Read the article and select the best answer. Article: In a recent class I was asked "What is a short story?" My first answer was that it was something that could be read in one sitting and brought an illumination to the reader, sudden and golden like sunlight cracking(, ) through a heavy cloud. I went on to say that in my opinion a "real" short story was closer to poetry than to a novel. Here are some definitions of the short story. My favorite is Benet's: "something that can be read in an hour and remembered for a lifetime". One writer said, "The theme of a novel won't fit into the framework of a short story; It's like trying to squeeze a large painting done on a wall into the frame of a miniature . And as in a miniature painting, the details need to be sharp. " The short story is an example of one aspect of human nature. Often a character _ some event, something that offers him or her change. This is why it's said that short stories usually "say something ", often a small something, but sometimes delivered with such accuracy that the effect is strongly felt, even a life-moment for some readers, something similar to a religious experience or to witnessing a never-to-be-repeated scene in nature. Ok, let's form a definition here: A short story is an account, rarely over 10, 000 words or below 500 words-more commonly 1, 500 to 5, 000 words-a single-sitting read, but with enough time and weight to move the reader. It is narrow and focused to produce an effect through the story, most commonly through events affecting some change in an individual. Writer Isabelle Allende once wrote: "Novels are, for me, adding up details, just work, work, work, then you're done. Short stories are more difficult-they have to be perfect, complete in themselves. " Question: What's the difference between novels and short stories? Options: A: Novels are too long for us to read. B: Short stories are too short for us to read. C: Short stories have more details than novels. D: Short stories are more perfect and difficult than novels.
D

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Indoor and outdoor courts. Coaching from beginners to advanced, every day not evenings.Children only-Sat. mornings. SKIING Dry slopes--3 levels instructors at weekends and Fridays. Daytime parcitice. 8 years upwards. SWIMMING 2 pools I heated Olympic length. Tuition available. Women: Tuesday and Thursday. Men: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Children: Saturday Family day: Sunday GOLF 9 hole practice course. Professional Coaching. Lessons must be booked in advance in daytime. Evening practice. Minimum age -- 9 years. GYMNASTICS Maximum age--18 years. Children aged 5--10. Monday and Wednesdays. 4:00--6:00 p.m. 10--18 year-old. Friday evenings. Bar work on Sunday mornings. AND MUCH MORE Table Tennis, Snooker, Darts , Chess(everyday and evening), Cafe (all day),Bar(lunch time and evenings), Nursery(weekdays and weekends, not evenings). Centre open 10:00 a.m.--10:00 p.m. Daily. Interested? More details inside. Quote Card Number: 99. Question: Where can we find this ad in your opinion? Options: A: In a company. B: On a newspaper. C: In a park D: In a restaurant.
B

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: April sales figures show a disappointing month for Wal-Mart. The world's largest retailer reported a big drop in sales last month--its worst decline in nearly 30 years. As VOA's Mil Arcega reports, Wal-Mart is not alone. A three and a half percent drop in sales does not seem like much. But for a company that sells more than $300 billion worth of goods every year, analysts say it is significant. Alan Murray, the managing editor of the Wall Street Journal, says the drop represents Wal-Mart's biggest decline since 1979. "There are a number of things going on. Part of it is early Easter, so some of those sales got moved into March. Part of it is bad weather." But it may also signal a trend. Across the board, retailers from Target to JC Penny and the Gap, reported weaker sales in April. Analysts say the decline suggests high gasoline prices and the slowing prefix = st1 /U.S.housing market are finally catching up with consumers.Murraysays there may be other factors at play. "Wal-Mart is not doing what it used to do very well. It made an attempt last year to sell clothes to high scale retailers. That didn't work. It had to back off. It's remodeling its stores. That's not working very well," says Murray. To bring customers back, some say Wal-Mart needs to go back to its marketing basics. Retail analyst Dana Telsey says that means low priced goods in a friendly retail environment. "I think Wal-Mart is working to enhance its image. It could always be better. Going back to its roots is a way, that hopefully, customers will become familiar with it again." Wal-Mart is one of the biggest economic indicators in the retail industry. As the world's largest profit making enterprise, Wal-Mart's yearly revenues represents about 2.5 percent of total economic activity in the U.S. Question: According to the passage, what was the popular image of Wal - Mart? Options: A: It sold clothes to high scale retailers. B: It often sold discounted goods. C: It was one of the biggest retailer industries. D: It sold low priced goods in a friendly atmosphere.
D