Another food which is closely associated with Americans is apple pie.Apple pie is often served hot with a spoon of ice cream or a slice of cheese at the end of the biggest meal of the day--dinner, and it is a favorite dessert throughout the nation.If a person is typical of Americans, we can say, "He is as American as apple pie." It is true that the apple and apple pie do not originate in America, but the expression "as American as apple pie" is not the product of a pure imagination.As early as 1625, the English colonists, having brought orchards on this new land and in most of the colonial times, the apple was a main material of both plain and fancy cooking.The first Massachusetts governor, William Endicott, was one of many keen apple planters who helped to lay the foundations for today' s apple-growing industry in America. A major attraction of the apple for the colonists was that it could be made into cider . Like most Europeans, English colonists held a strong suspicion of drinking water, and since grape growing was _ by plant peats, cider became an alternative to wine.Cheap and easy to produce, it was the American drink of first choice well into the nineteenth century.Whether it was dried, raw or cooked, the apple also found its way into numerous colonial dishes, including apple sauces, pudding, stuffing and many desserts.Therefore, the conclusion to be drawn here is obvious.The apple pie became known as American, not because it was invented on this land (since it was proved that Europeans had been eating apple pies for centuries), but because, thanks to the huge orchards in the states of Washington and New York, America became the world's largest apple-producing nation. It can be concluded from the passage that _ . A) the apple pie was first served in America B) the English colonists developed a taste for the apple only after they, arrived at the New World C) the expression "as American as apple pie" is a pure imagination D) the apple pie is traditionally associated with Americans due to their large apple production
D
Drinking wine in moderation improves the IQ and may boost mental agility in old people,according to Japanese researchers. A study of the effects of alcohol on the middle aged and elderly found the average IQ of men who drink wine (whether made from grapes or rice) was 3.3 points higher than that of men who do not imbibe. Similarly,the IQ of women drinkers showed an improvement of 2.5 points over their teetotal sisters.The findings are part of an ongoing study by Japan's National Institute for Longevity into the links between human intelligence and what we eat and drink. The tests measured general knowledge,powers of judgment and concentration in drinkers and non-drinkers over 40,all living in Aichi prefecture,central Japan,and sharing the same income level-roughlyPS50 000 a year--and educational background.All were university graduates. But while wine-drinkers appeared to be brighter,the same was not true of those who drank deer,shochu (a local gin) and whisky. "The benefits of wine and sake (rice wine) in raising IQ could be due to substances they contain,such as polyphenol,which are believed to slow the ageing process," Hiroshi Shimokata,head of epidemiology research,said. It was premature to conclude,he added,that drinking wine or sake slowed the deterioration of brain functions in the elderly,or warded off senility.The research does,however,suggest that this is one way to stay mentally alert longer. But there is a sobering caveat:drinking too much may make you dimmer."People who drink more than 540 milli-litres (a little over a pint) of sake or wine a day had lower intelligence quotients than those who did not drink at all,"Hiroshi Shimokata said."Moderation is very important." The reason why wine and sake can improve IQ is that _ . A) wine and sake have special taste B) wine and sake can make us excited C) wine and sake contain substances considered to slow the ageing process D) wine and sake contain something believed to prevent us from ageing
C
Q: Beijing Acrobatic Show in Chaoyang Theatre Introduction of Acrobatic Show: This is the entertainment that should not be missed by the young and old on a visit to Beijing. You can see breath-holding acrobatics, some of which can be so demanding in the balance skill as to be close to the impossible. This time you can see the bicycling show-- ten cycling girls all ending up on a bicycle with their fans spread out like a peacock. There are also girls bending and folding their bodies to a position where the feet hold the face and the head and hands are still balancing some glasses. Other exciting acts are the martial arts , balancing of bowls, rope walking, pole climbing, roller skating and plate swirling , etc. Ticket Prices Two daily acrobatic shows from 5:15 pm to 7:15 pm. The detailed price is as follows (including 5-65 years old): Yellow Zone: (Mid Rows 14-23) RMB 120 Blue Zone: (Mid Rows 1-4) RMB 160 Green Zone: (Mid Rows 8-13) RMB 220 Red VIP Zone: (Mid Rows 5-7) RMB 400 Booking Book at beijing-travels.com or call 13801067568 Booking information: Your Name, Shows, Date, Time, Tickets, Telephone Number We will explain your enquiry or confirm booking within one working day. When your booking is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation letter by e-mail, which includes the detailed tickets with prices. Payment Please pay cash to our clerks when you get to the theater. Both RMB and US dollar are acceptable. What is the text mainly about? A) How to book acrobatic show tickets. B) People in Beijing like acrobatic shows. C) The introduction of Chinese acrobatic shows. D) An advertisement for Beijing Acrobatic Show.
A: D
(Q).
Carmen Arace Middle School is situated in the town of Bloomfield,but four years ago it faced many of the same challenges as inner--city schools nearby:low scores in standardized tests and dropping enrollment of students.Then the hard-driving headmaster, Delore Bolton,persuaded her school to shake up the place by buying a laptop computer for each student and teacher to use in school and at home.For good measure,the board provided wireless Internet access at school.Total cost :$5 million. Now an hour before classes start,every seat in the library is taken by students eager to get online.The teacher talks about rocks as students view them at a colorful website,after school students on buses pull laptops from backpacks to get started on homework.Since the computers arrived,scores in state tests are up 35%and the enrollment increases by 20%. Indeed,school systems in rural areas are eager to follow Carmen Arace Middle School's example.Angus King,the state governor, has proposed using$50 million from an unexpected budget to supply computers for students. However, the school is seeking federal grant money to expand the laptop program.In the meantime,most of the problems have been worked out.Some students use computers to visit unauthorized websites,but teachers have the ability to track where students have been and restrict them."That is the worst when they disable you" says a boy.The habit is rubbing off on parents."I taught my mom to use e-mail."says the honorable girl."And now she is taking computer classes.I'm so proud of her!'' What is the passage mainly about? A) Middle schools are faced with challenges today. B) A school with high enrollment can do well. C) Computers are of importance in modern education. D) Laptops can help improve students' school performance.
(A).
D