Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: How do you feel about watching other people work? Nothing is more refreshing on a warm summer day than watching someone else work. Right now,I'm sitting on my porch and watching young Beth baling the big field on top of the hill.She's been haying that field for over ten years.I know:I put her on the tractor when she was just twelve years old. She picked a great day for baling.It's not too hot,and there's a nice breeze.On Monday,when she cut the field,it was so hot I thought the corn would start popping in the field.Didn't stop her,though.She just stuck that big hat on her head,wrapped a wet handkerchief around her neck,and set to work.I remember when I would have done the same thing. While I'm here sucking a lemonade,Beth is driving the "hay train",a tractor pulling a baler and an old wagon.You'd think someone her size would never be able to see over the tractor.But somehow she manages.When she's finished,her tracks are very straight. The whole time she's haying,that dog of hers is working just as hard,running along beside her like he's afraid she'll drive away without him.Beth sure knew what she was doing when she trained him. The way the machine works is pure poetry.Each row is pushed into shape.When just enough hay is in a bale,it is wrapped up and fastened together.A second or so later,the bale comes flying out and into the old wagon.The person who invented that machine sure was some kind of genius. That's not to say it works perfectly.Every once in a while a bale misses the mark,especially when you are turning the machine at the end of a row.That means,of course,that you have to go back and pick up those bales and throw them into the wagon. I can remember when Beth's mother was her age.She looked an awful lot like Beth does now.Makes a man proud to see his daughter and granddaughter taking such good care of themselves. Well,I suppose I should get up and fill this glass again.Not much fun sitting here with an empty glass. Question: It can be inferred from the story that _ . - Beth is now twenty years old - Beth trained her dog well - the writer doesn't bother to give Beth a hand - the writer enjoys drinking lemonade more than watching Beth working
Beth trained her dog well
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Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: Nobody knows who first invented it, but the umbrella was used in very ancient times. Probably the first to use it were the Chinese, back in the eleventh century B.C. To use it seems so natural to put up an umbrella to keep the water off when it rains. But actually the umbrella was not invented as protection against rain. It was first used as a shade against the sun. We know it was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as a sunshade. And there was a strange thing connected with its use; it became a symbol of honor and _ . In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by royal people or by those in high office. In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was in common use in ancient Greece. But it is believed that the first persons in Europe to use the umbrellas as protection against the rain were the ancient Romans. During the Middle Ages, the use of the umbrella practically disappeared. Then it appeared again in Italy in the late 16thcentury. And again it became a symbol of power and authority. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France, and later on in England. By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout most of Europe. Umbrellas have not changed much in style during all this time, though they have become much lighter in weight. It wasn't until the twentieth century that women's umbrellas began to be made in a variety of color1s. Question: In Europe, the umbrella was first used against the rain _ . - in Rome - by the eighteen century - in Greece - during the Middle Ages
in Rome
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Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: Zhu Haoyu, 18, a history major, wears his iPod everywhere on campus. The freshman has it going out for a walk, visiting the library or lying in bed. However, he found that his habit is like displaying a big "Do not disturb "sign for himself. As time slips away, he has begun to regret not having conversed much with his peers around . "As I put the little buds into my ears, I'm in a universe of my own, forgetting all troubles in the real world," said Li. The MP3 player is one of a number of gadgets --starting with the Sony Walkman, which led to the iPod, iPhone and iPad --that give people the ability to shut themselves off from world around them. Youngsters delight in handset technology. In public, students chat on their cell phones, stopping only to talk briefly to friends. On buses or trains it's common to see youngsters with PlayStations instead of playing poker or sharing jokes or games. And during airline flights, people watch episodes of US TV dramas on their iPads, rather than talking. The recently published an article saying that headphone wearing culture is making us anti-social. "Half of humankind is wired to a parallel universe that leaves them ignoring their surroundings and fellows," wrote Tom de Castella. Actually, it's a decade since Apple unveiled the iPod, which promised "1,000 songs in your pocket". In 2007 more than half of Western residents were using an iPod or MP3 player. Entertainment is on offer in all surroundings, not just at home. But in the meantime, it has created barriers between us. Many people subscribe to the view that the headphone culture is creating a "spoilt, selfish generation that lacks civic culture". However, many users of portable MP3 players argue that the device, as a mind drug, helps them relieve stress by escaping for a while. It is also said to be able to help some students concentrate on work or study. "If you want to get away from the hucksters on the way, just start listening to your player," said Liu, a freshman. "They do not approach people with... Question: Which of the following is not true? - Headphone wearing culture makes people ignore their surroundings and fellows. - Apple released the iPod ten years ago. - There are still many people support the headphone culture. - It's dangerous to have conversations with strangers.
It's dangerous to have conversations with strangers.
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