The United States of America is the most culturally diverse country in the world in terms of culture religion, ethnicity and sexual orientation. As a combination of various races and cultures, America is home to all. The culture here is so unique that citizens can be just as proud of their original cultural heritage as they are to be American. What is now the US was initially inhabited by native people until the land was settled by various European groups and African slaves. Since the 20th century, the country has become a heaven for people from all over the globe . The arrival of immigrants has shifted populations from rural areas into cities because immigrants tend to settle in urban areas. At present, 81 percent of the inhabitants in the US live in cities. Cultural and ethnic diversity adds a unique flavor to cities that is expressed through distinct neighborhoods, restaurants, places of worship, museums, nightlife and multicultural learning environments. Unique musical forms, such as jazz, rock and roll, Chicano music, and the blues, grow in the US by mixing a variety of culturally distinct musical traditions to create a new form. At the executive level, the country is headed by a mixedrace president; two posts on the Supreme Court are held by members of the country's two largest minorities.There is also diversity in state and local governments. Without its rich mixture of races and cultures, America would not be the nation that it is today. Founded upon the basis of equality and freedom, America acts as a stage where different cultures not only coexist peacefully, but develop well. According to the passage, America is a country _ . A) that welcomes people from all over the world B) where citizens take more pride in their original culture C) that is mostly settled by Europeans and Africans D) where 81% of the population are immigrants
A
Edgar felt quite excited at the thought of his first swim of the summer. With the sun shining down so strongly, the sea was certain to be warm enough. He walked quickly along the sea-front towards the steps that led on to the sands. He smiled cheerfully at the passersby. He had just smiled and raised his hat to an elderly lady when a man with a camera caught his arm and stopped him. Edgar heard a little buzzing noise from the camera. "Your photograph, sir, in glorious colour in just one moment if you please," said the man in one breath. Then the buzzing stopped, and he held the photograph in his hand and was waving it to and fro. In a moment he handed it over, and Edgar saw the bright blue splash of his shirt half filling the picture. "Seventy pence, sir," the man said. "It's the bargain of your holiday." "Seventy pence," Edgar repeated, mildly. "For this?" He stared at the photographer. "They're normally eighty-five, sir, but for a single subject I make a cut-price offer. It's the best value you'll get in Chadwell." "You'll have to make a better offer," Edgar said. It was a good photo though, he thought, so bright and clear. His hat was held high, and he was smiling broadly at the old lady, whose arm and handbag came into a lower corner. He had had no idea that he was being snapped. He thought he was really quite a good-looking chap. "That's as good as any studio job that would cost you pounds," said the cameraman. "It's better in a way because it's so natural. Only seventy pence, sir." "I've never paid so much for a snap in my life. It simply isn't worth that kind of money. It's not as if I need the thing. Look, I'll give you twenty-five." "No, I can't do that. Each of these instant colour shots costs me 50p -- that's the price of the blank frame, so you see..." "Criminal, criminal," Edgar broke in. "You want a profit of forty per cent. Well, not at my expense, I'm afraid. I'll give you your 50p and that's that." "Let me see, then." The man suddenly took the photograph out of Edgar's hand. "I can't waste... Edgar smiled at and raised his hat to the lady because _ . A) he thought he recognized her B) he wanted the photograph to be amusing C) she was having her photograph taken D) he was feeling excited and cheerful
D
Q: You are enjoying the beautiful scenery in a quiet place, but suddenly the peace and quiet is interrupted by the noisy sound of a cellphone ! Cellphones are everywhere, and some people don't know what the limits of cellphone use are. For me, it's just a matter of education, good manners, and common sense. If I go to a beautiful place, it is because I want to enjoy nature. I can do it, but without bothering other people. Nowadays, that's the biggest problem. People disturb other people, first with the ringing of their cellphones and then with their conversations because they usually speak very loudly. Not everybody in a public place should have to listen to private conversations . Even more annoying, you hear just one part of the conversation. People need to learn how to use cellphones correctly. If there is an emergency ,cellphones are acceptable, but remember that just a few years ago few people had cellphones and the whole society survived! But again, not everybody wants to listen to other people's private conversations. It's like smoking. _ . Our society has to learn to respect other people. Sometimes when you are talking to someone, that person interrupts the conversation because of a cellphone call, without saying "I'm sorry." That is bad manners. They don't know how to respect other people. It's just common sense! But our society is sometimes so "common senseless!" So, we have to write some rules to prohibit cellphone use in some places. According to the author, what is the biggest problem nowadays? A) People are disturbed by those who use cellphones. B) People can't hear the other part of the conversation. C) Private conversations are carried out on cellphones. D) Not everyone uses a cellphone in public places.
A: A
(Question)
Michael was a farmer in Texas.His parents moved to the USA from Ireland in the 1940's, and they became very rich.Michael decided to go back to Ireland to meet his old grandfather, who was still living on the same farm. Michael booked his ticket,flew to Shannon airport,hired a car and drove to the small village where his parents had been born.He asked for directions to the Ohagan farm,and in the end he drove up a bumpy path.He was shocked by what he saw:a small field,and in the middle of it was an old house,which looked as if it was falling down.Animals were wandering in and out of the front door,and on the porch an old man was smoking a pipe. "Are you Mr. Ohagan?"asked Michael. "Yes,"replied the old mall. "I'm your grandson,Michael,"said Michael. "A--ha,"replied the old man. "Is this your farm?"asked Michael. "Yes,all the way to the wall over there,"said the old man. Michael was astonished."Grandfather,"he said,"I have a farm in Texas.I can get into my car and drive all day and I still haven't reached the end of the farm." "Yes,"said his grandfather."I used to have a car like that." From"I used to have a car like that",we can see that _ . A) the old man really had a car like that B) the old man knew his son's farm in the US was quite large C) the old man misunderstood what Michael said D) the old man wanted to buy a car like that
(Answer)
C