Several weeks ago, a mysterious Christmas card dropped through our mailbox. The envelope was addressed to a man named Raoul, who, I was ly certain, did not live with us. The envelope wasn't sealed, so I opened it. The inside of the card was blank. Ed, my husband, explained that the card was both from and to the newspaper deliveryman. His name was apparently Raoul, and Raoul wanted a holiday tip. We were meant to put a check inside the card and then drop the envelope in the mail. When your services are finished at 4 a.m., you can't simply hang around, like a hotel bellboy expecting a tip. You have to be direct. So I wrote a nice holiday greeting to this man who, in my imagination, fires The New York Times from his bike aimed at our front door, causing more noise with mere newsprint than most people manage with sophisticated black market fireworks. With a start, I realized that perhaps the reason for the 4 a.m. wake-up noise was not ordinary rudeness but carefully executed spite : I had not tipped Raoul in Christmas past. I honestly hadn't realized I was supposed to. This was the first time he'd used the card tactic . So I got out my checkbook. Somewhere along the line, holiday tipping went from an optional thank-you for a year of services to a Mafia-style protection racket . Several days later, I was bringing our garbage bins back when I noticed an envelope taped to one of the lids. The outside of the envelope said MICKEY. It had to be another tip request, this time from our garbage collector. Unlike Raoul, Mickey hadn't enclosed his own Christmas card from me. In a way, I appreciated the directness. "I know you don't care how merry my Christmas is, and that's fine," the gesture said. "I want $30, or I'll 'forget' to empty your garbage bin some hot summer day." I put a check in the envelope and taped it back to the bin. The next morning, Ed noticed that the envelope was gone, though the trash hadn't yet been picked up: "Someone stole Mickey's tip!" Ed was quite certain. He made me call the bank and cancel... From the passage, we learn that the author _ . A) didn't like Raoul's way of delivering the paper B) didn't realize why Raoul delivered the paper that way before C) didn't know that Raoul delivered the paper for them D) didn't feel it necessary to meet Raoul when he came
B
(Question)
It all started at the beginning of this term. At first, Carmen wasn't really sure what was happening. In class, she had tosquint to see the blackboard clearly. As it got worse, she became more and more worried. It was important for her to see the notes and homework the teacher wrote on the board. In class, she asked for a desk that was closer to the blackboard. One day, her teacher said, "Carmen, I've noticed you squinting a lot. Are you having trouble seeing the board?" Carmen shook her head. "I'm fine, Mrs. Cruz." At home, she had to sit closer and closer to the television. Her mother noticed her squinting as she watched her favorite shows. "Tomorrow I will go to see a doctor," she said firmly. Three days later, Carmen had new glasses. She was told to wear them all the time. "All of the kids at school will think I am anerd ," she said. "You look just as beautiful with those glasses on as you do without them," her mother said. But Carmen didn't believe her. The next day, Carmen kept the glasses in her pocket as she walked into the schoolyard. Suddenly, she heard her friend Theresa shout. "What's wrong?" she asked. "My silver ring is gone!" Theresa cried. Carmen could tell that Theresa was very upset. They all looked for the ring in the grassy area of the playground. Carmen realized that she could search better if she could see better. She took the glasses out of her pocket and put them on. Everything looked so different! So clear! And aglimmer of silver caught her eye. "Here it is," she shouted. "Thanks Carmen," Theresa said. "I didn't know you wore glasses. They look great!" "Thanks," Carmen replied shyly. As they walked back toward the school building, two more girls praised her glasses. Carmen smiled. "Maybe wearing glasses won't be so bad after all," she thought. The purpose of the text is to tell readers _ . A) how to protect their eyes B) never to make fun of others C) things aren't always as bad as we expect D) it is necessary to give a hand to those in trouble
(Answer)
C
Ques:Have you ever felt annoyed when left talking to yourself after your mobile phone battery runs out in the middle of a call? If yes, then here comes some good news. Scientists are now perfecting a way to recharge electrical equipment while on the move. Researchers from theprefix = st1 /Netherlands,FranceandPortugalannounced last week that they have developed very thin solar panels that can be put on clothes. They can also be added to furniture and rooftops. They change light from the sun into electricity. In about three years, you'll be able to wear a jacket that will recharge your phone as you walk. For camping fans, the development could lead to a tent which charges batteries all day so you can have light or music at night. The basic technology of wearable solar panels is the same as that used for traditional solar panels. Pairs of sheets of semi-conducting silicon are linked together to form the panel. But scientists made them much thinner by using different silicon. At one micrometre, they are of the same thickness as photographic film. "This technology will make it easier for people to use clean energy sources," said a physicist in theNetherlandswho led the team of scientists. But the thin panels are not as efficient as the thicker ones. While some solar panels now operate at an efficiency of about 20 per cent, the new flexible panels are only 7 per cent efficient. But the thinner panel is cheaper. An A4 sized panel put onto the back of a jacket cost less than US$13. It could charge a cellphone during a summer walk in the countryside. As long as you stay within range of the transmitting masts that relay a call to the networks, phones will never again run out of power. The thin panel has the following advantages EXCEPT that _ . A) it is flexible B) it is more efficient C) it is cheaper D) it uses clean energy

Ans:
B