What looks like an angry old man and lives at the bottom of the ocean? It's the world's ugliest animal---the blobfish . Its strange skin is shaped by its habitat. It lives 800 meters below the ocean's surface, a depth where very few other creatures can survive. Most fishes have a swim bladder , which is filled with gas and helps them stay afloat. At the depth that the blobfish live, water pressure is 80 times higher than that at higher sea levels and any swim bladder wouldn't be able to serve its purpose. The blobfish don't have a swim bladder because their skin works the same way. It helps them stay afloat without having to use any energy. The blobfish have a pretty relaxed attitude towards eating. All they do is stay and wait for crabs or lobsters to come by. Since the blobfish like to eat crabs and lobsters, they often get caught in nets that are used to catch lobsters or crabs and end up dying or being killed. They are not suitable for eating so they are useless for fishermen. There's a purpose behind the blobfish's new title; it has become the new mascot for the Ugly Animal Preservation Society, an organization whose purpose is to preserve endangered ugly animals. "We've needed an ugly face for endangered ugly animals for a long time and I've been amazed by the public reaction," said the Society's Simon Watt. "For too long cute animals have taken the limelight but now the blobfish will be a voice for those who always get forgotten."They hope this new face will help the world know that we need to help preserve the populations of ugly animals too. We can learn from what Simon Watt said that _ . A) most ugly animals are in danger B) the population of the blobfish is increasing C) the blobfish have attracted the public's attention D) people knew nothing about the blobfish in the past
C
The connection shared by grandparents and grandchildren is something very special and despite the changing family situation, it still remains strong across generations. For most of us, our grandparents were our first best friends, the ones with whom we shared our secrets and our pain. In majority of the cases, grandparents would have babysat their grandchildren while parents were busy working and didn't have much time for their children. Even as a kid grows up, the love and affection for grandparents never dies, and for many teens, visiting grandparents or living with them in the same house is a pleasure. Kedar Patwary, a mass communication student, says, "I often end up having long conversations with my grandfather about the evolution of Indian society and I really admire him for the patience with which he answers all my questions. " Many teenagers feel that their parents treat them as grown-ups, while their grandparents give them much freedom. Leela Narayanan, a grandmother. says that she loves to her grandchildren and cook favorite dishes for them. She further adds that her eldest granddaughter, who is now 19, was brought up by her till she was four and the closeness they shared remains the same even now. At times, the gap m generations plays a negative role, when grandparents find it difficult adjusting to the modern lifestyle. Technology is what works against this relationship. Youngsters' eing crazy about with gadgets leaves them with no time for their loved ones. Maria Kutty, is a grandmother t0 12 kids. Her face lights up every time her grandchildren are mentioned. But she has one complaint. "All my children stay close to me but when they come to visit and I want to spend time with them, I can't find them anywhere. They only have time for clickety-clackety things in their hands. Sometimes they listen to loud music and talk about things I don't understand. I feel very sad when I think of all those times," she says. The gap generation sometimes is negative because _ . A) grandchildren can 't fit in with modern lifestyle B) grandparents are eager to know more technology C) grandchildren are addicted to their digital products D) grandparents spared no time with their grandchildren
C
Q: Hans Christian Andersen put Denmark on the map of the world literature with his stories The Emperor's New Clothes,The Little MermaidandThe Ugly Duckling. Now Copenhagen, the country's capital, has become the center of the world political map, with 190 world leaders attending the climate talks there, not to mention thousands of reporters. Just how much do you know about the Scandinavian country? Denmark is famous for its design culture. At the heart of "Danish Design" is the idea that, as poet and designer Piet Hein puts it: "There is one art, not more, nor less, [and that is] to do all things with artlessness ." Danish design places equal emphasis on practicality and quality. From Lego toys to furniture, Danish products are known for their clean lines, simplicity and functionality. "Remove material where it's not needed. Keep things simple and functional and make them carefully," explained Hans J. Wegner, the first Danish designer to achieve worldwide fame: "The aim is not to create a work of art, but to produce a good chair." "The Danes have done a better job than most in promoting arts in Europe, considering their country's size and population, in the fields of architecture, sculpture and design," writes Helena Smith, reporter with British newspaper the Guardian. The simplicity of Danish design may extend to the quality of life there. Some even claim that the Danes have the highest quality of life of any nation in the world. Kate Vial, a 55-year-old American who has lived and worked in Denmark for more than 30 years, explaining why she chooses to live in Denmark rather than the US, told Germany's biggest news weekly Der Spiegel: "I just chose a simpler lifestyle, one where I could ride my bike all over and where I don't have to make a great living to survive." In Piet Hein's opinion, the characteristic of Danish culture is _ . A) Creative B) Complicated C) Impractical D) Simple
A: D
All over the world people began their exciting day by drinking a cup or several cups of coffee. People have always said that a cup of coffee in the morning helps them begin their day on the right foot. They need this cup of coffee to get going in the morning. It is not the coffee but something in the coffee that activates our bodies and brains. It is a material called caffeine. Caffeine may increase a person's mental and physical abilities. For example, two cups of coffee will _ blood flow, breathing, and body heat production by 10% to 20%. All of this make your heart beat faster and doctors warn that this may be somewhat dangerous. Caffeine is found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and many other common foods. A little caffeine is probably helpful. But too much caffeine can result in nervousness and sleeplessness. A cup of coffee will make your blood move faster by _ . A) 5% to 10% B) 10% to 20% C) about 15% D) about 20%
A