Iceland is a popular European tourist destination. Before you go there, it is good to learn some of the basic Iceland customs first. Just like other countries in Europe, it is one of the customs in Iceland to shake hands and say "Hello". Kissing each other's cheeks is acceptable along with wishing each other a happy day. Another custom is to take off your shoes in the hallway when you enter someone's home. Also, don't be surprised if someone invites you to their house, since Icelanders love to have guests. Just make sure you take flowers or a similar token of thanks to give them. If you have been invited to eat, keep in mind that you don't need to express thanks before meals like the French or the Japanese. Rather, eat heartily and then thank your host afterwards by shaking his hand. Keep in mind that believing in mysterious beings is part of the tradition in Iceland. Indeed, most of the unique and sometimes strange rock formations in Iceland are due to elves , according to the people of Iceland. Are you planning to spend Christmas in Iceland? If so, make sure you practice saying "Gleileg jol got tog fars!" first, which is the local Christmas greeting. It is part of the tradition in Iceland to have long Christmas holidays--26 days--longer than in any other European country. There are 13 Santa Clauses in Iceland, too! There may not be a law requiring you to follow the customs, but there is no harm in doing so. Following them, you might be rewarded with a rich cultural experience and a more meaningful trip. Which of the following is one of the differences in customs between Iceland and France? A) Shaking hands when greeting. B) A 26-day-long Christmas holiday. C) Saying hello when meeting each other. D) Kissing each other's cheeks when greeting.
B
(Question)
While other countries debate whether to fix wind turbines offshore or in distant areas, Denmark is building them right in its capital. Three windmills were recently introduced in a Copenhagen neighbourhood, and the city plans to add another 97. "We've made a very ambitious commitment to make Copenhagen CO2-neutral by 2025," Frank Jensen, the mayor, says. "But going green isn't only a good thing. It's a must." The city's carbon-neutral plan, passed two years ago, will make Copenhagen the world's first zero-carbon capital. With wind power making up 33% of Denmark's energy supply, the country already features plenty of wind turbines. Indeed, among the first sights greeting airborne visitors during the landing at Copenhagen's Kastrup airport is a chain of sea-based wind towers. By 2020, the windswept country plans to get 50% of its energy from wind power. Now turbines are moving into the city and these ones will cost less than half the price of those sea-based. Having the energy production closer makes it cheaper, and land-based turbines are the cheapest possible source of energy available today. Fixing them also makes the locals more aware of their energy consumption. Though considerably less attractive than it was in ancient times, the windmill is enjoying popularity in the 21st century. "Windmills are a symbol of the new and clean Copenhagen," says resident Susanne Sayers. Meanwhile, fellow Copenhagen citizen Maria Andersen worries about the noise, explaining that she wouldn't want a wind turbine in her neighbourhood. While Copenhagen citizens approve of the windmills, they're less willing to live close to one. The answer, the city has decided, is to sell turbine shares. Each share represents 1,000 kW hours/year, with the profit tax-free. With a typical Copenhagen household consuming 3,500 kW hours/year, a family buying four shares effectively owns its own renewable energy supply. To date, 500 residents have bought 2,500 shares. Involving the local population was a smart move. "There are a lot of things you... Denmark has decided to build windmills in its capital mainly to _ . A) make windmills its cultural symbol B) advocate an environmentally-friendly lifestyle C) take advantage of its limited wind power D) greet tourists coming to Copenhagen by plane
(Answer)
B
Ques: The average man who uses a telephone couldn't explain how a telephone works. He takes for granted the telephone, the railway train , the airplane, as our grandfathers took for granted the miracles of the gospels . He neither questions nor understands them. It is as though each of us investigated and _ only a tiny circle of facts. Knowledge outside the day's work is regarded by most men as a gewgaw .Still we are usually in reaction against our ignorance.We excite ourselves sometimes and think deeply.We enjoy thinking about anything at allabout life after death or about such questions as is said to have puzzled Aristotle."Why sneezing from noon to midnight was good,but from night to noon unlucky".One of the greatest joys known to man is to take such a flight into ignorance in search of knowledge.The great pleasure of ignorance is.after all.the pleasure of asking questions.The man who has lost this pleasure or exchanged it for the pleasure of dogma ,which is the pleasure of answering,is already beginning to stiffen .One envies so inquisitive a man as Jewell,who sat down to the study of physiology in his sixties.Most of us have lost the sense of ignorance long before that age.We even become proud of our squirrel' store -house of knowledge and regard increasing age itself as a school of omniscience .We forget that Socrates was famous for wisdom not because he was Mr. know-all but because he realized at the age of seventy that he still knew nothing. From the passage we can see the most joyful the writer think is_. A) to master useful knowledge B) to know a great deal just as Socrates C) to seek the truth D) to learn at one's sixties
Ans: C
In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartment. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits. Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent-controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city. Some experts argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low-paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics hold the opinion that an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage. Supporters of the minimum wage say that it helps people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to accept jobs at unfair wages. Economic theory predicts the results of economic decision, such as decisions about farm production, rent control, and the minimum wage. The predictions may be corrected only if "other things are equal". Economists do not agree on some of the predictions. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions. Some economists support a particular decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree,... There will be the problem of unemployment if _ . A) the minimum wage is set too high.. B) the minimum wage is set too early. C) the workers are unskilled. D) the maximum wage is set for poor workers.
A