Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: One of the most successful singers of the twentieth century, Ella Fitzgerald has made several different styles of her own. She was born in Virginia but was brought up in an orphanage in Yonkers, New York. Chick Webb _ her in an amateur competition when she was sixteen. He engaged her to sing with his band and when he died in 1939, she took over. Unlike Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald taught herself the sentimental music so popular in the 1930's -- songs like "My Heart Belongs to Daddy"-- and her recordings became best-sellers. During the 1940's she developed her own "scat singing" -- a breathless, nonsense--syllable style--for songs like "Flying Home" and "Lady Be Good." Ella Fitzgerald was the perfect musical partner for her friend, the trumpeter Louis Armstrong, matching him in warmth and artistry. "I just like music, period," she said. "To me, it's a story. There's only one thing better than singing.... It's more singing." Question: What does the passage mainly discuss? - A comparison of Ella Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith. - The musical career of Ella Fitzgerald. - Ella Fitzgerald's early childhood. - Ella Fitzgerald's most recent recordings.
The musical career of Ella Fitzgerald.

Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: My favorite English teacher could draw humor out of the driest material. It wasn't forced on us either. He took Samuel Johnson's dictionary, Addison's essays, and many other literary wonders from the eighteenth century and made them _ , even at eight o'clock in the morning. The thing that amazed me most was that the first time I read these works on my own some of them seemed dead, but the second time, after his explanation, I couldn't believe that I hadn't seen the humor. The stories and poems and plays were suddenly filled with allusions and irony and hilarious moments. I learned more from him than from any other teacher. My least favorite English teacher also made people laugh. Some students found him to be funny. Many others did not. He assigned journals over a six week period, to be written every day. At the end of the six weeks I had a notebook full of bits and pieces about my ideas, short stories, reactions to what we had read, and so on. Our teacher announced that we would be grading each other's journals. Mine was passed to Joe, that class clown, who always behaved in a funny or silly way. He saw it fit to make joke of and said, " This writing isn't fit to line the bottom of a birdcage. " Our teacher laughed at that funny remark. It hurt me so much that the anger from it has driven my writing and teaching ever since. So what makes the difference? Humor is one of the most powerful tools teachers or writers have. It can build up students and classes and make them excited about literature and writing, or it can tear them apart. It is true that humor is either productive or counter-productive and self-defeating. Question: The passage mainly discusses _ . - teaching - literature - humor - knowledge
humor

Q: Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: BEIJING - China's railway rates for freight and passenger transport will continue to be set by the government, announced a senior official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, on Friday. Cao Changqing, head of the NDRC's department of price, said that the country will continue to implement government-set or government-guided prices for the railway sector after the China Railway Corporation (CRC), a State-owned company that takes over the commercial functions of the former Ministry of Railways (MOR), went into business on March 17. Cao said the railway sector, constituting China's main public transport facilities, is a key basic industry. Its pricing scheme is concerned with both the sector's normal operation and development, as well as the daily traveling and vital interests of the general public. The state will be very cautious in making any price adjustment in the railway sector, taking into account various factors including operation, construction, public acceptance and coordinated development with other modes of transport, according to the NDRC official. Under Chinese law and regulations, hearings will be held before adjustments in the basic passenger train ticket fare, Cao said. In China's latest railway reform, endorsed at the just-concluded annual session of the country's top legislature, the former MOR was dismantled into two parts, with the newly created CRC carrying out business functions and a state railways administration fulfilling administrative functions. Question: What does this passage mainly talk about? - China's railway pricing scheme unchanged - A State-owned company takes over the commercial functions of MOR. - China's latest railway reform - The former MOR was divided into two parts
A: China's railway pricing scheme unchanged

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Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: Nothing evokes Alaska like a whale exploding out of the water or an eagle pulling a silver fish from the river .Combine these images with high mountains,brilliant icebergs and wonderful meals and you really do have the Best of Alaska! Join us for an unforgettable 7-day excursion to the last frontier! Highlights: JUNEAU:Juneau, the state capital,is rich in culture and scenic beauty.It is here that we start and end our trip. HAINES:Haines is a small community located along the fjords .The natural beauty and expansive wilderness found here have made Haines a premier center for adventure in Alaska. ALASKA INDIAN ARTS:Alaska Indian Arts is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation and continuation of traditional native craft and culture of the Northwest Native Tribes.We spend a few hours learning carving, native beading and culture from these master artists. SKAGWAY:Skagway is a lively town,which still reflects its gold rush roots and contains colorful shops.In Skagway, we stop by the Klondike Gold Rush National Park Visitor's Center and ride the White Pass Yukon Route Railway. GUSTAVUS:Gustavus is the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park.We'II stay at a comfortable lodge here for two nights.This will be the base for both the whale-watching excursion and a full day cruise in Glacier Bay. DATES/PRICES: May 15,June 17,July 16,August 14. 7 days--$3500,including lodging,all meals,excursions,guides,park fees,sales taxes,and transportation between Juneau,Skagway, Haines,and Gustavus.Not included:Alcohol,personal items,airfare to and from Juneau. Contact: E-mail:info@alaskamountainguides.com Call:800--766--3396 Write:Alaska Mountain Guides &Climbing School P.O.Box 1081,Haines AK 99827 Question: According to the advertisement, the participants of the excursion _ . - will spend one day experiencing the local culture at Alaska Indian Arts - can contact Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School by email or fax - are able to experience some adventurous activities in Haines - can get lots of traditional native artworks free of charge
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are able to experience some adventurous activities in Haines