Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Birds that are half-asleep -- with one brain hemisphere alert and the other sleeping -- control which side of the brain remains awake, according to a new study of sleeping ducks. Earlier studies have recorded half-brain sleep in a wide range of birds. The brain hemispheres take turns sinking into the sleep stage characterized by slow brain waves. The eye controlled by the sleeping hemisphere keeps shut, while the wakeful hemisphere's eye stays open and alert. Birds also can sleep with both hemispheres resting at once. Decades of studies of bird groups led researchers to predict extra alertness in the end-of-the-row sleepers which tend to be attacked more easily. Sure enough, the end birds tended to watch carefully on the side away from their companions. Ducks in the inner spots showed no preference for gaze direction. Also, birds napping at the end of the line depend on single-hemisphere sleep, rather than total relaxation, more often than inner ducks did. Turning 16 birds through the positions in a four-duck row, the researchers found that compared with 12 percent for birds in inner spots, outer birds half-asleep during some 32 percent of napping time. "We believe this is the first evidence for an animal behaviorally controlling sleep and wakefulness at the same time in different regions of the brain," the researchers say. The results provide the best evidence for a long-standing assumption that single-hemisphere sleep developed over time as creatures scanned for enemies. The preference for opening an eye on the lookout side could be widespread, he predicts. He's seen it in a pair of birds napping side-by-side in the zoo and in a single pet bird sleeping by a mirror. The mirror-side eye closed as if the reflection were a companion and the other eye stayed open. Useful as half-sleeping might be, it's only been found in birds and such water animals as dolphins, whales, and seals. Perhaps keeping one side of the brain awake allows a sleeping animal to surface occasionally to avoid drowning. Studies of... Question: It can be inferred that _ . Options: A: Birds never sleep with both hemispheres resting at once. B: Inner ducks depend on single-hemisphere sleep, rather than total relaxation, as often as birds napping at the end of the line do C: It is not the first time for scientists to research on birds' half-brain sleep D: Birds hardly sleep without a companion
Ans: C

Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Fernando and I were arguing about why I never took any real vacations.When he suggested we go off somewhere for three entire weeks,"You decide,"I said. He chose a little fishing village off the coast and he planned out a schedule.Our trip was full of wormer and fun,but when we got there,the shabby hotel failed to satisfy us,so we left a day early for the beach.As we drove,we passed two orphanages .Christmas was only a few days away,and I felt that I should stop to do something for the children. Then Femando came up with a plan to help the poor children we saw.We made a list of names,and then we went into town to buy new clothes,toys,and school supplies.For the rest of the day,we filled backpacks.We were excited about the celebration we had plantted for the next day,December 26,when we'd invite the families to the beach in front of the hotel and hand out the presents. Fernando and I were still in bed at around 9:00 the next morning when we heard a cracking sound."What is that?"I asked.As if in response.water started pouring into our room.The children's backpacks we had arranged so neatly on the floor began floating around.The next thing I knew was that the roof was torn off.and Fernando and I were swept out. I thought I was going to die. Under the water, I forced myself to calm down and then I popped out.Suddenly I saw Fernando only four feet away. "What just happened?"I asked Fernando. "Tsunami !",he shouted to me."Just be strong.Whatever it was,"he told me,"It's all over now."But a few seconds later,another wave buried us.I tried to grab him as he reached out to me,but he fell back under the water,and I never saw him again. Question: What can we learn about the trip? Options: A: Fernando often argued with the author about their trips. B: The author chose a little fishing village off the coast. C: They would stay in the orphanages for Christmas Day. D: Their trip was satisfying at the beginning.
Ans: D

Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: A recent survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) found that about a third of nurses inprefix = st1 /UKplanned to give up their jobs in the next two years because of the amount of worries and unhappiness with their pay. Among those under 40, the percentage of nurses planning to leave their employers increased from 32% in 2005 to 36% in 2007. The survey also found that 71% of nurses believed they could be paid more for less effort if they left nursing, compared to 60% in 1997. The research was published as the RCN hosted a meeting for nurse leaders to deal with the growing concerns of the nurses. Josie Irwin, an RCN expert, said, " Many nurses say that changes in junior doctors' hours have resulted in an increase in their workload. Nurses are under more and more pressure." Ms Irwin added, "Only 22% of all nurses disagree that they are under too much pressure." She also said that 27% of nurses had a second job, with the main reason that they needed some extra income. "Nurses have made it clear that while they enjoy their work, they have more to do than ever and are not being paid enough to do it." She added. " For this reason, the RCN is calling for a pay increase for nurses to bring their pay into line with others." The survey of 4,795 nurses found that some important changes to the profession had taken place in recent years. The average age of the nurses questioned was 42 ---compared to an average of 33 in 1987. The RCN said that the age increase was because people were now becoming nurses later. In the 1960s, the average age of a nurse on the completion of training was 21, but over the last 5 years it has been an average of 29. Question: What would be the best title for this passage? Options: A: Nurses dislike their jobs. B: Nurses' low income C: Nurses plan to give up their jobs. D: Nurses' pressure
Ans:
C