The Come-back Coffeehouse The sign in the window read"Carl's Coffee Shoppe,"spelled the old-fashioned way.Hallie shook her head and wondered how many times she had suggested an alternative.She entered the shop and saw only one person. "I could help with the books,Dad",Hallie offered,"There's not much you could do."Her father signed."How about if you clean the counters instead?"His statement made her feel like a little girl instead of a senior in high school.Hallie sprayed some cleanser and ran a cloth over the worn countertops,After she had washed a few of the old eggshell-color1ed cups,she began her homework.At closing time,Hallie's parents sat beside her."You know the shop has not been profitable lately,"Mr.Rhodes began."We need to decide if it is even worth keeping it open.""We're going to visit Uncle Harold over spring vacation."Mrs,Rhodes continued."He can look over the books and tell us what our options are.You and Aunt Tess will run the shop for the week." By spring vacation Hallie was ready for an adventure.Hllie's parents gave some instructions,and said good-bye.Hallie stared absently out the window at the passersby:young people on their way to work,and kids on their school vacation.They were not the same people that her grandpa Carl had served.Suddenly Hallie had an idea.She confided in Aunt Tess,who approved.The two eagerly set to work. At the end of the week,Hallie was coming out from the kitchen when she saw her parents standing in the shop,confused.She smiled as her parents staredat the teens around the counter and the young families seated at the tables. "Welcome back!"Hallie swept her arms to present the restaurant'scheerful new decoration.Bright,attractive coverings spread over the tables,and modern posters hung on the walls,while,color1ful mismatched dishes contributed to the pleasant atmosphere." I brought board games from home,"Hallie added excitedly,"and the bookstore down the street donated the posters.When we talked to our friendsabout what we were doing,they were happy to give us some... What do we learn about"Carl's Coffee Shoppe"? A) It is behind the times. B) It has regular customers. C) It is located on a quiet street. D) It follows family traditions well.
A
London Thursday July 26(Reuters)--Ian Johnstone missed his girlfriend so much that he flew back to Britain from Australia to propose to her.The problem is that she flew in the opposite direction. He and Amy Dolby even managed to miss each other when they sat in the same airport waiting-room in Singapore at the same time to wait for connecting flights. Dolby,heartbroken when she arrived at Johnstone's Sydney apartment to find he had flown to London,told the Times:"It was as though someone was playing a cruel joke on us.He is the most romantic person I have ever known.I think our problem is that we are both quite impulsive people.We are always trying to surprise each other." After an 11,000-mile flight across the globe,she was greeted by Johnstone's astonished flatmate asking what she was doing there. "The terrible truth dawned when I found that Lan's rucksack and most of his clothes were missing.I sat on the end of his bed and cried my eyes out.And that really annoyed me,"she said. Johnstone,a 27-year-old bricklayer,had taken a year off to travel round Australia.But he was missing Dolby,a 26-year-old secretary,so much he got a job on a Sydney building site and started saving for a surprise. He then flew home to Britain and went to her apartment armed with an engagement ring,champagne and flowers. "I really missed Amy and I'd been thinking about her all the time.I thought she was winding me up when she phoned me from Australia."he said. Johnstone then asked Dolby to marry him on the phone."I didn't know whether to laugh or cry but I accepted,"she said. Dolby was given a short tour of Sydney by Johnstone's friends and Johnstone had to stay in Britain for two weeks because he could not change his ticket. When Johnstone asked her to marry him on the phone,Dolby didn't know whether to laugh or cry because she had a mixed feeling of_. A) excitement,anger and shyness B) sadness,happiness and surprise C) love,hatred and nevousness D) cheer,regret and annoyance
D
Q: Most visitors come to the UK expecting the rain and weather for which the country is famous. However, when summer finally arrives, British people like nothing more than heading for the coast. Here are some of more famous places of interest that you could expect to visit on a trip to Britain. Black pool, in the northwest of England, is the most visited place in the UK. Each year around 6.5 to 7 million people come to enjoy the miles of sandy beaches, the 158m Black pool Tower and the 11km-long Golden Mile, where there are entertainments, pubs, ice rinks and even a zoo. On the south coast of the country you can find Brighton. Until 1786, Brighton was a sleepy village. Then the future king, George IV, decided to build a house there, and now it has become a large, international centre. Apart from the beaches, Brighton is famous for its pier . There are theatres, entertainments and restaurants there. Brighton is also fantastic for shopping. If you want to travel a little further, why not go to Corn-wall in the far southwest of the UK? South Cornwall offers miles of sandy beaches and beautiful scenery. The climate there is warmer than the rest of Britain, and you can even find palm trees. For a bit more excitement, go to North Cornwall. The scenery there is nicer, and the beaches are famous for their powerful waves. As a result, North Cornwall has become the home of British surfing. One word of warning though, if you are using the roads in the UK during holidays, you can expect long traffic jams on the motorways. It might be better to take the train. Which is NOT the reason why Brighton is famous? A) In Brighton you can satisfy your appetite for shopping. B) In 1786, George IV decided to build a house there. C) There is an interesting pier in Brighton. D) You can enjoy yourself on the beautiful beaches.
A: B
Since her husband died, Mrs. Jackson has lived alone in their big old suburban house, The house was bought by her husband almost fifty years ago. For the sake of safety , her son has tried hard to ask her to sell the house and buy a new and small one in the town , But Mrs. Jackson doesn't like the idea. She says that she has to look after her husband's old house. But recently she often hears stories about unknown people stealing things around here. That was a cold day before Christmas Eve. Around four o'clock in the afternoon, Mrs. Jackson was enjoying the Christmas music when someone knocked at the door. She heard the sound but didn't move. Another knock. Who could it be? Mrs. Jackson was a bit afraid. She decided not to answer the door but keep waiting. One minute another minute and yet another minute. Nothing happened and no more knocks , She walked quietly to the door, and listened. She heard nothing but the wind outside. She slowly unfastened the door and peeped through the crack . She then gave a surprised cry and threw the door wide open! At the door she saw a tall, beautiful Christmas tree! In the tree stood a Christmas card with these words: Merry Christmas! Your new neighbor The house bought by Mr. Jackson is _ . A) in the town B) small but new C) outside the town D) fifty years old
C