Problem: (CNN) -- Mohammed Alshaya owns more high street brands than most fashion addicts could stuff in their closets.

Mohammed Alshaya, CEO of Alshaya's retail division, tells MME he sees a new mindset in the Gulf

Topshop, Coast, NEXT and River Island are just some of the big names he's imported from the United Kingdom to shopping centers in the Middle East.

As chief executive of M.H. Alshaya, he knows what sells: tried and tested Western brands that will appeal to local shoppers.

And his empire is not limited to clothing. In the past month, he's taken Mothercare and The Body Shop to Central Eastern Europe.

With the addition of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, M.H. Alshaya now operates in 16 markets including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey, Poland and Russia.

John Defterios spoke with Mohammed Alshaya, and started by asking him for his thoughts on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) plans for a single currency.

(JD): I would imagine as a retail operation you'd be a huge proponent of a single currency within the GCC. Is it realistic within the next 4 to 5 years?

(MA): I think it can be, as long as there is a will of the leaders to get together and decide. It is a huge leap towards efficiency, conciliation, getting closer between the six countries. One single Central Bank that governs and regulates is much better than the current six, I believe.

(JD): Have you ever done any calculations of what impact it would have on your back office operations?
1. Who own lots of high street brands?
2. What company does he work for?
3. What is his title?
4. What does he imports?
5. Where to?
6. And where else?
7. How many countries?
8. Who interviewed him?
9. Who did they say needed a common money?
10. How many nations are in it?
11. How much time will it take them to make it happen?
Answer: 1. Mohammed Alshaya
2. Alshaya
3. CEO of retail division
4. Topshop, Coast, NEXT and River Island
5. the Middle East
6. Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia
7. 16
8. John Defterios
9. Gulf Cooperation Council
10. six
11. 4 to 5 years

Problem: CHAPTER XII. THE AWAKENING

La Boulaye awakened betimes next morning. It may be that the matter on his mind and the business that was toward aroused him; certainly it was none of the sounds that are common to an inn at early morn, for the place was as silent as a tomb.

Some seconds he remained on his back, staring at the whitewashed ceiling and listening to the patter of the rain against his window. Then, as his mind gathered up the threads of recollection, he leapt from his bed and made haste to assume a garment or two.

He stood a moment at his casement, looking out into the empty courtyard. From a leaden sky the rain was descending in sheets, and the gargoyle at the end of the eaves overhead was discharging a steady column of water into the yard. Caron shivered with the cold of that gloomy February morning, and turned away from the window. A few moments later he was in Tardivet's bedchamber, vigorously shaking the sleeping Captain.

"Up, Charlot! Awake!" he roared in the man's ear.

"What o'clock?" he asked with a yawn. Then a sudden groan escaped him, and he put his hand to his head. "Thousand devils!" he swore, "what a headache!"

But La Boulaye was not there on any mission of sympathy, nor did he waste words in conveying his news.

"The coach is gone," he announced emphatically.

"Coach? What coach?" asked the Captain, knitting his brows.

"What coach?" echoed La Boulaye testily. "How many coaches were there? Why, the Bellecour coach; the coach with the treasure."
1. what did the coach have?
2. what had happened to him?
3. who announced this?
4. to who?
5. what's his name?
6. and what does La Boulaye call him?
7. was it a cold morning?
8. what month was it?
9. was it snowing?
10. then?
11. what was releasing water?
12. was it in his room?
13. where?
14. where was the water flowing?
15. was the hotel noisy?
16. what is the quietness described as?
17. why did he get up so early?
18. and did he get out of bed right away?
19. what is his first name?
20. what was wrong with the captain?
Answer: 1. treasure
2. he was gone
3. La Boulaye
4. the Captain
5. Tardivet
6. Charlot
7. yes
8. February
9. no
10. raining
11. the gargoyle
12. no
13. at the end of the eaves
14. into the yard
15. no
16. a tomb
17. the matter on his mind aroused him
18. no
19. Caron
20. had a headache

Problem: My brother Ryan is 12 years older than me. He is my best friend, and the coolest human on Earth. Right before I turned 7 one summer, he left home to join the Army. He thought about joining the Marines, the Air-Force, or the Navy, but he liked the Army better. He was away for a long time. I didn't see him again until I was almost 8! He wrote me letters when he was gone, and sent me stripes from his uniform that Mom sewed on my jacket. We hung the flag on our front porch. We missed seeing him, so we talked to him on Skype. We could see the smile on his face when we talked to him. I missed him a lot. When Ryan came home again that Monday, it was the best day of my life! We went to the airport to pick him up. He had a long trip. It took many days for him to travel back home. He left the Army base 4 days before he finally got home. He was glad to sleep in his own room again. He let me camp out in his room. We stayed up late talking in whispers. He told me stories about the Army. Mom let me miss school the next day. I spent the whole day with my brother. He likes to chase me around and tickle me when he catches me. He lets me ride on his shoulders. I like to ride in his truck. I like to watch TV with him. We went on adventures. We laughed a lot. Ryan's visit went by too fast. Soon, it was time for him to go back. He left for the Army on Friday. It was a long way for him to ride in the airplane. He got back on Tuesday. I can't wait to see him again. Next time, we'll visit him on vacation. I want to see the Army trucks and helicopters.
1. How old is he brother?
2. and what is his name?
3. who is the kewlest person on the planet?
4. why did he leave home?
5. why didn't he join another branch?
6. How did he stay in touch?
7. what did they hang on the porch?
8. How did they talk to him?
9. Where did they go to pick him up?
10. WHen did he leave on go back?
11. When did he get back?
12. What does he want to see when they go to visit his sibling?
Answer:
1. 12 years older than me
2. Ryan
3. Ryan
4. to join the Army
5. he liked the Army better
6. He wrote me letters
7. the flag
8. on Skype
9. the airport
10. Friday
11. on Tuesday
12. Army trucks and helicopters