Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Do you know mulch? Mulch is a protective cover of material that is spread on top of soil. It is usually made out of organic material, like crop waste. Farmers may keep the remains of corn or other crops on top of the soil. This creates mulch on the soil surface. The plant remains help protect the soil against wind and water damage. Mulching is one of the best things people can do for their plants. It also helps keep the soil from getting dry, and reduces the need for watering plants. It also limits temperature changes in the soil. And it stops unwanted plants, or weeds, from growing. Organic mulch improves the condition of soil. As the mulch breaks down, it provides material which keeps the soil from getting hard. This improves the growth of roots and increases the movement of water through the soil. It also improves the ability of the soil to hold water. Organic mulch contains nutrients for plants. It also provides good environment for earthworms and other helpful living things in the soil. It is easy to find organic mulch materials. Cut-up leaves and small pieces of tree bark can be used. Grass cuttings are also a good mulch for plants. Mulch from news- papers works well in controlling weeds. The best time to add mulch depends on your goal. Mulch provides a thick barrier between the soil and the air. This helps to reduce temperature changes in the soil. As a result, mulched soil will be cooler than other soil in the summer. In winter, the mulched soil may not freeze as deeply as other soil. The best time is after the ground has frozen, but before the coldest weather arrives. Spreading mulch before the ground has frozen may attract small animals searching for a warm place to spend the winter. Delaying the spreading should prevent this problem. The animals will probably find another place to live. Question: The author tells us the following EXCEPT _ . Options: A: what mulch is and its advantages B: the best time to add mulch C: the bad effects of mulch D: what can be mulch on the soil surface
C

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: It was the end of the school term and my son Tom had less than three months left before he would finish his six years at high school. During this time he had developed a love for basketball. Sadly, because of my work over the last twelve months, I had only been able to attend a few of his games; however, I was determined to get to his last game for the school term. Tom's team came out in the first 10 minutes with a burst of goals that saw them leading by just over 20 points at the end of the first half. The second half changed as the other team quickly played themselves back into the game. Tom's team started to miss an increasing number of shots. It was at that point that the coach called his first time out. The noise of the spectators became quiet as the coach spoke to them. He had the team standing in a half circle, but he squatted down, looking up at them and fiving some very calm and clear instructions on what they needed to do in the last couple of minutes. As he stood up to allow the team to return to the court, I saw him give some further words of encouragement to all of them. You could see that he knew that the team was fighting to save the game and that he needed to lift them up. By squatting down he placed himself in a position where he was talking up to them, rather than down or at them, and as the players went back onto the court his words of encouragement served to lift their energy and spirits. Well, Tom's team went on to win the final by 5 points. As I drove away I thought about what can happen to us all in our everyday life. One of my favourite quotes is about the half filled glass of water --- "Is it half full or is it half empty?" Like the coach, the answer to this quote all depends on how you look at things. Question: What can we infer from the passage? Options: A: A father should care about his son at school. B: Playing hard is rewarded with a close match. C: What a coach says has the most influence on players. D: Looking at things positively is important in hard times.
D

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Once there was a rich,beautiful and wise princess.Tired of those who were only interested in her money,she said that she would only marry whoever managed to present her with the most valuable and sincere gift of all. Soon the palace was filled with gifts of every kind.Among all these gifts,she found a simple dirty stone.She wondered who had offered this gift.She pretended to be very angry because of the gift when the young man was brought before her. He explained,"Dear Princess,this stone stands for the most valuable thing one can give---- it is my heart.It is also sincere.And because it is not yet yours,it is as hard as a stone.Only when it is filled with love will it become softer than any other thing." The young man quietly left,leaving the princess surprised.She was so in love that she took the little stone with her wherever she went.And for months she gave the young man gifts and all her attention.But his heart remained as hard as the stone in her hands.Losing hope,she ended up throwing the stone into a fire. Then in the heat of the fire,the stone became a golden figure .Then the princess understood that she herself would have to be like fire. During the following months,she contributed her life, her wisdom and her wealth to her country.And the people started to call her the "Princess of Fire". And,as with the stone,the Princess of Fire melted the hardness of the young man's heart.And, just as he had promised,he became so soft that he made the princess happy till the end of her days. Question: What can we learn from the text? Options: A: The princess married the young man in the end. B: The young man's heart was always as hard as a stone. C: People in the princess' country were poor. D: The young man was interested in the princess' money.
A

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: The Andrew Romay Immigrant Support Program (ISP) at the International Center provides a welcoming place for immigrants where they can build the skills they need to fully participate in the professional and social life of their new country. About the Program The Andrew Romay Immigrant Support Program (ISP) at the International Center provides an integrated set of educational, cultural, and professional activities at ICNY to help immigrants: *improve their English *develop the networks they need to achieve their goals and fully participate in American life *find a welcoming "home away from home" Participants have access to a wide-range of programming, including: *more than 40 weekly classes in English language and American culture *practical and career-skills workshops *opportunities to explore New York City and the nearby area through trips and tours[ ISP is particularly focused on helping newly arrived immigrants at a critical point in their lives. Recent arrivals in financial need receive one-year scholarships and low-cost meals. ISP is funded by Andrew Romay and a sum of money from the Open Society Institute. If you are interested in applying for ISP, please fill out our online application or contact ISP Program Manager, Elaine Roberts at (212) 255-9555 or at eroberts@intlcenter. org. Resources for Current ISP Members RECOMMENDED CLASSES *Intermediate level: Introduction to Writing & Interviewing Skills on Wednesday, from 11 am - l2:l0pm. *High Intermediate/Advanced: Tips for Success at Work and Beyond on Tuesday, from 2-3:25pm. *Advanced: Career Skills Workshop on Wednesday, from 6-8pm. Sign-up required. *For all levels: Interviewing Skills Workshop on Saturday, from 11 am. - 2 pm. Sign-up required. UPCOMING EVENTS To see a list of upcoming events, visit our News & Events page. OTHER... Question: You can become a member of ISP by _ . Options: A: visiting News & Events page B: contacting Elaine C: contacting Andrew D: surfing Member Resources page
B