Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Shopping green can make an important contribution to protecting the planet and conserving its resources. Today's consumer faces a wider range of choices than ever before, Add to that the steady stream of sales campaigns, and shopping smart only gets harder. To buy economically and reduce waste, safeguard health and protect the environment, you'll need to follow some basic principles and have a clear idea of what you want. 1. Do Your Homework Before making any major purchase, take the time to research it. Plentiful resources are usually available online. Avoid buying in a hurry, and don't be persuaded by overenthusiastic salespeople. _ it if necessary--you won't regret giving yourself some extra time to think. 2. Take the Long View Consider the running costs as well as the initial price of any item you buy. Many environmentally friendly products cost more to buy, but save you money in the long run. Choose items that are made to last. For example, pick a sofa that has a hardwood or steel frame rather than one made of softwood, which may break easily. 3. Skip the Disposable Option Buy reusable products like washable cloth towels, handkerchiefs, serviettes and cleaning cloths rather than paper, single-use varieties. Avoid other disposable supplies like cups, glasses, and chopsticks, too. 4. Take the Local Route Buy local products that are in season. It's usually cheaper and fresher and has less harm to the environment. Markets and roadside stands are good sources. Some supermarkets also buy from local producers. Support it if you have one. 5. Avoid Wasteful Packaging Better not buy products that have too much packaging. It's estimated that approximately 10 percent of every shopping bill is actually paying for packaging--which you normally just throw away! Moreover, significant amounts of energy are used in the production of packaging. Purchasing refillable and renewable containers can also help cut this kind of waste. Question: What could be the best title for this passage? Options: A: Protection of the Planet B: Green Shopping Principles C: Environmentally Friendly Products D: Resource Conservation
B

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Cultural events that take place in Edinburgh during August draw most people's attention, but plenty of other festivals can also entertain you throughout the rest of the year. Ceilidh Culture Festival Where: various places When: Date late Mar/early Apr Tel & website: 228 1155, www.ceilidhculrure.co.uk Backed by the local authorities, this is a community-focused celebration of traditional Scottish music, dance, song and storytelling. City-wide over a period of nearly four weeks, prices are different for different events. Beltane Fire Festival Where: Calton Hill, Calton Hill & Broughton When: 30 Apr Website: www. beltane.org An ancient tradition marking the transition from winter to spring, the Beltane fire festival was revived in the 1980s and has grown into quite a drama: fire, costume, body-paint, dancing and drumming. If the weather holds, it can attract up to 12,000 people. Tickets cost around PS5 in advance from the Hub; a limited number are available for PS7 on the night. Doors Open Day Where: various places When: weekend, late Sept Tel & Website: 557 8686, www.cockburnassociation.org.uk Each year, heritage body the Cockburn Association works with organizations and individuals to allow public access to buildings that few people usually get to see---everything from private homes to lighthouses. It's all free. Capital Christmas Where: various places When: late Nov till early Jan Website: www.edinburghschristmas.com What started out as a few accidental events has grown into a large, popular, city-wide festival. The main part is the Winter Wonderland in Princes Street Gardens, including fairground rides, crafts market, a skating rink and the Edinburgh Wheel (a Ferris wheel next to the Scott Monument). Question: If you want to find out more about the Ceilidh Cultural Festival, you can visit _ . Options: A: www. ceilidhculrure.co.uk B: www.cockburnassociation.org.uk C: www.edinburghschristmas.com D: www. beltane.org
A

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: There are many famous writers in the English world, among whom Jane Austen (1775--1817) has been popular with all ages. But then Jane Austen wrote her novels in England, she was writing about a world that most of us would not recognize. But today Austen's books are in greater demand than ever. In the last ten years, five of the six novels have been made into Hollywood films, while her books continue to be bestsellers. So why is Austen still popular? Richard Jenkyns, a professor of English at Oxford University, argues that her novels still appeal to people because they focus on issues that are as _ today as they were when she wrote them. Her novels are about women trying to find a perfect husband, but also explore issues surrounding marriage, friendship and the family. "The plots are fairly timeless stories about human interaction which are familiar to us," Jenkyns says. The most famous book Austen wrote is Pride and Prejudice,a love story betweenElizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. At first the two characters do not get on. They finally fall in love, but still have to overcome opposition to their relationship from their families. All of Austen's books are easy to read, making them popular with children and adults, but they work on different levels so people can take what they need from them, author Kate Henry says. Austen is often praised as the greatest romance writer in the English language, so it is surprising she remained unmarried. "Maybe she was too much of a romantic, waiting for a perfect man," Henry says. Question: Which of the following can NOT explain why Austen is still popular? Options: A: Her novels are all about love and marriage. B: Her novels still make sense to today's people. C: All her novels are easy to read. D: Her novels benefit people of different reading levels.
A