Two friends have an argument that bleaks up their friendship forever, even though neither one can remember how the whole thing got started. Such sad events happen over and over in high schools across the country. In fact, according to an official report on youth violence, "In our country today, the greatest threat to the lives of children and adolescents is not disease or starvation or abandonment, but the terrible reality of violence". Given that this is the case, why aren't students taught to manage conflict the way they are taught to solve math problems, drive cars, or stay physically fit? First of all, students need to realize that conflict is unavoidable. A report on violence among middle school and high school students indicates that most violent incidents between students begin with a relatively minor insult . For example, a fight could start over the fact that one student eats a peanut butter sandwich each lunchtime. Laughter over the sandwich can lead to insults, which in turn can lead to violence. The problem isn't in the sandwich, but in the way students deal with the conflict. Once students recognize that conflict is unavoidable, they can practice the golden rule of conflict resolution stay calm. Once the student feels calmer, he or she should choose words that will calm the other person down as well. Rude words, name-calling, and accusation only add fuel to the emotional fir On the other hand, soft words spoken at a normal sound level can put out the fire before it explodes out of control. After both sides have calmed down, they can use another key strategy for conflict resolution; listening. Listening allows the two sides to understand each other. One person should describe his or her side, and the other person should listen without interrupting. Afterward, the listener can ask non-threatening questions to clarify the speaker's position. Then the two people should change roles. Finally, students need f. consider what they are hearing. This doesn't mean trying to figure out what's wrong with... This article is mainly about. A) the lives of school children B) the cause of arguments in schools C) how to analyze youth violence D) how to deal with school conflicts
D
(Question)
As the first woman Chancellor in German's history, Angela Merkel topped magazine's list of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.She has even been compared to Margaret Thatcher and many people called her "Iron Lady". Merkel was born in Hamburg, West Germany, on July 17, 1954.Six weeks after she was born, her family moved to Templin. As a small child, Merkel quickly learned to speak but took longer to walk. "I was a stupid person when it came to moving?" Merkel said. "A normal person could do something naturally, but I had to think about it in my mind and practice." As a teenager, she was the top student and graduated from high school with perfect marks. In 1973, Merkel went to the University of Leipzig, where she studied physics. At 32, she got her doctor's degree in physics. She _ _ in 1989.In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background and strong will proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany's Chancellor. She has been reelected to a second term as German Chancellor on September 27, 2009. Through her political career, Merkel's persistence and patience helped her a lot. "She's bright and openminded," said Hubert Markl. "She is the person who wants to know exactly what is going on, and how never giving up will influence our society and future." What's the author's attitude toward Angela Merkel? A) Admiring. B) Thankful. C) Pitiful . D) Dull.
(Answer)
A
Ques: Scientists discovered 163 new species in Southeast Asia's Greater Mekong region last year,but all are at risk of extinction due to climate change,the WWF said in a report released Friday. The newly discovered creatures include a birdeating frog with fangs ,a bird that would rather walk than fly and a gecko whose alien appearance inspired the report's title of "Close Encounters",the conservation group said. The report was released ahead of major UN talks on climate change in Bangkok next week,which are being held before a makeorbreak summit in Copenhagen this December. "Some species will be able to adapt to climate change,and many will not,potentially resulting in massive extinction," Stuart Chapman,director of the WWF Greater Mekong program,said in the report."Rare and endangered species like those newly discovered are especially vulnerable because climate change will further shrink their already restricted habitats," he said. "The new discoveries in 2010 include 100 plants,28 fish,18 reptiles,14 amphibians,2 mammals and a bird,"the WWF report said.The area spans Cambodia,Laos,Myanmar,Thailand,Vietnam and China's Yunnan Province. "Among the new species is the birdeating fanged frog,which remains hidden in a protected area of Thailand despite the fact that scientists are studying there for 40 years," the report said. The tigerstriped pit viper was discovered accidentally on an island off the coast of Vietnam when a scientist was looking for a lizard and his son pointed out that his hand was on a rock right next to the snake's fangs."We caught the snake and the gecko and they both proved to be new species," researcher Lee Grismer of La Sierra University in California was quoted as saying in the report.The leopard gecko,found on another Vietnamese island,has the coloring of a leopard and bizarre orange,catlike eyes and thin legs. The Greater Mekong region has proved a rich area for scientists.The WWF said in December 2010 that it had found 1,068 new species there between 1997 and 2009. What does the passage mainly tell us? A) The Greater Mekong region is a rich area for scientists. B) Many rare species remain to be discovered in the Mekong region. C) Scientists have discovered many new species in the Mekong region. D) Climate change threatens Mekong new species.
Ans: D
The 92-year-old, thin, calm and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, even though she is nearly blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the hall of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she walked slowly to the elevator, I provided a true description of her tiny room, including the old sheets that had been hung on her window. "I love it," she said with the happiness of an eight-year-old girl having just been presented with a new puppy. "Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room...just wait." "That doesn't matter," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged. It's how I arranged my mind. I have already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away." She went on to explain, "Old age is like a bank account. You take what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to put in a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories. Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank." And with a smile, she said, "All my memories are happy ones." Mrs. Jones was always happy in the nursing home and she died at the age of 108. Which of the following words can best describe Mrs. Jones? A) Proud. B) Pleasant. C) Determined D) Honest
B