Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

(CNN) -- Right-wing U.S. Republicans are up in arms over Cuba again. Their ostensible cause for concern is last week's visit to the island by Beyonce and Jay-Z, who were photographed in Havana, apparently celebrating their wedding anniversary.

Read more: Lawmakers ask why Beyonce and Jay-Z went to Cuba

These blinkered conservatives need to get over themselves. The 60-year stand-off between the U.S. and Cuba is absurd. It is counterproductive and harmful to both countries. It is time to end this Cold War anachronism, kiss and make up.

Anger over Beyonce's supposed breach of the U.S. embargo rules restricting American citizens' travel to Cuba is symbolic of a deeper fear among right-wingers. Two key factors have changed since the days -- not so long ago -- when Washington seemed to be regularly threatening the Castro government with Iraq-style overthrow.

One is that George W. Bush has been replaced by a Democrat. As Barack Obama enters his second and final term, immune to electoral imperatives, conservatives worry he may use his freedom of action to effect an historic rapprochement with Cuba. American liberals certainly believe he should do so.

The second change is in Cuba itself, where the government, now led by Fidel Castro's brother, Raoul, has embarked on a cautious program of reform. The government -- dubbed the world's longest-running dictatorship by the American right -- has even set a date for its own dissolution.

Doing what "dictators" rarely do, Raoul Castro announced in February that in 2018, he would hand over power and that any successor would be subject to term limits. The Castro brothers have reportedly chosen a career communist, first vice president Miguel Diaz-Canel, to succeed them. But in reality, once their grip on power is relaxed, anything may happen.

1. What term is this for Barack Obama?
2. What do Republicans fret over he might do?
3. To what?
4. Who thinks he should?
5. Who was seen in Cuba?
6. Is there evidence they were there?
7. What were they doing?
8. How long has there been conflict between the US and Cuba?
9. Who is in control of Cuba?
10. Who is his brother?
11. What kind of program are they launching?
12. Are they diving in head first?
13. What is their government known for?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. final
2. use his freedom of action
3. to effect an historic rapprochement with Cuba
4. American liberals
5. Beyonce and Jay-Z
6. Yes
7. celebrating their wedding anniversary.
8. 60 years
9. Raoul Castro
10. Fidel Castro
11. program of reform.
12. No
13. world's longest-running dictatorship

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

Amy Pankratz spent a few nights in the hospital with her daughter, Isabella, who caught a bad flu. "Lying in bed beside Isabella, I could hear the cries of children in pain, "says Amy. "It completely broke my heart."

When Isabella was getting well and could leave her room, she wore her prized possession--a "superhero cape " Amy had sewn to encourage her--and walked into the hallway. The pink cape was an instant hit with the other young patients, who were doing exercise around the nursing station. "Then, all the kidswere taking turns wearing the cape, giggling, "Amy says. "These were some of the same children I had heard crying the night before, and here they were playing and having fun--kids just being kids!"

From that moment on, Amy began making Comfort Capes for little ones battling with serious illnesses. "I felt God presenting an opportunity, "she says. "I hoped Comfort Capes can help these kids feel brave, to lift some of the fear away. "

Since then, Amy has made and donated more than 5, 000 capes in the United States. Amy usually pays for materials herself, although she accepts donations.

The capes she makes for kids in treatment are different from those her own children have. Before Amy starts to sew she learns what image or character the little boy or girl connects with. "I choose the pattern, color and theme specially for each child," explains Amy.

When she is not sewing, Amy is raising awareness of childhood cancers and looking into ways to get Comfort Capes to more kids who need them, "If a cape can help a child, even only for a moment, forget his illness, it's worth the time spent sewing," she says.

1. What broke Amy's heart?
2. where?
3. Where were the kids?
4. What did she do about it?
5. What did she start to do to help?
6. What did she do with the capes?
7. Who did she make the first cape for?
8. Who was that?
9. Why did she sew it for her?
10. Why was Isabella in the hospital?
11. What did she hope comfort capes would do?
12. Are all the capes the same?
13. What does she do for each cape and child?
14. Do they pay for them themselves?
15. who does?
16. Does Amy pay also?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. cries of children in pain,
2. Lying in bed
3. in the hospital
4. spent a few nights
5. pink cape
6. began making Comfort Capes
7. Isabella
8. her daughter
9. to encourage her
10. bad flu
11. help these kids feel brave
12. no
13. choose the pattern, color and theme specially for each child,
14. no
15. donated
16. yes

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

CHAPTER XV.

Mary Brander made her way wearily home.

"You have had another terrible time, I can see it in your face," Madame Michaud said, as she entered. "They say there have been four thousand wounded and fifteen hundred killed. I cannot understand how you support such scenes."

"It has been a hard time," Mary said; "I will go up to my room at once, madame. I am worn out."

"Do so, my dear. I will send you in a basin of broth."

Without even taking her bonnet off Mary dropped into a chair when she entered her room and sat there till Margot brought in the broth.

"I don't think I can take it, thank you, Margot."

"But you must take it, mademoiselle," the servant said, sturdily; "but wait a moment, let me take off your bonnet and brush your hair. There is nothing like having your hair brushed when you are tired."

Passively Mary submitted to the woman's ministrations, and presently felt soothed, as Margot with, by no means ungentle hands, brushed steadily the long hair she had let down.

"You feel better, mademoiselle?" the woman asked, presently. "That is right, now take a little of this broth. Please try, and then I will take off your cloak and frock and you shall lie down, and I will cover you up."

Mary made an effort to drink the broth, then the servant partly undressed her and covered her up warmly with blankets, drew the curtains across the window and left her with the words. "Sleep well, mademoiselle."

1. What did Madame Michaud say she would send Mary when she went to her room?
2. Did she do it?
3. Who delivered it?
4. What was her name?
5. How many people did Madame Michaud say were killed?
6. Wounded?
7. Was Mary tired when she reached her home?
8. What did she do when she entered her room?
9. Did she initially accept the broth?
10. What did Margot do to Mary's body?
11. What did she do to her hair?
12. Was Margot able to feed Mary the broth?
13. What did Margot say to Mary when she left?
14. What was Mary wearing on her head?
15. Did Mary feel soothed by Margot's actions?
16. How did Madame Michaud know Mary had a bad time?

Numbered answers:

A:
1. a basin of broth
2. yes
3. the servant
4. Margot
5. fifteen hundred
6. four thousand
7. yes
8. dropped into a chair
9. no
10. covered her up
11. brushed it
12. yes
13. "Sleep well, mademoiselle."
14. a bonnet
15. yes
16. she saw it in her face