America has been experiencing the longest economic increase in its history. Incomes have risen, unemployment has fallen, and cities such as New York are bursting with new office buildings. But just a short walk from Manhattan's skyscrapers, George Brown sits on the side-walk, cooking a lunch of rice and bits of fish over a can of cooking fuel. Brown is homeless----one of the 2.3 million people in the US who end up on the street. During the day, Brown collects aluminum cans and sells them for five cents a piece. At night, he sleeps on the street. "I have been on the street about eight or nine years, something like that," said the 62-year-old former construction worker. Brown admits he had problems with alcohol and has smoked cocaine. But he said he still wants a more stable housing arrangement. He could afford it just with the money he earns by collecting cans and small pieces of metal, if only truly low-income housing were available. However, he sees no hope of finding affordable housing in New York. With the strong economy and unemployment down, beautiful housing is being built to meet demand. A US report shows rents in New York City rose more than 27 per cent, from $549 to $700 a month. One of the side effects of the strong economy is that rents have been going up. The majority of people who experience homelessness really just need some affordable housing help. But few housing companies are building for the poor. Many small apartments in the city now rent for $1,500 a month or more. Brown, the homeless New Yorker, said he has a daughter who lives in the city but he rarely sees her. She is angry about his drinking and won't allow it in her house. Smiling, he said he also has seven grandchildren whom he'd like to see more often. "All I've got to do is _ ," he said. It can be inferred from this passage that _ . A) America is short of housing companies B) the poor can't benefit from the increasing economy C) poor people in America will become rich D) housing companies will build more houses for the poor
B
(Question)
If you haven't heard of the expression, you must have been living _ for the past year, because "the world is big, and I owe it a visit" was all over the Internet last year. This expression was chosen as one of 2015's "popular cyber phrases" in China. When a year comes to an end, many institutions, including the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center, People's Daily Online and CCTV, put together their lists of the Internet's most used words and phrases. Most of the selected words and phrases may seem funny and playful, but they can show lifestyle changes. The term "duoshoudang" meaning shopping addicts is a good example. The past year saw record-high online shopping sales in China, the world's largest e-commerce market. In fact, according to Xinhua, e-commerce is "a new engine" for China's economic development. Meanwhile, although phrases like "xiasibaobaole" meaning "you scared the pants off me"may be a fun expression, they reflect the desire for attention now that social networking sites and apps such as weibo and WeChat have become part of people's lives. "People now have a need to express emotion in bite-size, 140-character bits," wrote The New York Times. Here, Teens has picked some phrases from last year's popular "cyber words" lists. Did you use them often? The world is big, and I owe it a visit. Seeing more of the world has become a hot topic for Chinese people in recent years. But never before had someone used it as an excuse to quit a job until Gu Shaoqiang did. The 35-year-old middle school teacher in Henan province struck a chord with the nation by posting her 10-word resignation letter: "The world is big, and I owe it a visit." The letter's simplicity, honesty and bravery are what made it one of 2015's top catchphrases , wrote Zhang Shixuan, a commentator for People's Daily. A pretty face can feed you, yet you choose to make a living off your talent. Comedian Jia Ling is well known for her funny performances as well as her plump figure. So it came as a great surprise when... Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? A) Gu Shaoqiang resigned because of financial and mental pressure. B) If you think Jia ling is fat and humorous, you may get the wrong end of the stick. C) Hot online words basically bring more harm than good to Chinese culture. D) New words are a reflection of changing technology, politics, morals, and worldviews.
(Answer)
D
Ques: Sunnyside School Bookshop Sunnyside Secondary School A Warm Welcome To All Secondary Pupils! Congratulations on getting into Singapore's premier school. To do well in English, you must have a good English dictionary. May we recommend that you buy any of these two, which have been specially selected by the English teachers in the school. Select the one that fits your needs! Foster's Advanced Learners' Dictionary The most authoritative and up-to-date dictionary for intermediate learners of English. * Over 50,000 references, including new words created over the past ten years. * 20 full-page colour illustrations. * Grammar and spelling rules simply and completely explained. * Lots of examples of how to use words in the correct context. * l0-page appendix on "How To Write More Effectively". Active Learners' English Dictionary A most useful dictionary which not only helps you to learn new words but also shows you different ways of using them in your writing. Particularly useful for foreign students and non-native speakers of English! * Over 48,000 references with explanations focusing on a speaker's attitude and intentions. * Each definition together with tips on how to use the word or its synonyms in the correct context. * Right margin gives a list of synonyms. * Left margin gives information on grammar and spelling. * Clear pronunciation guide. Both dictionaries have _ . A) tips on spelling and grammar B) tips on pronunciation C) tips on writing D) colour illustrations
Ans: A
In my thirty years as a Time Management speaker, I have observed a lot of what we can and should not do to increase our daily success. Time management is not necessarily working harder, but quicker and more smartly. Sometimes our mistakes will keep us from running at a full pace. Here are the top four Time Management mistakes we should all avoid to help us to increase our daily success. a. Start your day without a plan of action in the morning. If so, you will have worked hard but may not have done enough of right things. Time Management is not doing the wrong things. b. Work with a messy desk or work area. Studies have shown that the person who works with a messy desk spends one and a half hours per day looking for things. If you have ever visited the office of a top manager who is working with a clean desk, you will find that the manager works efficiently . c. Don't get enough sleep. Studies show that nearly 75% of the people around us complain about not having enough sleep, and then throughout their days they are tired. For most people, they get the quantity of sleep, but they lack the quality of sleep. Their days are filled with so much stress; they are out of control, working harder but maybe not more smartly, so it's difficult for them to get a full night's sleep. d. Don't take a lunch break. Many do not take a lunch break, working through that period in the hope that it will give them more time to increase their success. Studies have shown that it may have the opposite effect. After doing what we do for several hours, we start to feel tired. A lunch break, even short, gives us a chance to get our energy back again. The author holds the following opinions EXCEPT _ . A) Time waits for no man B) Good order is the foundation of all things C) A year's plan starts with spring D) No rest, no work
A