Are you trying to learn a new language in a foreign land? You might be better off if you stopped looking at that picture of your family and friends. New research from Columbia University found that prompting someone who is learning a new language with images and reminders of their own culture could temporarily ruin everything that the brain was trying to build. When native Chinese students were asked to talk with a Caucasian avatar and a Chinese avatar, their English skills were so different. Simply exposing students to a Chinese person affected their ability to speak English. Subjects who talked with the Chinese version felt more comfortable in their speech, but they produced 11% fewer words per minute. They actually became less fluent speakers. To make sure it wasn't just the avatar, researchers also showed people random images of China while the participants told a story. When pictures of their homeland appeared, fluency dropped 16% and volunteers were 85% more likely to use a literal translation, for example, calling _ "happy nuts", because that's literally what the Chinese word for pistachio means. When the students were shown pictures of fish with one swimming ahead of the others, their culture would change how they look at the photo. With Chinese prompt, like photos of the Great Wall or Chinese Dragon, etc. they saw more students thinking that the fish was being chased, while an American prompt, like pictures of Marilyn Monroe or Superman, saw those students believing that it was a leader fish. The bottom line is: when attempting to learn a new culture it is far better to surround yourself with that culture than create an island of the old one. According to the research, which is a better way for a student in a foreign land to learn a new culture? A) To surround himself with that culture. B) To create an island of the old one. C) To see random images of China. D) To talk with a Caucasian avatar.
A
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Work-Study Program The Work-Study Program gives you the chance to work part-time on campus. If you need more money to cover all of your education-related costs, you may be qualified for this program. Advantages * Work experience: Last year, more than 1,400 positions were available across all departments. The jobs vary from one department to the next, and in most cases, participants find a position in their chosen field. * Money: During the regular academic year (September to April), you can work part-time and earn $3,200---sometimes more---while you take courses! During the summer time, you work full-time and can earn around $6,000 over 18 weeks.om] *Easy access: Applying for the program is easy. There is no need for face-to-face interview. All the forms you need are online; just fill in the forms and email us; we accept no letter or phone application! Did you know? At the University of Ottawa, it is not essential to receive government assistance to qualify for our Work-Study Program. You simply need to demonstrate financial need. You could have one of these great Work-Study jobs: *Student ambassador *Computing and network technician *Marketing assistant *Sports team manager *Researcher / translator *Writer And more! The Admission Section receives and evaluates applications to undergraduate programs, in addition to answering applicants' questions. Phone: 613-562-5315 Toll-free: 1-877-868-8292 (#5315) Financial Aid & Awards Service Section: Phone: 613-562-5734 Toll-free phone: 1-877-868-8292 Regular Office Hours: Monday to Friday September to May: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June to August: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. How can students apply for a working position? A) Through the internet. B) By phone. C) By face-to-face interview. D) By letter.
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A
Ques: It took me several years to realize that my black skin is beautiful and I have accepted the fact that indeed black is beautiful now. This skin I have been in for so many years determined my self worth. I had so many factors "against" me in my mind when I was a little girl. I was a tall, thin, dark skinned girl with a gap tooth smile. Growing up, the only role model that I had was my mother, who has beautiful deep brown complexion . It's amazing how I could find beauty in my mother's complexion but not my own. One of the most outstanding memories of my childhood is the words "Oh, she is so cute for a dark skinned little girl." People spoke as if I wasn't in the room, as if I couldn't hear. From a young age, I felt ashamed that my black color wasn't good enough, so I buried myself in books to stay away from the mirror. I knew that my education would and could take me further than my looks. I stopped watching TV, absorbed in my studies and I was happy with my decision. Now I have been admitted to my ideal Coppin State University, which is for black students and has a long history. It wasn't until I was at age 16 that I officially decided to fix my deep rooted issue about my dark complexion. I had been brainwashed to subscribe to the European standard of beauty for so many years. I no longer accept this standard, because I set my own. My black is beautiful including my full lips, the wideness of my nose, and the intensity of my eyes. I believe that there are plenty of beautiful dark skinned women in the world. The author writes the text mainly to tell readers _ . A) the change of her attitudes toward her complexion B) varied standards of beauty in different periods C) how her appearance helped her to succeed D) why she thinks black skin is beautiful
Ans: A
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children (MGHfC) have invented a new term that describes dangers associated with cigarette smoke: third-hand smoke. Study results published in January, 2009 discuss how third-hand smoke is especially dangerous for children. Have you ever walked into a room that had the smell of cigarette smoke, regardless of the fact that a fan was moving the air and no one was smoking at the time? This is what researchers are calling third-hand smoke -- and it represents the poisonous deposits that are left behind long after a cigarette is put out. Cigarette smoke contains gases and small particles that are deposited on every surface it comes in contact with, for example, the smoker's hair and clothing, or the environment the cigarette was smoked in. It's dangerous for young children who may crawl on polluted surfaces. Third-hand smoke is a serious health risk for our kids, especially those who live in the homes of smokers. Jonathan Winickoff, lead author of the study, explains, "When you come into contact with your baby, even if you're not smoking at the time, he or she comes in contact with those poisons. And if you breast-feed, the poisons will transfer to your baby in your breast milk." Winickoff adds however, that nursing a baby if you're a smoker is still a better choice than bottle-feeding. Researchers involved in the study also surveyed more than 1,500 families in an effort to learn about adult attitudes regarding the danger third-hand smoke represents to their children and how that might affect smoking in the home. Approximately 95 percent of nonsmokers and 84 percent of smokers believe that secondhand smoke is dangerous for children. On the issue of whether third-hand smoke threatens the health of children, 65 percent of nonsmokers and 43 percent of smokers felt that third-hand smoke harms kids. When asked about rules regarding smoking in the home, approximately 88 percent of nonsmokers said they don't allow smoking, while only 27 percent of smokers forbid smoking... The following measures to prevent the effect of third-hand smoke are effective except _ . A) keeping kids out of room when you smoke B) cleaning the house to get rid of poisons C) making yourself clean before contacting kids D) trying to forbid smoking in home
A