partners seem to be tripping over themselves to sign such agreements, as a low-cost route to acquiring new airliner technology. If they are not careful the two sides will end up tripping over each other the one by selling its birth-right for short-term gain, the other by trying to break into a market which isn't big enough to sustain it. Technology transfer works in a growing market, where the aspirations of the new entrant receiving that technology can be met through expansion. The airliner market is not such a device. Even the most optimistic projections of airliner sales for the next 20 years show that airliner manufacture can only be profitable if a small number of aircraft builders share the available sales. It follows that if new manufacturers come into the market and take sales, their sales must come from substitution, not expansion. Given the complexity of today's airliners, it is unlikely that any new entrant will have both the financial and technical resources to come into the market without the involvement of an established manufacturer. In the short term, such involvement may not be to the exclusive benefit of the new entrant most of the established manufacturers are searching for ways to reduce costs of manufacture. In the short term, it can be of benefit to an established Western manufacturer to have either components of complete air-frames made or assembled in lower-wage economics such as China, Taiwan or Korea, while retaining the design, development and marketing of aircraft for itself. It would be a very unwise Western manufacturer which did not notice the fact that these developing economies are acquiring skills (like computing) at least as quickly as they are acquiring skills in metal bashing . The danger comes when the new entrant no longer needs the established Western partner because it has acquired the technical and intellectual ability to design and build its own aircraft. An Asian partner may well find itself in the happy position of having the low-cost labour base, the high-cost technology base and the vital financial base to build a new airliner. The airliner market is not such a device means that the airliner market _ . <extra_id_0>does not encourage technology transfer <extra_id_1>is too limited to offer chances of success <extra_id_2>requires hi-tech rather than unaccepted devices <extra_id_3>is full of competitions for new entrants <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>is full of competitions for new entrants <extra_id_5>As a student, you must be excited to know something about American school students. In fact, just like in China, in the United States, high school is usually divided into two periods, the first two or three years are called "junior high school" and the other is "senior high school". In China, children enjoy free education of nine years, but in the United States, the students enjoy free education(which will be started when they are about 6 years old) until they are 18 years old. As a result of the free education system, American children have little difficulty in going to senior high school. American high school students can take part in a lot of activities outside of the classroom. The activities are organized by the school, such as joining a music group or a sports team. Certainly, just like us students in China, American students have to work hard in order to get good marks if they want to go to a good university. They take classes in all kinds of subjects all through the high school period. And students with low marks at the end of a school year are still allowed to go on to the next grade. In American high schools, there is fighting or hurting or other kinds of bad behaviors. So children who want to go to university are often sent to suburban high schools, where most students want to go to university and the atmosphere is quite different. This passage mainly tells us about _ . <extra_id_0>education of Chinese middle school <extra_id_1>education of American high school <extra_id_2>American free education <extra_id_3>how to get into universities in America <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>education of American high school <extra_id_5>One of the greatest sources of unhappiness, in my experience, is the difficulty we have in accepting things as they are. When we see something we don't like, we wish it could be different. We cry out for something better. That may be human nature,or perhaps it's something ingrained in our culture. The root of the unhappiness isn't necessarily that we want things to be different.However, it's that we decided we didn't like it in the first place. We've judged it as bad,rather than saying, "It's not bad or good, and it just is it." In one of my books, I said, "You should expect people to mess up and expect things to go differently than you planned". Some readers said it's too sorrowful to expect things to go wrong.However, it's only negative if you see it as negative and judge it as bad. Instead,you could accept it as the way the world works and try to understand why that is. This can be applied to whatever you do:how other people act at work,how politics works and how depressing the news media can be.Accept these things as they are,and try to understand why they're that way. _ will save you a lot of sadness,because you'll no longer say, "Oh, I wish bad things didn't happen!'' Does it mean you can never change things? Not at all. But change things not because you can't accept things as they are, but because you enjoy the process of changing, learning and growing. Can we make this world a better place? You can say that you'll continue to try to do things to help others, to grow as a person, to make a difference in this world. That's the correct path you choose to take,because you enjoy that path. Therefore, when you find yourself judging and wishing for difference, try a different approach: accept, and understand. It might lead to some interesting results. The author believes that we feel unhappy maybe because _ . <extra_id_0>it is our natural emotion in the life <extra_id_1>culture asks us to be different from others <extra_id_2>everyone has their own opinions on things <extra_id_3>we dislike something in the beginning <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>we dislike something in the beginning <extra_id_5>I'm walking along a riverbed in California. The future stretched out ahead, in the valley, hills and mountains. The past is there too, but today I prefer to walk forward, to live "in the now", and truly see all the good things in the world. Light clouds float high in the bright blue sky, and the sunlight shines off the house in the distance, People ride bicycles on the bike path that follows the river. They talk and laugh together. What a beautiful and peaceful scene it makes! My heart is suddenly full of joy as I remember it is New Year's Day. A day to start afresh and I feel overwhelming gratitude for the gift of life God has given me. I pass by a man holding his son, on rot two years old, whose face is a study in pure joy and wonder, as he looks out over the green hills and towering mountains. Tears gather in my eyes with the sweetness of this simple thought. A man sits gazing into the distance. In this lonely scene, I'm reminded of other days in the past when sadness and hopelessness were my only companions. I say a silent prayer for him, and thanks to God. Then I walk on. A young couple crouch next to a bicycle that has thrown its chain. As they look up, I smile and say "Happy New Year." They smile and wish me the same. It is a simple thing, but for a moment _ have become one with the world and a sudden joy takes my breath away. An old woman leans on a fence post. She doesn't seem either happy or sad, just gazes into the past, or maybe the future. A feeling of timeless peace flows through me and all fear of what the future may bring disappears. I thank her with my thoughts, and move on. I walk by a stand of young trees. A loud burst of cheerful chirping from the little woods, and I can't help but laugh out loud. As I reach home, I say another thanks to God for the gift "now". It has taken a long time to find it, and although I can't keep it with me all of the time, I know that whatever the New year will bring, there will be joy and enough love of "now" to help me through the hard times that we all must face. Happy New Year! How many scenes does the writer describe about people? <extra_id_0>Three. <extra_id_1>Four. <extra_id_2>Five. <extra_id_3>Six. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Five.
<extra_id_5>Old Cremona Violins Most musicians agree that the best violins were first made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any others. They even sound better than violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the Italian violins. But they aren't the same. Musicians still prefer the old ones. Some people think it is the age of the violins. But not all old violins sound wonderful. Only the old violins from Cremona are special . So age cannot be the answer. Other people think the secret to those violins is the wood. The wood must be from certain kinds of trees. But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may be more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It has to be the right size and shape . The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians sometimes think that this was the secret of the Italians. Maybe they understood more than we do about how to cut the wood. Size and shape may not be the answer, either. Scientists can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish. Varnish is what covers the wood of the violin. It makes the wood look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. But no one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. The passage is about _ . <extra_id_0>making violins <extra_id_1>musical instruments <extra_id_2>scientific ideas <extra_id_3>the old Italian violins <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Beethoven, a famous musician in the world, was born in Germany in 1770. In his childhood Beethoven didn't have a happy life.His father was a singer. When he was only four, his father began to make him practise hour after hour on different musical instruments . If he did not put his heart into it, his father would beat him or make it hard on him. Beethoven loved music and he learned so fast that he was able to go around to give concerts, when he was only a boy of eleven. At the age of seventeen, he won high praise from Mozart, the great musician at that time. Beethoven was often poor and ill during his life. After one illness, he suddenly found himself deaf. At that time he was only thirty-one. It was a blow to him indeed. But he still went on working and writing music pieces. To people's surprise, some of his best pieces were written after he lost his hearing. In 1827, leaving more than 300 pieces, the great musician died. But his name is still remembered to this day. Beethoven was a _ musician. <extra_id_0>America <extra_id_1>French <extra_id_2>German <extra_id_3>British <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>It was December 25, 1914, only 5 months into World War I. German, British, and French soldiers, already sick and tired of the senseless killing, disobeyed their superiors and started socialising with "the enemy" along two-thirds of the Western Front. German troops held up Christmas trees with signs, "Merry Christmas". Thousands of troops ran across the battlefields covered with dead bodies. They sang Christmas songs, exchanged photographs of loved ones back home, shared food and even played football. Soldiers hugged men they had been trying to kill a few short hours before. They agreed to warn each other if their officers forced them to fire their weapons, and to aim high. Fear ran through the military leaders on both sides. They felt that their power was being challenged: soldiers declaring their brotherhood with each other and refusing to fight. Generals declared this unexpected peacemaking illegal and said that participating soldiers would face a military court. Those found guilty would be imprisoned or even shot. By March 1915 the socialising movement had been destroyed and the killing machine was back in full operation. Over the next three years more than fifteen million people died in the war. Not many people have heard the story of the Christmas Truce . On Christmas Day, 1988, a local radio host in Boston played "Christmas in the Trenches", a song about the Christmas Truce, several times and was _ by his listeners' response. Thousands of people called in, praising the song, with many moved to tears by the amazing events it described. You can probably guess why the callers were in tears. The Christmas Truce story goes against most of what we have been taught about people. It lets us see the world as it can be and says, "This really happened once." It shows us the potential we have as humans, and contradicts all of those TV and newspaper stories that tell us how mean and heartless people are. It is like hearing that our deepest wishes really are true: the world really can be different. The soldiers began socialising with the enemy because _ . <extra_id_0>they couldn't bear the meaningless killing <extra_id_1>it was the best way to avoid being killed <extra_id_2>they feared that they would be caught <extra_id_3>their enemies were from similar backgrounds <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>In the last 30 years, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted nearly 300,000 wishes worldwide to children battling life-threatening illnesses, throwing light on worlds darkened by diseases and bringing hope to children and their families. With a foreword by Make-A-Wish cofounder Frank Shankwitz, Once Upon A wish shares the wishes and stories of eight children. These families generously invite us into their worlds, allowing us to become part of their darkest moments, their unimaginable realities, their greatest hopes, deepest fears, and unbelievable successes. Experience the story of Katelyn, a little girl, becoming a medical marvel after lighting all the odds stacked against her and making it her life-long goal to raise $3 million for St. Jude Hospital; read about a wheelchair-bound boy, Garrett, giving the gift of mobility to disabled Cambodian men and women; cheer for a little boy, Dakota, who collects millions of pennies each year to help others fight the disease he once fought. Become inspired and forever-changed by the generosity, hope, courage, and optimism of these children and their families and experience the power of two words - I wish. Once Upon A Wish is a celebration of hope, revealing how wishes-come-true can become motivators and cherished gifts that will last a lifetime. Price: $9.99 Where to download: Available on the iPhone , iPad , iPod touch, and Mac. Category: Biographies & Memoirs Published: Mar 05, 2013 Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc. Seller: The Perseus Books Group, LLC Print Length: 352 Pages Language: English We can learn that the Make-A-Wish Foundation _ . <extra_id_0>was set up in the early 1990s. <extra_id_1>was set up to help poor people all over the world. <extra_id_2>aims at helping severely sick children fulfill their wishes. <extra_id_3>mainly offers free treatment to severely sick children. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Students in many countries are learning English. Some of these students are small children. Others are teen-agers. Many are adults. Some learn at school, others by themselves. A few learn English by learning the language over the radio, on TV, or in film. One must work hard to learn another language. Why do all these people want to learn English? It is difficult to answer this question. Many boys and girls learn English at school because it is one of their subjects required for study. They study their own language and maths and English: Some people learn it because it is useful for their work. Many people learn English for their work. Many people learn English for their higher studies, because at college or university some of their books are in English. Other people learn English because they want to read newspapers or magazines in English. Different kinds of people want to learn English _ . <extra_id_0>together with other subjects <extra_id_1>for different reasons <extra_id_2>for their work <extra_id_3>for higher studies at colleges <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>
<extra_id_5>When the moon orbits our planet <extra_id_0>ocean levels rise and drop <extra_id_1>rivers flow in the opposite direction <extra_id_2>all living things go to sleep. <extra_id_3>sea levels stay the same <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>ocean levels rise and drop <extra_id_5>Now, it's time for some brief news items. Teens Go Online Some 13 million European children under 18 use the Internet for schoolwork, games and music according to research done by Nielsen's "Net-rating". The study covered Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Experts advised parents to limit the time their kids spend on line and keep them away from chat rooms. Chat to the magic Mum British author J. K. Rowling, mother of magic boy Harry Potter, will do an Internet interview about her new book "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" on June 26. Before the event, children are invited to send their questions about Harry to the website. The book will hit stores in the US and UK on June 21 and will arrive in China in August. School Soldiers Russian school students will have to do basic military training in their final year of school, the government has decided. The lesson will include learning to fire guns, marching drills and how to deal with a chemical, nuclear or biological attack. The activity is seen as part of a drive toward the education of their love for their country. Is it hard for you to get up early and get ready for classes? Some students at Winter Park High School just roll out of bed in their pajamas and go to class in their own bedrooms, Of course, their teachers and classmates do not see them because all their class work is on the computer. The Florida High School, the state's only online school, has 250 students who are taking classes at home by computer. Students in this first online program take classes in algebra , American government, chemistry, computer, economics, and web-page design. They also have to go to regular school to attend other classes. Why will Russian school students have basic military training? <extra_id_0>To get ready for a military parade. <extra_id_1>To learn to protect themselves. <extra_id_2>To gain some military knowledge. <extra_id_3>To develop their love for the country. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>To develop their love for the country. <extra_id_5>A volcanic eruption in Iceland has sent ash across northern Europe Airlines have stopped or changed the flights across the Atlantic Ocean, leaving hundreds of passengers stuck in airports. Grimsvom is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Europe. What makes Grimsvom different is that it lies under a huge glacier of ice up to 12 maters thick. The hot volcano heats up the ice above it, which then forms a layer of water between the glacier and the volcano This layer of water puts pressure on the volcano, keeping it stable, As the water flows out from under the glacier, the pressure lifts. The lava from the volcano then comes up to the surface. This is exactly what happened today. Now, airlines have to make changes to their flights so as not to fly through the clouds of volcanic ash. according to KLM, one of Europe's biggest airlines, airplanes cannot go under the cloud or over it. Going through the cloud can result in ash getting stuck in the airplane's engines, causing damage to the plane. The eruption has also caused problems for animals in Iceland. The volcano left ash and sharp. Glass-like rocks all over the countryside. Farmers are keeping their animals inside to stop them from eating ash--covered grass to the sharp object. Which of the following is the result of the volcanic eruption? <extra_id_0>People stop traveling in Europe. <extra_id_1>Airlines suffer from the loss of planes. <extra_id_2>It becomes dangerous for animals to eat outside. <extra_id_3>Farmers have lost many of their animals. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>It becomes dangerous for animals to eat outside. <extra_id_5>Decomposition results in the production of which element? <extra_id_0>Silicon <extra_id_1>Phosphorus <extra_id_2>Carbon <extra_id_3>Hydrogen <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Carbon <extra_id_5>Inventor, physicist, surveyor, astronomer, biologist, artist... Robert Hooke was all there and more. Some say he was the greatest experimental scientist of the 17th century. In the course of his work, he cooperated with famous men of science like Isaac Newton, and the great architect, Christopher Wren. Hooke's early education began at home, under the guidance of his father. He entered Westminster School at the age of 13, and from there went to Oxford, where he came in contact with some of the best scientists in England. Hooke impressed them with his skills at designing experiments and inventing instruments. In 1662, at he age of 28, he was named Curator of Experiments at the newly formed Royal Society of London- meaning that he was responsible for demonstrating new experiments at the society's weekly meeting. Hooke accepted the job, even though he knew that the society had no money to pay him! Watching living things through a microscope was one of his favourite pastimes . He invented a compound microscope for this purpose. One day while observing a cork under a microscope, he saw honeycomb-like structures. There were cells -the smallest units of life. In fact, it was Hooke who invented the term "cell" as the boxlike cells of the cork reminded him of the cells of a monastery . Another achievement of Hooke's was his book Micrographia, which introduced the enormous potential of the microscope. It contains fascinating drawings of the thing he saw under the microscope. The book also includes, among other things, ideas on gravity, light and combustion that may have helped scientists like Newton when they were developing their own theories on these phenomena . Hooke made valuable contributions to astronomy too. A crater on the moon is named after him in honour of his services to this branch of science. Which of the following is true according to the text? <extra_id_0>Hooke went to Oxford in 1645. <extra_id_1>Hooke was well paid in the Royal Society of London. <extra_id_2>Hooke made a contribution to medicine. <extra_id_3>Hooke's book Micrographia may have helped Newton. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Hooke's book Micrographia may have helped Newton.
<extra_id_5>According to Pete Singer, a researcher who wrote a number of books on the military, active involvement of robots in battles could worsen warfare by making machines do all the dirty work for humans. He says that humanity is currently at point of breakthrough in war, like the discovery of the atomic bomb. "What does it mean to go to war with US soldiers whose hardware is made in China and whose software is made in India?" The research predicts that by 2015 American soldiers will be half robots, half humans. It is worth mentioning that attack drones and bomb-handling robots are just some of the devices that armies use in battles. Besides having no mercy in battle, robots, in contrast to humans, also cut off living soldiers from horrors. "The United States is ahead in military robots, but in technology there is no such thing as a permanent advantage," Mr. Singer said, adding that currently Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran are working on the development of military robots as well. The researcher mentioned that robotics is something terrorists can take advantage of as well. "You don't have to make robots believe they are going to get 7 million dollars when they die to get them to blow themselves up," he said. In addition, Mr. Singer mentioned that military robots feature cameras that record everything a machine sees, providing digital video that is uploaded on You Tubein graphic clips, which soldiers call "war porn". "It turns war into entertainment, sometimes set to music. The ability to watch more but experience less," he said. David Hansco, who is a robotics designer, creates robots that have more features of a human. For example, his robots feature synthetic flesh faces and have the ability to read human facial expressions and copy them. The engineer states that the main idea is to create robots that can show empathy . These countries are working on the development of military robots EXCEPT _ . <extra_id_0>China <extra_id_1>the USA <extra_id_2>Iran <extra_id_3>India <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>India <extra_id_5>During my free time one day, I wandered down a lonely path into the woods and sat against a tree. Then I saw one of the camp _ approaching me. "Oh great," I thought, since counselors were always trying to cheer you up or make you laugh. "Hey," he said, "mind if I have a seat?" I shrugged . I wasn't going to encourage him, but I couldn't exactly stop him, either. He sat down alongside me and extended a hand. "I'm Gary," he said, "and you're Erica, right?" I nodded. "You don't exactly look like you're having a good time," he began. I crossed my arms and gritted my teeth. "Look," I said, "I didn't want to come to camp, I don't like it, I'm not having fun, and it basically stinks." I glared at Gary. "So there's nothing here at all for you, huh?" he asked. "Nothing," I answered. "Let me show you something," said Gary. He got up, and I followed him along the path until I heard a sound like a roaring freight train. "What's that?" I asked. "Wait and see," he replied, with a small smile. When we rounded the corner, I couldn't believe what I saw. There was the biggest waterfall I could ever imagine, right in front of me. "Cool!" I said, and I could feel my eyes getting bigger and a smile tugging at my mouth. "Still think there's nothing here for you?" asked Gary. "Because there's a whole lot more of this kind of 'nothing' around here." I had to admit, the waterfall was impressive. "Look," said Gary, "camp is what you make it. You can be sullen and closed-minded and have a rotten four weeks, or you can take a look around you and see some of the incredible sights and appreciate the opportunity. It would be useless for me to try to make you have fun. You can only do that for yourself. But if you loosen up a little, you might actually have a good time." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me on the path. That night, by the campfire, I found myself singing along with everyone else. By the time the four weeks were up, I didn't want to leave. I'd seen some amazing things and made some great friends. Beauty is where you find it. Life is what you make it. I think it's going to be a good year this year. I mean, I'm going to work to make it one. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get to go back to camp next year! What can you tell about Erica from the beginning of the story? <extra_id_0>She looks forward to this camp trip very much. <extra_id_1>She has won a camp trip because of her good performance at school. <extra_id_2>She knows Gary very well so they camp together. <extra_id_3>She doesn't see anything fun in the camp trip. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>She doesn't see anything fun in the camp trip. <extra_id_5>Good afternoon,and welcome to England. We hope that your visit here will be a pleasant one. Today,I would like to draw your attention to a few of our laws. The first one is about drinking. Now,you may not buy alcohol in this country if you are under 18 years of age,nor may your friends buy it for you. Secondly,noise. Enjoy yourselves by all means,but please don't make unnecessary noise,particularly at night. We ask you to respect other people who may wish to be quiet. Thirdly,crossing the road. Be careful!The traffic moves on the left side of the road in this country. Use pedestrian crossings and do not take any chances when crossing the road. My next point is about litter (throwing away waste material in a public place).It is an offence to drop litter in the street. When you have something to throw away,please put it in your pocket and take it home,or put it in a litter bin. Finally,as regards something,it is against the law to buy cigarettes or tobacco if you are under 16 years of age. I'd like to finish by saying that if you require any sort of help or assistance,you should _ your local police station,who will be pleased to help you. Now,are there any questions? From the speech we learn that _ . <extra_id_0>in this country,if you are under 18 years of age,you may not buy alcohol,but your friend can buy it for you <extra_id_1>you may not buy cigarettes or tobacco unless you are above 16 years of age <extra_id_2>because the traffic moves on the left side of the road,you must use pedestrian crossings when crossing the road <extra_id_3>you can't make noise except at night <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>you may not buy cigarettes or tobacco unless you are above 16 years of age <extra_id_5>Dear Basketball And so I ran. I ran up and down every playground From the right moment I gave you my heart I fell in love with you. Because it came with so much more. A love so deep I gave you my all -- From my mind & body I played through the sweat and hurt To my spirit & soul . Not because challenge called me But because YOU called me. As a six-year-old boy I did everything for YOU. Deeply in love with you I never saw the end of the tunnel. You gave a six-year-old boy his dream I only saw myself And I'll always love you for it. Running out of one. Love you always. ...... From the excerpts of the poem, we can learn _ . <extra_id_0>The writer practised a lot for his dream since he was a little boy <extra_id_1>Challenge called the writer to do everything for it <extra_id_2>The writer loved running when he was six <extra_id_3>The writer loved his father from his mind and body <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>The writer practised a lot for his dream since he was a little boy <extra_id_5>Is there some one you hate? Well. Maybe you don't really hate them. But you get really angry every time you think of them. If you don't let this anger go, it can turn into bitterness . Bitterness appears when we can't forgive someone who has hurt us or made us angry. Someone might say or do something that hurts us. But instead of controlling he anger ,we keep t deep inside . Before long, a bitter feeling begins to grow. We may think we are hurting that person by criticizing him or her often ,but we are really only hurting ourselves. Bitterness can not only lead to serious health problems such as heart disease ,but also hurt out relationships with friends and family members .No one enjoy being around an angry person for very long . If you see bitterness in your life ,here are some ways to deal with it . Accept it Instead of trying to _ your anger ,make it clear to yourself and accept it .See your anger for what it is and quickly deal with it . Stop making excuses for it You may feel you have a right to be angry .You may think you are right and the other person is wrong . You may even secretly enjoy making the other person look bad .But in the end ,bitterness hurts you much more than the other person . The bitterness will hold you back . and the other person will go on with his or her life . Forgive and forget it You probably can not completely put the anger out of your mind .But you can decide to forgive the other person . Forget it and move on .You'll enjoy better health and peace of mind . The best way to deal with the bitterness is to _ <extra_id_0>make the person who hurts us look bad <extra_id_1>hate the person who hurts us very often <extra_id_2>accept that you are hurting the other person <extra_id_3>forgive the person who hurts us and forget it <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>forgive the person who hurts us and forget it
<extra_id_5>Camaraderie over Competence The importance of liking people is the subject of an article in the Harvard Business Review,which has carried out an experiment to find out who we'd rather work with.Hardly surprisingly,the people we want most as our workmates are both:brilliant at their jobs and delightful human beings.And the people we want least are both unpleasant and useless.More interestingly,the authors found that,given the choice between working with lovable fools and competent jerks ,we irresistibly choose the former.Anyway,who likes those stupid men who annoy or hurt other people?We might insist that competence matters more,but our behavior shows we stay close to the people we like and sharing information with them. What companies should therefore do is get people to like each other more.The trick here is apparently to make sure staffs come across each other as often as possible during the day.They also should be sent on bonding courses and so on to encourage friendliness and break down displeasure.However,more outdoor-activity weekends and shared coffee machines inspire no confidence at all. The reality is that people either like each other or they don't.You can't force it.Possibly you can make offices friendlier by tolerating a lot of chat,but there is a productivity cost to that.In my experience,the question of lovable fool against competent jerk may not be the right one.The two are interrelated:we tend not to like our workmates when they are completely hopeless.I was once quite friendly with a woman whom I later worked with.I found her to be so outstandingly bad at her job that I lost respect for her and ended up not really liking her at all.Then is there anything that companies should be doing about it? By far the most effective strategy would be to hire people who are all pretty much the same,given that similarity is one of the main determinants of whether we like each other.I think this is a pretty good idea,but no one dares recommend this anymore without offending the diversity lobby group.There is only one acceptable view on this subject:teams of similar people are bad because they stop creativity.This may be true,though I have never seen any conclusive proof of it. Not only do we like similar people,we like people who like us.So if companies want to promote more liking,they should encourage a culture where we are all nice to each other.The trouble is that this needs to be done with some skill. Some people think that similar people working together may <extra_id_0>offend each other <extra_id_1>create fewer new ideas <extra_id_2>talk more and work less <extra_id_3>be likely to stick together <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Michael Jordan was born on February17,1963,in Brooklyn ,New York . Jordan is the fourth of the five children in his family .His family moved to North Carolina when he was just a baby .As a young boy , his favourite sport was baseball ,but soon he found that he could play basketball as well .At the age of 17, he began to show people just how talented ( )he really was .Throughout his basketball career ( ) , Michael Jordan has won many scoring titles ( ) .many boys and girls look up to Michael Jordan as their hero .Do you know he was a hero ,too , when he was growing up ? He looks up to his older brother ,Larry , Michael Jordan , a basketball superstar , is not just a star on the basketball court .He also works hard to raise money for many children's charities( ) . He encourages children to develop their talents by practice , practice and practice ! Who was Michael Jordan's hero when he was growing up ? <extra_id_0>Larry <extra_id_1>Bill Gates <extra_id_2>Ronald <extra_id_3>His father <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>In 2004, three young men went to a dinner party in San Francisco. Afterward ,they wanted to share a video from the party with their friends. They wanted to send it over the Internet. But at the time, the process of sharing videos that way was difficult. Using e-mail did not work and the friends complained that there, was no website to help them. So they created their own. They called their website YouTube. It made sharing videos easy, so the website soon became very popular. People watched 2.500 million videos in the first six months! Today, more than 70,000 new videos go up on YouTube each day. People watch more than 1,000 million videos a day. Many last no more than 10 minutes. These videos show all kinds of things, from sleeping cats to earthquakes. Most of the filmmakers are not professionals. They are just everyday people making videos, and they use the website in many interesting ways. First many people use YouTube to entertain others. One example is Judson Laipply. He made a funny dance video and put it on YouTube in 2006. People watched the video more than 10 million times in the first two weeks. Now people stop Judson on the street to ask, "Are you the dance guy on Youtube?" Some people have invited him to dance at their parties. A few women even asked to marry him. Judson wants to make more dance videos, and people look forward to seeing them. Other people use YouTube to advertise a business. David Taub does this. He is a guitar teacher and he sells videos of guitar lessons on his own website. He wanted to increase his business, so he put short videos with free lessons on YouTube. People enjoyed watching the lessons on YouTube, and afterward, many decided to go to David's own website. Now David sells hundreds of guitar lesson videos each week. People also use YouTube to help others. Ryan Fitzgerald is one example. Ryan is friendly young man who knows that some people are lonely and have no one to talk to. One day, he made a video of himself for YouTube. In the video, he gave his phone number and invited people to call him. In less than a week, he had more than 5,000 calls and messages from all over the world. These days, he is very busy talking on the phone. He helps people when he can, but mostly, he just listens, like a friend. Finally, some filmmakers use YouTube in a more serious way. They want to inform people about important events happening in the world. For example, they show clips of videos from countries at war, or they show people in need of help after a storm. Sometimes TV news shows do not give enough information about these events. Thanks to YouTube filmmakers, people can go to their computers and learn more. For many people, YouTube is more than just another website to visit. It is a way to communicate with others. More and more people are using it every day, and they will probably find even more ways to use it. Which of the following is NOT true about YouTube? <extra_id_0>YouTube makes sharing videos easy. <extra_id_1>Over 70,000 filmmakers are not professionals. <extra_id_2>Many videos on YouTube are short. <extra_id_3>Most of the filmmakers are just everyday people. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>One day a poor student walked in a town. He didn't have anything to eat for several days and he was very hungry. But when he saw a man selling steamed bread ( ), he let out a scream ( ) and fell ( ) to the ground. When the man asked the student what was the matter, the student answered, "I don't like steamed bread. Whenever Isee them , I feel ill and can't eat ." The man then wanted to play a joke on the student. He put ten steamed bread in a room and then put the student in it. After a short time, the man opened the door of the room. H e was surprised to find that the student ate all the steamed bread. The student explained, "For some strange reason, I suddenly find that I like steamed bread." The man was angry that the student had fooled ( ) him. He asked what other things he did not like to eat. "Oh, I like everything," answered the student. "But at the moment I don't like to drink two cups of good strong tea!" The man was surprised to find the student ate _ steamed bread . <extra_id_0>two <extra_id_1>ten <extra_id_2>five <extra_id_3>seven <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Born in 1954 in Taiwan, Ang Lee has become one of today's greatest filmmakers. Ang graduated from the National Taiwan College of Arts in 1975. Later on, he went to the USA. for further study on art. And he got a Master Degree in Film Production at New York University. During Ang's film career, he has made a lot of successful films and honored himself with many international awards. Early in 1993, Ang's film The Wedding Banquet won a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, which drew the whole world's attention to this Chinese director. In the following years, Ang's talent got more brilliant. At the beginning of 2000, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon(Wo Hu Cang Long), a kongfu film directed by Ang Lee, won Best Foreign Language Film at the 73rd Academy Awards . This surprised the world. However. what really takes Ang to the _ of the film world is the film Brokeback Mountain (2005). For this film, Ang Lee won the Best Director Academy Award. And he is the first Chinese director who's ever won the golden statuette . In 2012, Ang made a huge success again. His first 3D film Life of Pi came out. It was a story about the adventure of a brave Indian boy. This film helped him beat out Michael Haneke of "Amour", Benh Zeitlin of "Beasts of the Southern Wild", Steven Spielberg of "Lincoln" and David O. Russell of "Silver Linings Playbook". For the second time, Ang was honored as the Best Director at the 85th Academy Awards in 2013. Along Ang Lee's film road, we can say that he is really born for films and he is worth all the praise from the world, especially all the Chinese. Of the following films, which one is NOT made by Ang Lee? <extra_id_0>The Wedding Banquet. <extra_id_1>Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. <extra_id_2>Beasts of the Southern Wild. <extra_id_3>Life of Pi. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>As I stood in a stall of Beijing's Silk Market, waiting to exchange a silk garment, I watched in amazement as the young vendor pulled out silk nightgown after nightgown for a foreigner, who sounded like an American, but frankly could have been from any English-speaking Western country. The man appeared satisfied when she pulled out a bright, purple nightgown and said, "This one, very good." and probably asked how much it cost, for the owner pulled out her calculator showing 800. My heart was pounding heavily. After all, I was holding a similar gown in my hand for which I had paid all of 60 yuan ($9.39) just the previous day. I wanted to scream and say, "Wait, you are _ ". But I just kept silent. As I moved away from the stall a thousand thoughts flashed in my mind. Should I have just stepped in and stopped it? I may have saved the man but could have brought danger to myself. Maybe I could have pretended to seek help with some English from that man and warned him not to be cheated? When I told the incident to some of my friends, most seemed to think it was unfortunate but one couldn't fault the vendor. Everyone visiting China knows, or ought to know, that bargaining is a way of life here, they said. Although I do agree that the man should have been better informed, it just doesn't seem right that the place, to which tourists from all over the world are brought and made to believe is a Mecca for shopping in Beijing, should be allowed to get away with such daylight robbery. I still think I should have done something about what I witnessed. The writer kept silent over this matter probably because _ . <extra_id_0>the man should know bargaining is a way of life here <extra_id_1>he couldn't exchange his garment if he did so <extra_id_2>he was worried the vendor would take revenge on him <extra_id_3>he thought the garment was worth the money <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>he was worried the vendor would take revenge on him <extra_id_5>The ecosystem is 1ike a chain.If any of the links are broken,the whole system is in danger.This is why wetland protection has been put high on the agenda in recent years.Zhao,vice--director of the State Forestry Administration,says nearly 60 percent of the country's natural wetlands are still not under effective protection.Most Chinese people are ignorant about the importance of protecting the wetlands. Ocean,forestry and wetlands are the three global ecological systems.Wetlands can conserve and purify water resources, prevent flooding and help protect the ecosystem. As well as ecological values, they can also offer economical returns. In recent years,many wetlands have become farmland.Drawing too much underground water,hunting and fishing also ruin their ecological system. Every year,the wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain of Northeast China provide habitat for birds.Local residents search the area for the birds' eggs. They consider the eggs to be a natural gift. rather than wildlife that should be protected. If they were educated,perhaps this is one activity that could be brought to an end. China is now ready to make a plan to save some of these areas.Some have been restored to raise awareness among the public.But these moves are not enough.There should be laws in place to provide legal support to the fight. Environment protection is a campaign which needs support from everyone in society.Education may be the first step. What will happen if wetland is not under protection yet? <extra_id_0>Birds won't have their eggs. <extra_id_1>China will have more wetland. <extra_id_2>The chain of ecosystem will be broken. <extra_id_3>There will be few floods. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>The chain of ecosystem will be broken. <extra_id_5>Amylase is a chemical that decomposes starch into maltose and dextrin. Which best describes the role of amylase in the human body? <extra_id_0>as an inhibitor of insulin production <extra_id_1>as an enzyme that aids in digestion <extra_id_2>as a catalyst for protein synthesis <extra_id_3>as a receptor of fatty acid chains <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>as an enzyme that aids in digestion <extra_id_5>FROM 1964 to 1978, Dazhai, with a population of 500, was the most famous village in China. Millions of Chinese came to the Shanxi village to visit its terraced fields and "splendid" irrigation systems. It was not until 1978 when Guo Fenglian, head of the village, paid a visit to the US that China's model village found how far it had fallen behind those in developed countries. "I was astonished at their modern equipment in harvesting, which could even separate big tomatoes with small ones," said Guo. "American farmers' life quality also impressed me a lot. Every day they had two cups of milk, which is something we don't have even in our wildest dreams." "We have to learn their advanced technology and administration for our own development," said then first Deputy Prime Minister Deng Xiaoping who was planning China's reform and opening up policy then. "Through opening our doors, we would not only take advantage of foreign funds , but also create job opportunities and cultivate talents." In 1978 Japanese electricity giant Panasonic came to China as the first foreign business to invest here and its success attracted other world brands into exploring the Chinese market. So far China has for 15 years taken in the world's second biggest foreign investment, following the US, to help set the country in a fast growth. However, China's 30-year road of reform was not always smooth. Doubts on the reform began to rise at the end of the 1980s as many people worried the country would turn to capitalism . "The criterion for our judgment is whether it helps develop socialist productive forces, whether it helps increase the overall national strength of a socialist country, and whether it brings about better living standards," said Deng. "China's reform and opening up is a unique success story. It has brought benefit to both China and the world," said William Keller, chief manager of a Swiss pharmaceutical company. Many people have doubts about the reform _ . <extra_id_0>in 1978 <extra_id_1>in 1980 <extra_id_2>in 1981 <extra_id_3>at the end of the 1980s <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>at the end of the 1980s <extra_id_5>What's the coolest job ever? It may be one that allows you to express your personality while doing something you love and getting paid for it. Here are some really cool jobs. *Cowboy If you dream of living the rural life as a cowboy, consider a position as a rancher or a farm manager. You can expect to earn between US$25,000 and US$35,000 a year, says Brady Lynch, an agricultural research consultant. "A lot of benefits will include other things like housing, a vehicle and even beef or chicken," he adds. *Professional Golfer You need nerves of steel to face pressure and difficulty and a love of travel to survive as a professional golfer. Average yearly winnings in the Ladies Professional Golf Association were US$230,117 in 2013. With 161 ladies on the list, top-ranked Na Yeon Choi earned more than US$1.8 million, while 161st-ranked Jackie Gallagher-Smith earned just US$1,786. If you want to stay in one place, work as a golf professional and earn an average salary of US$57,141, according to Monster's Salary Wizard. *Firefighter There's a lot of work out there in firefighting, but the competition is fierce, so you'll need mechanical aptitude , physical fitness and a bit of firefighting or emergency responder education to win a paid position. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that next decade the industry will grow 9 percent to 336,900 jobs. The average salary for firefighters is US$45,420 a year. If you become chief, you could double that salary. *Flight Attendant Free flights are the best benefit offered to flight attendants. Attendants' salaries start at around US$16,191 a year, according to the Association of Flight Attendants. But the salary goes up as you stay on the job, and the average salary for US flight attendants is US$37,740, according to the BLS. Some airlines have minimum and maximum height requirements, and you can't be too large to walk down the aisle facing forward. Being able to speak a second language will make you more appealing to international airlines. What can we learn from the text? <extra_id_0>A cowboy must travel a lot to survive. <extra_id_1>A chief firefighter will earn about US$90,840 a year. <extra_id_2>Flight attendants' salaries start at around US$37,740 a year. <extra_id_3>In the next decade the number of flight attendants in the US will grow to 336,900. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>A chief firefighter will earn about US$90,840 a year.
<extra_id_5>We can express our feelings and needs by using body language. Cats can do that too. The ways that cats use their tails to show their feelings and needs are interesting. Unlike dogs, which generally wave their tails to express good feelings, cats use their tails to send a lot of signals. When a cat waves its tail strongly from side to side, it may be a sign for us to leave it alone, or we may get scrathed . Throwing a little toy for the cat to play with can get it relaxed. When a cat holds its tail upwards with a slight move, it means the animal is very happy to see its owner. We all like to cuddle inside our bed, and cats do that thing, too. Much as little children like to wrap (......) their arms around their Teddy Bears, cats like to wrap their own tails around their bodies to get a sense of safety while asleep. If we notice a cat sleeping in such a position, we should not break its peace. Usually the tip of the cat's tail doesn't draw our attention. But its particular position may also show the cat's feelings. For example, a cat holding the tip of its tail pointed downwards may try to say that it is not feeling comfortable. So at this point, the cat not only feels angry, but also unsafe. This may again be a sign for us not to upset the cat in any way. In conclusion, cats use their tails in many different, sometimes funny ways to send us messages, and we can learn to know more. When a cat waves its tail strongly from side to side, it probably feels _ . <extra_id_0>safe <extra_id_1>sleepy <extra_id_2>anxious <extra_id_3>hungry <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Traveling is one of the most important activities and people have been interested in it for many years. Modern traffics develops fast, so traveling to different places has become much easier than before. Staying healthy:while traveling can make your trip happier. But do you know how to keep healthy during a trip? The following information may be useful for you. Before leaving: * Wear comfortable shoes, a hat and sunglasses. * Take some necessary medicine with you. They can be used when you get sick or have other problems. * If you do lots of sports like walking or climbing on your trip, you should do some exercise for weeks or months before you leave. While traveling: * Be sure not to eat dirty food or bad fruit. * Have enough time to take a rest during your trip. * Tap water is not safe, so drink bottled water and always clean the cover on the bottle. If you do lots of sports while traveling, you should _ before you leave. <extra_id_0>do some exercise for weeks or months <extra_id_1>learn more about sports <extra_id_2>watch many sports games <extra_id_3>buy a car <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>In high school I joined the girl athletic club. At our first track meet, I entered for the long jump, but was made an alternate for the 50 yard dash. I didn't like it, since I was better at long distance, but they assured me I would never have to run; they just ran out of alternate. As I walked up to the start line, I saw my Dad on the sidelines. He was watching. Position, ready, set and off went the starting gun. Believe it or not, I closed my eyes and ran like I'd never run before. I knew I didn't have a chance of winning. But I started to hear cheering and thought for a minute, was it possible? I opened my eyes and to my disappointment, everyone else was crossing the finish line, inches away from each other and I was only half the distance. That moment felt like days. I felt so stupid. I just wanted to melt into the ground and disappeared. Worse than that, my Dad was watching and then I felt ashamed. I kept running hard as I could, crying all the way towards the finish line. It seemed no one noticed me as I crossed the finish line. I saw my Dad standing there looking at me. I was ashamed to look at him. He walked over to me and said, "I'm so proud of you." I was surprised, "For what? Everyone else finished before I even got halfway. I looked like a fool." "Because you didn't give up, not even when you realized what had happened. You gave it your all and finished." I laughed and cried at the same time. I find I can face what seems impossible, even alone and afraid, and, that winning does not always come in as you expect. I give my best effort to all I do, win or lose. I don't give up in the middle of anything. The author meant to compete in_. <extra_id_0>the 50 yard dash <extra_id_1>the long jump <extra_id_2>the long-distance run <extra_id_3>the high jump <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>American people like to say "Thank you" when others help them or say something kind to them. People of many countries do so, too. It is a very good habit . You should say "Thank you" when someone passes you the salt on the table, when someone walking ahead of you keeps the door open for you, when someone says you have done your work well, or you have bought a nice thing, or your city is very beautiful. "Thank you" is used not only between friends, but also between parents and children, brothers and sisters. "Excuse me" is another short sentence they use. When you hear someone say so behind you, you know that somebody wants to walk past you without touching you. It's not polite to break others when they are talking. If you want to speak to one of them, say "Excuse me" first, and then begin talking. You should also do so when you begin to cough or make any noise before others. Let's learn to say "Thank you" and "Excuse me". : You should say "Excuse me" if you want to _ . <extra_id_0>cough <extra_id_1>make some noise <extra_id_2>go first <extra_id_3>all of the above <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>What do you like? Different people like different things. Some people like loud music, other people don't. They think it is too noisy. They like soft music. Many people like sports, but they do not like the same sports. In some countries, cricket is a very popular sport. In others, it is not popular at all. No one plays it and few people watch it on TV. The World Cup is very popular. Millions of people watch the games on TV. Some people don't like doing sports. They just like to watch other people playing. Different people like different foods. Some people do not like meat. They eat most kinds of fruits and vegetables. Some people do not like potatoes and bread. They prefer rice or corn. Not everyone like the same colors. Most people have a favorite color. Some people like bright colors. Others prefer pale colors. The world is an interesting place because we all like different things. Which sentence is true? <extra_id_0>Everyone likes sports <extra_id_1>Not many people like sports <extra_id_2>Most people don't like sports. <extra_id_3>Lots of people like sports <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>
<extra_id_5>Well, more and more companies are beginning to create products and services for teenagers. The Disney Company sells the Hannah Montans television show, music, film and merchandise to teenagers and their parents. You can get everything from branded lunchboxes and mobile phone covers, to monthly fan magazines and clothing. The High School Musical series of films is also intended for a teenage audience. So, it's all about sales, which tells us teenagers must have more money, freedom and influence upon their parents than they've ever had before. UK teenagers never used to be worried about spending money on clothes and fashion accessories . That's changed. Now, they are much more fashion conscious and concerned about their image. In a world of television programmes that promise overnight success and fame at a young age (for example, the shows Britain's Got Talent and American Idol), some people think it's extremely important to look fashionable. So what does teenage fashion look like? Well, it's quite horrible really, but then I'm a bit too old to appreciate it, I suppose. It's lots of brightly coloured materials, particularly pink, and usually plain, not patterned. There are plenty of bows, necklaces and bracelets , too. It's all very cute , if that's your taste. Surely none of the above is a good thing, is it? Can it really be healthy for us to encourage kids to be like adults at such a young age? Are we stealing childhoods in return for a bit of profit? Well, the UK government is certainly concerned, and for that reason has strict laws preventing companies from explicitly marketing their products and services at children. Even the rest of UK society is concerned. Now that people are aware of the problem, there is a popular backlash against the exploitation of children by commercial marketing. It can be inferred from the passage that the teenagers nowadays _ . <extra_id_0>often ask their parents to buy things for them <extra_id_1>always have more than enough money on their clothes <extra_id_2>can't enjoy their childhood though they are rich in material <extra_id_3>are satisfied with their material life and worry about nothing <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>often ask their parents to buy things for them <extra_id_5>The world is not only hungry, but it is also thirsty for water. This may seem strange to you , since nearly 70% of the earth's surface is covered with water . But about 97% of that is sea water, or salt water. Man can only drink and use the other 3% -- the fresh water from rivers , lakes , underground , and other sources . And we can not even use all of that. Even worse, some of it has been made dirty. However, as things stand today, this fresh water is still enough for us . But our need for water is becoming larger and larger quickly -- almost day by day . We should take steps to do with this problem now and in this way we can get away from a serious world-wide water shortage later on . We all have to learn how to stop wasting our valuable water. One of the first steps is to develop ways of reusing it .Today in most large cities , water is used only once and then sent out into a sewer system . From there it returns to sea or runs into underground places. But even if every large city reused its water, we still would not have enough. All we'd have to do to make use of sea water in the world is to remove the salt . If we take these steps we'll be in no danger of drying up. The best but the most difficult way to solve the water problem of the world is to _ . <extra_id_0>remove the salt from sea water <extra_id_1>make the water in cities clean <extra_id_2>take water from underground <extra_id_3>make the need for water smaller <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>remove the salt from sea water <extra_id_5>After years of research and testing, the hybrid car was developed and put on the market. It's an interesting and exciting new improvement in today's world as we look for better ways to protect the quality of the air we breathe and conserve our natural resources. The quality of our air is affected by many different things. But one of the largest sources of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline which are used to power a car's engine. The EPA has set national standards to help control the level of harmful pollutants sent off into the air, and the automobile industry has acted by producing a hybrid car that uses less gas and therefore causes less pollution. A hybrid car is a combination of a regular car that runs on gasoline and an electric car that is battery powered. Some people tend to think that since the hybrid car is partially electric, you have to plug it in to charge it. But that's not how it works. The 144 volt battery pack is actually recharged( ) through the energy that is produced when the car's brakes are used. This is referred to as "regenerative braking", because it generates electricity. Although the hybrid car still runs on gasoline most of the time, this helps it use less gas than a regular car. When the driver stops at a traffic light, the engine automatically ( ; )shuts off to save fuel. Then, as soon as the driver puts the car in gear and touches the gas pedal, the engine starts back up. Have you ever ridden in a car with someone who ran out of gas? That probably wouldn't happen if you were riding in a hybrid car. It flashes a warning on its computer screen that says, "I am low on gas". When it completely runs out, the warning reads, "YOU ARE NOW OUT OF GAS!" Then the electric power supply kicks in to let the driver travel a few more miles to a gas station. Regenerative braking is an important process of the hybrid car because _ . <extra_id_0>it allows the car to come to a quick stop <extra_id_1>it gives the driver a smoother ride <extra_id_2>it produces energy to charge the battery <extra_id_3>it can control the speed of the car <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>it produces energy to charge the battery <extra_id_5>Will it matter if you don't have your breakfast? A short time ago, a test was given in the United States. People of different ages, from 12 to 83, were asked to have a test. During the test, these people were given all kinds of breakfasts, and sometimes they got no breakfast at all. Scientists wanted to see how well their bodies worked when they had different kinds of breakfasts. The rules show that if a person eats a right breakfast, he or she will work better than if he or she has no breakfast. If a student has fruit , eggs, bread and milk before going to school ,he or she will learn more quickly and listen more carefully in class. The result is opposite to what some people think. Having no breakfast will not help them lose weight. This is because they are so hungry at noon that eat too much for lunch. They will gain weight instead of losing it. You will lose weight if you reduce your other meals. According to the passage, some people think without breakfast they will _ <extra_id_0>lose weight <extra_id_1>get a good result in their work <extra_id_2>gain weight <extra_id_3>not be hungry at all. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>lose weight <extra_id_5>Where could you find organic matter? <extra_id_0>plastic items <extra_id_1>carbon dioxide <extra_id_2>a rabbit <extra_id_3>table salt <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>a rabbit
<extra_id_5>When Mrs.Joseph Groeger died recently in Vienna,Austria,people asked the obvious question,"Why did she live to be 107?" .Answers were provided by a survey conducted among 148 Viennese men and women who had reached the age of 100.Somewhat surprising was the fact that the majority had lived most of their lives in cities.In spite of the city's image as an unhealthy place,city living often provides benefits that country living can lack.One factor seems to be important to the longevity of those interviewed. This factor is exercise.In the cities it is often faster to walk short distances than to wait for a bus.Even taking public transportation often requires some walking.Smaller apartment houses have no elevators ,and so people must climb stairs.City people can usually walk to local supermarkets. Since parking spaces are hard to find,there is often no alternative to walking. On the other hand,those who live in the country and suburbs do not have to walk every day.In fact,the opposite is often true.To go to school,work,or almost anywhere else,they must ride in cars. The Vienna survey may help to explain _ <extra_id_0>the complaints of people in apartment houses <extra_id_1>the cause of Mrs Groeger's death <extra_id_2>the longevity of people like Mrs.Groeger <extra_id_3>the image of cities in general <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>the longevity of people like Mrs.Groeger <extra_id_5>Some British and American people like to invite friends for a meal at home. But you should not be upset if your English friends don't invite you home. It doesn't mean they don't like you! Dinner parties usually start between 7 and 8 p.m., and end at about 11. Ask your hosts what time you should arrive. It's polite to bring flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine as a gift. Usually the evening starts with drinks and snacks . Do you want to be more polite? Say how much you like the room, or the picture on the wall. But remember--it is not polite to ask how much things cost. In many families, the husband sits at one end of the table and the wife sits at the other end. They eat with their guests. You'll probably start the meal with soup or something small, then you'll have meat or fish with vegetables, and then dessert, followed by coffee. It's polite to finish everything on your plate and to take more if you want it. Did you enjoy the evening? Call your hosts the next day, or write them a short thank you letter. British and American people like to say " Thank you, thank you, thank you." all the time! Which is the correct way in which you express your enjoyment of the evening? <extra_id_0>Before leaving for home, you should say, "Thank you for inviting me." <extra_id_1>When you shake hands with your host, you should say, "I did enjoy the evening." <extra_id_2>You can write a thank you letter to your host after that. <extra_id_3>You should finish everything on your plate and take more if you want it. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>You can write a thank you letter to your host after that. <extra_id_5>As students and teachers returned to school on Monday after the publication of performance ratings for 18,000 teachers, many parents said they were giving the reports serious thought. Yet there was an equal measure of skepticism among parents that test scores have any relationship with teachers' competence. Some said they already knew how good a teacher was by walking into the classroom or by monitoring their children's progress. "I'm the kind of person who likes to see for themselves," a father in Queens said. Others worried about how their fellow parents, perhaps ones _ , might respond. Will they demand a new teacher? Move their children to a new school? Elizabeth Sane, the mother of a fourth grader at the Ella Baker School, a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school on the Upper East Side, said that her daughter was switched to a different teacher's class over the summer, and that it was "like adding salt to the wound" when she saw the high ratings for her daughter's previous teacher. Her daughter's teacher this year did not receive a rating because he previously taught high school. Ms. Sane said that the rating was not the only factor that influenced how she assessed a teacher's performance, but that the data used for teacher evaluations mattered. But other parents dropping their children off at the Ella Baker School said they did not trust teacher ratings based on test scores any more than they wanted their children's learning measured only by the state exams. "Some people take it as the final word, but it doesn't change who they are as teachers. The ratings aren't accurate, and the whole student testing thing needs to be thrown out," said Lydia Delgado, whose child is in the second grade. The attitude of the author towards the way to assess teachers' competence is _ . <extra_id_0>supportive <extra_id_1>critical <extra_id_2>indifferent <extra_id_3>objective <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>objective <extra_id_5>Accidents often happen. It's necessary for us to remember these tips. On your way home or to school: Wait for the green traffic light, and look left and right before you cross the road. If you see a car coming, don't cross until it really stops. At school: Never run around too fast at school. When students around you begin to push, try to hold something. If you fall down in a crowed place, cover your head with both hands. When there's a fire: Keep quiet and leave quickly. Use a piece of wet cloth to cover your mouth and nose so that you don't breathe in smoke. If your clothes catch fire, drop to the ground and roll from side to side to put out the fire. For eating: Wash fruit like apples or pears carefully before you eat it. And if your food looks or smells bad, don't eat it. About strange invitations: If an Internet friend asks to meet you, tell your parents about it. Don't go alone. According to the writer, if your clothes catch fire, you should _ . <extra_id_0>drop to the ground and roll <extra_id_1>try to find some water <extra_id_2>keep quiet and do nothing <extra_id_3>cover your head with both hands <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>drop to the ground and roll <extra_id_5>The outer layers of astronauts' space suits are reflective in order to protect them from <extra_id_0>the vacuum of space. <extra_id_1>intense sunlight. <extra_id_2>micrometeoroids. <extra_id_3>water loss. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>intense sunlight.
<extra_id_5>Have your parents ever inspected your room to see if you cleaned it properly? Imagine having your entire houses, garage, and yard inspected at any time -- with no warning. Inspections were a regular part of lighthouse living, and a keeper's reputation depended on results. A few times each year, an inspector arrived to look over the entire light station. The inspections were supposed to be a surprise, but keeper sometimes had advance notice. Once lighthouses had telephones, keepers would call each other to warn that the inspector was approaching. After boats began flying special flags noting the inspector aboard, the keeper's family made it a game to see who could notice the boat first. As soon as someone spotted the boat, everyone would do last-minute tidying and change into fancy clothes. The keeper then scurried to put on his dress uniform and cap. Children of keepers remember inspectors wearing white gloves to run their fingers over door frames and windowsills looking for dust. Despite the serious nature of inspections, they resulted in some funny moments. Betty Byrnes remembered when her mother did not have time to wash all the dishes before an inspection. At the time, people did not have dishwashers in their homes. In an effort to clean up quickly, Mrs. Byrnes tossed all the dishes into a big bread pan, covered them with a cloth and stuck them in the oven. If the inspector opened the oven door, it would look like bread was baking. he never did. One day, Glenn Furst's mother put oil on the kitchen floor just before the inspector entered their house. Like floor wax, the oil made the floors shiny and helped protect the wood. This time, though, she used a little too much oil. When the inspector extended his hand to greet Glenn's mother, he slipped on the freshly oiled surface. "He came across that floor waving his arms like a young bird attempting its first flight," Glenn late wrote. After he steadied himself, he shook Glenn's mother's hand, and the inspection continued as though nothing had happened. The inspector waved his arms _ . <extra_id_0>to try his best to keep steady <extra_id_1>to show his satisfaction with the floor <extra_id_2>to extend a warm greeting to Glenn's mother <extra_id_3>to express his intention to continue the inspection <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>to try his best to keep steady <extra_id_5>George had just moved into the street and he felt strange that he was not wanted. He knew that perhaps the other boys were trying to get an idea of what kind of a boy he was. This did not help to make him less lonely. He was new and he had to be tested. Still, proving himself would not be all that easy. He did not want to run with bad boys or get into something against the law to prove that he was strong . No!He must show what he was made of in a more helpful way. That was when he got the idea. The next day was Saturday. He knew that most of the boys would be down on the playground and choose up sides for the Saturday game. George knew he could play well and just might be enough to prove he was strong and to make friends with them. He arrived early and did his step exercises. He shot the ball several times and did some other exercises--the most difficult and most wonderful in basketball. Then the boys came. George went through what he had done before the game and showed what he could do. No one said a word. The boys just looked at each other and thought about it. In the end, when it was all over, the biggest of the group just smiled and nodded his head. George knew he had made it. The name of the story should be _ . <extra_id_0>Three Ways to Prove Oneself <extra_id_1>Just One of the Boys <extra_id_2>George Is Lonely <extra_id_3>A Saturday Basketball Game <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Just One of the Boys <extra_id_5>December is during the summer in the southern what? <extra_id_0>states <extra_id_1>division <extra_id_2>cities <extra_id_3>counties <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>division <extra_id_5>When something is condensed <extra_id_0>it is made into a wetter form <extra_id_1>it is a liquid lake <extra_id_2>it becomes molten liquid <extra_id_3>it is damp inside <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>it is made into a wetter form <extra_id_5>,A, B, CD,,. Roy wasn't the only one to receive his call-up papers.Stephen Napier's call-up came at the beginning of February and he was pleased to find that he would be going into the Royal Air Force (RAF). His father was not so pleased and made his feelings known as he and Stephen were on their daily walk. It was the first step in his plans for Stephen to take over the estate when the time came, and although Stephen was well aware of this, he could think of no reason not to accompany him. "Thought you'd forgotten that nonsense. Still, I dare say I could pull a few strings to get you to the Army..." "No, Father! I have told you I want to learn to fly. What chance would I have to do that in the Army? I'd be better off in the Navy----at least they've got the Fleet Air Arm. But I have been put in the RAF and that's where I want to be, so let's leave it at that." His face went red. Sent to his father's school and then to Cambridge, much to his satisfaction, he had never had to defend his own desires and his father was a hard man to oppose. The father glared at Stephen, "No, I won't leave it at that. I want to know what other ridiculous ideas are in your head. For a start, what's all this about America?" "America?" "Yes. All those books I saw in your room the other day. Brochures about emigration ." The big, silvered head lowered, _ ."Don't trouble to deny it." "I won't, Father. Some men at Cambridge have been talking about it. They want people like us here, mathematicians and scientists, for all kinds of research----the sort of research I could do.It would be a worthwhile life for me." The father responded exactly as his son had known he would."You've got a worthwhile life here!You've got an estate to run!" "No, Father. You've got an estate to run. I never asked for it. Why not ask Baden to do this stuff? He perhaps can make a good job of it, but I..." "If he were here, I might think about this silly idea of yours----only think about it, mind you but..." Which would be the best title for this passage? <extra_id_0>RAF----a better choice than the Army <extra_id_1>A talk between Father and Son <extra_id_2>The dreams of a Cambridge student <extra_id_3>Conflict between Father and Son <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Conflict between Father and Son
<extra_id_5>Plant cloning has been an agricultural technique used by farmers and gardeners for centuries. Grafting is a common form of plant cloning. Many plants in nature actually clone themselves and reproduce asexually. Cloned plants are much more predictable than normal plants, so their yield is more reliable. Cloned plants also reproduce faster, limiting the amount of time between planting and harvesting. It is also often cheaper to produce seeds through cloning than through traditional methods. Plants can essentially be optimized so that farmers or individual growers always have the best seeds available. With more yield at a faster rate, farms can produce more food for more people while decreasing overall costs. Cloning can be used to wipe out diseases that previously killed off entire fields of crops. This would make plants immune to the kinds of diseases that farmers and gardeners around the world fear each year. Crop failures due to disease and virus could become a thing of the past. Also, plants that are near extinction can be brought back to life through cloning. Through cloning scientists can develop "super" fruits and vegetables of superior nutritional quality. This could make for a healthier population overall. This is already being done through selective pollination , and genetic cloning could take it to the next level. By plant cloning we have a population of identical plants and all these plants equally suffer from the same diseases, but in nature the weak would die and the strong would survive. While there are some dangers to consider with plant cloning, there are plenty of benefits that could prove vital to the propagation of the human species. According to the text, cloned plants_. <extra_id_0>have lower yield than normal plants <extra_id_1>need little care from people <extra_id_2>resist various kinds of diseases <extra_id_3>have a short growth cycle <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Frederic Chopin was born in March 1810 near Warsaw in Poland . He was one of the greatest musicians in the world, In 1831, he went to Paris, No people knew he could play the piano very well. At that time people in Paris liked the Hungarian pianist Franz Liszt. One night,at a concert, Liszt went to the piano and people shouted. As all the lights in the concert were turned off, a wonderful piano concert started. The music was so good that the listeners were all greatly interested. They kept praising the pianist and thought that Liszt had reached something new in playing the piano. Suddenly, all the lights were turned on again as the music came to an end. And there stood a young man instead of the famous Hungarian pianist Franz Liszt. Liszt planned all this. As the lights went out, Liszt left his chair and let Chopin take his place. So with the help of Liszt and his own talent ,Chopin soon became famous. ,,. The wonderful piano concert started _ . <extra_id_0>after all lights were turned on <extra_id_1>when Liszt sat down at the piano <extra_id_2>after the lights were turned off <extra_id_3>when Chopin went to the piano <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>With only a click of the mouse,rumors can be forwarded between microblogs very quickly.As an example,recently,sensitive netizens discovered that some photos displayed on microblogs describing Beijing's June rainstorm had actually been fabricated. Sina.com is one of the major Internet portals in China with hundreds and thousands of users,and a majority of celebrities and famous citizens have their microblog accounts on this portal.As recently as six months ago,the website decided to establish a specialized team to prove rumors and provide accurate information for its users.Tan Chao is in charge of the team. "Before I took the job,I usually couldn't identify what information was real and what was fake.But during the process of identification,we discovered that a lot of information was false,including fake photos,fake news stories and rumors that had been spread through microblogs." It's not just website portals which are taking on factchecking responsibilities,but also a number of civicminded netizens,who recently set up a Rumor Identification Federation on Sina.com's microblog system to help netizens identify fake information online. Dian Zizheng is the team leader of the federation.He says they've publicized more than 150 pieces which contradict rumors,which attracted more than 10 thousand visitors within two months. "We live in an age of new media,so we can't use the old methods to prove rumors.We can't wait for the media to prove the facts with related administrative departments and then release a formal announcement.We can't allow rumors to run wild and then deal with it,we need to fight rumors while they're spreading.I think that this is the best way to deal with rumors nowadays." Some experts say this displays the advantages of the Internet compared to other traditional media.The open platform allows information to be examined and clarified by netizens.But experts like Ding Wenguo,President of the Journalism and Communication College at the China University of Political Science and Law says this selfcorrection function of the Internet is still quite limited. "It's still quite difficult to tell which information is true in such an open environment by just reading a number of different opinions on the same issue.This is something which we need to pay attention to.If society is flooded with too much false information,and it's allowed to spread in such a fast manner,then people will be suspicious of all kinds of information including important information from authorities.It also worsens problems relating to social communications and mutualunderstanding,which in turn harms society as a whole." Experts suggest that the government should react more quickly in the Internet age.Once a rumor begins to spread,administrative departments should make announcements as early as possible to drive away rumors before they lead to bad outcomes. What's the writer's attitude towards the rumors from microblogs according to the passage? <extra_id_0>Negative. <extra_id_1>Sympathetic. <extra_id_2>Supportive. <extra_id_3>Changeable. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Each year, road accidents kill a million people and injure millions more. The economic costs are greatest for developing countries. Earlier this year, the United Nations called for a campaign to improve road safety. One way to avoid accidents is better driving. Another is better roads and bridges. Engineers in the Unites States have designed ten new concrete mixtures that they think could make bridges last longer. Professor Paul Tikalsky leads the experiments by a team at Pennsylvania State University. He says bridges made of concrete now last about twenty-five to thirty-five years. But he says the new mixtures might extend that to seventy-five or even one-hundred years. Concrete is made of stone, sand, water and cement . The materials in the cement hold the concrete together. Ancient Romans built with concrete. Yet strengthened concrete bridges did not appear until the late 1800s. People keep looking for new ways to improve concrete. Professor Tikalsky says it is one of the most complex of all chemical systems. The new mixtures designed by his team contain industrial waste products. He says these make the concrete better able to resist damage from water and salt over time. One of the products is fly ash. This is released into the air as pollution when coal is burned. Professor Tikalsky says particles of fly ash are almost exactly the same size and chemical structure as Portland cement. _ is the most costly material in concrete. So using fly ash to replace some of it would save money. The federal government is paying for part of the research. Engineers anywhere can use the technology. Professor Tikalsky says some of the ideas have already been put to use in China, the Philippines and other countries. What does the passage mainly tell us? <extra_id_0>The causes of road accidents. <extra_id_1>The advantages of fly ash. <extra_id_2>The measures of avoiding road accidents. <extra_id_3>Latest information about long-life concrete bridges. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Health officials in Canada are very busy these days. They are placing chickens at fixed points all along their 2,500 km border with the United States of America. It's not a joke, nor have the Canadians gone mad. They are using these chickens to see if the West Nile virus is still around. The virus infects birds, so the chickens have a chance of catching the virus and fall ill. The West Nile virus is spread among humans. It killed seven people in New York last year. Countries around the world are realizing that it may just be possible to stop certain kinds of people from entering their land. However, it is very difficult to stop viruses traveling from one end of the earth to another. When they travel to new places, they get used to the environment very easily and sometimes start destroying the local plant and animal life. These biological polluters are called smart polluters. These smart polluters can be carried across borders of countries unknowingly. Just as we humans are travelling across the world more often than earlier, these biological polluters have also started journey much more. They slide into airplanes through their wheels. They dig into objects that travelers may be carrying from one country to another. There are some good examples of how these polluters work. The water hyacinth of South America is blocking lakes in China and Africa. Tree snakes from Papua New Guinea are busy eating up some birds in the country of Guam, which breaks its natural balance. That's why the customs officials in many foreign countries prevent people from bringing in a small plant, or an object made of wood that is in its natural form. The customs officials have these rules because these varieties of plants are special to certain places. The plants have the power to spread new illnesses among native plants and animals. Biological polluters always create problems in places where they do not belong. They could be special varieties of plants, bugs or even animals. What is the best title for the passage? <extra_id_0>Land Pollution <extra_id_1>The West Nile Virus <extra_id_2>Smart Polluters <extra_id_3>The Water Hyacinth <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>What makes a person a scientist?Does he have ways or tools of learning that are different from those of others?The answer is "no". It isn't the tools a scientist uses but how he uses these tools which make him a scientist. You will probably agree that knowing how to use a power is important to a carpenter .You will probably agree,too,that _ The scientist,however,goes one step further;he must be sure that he has a reasonable answer to his questions and that his answer he gets to many questions is into a large set of ideas about how the world works. The scientist's knowledge must be exact. There's no room for half right or right just half the time. He must be as nearly right as the conditions permit. What works under one set of conditions at one time must work under the same conditions at other times. If the conditions are different,any changes the scientist observes in a demonstration must be explained by the changes in the conditions. This is one reason why investigations are important in science. Albert Einstein,who developed the Theory of Relativity,arrived at this theory through mathematics. The accuracy of his mathematics was later tested through investigation. Einstein's ideas were proved to be correct. A scientist uses many tools for measurements. Then the measurements are used to make mathematical calculations that may test his investigations. ...knowing how to investigate,how to discover information,is important to everyone. The writer says this to show _ . <extra_id_0>the importance of information <extra_id_1>the difference between scientists and ordinary people <extra_id_2>the importance of thinking <extra_id_3>the difference between carpenters and ordinary people <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Friendship Restaurant We have different kinds of Japanese food here. The food menu is in Japanese and Chinese. All the waiters and waitresses can speak at least one foreign language. Tel: 312-9997 Time: 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Volunteer Project Maybe you want to help others but don't know how to do it. Then Volunteer Project will help you. Here you will get the best idea of volunteering. Call 822-5566 to join it. E-mail address:lisa@hotmail.com Dream corner Do you want to improve your English? Do you want to practice your English with native speakers? If yes, why not join the Dream Corner? Come here on Friday afternoon every week. Red Bird club Do you like dance? Do you want to show off your cool dance at parties? Join us and make your dream come true. Closed on Tuesday. Call 822-3331 for more information. The Underwater World Here you will find different kinds of fishes and even some kinds of sharks. You will feel you are in the sea but of course this is not true. If you like fishes, I suggest that you pay a visit to it. Tel: 846-3809 Time: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ,. You can't go to the Red Bird Club on _ . <extra_id_0>Tuesday <extra_id_1>Monday <extra_id_2>Thursday <extra_id_3>Saturday <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Ice Age Cave Art of Southwest France May 2 1,2013--May 27,2013 Day 1 U.S.--Bordeaux,France Leave the U.S. for Bordeaux to start our prehistoric exploration . Day 2 Bordeaux--Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil On arriving in Bordeaux,join the group to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil,France's prehistory capital. Check into Les Glycines hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner here. Day 3 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil Begin at the Combarelles cave,believed to have been used by Cro-Magnon man between 14,000 and 12,000 years ago. After lunch in a restaurant in the rock,enjoy a guided tour of the National Prehistory Museum,containing one of the largest prehistoric collections. Our day ends at the cave of Font-de-Gaume. Discovered in 1901,it remains one of the most exciting places in the world,with many drawings of horses,deer and so on. Day 4 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil Journey through Black Perigord,starting with a tour of Sarlat. After lunch in town,visit Bernifal. Discovered in 1898,it offers its visitors various paintings. Day 5 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil At the Rouffignac cave,get on an electric train to explore the nearly 10 kilometers of cave--a real underground maze of prehistoric drawings and several surprising handprints. Pause for lunch in a local farm house,then continue to Abril Castanet. Day 6 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil After checking out of Les Glycines,travel to Cougnac cave,containing the oldest paintings in a site open to the public. Enjoy lunch in this beautiful town on the Dordogne river. As you leave Rocamadour,visit the Abrides Merveilles,then continue to the popular Chateau de Mercues. Day 7 Toulouse--U.S Check out of the Chateau de Mercues,and travel to the Toulouse airport for your return flight to the U.S. How many nights will tourists stay in Les Glycines hotel? <extra_id_0>Two nights. <extra_id_1>Three nights. <extra_id_2>Four nights. <extra_id_3>Five nights. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Nick and his friends were talking about things that can bring them luck . "I have a lucky red pen," said Andrea. "I have a lucky penny ," said Manuel. Every time I want to do really well in tests, I carry my lucky penny." Nick thought for a moment, and answered, "My blue socks." "Blue socks?" the boys were surprised and asked together. Nick said that every time he wore his blue socks to school before a test, he got a good mark. The next day Nick would have a Chinese test. He was sad because he couldn't find his blue socks to wear to school. "Mom!" shouted Nick. "Where are my blue socks? I will have a Chinese test, and I need to wear them." "Don't be silly," Nick's mom said. "They need to be washed." "When I wear them, I get a good grade," Nick said. "Did you prepare for your test?" asked Mom. "Yes." "Then don't worry about it. Just do your best," Mom encouraged. Nick was worried about his test because his lucky socks would not help him. A few days later, Nick's teacher told him that he got 95 in his test. Nick was so excited that he couldn't wait to tell Mom how well he did in his test. Mom said, "It wasn't the blue socks that made you successful. It was made by yourself." Why did Nick worry about his test? <extra_id_0>He was unprepared for his test. <extra_id_1>He lost his lucky socks. <extra_id_2>His mother didn't wash his socks. <extra_id_3>His lucky socks would not help him in the test. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Dublin City Hall Inside City Hall is an interesting exhibition about Dublin's history, with historical items from the old city and multimedia presentations. The building, which dates from 1779, once badly damaged, was recently _ . Guided tours are available. Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 a.m.~5:15 p.m., Sunday and holidays 2:00 p.m.~5:00 p.m. Admission is EUR6.50. Phone 672- 2204. Dublin Castle This is a joy for anyone interested in archaeology or history. Dublin Castle was built in the 13th century on top of the foundations of a Viking structure. The castle served as a military fortress, prison, court of law and the core of British administration in Ireland until 1922. It's now used for state functions and government conferences. Guided tours are available. Open Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m.~4:50 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and holidays 2:00 p.m.~4:50 p.m. Closed during state functions. Admission is EUR4.50. Phone 677- 7129 or 677- 7270. Trinity College The sole college of the University of Dublin, Trinity was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. The reason most visitors venture to Trinity is to take a look at the Book of Kells, which is on display at the Old Library. The ticket price includes admission to the Long Room, a striking space that contains 200,000 of the college's oldest books. Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am~5pm, Sunday noon~4:30 p.m. (from 9:30 a.m. June to September). College Green. Phone 608 -1177. Irish Museum of Modern Art Housed in the beautifully restored Royal Hospital Kilmainham (which was modelled on Les Invalides in Paris), the museum exhibits contemporary art and has an impressive permanent collection that includes pieces representing the cutting edge of Irish and international art. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 a.m.~5:30 p.m., Sunday and holidays noon~5:30 p.m. The museum has no admission charge. Military Road, Kilmainham. Phone 612- 9900. James Joyce Centre James Joyce is one of Dublin's most famous 20th century writers. Author of such works as Dubliners, Ulysses and his autobiographical novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Joyce's name is forever linked to the city of Dublin. The James Joyce Centre is dedicated to promoting the life and works of James Joyce to novices and scholars alike. Open Tues.~Sat. 10:00 a.m.~5:00 p.m., Sun. 1: p.m.~5:00 p.m., admission costs EUR5.00 for adults. North Great George's Street. Phone 878- 8547. Which place do you pay the least money to visit? <extra_id_0>Dublin City Hall. <extra_id_1>Dublin Castle. <extra_id_2>Irish Museum of Modern Art. <extra_id_3>James Joyce Centre. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>Most people call it "body language" -- the clues to the meaning that we get from gesture, facial expressions, posture -- everything that isn't spoken.Experts call it "nonverbal communication," but it means the same thing: a second source of human communication that is often more reliable to understanding what is really going on than the words themselves. Understanding body language is important to success, whether in the business world or in our personal lives.However, most of our ideas about body language are wrong, according to modern communication research. There is a belief that people with shifty eyes are probably lying.As Paul Ekman says, "When we asked people how they could tell if someone was lying, too much blinking and shifty eyes were the winners.But sometimes people act like that because they are shy.Liars pretend to be calm in order not to be caught. Ekman goes on to argue against such a wrong belief.Although this kind of body language is probably an expression of nervousness, it is not always because the person is lying.Shyness can, for example, make people shift their eyes.To understand what someone's behavior means, you have to watch them carefully. There is also a belief that when meeting someone, the more eye contact , the better.As a result people would like to make initial contact in formal situations, like a job interview, by staring fixedly at the other human.Yet Ekman points out that most of us are comfortable with eye contact lasting a few seconds, but any eye contact that is longer than that can make us nervous. In short, you must carefully consider the speaker and the speaking environment.Experts suggest that unless you know about someone's basic communication style, you will have little hope in understanding their true feelings through body language.In other words, body language carries important but not always true messages. From the passage we can learn that _ . <extra_id_0>there is no doubt that a liar has shifty eyes <extra_id_1>people sometimes blink because of shyness <extra_id_2>eye contact lasting a few seconds can make us nervous <extra_id_3>understanding body language is more helpful in business <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>The world, in painter Chen Xiao's eyes, is as colorful and sweet as ice cream. At the opening of his latest exhibition, Colorful World in the Eyes of Sean Chen, at the National Museum of China recently, the artist told his story. Chen left China for Australia in 1986 to seek artistic freedom, and like many new immigrants then, he had little money in his pocket. To make ends meet, he drew portraits of people in the street. Every day, he saw people buy ice cream from a shop. Chen couldn't help wondering: "It must taste great, that's why so many people buy it." But he didn't buy one for himself because he had to save money to support his studies. After four months of painting there and watching people eat ice cream, Chen didn't resist the temptation --- he bought an ice cream. "The first bite took me to heaven," Chen recalls while laughing. "You know, as a poor young man in a new country, an ice cream was too expensive then." Since then, he kept the taste of the ice cream in his heart and included the happy feelings in his paintings, which turn out to be colorful and sweet. His current exhibition is part of his nationwide tour that began at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing in 2011. He plans to take his artworks to 24 cities around China by 2016. The exhibition at the National Art Museum of China will last until April 22. After the exhibition tour, he will sell his works through an auction , and all the money will be donated to protection of the environment in China. "The natural environment of New Zealand has inspired my artwork and brought me enjoyment. I hope people in my home country can enjoy the same beautiful environment as I do," says Chen, who has made New Zealand his home for the last 26 years. What did Chen Xiao do to make ends meet? <extra_id_0>He sold ice cream in a shop. <extra_id_1>He drew portraits of people. <extra_id_2>He worked with some new immigrants. <extra_id_3>He sought help from people in the street. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Well, more and more companies are beginning to create products and services for teenagers. The Disney Company sells the Hannah Montans television show, music, film and merchandise to teenagers and their parents. You can get everything from branded lunchboxes and mobile phone covers, to monthly fan magazines and clothing. The High School Musical series of films is also intended for a teenage audience. So, it's all about sales, which tells us teenagers must have more money, freedom and influence upon their parents than they've ever had before. UK teenagers never used to be worried about spending money on clothes and fashion accessories . That's changed. Now, they are much more fashion conscious and concerned about their image. In a world of television programmes that promise overnight success and fame at a young age (for example, the shows Britain's Got Talent and American Idol), some people think it's extremely important to look fashionable. So what does teenage fashion look like? Well, it's quite horrible really, but then I'm a bit too old to appreciate it, I suppose. It's lots of brightly coloured materials, particularly pink, and usually plain, not patterned. There are plenty of bows, necklaces and bracelets , too. It's all very cute , if that's your taste. Surely none of the above is a good thing, is it? Can it really be healthy for us to encourage kids to be like adults at such a young age? Are we stealing childhoods in return for a bit of profit? Well, the UK government is certainly concerned, and for that reason has strict laws preventing companies from explicitly marketing their products and services at children. Even the rest of UK society is concerned. Now that people are aware of the problem, there is a popular backlash against the exploitation of children by commercial marketing. The author of the passage _ . <extra_id_0>supports teenage fashion quite a lot <extra_id_1>is fond of brightly colored materials that are to his taste <extra_id_2>thinks it illegal to make profits by selling things to kids <extra_id_3>is strongly against marketing products and services at children <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Welcome here! The Southern Spring Home & Garden Show will be held at The Park Expo and Conference Center. This show will last from Wednesday (March 2) to Sunday (March 6,2012). Admission : Adults $10.00. Teenagers under 15 free with a paying adult. Join Lincolnton's own Tammie Davis as she performs her original country songs at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday,March 5th. Special Days: The Spring for Kids First Night Gala benefiting the Council for Children's Rights will take place from 7 p.m. to 10p.m. on Wednesday, March 2,2012. Tickets are $50 and include an access to Freedom Hall, where you can enjoy delicious food, beverage and entertainment free of charge. Seniors Day(55+):Wednesday is for them. Cost is $7.00 but without coupons . Hours :Wednesday,Thursday &Sunday :10 a.m.---5p.m.;Friday &Saturday :10 a.m.----9 a.m. Wheelchairs are available on a first come first served basis for you. The cost is $1.00 and you are required to leave a valid driver's license or ID. Parking :All Day Parking: $6.00;Half Day Parking:$3.00; Every Hour Parking:$1.00 For more Information: Come to visit Mardee Woodward in person. E-mail: mwoodward@southernshows.com Telephone:704-376-4085 We can infer from the text that _ . <extra_id_0>old people can visit the show only on Wednesday <extra_id_1>the disabled can use the wheelchairs free of charge <extra_id_2>there are not enough wheelchairs for the disabled <extra_id_3>kids' tickets on Wednesday don't include beverage <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Penkov suffered a severe loss when his manufacturing plant, located in a shallow ravine, was flooded during a sustained rainfall. The flooding occurred because City had failed to maintain its storm drain, which was located on City land above Penkov's premises, and because Railroad had failed to maintain its storm drain, which was located on Railroad land below Penkov's premises. The flooding would not have occurred if either one of the two storm drains had been maintained properly. Penkov sued Railroad to recover compensation for his loss. The evidence in the case established that the failures of the two drains were caused by the respective negligence of City and Railroad. There is no special rule City and Railroad. There is no special rule insulating City from liability. In his action against Railroad, Penkov should recover <extra_id_0>nothing, because he should have joined City, without whose negligence he would have suffered no loss. <extra_id_1>nothing, unless he introduces evidence that enables the court reasonably to apportion responsibility between City and Railroad. <extra_id_2>one-half his loss, in the absence of evidence that enables the court to allocate responsibility fairly between City and Railroad. <extra_id_3>all of his loss, because but for Railroad's negligence none of the flooding would have occurred. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>
<extra_id_5>Which is a problem with using wind turbines to produce energy? <extra_id_0>Wind turbines are efficient only in certain areas. <extra_id_1>Wind turbines occupy a small area of land. <extra_id_2>Wind turbines produce a large amount of energy. <extra_id_3>Wind turbines create a large amount of pollution. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Wind turbines are efficient only in certain areas. <extra_id_5>Pepys and his wife had asked some friends to dinner on Sunday, September 2nd, 1666. The servants were up very late on the Saturday evening, getting everything ready for the next day, and while they were busy they saw the glow of a fire start in the sky. By 3 o'clock on the Sunday morning, the glow had become so bright that one of the servants, Jane, woke her master to see it. Pepys went to the window to watch it. It seemed fairly far away, so after a time he went back to bed. When he got up in the morning, it looked as though the fire was dying down, though he could still see some flames. So he set to work to tidy his room and put his things back where he wanted them after the servants had cleaned everything. While he was doing this, Jane came in to say that she had heard that the fire was a bad one: three hundred houses had been burned down in the night and the fire was still burning. Pepys went out to see for himself. He went to the Tower of London and climbed up on a high part of the building so that he could see what was happening. From there, Pepys could see that it was, indeed, a bad fire and that even the houses on London Bridge were burning. Someone told him that the fire had started in a baker's house in Pudding Lane, and then the flames had quickly spread to the other houses in the narrow lane. So began the Great Fire of London, a fire that lasted nearly five days, damaged most of the old city and ended, so it is said, at Pie Corner. When Pepys was tidying his room and things, Jane came in and told him that _ . <extra_id_0>the fire was dying down <extra_id_1>the fire had been put out <extra_id_2>the fire was a bad one <extra_id_3>no flame could be seen <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>the fire was a bad one <extra_id_5>If you're locking into your career plans, college counselor Nancy Donehower has three words for you: Don't do it. Huh? A college counselor tells you not to lock into plans? What's that all about? Actually, Nancy isn't the only counselor advising students to take their time in discovering who they are and what they want to do when they get out of college. "Preparing broadly makes sense to me,"she explains,"that the best preparation for a future that's still unfolding is a broad preparation. It shouldn't prevent you from following areas that light you up, but a broad preparation will prepare you for multiple careers. That's important because jobs change more frequently due to changes in technology and business competition. Some jobs that are available today may be on their way out in 10 years. The best thing about preparing broadly is that you get to live in a big world. You avoid getting typecast in a job or business area, and if your job becomes out of date, you can move on." Students let the"next-step mind"interfere with their learning as well. Many students don't take courses outside their comfort zone for fear it will ruin their GPA (grade point average) and their chances of getting into a certain college."You may be reluctant to go outside your areas of strength for fear you'll get a low grade,"says Nancy."But if you think one grade in one class will ruin your chances of admission, you're doing yourself a disservice. Colleges look at a number of factors in addition to grades. Students often think of requirements for colleges as much tighter and narrower than they really are." Since colleges work to admit a diverse group of students, the best thing to do is be yourself and explore your options."I know of many people in their late 20s who are unhappy in their careers and who regret that they didn't pursue a wider range of interests while in college." Her advice to students:"Think about who you are right now. You have certain preferences. You have areas you like to study. You have certain skills."She suggests using interest surveys to help you gain a sense of where your interests and skills can lead you. "Follow your nose and find a college that will support and encourage you academically and socially. Have faith in yourself and the things you like to do,"she adds. What does the passage mainly want to tell us? <extra_id_0>How to study as efficiently as you can. <extra_id_1>Don't be stuck with a"next-step mind". <extra_id_2>Realize your dreams with reasonable plans. <extra_id_3>How to choose an ideal college for yourself. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Don't be stuck with a"next-step mind". <extra_id_5>Time out, extra chores and taking away privileges are more useful forms of disciplining naughty children than spanking or hitting, according to a study on Wednesday. About 94 percent of parents use some form of physical punishment to teach their two-year-olds right from wrong, according to research studies. But psychologists say it could lead to later emotional and behavioral problems. Even children who were only spanked some of time are more likely to show signs of sadness or have less confidence. "The key is to be fair and do the same thing each time. Doing something like hitting a child that seems cruel at best doesn't help and can put a child at risk for problems," said Dr Paul Frick, of theprefix = st1 /UniversityofNew Orleansin Louisians. "It is better to use other punishments," he added. The use of physical punishment to teach children has long been debated. In countries such asAustria,Finland,GermanyandSweden, it is illegal to use physical punishment at home or in schools. Frick and his team, who studied the effects of physical punishment on 98 children, said they couldn't find any positive effects. Some children learned more from the hitting than what the parent was trying to teach them. "The key is to have a lot of different forms of punishment depending on the age of the child," said Frick, who reported his findings in the Journal of Applied Child Psychology. He recommended time out for younger children and taking away television and electronic toys for older children. Giving extra chores can also get the message across. Other measures are at least as effective as physical punishment and have less harmful potential consequences. The researchers kept children whom they thought were at risk of later conduct problems out of the test and an equal number of other children who acted as a control group, to study what measures would be most helpful. They questioned the parents and the children about positive and negative parenting behavior including the use of physical punishment. "We got it from both viewpoints," said Frick. He added that children on the receiving end of a hit can learn that when they are upset and angry they hit, rather than understanding their behavior was wrong and that they need to do better. According to the passage, why did Dr Frick advise against physical punishment? <extra_id_0>Because the children will learn their behavior is wrong in time. <extra_id_1>Because the children may hit people as a solution to problems. <extra_id_2>Because it is illegal to use physical punishment in certain countries. <extra_id_3>Because parents think it's the easiest way to teach kids right from wrong. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Because the children may hit people as a solution to problems. <extra_id_5>Even facts "forgotten" by people during a busy day may be retrieved if this is followed by a good night's sleep. Researchers from the University of Chicago asked volunteers to remember simple words.Many found their memories letting them down towards the end of the day, but the following morning, those who had slept well could recall much more. Researchers, writing in the journal Nature, said the brain could "rescue" lost memories during the night. When the brain is first asked to remember something that memory is laid down in an "unstable" state, meaning that it is possible that it could be lost.At some point, the brain consolidates those it deems important into a "stable", more permanent state.However, the Chicago researchers suggested that it was possible for a "stable" memory to be made "unstable" again.This would mean that memories could be modified then filed away again in the face of new experiences. The 12 volunteers tested in the experiment were played words created through a speech synthesizer which were purposely difficult to understand.Initially, the written version of the word from the audio version only.Tests revealed that the ability to recall the right word tended to tail off as the day ended. However, when the volunteers were retested after a good night's sleep, they were able to recall some words that they had " forgotten" the previous evening. Dr Daniel, one of the study authors, said: "Sleep consolidates memories, protecting them against subsequent interference or decay.Sleep also appears to "recover" or restore memories." He said: "If performance is reduced by decay, sleep might actively recover what has been lost." Dr Karim Nader, from the Department of Psychology in McGill University in Montreal, said: "Memory research is undergoing a transformation---no longer is memory thought to be a hard-writing of the brain, instead it seems to be a process of storage and restorage." Sleep helps some memories "mature" and also prunes out unimportant memories. The words the 12 volunteers played in the experiment were not _ <extra_id_0>created through a speech synthesizer <extra_id_1>hard to understand <extra_id_2>available at the beginning <extra_id_3>designed to test people's ability of understanding <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>designed to test people's ability of understanding
<extra_id_5>We lived in a very quiet neighborhood. One evening I heard a loud crash in the street. Earlier that evening my wife had asked me to go to the store to get some soft drinks. It seemed like this would be a good time to let my teenage daughter Holly practice her driving, so I sent her to the store in my truck. At dinner my son talked about how much he liked my truck. I enjoyed having it, but I said, "Guy, my heart is not set on that truck. I like it but it is just metal and won't last forever. Never set your heart on anything that won't last." After hearing the loud noise, the whole family ran outside. My son shouted, "Dad! Dad! Holly crashed your truck." My heart sank and my mind was flooded with conflicting thoughts. Was anyone hurt? Who else was involved? As I ran to the door, I heard a voice in my heart say, "Here is a chance to show Holly what you really love. She'll never forget it." The accident had occurred in my own driveway. Holly had crashed my truck into our other vehicle, the family van. In her inexperience, she had confused the brakes and the gas pedal . Holly was unhurt physically but when reached her, she was crying and saying, "Oh, Dad, I'm sorry. I know how much you love this truck." I held her in my arms as she cried. Later that week a friend dropped by and asked what had happened to my truck. I told her the whole story. Her eyes moistened and she said, "That happened to me when I was a girl. I borrowed my dad's car and ran into a log that had fallen across the road. I ruined the car. When I got home, my dad knocked me to the ground and began to kick me." Over 40 years later, she still felt the pain of the night. _ I remember how sad Holly was on the night she crashed our truck, and how I comforted her. One day, when Holly thinks back on her life, I want her to know that I love her a thousand times more than any piece of property. I repaired the van, but the dent in my truck is still there today. Every day it reminds me of what really matters in my life. The main idea of the story is that _ . <extra_id_0>love is more important than possessions <extra_id_1>parents should never let a teenager drive <extra_id_2>there is no point blaming someone after an accident <extra_id_3>we should always forgive others' mistakes <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>love is more important than possessions <extra_id_5>Welcome to the Kids' Science Challenge! Do you like science projects and winning some awesome gifts? This is the challenge for you. What's even better is that you don't have to build anything -- Simply come up with an original idea or design that relates to one of three topics given below. Wonderful Sounds Ready for Wonderful Sounds? Click on Science Secrets to meet our sound specialist. And be sure to download fun activities with crazy new sounds and musical instruments in the Dig In section! Now what kind of new musical instrument can you invent? Super Material for Sports Ready for Super Material for Sports? You'll discover the amazing world of Materials Science, where scientists and engineers develop new materials for everyday functions--like sports! Click on Science Secrets for information about our scientist. And don't forget to download the fun activities in the Dig In section! Now can you come up with a new sports material that would help you play your favorite sport? Magical Microbes Ready to discover Magical Microbes, the tiniest living things on earth? Click on Science Secrets for information about our scientists. And be sure to download all the fun activities in the Dig In section! Now can you think of a brand new way that microbes can help people? What's the purpose of the Kids' Science Challenge? <extra_id_0>To discourage kids' curiosity. <extra_id_1>To challenge kids' ability. <extra_id_2>To get kids join an activity. <extra_id_3>To dig kids' creativity. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>To dig kids' creativity. <extra_id_5>Roma Pass Kit enables both tourists and interested local residents the opportunity to benefit from various discounts and services that make it easier and cheaper to enjoy the sights of Rome. Free entry to the first 2 visited museums and / or archaeological sites of your choice. Concessionary ticket to all other museums and / or archaeological sites visited thereafter. Free use of the city's public transport network.Valid until midnight of the third day inclusive that of the first validation for ATAC public transport within the territory of the Municipality of Rome. Discounted tickets to exhibitions,events and other cooperating operators and businesses (Roma Pass Guide). Tourist cultural services Roma Passe. At the Colosseum a reserved turnstile is available for Roma Pass holders to get direct access to the monument. In the kit: The Roma Pass card:the card used to visit museums / archaeological sites and on the public transport system as described above. Roma MAP:A map with all the Tourist Information Points,Metro stations,museums and other sites of interest; Roma Pass Guide:the list of under agreement museums/sites.and the list of all the partners of the Roma Pass which offer discounts to card holders; Roma Passe:the card with the App activation code to download the best of the city. How to use it: The overleaf form must be filled with name,surname and validation date. The card is valid for three days and is activated at the time of the first entry to the museums/sites,and/or at the first journey on public transport,up until midnight of the third day, including the day of the activation. It must be produced along with your identity papers when required by the staff in charge. Please note that most museums generally are closed on Mondays (with the exception of the Colosseum and the Baths of Caracalla).Almost all the museums normally are closed on December 25 , January l and May l too.We advise you to check in advance. Where will you possibly find the passage? <extra_id_0>In a tourist guide. <extra_id_1>In a history textbook. <extra_id_2>On a transport notice. <extra_id_3>On a shopping list. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>In a tourist guide. <extra_id_5>Knowing the best way to study will help you to be a better student. By using your tin7eproperly, you can do your homework snore quickly. Learning to study is not difficult. The first thing to remember is that you must be willing to learn It doesn't mean that yep must always like the subject. It does mean, however, that you must be willing to do whatever is necessary to learn Try to understand why it is important and how it will help you now arid later to do and learn other things. Knowing mathematics facts will be useful in your whole life. Knowing how to spell makes any kind of writing easier. Sometimes the subject that you think is going to be uninteresting will be exciting when you begin to work at it and understand it more clearly. Learning things can be fun if you are willing to work with them Here's some advice for you; have a certain time each day and a quiet place with good lighting for study, so that you can concentrate on your study without interruptions; have eve- rything ready before you sit down to study, a dictionary, paper, a pen and books; be sure you understand what you should learn before you start;read carefully and pay special attention to the most important things;when memorizing, first find out the main parts and then recite the whole thing,check your homework after you finish it; never forget the importance of review and preview. Don't try to spend a lot of time researching learning methods. There are many students who know many good learning methods but don't study well. They forget that the most useful learning method is to study hard The following advice is given in the article EXCEPT _ <extra_id_0>to put a pen, paper and books beside you before study <extra_id_1>to study at any possible time and place <extra_id_2>to review and preview <extra_id_3>to pay attention to the most important things <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>to study at any possible time and place <extra_id_5>Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Roy Darby, and this is my show. This is a television show for all the families and I know you're going to enjoy it. Let's start with a story I heard the other day about a very proud pig. This pig lived on a farm with a lot of other animals. And of all the animals on the farm, he thought he was the most important. But it was not enough that he himself thought this way. He had to be sure that the other animals thought so, too. So he went up to one of the chickens and asked, "Who is the most important animal on the farm?" Straight away, the chicken answered, "You're, Master." Then he asked one of the farm dogs and he got the same reply. Next, he asked a cow. When the cow seemed uncertain of the right answer, the pig looked angry and showed his teeth. "Oh, you are, of course, Master Pig," said the cow. "Of course," the pig said. "There is no doubt about it." At last, the pig asked a big horse, "Who is the most important animal on the farm?" The horse lifted one foot, rolled the pig over, and placed his foot on the pig's head. "All right," said the pig, "you don't have to do that just because you don't know the answer." It is clear that the big horse thinks _ is the most important animal on the farm. <extra_id_0>the pig <extra_id_1>the cow <extra_id_2>he himself <extra_id_3>the dog <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>he himself
<extra_id_5>Each year, bad food sickens about one in six Americans. Proposed new rules aim to improve food safety. Officials say the changes could prevent more than one million cases of food-related illnesses each year. The new rules were proposed this month, exactly two years after President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act. The rules are the first step in putting the law into effect, making the biggest changes in food safety since the 1930s. The law makes the Food and Drug Administration responsible for preventing food-related illnesses. Experts say this is a change from the role that the FDA has played in the past in reacting to disease outbreaks . Congress passed the law after a series of outbreaks linked to bagged spinach, peanut butter and other foods. Margaret Hamburg is commissioner of the FDA. "They occurred because of problems that would have been solved by these kinds of approaches. So I think, you know>> we're very optimistic that we will begin to see the real change. " The agency is proposing to require food manufacturers to show that they have identified where contamination is most likely to happen. Manufacturers would also have to show that they have taken steps to prevent it. The proposed rules also deal with safety in growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables. Caroline Smith DeWaal is director for food safety at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. She says the rules should have been released a year ago. And she notes, "The bigger question is, where are the rules on imports that haven't been released yet?" The FDA says about 15 percent of food eaten by Americans is imported, and that share is growing. Rules have not been released yet to require imported foods to meet the same standards as food produced in the United States. What more measures will probably be taken about food' safety? <extra_id_0>To stop importing food from abroad. <extra_id_1>To increase the share of the imported food. <extra_id_2>To make rules to ensure the safety of imported food. <extra_id_3>To make a close inspection of imported food. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>To make rules to ensure the safety of imported food. <extra_id_5>A subject which seems to have been insufficiently studied by doctors and psychologists is the influence of geography and climate on the psychological and physical health of mankind. There seems no doubt that the general character of the landscape, the relative length of day and night, and the climate must all play a big part in determining what kind of people we are. It is true that a few studies have been made. Where all the inhabitants of a particular area enjoy exceptionally good or bad health, scientists have identified contributory factors such as the presence or absence of substances like iodine, fluoride, calcium, or iron in the water supply, or perhaps types of land that provide breeding places for pests like mosquitoes or rats. Moreover, we can all generalize about types of people we have met. Those living in countries with long dark winters are apt to be less talkative and less vivacious than inhabitants of countries where the climate is more equable. And where the olive and the orange grow, there the inhabitants are cheerful, talkative, and spontaneous. But these commonplace generalizations are inadequate: the influence of climate and geography should be studied in depth. Do all mountain dwellers live to a ripe old age? Does the drinking of wine, rather than beer, result in a sunny and open temperament? Is the strength and height of one of the Kenyan tribes due to their habitual drinking of the blood of cows? We are not yet sure of the answers to such questions, but let us hope that something of benefit to mankind may eventually result from such studies. _ might serve as a suitable title for this selection. <extra_id_0>The Importance of Geographical Environment <extra_id_1>The Influence of Geographical Environment on Man <extra_id_2>Generalization of Types of People <extra_id_3>Geographical Environment, a Mysterious Subject <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>The Influence of Geographical Environment on Man <extra_id_5>While I was having dinner with a well-known author and lecturer, our conversation drifted to money. "I have enough money," he told me casually. "I don't need any more money." "Of course you can say that," I thought to myself. "You get fifteen thousand dollars for a lecture." Then I caught my thought process, and pondered more deeply on his statement. Is he satisfied because he has a lot of money, or does he have a lot of money because he chooses to be satisfied? _ So is enoughness something that happens to us when we reach a certain level, or is it an experience we can choose and celebrate at any time? My friends Adrian and Carey live in a humble cottage in the rainforest. They have quite a modest income, no telephone, and they walk around naked most of the time. I think they are the happiest people I know. They wake up with the sun, love each other very much, and welcome guests with a full and open heart. They appreciate every moment of their lives, have no distraction games going, and are not waiting for the big break around the corner. When I am with them, the predominant feeling I have is, "It's all right here--why would anyone want anything more?" Ram Dass used to say, "There are three kinds of people in the world: those who say, 'Too much!'; those who say, 'Not enough!'; and those who say, "Ah, just right!'"; Since "too much" of one thing implies "not enough" of another, there are really only two approaches to life: lack or contentment. What does the author think of Adrian and Carey's life? <extra_id_0>They have no guests. <extra_id_1>They have all they want. <extra_id_2>They live a very hard life. <extra_id_3>They live a very happy life. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>They live a very happy life. <extra_id_5>Environment California tries to protect the places we live, advance(;) the environmental values we share and do good things for our environment. Environment California is a statewide, citizen-based environmental organization. We believe there's something special about California -something worth protecting for the future generations. Whether it's our Pacific coastline, or our 278 state parks, California's natural wonders make our life colorful in different ways. Protecting our environment requires independent research, powerful advocacy and action. That's the idea behind Environment California. Together with thousands of supporters, we take the kind of action that is good for our environment.:Z. xx. k.Com] Funded by supporters like you, we research the challenges that California's environment is facing and educate the public about what's in danger. Through our research reports, interviews with reporters, letters to the editors, blogs and more, we raise people's awareness of environmental issues and offer good solutions. When decisions are being made about California's environment, our elected officials hear plenty from the oil companies, developers and other powerful groups. We make the case for our environment and help people like you make your voices heard through emails, letters, phone calls and more, all passed to the right people. Through what do they provide good ways for people? <extra_id_0>Blogs. <extra_id_1>Phone calls. <extra_id_2>Emails. <extra_id_3>Books. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Blogs. <extra_id_5>Every year, millions of Americans see their personal information leak into the wrong hands. Maybe there's spyware on the their computer, or a service they use suffered a security reach, leaving customers at the risk of exposure. Or perhaps their password is easy to guess. Don't fear: You can easily set up proper defenses. Here's how. * Clean Your Computer and Smartphone Before you put new security measures into place, make sure your devices are as spotless as possible. This means installing a good antivirus program and taking the time to clear out any spy -- or malware that may have already infected your system. These days, it's also worth it to make sure your phone is safe from viruses. Iphones are less likely to be targeted by spyware, but Android users should download the Lookout app to scan their devices and ensure everything is as it should be. * Secure Your WiFi. It's fairly easy for potential criminals to gain access to your information if they're able to share your connection -- that's why you want to be careful when using public WiFi. Even though you put security measures into place a couple of years ago, it's a good idea to refresh your settings. * Use passwords What you've heard is true: Passwords should use a variety of special characters, numerals, letters, and cases when possible. * Check the shopping security Take care when shopping online. Always check the security symbols when using an online site for shopping. If the lock icon encryption is not there, do not give out credit details. Also, check that the site is legal -- never go to a site from a random email and start shopping online. Keep a separate credit card just for online shopping. This will make it easier to cancel if something bad does happen and your other credit card for "in real life" can still be used uninfluenced. Don't store information on any store's website. It may be convenient but it's also a possible loss to you if the site is hacked. This passage is mainly about _ . <extra_id_0>ways of avoiding identity theft <extra_id_1>tips of freeing computers from viruses <extra_id_2>measures to ensure network security <extra_id_3>steps to keep track of passwords <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>ways of avoiding identity theft
<extra_id_5>Some animals, such as squirrels, may bury acorns. Which of the following is most likely to happen to the acorns after they have been buried? <extra_id_0>The acorns will be carried away by the wind. <extra_id_1>The acorns will attach to another organism. <extra_id_2>The acorns will have a chance to sprout. <extra_id_3>The acorns will turn into fossils. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>You probably hear it all the time -- people telling you to "learn English". But does this mean children in English-speaking countries don't need to bother learning a new language? Not at all. In fact, an even larger number of young people will soon be taught foreign languages, thanks to the mental advantages of bilingualism. Psychologists once thought that growing up bilingual might lead to verbal delays-a late or absent development of talking. But US magazine Scientific American has revealed that this is not true, and reported that children who speak more than one language "show greater mental flexibility, a superior grasp of abstract concepts and a better working memory." As the New York Times put it, "being bilingual, it turns out, makes you smarter." In Europe, learning foreign languages is increasingly popular. A European report shows that from 2005-2010, the percentage of European students learning a foreign language rose from 67.5 percent to 79.2 percent. Most European kids start learning another language at age 6. In Belgium, it starts at 3. New reforms being introduced in the UK will mean all children could be taught a foreign language, such as Mandarin or Greek, from the age of 7. The most popular foreign language for European kids was English, followed by German and French. In comparison, Americans don't _ learning foreign languages. Compared to 50 percent of European adults who are bilingual, only 9 percent of adults in the US are fluent in more than one language, according to a 2011 report. American students are often not exposed to a second language until high school. However, recent statistics show demand is growing in the US for people to become more bilingual. According to a USA Today chart released in July, 21 percent of US children speak another language at home. A number of institutions in the country are also pushing foreign languages in schools. Three school districts in Delaware will launch Chinese and Spanish programs next year. More people are learning Chinese, French and Spanish. It can be inferred from the passage that _ . <extra_id_0>Americans are more interested in learning another language than Europeans <extra_id_1>British kids began to learn foreign languages at the earliest age <extra_id_2>21% of US children study a foreign language in the school <extra_id_3>not all schools in America are teaching foreign languages <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Today is fine. The sky is blue, Now it's nine o'clock in the morning. There's a sports meeting in the forest on the big mountain. Look,a horse, a panda and a cat are running. Over there a dog and two tigers are jumping. Two monkeys are climbing the trees. Four birds are flying around and singing. There are some other animals there, too. The elephants are standing. A monkey is sitting on an old elephant. The monkey has a flag in his hand. Polly is sitting in the tree. A fox, a baby panda and some small animals are sitting under the tree. They are all watching. Who're all watching at the meeting? <extra_id_0>A tiger, a baby horse and some cats <extra_id_1>Polly, an elephant and some small fish <extra_id_2>A fox, a baby panda and some animals <extra_id_3>A monkey, a baby cat and some birds <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Dear Sir, I am writing to you about my stay at your hotel. My wife and I arrived on Saturday, May 15thand stayed for a week. Though we were treated well and found the service excellent, we think there are one or two things we should bring your attention. 1. We hoped for a nice holiday from our busy work lives, and your ad said "comfortable and quiet". We want to have a chance to enjoy ourselves. However, we were always waken up by the noise every morning. Is it really necessary for the workers to start their repair work so early? 2. We hoped to swim in your "wonderful pool". To our disappointment , we found that it was closed for the whole time of our stay. I hope you do not mind my writing to you about these things, but I would be happy if you could give me some explanation . As I said at the start, it is a pity, and your service is so good in other places. I hope to hear from you soon. Yours sincerely Tom Green Who is Mr. Tom Green probably writing this letter to? <extra_id_0>His friend. <extra_id_1>The owner of a hotel. <extra_id_2>A reader. <extra_id_3>His father. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Australian scientists say an organic compound used by Indian women to paint dots or bindi on their foreheads could hold the key to a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Rose Bengal was first used in the early 1900s as a dye for food, textiles and cosmetics. But now it is proving to be a useful weapon in the fight against skin cancer. Television advertisements constantly warn of the dangers of overexposure to the fierce sun. Among them is the possibility of the disease melanoma , a type of skin cancer. More than 1,200 Australians die every year from the disease. Initial trials of a solution of Rose Bengal injected into some melanoma cells have had a 75 percent success rate in controlling the disease. Professor John Thompson, the director of the Melanoma Unit at the University of Sydney, says this organic dye could become a powerful cancer-fighting treatment. "We believe it works by getting into the tumor cells and causing them to self-destruct. But the exact mechanism by which it works is not totally clear. It's not useful for people who have a primary melanoma. The treatment of primary melanoma is surgical excision ,"he said. "It's useful to inject tumors for people who have recurrences; when the primary treatment has failed and when recurrence in the area, or at more distant sites has occurred." About 90 percent of Australians who develop melanoma survive thanks to early diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, however, the disease can be fatal. Convincing younger people in Australia about the dangers of overexposure to the sun is a battle campaigners are constantly waging. Veronica Manock, a 21-year-old student, had two major operations to remove a cancerous tumor from her leg. "I've had a lot of friends who just said 'I thought it was just, you know, I'll get a mole cut out and that's it', whereas I don't think people realize how much danger they're putting themselves into and how easy it is to stop something like this happening to you just from doing little things,"said Marock. Other researchers in Australia are investigating genetic treatments to skin cancer. There is a pressing need for such research to produce effective treatments. Australians, the majority of whom are fair-skinned , are four times more likely to develop a melanoma than people in Canada, the United States or Great Britain. The passage was intended for _ . <extra_id_0>general readers <extra_id_1>people who like taking sun-bathing <extra_id_2>doctors and researchers <extra_id_3>children at school <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>I went to bed at 11pm, it was snowing. I slept deep and my clock didn't work. It was so cold that I didn't want to get up again. I called my mother "Mom, my alarm clock is dead, but tomorrow morning I need to get up at six o'clock to catch an early bus . Can you give me a wakeup call?" My mother's voice was a little dull, "Fine, dear." Phone rings pulled me out of my dreams. Mom said from the other end of the line,"It is time to get up, and you need to catch the early bus." I looked at my watch-5:40."Didn't I ask you to wake me up at SIX?" I complained."Let me have some more sleep, please!" I got up and ready for the trip. It was a dark, cold morning, and everywhere was filled with snow. As I reached the bus stop, I found a white-haired couple had already been waiting. "You see, you didn't sleep at all night and got here so early," the man murmured( ) to his wife. The bus finally came. The driver was a very young man. He waited just long enough for me to get on before he started the bus again. "Please wait," I said to the driver. "There are two older people that need to get on, too. It is so cold, and they have waited for a long time. How could you leave them behind?" Without stopping the bus, the young driver said"That's OK, they are my parents. This is my first day on the job, so they came to make sure I was all right." I couldn't hold back my tears. My mobile phone rang, incoming was my father's message, "Sweetie, your mom is not feeling well, she was awake most of the night so that she wouldn't miss your wakeup call." The wakeup call, the older couple, the young driver...reminded me of a Jewish proverb: "When a father gives something to his son, the son smiles; when a son gives something to his father, the father cries." The writer makes the idea clear by _ . <extra_id_0>telling his story <extra_id_1>giving reasons <extra_id_2>giving explanations <extra_id_3>instructions. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>telling his story <extra_id_5>A friend of mine was fond of drawing horse. He drew the horses very well, but he always began the tail. Now it is the Western rule to begin at the head of the horse, that is why I was surprised. It struck me that it could not really make any difference whether the artist begins at the head or the tail or the belly or the foot of the horse, if he really knows his business. And most great artists who really know their business do not follow other people's rule. They make their own rules. Every one of them does his work in a way peculiar( ) to himself; and the peculiarity means only that he finds it more easy to work in that way. Now the very same thing is true to literature. And the question, "How shall I begin?" only means that you want to begin at the head instead of beginning at the tail or somewhere else. That is, you are not yet experienced enough to trust to your own powers. When you become more experienced you will never ask the question, and I think that you will often begin at the tail -- that is to say, you will write the end of the story before you have even thought of the beginning. The topic of the passage is <extra_id_0>How to draw a horse <extra_id_1>How to write a story <extra_id_2>How to make your own rules <extra_id_3>Trust to your own powers <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Trust to your own powers <extra_id_5>There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other forts of life, one bees happy and the other bees unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds. People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things: the pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine and the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend (hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation . It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit. Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most mon politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections, no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrongdoings. These should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one bees mixed up in their quarrels. We can conclude from the passage that _ . <extra_id_0>we should pity all such unhappy people <extra_id_1>such unhappy people are dangerous to social life <extra_id_2>people can get rid of the habit of unhappiness <extra_id_3>unhappy people can not understand happy persons <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>people can get rid of the habit of unhappiness <extra_id_5>Do you know Shirley Temple? She is an American film and television actress. She was born on April 23, 1928. She is also good at singing and dancing. She becomes a child star in the 1930s. What does she look like? She has a round face with big eyes. Lost of people like her curly blonde hair very much. She is lovely and smart. At the age of 6, she makes her first film. Before she is 12, she plays over 40 films. She is also the first Award Oscar in the history of children. Her mother has no job and her father works in a bank. When she is very young, her mother asks her to learn to sing, dance and act. In September 1931, her mother takes her to Meglin's Dance School in Los Angeles. Shirley Temple passes away on February 10, 2014. President Franklin D. Roosevelt says, "It is a great thing that for just fifteen cents, you can go to the movies and look at the nice face of a girl and forget your problems." What is Shirley Temple like? <extra_id_0>She's strict and smart. <extra_id_1>She's quiet and smart. <extra_id_2>She's lovely and shy. <extra_id_3>She's lovely and smart. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>She's lovely and smart. <extra_id_5>Recently, many shoppers chose to avoid the crazy crowds and do their holiday shopping from the comfort of their computer.Sales at online stores gained by more than 15%, making it the biggest season ever.But people are also returning those purchases at record rates, up 8% from last year. What went wrong? Is the shadow of the global financial crisis making it harder to accept excessive addiction? Or that people shop more impulsively --and therefore make bad decisions --when online? Both arguments are seemingly reasonable.However, there is a third factor: a question of touch.We can love (lie look but, in an online environment, we cannot feel the quality of a texture , the shape of the fit, the fall of a fold or, for that matter, the weight of an earring.And physically interacting with an object makes you more committed to your purchase. When my most recent book Brandwashed was released, I joined up with a local bookstore to conduct an experiment about the difference between the online and offline shopping experience.I carefully instructed a group of volunteers to promote my book in two different ways.The first was a fairly hands-off approach.Whenever a customer would ask about my book, the volunteer would take them over to the shelf and point to it.Out of 20 such requests, six customers made the purchase. The second option also involved going over to the shelf but, this time, removing the book and then holding onto it for just an extra moment before placing it in the customer's hands.Of the 20 people who were handed the book, 13 ended up buying it.Just physically passing the book showed a big difference in sales.Why? We feel something similar to a sense of ownership when we hold things in our hand.That's why we establish connection by greeting strangers and friends with a handshake.In this case, having to then let go of the book after holding it might produce a sense of loss, and motivate us to make the purchase even more. A recent study also showed the power of touch, in this case when it came to traditional mail.A deeper and longer-lasting impression of a message was formed when delivered ill a letter, as opposed to receiving the same message online.Brain images showed that, on touching the paper, the emotional center of the brain was activated, thus forming a stronger bond.The study also indicated that once touch becomes part of the process, it could translate into a sense of possession. This sense of ownership is simply not part of the situation in the online shopping experience. What is the purpose of author's experiment? <extra_id_0>To find out people's reaction to his recent book. <extra_id_1>To test his assumption about online shopping. <extra_id_2>To find ways to increase the sale of his new book. <extra_id_3>To try different approaches to sales promotion. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>To test his assumption about online shopping.
<extra_id_5>My name is Bill. I'm an American boy. I'm twelve. I'm a student in a middle school. I'm in Class1, Grade 7. Li Lei is my friend. We're in different classes. He is eleven. Here is a photo of his family. Let's look at it. His father, the one behind the tree, is a policeman. His mother, the one on the bike, is a Chinese teacher. He has two sisters. They are twins. They have a cat. Its name is Mimi. Look! It's on the floor under the table. The twins are middle school students, too. They look after me at school. We are good friends. Li Lei is _ . <extra_id_0>twelve <extra_id_1>ten <extra_id_2>eleven <extra_id_3>two <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>eleven <extra_id_5>Zhang Lili, a Chinese language teacher at No.19 Middle School of Jiamusi in Heilongjiang Province, has recently been considered to be "the Most Beautiful Teacher" in China. At 8:38 pm on Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, Zhang Lili and her several students were waiting for a bus at the school gate when suddenly a school bus lost control and rushed towards them. When she realized the danger, she pushed two students to safety, but she was hit and run over. The 29-year-old teacher lost her legs. "She is a backbone teacher in our school. She works very hard," said the headteacher. The heroic teacher was the most popular teacher among the students. "Her students love her a lot. Her room is always full of students when she is free," said another teacher. Zhang Lili was also very _ . "My son has lost his father. Every month, Zhang secretly put 100 yuan in his desk from her own salary to support his studies," said a boy's mother, who was waiting outside the emergency room for hours to express how grateful she felt towards Zhang. Two weeks later, Zhang Lili came out of her coma . She wrote a letter to her students, wishing them good luck on their entrance exams for high school. Her letter, 200 words long took her three days to write. Why is her room is always full of students when she is free? <extra_id_0>Because she is generous. <extra_id_1>Because she works hard. <extra_id_2>Because she is a back bone teacher. <extra_id_3>Because she is popular. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Because she is popular. <extra_id_5>Which of these statements is most accurate about the Sun? <extra_id_0>It has an infinite energy supply. <extra_id_1>It is near the end of its life cycle. <extra_id_2>It is in its infancy in terms of energy consumption. <extra_id_3>It has consumed approximately one-half of its expendable energy. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>It has consumed approximately one-half of its expendable energy. <extra_id_5>July 21st. 2007 was a typical English summer's day--it rained for 24 hours! As usual, I rushed home from work at midday to check on the house. Nothing was _ . By the time I left work at 5p.m., however, the road into our village was flooded. Our house had never been flooded but, as I opened the front door, a wave of waters greeted me. Thank God! The kids weren't with me, because the house was 5 feet deep in water. We lost everything downstairs. And the plaster had to be torn off the wall's ceilings pulled down. At first we tried to push on through. We didn't want to move the children out of home. So we camped upstairs. We put a sheet of plastic across the floor to protect us from the damp. But after three months, we felt very sick, so we move to a wooden house in a park. The house was small, but at first we were all just delighted to be in a new place. Unfortunately, things took longer than expected and we were there for 10 months. The life there was inconvenient. What surprised me most was how much I missed being part of a community . We had lived in a friendly village with good neighbors, and I'd never thought how much I'd miss that. Although our situation was very bad, it's difficult to feel too sorry for yourself when you look at what's happening elsewhere. I watched a news report about floods in Northern India and thought. "We didn't have a straw hut that was for Christmas. But I can't wait--I'm going to throw a party for our friends in the village to say thanks for their support. This year, I won't need any gifts--living away from home for months has made me realize how little we actually need or miss all our possessions. Although we are replacing things, there's really no rush--we have our home back. And that's the main thing. It can be inferred from the text that the author _ . <extra_id_0>cared much about her children <extra_id_1>was sick of staying upstairs alone <extra_id_2>could not stand living in a wooden house <extra_id_3>did not deal well with her family affairs during the flood <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>cared much about her children <extra_id_5>If you haven't played games with an 80-year-old couple, you're missing out. Each week, my best friend and I hang out with senior citizens. Volunteering at a retirement village provides us with a great opportunity to meet new people and enrich the lives of the people we meet. We have learned so much from talking with senior citizens, and we are blessed to have this opportunity to reach out to those in our community. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the faces of the elderly light up when we walk into the room. Though my school only requires 10 community service hours, I have continued to volunteer throughout high school. While our 10-hour requirement is a good start, schools should require more volunteer hours. Volunteering offers students an irreplaceable way to help their communities and expand their knowledge of the world. Some believe that forcing students to volunteer is defeating the purpose of volunteering, because it's not volunteering if you are required to do it. However, sometimes students need an extra push to reach out to their communities. It's because some students don't know the benefits of volunteering. After they start volunteering, they'll realize that volunteering can benefit them a lot and they will want to volunteer more. Through volunteering, I've learned many valuable life skills. Besides teaching valuable life skills, volunteering may lead to a part-time job opportunity as well. If students prove their reliability and hard work ethic while volunteering, employers may take that into consideration and offer them a job. My best friend got her summer job after volunteering several summers at the Boy Scout camp. There are various other benefits of volunteering. Besides making a difference in people's lives, students develop communication skills and acceptance of others. What's more, reaching out to others who are less fortunate teaches us to be grateful for what we have. All in all, volunteering is an extremely rewarding activity which should be required. What would be the best title for the passage ? <extra_id_0>Why should high school students volunteer ? <extra_id_1>Why do high school students like volunteering ? <extra_id_2>How long should high school students volunteer ? <extra_id_3>What should high school students volunteer to do ? <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Why should high school students volunteer ?
<extra_id_5>North American black bears are shy animals. They are fearful by nature, and will usuallyrun away if they see or hear people. Because of this, it can be difficult for scientists to learnabout these animals. In order to study black bears, researchers from New Jersey, USA, catch bears and usedrugs to help them go to sleep. Researchers then work out the size and the weight of the bear,take blood to test for diseases, _ a tooth and take it to the lab to find out its age. Fromthese studies, researchers want to find out how many bears live in New Jersey, how long theylive, and how many babies they produce. But in Minnesota, USA, researchers study bears that are completely awake. The bears knowthe researchers' voices and they are not afraid of die research team. With the help of a few grapes to keep the bears busy, researchers can touch them to check their hearts, look at their teeth, and do other jobs.Researchers can also walk or sit with bears for hours and make videos to learn about their everyday lives. In both places, the main purpose is the same--to make sure there is a healthy population of black bears. But theresearch methods and the kinds of information that researchers, are able to collect are quite different. What do the two studies have in common? <extra_id_0>Research places <extra_id_1>The main purpose. <extra_id_2>Research methods. <extra_id_3>Collected information. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Kuala Lumpur is an exciting capital city in Malaysia. Here are the top 4 budget hotels there: The Chinatown Inn (About $30 per night) Just a block from the railway station, located in Chinatown's open market. It has clean beds, central air conditioning, hot water for coffee and tea, and a hall with a big screen TV. Wi-Fi is good on the first 4 floors, but a little weak on Floor 5. Many guests like the Chinatown Inn. Their complaint is that the air condition is too cold, so make sure you get a room with a window. You can open it to let some warmth in. Ancasa Express (About $45 per night). The hotel is above the sky-train station. That makes it convenient to get to other parts of the city. From the station, take the elevator to the 5th floor to reach the hotel lobby . The rooms are clean and nice. There is a flat screen TV, the strongest Wi-Fi, and a very hot rainfall shower. The guests' complaint is that the cafe is only open for breakfast and dinner, and not 24 hours. Central Hotel (About $35 per night) This hotel is just two blocks from the Central Station, which is the heart of all transportation in the city--buses, trains and sky-trains all meet here. Central is where the airport-link trains will take you to the airport. From Central you can walk 2 blocks to the beautiful Central Hotel, in which rooms are small but nice and clean, and have common Wi-Fi. Ocean 77 (About $25 per night) On Petaling Street in Chinatown, this brand new hotel is most spotlessly clean. There is a flat screen TV and good Wi-Fi in each room. The location is good, in the heart of the Petaling Street market. No cafe in the hotel, but many nearby on the street. If a guest likes surfing the Net very much, which of the following would be his first choice? <extra_id_0>Ancasa Express <extra_id_1>Central Hotel. <extra_id_2>Ocean 77. <extra_id_3>The Chinatown Inn. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Aggressive pedestrians are in fact as dangerous as careless drivers. They cause traffic accidents, injury and death. These dangerous walkers can be seen in any big city over the world. About 69% of last year's pedestrian deaths in the US occurred in urban areas. They cross streets ignoring "DON'T WALK" signals, suddenly appear without warning from behind parked vehicles, walk slowly at crossroads with cell phones attached to heads, blocking traffic. These pedestrians and drivers share a common disregard for the rules of the road, both for selfish reasons. The drivers believe in the power of their machines. If their machines can go faster, they believe they have the right to go faster. If their machines are bigger, they believe they have the right to push smaller vehicles aside. Aggressive pedestrians, on the other hand, believe in the primacy of the individual, the idea that they are first in any environment, under any circumstances, even when they are on foot in a roaring tide of steel and rubber. Last year, an estimated 5,220 pedestrians died in traffic accidents. Some 69,000 pedestrians were injured. On average, that worked out to one pedestrian killed in a traffic crash every 101 minutes, and one injured every eight minutes. The good news is that the accident rate is dropping. For example, the number of pedestrians killed last year was 24 percent less than the number killed in traffic accidents a decade earlier. The bad news is that the basic causes of pedestrian deaths remain pretty much the same----disregard for traffic signals, inattention and crossing roads under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Alcohol, in fact, was involved in 46 percent of the traffic accidents that resulted in pedestrian deaths. Of those, 31 percent of the pedestrians were found to be drunk. The bottom line is that the pedestrians must do more to protect their lives as well as the lives of other road users. They can start by obeying traffic signals, using marked cross-walks and calling a cab when they've had too much to drink. What is the pedestrians' selfish reason for traffic jams? <extra_id_0>They know all drivers are skilled and with great care. <extra_id_1>They believe individuals are always first. <extra_id_2>They think traffic rules have nothing to do with them. <extra_id_3>They guess all vehicles will slow down at crossroads. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Cool temperatures, golden colors of autumn and dramatic events are just three reasons to visit Oregon's Washington County this fall. The season brings a large number of places to see and things to do. We've collected some of the best reasons why you should plan a trip here in the coming months. It's a Harvest Season Autumn marks the height of the agricultural season, which not only means a variety of autumn fruits and vegetables at the farmers' markets, but also means that the season is heating up with fun, family farm events. Three apple festivals this fall will celebrate the diversity and deliciousness of Oregon-grown apples. The Colors Are Changing On a cool, autumn day, the rural, agricultural and forested scenery of Oregon's Washington County comes alive with bright red, orange and yellow leaves --- a stark contrast to the deep, dark green of the trees that share these landscapes. Bird Migration Season Is in High Season September and October are busy months for bird watchers. Migratory and native birds call Washington County "home", whether it's for the winter or they're just visiting on their southern voyage. Wine Harvest Season Brings Signature Tasting Events Celebrate the splendor of Oregon wine at two of the region's biggest wine events, which happen annually in the fall. The North Willamette Harvest Trail and Grand Tasting is a full-day guided bus tour to three wineries featuring hands-on experiences, vineyard exploration, a wine country lunch, and wine tastings. Experience Tree-to-Tree Adventures at Sunset Enjoy the crisp temperatures and rich colors of the season at Tree to Tree Adventure Park, an aerial ropes course with six challenging courses and zip-line park, all rolled into one. These are the final months to enjoy this fun and exciting attraction until it closes for the season in November. Plan your own Oregon's Washington County autumn getaway. Read this great digital visitor guide for ideas and inspiration. Which is the best title for the passage? <extra_id_0>Reasons to Visit Oregon's Washington County <extra_id_1>Washington County Welcomes its Best Season <extra_id_2>Charm of the Colorful Season <extra_id_3>Take Adventures in the Coming Autumn <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Did you know that many people today are getting extra work by taking translating jobs online? It's true! And you can do it too. Many companies in the USA need translators now to translate simple documents online from Chinese to English, such as emails, website content, movie subtitles and more. Companies like Real Translator Jobs are actively seeking translators from China to fill demand. There are more translation jobs than people to complete them. This leaves a big opportunity for anyone to start doing this and earn extra money. Do you have to speak perfect English? No! Even basic knowledge of English is OK. This is really a job for anyone from China who wants to do it. We spoke to one student from Beijing, Harris, who has been doing this for 2 years now and is earning between $150 and $225 every day. He completes about 3 to 4 jobs per day which takes him about 3 hours. It's an incredible amount of money to earn on your spare time! It is great that we now live in the "Information Age" and opportunities like this are available to people in China to earn extra money working from home over the Internet. It's something that our parent's generation could have never imagined. This type of work is surely to do great things for young people in China. If you would also like to do this, it's easy to get started. Just follow these steps: 1. Sign up at Real Translator Jobs (where Chinese translators are needed now), or a similar service. 2. Review the job posting and complete the ones you like. 3. Get paid once per month by cheque, PayPal or bank wire transfer. I hope you enjoyed this information and good luck earning extra money online translating documents. If one company in the USA needs a translator, he or she _ . <extra_id_0>should speak perfect English <extra_id_1>can speak basic English <extra_id_2>must come from China <extra_id_3>must come from Beijing <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>
<extra_id_5>For the first time in Singapore, it's snowing. Visitors to Singapore will be amazed by the technology that brings winter to you on this tropical island. All visitors can have cool winter fun in Snow City, Singapore's first indoor snow center. Visitors can see and touch snow falling. Of course, it's more than just touching and feeling snow. You can enjoy exciting snow rides or skiing on snowboard. You can also build your own real snowman and have snowball fights filled with fun and learn about life in cold climates. Snow City is about family-based fun and is suitable for all ages. Join us and step into Snow City today. How to get there: 21Jurong Town Hall Road, Snow City Building, Singapore 609433 Tel: 63371511 Bus services: No. 66, No. 178, No.198 Price: Adults: $18; Children: $12 Opening Hours: Tuesday--Sunday: 10:30 am--6:30 pm Notice: No phone booking. For updated information, please visit our website www.snowcity.com.sg. Snow City is _ . <extra_id_0>just a small city in Singapore <extra_id_1>a place where people can go surfing <extra_id_2>Singapore's first indoor snow center <extra_id_3>a place where the weather is cold <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>A survey suggests that people who have dropped out from high school just earn an average of $9,000 less per year than graduates. Now a new study removes a common belief why they quit. It's much more basic than flunking out . Society tends to think of high school dropouts as kids who just can't cut it. They are lazy, and perhaps not too bright. So researchers were surprised when they asked more than 450 kids who quit school about why they left. "The vast majority actually had passing grades and they were confident that they could have graduated from high school." John Bridgeland, the executive researcher said. About one million teens leave school each year. Only about half of African-American and Hispanic students will receive a diploma , and actually all dropouts come to regret their decision. So, if failing grades don't explain why these kids quit, what does? Again, John Bridgeland: "The most dependable finding was that they were bored." "They found classes uninteresting; they weren't inspired or motivated. They didn't see any direct connection between what they were learning in the classroom to their own lives, or to their career aspirations." The study found that most teens who do drop out wait until they turn sixteen, which happens to be the age at which most states allow students to quit. In the U.S., only one state, New Mexico, has a law requiring teenagers to stay in high school until they graduate. Only four states: California, Tennessee, Texas and Utah, plus the District of Columbia, require school attendance until age 18, no exceptions. Jeffrey Grin, another researcher, says raising the compulsory attendance age may be one way to keep more kids in school. "As these dropouts look back, they realize they've made a mistake. And anything that sort of gives these people an extra push to stick it out and see it through to the end, is probably helpful measure." New Hampshire may be the next state to raise its school attendance age to 18. But critics say that forcing the students unwilling to continue their studies to stay in school misses the point--the need for reform. It's been called for to reinvent high school education to make it more challenging and relevant, and to ensure that kids who do stick it out receive a diploma that actually means something. According to the passage, which state has a law requiring school attendance until they graduate? <extra_id_0>New Hampshire. <extra_id_1>Utah. <extra_id_2>New Mexico. <extra_id_3>The District of Columbia. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Megan Tarzynski, 17, knows she lives in a world where looks are important, especially for teenage girls, but she is not ashamed of (...) her looks. At Notre Dame High School for girls, Tarzynski takes an active part in many activities. "I am involved with drama club and another club called Polish club," said Megan. Eighty-five percent of Megan's body is covered with what are called "port wine stains "caused by a serious illness. She also has glaucoma . Megan has been going to Children's Memorial Hospital for laser treatment since she was a child. When she was growing up, her mom, Karen Miller, had a hard time dealing with the public. "I'd be accused of beating her and burning her. I mean, it was very difficult, very difficult, and I was a young mom and just to hear those things from people was hurtful," said Karen. Support from her family and persons of her age have helped Megan accept herself. "I only wear make-up if I'm going out in public or some place where I would feel more uncomfortable," she said. "And, if I'm at school, I usually don't wear make-up. I feel pretty comfortable with the girls around me," said Megan. One of those girls is Megan's new friend Tanan Nicpon. She said, "I don't judge Megan by her looks. She is a really cool person." "Megan is amazing. There is nothing that she can't do. She doesn't let anybody put her down. She does not let anyone help her in any way; she doesn't want any special treatment. She just does everything. She's amazing," said Karen. In the autumn, Megan will be a senior at Notre Dame High School. The fact that Megan doesn't wear make-up at school suggests that _ . <extra_id_0>she is popular with her schoolmates for her honesty <extra_id_1>the support from her school mates makes her accept herself <extra_id_2>the praise from her schoolmates makes her full of confidence <extra_id_3>all her schoolmates are willing to make friends with her <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A stampede killed at least 35 people and injured 43 during New Year's Eve celebrations in Shanghai, on the city's popular waterfront tourist attraction known as the Bund , authorities said. The Shanghai government said that large crowds started to stampede in Chen Yi Square on the Bund just before midnight, with authorities working to rescue and aid the wounded. It was not immediately clear what triggered the stampede. The official Xinhua news agency said many of the injured were students. The government said on its official microblog that an inquiry had begun, with city leaders rushing to the scene and to hospitals to visit the injured. An emergency meeting would be held to ensure stepped-up safety measures were taken throughout the city. Photographs on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, showed densely packed crowds of revelers along the Bund, which is lined with buildings from Shanghai's pre-communist period on the bank of the Huangpu River. In some photographs, rescue workers were seen trying to resuscitate victims lying on the pavement while ambulances waited nearby. Authorities had shown some concern about crowd control in the days leading up to New Year's Eve. They recently canceled an annual 3D laser show on the Bund that last year attracted as many as 300,000 people. At dawn on Thursday, there were still small crowds of revelers trying to find taxis home and workers were clearing up trash strewn around the Bund. There was little sign of the mayhem that had broken out just hours earlier. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Pete Sweeney; Editing by Howard Goller and Mark Bendeich) Where can you most probably find the passage? <extra_id_0>From a science text book. <extra_id_1>From a traveler's journal. <extra_id_2>From a government document. <extra_id_3>From a news website. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Over the years I've been teaching children about a simple but powerful concept -- the ant philosophy .I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy, and here is the first part: ants never quit. That's a good philosophy. If they're headed somewhere and you try to stop them; they'll look for another way. They'll climb over, they'll climb under, and they'll climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a neat philosophy, to never quit looking for a way to get where you're supposed to go. Second, ants think winter all summer. That's an important viewpoint. You can't be so naive ( ) as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering in their winter food in the middle of summer. An ancient story says, "Don't build your house on the sand in the summer. " Why do we need that advice.'? Because it is important to be realistic. In the summer, you've got to think storm. You've got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun. Think ahead. The third part of the ant philosophy is that ants think summer all winter. That is so important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, "This won't last long ; we'll soon be out of here. " And on the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they'll dive back down, but then they come out on the first warm day. They can't wait to get out. And here's the last part of the ant-philosophy. How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy, the "all-you-possibly-can" philosophy. Wow, what a great seminar to attend -- the ant seminar. Never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can. If you try to stop ants going forward, they will <extra_id_0>climb over your head <extra_id_1>quit looking for a way <extra_id_2>search for another way <extra_id_3>keep climbing around <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>Almost every family buys as least one copy of a newspaper every day. Some people subscribe to as many as two or three different newspapers. But why do people read newspapers? Five hundred years ago,news of important happenings--battles lost and won,kings or rulers overthrown or killed--took months and even years to travel from one country to another. The news passed by word of mouth and was never accurate. Today we can read in our newspapers of important events that occur in far away countries on the same day they happen. Apart from supplying news from all over the world,newspapers give us a lot of other useful information. There are weather reports, radio, television and film guides, book reviews, stories, and of course, advertisements. The bigger ones are put in by large companies to bring attention to their products. They pay the newspapers thousands of dollars for the advertising space, but it is worth the money, for news of their products goes into almost every home in the country. For those who produce newspapers, advertisements are also very important. Money earned from advertisements makes it possible for them to sell their newspapers at a low price and still make a profit. The habit of reading newspapers is _ <extra_id_0>widespread <extra_id_1>found among a few families <extra_id_2>not popular <extra_id_3>uncommon <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Two elements in the same group on the Periodic Table of the Elements are most similar in their <extra_id_0>atomic mass. <extra_id_1>number of protons. <extra_id_2>atomic size. <extra_id_3>chemical reactivity. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>We live in a sweet world. The average American kid consumes more than 20 teaspoons of sugar per day, and adults eat 50% more sugar today than they did in the 1970s. We all know that too much sugar isn't good for you. But did we know it could be dangerous? A team of researchers at the University of Utah used mice to conduct a study on the negative effects of sugar. They found it could have serious effects on people's health. Sugar is found not only in sweets and candies, but also in many household items like pasta and crackers. During the 58-week-long study, mice were fed a diet containing 25% more sugar. This percentage equals a healthy human diet along with three cans of soda daily. The team found that these mice were twice as likely to die as mice fed a similar diet without the sugar. Though the mice did not show signs of obesity or high blood pressure, male mice were 26% less territorial and produced 25% fewer offspring than the other mice. Scientists often use mice for research because they have a similar genetic structure to humans. "Since most substances that are dangerous in mice are also dangerous in people, it's likely that those physical problems that cause those mice to have increased deaths also work in people," says study author James Ruff of the University of Utah. Findings from this study reveal negative effects that are not as noticeable as weight gain or heart problems. Sugar can contribute to long-term changes in the body that can change development and even shorten lives. Cutting sugar out of the American diet altogether may be difficult. But making the effort to control our nation's sugar desire will provide for a truly sweeter future. From the passage we can infer _ <extra_id_0>sugar plays a very important role in Americans' diet <extra_id_1>kids consume more sugar than adults in America <extra_id_2>the study on human beings lasted 58 weeks <extra_id_3>the genetic structure of mice is totally different from that of people <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Britain's most popular lie has been disclosed, with one in four people admitting using "sorry I had no signal" when returning a missed mobile phone call, a survey found. Researchers found the average Briton tells on average four lies every day or almost 1500 every year. Almost one in six men admitted they were most likely to lie to their wife or girlfriend, on average at least twice a day. The most popular lie was saying you had no mobile phone signal, with one in four people admitting regularly using the little white lie. It usually came after they hit the "ignore" button when their mobile rang. Three quarters of people think women are better liars. The research found 46 per cent of girls have been caught lying, compared to 58 of men. The second most common _ is "I haven't got any cash on me" when asked for money by beggars and Big Issue sellers. "Nothing's wrong - I'm fine" came third followed by "You look lovely" and "Nice to see you". Modern technology turned out to have contributed to many lies with "I didn't get your text" in 18th, "Our server was down" in 20th and "My battery died" in 26th place. Other lies to make the top ten included "I'll give you a ring", "We're just good friends" and "We'll have to meet up soon". "I'm on my way" and "No, your bum doesn't look big in that" completed the top ten. In many cases perhaps it is better to delight someone with a fib than destroy someone with the truth, according to a spokesman for OnePoll, which carried out the research of 4,300 adults. He added: 'As a nation we just like trying to be nice and not upsetting people. Often little white lies can cover what we actually want to say. Most of these were considered completely harmless. ' You look lovely and "Sorry, I had no signal" ranked _ on the popular-lie list. <extra_id_0>fourth and tenth <extra_id_1>fourth and first <extra_id_2>third and tenth <extra_id_3>third and first <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Calculating a short distance can be accomplished with a <extra_id_0>yard stick <extra_id_1>thought <extra_id_2>touch <extra_id_3>a penny <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>Steve Jobs, the designer of Apple Computer, wasn't smart when he was at school. At that time, he was not a good student and he always made trouble with his schoolmates. Then he dropped out . But he was full of new ideas. After he left college, Steve Jobs worked as a video game designer. He worked there for only several months and then he went to India. He hoped that the trip would give him some new ideas and give him a change in life. Steve Jobs lived on a farm in California for a year after he returned from India. In 1975, he began to make a new type of computer. He designed the Apple computer with his friend . He chose the name"Apple"just because it could help him to remember a happy summer he once spent in an apple tree garden. His Apple computer was such a great success that Steve Jobs soon became famous all over the world. ,. At first Steve Jobs became a _ after he left college. <extra_id_0>designer <extra_id_1>farmer <extra_id_2>teacher <extra_id_3>gardener <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Welcome to our homepage! We've teamed up with two travel agencies to give members of our club the chance to win a holiday to the South of France or one to the Maldives. The winner and their three guests will enjoy a seven-night getaway at the Villa Le Priotlet -- a centuries old stone villa set on the banks of the Dordogne River. This property has been lovingly restored and furnished, and is ideal for small families to relax surrounded by peaceful views and gentle countryside. The beautiful gardens surrounding the property are full of seasonal treats for you to pick and enjoy, including figs, pears and grapes. The property is also situated just 15 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Saint-Emilion, which has been producing some of the world's best wine since Roman times. We'll also give another lucky member a seven-night stay for two people on their island tour to the Maldives. With white sand beaches, coconut trees and blue warm seas, the Maldives is a must-see destination. Accompanied by a local guide, guests have the chance to combine island life with cultural activities, as well as experiencing all those things for which the Maldives are famous: diving and snorkeling and relaxation. The guesthouse accommodation is handpicked to provide a balance of comfort, good service and local atmosphere. To enter this competition, click on "enter competition" in the information box below. Where can we find the text? <extra_id_0>In a guidebook. <extra_id_1>In a brochure. <extra_id_2>On a website. <extra_id_3>In a magazine. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Last night I was driving from Harrisburg to Lewisburg,distance of about eighty miles. It was late. Several times I got stuck behind a slow-moving truck on a narrow road with a solid white line on my left, and I became increasingly impatient. At one point along an open road, I came to a crossing with a traffic light. I was alone on the road by now, but as I drove near the light, it turned red and I made a stop. I looked left, right and behind me. Nothing. Not a car, no suggestion of car lamps, but there I sat, waiting for the light to change, the only human being for at least a mile in any direction. I started wondering why I refused to run the light I was not afraid of being caught, because there was clearly no policeman around, and there certainly would have been no danger in going through it. Much later that night, the question of why I'd stopped for that light came back to me. I think I stopped because it's part of a contract we all have with each other. It's not only the law, but it is an agreement we have, and we trust each other to honor it: we don't go through red lights. Trust is our first inclination .Doubting others does not seem to be natural to us. The whole construction of our society depends on mutual trust, not distrust. We do what we say we'll do; we show up when we say we'll show up; and we pay when we say we'll pay. We trust each other in these matters, and we're angry or disappointed with the person or organization that breaks the trust we have in them. I was so proud of myself for stopping for the red light that night. Why did the author get impatient while driving? <extra_id_0>He was lonely on the road. <extra_id_1>He was slowed down by a truck. <extra_id_2>He got tired of driving too long. <extra_id_3>He came across too many traffic lights. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Fifty-three years ago Barbie Millicent Roberts first appeared in the world of toys. Since then, Barbie doll, as everyone called her, has become the most successful toy doll in history. Her parent, the Mattel Company, said that 90% of all American girls between 3 and 10 have at least one Barbie at home. However, Barbie is facing some trouble at present . There are many similar dolls on the market in competition with her. Another doll named Bratz, for example, came to life thirteen years ago. She looks more like today's pop stars with heavy makeup and miniskirts. And her company offers more kinds of clothes too. It seems that Barbie has lost her magic among older girls. 'For younger girls, playing with a Barbie is much fun. But when you get older, you want something smarter and more modern,' says Vera Shepherd, a shop assistant in a New York toy store. It is good news that on the international market, Barbie is still No. 1. Although Mattel is selling fewer barbie in the United States these years, sales in other countries are still going up. In January 2009, Mattel opened its first Barbie store in Shanghai, where girls can shop, eat, drink or even become _ for their own Barbies. Mattel is planning big celebrations for Barbie's 53rd birthday. She has called Fashion designers from all over the world to make new dresses for Barbie. How long will Barbie stay popular in the world of toy dolls? It is hard to say, but 53 is surely not the age to retire . Barbie's trouble is that _ . <extra_id_0>it wears heavy makeup and miniskirts <extra_id_1>other dolls are more popular with little girls <extra_id_2>other dolls are trying to beat her in the market <extra_id_3>it has become less popular in the international market <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>One Saturday morning we were on our way home and decided to stop at a local gas station to get something to eat since it was a good hour and a half before we got home. We noticed a man standing outside in front of the building. You could tell that he was a homeless man. His clothes were worn and dirty, and not enough on this terrible cold day of the year. He must have not had enough money to get something to eat. The next thing I remember is a dog that walked up to the front of the building. Being a dog lover, I noticed she was part wolf and probably part German shepherd . I could tell she had been feeding puppies . She was terribly in need of something to eat and I felt so bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her puppies would not make it. We noticed people walked by and didn't even care for her. She might not have been as pretty and clean as most, but she still deserved better. We still did not do anything. But someone did. The homeless man, who I thought did not buy himself anything to eat, went into the store in front of him. Any what he did brought tears to me and my wife. He brought a can of dog food with what money he may have had and fed that dog. I was so moved and walked to him and gave him all my pocket money. I know this story isn't as moving as most stories, but it plays a great part in our lives. You see, that day was Mother's Day. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too. And animals as well as we are God's creations. The homeless man showed me what I should have done. He made a decision to be a better man in future. Where did the author notice the homeless man stand? <extra_id_0>In a grand restaurant. <extra_id_1>At the gate of a station. <extra_id_2>In front of a store. <extra_id_3>At a local bus station. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>That"Monday morning feeling"could be a crushing pain in the chest which leaves you sweating and gasping for breath. Recent research from Germany and Italy shows that heart attacks are more common on Monday mornings and doctors blame the stress of returning to work after the weekend break. The risk of having a heart attack on any given day should be one in seven, but a six-year study helped by researchers at the Free University of Berlin of more than 2, 600 Germans showed that the average person had a 20 percent higher chance of having a heart attack on a Monday than on any other day. Working Germans are particularly not protected against attack, with a 33 percent higher risk at the beginning of the working week. Non-workers, by comparison, appear to be no more at risk on a Monday than any other day. A study of 11, 000 Italians proved 8 a. m. on a Monday morning as the most stressful time for the heart, and both studies showed that Sunday is the least stressful day, with fewest heart attacks in both countries. The finding could lead to a better understanding of what is the immediate cause of heart attacks, according to Dr Stefan Willich of the Free University. "We know a lot about long-term risk factors such as smoking and cholesterol but we don't know what actually causes heart attacks, so we can't give clear advice on how to prevent them, "he said. Monday mornings have a double helping of stress for the working body as it makes a rapid change from sleep to activity, and from the relaxing weekend to the pressures of work. "When people get up, their blood pressure and heart rate go up and there are hormonal changes in their bodies, "Willich explained. "All these things can have an unfavorable effect in the blood system and increase the risk of a clot which will cause a heart attack." "When people return to work after a weekend off, the pace of their life changes. They have a higher workload, more stress, more anger and more physical activities,"said Willich. To protect people from a heart attack, doctors have paid much attention to _ . <extra_id_0>people's working time <extra_id_1>people's living place <extra_id_2>people's diet and lifestyle <extra_id_3>people's nationalities <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>On a flight from Johannesburg, a middle-aged rich white South African lady had found herself sitting next to a black man. She called the cabin crew attendant over to complain about her seat. "What seems to be the problem, Madam?" asked the attendant. "Can't you see?" She said, "You have seated me next to a black person! I can't possibly sit next to this kind of person. Find me another seat!" "Please calm down, Madam," the stewardess replied. "The flight is very full today, but I will tell you what I will do---- I will go and check to see if we have any seats available in club or first class." The woman glanced at the angry black man beside her. A few minutes later, the stewardess returned with the good news, which she delivered to the lady. "Madam, unfortunately, as I expected, economy is full. I have spoken to the cabin services director, and club is also full. However, we do have one seat in first class." Before the lady had a chance to answer, the stewardess continued, "It is most extraordinary to make this kind of upgrade, however, and I have had to get special permission from the captain. But, learning this condition, the captain felt that it was shocking that someone should be forced to sit next to such a tiring person." Having said that, the stewardess turned to the black man sitting next to the lady, and said, "So if you'd like to get you things, sir, I have your seat ready for you..." At this point, obviously the surrounding passengers stood and gave an applause while the black man walked up to the front of the plane. Why did the lady complain about her seating? <extra_id_0>Because she didn't want to sit in economy. <extra_id_1>Because she would like a seat in first class. <extra_id_2>Because she didn't want to sit next to a black man. <extra_id_3>Because she didn't want to sit in club. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>It was 3:30 in the morning and 8-year-old Walt Disney was doing what he did at that time every morning- rolling hundreds of newspapers he would soon deliver in his neighborhood. It was hard work for a little kid who had to go to school, then deliver another round in the evening. But delivering papers beat picking apples for a living. That's what he'd been doing before, on his family's failing farms in Missouri. Walt Disney, born in December, 1901, never had time for a childhood. As a result, he spent all of his adult life attempting to invent one for himself. In the process - almost by accident - he created wonderful childhood memories for generation after generation of children worldwide. When the Disneys moved to Chicago, Walt signed up for cartooning classes, working three part-time jobs to pay for them. At 24, he created a cartoon character called Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, which was a great success. Hethen shifted his attention to mice, or one particular mouse called Mickey.And Mickey Mouse became an overnight success. Success followed success, but Walt Disney pushed himself even harder. He produced Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, for which he won a special Oscar. After the Second World War, Walt came up with the idea of Disneyland. Everyone said it was too costly a dream, but he wouldn't listen. His great world of fantasy opened on July 17, 1955. In the next seven weeks, more than one million people walked into Disneyland. The man who had spent a painful childhood now watched other people enjoy the perfect childhood world that he had created. What can be said about Disney's childhood ? <extra_id_0>Hard but enjoyable. <extra_id_1>Boring and unhappy. <extra_id_2>Tiring but joyful. <extra_id_3>Good and unforgettable. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>International teams have spent nearly half a year looking for evidence of the missing Malaysian Airlines plane, a search that includes the hunt for the aircraft's so-called black box, which holds flight data that would likely explain what caused MH370 to move away from its course. But many aviation experts wonder why, in our increasingly networked world, divers are searching the Indian Ocean for a metal box when technology already exists that would enable planes to stream black box data to the ground in the event of an emergency. Black boxes have been on planes since the late 1950s, and now every commercial aircraft has two: a flight data recorder and a voice recorder. (Although they are referred to as black boxes, they are typically orange in color, making them easier to spot in waters.) Black box recorders are mainly used to investigate the cause of in-flight accidents. While black boxes are built to survive a crash and long-term submersion in water, it can be a real challenge to find the device if a plane has gone down in the ocean. While each box contains a beacon , the unit only has enough battery power to transmit a signal for 30 days. After the crash of Air France Flight 447 in the Atlantic Ocean in June 2009, it took divers two years to find the black box. Pierre Jeanniot, a Canadian engineer who helped perfect black box technology about 40 years ago, feels that the device, in its current form, is " _ ". He started to question its effectiveness more than a decade ago, after seeing the broken pieces of the black boxes in the 2001 attacks on the World Trade towers in New York. Jeanniot is now on the advisory board of a Toronto-based firm that has built a live-streamed black box system. When a plane experiences an irregular event, the system can send streaming data off the aircraft to one of the satellites and then down to ground-based servers, where the message is interpreted and sent to the airline. It seems necessary that the loss of MH370 and other similar cases wake more people up to the fact that the tools being used at this stage are inadequate for dealing with emergency situations, Jeanniot says. He also estimates that if this technology had been on board the missing Malaysian Airlines flight and live-streaming for the estimated seven hours after the flight first experienced a problem, it would have cost about $3,000. While there is widespread approval of a live-streamed black box system, most airlines see its cost prohibitive. The airline industry is an industry with small profits, and is reluctant to add costs that will further cut the bottom line. However, given how much time, money and effort has been spent on the luckless search for MH370, s black box, the cost of operating a live-streaming version seems like a trifle What's airlines' attitude towards the live-streamed black box system? <extra_id_0>They approve of the system since it may save time, money and effort. <extra_id_1>They consider using the system as the bottom line of costs. <extra_id_2>They are reluctant to start the system because it still needs improving. <extra_id_3>They are unwilling to equip planes with the system as it cuts their profits. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Hunter Bliss, like more and more American students, left the United States to go to college. In the 2011-2012 school year, 46,571 U.S. students registered for degree programs in 14 countries. The top destination countries were the U.K. and Canada, followed by France, Germany, Italy and some other European countries. Germany, in particular, has attracted many more American students in recent years, like Hunter Bliss. In 2012, there were more than 4,000 American students completing bachelor's, master's and doctor's degrees in Germany. The Institute of International Education (IIE) says that the number of U.S. students completing college degrees in Western Europe increased by about 5 percent from 2010 to 2012. American students choose to study in another country for two main reasons. First, international experience is becoming more important in the modern job market. Second, the cost of higher education has continued to rise in the United States. Rising tuition costs make education abroad--particularly in countries that charge no tuition-attractive to American students, says the IIE. Many American students choose Germany because of the low cost of education there. German public universities do not charge tuition fees. And many universities in Germany offer courses in English, too. College education in the US is seen as a privilege and expected to cost money but in Germany _ is seen as an extension of a free high school education where one expects it to be provided. The German government has been eager to encourage students to come to Germany for another reason. Like many countries in Western Europe, German's population is becoming older, and fewer young people are entering college and the job market. The German government hopes to attract skilled foreign students who will stay in Germany. What does the text mainly talk about? <extra_id_0>More and more US students choose colleges overseas. <extra_id_1>Reasons why more students study in foreign countries. <extra_id_2>Western Europe manages to attract foreign students. <extra_id_3>Advantages and disadvantages of German education. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>Arnold and Beverly owned a large tract of land, Blackacre, in fee simple as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. While Beverly was on an extended safari in Kenya, Arnold learned that there were very valuable coal deposits within Blackacre, but he made no attempt to inform Beverly. Thereupon, Arnold conveyed his interest in Blackacre to his wife, Alice, who immediately reconveyed that interest to Arnold. The common-law joint tenancy is unmodified by statute. Shortly thereafter, Arnold was killed in an automobile accident. His will, which was duly probated, specifically devised his one-half interest in Blackacre to Alice. Beverly then returned from Kenya and learned what had happened. Beverly brought an appropriate action against Alice, who claimed a one-half interest in Blackacre, seeking a declaratory judgment that she, Beverly, was the sole owner of Blackacre. In this action, who should prevail? <extra_id_0>Alice, because Arnold and Beverly were tenants in common at the time of Arnold's death. <extra_id_1>Alice, because Arnold's will severed the joint tenancy. <extra_id_2>Beverly, because the joint tenancy was reestablished by Alice's reconveyance to Arnold. <extra_id_3>Beverly, because Arnold breached his fiduciary duty as her joint tenant. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Alice, because Arnold and Beverly were tenants in common at the time of Arnold's death. <extra_id_5>Next autumn when you see wild geese heading south for the winter flying in a V formation you might think about what scientists have discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation the whole group adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flies on its own. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the push of one another. When a wild goose falls out of the formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go alone and quickly tries to get back into the formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. When the head goose gets tired, it flies back into the formation and another goose flies to the front. It is wise to take turns doing difficult jobs whether it be people or wild geese flying south. Wild geese honk from behind to inspire those up front to keep up their speed. What can we learn from this? When a wild goose gets sick or wounded by gunshots, and falls out of the formation, two other geese will fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They will stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then will they go on with their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. If a wild goose falls out of the V formation, _ . <extra_id_0>the other geese will call it back <extra_id_1>the other geese will fly with it <extra_id_2>it will try to get back into the group <extra_id_3>it will fall behind the whole group <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>it will try to get back into the group <extra_id_5>The western alphabet, which is used in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Australia and New Zealand as well as in other countries, originated in the Middle East. The people who gave the world this alphabet were the Phoneacians, a people who established colonies all over the Mediterranean, including Carthage in Africa and Gades in Spain. In their alphabet, the letters were represented by little pictures which represented sounds. The Phoneacian A was aelph, which means "bull", and it was made from a little picture of a bull's head. The letter B wasbethwhich meant "house", and showed the round-roofed buildings which you can still see today in Syria. The Phoneacians had contact with another nation of sailors, the Greeks, with whom they fought and traded. The Greeks also started to use the Phoneacian alphabet. They changed the names, so aelphandbethbecamealphaandbeta. The shapes of the letters are the same, but they have been turned sideways. If you know any Greek, you can try turning the letters around again, and see how they look. You will see that the curve on the right of the Greek A becomes the horns of a little bull. Of course, the first two letters of the alphabet give it its name. Over the years there have been changes. Latin developed an alphabet with some different letters to the Greeks, and other letters have been added since. But really westerners are using the same system of writing which has served them so well for thousands of years. What is the purpose of this text? <extra_id_0>To share something of the Phoneacian history. <extra_id_1>To tell the story of the western alphabet. <extra_id_2>To compare the western alphabet with others. <extra_id_3>To describe the order of the Greek alphabet. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>To tell the story of the western alphabet. <extra_id_5>American and British people both speak English of course. But sometimes it does not seem like the same language. In fact, there are some important differences between British English and American English. First of all, they sound very different. Often, Americans don't say each word separately. They say several words together. Americans may say "I dunno" instead of "I don't know". Or they may say "Whaddya say?" instead of "What did you say?" however, the British are more careful in their speech. They usually say all the words and keep them _ . Words sometimes have different meanings too. Some American words are never used in England. The same thing is true of some British words in America. For example, the vocabulary for cars and driving is very different. Americans drive trucks, but in England people drive lorries. Many expressions are also different in the two countries. In England, if you are going to telephone your friends, you "phone them up". In America, you "give them a call". There're also some differences in grammar. For example, when Americans ask a question., they say "Do you have a storybook?" But the British often say "Have you a storybook?" All these differences can be confusing if you are learning English. But most languages are like this. Languages change over time. When people live in separate places, the languages change in different ways. This is what has happened to English. It can also happen to other languages, such as French. Many people in Canada speak French but their French is very different from the French of France. Language _ . <extra_id_0>are always changing as time passes <extra_id_1>keep unchanged even if time changes <extra_id_2>are the same in all places <extra_id_3>are easy to learn <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>are always changing as time passes <extra_id_5>For the first time in Hong Kong's history,an entertainer has been written into middle school textbooks. He is considered one of the best actors in Hong Kong. Yes,he is Chow Yun fat. The example of his long hard struggle for success has been used in a chapter in a Hong Kong middle school textbook.Using his experience,students can learn to make the most of their time and to grab every opportunity to succeed. On hearing about this,Chow said happily,"I really hope that my experiences can make young people understand that one should not be afraid of difficulties and setbacks ,for they are the only way to success." Indeed,Chow has travelled a long and difficult path to reach his success.In 1955,he was born into a poor family in Hong Kong. When he was 17,he had to leave school.He worked in a number of jobs--as a postman,camera salesman and taxi driver. These experiences paved the way for him to play all kinds of roles later in life. Chow broke into the film industry in the late 1970s. He was one of the hardest working actors and starred in a number of popular TV dramas and films including "Shanghai Bund"(<<>> ) and "A Better Tomorrow". Since 1985, he has won many awards including Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards . In 1995, he went to Hollywood. Although he was already in his 40s, he had to learn English.He even put chopsticks in his mouth to practise pronouncing certain sounds. His film, "Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon",began to gain him more fame and recognition around the world.In 1998,the mayor of Chicago set aside January 12 as "Chow Yun fat Day." What can we infer from the passage? <extra_id_0>Chow Yun fat is proud of his success. <extra_id_1>Chow Yun fat is popular both at home and abroad. <extra_id_2>Chow Yun fat prefers to make a living by selling cameras rather than by performing. <extra_id_3>Chow Yun fat has won more awards than other actors. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Chow Yun fat is popular both at home and abroad.
<extra_id_5>China's admiration of outstanding scholars has turned the well-preserved childhood home of TuYouyou,the Chinese pharmacologist who won this year's Nobel Prize in physiology or Medicine,into a popular tourist destination. Since it was announced on Monday that 84-year-old Tu had become the first Chinese citizen to win this international prize,her former home in the old town of Ningbo,Zhejiang province,has attracted visitors,especially parents and their children----even though it is not open to the public. The house,where Tu lived until she went to university in Beijing,covers an area of 2,200square meters and is priced at 150million yuan($23.6million).It is part of a complex of 37traditional buildings,including several city-and-district-level cultural relic preservation sites,that have been transformed into a high-end art,and commercial zone. "There are continually parents taking their children,from infants in strollers to college students,to take photos in front of Tu's former home.Security guards have been ordered to go on patrol around the clock,"said Mr.Zhao,a salesperson from Ningbo Real Estate Inc Co. Shanghai resident Xu Lingfei,who was on a trip to Ningbo,took her 9-year-old son to walk around the complex on Wednesday."Chinese people believe in exams and awards and have a strong preference for high performers.Taking children to visit the former dwelling places of celebrities is a way to inspire them to study harder,"Xu said. Something similar happened after Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2012.Tourists started visiting Mo's former home in rural Caomi,Shandong Province,in an endless stream starting the day after he won the prize.Some even pulled the radishes planted in front of the house.and carried away some bricks. Why did Xu Lingfei take her son to visit Tu's former home? <extra_id_0>She admired Tu very much. <extra_id_1>She planned to buy the house. <extra_id_2>She intended to take photos there. <extra_id_3>She wanted her son to be inspired. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>She wanted her son to be inspired. <extra_id_5>BASEBALL. It's just a word, but for millions of Americans it brings much more than a word. Hot dogs. Cold beers. Sunny afternoons. Baseball is the game of fathers and sons. Fathers and sons catch with each other on lawns in the US. A father's favorite team becomes his son's. Grandfathers talk to their grandsons about games played long ago. Many American kids collect baseball cards. The cards have pictures of their favorite players on them. In school, friends trade baseball cards just like they trade their lunches. Players are known as "the boys of summer" because people often play the sport mostly in warm months. You don't need to be of a certain size or shape to play baseball. You don't have to be tall like a basketball player or strong like an American footballer. You just need to want to have fun. Baseball is not as fast-paced a game as basketball. But when you go to see a game, there's time to relax, talk and get to know other people. Baseball may not be the most popular sport in the US, but it is the most traditional. It's not just a game any more, but an important part of American culture, like apple pie and grandma's house. Which one is WRONG in the article? <extra_id_0>We can find many children's favorite baseball players on their cards. <extra_id_1>If you are not strong enough, you can't play baseball. <extra_id_2>When you go to watch a baseball play, you'll relax and have time to talk to other people. <extra_id_3>Baseball is the most traditional sport in the US. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>If you are not strong enough, you can't play baseball. <extra_id_5>Green plants get the energy they need to make food from <extra_id_0>air <extra_id_1>sunlight <extra_id_2>water <extra_id_3>soil <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>sunlight <extra_id_5>Which boy hasn't dreamed of being a cool secret agent ? The wonderful fighting and the world-saving adventures are much more colourful than most people's everyday lives. Well, Cody Banks is just like any other boy, except that he is not just dreaming. He has a big secret his friends never know about. He was trained to be a spy by a special CIA programme, which was made to look like a summer camp. He learned high-speed driving, hand-to-hand fighting and the use of high-tech tools. After proving he could become a young hero by saving a baby from a runaway car, Banks gets his first real task. He must make friends with a popular girl at school, Natalie Connors. Then, he must spy on her father, a scientist who has developed a dangerous technology . Banks must stop a group of bad people from forcing Natalie's father into using the technology to endanger the world. The CIA may have taught him first-class self-defence moves, but they didn't show him how to talk to girls. Banks has zero ability when it comes to dealing with girls. How can he get around his problem and get an invitation to the girl's upcoming birthday party? Will he finally become Natalie's boyfriend and find out whatever he can do about her father's work? Agent Cody Banks has everything that young people are interested in: big explosions, breath-taking performances and funny girl-dating experiences. It was listed in No.2 in the American box office last week. "This story is interesting and fun for the whole family to enjoy, and especially cool for young boys." said Paul Perkins, a film reviewer in the US. What is considered as a great danger in the text? <extra_id_0>The technology developed by Natalie's father <extra_id_1>An explosion set off by some bad people <extra_id_2>The CIA's training of boys for its task <extra_id_3>Secret agents spying on scientists <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>The technology developed by Natalie's father <extra_id_5>Henry was an office worker in a big city. He worked very hard and enjoyed traveling in his holidays. He usually went to the seaside, but one year he saw an advertisement in a newspaper. "Enjoy country life. Spend a few weeks at west hill farm. good food., fresh air, horse riding,Walking,fishing, cheap and interesting." "This sounds a good idea," He thought. "I'll spend a month at west hill farm. I think I can enjoy horse riding, walking and fishing. They'll make a change from sitting by the seaside and swimming." He wrote to the farmer. In the letter he said that he would like to spend all of July there. Then on the first of July, he left for west hill farm.But four days later, he returned home. "What was wrong with west hill farm?" His best friend, Ed, asked him. "Didn't you enjoy country life?" "Country life was very good," Henry said. "But there was another problem." "Oh. what?" "Well," he said, "The first day I was there a sheep died, and we had roast mutton for dinner." "What's wrong with that?" Ed asked. "Fresh meat is the best." "I know, but on the second day a cow died, and we had roast beef for dinner." "Lucky you!" "You don't understand," Henry said. "On the third day a pig died and we had roast pork for dinner." "A different meat every day," Ed said loudly, " And you are ing!" "Let me finish," Henry said. "On the fourth day the farmer died, and i didn't dare stay for dinner!" Which of the following sentences is true? <extra_id_0>Ed could eat a different kind of meat every day. <extra_id_1>Henry thought he could enjoy a change. <extra_id_2>Henry couldn't think of anything else to do, so he went to the farm. <extra_id_3>The farmer died because of the bad meat he ate. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Henry thought he could enjoy a change.
<extra_id_5>I stood up to speak and my mind went blank .Has this ever happened to you? You may be nervous in front of an audience .You may be worried that you didn't prepare enough, You may have forgotten some of your facts. What can you do? Sometimes people prepare too much and become terrified if they can't remember the words they have practised. It is a good idea to bring some notes to help you organize, but don't memorize your speech. If you "go blank",begin by explaining the purpose of your speech, and the test will probably follow. Go blank here means _ <extra_id_0>to be absent-minded <extra_id_1>to think too much suddenly <extra_id_2>to be afraid of the audience <extra_id_3>not knowing what to say at the moment <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Life may not always seem fair, but we can learn to deal with it and make new choices along the way. I remember so clearly sitting next to my dad as we drove through the town. I was complaining about something unfair that had happened to me. Dad looked directly at me and said, "No one ever said life was fair." I was shocked at his answer. Later on as my marriage had problems even though I tried to save it. _ . Now as I raise two kids alone, try to create new relationships and build a business, I am forced to face the inevitable truth every day. Gradually I've found that I have accepted my dad's wisdom. We all will face loss or unexpected changes. But unfairness should not be the only thing in our life. We choose for ourselves what seems fair by comparing our lives with others', and this can lead us to feel that our own lives are unfair. People need to ignore what others have and set their own plans. Certainly, there're so many unhappy events in the world and in our lives, and when we deal with them, we try to control as many things as we can. Then, the sense of " it's not fair" often comes when we can't control the things in our lives. So please put your efforts into the process rather than the result. You should learn that life is unfair, but you can be fair and learn how to enjoy life. People usually feel things are unfair when _ . <extra_id_0>they compare their situation with other people's <extra_id_1>they talk to successful people <extra_id_2>they have a great plan for themselves <extra_id_3>they help friends recover from difficulties <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Most shoplifters agree that the January sales offer wonderful opportunities for the hard-working thief. With the shops so crowded and the staff so busy, it does not require any extraordinary talent to help you to take one or two little things and escape unnoticed. It is known, in the business, as "hoisting". But the hoisting game is not what it used to be. Even at the height of the sales, shoplifters today never know if they are being watched by one of those evil little balls that hang from the ceilings of so many department stores above the most desirable goods. As if that was not trouble enough for them, they can now be filmed at work and obliged to attend a showing of their performance in court. Selfridges was the first big London store to install closed-circuit videotape equipment to watch its sales floors. In October last year the store won its first court case for shoplifting using an evidence a videotape clearly showing a couple stealing dresses. It was an important test case which encouraged other stores to install similar equipment. When the balls, called sputniks, first make an appearance in shops, it was widely believed that their only function was to frighten shoplifters. Their somewhat ridiculous appearances, the curious holes and red lights going on and off, certainly make the theory believable. It did not take long, however, for serious shoplifters to start showing suitable respect. Soon after the equipment was in operation at Selfridges, store detective Brian Chadwick was sitting in the control room watching a woman secretly putting bottles of perfume into her bag. "As she turned to go," Chadwick recalled, "she suddenly looked up at the 'sputnik' and stopped. She could not possibly have seen that the camera was trained on her because it is completely hidden, but she must have had a feeling that I was looking at her." "For a moment she paused, but then she returned to counter and started putting everything back. When she had finished, she opened her bag towards the camera to show it was empty and hurried out of the store. " January is a good month for shoplifters because _ . <extra_id_0>they don't need to wait for staff to serve them <extra_id_1>they don't need any previous experience as thieves <extra_id_2>January sales offer wonderful opportunities for them <extra_id_3>there are so many people in the store <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Mr. Zhang, our geography teacher, held a map of the world and asked us where we would like to travel. Li Ming said, "I like countries with an interesting history, such as China, Egypt, Greece and Italy. They are all old countries with a long history. You can see many old buildings in these countries, such as the Great Wall, the Pyramids and the Acropolis ." The teacher asked, "Do you want to go to places with beautiful beaches?" Yang Ying said, "Of course. It's pleasant to visit places with fine weather and beautiful beaches. For example, the U.S.A., Australia and Malaysia have beautiful beaches." Shanshan said, "I know many countries in Southeast Asia have beautiful beaches. But I like visiting countries where the people are very friendly and helpful to visitors." Mr. Zhang said, "Remember: hotel, food and souvenirs always cost us much money. So we should make a good plan before we go to visit other countries." ,. Mr. Zhang and his students were talking about _ in class. <extra_id_0>how much a trip cost <extra_id_1>traveling around the world <extra_id_2>how to travel <extra_id_3>what to take for traveling <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Encouraging early reading skills can build a path to a lifelong love of reading and can help your child get a head start in school. While reading to your child is still the most important thing you can do to build reading skills, there are many techniques that can help. Make reading fun. Play games with your child as you read. Many traditional children's games can be adapted to encourage reading skills. While reading or during play, tell your child, "I spy with my little eye, something that begins with the letter "b". Help the child find something on the page or in the room that begins with that letter. For example, "I see a barn." This can also be used to teach beginning letter sounds.Ispy with my little eye something that begins with the sound "s". Help the child find a word that begins with the "s" sound. In this variation on the popular game, instruct the child that, "Simon says, point to something that starts with the letter "n". The child can then find an object in the room or a body part, such as the nose, that starts with the letter presented. This can also be used to teach beginning sounds. Make a game out of rhyming words by making up silly words to rhyme with the child's name or favorite toys. This sets the stage for rhyming real words by showing the child the similarities of sounds. As the child masters making up the words, begin rhyming real words to one another. Tips to raise a successful reader: Put books in places where the child plays. If books are easily _ , children are more likely to pick them up. Let children "read to you" by looking at pictures. Making up stories to go along with illustrations helps children discover how words relate to pictures. Take books along on trips or even short visits to the doctor's office or grocery store. Have children help you shop. Reading grocery lists and looking for specific items helps build vocabulary. What are the intended readers of the text? <extra_id_0>Parents. <extra_id_1>Adolescents. <extra_id_2>Educators. <extra_id_3>People in general. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>It is reported that some developed countries have shipped broken parts of computers to China. Such a thing can be founded every day although it is against international laws. Last month Hong Kong officers found 131,000 kilograms of broken computers, TVs and phones sent from Japan. Things like these are called electronic waste, or e-waste. Dealing with them is not an easy job because dangerous poison like mercury and lead can be found in them. Every time an old computer breaks down, it needs to be dealt with safely. But at present, broken computer parts are usually _ . It may be hundreds of years before they are really goes in the earth. Many places in China are polluted by e-waste. Guiyu in Guangdong province is one of them. This town is named as "the e-waste capital of the world". It has to deal with 1.5 million kilograms of e-waste each year, from which it makes 75 million years. But it comes at a cost. Many of the poison in e-waste find their way into the environment. Plastic is burned outdoors and chemical water is poured into rivers, Greenpeace, an environmental group, has found the air, the earth and the rivers in Guiyu badly polluted. The Chinese government wants the country to develop, but in a way that doesn't do harm to the environment and people's life. This year, China presents a new protection law, the strictest one we have ever had. Computer companies like Lenovo and Dell will be asked to take back their old computers. This is because the companies that make computers know best to deal with them safely. Hopefully, the problem with e-waste will be solved in the near future. This year, the Chinese government _ . <extra_id_0>tried to change people's life <extra_id_1>closed some computer companies <extra_id_2>make a new environment protection law <extra_id_3>asked people to hand in their old computers <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>make a new environment protection law <extra_id_5>Several weeks ago, a mysterious Christmas card dropped through our mailbox. The envelope was addressed to a man named Raoul, who, I was ly certain, did not live with us. The envelope wasn't sealed, so I opened it. The inside of the card was blank. Ed, my husband, explained that the card was both from and to the newspaper deliveryman. His name was apparently Raoul, and Raoul wanted a holiday tip. We were meant to put a check inside the card and then drop the envelope in the mail. When your services are finished at 4 a.m., you can't simply hang around, like a hotel bellboy expecting a tip. You have to be direct. So I wrote a nice holiday greeting to this man who, in my imagination, fires The New York Times from his bike aimed at our front door, causing more noise with mere newsprint than most people manage with sophisticated black market fireworks. With a start, I realized that perhaps the reason for the 4 a.m. wake-up noise was not ordinary rudeness but carefully executed spite : I had not tipped Raoul in Christmas past. I honestly hadn't realized I was supposed to. This was the first time he'd used the card tactic . So I got out my checkbook. Somewhere along the line, holiday tipping went from an optional thank-you for a year of services to a Mafia-style protection racket . Several days later, I was bringing our garbage bins back when I noticed an envelope taped to one of the lids. The outside of the envelope said MICKEY. It had to be another tip request, this time from our garbage collector. Unlike Raoul, Mickey hadn't enclosed his own Christmas card from me. In a way, I appreciated the directness. "I know you don't care how merry my Christmas is, and that's fine," the gesture said. "I want $30, or I'll 'forget' to empty your garbage bin some hot summer day." I put a check in the envelope and taped it back to the bin. The next morning, Ed noticed that the envelope was gone, though the trash hadn't yet been picked up: "Someone stole Mickey's tip!" Ed was quite certain. He made me call the bank and cancel the check. But Ed had been wrong. Two weeks later, Mickey left a letter from the bank on our steps. The letter informed Mickey that the check, which he had tried to cash, had been cancelled. The following Tuesday morning, when Ed saw a truck outside, he ran out with his wallet. "Are you Mickey?" The man looked at him with scorn . "Mickey is the garbageman. I am the recycling." Not only had Ed insulted this man by suggesting that he was a garbageman, but he had obviously neglected to tip him. Ed ran back inside for more funds. Then he noticed that the driver of the truck had been watching the whole incident. He peeled off another twenty and looked around, waving bills in the air. "Anyone else? " Had we consulted the website of the Emily Post Institute, this embarrassing break of etiquette could have been avoided. Under "trash/recycling collectors" in the institute's Holiday Tipping Guidelines, it says: "$10 to $30 each." You may or may not wish to know that your hairdresser, mailman and UPS guy all expect a holiday tip. Which of the following is true about Mickey, the garbage collector? <extra_id_0>He wrote a letter to the couple afterwards. <extra_id_1>He failed to collect the money from the bank. <extra_id_2>He wanted the couple to send him a Christmas card. <extra_id_3>He collected both the check and the garbage that day. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>He failed to collect the money from the bank. <extra_id_5>A bad spot in town, as far as nature and the health of Earth is concerned, will be <extra_id_0>heaped refuse <extra_id_1>piled compost <extra_id_2>pollinated flowers <extra_id_3>watered gardens <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>heaped refuse <extra_id_5>When you are visiting New York City with kids,there are numerous things to do which will entertain their spirits and feed their minds. *The Whispering Gallery Make your way to the Whispering Gallery. The Whispering Room's architecture allows for a phenomenon that usually sparks a lot of giggles. Once inside the gallery,place one person facing the corner at one end of the room and then place another person facing the corner at the opposite end. Ask one of the participants to whisper a phrase or a quick sentence or two and the person at the opposite end will be able to hear every word that was said. E.42nd St. New York,NY 10017 2127715322 grandcentralterminal.com *American Museum of Natural History The American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869.In addition to its impressive exhibits,permanent attractions bring the cool feeling to kids. They can enter the Fossil Halls and take in the impressive dinosaur skeletons. And the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life educates kids on the fragility of the ocean. Central Park West at 79th St. New York,NY,10024 212--769--5606 amnh.org *The Scholastic Store Most parents want their children to read,and moreover,to enjoy reading. The Scholastic Store helps to make that wish a reality by publishing engaging,well written stories that appeal to children. With classics such as Clifford the Big Red Dog,The Magic School Bus,and Harry Potter,the Scholastic Store will delight your children. 557 Broadway New York,10012 212--343--6100 scholastic.com *Ellen's Stardust Diner The restaurant is a place where each person in your family can find something to eat .At Ellen's Stardust Diner,a diverse menu will whet everyone's appetite. Arugula salads,grilled cheese,burgers and meatloaf are all on this varied menu. The hall of beauty queens,a drive-in theatre and wait staff that sing to you can add to the unique dining experience. *1650 Broadway,corner of 51st St. *New York,NY 10019 *2129565151 ellensstardustdiner.com Which of the following websites helps the kids learn about the ancient ocean life? <extra_id_0>ellensstardustdiner.com <extra_id_1>grandcentralterminal.com <extra_id_2>amnh.org <extra_id_3>scholastic.com <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>amnh.org <extra_id_5>Howling is a behavior commonly observed among a wolf pack . As pack animals, wolves work together to hunt and rely on howling as an important means of communication among each other. There are different explanations of a wolf's howl and it appears that there may be more to discover. One theory is that wolves howl to bond better together. It's almost as if howling together helps the pack stay together, perhaps something similar to people feeling a sense of involvement with each other when singing a song together. But this theory may be wrong, explains Fred H. Harrington, a professor who studies wolf behavior. Indeed, there have been times when wolves have been seen one moment howling in a chorus, and the next, quarreling among each other. It appears that usually the lowest-ranking members of the pack may actually be "punished" for joining in the chorus at times. So is howling a way to strengthen a social bond or just a way to reconfirm status among its members? --Why do wolves howl for sure? What is clear, however, is that howling is often used among packmates to locate each other. Hunting grounds are distant and it happens that wolves may separate from one another at times. When this happens, howling appears to be an excellent means of gathering. Howling, interestingly, is a contagious behavior. When one wolf starts to howl, very likely others will follow. This is often seen to occur in the morning, as if wolves were doing some sort of "roll call" where wolves all howl together to report their presence. What is the possible similarity between wolves' howling together and human's singing in chorus? <extra_id_0>The act of calling each other. <extra_id_1>The sense of achievement. <extra_id_2>The act of hunting for something. <extra_id_3>The sense of belonging to a group. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>The sense of belonging to a group.
<extra_id_5>Right in the middle of the town are some long ponds . They are only about half a foot deep. The men of Symi dug out the earth to make the ponds. Over each pond is a low cover. It is made of glass that you can see through. At night, sea water is taken into the ponds. The next day, the hot sun shines through the covers. The sun light turns the water into vapor and the vapor goes up from the ponds. The salt is left behind. As it goes, the vapor became mist. On the inside of each cover, the little drops of mist run together to make big drops. These drops run down the sides of the cover, filling other ponds with fresh water. The salt left in the ponds is washed out each night. Then more sea water is taken in. The factory is ready for the next day's work. The covers and other parts of the factory cost very little. Sea water and sun cost nothing. Most people of Symi are poor. So to them this new way of getting fresh water seems wonderful. Where are the little drops made into big drops? <extra_id_0>On the inside of the covers. <extra_id_1>In the ponds with fresh water. <extra_id_2>On the walls of the salt water ponds. <extra_id_3>Between the fresh water and the salt water. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>It was on her 14th birthday that her first book ,In the Forest of the Night, was accepted for publication. It was a huge success gaining the attention of millions of young readers. At 16, her second novel,Demon in My View, also reached the bookstores. Several books later, the teenage author still works away in her room, surrounded by shelves full of dark tales about vampires and witches. Amelia Atwater - Rhodes is widely seen as America's finest teen writer and was named one of Teen People's "20 Teens Who Will Change the World." Born in 1984, she began making up stories when she was about three years old. "I never stopped and said, 'I want to write'," Amelia remembers. "I loved stories and created stories before I was old enough to know how to write them down." In her family, reading was basic and fun. "My parents encouraged me to read -- and to read anything I wanted, so long as I was reading," she said. "They never restricted what I read. Later, when I started writing, they never criticized what I did or said I was 'too young'. They never said it was impossible for me to achieve what I have." In her short but successful career, Amelia has tried different styles. But vampires were the first characters to really come alive in her work. From _ she has developed a whole world, one which she always enjoys learning more about. As a published teen writer, Amelia's advice to other teens who dream of being authors is: just do it! "I believe anything is possible. Don't give up your dreams just because you fear failure. Getting a book published is difficult, but if I can do it, others can too. " What can we learn about Amelia Atwater - Rhodes? <extra_id_0>Reading widely helped her a lot in her career. <extra_id_1>She found getting a book published was easy. <extra_id_2>Vampires have been the only characters in her books. <extra_id_3>Her parents began to teach her to make up stories when she was 3. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Firefly is just a name.They are actually very cool insects. And they are not even flies, they are beetles.They have a way of sending out light signals every now and then.If you see them at night on a tree, you might think it is a brightly lit Christmas tree.That is the kind of light these fireflies produce. But the light they send out does not have heat,like the bulbs we use.The firefly's light is cold. Aetually these beetles could be the most efficient bulbs if only we knew how to use them. For almost all the energy they produce gets changed into bright lightcool light. How do they do it? The back portion of their stomachs are transparent.There are cells of crystals or chemical substances inside which get broken down by enzymes.Some energy is released in the form of light. The fireflies send out 1ight signals at fixed intervals.And the purpose behind it is to attract beetles for mating.But one firefly's signal is different from another's, depending on its sex and the type of family it belongs to.If a firefly sends a signal at a fixed interval but gets a response either too soon or too late,it will ignore the signal.It is like a perfect dance sequence.If you are faster or slower than your partner,the dance fails. Fireflies come from two families of beetles.One family of fireflies is usually found in Europe.North Ameriea and Australia.They are found on trees.The other family of fireflies is found in the Pacific islands.There is another type of beetle which gives out a softer 1ight.It is called the glow worm. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage? <extra_id_0>Insects and Beetles <extra_id_1>Bulbs and Fireflies <extra_id_2>Strange Christmas Lighfs <extra_id_3>The Cool Firefly <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>It was Mother's Day,but the young mother was a little unhappy,because she was 800 miles away from her parents.In the morning she phoned her mother to wish her a happy Mother's Day,and her mother told her about the beautiful lilacs in the garden. Later that day,when she told her husband about the lilacs,he said,"I know where we can find all that you want.Get the children and come on."So they went,driving down the country roads. There on a small hill,they saw a lot of beautiful purple lilacs.The young woman ran quickly to enjoy the flowers.Carefully,she picked a few here and a few there.On their way home there was a smile on her face. When they were passing a nursing home ,the young woman saw an old granny sitting in a chair.She had no children with her.They stopped the car and the young woman walked to the old woman,put the flowers in her hands,and smiled at her.The old granny thanked her again and again.She smiled happily,too. When the young mother came back to her car,her children asked her,"Who is that old granny?Why did you give our flowers to her?" "I don't know her,"their mother said."But it's Mother's Day,and she has no children.I have all of you,and I still have my mother.Just think how much those flowers meant to her. The young woman was a little unhappy on Mother's Day because _ . <extra_id_0>she didn't have a present <extra_id_1>she was a long way from her mother <extra_id_2>she didn't know it was Mother's Day <extra_id_3>she wanted to see her father <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>In most languages, a greeting is usually followed by "small talk". Small talk means the little things we talk about at start of a conversation. In English-speaking countries people often make small talk about the weather: "Nice day, isn't it?" But there is something special about small talk. It must be about something which both people have the same opinion about. The purpose of small talk is to let both people agree on something. This makes meeting people easier and more comfortable. People usually agree about the weather, so it is a safer topic for small talk. But people often disagree about religion or politics so these are not suitable topics for small talk in English. The topics for small talk also depend on where the conversation is taking place. At football matches, people make small talk about the game they are watching: "Great game, isn't it?" At bus stops, people may comment about the transport system: "The bus service is terrible, isn't it?" Greetings and small talk are important parts of conversation in any language. The way people greet each other and the things they talk about, however, may be different from one language to another. This shows that there is much more to learn when we learn a language than just the vocabulary and the grammar of the language. We also have to learn the social behavior of the people who speak it. Small talk _ . <extra_id_0>is a kind of conversation with short words <extra_id_1>is a greeting when people meet each other <extra_id_2>is to let people disagree about something <extra_id_3>is something we talk about to start with a conversation <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>
<extra_id_5>Since my family were not going to be helpful about my taking a cooking job, I decided I would look for one all by myself and not to tell them about it till I'd got a permanent one. I had seen an agency advertised in a local paper, so as soon as there was no one about to say "Where are you going?" I rushed out of the house in search of it. I was wildly excited, and as nervous as if I were going on the stage. Finding the place quite easily, I tore up three flights of stairs, and swung breathlessly through a door which said "Enter without knocking, if you please." The simple atmosphere of the office calmed me, and I sat down on the edge of a chair. The woman at the desk opposite looked carefully at me. Then she questioned me in a low voice. I answered softly and started to feel helpless. She wondered why I was looking for this sort of job, so I felt I had to give her the idea of a widowed mother struggling against poverty. But I felt more helpless when she told me that it would be difficult to get a job without experience or references. Suddenly, the telephone on her desk rang. While having a mysterious conversation, she kept looking at me. Then I heard her say: "In fact, I've got someone here who might suit." She wrote down a number, and my spirits rose as she held out the paper to me, saying: "Ring up this lady. She wants a cook immediately. Cook a dinner for ten people tomorrow. Could you manage that, I wonder?" "Oh, yes," say I--never having cooked for more than four. Then I rushed out and called the lady, Miss Cathy. I said confidently that I was just what she was looking for. "Are you sure?" she kept saying. Anyway she decided to employ me and a permanent position if I carried out the promise of my self-praise. I asked her what tomorrow's menu was to be. "Just a small, simple dinner: lobster cocktail, soup, turbot Mornay, fruit salad and a savory." In a rather shaken voice I promised to turn up in good time tomorrow and rang off. According to the passage, what would the author most probably do after the call? <extra_id_0>Read some cookery book. <extra_id_1>Call her family and tell them the news. <extra_id_2>Go to the woman's house. <extra_id_3>Buy what the woman told her at once. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Read some cookery book. <extra_id_5>Buckingham Palace is the Queen's house in London and one of only a few working royal palaces left in the world. Located in the heart of London and surrounded by 2 royal parks, a trip to Buckingham Palace is a must for any visitor to London during August and September. Ticket Pricing Adult: PS20.50 Over 60/Student (with valid ID): PS18.80 Child (under 17): PS11.80 Child (under 5): Free Opening Time 2015 1st August - 27th September 2015 There are plenty of exciting things to see and do at Buckingham Palace. State Rooms The 19 State Rooms at the palace are regularly used by the Royal family to entertain guests on their State, and official visits to the United Kingdom. During August and September the Queen makes her yearly visit to Scotland allowing the palace to open up these rooms to the public. A Royal Welcome Exhibition This special exhibition at the Palace will provide a unique understanding of what goes into creating an official state visit to Buckingham Palace. What food is cooked in the Royal Kitchen? What porcelain and bed linens are to be used? Every detail is examined carefully and perfected by Royal workers at the Palace during visits by VIP guests. The Garden The finale of a visit is a walk along the south side of the garden with views over the famous lake and over 350 different species of wild flowers. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. Email Address: info@londonpass.com Please call us on: +44 (0)20 7293 0972 You can write to us at: The Leisure Pass Group Limited 75 Wells Street London W1T 3QH When asking for information about Buckingham Palace, you may have _ ways. <extra_id_0>1 <extra_id_1>2 <extra_id_2>3 <extra_id_3>4 <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>3 <extra_id_5>On the first day of class, Mr. Whiteson gave us a lecture about a creature called cattytiger, a kind of cat-like animal that completely disappeared during the Ice Age. He passed round a skull as he talked, and we all felt interested and took notes while listening. Later, we had a test about that. When he returned my paper, I was very, very surprised. There was a very large cross through each of my answers. And so it was with everyone else's in our class. What had happened? Everyone was wondering and couldn't wait to get the answer. Very simple, Mr. Whiteson explained. He had made up all that story about the cattytiger. There had never been such an animal. So why none of us noticed that and how could we expect good marks for the incorrect answers? Needless to say, we got very angry. What kind of teacher was this? We should have guessed it out, Mr. Whiteson said. After all, at the very moment he was passing around the cattytiger skull (in fact, a cat's), hadn't he been telling us that it completely disappeared during the Ice Age? Clearly he was telling a lie. But we just kept busy making notes and none used his head. We should learn something from this. Teachers and textbooks are not always correct. We didn't find out it was a lie for _ . <extra_id_0>we simply believed our teacher very much <extra_id_1>we took notes carelessly <extra_id_2>we hadn't watched the skull carefully enough <extra_id_3>Mr. Whiteson spoke too fast <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>we simply believed our teacher very much <extra_id_5>A pet parrot that spoke with a British accent when it disappeared from its home four years ago has been reunited with its owner ---- and the bird now speaks Spanish. The reunion was brought about by Teresa Micco, a Southern California veterinarian who mistook Nigel, an African gray parrot, for her own missing bird, the Daily Breeze reported on Sunday. Teresa Micco tracked Nigel's microchip to Darren Chick, a British man who lives in Torrance, California. "I introduced myself and said, 'Have you lost a bird?' "Micco told the newspaper. "He first said, 'No' But he thought I meant recently " When she checked on Chick's name and said she had his African gray parrot, "He looked at me like I was crazy. " He said his bird had gone missing for four years earlier. Little is known about Nigel's whereabouts for the past four years, but Chick says the bird's British accent is gone, and it now chatters in Spanish. Chick says last week's reunion brought tears of joy to his eyes---despite the fact that Nigel bit him when he first tried to pick him up. Micco said the behaviour was not unusual and that Nigel would settle back in soon enough. "He is doing very well," Chick told the newspaper. "It is really strange. I knew it was him from the minute I saw him" It is the fifth parrot reunion helped by Micco, who has been running advertisements for her own missing bird for nine months. That parrot, Benjamin, escaped in February when it flew out through a door that had been left open. Julissa Sperling found Nigel outside her home and brought him to Micco after seeing one of her advertisements. "He was the happiest bird. He was singing and talking all the time," Sperling said. "He was barking like my dogs. I am from Panama, and he was saying, 'What happened?' in Spanish." What is the main idea of the text? <extra_id_0>A man finds that his bird can speak Spanish <extra_id_1>A parrot missing for years returns speaking Spanish <extra_id_2>Teresa Micco helps many people find their missing pets <extra_id_3>Kindness and love are passed on through a parrot. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>A parrot missing for years returns speaking Spanish <extra_id_5>Do you have a sore throat, a running nose and a headache? Do you keep coughing and sneezing? If you do, the chances are that you have a cold or perhaps flu--- but which one? Although both colds and flu are caused by viruses, they are very different illnesses. Colds, which usually last about a week, affect the nose most. They commonly cause a runny nose and sneezing. Sometimes, they cause a headache, a cough and slightly aching muscles. Flu is much more serious illness and is caused by different group of viruses. People with flu usually get all the symptoms described above. However, they also get a high fever, a dry cough and much worse aching. Fever is one of the typical symptoms of the flu for all ages. The symptoms also last much longer. Sometimes they don't disappear for at least two weeks. Flu can be a deadly disease. The elderly, who are weaker and less healthy than most younger people, can die from flu. This is one reason why old people are advised to have a flu injection before the start of winter when flu is most common. This injection is inexpensive and definitely worth it. If you have a cold or flu, you must always deal with used tissues carefully. Don't leave dirty tissues on your desk or on the floor. Someone else has to pick these up and viruses could be passed on. And finally, remember to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze!You don't want to see the small drop of liquids blown out of your nose and mouth when you sneeze, do you? Disgusting, eh? Now you can understand why it's a good idea to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze! Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage? <extra_id_0>Both colds and flu last the same time. <extra_id_1>Both colds and flu can be prevented by injection. <extra_id_2>Both colds and flu are caused by the same viruses. <extra_id_3>Both colds and flu have an aching symptom. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>Both colds and flu have an aching symptom.
<extra_id_5>There was a huge battle between the warriors of Greece and the people of Troy. Prince Paris from Troy had stolen away the Greek queen; Helen. The Greek warriors set sail for Troy to fight for their queen. The battle outside Troy lasted for ten years. The men were fed up and wanted to return to their homes. Athene, goddess of war gave Ulysses the idea for a plan to end the war. They built a big wooden horse which they put in the middle of their encampment . Next they pretended to give up their camp. In reality many soldiers hid inside the wooden horse. Once they thought the camp had been abandoned the Trojans went out to check. They needed to know if the war was really over. They walked through the abandoned encampment and eventually found the wooden horse. They could not decide what it was. Some wanted to take it into the city, others thought that it was a gift to Zeus and feared touching or moving it in case they upset Zeus. Some Trojans decided to take it back into the city. They called a large group of troops, attached ropes and pulled it into the city. A huge celebration started. The city was free from war for the first time in nine years. Everybody feasted, drank and danced until eventually the merriment was over and they all went to sleep. This was the moment that the wooden horse opened a big flap hidden underneath. Out crept Ulysses and all of his men. They killed the sleeping troops, rescued Queen Helen, met up with the rest of their army and set sail for home. The story of the return journey is told in The Odyssey, a collection of poems piecing together the bits of the story from the many different places where the story took place. Which of the followings can serve as the best title for the passage? <extra_id_0>The Trojan Horse <extra_id_1>A Smart Plan <extra_id_2>The Trojan War <extra_id_3>Rescuing Queen Helen <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>The Trojan Horse <extra_id_5>I first visited hutong as part of a tourist group several years ago. We rode on a trishaw with a guide explaining the history, architecture and lifestyle of the local inhabitants. Having visited the "must-sees" of Beijing, like the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Drum Tower and the Summer Palace, going into the hutong home of some famous ancient families gave the "Beijing experience" a human element. My curiosity has sharpened over the years from reading about them at every opportunity. During the preparation for the Olympics, I was eager to learn that some siheyuan courtyards in hutong were turned into accommodations for visitors. I wished to stay in one someday. Preparing for a recent trip to the capital, I eagerly sought one out. On my limited teacher's salary, I settled on an affordable option, though I looked longingly at the more courtyard accommodations. As usual, by not being able to go upmarket, I ended up having something closer to a true experience. A real family still lives in the courtyard, which is closer to the original. The rooms all opened into the central courtyard. Flowers were blooming, beans and peas were climbing up the bamboo fence, and the cat was napping in the sun. Every day after exploring the city, I'd hurry back to the hutong, take a quick shower and join the cat - snoozing in a bamboo-made chair with a book ready nearby. As the other guests came back we'd greet one another. There was a mother and young daughter from France, a guy from Canada, a mother and teenage daughter from the Netherlands, a teacher from England and several guests from various parts of China. Coming and going through the narrow alleys of the hutong, the residents would smile and give cheery "ni hao" (hello). Laughing children were playing under the watchful eyes of the neighbors. I felt right at home in this friendly neighborhood. What is the impression of the author about the people in hutong? <extra_id_0>They came from all over the world. <extra_id_1>They all wanted to enjoy the old life of Beijing. <extra_id_2>They are living together in harmony. <extra_id_3>They are living in a heavenly peace life. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>They are living together in harmony. <extra_id_5>In America,Virginia Beach has all the elements of a classic seaside resort:brilliant beaches,a lively boardwalk,plenty of restaurants and nightspots,and amusement rides sure to appeal to kids.Many believe Virginia Beach is at its best in the off-season,when the town is less crowded but the weather is still mild. Meanwhile,some safety tips should be followed,enjoying the happiness and excitement the beach offers. The number l safety tip concerns ocean safety:pay attention to Flag conditions posted on the lifeguard stands.Lifeguards post a red flag to warn when the ocean water is dangerous.Take them seriously! Tourists from land-locked regions are particularly easily attracted by the magic of the waves.However,a calm ocean can become risky without warning.Make sure you swim near a lifeguard.Swimming without lifeguard protection is almost five times as great as drowning at a beach with lifeguards. Never swim alone.Many drownings involve single swimmers.When you swim with someone else,if one of you has a problem,the other may be able to get help,including signaling for assistance from others. Don't fight the current.The facts show that some 80% of rescues by lifeguards at ocean beaches are caused by currents.These currents are formed by surf and gravity,because once surf pushes water up the slope of a beach,gravity pulls it back.This can create concentrated rivers of water moving offshore.If you are caught in a rip current,don't fight it by trying to swim directly to shore.Instead,swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax,then swim to shore.Most rip currents are narrow and a short swim parallel to shore will help bring you to safety. Swimming in the sea you'd better not swim _ . <extra_id_0>with a friend <extra_id_1>within the sight of the lifeguard <extra_id_2>with the current <extra_id_3>as far as you like <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>as far as you like <extra_id_5>Disposition is the process of forming what? <extra_id_0>Crystals <extra_id_1>Rocks <extra_id_2>Salactites <extra_id_3>Gemstones <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>Salactites <extra_id_5>The chillier time of the year below the equator occurs while above the equator is <extra_id_0>wearing thick coats <extra_id_1>ice fishing <extra_id_2>wearing swimsuits <extra_id_3>adding blankets <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>wearing swimsuits
<extra_id_5>There was a lovely vegetable patch . A large tree grew there. Both the patch and the tree gave the place a wonderful look, and they were the pride of the gardener. But no one know that the vegetables and the tree couldn't stand each other. The vegetables hated the tree's shadow , because it left them only just enough light to live. The tree, on the other hand, hated the vegetables because they drank nearly all the water, leaving him just enough to live. Their problem became so serious that the vegetables decided to use up all the water in the ground so that the tree would die. The tree answered back by not protecting the vegetables from the hot sun, so they began to dry up. Soon the vegetables were really weak, and the tree was drying up. The gardener wondered why and stopped watering them. When he did that, both the tree and the vegetables found that it was better to help each other. They learned how to live _ with those around them. So they decided to work together, using both the shade and the water to grow well. After seeing how well they were doing, the gardener gave the best care to the vegetable patch, watering and fertilizing it better than any other patch for miles around. The passage is mainly about _ . <extra_id_0>why the sunlight and water were very important <extra_id_1>how the gardener took care of his vegetable patch <extra_id_2>why the gardener was proud of his vegetable patch <extra_id_3>what happened between the vegetables and the tree <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Whether you live in Seattle or the Sahara desert, the time has come to invest in a good raincoat or umbrella, a new study suggests. As global temperatures continue to rise, more "extreme rain" events--intense, cats-and-dogs downpours--can be expected, said thestudy, published Monday in the journalNature Climate Change. And that, scientists said, means an increased flood risk, particularly for the world's driest areas. The study challenges the idea that global warming is causingdry areas to become drierand wet areas wetter. "In both wet and dry regions, we see these great increases in heavy precipitation ," lead author Markus Donat, a climate scientist at the University of New South Wales, told Nature. Donat and his team collected data from 1951 to 2010 on extreme precipitation events from 11, 000 weather stations around the world, Nature reported. In that time, the number of days with "extreme precipitation" increased 1 percent to 2 percent per decade. "We found a strong relationship between global warming and an increase in rainfall, particularly in areas outside of the tropics," Donatsaid in a statement. "Importantly, this research suggests we will see these extreme rainfall events increases at regional levels in dry areas, not just as an average across the globe," Donat added. Peter Stott, a senior climate scientist at Met Office, told Climate Central that the study's findings are important, because more violent rainfall and flooding will "challenge our capability to adaptto a rapidly changing climate." As Nature reported, the research aligns witha 2015 study that found global warming has led to a sharp increase in record-breaking precipitation events. Donat told Nature that his study should come as a warning to world governments. Why does Scott think the findings are important? <extra_id_0>The research aligns with a 2015 study. <extra_id_1>They are about extreme precipitation events. <extra_id_2>They remind us to adjust to rapid climate changes. <extra_id_3>The study involves many famous climate scientists. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>The car was invented just a century ago. You may know all kinds of cars' names, but many people don't know who was the inventor of the first car. The first car was invented not by a German, but by an American. His name was Henry Ford. Henry was born in a poor family. He was the eldest of six children. When he was a boy, he became interested in mending watches and machines. When he was twelve years old, his mother died. Soon he had to work in a machine shop for two dollars and fifty cents a week. In the evenings he repaired watches for another dollar a week. The hard life made him strong and able. At that time there was another interest in the life of the young ford. He dreamed to make a machine. It could run without a horse, so named "horseless carriage." He over-came a lot of difficulties and in April 1893, the "horseless carriage" was finally finished. It was the first car. Later Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company . He was really the first inventor of the car in the world. From this story we can know the car was invented _ . <extra_id_0>more than 100 years ago <extra_id_1>less than 100 years ago <extra_id_2>just 100 years ago <extra_id_3>50 years ago <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>I go to work at ten o'clock every night. When I ride a bike to my office, I talk with other doctors. Then I go to help all the sick people. Some nights are very quiet, but some nights are really busy, especially on weekends. On busy nights, I even have to help other doctors. I can go home at six o'clock every morning. On my way home, I can see only a few people on the street. When I get home, I eat breakfast with my family first. Then, I read newspapers. That's my habit. I can get some news from the newspapers. After that, I go to bed. My job isn't easy, but I like _ a lot because I can help people. ,. The writer is _ on weekend nights. <extra_id_0>free <extra_id_1>busy <extra_id_2>happy <extra_id_3>lucky <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Although it was autumn, the snow was already beginning to fall in Tibet. Our legs were so heavy and cold that they felt like blocks of ice. Have you ever seen snowmen ride bicycles? That's what we looked like! Along the way children dressed in long wool coats stopped to look at us. In the late afternoon we found it was so cold that our water bottles froze. However, the lakes shone like glass in the setting sun and looked wonderful. Wang Wei rode in front of me as usual. She is very reliable and I knew I didn't need to encourage her. To climb the mountains was hard work but as we looked around us, we were surprised by the view. We seemed to be able to see for miles. At one point we were so high that we found ourselves cycling through clouds. Then we began going down the hills. It was great fun especially as it gradually became much warmer. In the valleys colorful butterflies flew around us and we saw many yaks and sheep eating green grass. At this point we had to change our caps, coats, gloves and trousers for T-shirts and shorts. Where did they see yaks and sheep eating green grass? <extra_id_0>On the top of the mountain. <extra_id_1>In the valleys. <extra_id_2>Along the river. <extra_id_3>Halfway up the mountain <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>
<extra_id_5>Valentine's Day is named for Saint Valentine, an early Christian churchman who reportedly helped young lovers.Valentine was killed for his Christian beliefs on February 14 more than 1,700 years ago, but the day that has his name is even earlier than that. More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Romans celebrated a holiday for lovers.As part of the celebration, girls wrote their names on pieces of paper and put them in a large container.Boys reached into the container and pulled one out.The girl whose name was written on the paper became his lover or sweet heart for a year. Lovers still put their names on pieces of paper and they send each other Valentine' s Day cards that tell of their love.Sometimes they also send gifts, like flowers or chocolate candy.Americans usually send these gifts and cards through the mail system.But some used another way to send this message.They have it printed in a newspaper.The cost is usually a few dollars.Some of the messages are simple and short, "Jane, I love you very much." Others say more.This one, for example, "Don, roses are red.Violets are blue.I hope you love me as much as I love you.Forever, Mary." Most of the newspapers that print such messages are local, but USA Today is sold throughout the United States and 90 other countries as well.This means someone can send a Valentine message to a lover in a far-away city or town almost anywhere in the world.These messages cost 80 dollars and more.An employee of USA Today says readers can have a small heart or rose printed along with their messages this year.Will this kind of Valentine' s Day message reach the one you love? Well, just make sure he or she reads the newspaper. What is the main purpose of the author in writing this text? <extra_id_0>To introduce Valentine's Day. <extra_id_1>To attract readers to USA Today. <extra_id_2>To tell a story about Saint Valentine. <extra_id_3>To explain the development of Valentine' s Day. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>To attract readers to USA Today. <extra_id_5>An earthquake may happen at any time. It's best for us to know what to do, where to safe and who to _ during the earthquake. The following information will help you. Remember: Prepare your personal earthquake bag. Collect these items and keep them somewhere near you. Water, food, medicine, mobile, phone, torch ,personal washing things, blanket, money. Remember: Drop, Hide, Hold and contact. Drop to the floor and protect your head and neck with your arms. Hide yourself beside something like a table, a bed and so on. Hold the furniture so that you won't move away during the earthquake. Contact family friends to tell them where you are. Remember: Never do these things. Stand to the close to the buildings stand under the trees or signs because it's better for you to stand in an open space. Go too close to the power lines because you may be badly hurt by electricity. ,. Which is the best title of the passage? <extra_id_0>The Personal Earthquake Bag. <extra_id_1>The reasons of the Earthquake. <extra_id_2>Different Kinds of Earthquakes. <extra_id_3>It's Better to be Safe than Sorry. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>It's Better to be Safe than Sorry. <extra_id_5>The survey was done among 29,760 students at 100 US high schools. The results suggest that in the past year, 30 percent of US high school students have stolen from a store. And 64 percent may have cheated on a test. However, 93 percent of the students said they were satisfied with their honesty. And 77 percent said,"when it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know." Some teachers were unhappy about the survey results. Some, however, defended (......) today's students. "The competition is greater and the pressures on kids have increased greatly,"said Mel Riddle, who was a high school teacher and headmaster for 40 years."It is the pressures that make it easy for students to be dishonest." "I think these students are better than other generations,"he said."I find them more active, better to work with and more thankful for support."" We have to create situations where it's easy for kids to do the right things, "he added."We need to create classrooms where learning is more important than having the right answer." What's Mel Riddle's opinion about the idea that students are dishonest? <extra_id_0>He gets really angry about it <extra_id_1>He thinks parents must do something to stop it <extra_id_2>He thinks the students should change their behavior <extra_id_3>He thinks there are some reasons for being dishonest <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>He thinks there are some reasons for being dishonest <extra_id_5>The yearly Academy Awards ceremony was once a private affair. Now, because of television, it is very much a public affair. Hundreds of people gather in Hollywood to see the Oscars presented to outstanding actors, and others involved in the motion picture industry. Millions more watch on television. It all began on May 16, 1929, when 270 men and women sat down to dinner at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. There was no secret about the winners. The names of the winners had been known for months. Janet Gaynor, for example, had won as Best Actress. Douglas Fairbanks presented her with the famous gold statue . The little statue was not then called Oscar. Like a new actor, Oscar was unknown. About six years later, it somehow got that renowned name. A number of explanations have been offered for its origin, but nobody knows the true story for certain. Nowadays the results of the Oscar voting are kept secret. Only two people know the winners before the names are announced at the ceremony. The counting of votes is not done by one group of people but by different groups. Nobody except two members of an accounting company sees the final results. The information is not kept in open files. Winners' names are placed in closed envelopes. The accountants each carry a complete set of envelopes to the ceremony. One set is simply a spare to be used in case something happens to the other one. Two sets of envelopes are prepared for the ceremony _ . <extra_id_0>one for New York, one for Hollywood <extra_id_1>in order to be perfectly safe <extra_id_2>one for the ceremony, one for the newspapers <extra_id_3>just because that is the custom <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>in order to be perfectly safe <extra_id_5>Which color do you like best? Everyone has his own favorite color, but how do people feel about colors? It depends on their cultures. The same color sometimes has different meanings in different countries. In England, the right color for a bride to wear is white. But in China and other eastern countries, brides often wear red. Why? It is because the red color is a sign of good luck. Red is used as a sign of danger in England. Road signs are often in red. In eastern countries, red does not mean you have to be careful. In England and other western countries, black is the color of death. But in many eastern countries, most people think white is the color of death. In England, green is used in traffic lights to tell people that it is safe to go. Green is often seen as a lucky color, but wearing green at a wedding is unlucky. Many people like the color orange because it is bright and exciting. But some _ will not use orange in their ads because they believe it suggests that their products are cheap and perhaps not of high quality. As is known to all, red is the most popular color in China while in England it is blue. In many eastern countries, most people think _ is the color of death. <extra_id_0>black <extra_id_1>green <extra_id_2>white <extra_id_3>yellow <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>white
<extra_id_5>Donald was not very good at math. He could not understand the teacher's explanations . Even when the teacher explained something a second time, Donald still could not understand it. "Never mind," Donald told himself. "I am quite good at other subjects. I will cheat in the math exam, then I won't be in trouble." "I will sit next to the boy who is best at math," he thought, "and copy down his answers." The day of the exam came, and Donald sat next to Brain Smith, who always was at the top of the class in math. Donald carefully copied Brian's answers onto his own exam paper. At the end of the exam, the teacher collected the papers and graded them. Then she said, "well, boys and girls. I have decided to give a prize to the student who got the highest grade. It's difficult for me to decide who to give the prize to, however, because two students, Donald and Brian, got the same grade." "Let them share it," one of the other students said. "I thought about that," the teacher said, "but I decided to give the prize to Brian." Donald was angry when he heard this. He stood up and said. "That's not fair. I got the same grade as Brian." 'That's true." The teacher said." However, Brian's answer to Question 18 was "I don't know," yours was "Neither do I". Donald got a high grade in math because _ . <extra_id_0>math was his best subject <extra_id_1>the questions were easy <extra_id_2>he copied from another boy <extra_id_3>the teacher explained the questions carefully <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>he copied from another boy <extra_id_5>Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning. No stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago, when her little sock fell down because it was crammed so full of goodies. Then she remembered her mother's promise and, slipping her hand under her pillow, drew out a little red-covered book. She knew it very well, for it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived, and Jo felt that it was a true guidebook for any pilgrim going on a long journey. She woke Meg with a "Merry Christmas," and asked her to see what was under her pillow. A green-covered book appeared, with the same picture inside, and a few words written by their mother, which made their one present very precious in their eyes. Presently Beth and Amy woke to find their little books also, one grey-color1ed, the other blue, and all sat looking at and talking about them, while the east grew rosy with the coming day. "Girls," said Meg seriously, "Mother wants us to read and love and mind these books, and we must begin at once. I shall keep my book on the table here and read a little every morning as soon as I wake, for I know it will do me good and help me through the day." Then she opened her new book and began to read. Jo put her arm round her and, leaning cheek to cheek, read also, with the quiet expression so seldom seen on her restless face. Much impressed by the pretty books and her sisters' example, the other two started reading too. And then the rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned, and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting. "Where is Mother?" asked Meg, as she and Jo ran down to thank her for their gifts, half an hour later. "Your ma went straight off to see what was needed in a poor woman's home." Replied Hannah, who had lived with the family since Meg was born, and was considered by them all more as a friend than a servant. "She will be back soon, I think, so fry your cakes, and have everything ready," said Meg, looking over the presents which were collected in a basket and kept under the sofa, ready to be produced at the proper time." "There's Mother. Hide the basket, quick!" cried Jo, as a door slammed and steps sounded in the hall. The girls rushed to the table, eager for breakfast. "Merry Christmas, Mummy! Thank you for our books. We read some, and mean to every day," they all cried happily together. "Merry Christmas, little daughters! I'm glad you began at once, and hope you will keep on. But I want to say one word before we sit down. Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little newborn baby. Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there, and the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold. My girls, will you give them your breakfast as a Christmas present?" They were all unusually hungry, having waited nearly an hour, and for a minute no one spoke, only a minute, for Jo exclaimed excitedly, "I'm so glad you came before we began!" Then the four girls put the cream, the muffins and the buckwheat bread into a big basket. "I thought you'd do it," said Mrs. March, smiling as if satisfied." You shall all go and help me, and when we come back we will have bread and milk for breakfast, and make it up at dinner time." They were soon ready, and the procession set out. A poor, bare, miserable room it was, with broken windows, no fire, ragged bedclothes, a sick mother, crying baby, and a group of pale, hungry children cuddled under one old quilt, trying to keep warm. How the big eyes stared and the blue lips smiled as the girls went in. "Ach, mein Gott! It is good angels come to us!" said the poor woman, crying for joy. "Funny angels in hoods and mittens ," said Jo, and set them to laughing. In a few minutes it really did seem as if kind spirits had been at work there. Hannah, who had carried wood, made a fire and stopped up the broken panes with old hats and her own cloak . Mrs. March gave the mother tea and gruel , and comforted her with promises of help, while she dressed the little baby as tenderly as if it had been her own. The girls meantime spread the table, set the children round the fire, and fed them like so many hungry birds, laughing, talking, and trying to understand the funny broken English. That was a very happy breakfast, though they didn't get any of it. When they went away, leaving comfort behind, there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls. They gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning. Which is the best title for the passage? <extra_id_0>Hungry but merry girls <extra_id_1>Mother's Presents <extra_id_2>The Morning of a Family <extra_id_3>A Merry Christmas <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>A Merry Christmas <extra_id_5>If a beach is experiencing sneaker waves, which are very dangerous, it is likely due to <extra_id_0>our sun <extra_id_1>luna <extra_id_2>our trees <extra_id_3>our skies <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>luna <extra_id_5>We each have a memory . That's why we can still remember things after a long time. Some people have very good memories and they can easily learn many things by heart, but some people can only remember things when they say or do them again and again. Many of the great men of the world have got surprising memories. A good memory is a great help in learning a language. Everybody learns his mother language when he is a small child. He hears the sounds, remembers them and then he learns to speak. Some children are living with their parents in foreign countries. They can learn two languages as easily as one because they hear, remember and speak two languages every day. In school it is not so easy to learn a foreign language because the pupils have so little time for it, and they are busy with other subjects, too. But your memory will become better and better when you do more and more exercises. ,. Everybody learns his mother language _ . <extra_id_0>at the age of six <extra_id_1>when he is a small child <extra_id_2>after he goes to school <extra_id_3>when he can read and write <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>when he is a small child <extra_id_5>Every day on the road, accidents are caused. They do not only happen. The reason may be easy to see: an overloaded tray, a shelf out of reach, a patch of ice on the road. But more often than not there is a chain of events leading up to the misfortune-frustration, tiredness or just bad temper-that show what the accident really is, a sort of attack on oneself. Road accidents, for example, happen frequently after a family quarrel, and we all know people who are _ , so often at odds with themselves and the world that they seem to cause accidents for themselves and others. By definition, an accident is something you cannot predict or avoid, and the idea which used to be current, that the majority of road accidents are caused by a minority of criminally careless drivers, is not supported by insurance statistics. These show that most accidents involve ordinary motorists in a moment of carelessness or thoughtlessness. It is not always clear, either, what sort of conditions make people more likely to have an accident. For instance, the law requires all factories to take safety actions and most companies have safety committees to make sure the regulations are observed, but still, every day in Britain, some fifty thousand men and women are absent from work due to an accident. These accidents are largely the result of human error or misjudgment-noise and fatigue, boredom or worry are possible factors which contribute to this. Doctors who work in factories have found that those who drink too much, usually people who have a high anxiety level, run three times the normal risk of accidents at work. This passage might be written to _ . <extra_id_0>college students <extra_id_1>drivers <extra_id_2>ordinary citizens <extra_id_3>businessmen <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>ordinary citizens
<extra_id_5>Dear editor( ), Can't your newspaper do something about the custom of hitchhiking? A short time ago, on a car travel I counted at least 50 people standing beside the road, asking for rides. Many of them were young women. Don't they understand how dangerous it is to get into the car driven by a stranger? How much do they know about the driver? Is he a good driver or not? They know nothing! Many of these young hitchhikers may come from good families. Don't their parents teach them anything about the world? I always taught my children not to talk to strangers. I never let them take rides from people they didn't know. Isn't there enough crime today without asking for trouble by hitchhiking? On the other hand, hitchhiking may bring some traffic trouble. Don't you think what I said is true? A Worried Grandfather The Worried Grandfather _ . <extra_id_0>doesn't like young women to drive cars <extra_id_1>thinks it is dangerous for a young woman to get into a stranger's car <extra_id_2>likes drivers to be careful and strict in their work <extra_id_3>never lets his children get into other people's car <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>thinks it is dangerous for a young woman to get into a stranger's car <extra_id_5>Which characteristic is an example of learned behavior? <extra_id_0>a bear hibernating in the winter <extra_id_1>a spider spinning a web in a tree <extra_id_2>a butterfly migrating to the south <extra_id_3>a dog scratching at a door to go out <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>a dog scratching at a door to go out <extra_id_5>World Book and Copyright Day is a annual event that falls on April 23 and was first celebrated in 1995. The event was organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. The connection between April 23 and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Catalonia, prefix = st1 /Spainas a way to honor the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. It became part of the celebrations of theSaint George'sDay (also April 23) in the region, where it has been a tradition since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for women to give a book in exchange. In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on April 23 to _ people who have made great contributions to social and cultural progress of mankind. The date is also the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare, the death of renowned authors Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Josep Pla, the birth of Maurice Druon, Vladimir Nabokov, Manuel Mejia Vallejo and Halldor Laxness. With the success of the World Book and Copyright Day, UNESCO developed the concept of World Book Capital City, selecting Madridas the capital for 2001. After this, UNESCO's General Conference resolved to make the designation of a World Book Capital City an annual event and selected Beirut as this year's capital. How often does World Book and Copyright Day take place? _ . <extra_id_0>Every year <extra_id_1>Every other year <extra_id_2>Every fourth year <extra_id_3>Not referred to <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Every year <extra_id_5>Chocolate was a box turtle. Lauren found her one day on the side of the road, hiding in her old, worn shell, frightened by the cars going by. Lauren picked Chocolate up to help her cross the street, because Lauren knew that turtles are very slow and cars are very fast. After Lauren got Chocolate to the other side of the road, Chocolate peeked her head out of her shell and looked at the little girl. Lauren saw that not only was Chocolate's shell worn, one of her eyes was shut. Lauren thought Chocolate needed more help from her, so Lauren took the turtle home. Lauren hid Chocolate in her bathtub, because she was worried that her mother would be mad. Lauren went to look up what turtles like to eat and left Chocolate alone in the bathtub. Lauren was still looking up turtle facts when she heard her mother call out, "Lauren, get in here now!" Lauren knew she was in trouble. But when Lauren came into the bathroom, her mother was smiling. Lauren's mom told her that she had a turtle when she was a little girl. Lauren and her mom took Chocolate to an animal doctor who treated sick turtles. The doctor gave them special drops to put in Chocolate's eyes. Lauren put the drops in Chocolate's eyes, like the doctor told her and soon the turtle's eyes were all better. Chocolate's shell was still old and worn looking, like an old shoe, but now her eyes were beautiful, like the golden jewels on Grandma's earrings. Lauren was glad that she helped Chocolate. What did Chocolate have at the beginning and the end of the story? <extra_id_0>a worn shell <extra_id_1>beautiful golden eyes <extra_id_2>bright green eyes <extra_id_3>a shiny shell <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>a worn shell <extra_id_5>Sixteen-year-old Maria was waiting in line at the airport in Santo Domingo. She was leaving her native country to join her sister in the United States. She spoke English very well. Though she was very happy she could go abroad, she was feeling sad at leaving her family and friends. As she was thinking all about this, she suddenly heard the airline employee asking her to pick up her luggage and put it on the scales . Maria pulled and pulled. The bag was too heavy and she just couldn't lift it up. The man behind her got very impatient. He, too, was waiting to check in his luggage. "What's wrong with this girl?" He said, "Why doesn't she hurry up?" He moved forward and placed his bag on the counter, hoping to check in first. He was in a hurry to get a good seat. Maria was very angry, but she was very polite. And in her best English she said, "Why are you so upset? There are enough seats for everyone on the plane. If you are in such a hurry, why can't you give me a hand with my luggage?" The man was surprised to hear Maria speak English. He quickly picked up her luggage and stepped back. Everyone was looking at him with disapproval. Everyone was looking at him with disapproval. This sentence means that the people around felt _ . <extra_id_0>worried about Maria <extra_id_1>worried about the man <extra_id_2>sorry for Maria's manners <extra_id_3>sorry for the man's manners <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>sorry for the man's manners
<extra_id_5>Parents, our first teachers, play a highly significant role in our lives.However, doesn't it seem that many of us come to have conflicts with them when we start high school? We're less likely to listen to them and take their suggestions--we even rebel against them. Why? It may be the so-called "generation gap".A generation gap appears when we begin to feel our parents are ignoring us, don't understand us, and we feel we can no longer share our feelings with them. The key reason is our desire for independence.In senior high school, we start to want to take responsibility for our own lives and make our own decisions.But parents resist this.They still want to control us and try to force us to do things they think we should do.Debate and discussion often come to nothing.Gradually, we talk with them less, and keep our feelings locked up inside. Zhang Xiaoyun, 16, of Ningbo, Zhejiang, has talked less and less with her mother since she started senior high school."She believes studies should be my priority, not my inner world," Zhang said."Each day, she asks me the same old questions like, 'How was your last exam? or 'Have you made any progress in physics?" To Zhang, these questions are annoying and so she always tries to ignore them and answers _ ."Sometimes, when I get upset, I quarrel with her.After, she comes to apologize and comfort me.But I know, she doesn't completely understand me," Zhang said.Now, a home that was once full of laughter has fallen into gloom and silence. The generation gap can be harmful.Because of the lack of communication, our parents no longer know what we are thinking about.There are quarrels, even over trivial things.When that happens, we may not be able to concentrate on our studies.Some of us even become afraid to go home after school-- a very serious situation for the whole family. Which of the following is one reason for the generation gap according to the passage? <extra_id_0>Modern society changing very fast. <extra_id_1>Parents having unrealistic hopes of their children. <extra_id_2>Parents and kids not understanding and respecting each other. <extra_id_3>Young people liking to escape from the control of their parents. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Exercise is an important part of a healthy life. It reduces your risk of heart attack and is a good way to control body weight. It is also something you can do with other people, which can be great fun. So, it is important to find time to exercise and be healthier. As well as making time to exercises, another way is to build it into the natural rhythm of your day. * Go for a walk on your lunch break. Try to find at least three different ways and change them throughout the week. It might even be possible to find a place to walk inside, for those bad weather days. * Talk to your employers about improving health at work. Encourage your workers to cycle to and from work. You might also be able to encourage them to set up a gymnasium. Sell the idea by pointing out that doing so will improve productivity , and make workers happy. * If you are a student. Go for walks with friends to talk about your studies. Spend some time in the learning resource centre reading about sport, exercise and health. The more you know, the more choices you will have about how to be physically active. Most colleges have sport and exercise programs that students can take part in. Find out which activities are being held, and try those you think you might enjoy. Workers are advised to cycle to and from work to _ . <extra_id_0>make themselves realize the importance of health <extra_id_1>work better and bring pleasure to themselves <extra_id_2>make themselves become much stronger <extra_id_3>reduce the time spent in walking to work <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Technology and the present generation of kids go hand in hand. Taking advantage of this factor, Lim Hojoon, the designer from South Korea, has come up with an educational gadget especially for children. Kidget, as the name suggests, is a combination of two words - kid and gadget. This kid-friendly gadget has various uses. When your child is in a mood to read, it takes the form of a storybook. When the mood is to draw and color this wonder gadget turns into a perfect canvas . Your child can freely give color to all his/her imaginations. Should he or she wish to have some fun, see this device change into a musical instrument. You too would enjoy doing activities with your loved one using this gadget. This touch screen device will definitely prove to be an ideal friend. As many parents agree, in this age of technological advancements it is much easier to introduce children to new gadgets than adults. While many adults refrain from trying out something new, kids are more than prepared to take the leap. Keeping this fact in mind, Kidget is the perfect gift for the child of the 21st century. You will be surprised to see how fast your little one gets acquainted with the device. You might even find yourself lagging behind at times. Kidget has another hidden advantage. It helps take the load off young shoulders. With three things rolled into one, a child has much less books, stationary items and related goods to carry. It comes with a promise to make life simpler for kids. Not only is it simple to use but also easy to carry along. The stylish protective case comes with a belt attached to it. Children up to 14 years of age, the targeted audience, enjoy the freedom that comes with it. A hidden advantage of Kidget is that _ . <extra_id_0>it can be put into a schoolbag <extra_id_1>children can carry much less with it <extra_id_2>it has a stylish protective case <extra_id_3>it contains all the textbooks <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>What's on TV? 6: 00 3 Let's Talk! Guest: Animal expert Jim Porter 5 Cartoons 9News 7:00 3 Cooking with Cathy Tonight: Chicken with mushrooms 5 Movie "A Laugh a Minute"(1955) James Rayburn 8 Spin for Dollars! 9 Farm Report 7:30 3 Double Trouble(comedy) The twins disrupt the high school dance. 9 Wall Street Today: Stock Market Report 8:00 3 NBA Basketball. Teams to be announced 8 Movie "At Day's End" (1981) Michael Collier, Juie Romer Drama set in World War II 9 News Special "Saving Our Waterways: Pollution in the prefix = st1 /Mississippi" If you'd like to watch a game show, you could turn on the TV to <extra_id_0>Channel 5 at 6: 00 <extra_id_1>Channel 8 at 7 : 00 <extra_id_2>Channel 3 at 7 : 30 <extra_id_3>Channel 3 at 8 : 00 <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>When I was 17 years old I had surgery because of a disease. The day after the surgery, I awoke to find a friend of mine sitting in a chair across from my bed. I don't remember much about his visit. But I will not forget that he visited me on that day, and sat there for I don't know how long, while I was under the influence of a morphine drip . We benefit greatly from our close friendships, but they are not a matter of calculable gain or loss. Our age, what we might call the age of economics, is strongly influenced by two types of relationships that reflect the lives we are encouraged to lead. There are consumer relationships, those that we participate in for the pleasure they bring us. They are focused on the present. It is what brings immediate pleasure that matters. And there are entrepreneurial relationships, those that we invest in, hoping they will bring us some return. Aristotle thought that there were three types of friendship: those of pleasure, those of usefulness, and true friendship. In pleasure friendships, he said, "It is not for their character that men love ready-witted people, but because they find them pleasant." About the usefulness friendships, he said, "Those who love each other for their utility do not love each other for themselves, but because of some good which they get from each other." Although we benefit from our close friendships, these friendships are not a matter of calculable gain and loss. Consumer pleasures are lasting for only a limited time. They surround us for a short period and then they fade, like a drug. Entrepreneur friendship, when successful, leads to the victory of personal gain. It is precisely this non-economic character that is threatened in a society in which each of us is offered only the choices of ownership, shopping, competition and growth. It is threatened when we are led to believe that friendships without obvious recognizable gain are, in the economic sense, irrational . Friendships are not without reason, perhaps, but they are certainly without that particular reason. Shared experience, not just everyday amusement or advancement, is the true basis of friendship. The author tries to persuade readers to accept his argument by _ . <extra_id_0>explaining three types of friendship <extra_id_1>discussing questions <extra_id_2>analyzing causes and effects <extra_id_3>providing examples and facts <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>What is most like a mirror? <extra_id_0>grasslands <extra_id_1>deserts <extra_id_2>oceans <extra_id_3>forests <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>oceans <extra_id_5>One event that helps educate young people about things they can do for others is National Youth Service Day (NYSD). Every year on this day, organizations all over the country celebrate young volunteers, educate young people about how they can help their country, and invite them to participate in service projects. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said, "National Youth Service Day honors young volunteers and is an invitation to others to join hands and do our part as Americans." Founded in 1988, NYSD originally took place on a Tuesday. Now the event lasts from Friday until Sunday so that more people can participate in it. More than 200 organizations work together to create thousands of projects each year. Millions of young people across the United States take part in these service projects. Long before the event, people, community groups, schools, and nonprofit organizations think of ways to meet their communities' needs. Then, they plan projects for young volunteers. Projects include bringing food to hungry people, tutoring younger children and helping senior citizens. During the event, young people from the community do things like planting neighborhood gardens and cleaning up local parks. The organizations that contribute to NYSD believe that volunteering and community service are important activities for people of all ages, but especially for young people. Young people who volunteer are more likely to do well in school, vote, and contribute to charities. More important, they help other people and make the world a better place for everyone. On National Youth Service Day, young volunteers will _ . <extra_id_0>do some cleaning in public places <extra_id_1>prepare food for hungry people <extra_id_2>plant vegetables and fruit <extra_id_3>help old people to learn <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>do some cleaning in public places <extra_id_5>Janet had a season ticket for the Scorpions' hockey games at Central Arena (Section B, Row 12, Seat 16). During the intermission between the first and second periods of a game between the Scorpions and the visiting Hornets, Janet solicited signatures for a petition urging that the coach of the Scorpions be fired. Central Arena and the Scorpions are owned by ABC, Inc., a privately owned entity. As evidenced by many prominently displayed signs, ABC prohibits all solicitations anywhere within Central Arena at any time and in any manner. ABC notified Janet to cease her solicitation of signatures. Janet continued to seek signatures on her petition during the Scorpions' next three home games at Central Arena. Each time, ABC notified Janet to cease such solicitation. Janet announced her intention to seek signatures on her petition again during the Scorpions' next home game at Central Arena. ABC wrote a letter informing Janet that her season ticket was canceled and tendering a refund for the unused portion. Janet refused the tender and brought an appropriate action to establish the right to attend all home games. In this action, the court will decide for <extra_id_0>ABC, because it has a right and obligation to control activities on realty it owns and has invited the public to visit. <extra_id_1>ABC, because Janet's ticket to hockey games created only a license. <extra_id_2>Janet, because, having paid value for the ticket, her right to be present cannot be revoked. <extra_id_3>Janet, because she was not committing a nuisance by her activities. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>ABC, because Janet's ticket to hockey games created only a license. <extra_id_5>We know, painkillers in a tablet can make your headache go away, and antibiotic from a tube can prevent your cuts from becoming infected. Can medicine come in chicken eggs? A team of scientists from Scotland says "yes." They've kept some special chickens that lay eggs with disease-treating drugs inside. These drugs are made of molecules called proteins. Animals make thousands of proteins--they're the main ingredients in skin, hair, milk, and meat. Since animals can make proteins easily, they're good animals for making protein drugs. Researchers have already made cows, sheep, and goats that pump out protein drugs in their milk. But chickens are cheaper to take care of, need less room, and grow faster than these other animals. "Those qualities could make chickens a better choice to become living drug factories." says Simon Lillico of the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh, Scotland. Lillico and a team of researchers changed chickens' DNA--the code that tells cells how to make proteins--so that the birds' cells made two protein drugs. One drug can treat skin cancer, and the other treats a nerve disease called multiple sclerosis. The scientists changed the chickens' DNA so that the birds made these drugs only in their egg whites. This protects the chickens' bodies from the drugs' possible harmful effects and makes it easy for scientists to collect the drugs. These special chickens can pass on their drug-laying abilities to their chicks. So far, the Scottish researchers have kept five generations of drug-producing chickens. But the scientists need to improve these chickens. The chickens don't make enough drugs to treat people yet. Once the researchers perfect their technique, you might eventually take your medicine from chicken eggs. What can be inferred from the passage? <extra_id_0>Scottish researchers have kept five more drug-producing chickens. <extra_id_1>This technique still needs improving so as to satisfy the normal application. <extra_id_2>In the future people with diseases will take eggs instead of pills. <extra_id_3>The chicks need to be improved so as to carry the same ability as their parents. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>This technique still needs improving so as to satisfy the normal application. <extra_id_5>Why play games? Because they are fun, and a lot more besides. Following the rules, planning your next move, acting as a team member------these are all "game" ideas that you will have throughout your life. Think about some of the games you played as a young child, such as rope-jumping and hide-and-seek. Some games are entertaining and fun. But perhaps more importantly, they _ that teach children some of the basic rules they will be expected to follow the rest of their lives, such as taking turns and teamwork. Many children's games have a practical side. Children around the world play games that prepare them for work they will do as adults. For example, some Saudi Arabian children play a game called bones. It can be very helpful to exercise their hands and eyes, which is needed in hunting. Many sports encourage national or local pride. The most famous games of all, the Olympic Games, bring athletes from around the world together to take part in the friendly competition. People who watch the event wave flags, knowing that a gold medal is a win for a whole country, not just the athlete who has got _ . For countries experiencing natural disasters or war, an Olympic win can mean so much. Sports are also an event that brings people together. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. People on all continents play it------some for fun and some for a living. Nicolette Iribarne, a Californian soccer player, has discovered a way to spread hope through soccer. He set up an organization which can provide poor children with not only soccer balls but also a hopeful future. Next time, when you play your favorite game or sport, think about why you enjoy it, what skills are needed, and whether these skills will help you in your life. What is the passage mainly about? <extra_id_0>The popular games. <extra_id_1>Games and real life. <extra_id_2>The advantages of games. <extra_id_3>Children's games and the future. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Games and real life.
<extra_id_5>Scientists at Harvard University and Bates College find female chimpanzees appear to treat sticks as dolls, carrying them around until they have children of their own. Young males engage in such behavior much less frequently. The new work by Sonya M. Kahlenberg and Richard W. Wrangham, described this week in the journal Current Biology, provides the first evidence of a wild nonhuman species playing with dolls, as well as the first known sex difference in a wild animal's choice of playthings. The two researchers say their work adds to a growing body of evidence that human children are probably born with their own ideas of how they want to behave, rather than simply mirroring other girls who play with dolls and boys who play with trucks. Doll play among humans could have its origins in object--carrying by earlier apes , they say, suggesting that toy selection is probably not due entirely to socialization. "In humans, there are obvious sex differences in children's toy play, and these are remarkably similar across cultures," says Kahlenberg. "While socialization by elders and peers has been the primary explanation, our work suggests that biology may also have an important role to play in activity preferences." In 14 years of data on chimpanzee behavior at the Kibale National Park in Uganda, Kahlenberg and Wrangham counted more than 100 examples of stickcarrying. Some young chimpanzees carried sticks into the nest to sleep with them and on one occasion built a separate nest for the stick. "We have seen juveniles occasionally carrying sticks for many years, and because they sometimes treated them rather like dolls, we wanted to know if in general this behavior tended to represent something like playing with dolls," says Wrangham, a Professor at Harvard. "If the doll hypothesis was right, we thought that females should carry sticks more than males do, and that the chimpanzees should stop carrying sticks when they had their first child. We have now watched enough young chimpanzees to prove both points." What causes the different toy selection of chimpanzees, according to the passage? <extra_id_0>Sex difference. <extra_id_1>Socialization. <extra_id_2>Environment. <extra_id_3>Cultural difference. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>"Tomorrow is another day"---- this line has impressed various people at various times. It's now 70 years after _ appeared in the film, but it still seems to hold its power especially during an economic downturn. The phrase comes from a film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's successful 1936 novelGone With the Wind. It's set in the American South and tells the story of a strong heroine, Scarlett O' Hara, who struggles to find love during the Civil War and, afterwards, of her strength in surviving the war and its hardships. Love story In a moment of despair, Scarlett finally realizes that her love belongs to Rhett Butler. For many audiences, it is the theme of love and struggle that has kept the movie alive. While the burning of Atlanta might seem irrelevant to today's viewers, the timeless theme of love keeps its ability to touch people. With a promise to her lover still in her mind, Scarlett chooses to stay in the midst of war and take care of Melanie. But her heart is broken when Rhett just walks away, leaving the woman that he once loved with cruel words, "Frankly, dear, I don' t give a damn." Great epic The film shows the love-hate relationship of these characters, but also American history, the fall of the Confederacy and the following period of Reconstruction in the South. The background made this film a true classic in the epic genre. When the film opened after World War II, French viewers loved it, and it reminded them of their fight against the Nazis. In 1940 Shanghai, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, people stood in line for hours to watch this film, and saw the same suffering they were having as well as the hope and possibility of building a new homeland from the ruins. Each nationality could identify with the story and see it as a victory. In fact,Gone With the Windnever lost its charm and ability to inspire and amaze. Biggest of all time The film had five directors, 15-plus screenwriters, and an unexpected $3.9 million budget. The film brought in $ 200 million, which makes it the biggest selling film of all times in North America. It also won 10 Academy awards in 1940. The text is written mainly to _ . <extra_id_0>celebrate the anniversary of Margaret Mitchell <extra_id_1>introduce how the film was directed and filmed <extra_id_2>throw light on the charm of the movie " Gone with the Wind" <extra_id_3>inspire people to struggle the economic downturn <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>This story is about a young man.He worked very hard at his lessons.He was too busy to have a rest.At last, he became ill, so he couldn't go to sleep.Every night, when he went to bed, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.But the more he tried, the more he stayed awake. After a while he decided to visit the doctor."I just can't go to sleep at night.What should I do?" "I have a suggestion," said the doctor."Try counting numbers.By the time you reach one thousand, you'll be asleep.I'm sure of it." The next day the man returned to the doctor's office."Well," said the doctor, "how are you today? Did you try my suggestion?" The man still looked tired."Yes," he said, "I tried counting one, two, three...up to one thousand.But when I reached five hundred and sixty-nine, I began to feel sleepy.I had to get up and drink some tea so that I could go on counting up to one thousand.But then I still couldn't fall asleep." The young man _ . <extra_id_0>counted from 569 to 1,000 <extra_id_1>counted from 1 to 569 and fell asleep <extra_id_2>counted from 1 to 569 and got up to drink some tea <extra_id_3>counted from 1 to 1,000 and fell asleep <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>The 32ndHong Kong Art Festival,to be held early next year,will be based on the theme of "family". The art festival, considered to be Asia's best, began in 1973. "We hope that people from Beijing and from all over the world will go to Hong Kong to enjoy the multiple performances in our art festival," Douglas Gautier, the festival's management director, said in a press conference in the capital. In the 29 days of the festival, which runs from February 8 to March 7,2004, the audience can choose from 111 performances of 51 programmes staged by 700 foreign performers,450 local artists and 160 actors from the mainland. Programmes vary from classical music, jazz, world music, Western and Peking opera, drama and dance to outdoor spectaculars. The programmes include Beethoven's only opera Fidelio, Shakespeare's drama Romeo and Juliet, the ballet Mozartina and African dances, to name just a few. The lineup includes the English Touring Theatre, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Zurich Ballet, the Spanish National Dance Troupe, as well as Europe Galante the Petersen Quarter, pianists Angela Hewitt and Marc-Andre Hamelin, and saxophonist Jan Garbarek. In an effort to increase attendance, hotels and airlines are offering _ along with art festival ticket sales, most of which are at 20% and 30% discounts. For more information, please check: _ According to the text, we do NOT have any information about _ . <extra_id_0>who will perform on stage <extra_id_1>what programmes there will be <extra_id_2>when the 32ndArt Festival will be held <extra_id_3>which theatres will put on performances <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Green Eyes is a book. It's about a lovely cat called Green Eyes. He is one year old. He is interested in everything around him. He lives in his big red box and greets spring, summer, autumn and winter--each with their special colours and feelings .The pictures of the book are beautiful, and the words are easy to read. Many people have different ideas about it. Here're some _ of the readers . Hello Kitty: It is a great book about how a cat sees the seasons. I'm a teacher and I read it to my students every year when we study the seasons. A Sweet Girl: I'm a little girl from America. I've got the book on my 12thbirthday this year. My parents buy it for me. I love it so much. I often read it before going to bed. Warm Wind: I'm Jenny. I'm in the school reading club .We share our favourite book every Sunday. I share this book with other students in the club. They all like it. What is Green Eyes? <extra_id_0>A dog <extra_id_1>A cat <extra_id_2>A bird <extra_id_3>A lion <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>
<extra_id_5>Once there lived an old man in a town. He always forgot a lot of things. So his wife always had to say to him,"Don't forget this." One day he went on a long way alone. Before he left home,his wife said,"Now you have all these things. You need them on your way. Take care of your things on the way." He went to the station. He bought a ticket and got on the train with it. About an hour later,the conductor began to see the tickets. He came to the old man and said,"Will you please show me your ticket?" The old man looked for his ticket in all his pockets but he could not find it. He was very worried."I can't find my ticket. I really bought a ticket before I got on the train "said the old man. "I think you are right. I believe you bought a ticket. All right,you don't have to buy another ticket "said the conductor kindly. But the old man still looked worried and said sadly,"You don't know why I'm worried. If I don't find my ticket,I can't remember my station. Where am I going? " Which of the following is right? <extra_id_0>The old man went on the trip with his wife <extra_id_1>The old man didn't find his ticket <extra_id_2>The conductor was also an old man <extra_id_3>The old man had to buy another ticket <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>A student pushes a wooden block across a sheet of sandpaper. Which characteristic of the block increases? <extra_id_0>hardness <extra_id_1>mass <extra_id_2>size <extra_id_3>temperature <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Guo Jingming is a best-selling author in China. He was born in Zigong, Sichuan Province on June 6, 1983. He is well-known for his essays and fictions, such as On the Edge of Love and Hurt, City of Fantasy, and Tiny Times. His essays and fictions are especially popular with teenagers. He is also a director and once directed his movie Tiny Times successfully. In June 2013, Guo was awarded the Best New Director at the Shanghai International Film Festival for his first movie Tiny Times. The movie has sold 6.7 million copies. In 2001, Guo Jingming started to gain _ after winning the New Concept Writing Competition's top award. Lots of young people got to know Guo Jingming little by little. A year later, Guo entered the writing competition again and won the top prize for the second time. At the same time, a collection of his prose On the Edge of Love and Hurt was published. In 2003, his first novel City of Fantasy came out. It was the novel that made Guo Jingming famous all over the country. In 2008, Guo was elected to the Chinese Writers' Association. He became the youngest member of the association. Guo's Tiny Times series was published between 2008 and 2012. A collection of his prose " On the Edge of Love and Hurt" was published _ . <extra_id_0>In 2001 <extra_id_1>In 2002 <extra_id_2>In 2003 <extra_id_3>In 2005 <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Rick is a good man.He makes birthday cakes in a shop.His cakes are great and have very good prices,so many people buy his cakes.He makes friends with lots of his customers .They all like him very much.One evening.he wants to go home,but many of his old customers come in.Rick smiles to them,"I am sorry.It is late today.If you need cakes,please come tomorrow."One of them takes out a nice cake and says to him,"You make so many great cakes for us.This birthday cake is for you.Happy birthday, Rick." When the customers come one evening,Rick _ . <extra_id_0>is making cakes <extra_id_1>is at home <extra_id_2>wants to go home <extra_id_3>is playing basketball <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>A creature that is lacking domestication, and is also lacking a wild space, perhaps occupies <extra_id_0>a wild time <extra_id_1>a distant planet <extra_id_2>a small crater <extra_id_3>a displayed habitat <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>
<extra_id_5>China's auto production is expected to grow by 20 percent in 2005 to 6 million vehicles , possibly passing Germany as the world's No. 3 producer. China is the world's-fastest-growing auto market as rising incomes make it possible for millions to buy their cars. Foreign automakers are investing billions of dollars in expanding production in China. Germany produced 5.5 million vehicles in 2004, the No. 3 producer behind the United States and Japan. London is quickly becoming a major cycling city after the terrorist ( ) bombings on London's subway and bus system July 7, which killed 52 people. London Mayor Ken Livingstone wants to increase cycling 80% by 2010. "Cycling is the fastest, cheapest, most healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around London, and more and more people are taking it up," Livingstone said. "The number of cyclists has doubled over the last five years, while those killed or seriously injured has fallen by 40%." Under the London Cycling Action Plan, Livingstone hopes to make London a world-class cycling city to reduce congestion and pollution. London now has 273 miles of bike roads, half built since 2000. The goal is 560 miles by 2010. Why is China the fastest-growing auto market? <extra_id_0>Because Chinese are getting higher incomes. <extra_id_1>Because foreign auto makers are investing more. <extra_id_2>Because Chinese like to have their own cars. <extra_id_3>Because Germany is producing less vehicles. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>My husband and I recently had the chance to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in Morocco, Our daughter had very kindly given us the trip as a gift a few weeks ago. One day, we were walking around in the lively and crowded streets, having a good time. I was looking at all the amazing places and architectures, and all the beautiful faces of the people around us. While I was excited about all the beautiful things around me, my husband walked into a shop. I was left standing alone in the street. The women in this country are never alone. After fifteen minutes, I started feeling a little uneasy. A street man dressed in torn, ragged clothes was coming towards me. To tell the truth, I thought the worst at that moment. I thought he was a beggar who was coming to ask for money. As he was passing, he stopped and touched my shoulder. He looked directly at me and the enormous love shining through his eyes made me relaxed. He then asked, "D' accord? D' accord?" I nodded yes. And with his smile, calmness and those incredible peaceful loving eyes, I was moved for days, and my mind was filled with the memory of such a kind person. For me, it was a reminder that we can all talk a good talk , but it is the action that matters. Usually, I tell others that we should be loving towards everyone. That day, I felt sorry as I did not walk my talk . But this stranger in rags gave me the most special reminder. He showed me the beauty that anyone can receive care and concern, at any moment, from the most unlikely sources. The stranger in rags reminded the author that _ <extra_id_0>the women in Morocco are never alone. <extra_id_1>she should pay more attention to poor people <extra_id_2>she should trust in everyone. <extra_id_3>actions are more important than a good talk <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Joe and his friends were on their way to the Red Cross Headquarters to take the test for the first- aid badge .They had worked and practiced very hard the whole year and were confident that they would do well for their test. On their way to the test place, they saw a hit - and - run accident. A taxi driver had sped through the red light and almost hit a schoolboy, However, he could not stop in time to avoid a motorcycle that had turned round the corner. The passenger at the back was thrown off the motorcycle and landed heavily on the ground. The taxi driver was frightened and drove off. Everyone on the street was greatly surprised. Joe realized that they should take action when he saw the victim bled heavily. "Come on," he said to his friends and wanted them to follow him but they didn't move. Joe knew what they were thinking. They would have to wait for another year if they were to miss the test. "Which is more important? A man's life or a badge?" Joe asked his friends. The question made his friends feel small. The victim had a deep cut on his head. Joe and his friends dressed his wound to stop the bleeding while waiting for the hospital car to arrive. This was what the Red Cross Society had trained them for. What did Joe and his friends do for the victim? <extra_id_0>They took him to the hospital. <extra_id_1>They stopped the bleeding for him. <extra_id_2>They did nothing for him. <extra_id_3>They made a phone call to his family. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>The following are the world-renewed attractions in London, so don't miss them while touring there. Shakespeare's Globe Shakespeare's Globe, which officially opened in 1997, is a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, built in 1599, and brings Shakespeare's world to life. As a visitor to the exhibition,you'll discover how shows were produced in the theatres during Shakespeare's time. The guide-storytellers take you on a fascinating half-hour tour. Price: Adult PS9.00;Child(5-15) PS6.50; Student PS7.50; Under 5 FREE. The Tower of London The tower, nearly 100 feet high, with walls 15 feet thick, was built in the early 1080s. King Henry III made this tower his home. King Edward V and his younger brother were murdered inside by their uncle. Queen Elizabeth I was shut up in the tower for two months by her half sister Mary who felt that her throne was being threatened . In 1603, part of the tower became a museum. Price: Adult PS16.50; Child (5-15) PS9.50; Under 5 FREE; Student PS13.50; Family (two adults with three children) PS46.00. Banqueting House Banqueting House is the remains of Whitehall Palace which was built in 1529 and was home to the English kings. It was destroyed by fire. Famous for its architecture and painting, the building is also known for being the scene of Charles I's execution . Price: Adult PS4.50; Child PS2.25; Student (with ID) and senior citizen (60+) PS3.00; Under 5 FREE. Tower Bridge Exhibition Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the world. At the Tower Bridge Exhibition you can enjoy breath-taking views from the high-level walkways and learn about the history of the bridge and how it was built. You can then visit the Victorian engine rooms, home to the original steam engines that used to power the bridge. Price: AdultPS6.00; Child (5-15) PS3.00; Under 5 FREE; Senior citizen(60+) PS4.50; StudentPS4.50. If two parents with their 4-year-old son visit Tower Bridge, they should pay_. <extra_id_0>PS12 <extra_id_1>PS15 <extra_id_2>PS9 <extra_id_3>16 <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>The day was dark and stormy; puddles could be seen all over the ground, making the yard look like a tiny pond. Conner frowned as he let the curtain drop back down. There was no way that mommy was going to let him go out and play today. She would say that it was too muddy and he would get wet. Conner thought to himself, "But what if I don't ask her?" Smiling, Conner pushed open the sliding door to the back yard. Slipping on his rain boots, he rushed outside and began to run and jump from puddle to puddle, sending large showers of water up around him with every jump. After he had jumped in all of the puddles he looked back towards the house to find mommy standing in the doorway watching him with a smile on her face. She giggled as she too pulled on her rain boots and joined him in jumping from puddle to puddle. What has made the little boy sad <extra_id_0>the rain has forced him to stay inside <extra_id_1>he wants a puppy <extra_id_2>he doesn't want to eat his vegetable <extra_id_3>he has to go to bed <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>Dear Mom and Dad, I'm afraid I have some very bad news for you. I have been very naughty and the school master is very angry with me. She is going to write to you. You must come and take me away from here. She does not want me in the school any longer. The trouble started last night when I was smoking a cigarette in bed. As I was smoking, I heard footsteps coming towards the room .I did not want a teacher to catch me smoking, so I threw the cigarette away. Unfortunately, the cigarette fell into the waste--paper basket. It caught fire. There was a curtain near the waste --paper basket. It caught fire too. Soon the whole room was burning. The master phoned the fire brigade . The school is a long way from the town and before the fire brigade arrived, the whole school was on fire. The master said that the fire was all my fault and I must pay for the damage. She will send you a bill for about a million dollars. I'm very sorry for this. Much love Sarah Where did Sarah smoke? <extra_id_0>In the dormitory <extra_id_1>In the Dinning hall <extra_id_2>In the street <extra_id_3>In the classroom <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>China is a land of bicycles.At least it was back in 1992 when I travelled the country.Back then everyone seemed to be riding a bicycle.Millions of them,all black.Cars were rare.Yet since my arrival in Beijing last year,I've found the opposite is true.There were millions of cars.However,people still use their bicycles to get around.For many,it's the easiest and cheappiest way to travel today. Bicycles also come in different colours---silver,green,red,blue,yellow,whatever you want. It's fun watching people biking. They rush quickly through crossroads,move skillfully through traffic,and ride even on sidewalks . Bicycles allow people the freedom to move about that cars just can't provide. Eager to be part of this aspect of Chinese culture, I decided to buy a bicycle. Great weather accompanied my great buy. I immediately jumped up on my bicycle seat and started to ride. My first ride home was orderly .To be safe,I stayed with a "pack"of bikers while cars on the streets came running swiftly out of nowhere at times. I didn't want to get hit.So I took the ride carefully. Crossing the streets was the biggest problem. It was a lot like crossing a major highway back in the United States. The streets here were wide,so crossing took time,skill and a little bit of luck. I finally made it home. The feeling on the bicycle was amazing. The air hitting my face and going through my air was wonderful. I was sitting on top of the world as I passed by places and people.Biking made me feel alive. How did the suthour feel about his street crossing? <extra_id_0>It was boring. <extra_id_1>It was difficult. <extra_id_2>It was lively. <extra_id_3>It was wonderful. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>How could we live without the Internet? That's how most of us keep in touch with friends, find homework support, research cool place to visit, or find out the latest news. You can use it to do research for school, find out what movie is on near you, check out a college you're thinking about, or find a job or volunteer opportunity. Almost anything you can think of has a website about it. You've probably heard stories about people who get into trouble in chat rooms. Because users can easily _ , you may be cheated in the chat room. Everyone in the chat room looks like wearing a mask . Chat rooms often attract people who are interested in more than just chatting. They will sometimes ask visitors for information about themselves. The information might be about their families, or where they live. It shouldn't be given away. Usually, the people who request personal information like home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses use the information to do some illegal things. This might harm a person's or family's well-being. Of course, the Internet is home to millions of places you can and should visit. However, remember to protect yourself while online. What can we learn from the passage? <extra_id_0>Internet users should wear a mask. <extra_id_1>The Internet makes it difficult to use the computer. <extra_id_2>We'd better not give away the personal information on the Internet. <extra_id_3>It's difficult to get cheated on the Internet. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>Can you imagine traveling to work in a one - man submarine? Some scientists believe that some day one - man submarines will be as many as automobiles are today.A famous French driver says, "One day soon, men will walk on the ocean floor as they do on the street!" Perhaps during your lifetime people will travel, and live in the sea. If human beings want to live in the ocean, many human problems will need to be studied first. Some of these problems, similar to those of living in outer space, are pressure, lack of oxygen and weightlessness. Many questions are still unanswered.For example, can our blood make itself fit for underwater surroundings? What will happen to our muscle if we live in the water very long? Scientists are looking for answers. Perhaps in the future man will live in the sea, away from the crowded and noisy cities on land.Then sea has plenty of space, not only for floating living buildings and parks, but also for storing supplies and for underwater travel. Some scientists believe that ocean living will benefit man in more than physical ways. In the freedom and beauty of the deep sea, man may find new sources of joy. What can we do if we live in the ocean? ( ) <extra_id_0>We can have plenty of oxygen. <extra_id_1>We can be fit to live in the water very well. <extra_id_2>We needn't worry about things like weightlessness. <extra_id_3>We can travel and work in the sea. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Long ago, there was a little elephant. He left home and played in the forest alone. He stayed outside for many days and became dirty because he could not wash his back. All the other animals didn't play with him because he was dirty. The elephant sat under a tree. He started to cry. He cried for two days. But nobody could see him there. So he went back home and asked for help. His mother told him," You have a long trunk . It can help you wash your back." He and his mother went to the river and his mother taught him how to use the trunk to clean his back with water. All the other animals came over to him and said, "You are so clean now. Do you want to play with us?" The elephant was so happy and said, "Yes." Where did the elephant cry? <extra_id_0>Under a tree. <extra_id_1>At his house. <extra_id_2>Near a river. <extra_id_3>Near a lake. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>A story happened when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication. One day, a young man went to an interview for a job as a Morse code operator . Answering the ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address. When he arrived, he walked into a large, busy office filled with noise, including the sound of the telegraph. An office worker asked him to wait until he was called to go into the inner office. Seven other people were already in the waiting area for the interview. The young man sat down and waited with them. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally the other people wondered what was going on. They were sure that the young man made a mistake and would be refused. A few minutes later, however, the boss came out of the inner office with the young man and said to the other people,"Gentlemen,thank you very much for coming, but the young man has got the job." The other people were surprised, and one of them said, "Wait a minute. I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!" The boss said, "I'm sorry, but all the time you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been sending out the following message in Mores code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is this." The young man was offered the job because _ . <extra_id_0>he was young <extra_id_1>he knew the boss <extra_id_2>he heard the telegraph message and understood it <extra_id_3>he was the last one to walk into the inner office <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>There is always a man who stands on different comers of the street in our city, holding a sign that reads "Will work for food for my family". Normally I don't have much money to help him. When my mother is with me and she sometimes makes me pull over and then she will hand him some money. Tonight, I was on my way to the store to get some milk when I saw the man. My daughter and her friend were in the car. We all felt awful that this man was standing out in the cold, wet weather. Many people had made comments that he should be able to work. I often wondered why he would stand out there rather than be in the warmth of a building, working. Well, he might not have an address, and he may need an address in order to apply for a job. Either way, I don't feel it is _ to judge. As I was sharing that feeling with my daughter and her friend, I decided that I needed to help this man. I wanted to show the girls the importance of helping others, not about worrying whether he was legitimately struggling or not. So, when we pulled over to give him some money, I said, "God bless you," and he said it back to us. But the girls and I were still concerned that he would be cold, standing out in the bad weather. So we got him a hot chocolate and a hamburger. My daughter handed them to him and l told the man that the girl wanted to help him because she was worried about him being cold. He was very sweet and appreciative. We all left with smiles, especially me, because, as we were pulling away, the girls were talking about ways they could raise money to help the man and others like him. It was the best trip I have ever made to get milk!!! What do we know about the author? <extra_id_0>She didn't like to help the man at first. <extra_id_1>She didn't think she should judge the man personally. <extra_id_2>She knew the beggar was legitimately struggling. <extra_id_3>She didn't think the man was able to work. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>My brother Ron joined the US army a few years ago. Most girls, especially those who are my age, are thrilled by anything that has to do with the "army". It's a novelty to them to shoot a gun, jump out of a plane, and wear uniform. Now I know you're thinking that I must find it really cool to know a solider, who's my brother. That's wrong, before I found out that my brother joined the army, I was crazy about the army. Firstly, I wanted to go to college, knew that joining the army was probably the only way I could get it as my parents couldn't afford it. Additionally there were all the other points of the army that grabbed my heart. I wanted the challenge, I wanted the discipline and I wanted the feeling that I would be doing something beyond the ability of average citizen. But as soon as my brother joined the army, all those things fell away. All I saw were dead people, guns shooting, tanks turning into a ball of fire, tents burning, and lots of blood. It was so horrible. When Ron went to Iraq, I freaked out whenever I didn't hear from him for more than a week. I kept up with the news, reading the latest newspaper and listening to the hourly reports. And every time I heard that an American solider was killed, I prayed, it' wasn't Ron. I'm proud of my brother for serving our country, and his willingness to devote his life to something he finds important. It's great to see how discipline and mature he's got, and I'm glad he has his college paid for. But although I am proud, I gladly give up the "coolness" of having a brother in the army. I would be perfectly all right if I had never seen that uniform on him, and he was just a plain old "boring" brother. I love my brother, and I'm proud of him, but I want him back home! What did the writer think of the army before Ron joined? <extra_id_0>Joining the army was more beneficial than going to college. <extra_id_1>Joining the army was a good choice for those who couldn't afford college education. <extra_id_2>Joining the army was meant risking one's life for something important, <extra_id_3>Joining the army did more harm than good. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Have you ever seen a horse with toes? Millions of years ago, horses had many toes. They had four toes on each front foot. They had three toes on each back foot. The horses were smaller than cats. These small horses lived in the forest. Their many toes helped the horses run over the soft wet ground. It was very hot in the forest. But the weather changed. It became cold. Many trees couldn't live in cold weather. The trees died and fell. Forests became open field. The sun made the ground dry and hard. Horses began to change too. They began to get bigger. This took a long time. On the dry hard land, horses needed only their middle toes for running. At last their middle toes became hard. Long ago, the horse had four toes on each of its _ . <extra_id_0>back feet <extra_id_1>front feet <extra_id_2>right feet <extra_id_3>left feet <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>Traffic Management Traffic lights are key tools for regulating traffic How.They are not, however, perfect.Drivers exchange the traffic jams that would happen at unmanaged crossings for a pattern of stop-go movement that can still be annoying, and which bums more fuel than a smooth passage would. Creating such a smooth passage means adjusting a vehicle's speed so that it always arrives at the lights when they are green.That is theoretically possible, but practically hard.Roadside signs wired to traffic lights can help get the message across a couple hundred metres from a crossing, but such signs are expensive, and are not widespread.Margaret Martonosi and Emmanouil Koukoumidis at Princeton University, and Li-Shiuan Peh at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, however, have an idea that could make the process cheaper and more effective.Instead of a hardwired network of signs, they propose to use mobile-phone applications. For a driver to benefit, lie must load the team's software , named SignalGuru, into his phone and then put it on a special thing attached to the inside of his car's windscreen, with the camera lens pointing forward.SignalGuru is designed to detect traffic lights and track their status as red, yellow or green.It broadcasts this information to other phones in the area that are fitted with the same software, and --if there are enough of them ?the phones thus each know the status of most of the lights around town.Using this information, SignalGuru is able to calculate the traffic-light schedule for the area and suggest the speed at which a driver should travel in order to avoid red lights. Tests in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where five drivers were asked to follow the same route for three hours, and in Singapore, where eight drivers were asked to follow one of two routes for 30 minutes, revealed that SignalGuru was capable of predicting traffic-light activity with an accuracy of 98.2% and 96.3% respectively, in the two cities.This was particularly impressive because in Cambridge the lights shifted, roughly half-way through the test, from their unbusy schedule to their afternoon-traffic schedule, while in Singapore lights are adaptive, using detectors fixed under the road to determine how much traffic is present and thus when a signal should change.In neither case was SignalGuru fooled. Fuel consumption fell, too --by about 20% .SignalGuru thus reduces both annoyance and fuel use, and makes going back and forth to work a slightly less horrible experience. SignalGuru is an application used on _ . <extra_id_0>a camera <extra_id_1>a computer <extra_id_2>a mobile phone <extra_id_3>a GPS system in one's car <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>In the south there were large cotton farms called plantations. Growing cotton was very hard work, so saves were brought from Africa to work in the fields. The white slave owners did not let the slaves have drums because they knew that Africans could use drums to send messages. They were afraid the slaves would help each other to run away. Most slave owners did not let the slaves keep their African dances or their religions. All the slaves had to become Christian. They sang white religious songs but they added African rhythms to the music. We call these songs "spirituals". Some spirituals told about the hard life of the slaves or their wish to run away. Although the slaves could not do African dances, in church, they clapped their hands and moved their whole bodies. Today black religious music is called gospel music In Louisiana and the city of New Orleans the slave owners were French. They let the slaves and the free blacks play drums and horns, they also let them keep their African dances. Black musicians in New Orleans put European musical instruments and songs together with African rhythms. They made a new musical sound that was later called jazz. Many of the first jazz instruments were home made. Black people also made rhythm with their hands, feet, and bodies. Later black brass bands , in the French style, became common. These bands played at special times like weddings and funerals. You can still hear early form of jazz in the city of New Orleans. The slaves were set free in 1865, ahead the Civil War between the North and the South. Since that time black gospel music and jazz have become an important part of the popular music in America. The primary purpose for this passage is to_. <extra_id_0>describe the hard life of early back Americans <extra_id_1>introduce the early black music <extra_id_2>discuss the relationship between spiritual and gospel <extra_id_3>tell us the birth of jazz <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1> <extra_id_5>While there are no restrictions on the amount of money that you can bring across the border, you must report to both the US and Canadian border services amounts equal to or greater than $10,000. PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS ON PURCHASES AMERICANS RETURNING TO THE US Less than 48 hours: $ 200 US 48 hours or more: $ 800 US duty-free personal exemption. next $ 1,000 US at 3% Including up to 100 cigars and 100 cigarettes. CANADIANS RETURNING TO CANADA Less than 24 hours: $ 50 CAN 48 hours or more: $ 400 CAN Including up to 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes. 7 days or more: $ 750 CAN Including up to 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes. DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR BORDER CROSSING LAND OR SEA TO THE US ( INCLUDING FERRIES ) A valid passport or passport card, or a NEXUS card. (A NEXUS card is a Trusted Traveler Program that provides quick travel for pre-approved, low risk travelers through special lanes.) A recent Washington State, New York or BC driver's license. Note: Children 15 years of age and younger require only a birth certificate or copy. (Certified copies are not required but are advised.) AIR TRAVEL TO THE US A valid passport, an Air NEXUS card, or a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Document. If a Canadian who is on a 7-day trip to New York buys $ 800 CAN worth of goods, how much should he pay tax on when returning home? <extra_id_0>$ 800 CAN <extra_id_1>$750 CAN <extra_id_2>$ 400 CAN <extra_id_3>$ 50 CAN <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Part-time Waitress Busy cafe needs honest and good-looking waitress for weekends. Must enjoy working with a team and dealing with customers. Call Li Ling at 0732-8536724 after 6 pm. Delivery Person Young, healthy person able to deliver heavy boxes of books. Must have a driver's license and can carry heavy boxes. We're looking for a person for this position. Call Liu Fang at 0732-7887766 at any time. _ Wanted Kind, hard-working nanny wanted to look after three friendly children. Must be experienced and have childcare quail fications . Please call Chen Yiping at 0732-6774538 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m Who can do the delivery job? <extra_id_0>A beautiful woman who is good at selling books. <extra_id_1>A person who has been a taxi driver for more than 40 years. <extra_id_2>A beautiful and hard-working girl. <extra_id_3>A strong young man who can drive. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>It's well-known that meditation has many benefits, but do you know how to practice it for a beginner? Set a proper scene Find a space for meditation.It should be private and quiet.Make sure the temperature is comfortable.Sit on a cushion if the floor is uncomfortable.You may play soft music if you like. Take a moment to loosen up.Remember that the goal of meditation is to relax.Loosen your clothing, remove your shoes and have a good stretch.Do your best to ease any muscle tension that might keep you from achieving relaxation.Make an effort to relax your facial muscles. Focus on your breath Sit down in the space you've prepareD. Close your eyes and breathe.Each time you breathe in, count "one".Each time you breathe out, count "one".The idea is to strengthen being in the moment -- the last breath doesn't matter, and the next one doesn't matter; only this one matters. Feel your breath inflate your lungs and push on your diaphragm .Feel how sweet it is to _ the fresh air.As you do this, your body will gradually begin to relax and all of your attention will be centered within your minD. Return to real life Once you feel fully centered in your mind, allow yourself to gradually drift back to real life.Move your fingers and toes and slowly wake your body up.Open your eyes and remain there for a few minutes until your senses come back, and then slowly stand up. Even if you can't make it fully into your mind, you still get some benefits from it.If you want to feel better, you just need to practice.Set about 10 minutes around the same time every day and repeat this exercise. The text is about _ . <extra_id_0>steps in practicing meditation for beginners <extra_id_1>tips on how to breathe slowly <extra_id_2>the benefits of practicing meditation <extra_id_3>the best way to stay relaxed <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>The crowd at the airport flowed forward. The passengers had been waiting for a couple of hours for an airline employee to open the door leading to the plane outside. No one was in a good mood. An old man got trapped in the middle of the rush. He fell down without being able to break his fall. His head hit the concrete floor. Blood poured from his forehead. He appeared to be unconscious. Everyone rushed past him, except Dana. She called for help. A minute later, a young airline employee showed up. Hardly looking at the old man, she told Dana to get aboard her plane. She said the old man would be okay, and walked away. Dana screamed for help. An airport supervisor appeared. He told Dana to get on the plane. Dana said that she was not moving until an ambulance arrived. The supervisor said her plane would leave without her. Dana said that she didn't care. An ambulance and two attendants finally arrived. The attendants said that the man would be okay, but he would need stitches . They put him into the ambulance and drove off. On her way out to the plane, which was still refueling, Dana saw the employee who had ignored the old man at first. The employee said, "You're lucky. The plane didn't leave without you." "The plane?" Dana asked. "Who cares about the plane? How could you be so cold? That was an old man; he could have been your grandfather! How would you like it if everyone just stepped over your grandfather and went on their way?" From the story, we know that _ . <extra_id_0>Dana finally took the plane on time with the help of a young airline employee <extra_id_1>the old man knew it was Dana who helped him from beginning to end <extra_id_2>people at the airport were too cold to care about others at that time <extra_id_3>an airport supervisor ordered the plane not to leave without Dana <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>
<extra_id_5>Here are a few tips to help you, the workaholic, re-focus and get the best out of life. EIGHT HOURS OF SLEEP! Make it a point to get at least eight hours of sleep and plenty of rest. Don't believe that you can always "catch some sleep or rest later." Your body cannot make up for lost sleep or rest time because it is not physiologically possible. STRICTLY FAMILY ON WEEKENDS! Resolve to make Saturdays and Sundays strictly for family time. And stick to this! Mondays until Fridays you make an excuse not to relax and spend time with your family because it's work time, why not make a similar excuse for Saturdays and Sundays? "I can't work today because I'm spending time with my family." GET SOME FOOD IN! Make sure you get food in your stomach. Workaholics are known to be food-skippers. If you can't afford to get off your desk or from doing paperwork, have food delivered to you. It's always a good idea if you have crackers on your drawer to ease the hunger pangs. CONFINE WORK! Resolve to _ work in your office. Don't bring work to your home! Keep those files in your office desk where they belong. Practice working only within your working hours. If you have an eight-to-five working schedule, stick to it. WORK UP THOSE MUSCLES! Exercise, exercise, exercise! Set aside at least an hour each day or every other day for exercise. You body needs to be conditioned, and working non-stop isn't going to give it the proper physical conditioning it needs. Since most workaholics tend to have their behinds stuck on their chairs, it's even more important that you get some exercise. MAKE A PLAN! Plan your day. Work on only one or two things at a time. It's much easier to work on something and finish it first and then move on to the next rather than do a number of things all at the same time and never finish or accomplish anything at the end of the day. Make out a list of priorities. Write down things that need to be worked on immediately or are urgent, keeping the least ones at the bottom of your list. After you've done this, be guided by this list. Turning this activity into a habit will also help you manage your time better, be more organized, and accomplish more. By making a plan, the author mean _ . <extra_id_0>working on only one or two things each day <extra_id_1>finishing a number of things at once <extra_id_2>organizing your time and finishing urgent things first <extra_id_3>accomplishing as much work as possible at any given moment <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>organizing your time and finishing urgent things first <extra_id_5>The human body is an amazing and complex machine. It is very tough, and we usually recover from illness or injury on our own, without the help of a doctor. But what happens when we need medical treatment? In the past, some people went to a clinic or hospital to see a medical doctor. Other people trusted ancient traditions and chose treatments such as herbal medicine or acupuncture . These two types of medicine----one modern and Western and the other ancient and Eastern----used to have nothing to do with each other. In recent years, however, people around the world have begun to recognize and accept both modern medical science and more traditional therapies. This new kind of medicine can be called integrative medicine (because it integrates, or combines, different types of medicine), or complementary medicine. Some of the principles of this type of medicine include preventing illness by helping people stay healthy, integrating different types of therapies according to the needs of each patient, and considering the health of the whole person rather than concentrating on a particular illness or injury. One health maintenance organization (HMO) in Madison, Wisconsin, has opened its Complementary Medicine and Wellness Center. At the center, HMO members are offered a variety of services. If you are suffering a sore back, try some massage treatments to relax your muscles and encourage the flow of healing energy in your body. If you have allergies or asthma, you could try homeopathy, which uses tiny amounts of allergens to stimulate your body's natural immune response. And if you're not ill, but just want to improve your strength and focus your mind, try a tai chi or yoga class. Patients who use these complementary medicine services appreciate having an alternative to surgery or to drugs and their side effects. They also enjoy activities and therapies that make them feel better even if they're not sick. And from the financial point of view of the HMO, preventing illness whenever possible is much less expensive than a hospital stay. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, founder of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, integrative medicine combines the best parts of Western medicine with complementary therapies such as acupuncture and nutrition. And because both doctor and patient are working to prevent illness, they become partners with the same goal instead of strangers who see each other only when the patient is sick. The article is about _ . <extra_id_0>Western medicine <extra_id_1>acupuncture and herbal medicine <extra_id_2>advances in medical technology <extra_id_3>integrative medicine <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>integrative medicine <extra_id_5>Read the suggestions for making an English speech. a. Looking at and talking to one person in the audience helps keep you natural, but it feels foolish talking to only one person. Speak to that person as long as 15 seconds and then change another one. b. The audience have a hard time understanding what they hear. They need your help. Slow down, pause and guide the audience through your talk. Remember that you should help the audience understand what you are saying. c. Make your voice a little lower than normal. Listeners like to listen to a relatively deep voice. d. When you talk, try to be as natural as possible. Don't try to memorize your words and read or recite them to your audience. You can use short notes to help you remember the important points. e. You should know you and most of the people you talk to are different in many ways. Some of them may not know what you are talking about. Then speak to them on their terms and in their languages. f. Concentrate on what you want to say. If you are always paying attention to gestures ,you will feel uncomfortable. g. It's true that there are some differences between American English and British English, but they'll not cause much difficulty for listeners, so just speak the way you're used to. Choose a suggestion for each of the following students according to their problems. Billy: When I come face to face with the audience, where should my eyes fall upon? Do I have to look front, or look around from time to time? <extra_id_0>a <extra_id_1>c <extra_id_2>e <extra_id_3>f <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>a <extra_id_5>Hundreds of years ago, Native-American tribes lived in Mexico. The Aztecs built beautiful cities. They had a calendar and a written language. However, the Spanish destroyed the Aztecs in l521. For the next 300 years, Spain ruled over Mexico. That's why Mexicans speak Spanish. Every September l6 the Mexican people hold a celebration in Mexico City, their country's capital. It is their Independence Day. On that date in 1821 they told Spain they would no longer be ruled. Breaking free from Spain caused a war. When it was over, the Mexicans had their own government. They made their own laws. Today America and Mexico are friends, but it wasn't always that way. President James Polk wanted America to reach from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. He tried to buy what is now the American southwest from Mexico. Mexico would not sell. So from l846 to 1848 Mexico and America fought a war to ascertain where their borders would be. When the war ended, Mexico had lost a lot of land. Now the Rio Grande River forms the border between the two nations. America is on the north side of the river. Mexico is on the south side. Mexico has mountains and a hot, dry climate. Crops can grow on only a small part of the land. Still, Mexicans grow much of the coffee, oranges, and sugar used in the US. Mexicans have influenced building styles in southwestern US and added words such as patio and canton to American English. Americans also enjoy eating many Mexican foods like burritos, tacos, tortillas, and tamales. Mexicans have the following influences on America EXCEPT _ . <extra_id_0>building styles <extra_id_1>vocabulary <extra_id_2>clothes <extra_id_3>food <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>clothes <extra_id_5>We all know how important human life is--it's priceless. It doesn't matter where you are from or what the color of your skins is--all people are human beings. Firstly, we can tell you that the lives of your relatives could depend on your ability to give first aid. If you think highly of human's life, this website is for you! Here you can find information about first aid. The very first thing that you should do when you see an accident is to _ the situation and prevent further dangerous incidents. First of all, you have to recognize what has happened and what the dangers to rescuers and victims are. Think about how to take care of the victims. Helping usually takes place in very difficult conditions and injuries can be very bad. Therefore, you cannot be too afraid of making mistakes to help. Sometimes you have to face the fact that regardless of your actions and your efforts the victim's condition might not improve--he or she could even die. In some cases even professional medical aid may not succeed. If you have done everything you think you should do, you shouldn't feel guilty. Do not expose yourself to danger. Giving first aid can be dangerous. While trying to help a victim, do not forget about your own safety. If something happens to you, you won't be able to help anyone. Call for help after you find out the condition of a victim. But remember if a victim faints due to breathing failure caused by drowning, choking or poisoning, you should first take actions that help to bring back the heart beat and breathing. While calling, talk shortly but clearly. Always provide the following information: the location of the accident, the kind of accident, the number of the injured and your full name and phone number and so on.[:] The author thinks that helping a victim can be _ . <extra_id_0>risky <extra_id_1>shocking <extra_id_2>exciting <extra_id_3>boring <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>risky
<extra_id_5>New York is one of the last large American cities to have some of its policemen on horseback. The New York police have 170 horses working in certain parts of the city. The horses are expensive to feed, but it is even more expensive to look after them. Because the horses must walk on the streets, they need special horseshoes. In fact , they need more than 8,000 of them each year. Every police horse in New York gets new shoes every month. Keeping these shoes in good repair is the job of six blacksmiths. There are only about thirty-five of these blacksmiths in the whole United States. The cost of shoing a horse is between twenty dollars and thirty-five dollars, and it takes a good blacksmith two or three hours to do the job. A blacksmith's job is not an easy one. He must be able to shape a shoe from a piece of metal and then fit it to the horse's foot. The blacksmith must bend over all the time when he is fitting the shoe and must hold the weight of the horse's leg while he works. Clearly, a blacksmith must be very storng. But even more important, he must be able to deal with horses---for before the blacksmith can begin his work, he has to get the horse to lift its leg. One of the blacksmiths in New York is James Corbin. He came to the country from Ireland in 1948. He not only makes horseshoes for the police but also works for a group of horse owners near the city. Corbin became interested in blacksmithing because his father did it, and,as the puts it, "It's a good way to make a living." Which of the following is true? <extra_id_0>Only a few large American cities have some policemen on horseback. <extra_id_1>New York is the only city in America to have some policemen on horseback. <extra_id_2>Policemen on horseback enjoy travelling around the United States. <extra_id_3>Policemen on horseback are less expensive than those in cars. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Which distance is the smallest for which it is most practical to use the light-year as a unit of measurement? <extra_id_0>the distance between Earth and its Moon <extra_id_1>the distance between Jupiter and the Sun <extra_id_2>the distance between the Milky Way and the nearest galaxy <extra_id_3>the distance between the Sun and the center of the Milky Way <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3> <extra_id_5>Living an Adventurous Life Nearly ten years ago, I was told that I had a brain tumor , and this experience changed my attitude about adventure forever.I thought that I was going to die and that all my adventures were over.I did not have a brain tumor, it turned out, but rather multiple sclerosis , which meant that, although they were not over, the nature of my adventures could have to change. Each morning that I wake up is a fresh event, something that I might not have had.Each gesture that I make carries the weight of uncertainty and demands significant attention: buttoning my shirt, changing a light bulb, walking down stairs.I might not be able to do it this time.If I could not delight in them, they would likely drown me in anger and in self-pity. I admire the grand adventures of others.I read about them with interest.With Peter Matthiessen I have hiked across the Himalayas to the Crystal Mountain.I have walked with Annie Dillard up, down, into, and across Tinker Creek in all seasons.David Bain has gone with me along 110 miles of Philippine coast, and Ed Abbey has rowed me down the Colorado River.I enjoy the adventures of these courageous figures, who can strike out on difficult trips - 2 miles, 250 miles, 3000 miles - ready to bear cold and tiredness, indeed not just to bear but to celebrate. But as for me, I can no longer walk very far from the armchair in which I read.Some days I don't even make it to the backyard.And yet I'm unwilling to give up the adventurous life, the difficulty of it, even the pain, the anxiety and fear, and the sudden brief lift of spirit that makes a hard journey more attractive. I refine adventure, make it smaller and smaller.And now, whether I am moving on my hands and knees across the dining room to help my cat, lying wide-eyed in the dark battling another period of sadness, gathering flowers from the garden, meeting a friend for lunch, I am always having the adventures that are mine to have. Which of the following shows the author's strong love for adventures? <extra_id_0>The author spends almost every day looking for adventures. <extra_id_1>The author works hard to make more money for adventures. <extra_id_2>The author imagines having adventures while reading. <extra_id_3>The author expects to recover only to continue adventures. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2> <extra_id_5>There are stock markets in large cities in many countries. Stock markets in Paris, London, Tokyo, Shanghai and New York are among the largest and most well-known. The stock, also called stock exchange, is a place where people can buy or sell shares of a factory or company. And each share means certain ownership of a factory or company. Different people go to stock markets. Some are rich, who want to get more money than they have. Others are not very rich, who buy stocks to try to become rich. Still others buy stocks as part of their plan to save money. Of course, investing money in the stock market is not the safest way to make money. No one can tell exactly whether the shares will be doing well. The factory or company may do badly. Then the stocks will go down, and the investors will lose money. The stock may go up or down for a number of untold reasons. Everyone wants the stock to go up, but sometimes even if a factory or company does a good job, the stock may still go down. Going to the stock market is often like gambling . All want to make money by "gambling' in the stock market. Factories and companies that need money are pleased that so many people are ready to "gamble". Indeed, the stock market is an attractive but part of the business world. The word "complex" in the last sentence probably means _ . <extra_id_0>difficult <extra_id_1>happy <extra_id_2>complete <extra_id_3>modern <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0> <extra_id_5>Around twenty years ago I was going through hard times. I could not find a satisfying job. To my shame, I had to drive a school bus to make ends meet and lived in a friend's house. One afternoon, while driving through a quiet suburban neighborhood I was so sad that I kept asking myself "Why has my life become so hard?" "What's wrong with the world?" Then I pulled over the bus to drop off a little girl and as she passed she handed me a pretty earring, saying she found it on the floor of the bus and I should keep it in case the owner came to look for it. In the evening, the owner did come to look for her earring. When I handed it to her, she got very excited and continued saying "Thanks, you're a real gentleman." I told her that she should thank the little girl who had found it. She said, "Yes, and you are a good driver, too. What a lovely world it is!" Then she left with satisfaction. I was touched by her last words. I had thought something was wrong with the world just because of my poor condition. In fact, nothing was wrong with the world. I should change my attitude towards life. I should be positive about life. At first it was hard, and then it got easier. Every day I could find things to make me happy. Then one night there was a phone call for me at my friend's house from a lady who was a manager in a large hospital. She said she had read my application form and asked me if I would like to work in the hospital. I said yes and got the job. Looking back at the experience I know the most important is to have a positive attitude towards life. The author decided to have a change in life because _ . <extra_id_0>what the earring owner said moved him <extra_id_1>he didn't want to be a driver any more <extra_id_2>his friends helped him become positive <extra_id_3>he was offered a better job in a hospital <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>
<extra_id_5>The English love sports.One of the popular games in England is cricket .But cricket doesn't change much these years.For some parts of England, the eight months of the football season is more important than the four months of the cricket season. Most middle schools have sports fields and boys usually play rugby or football in winter and cricket in summer.While school girls play tennis or baseball in summer and basketball or hockey in winter ,boys seldom play basketball.The more popular grown-up games are golf and tennis. A lot of people play them. The British also like watching horse racing, but few show interest in bike racing. Britain is the home of many modern popular sports. . From the passage, we can learn that many modern popular sports are from _ . <extra_id_0>America <extra_id_1>Britain <extra_id_2>Japan <extra_id_3>China <extra_id_4> <extra_id_1>Britain <extra_id_5>A recent research shows that most people while attending their very first or second interview face the problem of interview nerves. This interview nerves simply make them nervous and depressed. This mainly happens due to lack of confidence and belief in oneself. Most of them even suffer from sleepless nights. They feel as if interviews are nothing but a questioning by an unknown person who will judge them by their answers. They simply can't understand or _ that the interviews are as beneficial for them as for the company. To overcome these problems, people need to make their mind set for facing the interview full of confidence. This can be done by building up confidence that this job is for me only. They need to make preparations for the estimated questions to be asked in the interview. They also need to be familiar with a few details of the company like its products, vision, recent achievement, etc. This is just to have an upper hand in the interview so that you can explain that you are the right candidate for the company. One must be completely relaxed before the interview. Because stress is one of the major reasons which reduces one's performance ability. Another way of getting over with your nerves is by a well known therapy called as hypnosis. Hypnosis is a very effective therapy which is generally used for curing nerves of Examinations, Interviews, Meetings, etc. Hypnosis mainly activates your subconscious mind so that you are extra alert and attentive what you are doing. Thus this gives you a lot more confidence to deal with. Now here are some of the tips you must follow for your interview. * You must be fully prepared for the interview and you must possess everything required. * You must maintain a complete eye contact with the interviewer, because it will show your confidence. * You must not do any nervous acts like being fidgety, fixing your tie or touching your clothes dress again and again. * Be positive while talking and use your hands to express yourself. * With hypnosis you can come in terms with such a situation and will be well prepared to face a barrage of questions that come your way. Why do people need to be familiar with the details of the company _ ? <extra_id_0>To show that he or she knows a lot <extra_id_1>To express his or her wish <extra_id_2>To have an upper hand in the interview <extra_id_3>To fool the interviewer <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>To have an upper hand in the interview <extra_id_5>In the Middle Ages in Europe, theater was an important part of civic, economic and religious life. During this period after the fall of Roman civilization, many cities were destroyed. Southern and Western Europe, famous for its agriculture, became increasingly more agricultural. After several hundred years, many towns appeared again. The Roman Catholic Church took over religion, education and politics. What remained of theater was mostly on the Greek and Roman performing arts. Theater was reborn as liturgical dramas. It was written in Latin and dealing with biblical stories which would be performed by church members. Then there came local dramas spoken in common language not Latin. They were more wonderful one-act dramas taking place in town squares or other parts of the city. There were three types of local dramas. Mystery or cycle plays were short dramas based on biblical stories organized into historical cycles. Miracle plays dealt with the lives of the great. Morality plays taught a lesson through characters standing for good or bad qualities. Secular plays in this period existed, but religious drama in the Middle Ages is mostly remembered today. As the Middle Ages ended, the number of religious theatres became small as the church weakened and more secular qualities won over religious theaters. According to the passage, why did religious theatres take over in the Middle Ages? <extra_id_0>People preferred religious theatres to other ones. <extra_id_1>There were no other types of theatres. <extra_id_2>The church played an important part in people's life. <extra_id_3>The quality of religious theatres was better than that of other theatres. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>The church played an important part in people's life. <extra_id_5>Plants transform energy when they make their own food. Which type of energy is used by plants for making food? <extra_id_0>electrical <extra_id_1>heat <extra_id_2>light <extra_id_3>mechanical <extra_id_4> <extra_id_2>light <extra_id_5>What kind of energy causes evaporation? <extra_id_0>hotness <extra_id_1>sound <extra_id_2>cold <extra_id_3>kinetic <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>hotness
<extra_id_5>The Mississippi is the major river system in the United States. The Yangtze is China's longest river. Although a world apart, the two waterways share conservation concerns that provide a cultural bridge between students in the United States and China, as well as from around the world. The Mississippi flows almost 3,800 kilometers from a small lake in Minnesota, gathering the waters of 250 other rivers and streams before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. In mid-May, as spring flowers began to open, about 41 students from a dozen colleges, mostly in the Midwest, explored a section of the river in Wisconsin and Iowa, to learn about the environment, and each other. The students, from the U.S., China and around the world, came to join the River Spirit Exchange program. The cross-cultural educational experience - set up by the University of Wisconsin, Madison-based Environment and Public Health Network for Chinese Students - focuses on the Mississippi and China's longest river, the Yangtze. This three day get-together featured story-telling, hiking, camping and canoeing, all part of a larger lesson about conservation projects that can be used on both the Yangtze and Mississippi. While the students learned about the problems challenging the Mississippi and Yangtze, Jeb Barzen, a wildlife biologist, explained they should also learn about the importance of bridging each other's culture. The president of the Environment and Public Health Network for Chinese Students, Xiaojun Lu, said the Mississippi and Yangtze Rivers are uniting these students from opposite ends of the earth. Organizers say the success and spirit of this first gathering of students will lead to other trips, including one down the Yangtze. Where is the source of the Mississippi? <extra_id_0>Minnesota <extra_id_1>the Gulf of Mexico <extra_id_2>Wisconsin <extra_id_3>Iowa <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Minnesota <extra_id_5>Has planning your next wonderful, energy-recovering and care-free vacation--- ever stressed you out? Whether you're planning a group trip, couple's escape, girlfriend getaway or family vacation, a travel agent can make the entire process easier for you and everyone involved. First of all, travel agents can recommend the best destinations for your specific trip. But they can do much more than that. Travel specialists can also put together your entire travel route and schedule, no matter how complex, so that you don' t have to plan a thing. They're truly in the business of creating possibilities that most people would have never dreamed were possible. Yes, travel agents can handle every single aspect of your upcoming trip, from airline tickets to accommodations to ground transportation to various activities, area tours and much more, all while keeping in mind the needs and interests of every member of your travel group, what's more, they're also constantly communicating with the travel community in your intended destination, so they have the most up-to-date information to answer any questions you might have along the way. Find Your Travel Agent Now! You're probably sold already. So how do you find an excellent, knowledgeable travel agent, you ask. That's where Tripology comes in. Tripology.com exists to connect travelers like you with expert trip planners who specialize in the type of trip you wish to take. There are a lot of expert travel professionals out there with useful knowledge and terrific deals, but many people don't have a good way of finding them. And they don't have a good way of finding you. We help you find each other. You may feel it _ if you let a travel agent handle your travelling items. <extra_id_0>incredible <extra_id_1>stressful <extra_id_2>worrying <extra_id_3>relaxing . <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>relaxing . <extra_id_5>I had the unkindest mother in the whole world.While other kids ate candy for breakfast.I had to have cereal and eggs.When others had Cokes and candy for lunch,I had to eat a sandwich.But at least I wasn't alone.My sister and two brothers had the same unkind mother as I did. My mother knew where we were at all times.She knew who our friends were.We had to clean clothes and take a bath every day.We had to be in bed by 9:00 p.m.and up at 8:00 a.m. We couldn't sleep till noon like our friends.So while they slept,our mother gave us work to do.We had to wash dishes,make our beds and learn to cook.I believe she lay awake at night thinking up unkind things for us to do. Through the years,things didn't improve a bit.We could not lie in bed "sick" like our friends did in order to miss school. My mother was the unkindest mother.Out of four children,a couple of us went on to higher education.None of us have ever done bad things.She forced us to grow up into educated and honest people.I am trying to raise my three children like this.I will feel proud when my children call me unkind.Because you see,I am thankful that I had the unkindest mother in the whole world. The writer's mother was unkind to her children because she wanted her children _ . <extra_id_0>to be competitive with each other <extra_id_1>to make more friends easily <extra_id_2>to work instead of going to school <extra_id_3>to be educated and honest people <extra_id_4> <extra_id_3>to be educated and honest people <extra_id_5>Tom was three years old. He liked to watch TV with his parents after supper, but his parents never let him stay long. Mother would say, "It's eight o'clock now. It's time for you to go to bed, Tom." "But why don't you go to bed, too?" Tom always asked. "We are adults ," mother would say, "And adults go to bed late." One evening Tom asked his mother for an apple. "But it's too late," his mother didn't want to give him anything to eat at bedtime. "The apples are already asleep." "But not all of them, Mom." Tom said, "The baby apples are perhaps asleep, but their parents are surely awake." Tom liked to watch TV with _ after supper. <extra_id_0>his father and mother <extra_id_1>his sister <extra_id_2>his grandparents <extra_id_3>his brother <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>his father and mother <extra_id_5>Mr. Jones opened a shop in Aston to sell writing-paper, pencils and things like that. During the first month, very few people visited his shop. He sold little,and he could see that he was going to lose money. One night,Mr.Jones sat bay the fire and was worried after another very bad day. Suddenly he got an idea. He found a piece of wood and wrote to the following notice on it in big letters: "WHAT DO YOU THINK I GIVE AWAY PENCILS AND PAPER AND INK" He put up the notice in front of the shop window before he went to bed. He slept better than usual that night. The following day, many people came to the shop. Mr. Jones said good morning to them all with a bright smile and asked the frist woman what she wanted. She chose some writing paper and a pencil. As soon as he put them on her hands, she turned to leave the shop. "That will be thirty cents ,please," he said. "Why?" she asked in surprise. "That's the price of the paper and the pencil." "But your notice says it's free," she replied. "Oh no," he said, "how can I make any money if everything is free?" She took him outside and showed him the notice "It is wrong,too,"she said. "where is the question mark after the word 'think'?" "There isn't a question mark,"he said. "But there should be one ." "I'm afraid you've made a mistake," Mr.Jones said."You have read my notice in the wrong way." "Not at all," said the woman. "It is quite easy to read. It says: What do you think? I give away pencils and paper and ink!" "No," Mr.Jones said. "You should read it like this: _ And the answer to the question is: Certainly not! So you really have to pay me thirty cents, you see." How did Mr.Jones most probably fell that night.? <extra_id_0>Confident. <extra_id_1>Guilty. <extra_id_2>Nervous. <extra_id_3>Worried. <extra_id_4> <extra_id_0>Confident.