Question:
Read the text and answer the questions.
CHAPTER XXIV.

ALONG THE RIVER.

Matt could do nothing but stare at the freight agent. A man had come there and driven off with the horse and wagon and taken the cases of goods with him. It seemed too bold-faced to be true.

"Our man?" he stammered. "We have no man."

"Didn't you send the man here?" demanded the agent, as he stopped short in his work of checking off packages.

"We certainly did not," returned the young auctioneer. "Andy!" he called out, as he stepped back toward the open door, and a moment later Andy Dilks hurried into the depot.

"He says a man came here, got the cases of goods, and drove off with Billy," cried Matt breathlessly. "You did not send any one here, did you?"

"Certainly not," returned Andy promptly. "When was this?"

"Less than two hours ago," replied the freight agent, and he was now all attention. "Do you mean to say the fellow was a thief?"

"He was!" cried Matt.

"I don't see how he could be anything else," added Andy. "Did he pretend to have an order for the cases?"

"Yes, he had a written order."

"And the bill of lading?"

"N--no, he didn't have that," was the slow reply. "But I thought it was all right. He looked like an honest chap. You had better notify the police at once."

"We will," said Matt. "What sort of a looking fellow was he?"

As best he could the freight agent gave a description of the man who had driven off with the goods and the turn-out. Matt and Andy both listened attentively.
1. Was there a bill of lading?
2. Did he appear to be dishonest?
3. Who needed to be called?
4. Who questioned the agent?
5. And who else?
6. What was his last name?
7. When did he take off?
8. What did he steal?
9. Who did he drive off with?
10. What is Billy?
11. And it was hitched to?
12. What was
13. What was Matt's occupation?
14. Who worked with him?
15. Was the thief emboldened?
16. Was there an order?
17. Was it in writing?
18. Was the bandit a woman?
19. How old was Matt?
20. Who was stared at?

Numbered answers:
1. no
2. no
3. the police
4. Matt
5. Andy
6. Dilks
7. Less than two hours ago
8. the cases of goods
9. Billy
10. the horse
11. a wagon
12. unknown
13. auctioneer.
14. Andy
15. yes
16. yes
17. yes
18. no
19. he was young
20. the freight agent

Question:
Read the text and answer the questions.
Passage 1

The information Highway is the road that links computer users to a large number of on-line services; the Web, e-mail, and software, to mention just a few. Not long ago, the information Highway was a new road, with not many users. Now, everyone seems to want to take a drive, with over 30 million families connected worldwide. Not surprisingly, this well-traveled highway is starting to look like a well-traveled highway. Traffic jams can cause many serious problems, forcing the system to close down for repair. Naturally, accidents will happen on such a crowed road, and usually victims are some files, gone forever. Then, of course, there's Mr. Cool, with his new broad-band connection, who speeds down the highway faster than most of us can go. But don't trick yourself; he pays for that speeding.

Passage 2

Want to know more about global warming and how you can help prevent it? Doctor Herman Friedman, who is considered a leading expert on the subject, will speak at Grayson Hall next Friday. Friedman studied environmental science at three well-known universities around the world before becoming a professor in the subject. He has also traveled around the world observing environmental concerns. The gradual bleaching of the Grate Barrier Reef, which came into the public eye in 2002, in his latest interest. Signed copies of his colorful book, which was published just last month, will be on sale after his talk.
1. How many families are connected to this roadway?
2. Who has a new broad-band connection?
3. Is he going a lot quicker than we are?
4. But does that come with a cost?
5. Does is seem like everybody wants to travel this road?
6. Does the road need to shut down for repair sometimes?
7. Due to minor or major problems?
8. When wrecks occur, who vanishes?
9. When was the road new?
10. Who's giving a talk at Grayson Hall next Friday?
11. What's the main idea of the talk?
12. How many schools did that guy attend?
13. What did he major in?
14. Did he travel far?
15. What was he watching on those trips?
16. How long has his new book been on the shelves?
17. Is it plain and drab?
18. What's happening to the reef?
19. When did that hit the news?
20. Is that his newest worry?

Numbered answers:
1. over 30 million
2. Mr. Cool
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. Major problems
8. usually some files
9. Not long ago
10. Doctor Herman Friedman
11. global warming and how you can help prevent it
12. three
13. environmental science
14. Yes
15. He was observing environmental concerns
16. It was published just last month
17. No
18. gradual bleaching
19. in 2002
20. Yes

Question:
Read the text and answer the questions.
(CNN) -- An octogenarian climber has abandoned his bid to reclaim the title of the oldest man to climb Mt Everest after a combination of poor climbing weather and government red tape forced him to call off the ascent.

Veteran Nepali climber Min Bahadur Sherchan, 81, had been acclimatizing at base camp, ready to reclaim his title from longtime rival 80-year-old Yuichiro Miura who became the oldest climber to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain last week.

However, a government promise to provide one million Nepali rupees (US$11,200) for the bid -- on which other sponsorship money hinged -- was awaiting government Cabinet approval in Kathmandu.

Team leader Ishwari Poudel told CNN that going up Everest was now too risky because the snow had started to melt, making ladders and other equipment unstable.

He said that since other expeditions had already left the mountain, there would be no manpower available in the event of a rescue.

The government had also pledged to help Sherchan's bid by waiving the Everest climbing permit fee of US$10,000 but this was also held up by Cabinet delays.

Purna Chandra Bhattarai, the Tourism Industry Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said his department, which processes climbing permits, had received the application late and the waiver could only be decided by ministers.

"The government makes decisions following its own procedure," he said.

Sherchan downplayed rumors he was returning due to health concerns.

"When one goes to climb such a mountain there are small health issues," he told CNN.
1. Who deserted their bid?
2. Why did he do that?
3. Who was it?
4. Did the government agree to give money?
5. How much?
6. Who made a statement of it being to risky?
7. Why did he feel that way?
8. What else did the government agree to?
9. How much was that?
10. What rumors was downplayed?
11. Was the waiver turned in late?
12. What was the outcome behind this>
13. Who was over this department?
14. How old was Sherchan?
15. Why didn't he fulfill his reclaim?
Numbered answers:
1. octogenarian climber
2. to reclaim title as oldest man to climb Mt. Everest.
3. Min Bahadur Sherchan
4. Yes
5. one million Nepali rupees
6. Ishwari Poudel
7. the snow had started to melt.
8. to help by waiving the Everest climbing permit fee.
9. US$10,000
10. That Sherchan was returning due to health concerns.
11. Yes.
12. The decision was now on ministers.
13. Purna Chandra Bhattarai, the Tourism Industry Division of Ministry
14. 81
15. poor climbing weather and government red tape.