Problem: (CNN) -- Bill Gates is putting out a call to inventors, but he's not looking for software, or the latest high-tech gadget. This time he's in search of a better condom.

On its Grand Challenges website, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is offering a $100,000 startup grant to the person who designs "the next generation condom that significantly preserves or enhances pleasure" and promotes "regular use."

It may sound like the setup for a joke, but the goal is deadly serious. While researchers call condoms one of the best ways to stop the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, getting people to use them is another story.

The foundation wants to see something that will lead men and women outside of a committed relationship to stop and think twice before having unprotected sex. The startup grant could lead to $1 million in further funding.

"Male condoms are cheap, easy to manufacture, easy to distribute, and available globally, including in resource-poor settings, through numerous well-developed distribution channels," the foundation says. Nevertheless, many people are reluctant to use them because they complain that prophylactics interfere with pleasure and intimacy. This creates "a trade-off that many men find unacceptable," the foundation notes.

Contraception, by the numbers

In some places and cultures, condom use is often seen as a sign that a man has AIDS, and many women won't sleep with such men. Female condoms are even more difficult to use and women are often afraid to suggest using them.

"Any advance or new design that gets people to use condoms would be a big plus," Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and one of the world's leading AIDS researchers, said in an interview with CNN. He says great strides have been made in treating HIV infection in Africa, but for every person who is treated two more become newly infected.
1. What is Bill Gates looking for?
2. What is one reason people don't like to use condoms?
Answer: 1. a better condom.
2. they interfere with pleasure and intimacy

Problem: beep ...beep ... There went the bell! Robbie opened his eyes. He had been sitting in the room for a whole day, and now it was time for him to do something. Robbie looked out of the window. It was still snowing heavily and there was ice on the window. It was another cold day. Robbie was told to turn the heat on before the family got home. And he _ Then Robbie was told to do some cleaning work at once. It was an easy job for him, but a tough one for his master, Helen. He kept on working until every room was clean and tidy. For now, he had to cook supper for the family. The first thing Robbie did was to get the big pot in the kitchen. Then he put some water in the pot and put it on the stove. He used one of his hands to cut up a chicken and added the pieces to the water to make a good soup. Then he got some tomatoes, cabbages and carrots to make a vegetable salad. At ten past eight he laid the table. Then he put some bread, the chicken soup and the salad on it. What a sweet smell! The moment he turned on the lights, the whole family came home. "The soup smells great, Victor," said Helen. "You really know how to tell Robbie what to do." Robbie is one robot that really saves the family a lot of work.
1. what went beep ...beep ?
2. who opened their eyes ?
3. what was it time for ?
4. who ?
5. was it hot out ?
6. what was he told to do ?
7. when ?
8. who was his master ?
9. when did he lay the table ?
10. what did he put on the table 1st ?
11. next ?
12. what happened when he turned on the lights ?
13. is robbie a human ?
14. what is he ?
15. what does he save ?
16. who told him what to fo ?
17. who said the soup smells great ?
18. what did he put in the salad 1st ?
19. what else is next ?
20. who cooked dinner ?
21. what was the first thing robbie did ?
22. what next ?
Answer: 1. the bell!
2. Robbie
3. him to do something
4. Robbie
5. no
6. turn the heat
7. before the family got home
8. Helen
9. ten past eight
10. bread
11. the chicken soup
12. family came home
13. no
14. robot
15. he family a lot of work
16. Victor
17. Helen
18. tomatoes
19. cabbages
20. Robbie
21. get the big pot
22. put some water in the pot

Problem: CNN -- Sebastian Junger found him crouched on a battlefield in Afghanistan, fighting to stay alive.

Ahmad Shah Massoud, center in white shirt, leads his men in his beloved Afghan mountains.

The Taliban had the man cornered and outnumbered. A sniper's bullet came so close to the man that it plucked dirt between his feet. But Junger watched him coolly orchestrate a cunning counterattack by his soldiers -- all while discussing his favorite poetry and international news.

"He had tremendous magnetism," says Junger, a noted journalist and author who has written bestsellers like "The Perfect Storm," and "A Death in Belmont."

"You didn't even need to speak his language to fall under his sway. That's the only time I've ever really felt that from another person."

The man Junger met was Ahmad Shah Massoud, the "Lion of Panjshir." Today, Massoud is a national hero in Afghanistan, but he's also become something else: the prototype for the tough but enlightened leader Afghanistan desperately needs today, some Afghans say. Watch how images of Massoud are everywhere in Afghanistan "

Massoud was assassinated two days before the September 11 terrorist attacks by agents linked to al Qaeda. Though he died eight years ago, his legacy looms over any would-be leader in Afghanistan, Afghans and scholars say. See current key players in Afghanistan "

'He would have found bin Laden'

Afghanistan's government has been accused of being corrupt and weak. Massoud had a reputation for integrity and strength, says Junger, who traveled to Afghanistan in 2000 to profile Massoud for his book, "Fire."
1. What was Ahmad wearing?
2. Where does he live?
3. What is Junger's job?
4. Is Massoud alive?
5. How did he die?
6. What was his nickname?
7. Is he portrayed positively in Afghanistan?
8. Who would he have found if he was still alive?
9. What was the name of Junger's novel?
10. When did he travel to see him for the book?
11. What is another book he has written?
12. What's another?
13. What was the government accused of?
14. What traits did Massoud have?
Answer:
1. a white shirt
2. Afghanistan,
3. \journalist
4. no
5. he was assassinated
6. Lion of Panjshir
7. yes
8. bin Laden
9. Fire
10. 2000
11. he Perfect Storm
12. A Death in Belmont
13. being corrupt and weak.
14. integrity and strength