Until a few months ago, he was a butler in one of the more expensive residential buildings in Manhattan. But now, Nepal-born Indra Tamang is the owner of two multi-million dollar apartments in the same building. The former owner - his former employer, Ruth Ford - died last year and left the apartments to Mr Tamang in her will. Mr Tamang is happy but quickly points out that his good fortune did not come easily. "I am happy and have been touched by the generosity of the Ford family," he says. "I never expected that I will be given the ownership of these apartments. But I have been working for the family for the last 36 years, devotedly, with honesty and dedication . So my hard work has been rewarded." Mr Tamang was 21 when he was brought from Nepal by Charles Ford, a writer and a photographer. Mr Ford died in 2002; his sister, actress Ruth Ford, then took charge and told Mr Tamang that he was like a brother to her after Charles's death. Mrs Ford died aged 98. During the last five years of her life, she lost her eyesight and also developed speech problems. Mr Tamang looked after her most of the time and took care of her medicines and food. He also worked with Charles Ford on various photography projects, which he now wants to keep as the photographer's legacy . He hopes to organize exhibitions of Mr Ford's photographs and edit a book of his works. Mr Tamang plans to sell the bigger, three-bedroom apartment to pay the taxes he owes to the government on his legacy. He says: "The rules of the building might be a problem, as they require a minimum monthly income to qualify to live as owner of apartments. I have my small house here but I am happy with it," Mr Tamang has learnt his lesson from the life of his employers and plans to use his money with great caution. "I think one should save money for old age. That's when you need it the most to get care," he says. What can we know from the passage? A) Charles Ford gave the apartments to Mr Tamang. B) Charles Ford couldn't see or speak before his death. C) Mr Tamang treated Ruth Ford much better than her brother. D) Mr Tamang will still live in his small house in the near future.
D

Three quarters of Britain's parents are too busy to read bedtime stories to their children,according to a study. The study was carried out by CITV to start their new children's show Bookaboo,which is designed to encourage anyone to pick up a book and read with their children at any time of the day. Worryingly,the study showed that only three percent of fathers now find the time to read to the kids compared to 89 percent of mothers. Lucy Goodman,creator of Bookaboo,said,"It's important for young boys to be able to share a book with dads,granddads or male carers and it can be fun and rewarding,too." Of the dads who said they didn't read to their kids, 87 percent blamed work while more than a third said they were too tired. While 89 percent of mums said they did read to their children,more than half of them said cleaning distracted them and 49 percent were distracted by other household things. Researchers also found parents are now relying heavily on other people to lend a hand with reading to their children with grandparents doing the most,followed by sisters and brothers,aunts and uncles. While 95 percent of parents read to their children at some point,only five percent read to their children during the day. More than one in ten said they read every couple of weeks or less,and five percent could not remember the last time they shared a book. The study found parents also seem content with allowing their children to immerse themselves in TV programs or playing computer games rather than reading. Exgoalkeeper David Seaman,who is a dad of two,has been a guest in Bookaboo. He says,"I think it's important that fathers do read to their children because it's a special time. Sometimes my two children will come to listen to the same book--it's a magical moment and I advise fathers just to try it." The study showed that _ . A) most parents want to read to their children B) half of Britain's parents are too busy to read to their children C) a far larger percentage of mothers read to children than fathers D) most parents don't allow children to watch TV or play computer games
C

To live forever was the dream of many emperors in ancient China.People were ordered to call them Wansui,which means 10,000 years,but no human could live that long.How long can humans really live? According to the latest scientific discovery,humans are able to live up to the age of 120 or perhaps even longer. Several recent studies showed that our life span can be extended far beyond normal limits.Cynthia Kenyon,a professor at the University of California in San Francisco doubled the life of a worm from two weeks to a month.By changing the function of a single gene,known as daf-2,the scientist not only added extra days to the worm's life but also kept it a healthy as worms which were half its age. There are two similar genes in the bodies of mammals.By changing the function of on gene,scientists extended the life of a mouse by 1 8 per cent(or 4.5 months).Another gene is called IGF-1.Researchers still don't know how it affects our body.But by reducing its functions the life of a mouse increases by 33 per cent for 8.6 months).The average life span of a mouse is 26 months. In the experiment of extending life,an ancient saying,"you are what you eat." also seems to be true.Vegetables contain fewer calories than meat,and help to prolong life,scientists say. Research has found that taking in fewer calories affects our lives in a similar way to reducing IGF-1. US biologist John Phelan suggests low calorie diets could increase human life span,but there is no proof yet. Researchers are still waiting for the results of a study started in 1987.Monkeys are fed with low calorie food to see what happens.A monkey's typical life span is 40 years,so there is a little while to wait. In China,average,life expectancy has now reached 70,double that of 1949. Increasing the length of our lives may bring us closer to the dreams of our ancient emperors.But it may also cause social problems such as housing and employment,social scientists have warned. Which of the following is TRUE about statement of life span? A) A few emperors in ancient China could live up to 10,000 years. B) Creatures aren't able to lives up to 120 years. C) The dream of living forever is coming true. D) In China,the average life span is twice as long as it was half a century ago.
D