When Jeanne Calment entered the world in 1875, telephones and automobiles still lay in the future. Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso were not yet born. The Eiffel Tower was 14 years from being built. As a teenager, she met Vincent Van Gogh, near her home in Arles, in the south of France. He was "very ugly, ungracious , impolite, sick--I forgive him, they called him loco ", she recalled. When she died last week at age 122, she was the world's eldest person. (There are others who claimed to the title, but only Calment had the official documents to prove her age.) Each February 21, her birthday, she would share the secrets of long life. Some years it was "a sense of humour", others it was "keeping busy". "God must have forgotten me," she once explained. The truth probably was that she had good genes: her mother reportedly lived to be 86 and her father 94. Her life had its sadness: she outlived her husband, her only daughter and her grandson. According to a friend, she was _ . "If you can't do anything about it," she reportedly said, "don't worry about it." In her last years she was nearly blind and deaf, but her health remained good. She ate a few bars of chocolate each week and continued smoking until a few years ago, when she could no longer light her own cigarettes. She never lost her sense of humour. On her 110thbirthday, she commented, "I've only ever had one wrinkle, and I'm sitting on it. "Her longevity made her famous; her spirit made her eternal . Toward the end of the story, the author seems to be impressed by Callment 's _ . A) spirit B) religious belief C) knowledge D) longevity
A
Jose Andre Montano Baina was born and raised in the town of Totora, Bolivia-not exactly the home of jazz.But now he is taking the Bolivian and the world music scene by storm.He has already performed in some of the country's top occasions including the Legislative Palace and alongside famous musicians like Bolivian rocker Glen Vargas-what's so great about that? How about the fact that Jose is just seven years old and, has no vision! The young musician began to show his extraordinary music talent at the age of four when he started playing the-drums with a high standard of ability and skills, which are usually played by artists three times .his age.After mastering them, he quickly moved on to the piano and by the age of five had formed a jazz band! And, while the young boy knows every jazz song in the book and can play them all with great ease and confidence, it is not the only kind of music he enjoys.This Bolivian prodigy has well-rounded musical taste and isn't limited to jazz.He also loves listening to blues, heavy metal, tango, bolero and anything in between! His extremely proud father is quick to admit that he has nothing to do with his son's unusual talent.In fact he didn't even know much about jazz until Jose started to play."I didn't know jazz before, he got me into it.It's as if he was born with a jazz chip inside him, 1 don't know how to explain how it came.about; it's like the jazz was already inside him." His father recalled. As for the young rising superstar, he leads a pretty normal life despite all the fame.Just like the rest of you, he goes to school, does homework and yes, has chores assigned to him as well! What is the text mainly about? A) Young blind jazz prodigy rises in Bolivia. B) Jazz chip is found inside the prodigy. C) To educate a jazz prodigy in successful ways, D) Bolivia's jazz prodigy performs different songs.
A
Q: Whether it's joining a school club, going to a friend's birthday party, or travelling by train, we can meet new people anywhere and anytime in our lives. However, many of us feel awkward when meeting people for the first time, especially when we aren't quite sure what to say. The situation feels cold, even icy. "Breaking the ice" is a term widely used in the English-speaking countries to describe a small talk technique that can help rescue a conversation from certain failure. So where do you even begin? Well, a good start is to accept that it is perfectly normal to feel a little nervous when talking to someone for the first time. They might look _ or scary, but they could turn out to be the nicest person you've ever met. You might think that breaking the ice is difficult. But sometimes just a simple "hello", followed by a three-second smile, can make all the difference. Complimenting someone on their garment or accessories is also a great, easy way to break the ice. You might say: "I love your jacket. Where did you buy it from?" Being in an uncomfortable or unpleasant situation with someone new might feel terrible, but it can actually be one of the best icebreakers. By focusing on the situation, you come together to fight the common enemy: the long bathroom queue, for example, or the overcrowded bus. You can make observations too. "What kind of drink is that?" "That's a lovely name. What does it mean?" "Do you study here too?" There are opportunities all around you to ask questions that don't seem weird, as long as you have some follow-up questions in mind. If you're feeling extra bold, make a joke. Jokes can be difficult to master but if you get them right, they show the likeable, witty side of your character. "What's your name?" "Well, people usually call me Mike, but you can call me tonight." Which is the best title for the passage? A) How to develop friendship with a stranger B) Advice on breaking the ice when we communicate with a stranger C) How to become a successful public speaker D) How to start a conversation with a person
A: B
*Question*
At 18, many American young people go off on their own. They go away to college or find full-time jobs, and they often rent their own apartments. Some get married and start families. This independence is learned from childhood. From an early age, American children learn responsibility . Children as young as 2 begin to put away their toys and dress themselves. At 3, many children do simple chores like setting the table. Using money wisely is also taught early. As soon as a child understands the value of money, he or she receives a weekly _ . This is used for things the child wants, like toys or treats. The child can spend or save it, usually with little guidance from parents. If the child wants money besides his or her allowance, it must be made by doing extra chores. Children are taught early in life to think for themselves. They are allowed to make some decisions--and make mistakes. Failure often teaches more than success. An American child learns to _ at the age of 2. A) find a full-time job B) rent an apartment C) put on his or her own clothes D) do lots of chores
**Answer**
C