Studies show farmland in Africa is often lacking in important nutrients. But researchers say combining different farming methods may help. Since the world food crisis several years ago, researchers have directed more of their attention to small farms. Most farms in areas south of the Sahara Desert are only about one or two hectares. One of the goals is to increase production without necessarily clearing more land to grow additional crops. American researchers say that can happen with greater use of an agricultural system called perennation. It mixes food crops with trees and perennial plants - those that return year after year. Mr. Reganold, who is with Washington State University, says poor soil may have resulted from years of weathering that washed away many nutrients. He says some farmers may have done more harm than good. He estimates that up to two billion dollars worth of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium is lost from African soil each year. The scientist says the word perennation defines three systems that are already used in Africa. The oldest of the three is called evergreen agriculture. This is where farmers plant trees with their crops. John Reganold says farmers in Africa have been doing this for sixty years, but it seems to be growing in popularity. The method is gaining widespread use in countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Zambia. The trees are planted among maize, millet or sorghum crops. They not only add nitrogen to the soil through their roots, but also through their leaves when they fall off and break down. At other times of the year, the trees can protect plants from strong sunlight. Mr. Reganold was one of three researchers who wrote a report about perennation. It was published in the journal Nature. Researchers focused their attention on small farmlands for the reason that _ . A) Africa was going through a food crisis B) most farms in areas south of the Sahara Desert are small C) there are not enough farmlands D) farmers may grow additional crops on farmland
B
(Question)
One day in 1965,when I worked at View Ridge School in Seattle,a fourthgrade teacher approached me.She had a student who finished his work before all the others and needed a challenge."Could he help in the library?" she asked.I said, "Send him along." Soon a slight,sandyhaired boy in jeans and a Tshirt appeared."Do you have a job for me?" he asked. I told him about the Dewey Decimal System for shelving books.He picked up the idea immediately.Then I showed him a stack of cards for longoverdue books that I was beginning to think had actually been returned but were misshelved with the wrong cards in them.He said,"Is it kind of a detective job?" I answered yes,and he became working. He had found three books with wrong cards by the time his teacher opened the door and announced,"Time for break!"He argued for finishing the finding job;she made the case for fresh air.She won. The next morning,he arrived early."I want to finish these books,"he said.At the end of the day,when he asked to be a librarian on a regular basis,it was easy to say yes.He worked untiringly. After a few weeks I found a note on my desk,inviting me to dinner at the boy's home.At the end of a pleasant evening,his mother announced that the family would be moving to a neighbouring school district.Her son's first concern,she said,was leaving the View Ridge library."Who will find the lost books?" he asked. When the time came,I said an unwilling goodbye.I missed him,but not for long.A few days later he came back and joyfully announced,"The librarian over there doesn't let boys work in the library.My mother got me transferred back to View Ridge.My dad will drop me off on his way to work.And if he can't,I'll walk!" I should have had an idea such focused determination would take that young man wherever he wanted to go.What I could not have guessed,however,was that he would become a genius of the Information Age:Bill Gates,tycoon of Microsoft and America's richest man. The boy got transferred back to View Ridge because _ . A) he didn't get along well with the librarian in the new school B) he was not allowed to work in the new school's library C) he missed his old schoolmates and teachers D) he had to walk a long way to go to school
(Answer)
B
Ques:"Write All About It" Centerville High School Essay Contest Rules 1. Students are asked to submit essays of 500 to 700 words of their own work. Any essay containing material plagiarized from another source will be disqualified. 2. Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced, with the student's name, address, and grade level on a separate sheet of paper. 3. Essays must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. on November 30. They can be brought to Mrs. Elton in Room 104 or to Mr. Markham in the school library. Essay-Writing Tips 1. Catch your readers' interest-Your opening should immediately pull your readers into your essay. Asking a question or starting with an anecdote, quotation, or surprising statement are some good ways to do this. 2. Create a picture-Use active words that show your readers what is happening. Instead of telling your readers vaguely that "the room was disordered," paint a picture using active verbs and lively adjectives. 3. Have a purpose-Well-written essays do more than just describe an incident or express a viewpoint, they also communicate a message. 4.Check for mistakes-Read your paper over to check for mistakes. Ask another student to read your paper and make suggestions. Another pair of eyes will often spot a mistake you've overlooked. 5. Format your essay-Neatly type your essay on white paper. Choose an attractive cover for submission. The computer lab will be open after school from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. each day this month so that students can use the computers. Prizes Winning essays will be published in the Centerville Times. Everyone who takes part in it will also receive a free pass to enter one school activity this year. First Prize: $ 50 savings bond Second Prize: Dictionary and reference book Third Prize: Pen set and journal Which of the following rules is set for the essay contest? A) Students can write something exactly as it is written in other books. B) Students' personal information should be listed on another piece of paper. C) Essays must be brought to Mr. Markham in the computer lab on November 30. D) The students winning second prize will be awarded a dictionary and a book.

Ans:
B