It seems that all your friends' names on MSN have added a little green "I'm" symbol overnight. If you ask what is going on, someone will tell you it's a charity activity. Though this charity program has not yet officially begun for Chinese users, this little green symbol has proven popular among Chinese Windows Live Messenger users. Windows Live Messenger's official blog announced on March 1 that Microsoft was beginning an "I'm" program in the United States. Every time someone starts a conversation using "I'm", Microsoft shares a part of the program's advertising income with nine organizations devoted to social causes. With every instant message a user sends, it helps deal with things one feels most interested in, including poverty, child protection, disease and worsening environment. One only has to add a certain code next to one's name for the organization one would like to support. "*red'u" is for the American Red Cross, "*bgca" is for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and "*unicef" stands for the American branch of UNICEF. After a Chinese blogger named "hung" introduced this program on his blog on March 2, "I'm" entered the Internet in China with no actual support from Microsoft. Beijing-based Youth Weekend reported that famous IT blogger Keso regarded this program's rapid spread as a successful virus marketing case. He thinks that the success of the "I'm" program is because it's spread by users without being a bother to others. This answers why "I'm" has spread so rapidly across the Internet like a virus with almost no advertisement. However, Feng Jinhu from the press center for Microsoft China toldYouth Weekendthat the "I'm" project is only for Messenger users in the United States. Instant messages sent by Chinese users would not count. This has not affected Chinese Messenger users' interest in the little green symbol. These users hope their instant messages will actually contribute to charitable organizations someday. What should you do to take part in the "I'm" program? A) Send an email to Microsoft. B) Add a little green "I'm" symbol before your MSN name. C) Add the code of the organization you support next to your MSN name. D) Fill in an application form in advance.
C
Ad. 1 April fool's party On Friday, April 1, Inner Affair goes back to the days of funk! Classic Tunes from the 70's and 80's by DJs Den & Sion. 9pm till late. Tickets: Free entrance for those in costume, otherwise 50 Yuan (US$6) Time/date: 9 pm, April 1 Place: Inner Affair, 1/F Qiankun Dasha, 6 Sanlitun Xiliujie, Chaoyang District Tel: 8454 0321 Ad. 2 Language in use Enjoy free in house coffee, tea and beer as well as music and dancing. Practice your Chinese, make friends and have fun. Time/date: 7 to 9 pm, March 25 Place: Language In Use Club, 2/F, Science Fortune Center, 8 Xueqing Lu, north of Xueyuan Lu, Haidian District Ad. 3 The "worst" party Organized by Ozone Productions, the party is set to be "the worst ever", with the lamest music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Special prizes will be awarded to the worst dressed or for bad fashion sense. Tickets: Free entrance Time/date: 9 pm, April 1 Place: Pula Pula, Tianze Lu, Oriental Seven Colours Plaza, Chaoyang District Tel: 64668575 Ad. 4 La Nuit Francaise Again on the 2nd Thursday of the month La Nuit Francaise will be held at Le Rendezvous. The monthly event is an opportunity for all French people and everyone interested in France or speaking French to gather together. The evening features three glasses of wine and canapes for participants and a special exhibition. Time/date: 7 to 10 pm, April 14 Place: Le Rendezvous, 3 Gongti Beilu, across from the Pacific Century Plaza, Chaoyang District Tel: 64629110 Ad. 5 Marco V Dutch DJ Marco V drops by Banana for a gig which is supported by Hong Kong's DJ Spark. Marco V has been around for many years, as an inventive, style blending deejay and a successful and devoted producer. His spinning is energetic, crowd pleasing and never sees an empty dance floor. He was ranked No. 15 in this year's international DJ MAG DJ Top100. Tickets: 40 yuan (US$4.80) in advance, 50 yuan (US$6) at the door, both include a free drink Time/date: 10 pm to 4 am, March 31, April 1 Place: Banana, in the lobby of the Scitech Hotel, 22 Jianwai... Which of the following is NOT true of Ad. 1 and Ad. 3? A) The two parties will be held on the same day. B) The two parties will be held at the same time. C) The entrance fees of the two parties will not be charged. D) Some old music will be played at the parties.
C
(Q).
The largest-ever chariot pit of relics with carts and horse bones has been discovered in Henan Province. It may lead to the uncovering of chariot pit groups that could be a key to understanding Chinese civilizations that existed more than 2,000 years ago. Experts said the relics are dated more than 300 years earlier than the famous warriors in Shaanxi Province. What excited the experts were two other projects that located two huge pits with similar features. "It is absolutely a miracle. These relics indicate that there could be a tomb group in this area, which is likely to be important for China's archaeological studies," said Ma Juncai, a leading relic researcher in the province. In ancient China, carts, sheep, spoons and so on were buried to ensure that dead people had a happy afterlife. The number and quality of the sacrifices indicated the social status of the dead. The custom was carried into the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qinshihuang's tomb, located near Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is accompanied by thousands of wood or clay figures of warriors and horses. The tomb is probably the most well-known. The discovered pit measures 10.4 meters long, 8.4 meters wide and 5 meters deep. It holds 20 carts in different sizes. The smallest one is 1.05 meters long and 1.3 meters wide. Experts think that 40 horses are likely to be found as well. Careful plans need to be made to deal with the demanding uncovering. "The clay is very weak and a small misstep can destroy the whole project. That's why we need to take every step very carefully to protect these cherished cultural relics," Ma said. According to Ma Juncai, the uncovering of the three pits is a miracle because _ . A) it shows there may be a tomb group there B) it's helpful in discovering Emperor Qinshihuang's tomb C) the relics are dated such a long time ago D) the relics are more than 300 years older than the ones in Shaanxi
(A).
A