Question: Every culture has a recognized point when a child becomes an adult, when rules must be followed and tests passed.

In China, although teenagers can get their ID cards at 16, many only see themselves as an adult when they are 18. In the US, where everyone drives, the main step to the freedom of adult life is learning to drive. At 16, American teens take their driving test. When they have their license, they drive into the grown-up world.

"Nobody wants to ride the cheese bus to school," said Eleanor Fulham, 17. She brought the pressure back to memory, especially from kids from wealthier families. "It's like you're not cool if you don't have a car," she said.

According to recent research, 41% of 16 to 19-year-olds in the US own cars, up from 23% in 1985. Although, most of these cars are bought by parents, some teens get part-time jobs to help pay.

Not all families can afford cars for their children. In cities with subways and limited parking, some teenagers don't want them. But in rich suburban areas without subways, and where bicycles are more for fun than transportation, it is strange for a teenager not to have a car.

But police say 16-year-olds have almost three times more accidents than 18 and 19-year-olds. This has made many parents pause before letting their kids drive.

Julie Sussman, of Virginia, decided that her son Chad, 15, will wait until he is 17 to apply for his learner's permit.

Chad said he has accepted his parents' decision, although it has caused some teasing from his friends. "They say that I am unlucky," he said, "But I'd rather be alive than driving, and I don't really trust my friends on the road, either."

In China, as more families get cars, more 18-year-olds learn to drive. Will this become a big step to becoming an adult? 1. How old do you have to be to get an ID in China?
2. When do they tend to view themselves as an adult?
3. Is getting an ID card the main rite of passage into adulthood in the US?
4. When do kids take the driving test in the US?
5. How many people ages 16 through 19 have a car in America?
6. What was the amount in 1985?
7. Does the adolescent usually purchase the car?
8. In what kind of towns do some adolescents not desire cars?
9. How many accidents to 16 year olds have compared to older teens?
10. Where is Julie Sussman from?
11. What is her rule for her child? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. 16
2. when they are 18
3. yes
4. At 16
5. 41%
6. 23%
7. no
8. In cities with subways and limited parking
9. Three times as many
10. stirginia
11. her son will wait until he is 17 to apply for his learner's permit

Question: Beirut, Lebanon (CNN) -- Hezbollah's chief on Monday announced the group's new "manifesto," which calls on all countries to "liberate Jerusalem" and declares the United States a threat to the world.

"American terrorism is the source of every terrorism in the world," Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech from an undisclosed location.

It was his first address since a unity government formed in Lebanon this month, ending a crisis that had left the country with no government since June's parliamentary elections.

Hezbollah, a political party in Lebanon, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and Israel. Nasrallah does not appear in public amid concerns for his safety.

"We invite and call on all Arabs and Muslims and all countries keen on peace and stability in the world to intensify efforts and resources to liberate Jerusalem from Zionist occupation and to maintain its true identity and its Islamic and Christian sanctities," Nasrallah said.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks. It has been linked to attacks against against American, Israeli and other Western targets.

In his remarks, which included about 80 minutes of reading the manifesto followed by answering questions from reporters, Nasrallah sought to reject the "terrorist" label, repeatedly saying Hezbollah is a "resistance" force.

"The U.S. administration under President George W. Bush equated the concepts of terrorism and resistance to deny the right of resistance for the people," he argued.

He praised Iran and Syria, which are Hezbollah's chief backers.

"Iran plays a central role in the Muslim world" and "stood with courage and determination with Arab and Islamic issues, especially the Palestinian issue," Nasrallah said. 1. Whose chief announced a new manifesto?
2. What does he say?
3. Does he declare the United States a threat to the world?
4. What's the name of the chief?
5. Is Hezbollah a political party in Lebanon?
6. Has Hezbollah claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks?
7. Is he rejecting the terrorist label?
8. What does he say about Hezbollah?
9. Which counties were praised by him?
10. Does Nasrallah appear in public? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. Hezbollah's
2. he calls for the liberation of Jerusalem
3. Yes
4. Hassan Nasrallah
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. Yes
8. it is a "resistance" force
9. Iran and Syria
10. No

Question: In a big forest lived a fox named Manny. He was having a fun morning. Dad had given him a cookie as a snack and it was yummy! Now he was wandering through the woods, looking for an adventure. After a little bit he came across a frog sitting on a log. They looked at each other, but did not say anything. Manny spoke first. "Hi there, my name is Manny and I'm a fox. Who are you?" The frog on the log didn't answer at first. He finally said, "My name is Tony and I'm a frog. My brother could beat you up." Manny was very surprised to hear this. First, why would a frog's brother want to fight him? Second, how could some little frog beat him up? Manny told Tony he didn't think he would want to fight his brother because he would hurt him. Tony jumped off the log and hopped away, shouting over his shoulder, "You're a liar! My brother can beat up anyone!" As the frog went away, Manny was very confused. He didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but the frog was sad because of what Manny said. Manny also did not like to be called a liar, so he ran after the frog. He soon found out that Tony's brother was not from the same mother. His brother was a brown bear named Greg. After taking a good look at Greg, Manny said yes, Greg could beat up anyone he chose. After that day all three of them became close friends. 1. Was the forest big?
2. What is the fox who lived there's name?
3. What time of day was it?
4. What did his dad give him as a snack?
5. Did he enjoy it?
6. When he wandered through the woods what was he looking for?
7. Who did he meet?
8. What was his name?
9. Did the frog say something mean to him?
10. What did he say?
11. Did manny want to fight?
12. Why not?
13. Did the frog agree?
14. What did he say about it?
15. did the frog go away?
16. What did Manny do?
17. Did he find out anything about his brother?
18. Did they all become friends? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers:
1. Yes
2. Manny
3. morning
4. A cookie
5. yes
6. an adventure
7. A frog
8. Tony
9. Yes
10. My brother could beat you up
11. no
12. he would hurt him
13. No
14. You're a liar! My brother can beat up anyone
15. yes
16. ran after the frog
17. he was a brown bear named Greg
18. Yes