Read the article and select the best answer. Article: First the ground shook in Haiti, then Chile and Turkey. The earthquakes keep coming hard and fast this year, causing people to wonder if something evil is happening underfoot. It's not. While it may seem as if there are more earthquakes occurring, there really aren't. The problem is what's happening above ground, not underground, experts say. More people are moving into big cities that happen to be built in quake zones, and they're rapidly putting up buildings that can't withstand earthquakes, scientists believe. And around-the-clock news coverage and better earthquake monitoring make it seem as if earthquakes are ever-present. "I can definitely tell you that the world is not coming to an end," said Bob Holdsworth, an expert in tectonics at Durharn University in the UK. A 7.0 magnitude quake in January killed more than 230,000 people in Haiti. Last month, an 8.8 magnitude quake--- the fifth-strongest since 1900--killed more than 900 people in Chile. And two weeks ago, a 6.0 magnitude quake struck rural eastern Turkey, killing at least 57 people. On average, there are 134 earthquakes a year that have a magnitude between 6.0 and 6.9, according to the US Geological Survey. This year is off to a fast start with 40 so far--more than in most years for that time period. But that's because the 8.8 quake in Chile generated a large number of strong aftershocks, and so many quakes early this year skews the picture, said Paul Earle, a US seismologist . Also, it's not the number of quakes, but their devastating impacts that gain attention, with the death tolls largely due to construction standards (building standard) and crowding, Earle added. "The standard mantra is earthquakes don't kill people, buildings do, " he said. Ks*5*u There have been more deaths over the past decades from earthquakes, said University of Colorado geologist Roger Bilham. In an opinion column last month in the journal Nature, Bilham called for better construction standards in the world's big cities. Of the 130 cities worldwide... Question: According to the article, the greater damage of earthquakes this year can be mainly caused by _ . Options: A: the occurrence of larger earthquakes B: not enough warnings about earthquakes C: poor construction standards and overcrowding D: an increase in large cities
C

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: African-American talk show queen Oprah Winfrey is the world's most powerful celebrity , according to Forbes magazine. It placed Winfrey at the top of the annual ranking of the 100 people with the biggest pull . Winfrey, 51, draw 30 million viewers weekly in the United States. Her talk show reaches 112 countries. She earned US $225 million over the past 12 months to rank second in celebrity riches. The annual Forbes list gives most weight to annual earnings. But it also looks at the celebrity's presence on the Internet and in the media. "After 21 years, her exciting chat show still rules the airwaves," the magazine said. Winfrey is most popular with her popular talk show "The Oprah Winfrey Show". She can always attract the superstars and let them open up to her intimate interviewing style. Winfrey's approach appears to be simple. She is in a pursuit of self-improvement and self-empowerment. This has proved to be just what people, especially women, want. Winfrey often talks about her personal secrets on her show. That pulls in viewers. For example, she made it known that she had been sexually abused as a child, and has spoken freely of her struggle with her weight. Her success has not just been on the screen. Her media group includes a women's TV network and websites for women. Her work has extended to social change. In 1991, she did a lot of work for the National Child Protection Act. She testified before the US Senate to establish a national database of dangerous child abusers. The then President Bill Clinton later signed the "Oprah Bill" into law. Question: The annual Forbes list selects its celebrities according to _ . Options: A: their names B: their annual earnings C: their presence on the Internet and in the media D: their annual earnings and presence in the public
D

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Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Winter is a great time to experiment with new sports. The key is to find one that matches your interests and natural abilities. If you like to walk, keep walking -- on snowshoes. If you want to try an endurance sport, go for cross-country skiing. Besides, snowboarding is just great fun. Not satisfied with these? Try downhill skiing, then. Downhill skiing is not as hard as it used to be -- shorter, lightweight, curved skis make any beginner feel like an Olympic winner. These newer skis -- along with another type of equipment called skiboards, which are even shorter than skis -- help you control your speed and body movements. Consider testing the latest high-tech skis or snowboards?Check with your local sports shops or the rental places at the ski mountains about sample programs. You could also try sledding. Use a wood-framed sled with steel runners or a plastic sled to head down a snowy hill. If you prefer ice to snow, think hockey or figure skating. Runners can also train during the winter in spite of wet or slippery roads. One of the easiest sports around, snowshoeing can be excellent cold-weather cross-training for runners and cyclists -- or anyone wanting to take a wintry walk in the woods. Snowshoes are smaller, lighter, and better than ever. If you want to try them out, you may be able to rent a pair for a day at many of the larger outdoor or sporting goods stores. Whatever sport you choose, don't rely on a friend for instruction. You wouldn't let an inexperienced doctor perform a brain operation on you, but why let one teach you to ski or skate? That's what instructors are for -- to help newcomers start out right. Instructors can give you advice about equipment, techniques, safety, and dealing with injuries if they do happen to you. Above all, if you want to progress, invest your time in learning the basic skills thoroughly. Everything else you do as a skier, boarder, or skater will be built on these first skills. Question: What can we learn from the passage? Options: A: Runners and cyclists cannot train because of the wet or slippery roads in winter. B: Downhill skiing used to be more difficult to learn because of the old-fashioned skis. C: People can rent snowshoes for a day at their local sports shops or the rental places. D: In general, first skills are more important in skiing than in snowboarding or skating.
(Answer)
B