Question: It was another day to jump rope in gym class. Lynn and Mike turned the long rope in big, slow circles. The whole class hurried to get in line to wait for their turn to jump. Millie stood at the back of the line and _ . Nick went first. He watched the rope and ran in at just the right time. Everyone counted. He made it all the way to 30 jumps. One after another, the kids watched the rope, ran in, and jumped. Then it was Millie's turn. She watched the rope go around and around, but she didn't move. She felt like everyone was looking at her. Millie's friends cheered. "Go, Millie, go!" Millie's face turned red. At last, she gave it a try, but she failed. The truth was that Millie had been jumping rope at home every day. With a short rope, she could jump 100 times without missing. She just didn't know how to run in and start jumping with a long rope. Since she was the only kid on her street, there was no one to help turn the long rope. Just then, Ms Miles, the gym teacher, brought out a bunch of short jump ropes. "Let's see how long each one of you can jump without missing," she said as she gave each student a short rope, "Ready, set. Go!" Millie smiled for the first time ever in gym class. As she jumped, she sang rhymes quietly to herself. After a while, Millie realized that everyone was cheering, "Go, Millie, go!" She was the only one still jumping rope! The surprise almost made her miss a step, but she kept going. When at last she was too tired to go on, she stopped. The whole class cheered. Everyone was looking at her and smiling. Millie smiled back! 1. Did Millie jump rope first?
2. Who did?
3. Were they in science class?
4. What class were they in?
5. Did joe and Ed turn the jumprope?
6. Who did?
7. How many jumps did Nick complete?
8. Who counted?
9. Did Millie do 100 jumps?
10. Why not?
11. Did the gym teacher bring in some games?
12. What did she bring?
13. Was Millie sad?
14. Who is Ms. Miles?
15. Did Lynn jump the shorter rope the longest?
16. Who did?
17. Did the other kids say anything?
18. What?
19. Did Millie feel good about that?
20. Why did she stop jumping ?
21. Who did she smile at? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. No.
2. Nick did.
3. No.
4. Gym class.
5. No.
6. Lynn and Mike did.
7. 30 jumps.
8. Everyone counted.
9. Not today on the long rope.
10. She didn't know how to run in and start jumping with a long rope.
11. No.
12. A bunch of short jump ropes.
13. No, not after the short ropes came out.
14. The gym teacher.
15. No.
16. Millie did.
17. Yes.
18. "Go, Millie, go!"
19. Yes.
20. She was too tired to go on.
21. Everyone

Question: In the office of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary Russian Empress. When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, "She was a strong woman". Many say the same of Merkel.

The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week. She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China's top leaders. Germany's first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman . Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order. Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next. "I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision. But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe," Merkel said.

Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies. At 32, she got a doctorate in physics and then she worked as a researcher.

However, the life of a scholar couldn't put off her love of politics. While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party. "Her calmness helped her stand out in the party. She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless," said one of her old friends.

In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany's youngest chancellor since the second World War.

Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad. At the EU summit in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget , some people believed the EU was close to breaking down. But Merkel didn't give up. She shuttled between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement.

"Strength comes from composure and courage. Many people say I am a strong woman. But I would rather say I have perseverance," said Merkel. 1. Who is the Chancellor?
2. From what country?
3. Who was in China last week?
4. What was she there to do?
5. What would she do right before her homework?
6. When did she receive her PHD in physics?
7. What did she do then?
8. As what?
9. What did she have a love for?
10. What position did she attain in 1994?
11. What proved useful to her then?
12. How many terms at 53? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers:
1. Angela Merkel,
2. Germany
3. The most powerful woman in the world
4. discuss trade and environmental issues
5. clean the desk and think
6. At 32
7. worked
8. a researcher.
9. politics.
10. Minister for the Environment
11. her scientific background
12. half way through her four-year term