Question: CHAPTER VII

But, ah me! she's a heart of stone, Which Cupid uses for a hone, I verily believe; And on it sharpens those eye-darts, With which he wounds the simple hearts He bribes her to deceive.--_A Coquette_, by X.

Breakfast was late, and lengthened out by the greater lateness of many of the guests, and the superlative tardiness of the lady of the house, who had repudiated the cares of the hostess, and left the tea-equipage to her sister-in-law. Lucilla had been down-stairs among the first, and hurried away again after a rapid meal, forbidding any one to follow her, because she had so much to do, and on entering the drawing-room, she was found with a wilderness of flowers around her, filling vases and making last arrangements.

Honora and Phoebe were glad to be occupied, and Phoebe almost hoped to escape from Rashe. Speaking to Lucilla was not possible, for Eloisa had been placed by Rashe in a low chair, with a saucer before her, which she was directed to fill with verbenas, while the other four ladies, with Owen, whom his cousin had called to their aid, were putting last touches to wreaths, and giving the final festal air to the rooms.

Presently Robert made his appearance as the bearer of Mr. Prendergast's flowers, and setting his back against a shutter, in his favourite attitude, stood looking as if he wanted to help, but knew not how. Phoebe, at least, was vividly conscious of his presence, but she was supporting a long festoon with which Owen was adorning a pier-glass, and could hardly even turn her head to watch him. 1. Why was the meal so long at the start? Provide a numbered list of answers.
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A numbered of answers: 1. lateness of the guests

Question: Most students, when asked about their ideal graduation gift, would probably reply, "A car", or "Money for a deposit on a house". Cai Kaiyuan, 21, made a different choice. As a graduation gift to himself, he decided to work as a volunteer teacher in a remote village in Tibet.

Cai, a senior majoring in electrical engineering at Huan Railway Professional Technology College, originally planned to cycle from Sichuan to Tibet. During his journey, Cai's idea for a different graduation gift to himself began to take shape. "I did not know beforehand what the journey would mean to me. I just want to gain a unique experience and have pleasure in appreciating the view there," he said.

It turned out cycling on a plateau was extremely challenging. And it has kept changing his outlook on life. Cai's fingers even became frostbitten while cycling up a 5008-meter-high mountain, where temperatures often dropped to 18 below zero. At night, the ice covered the road and he fell off his bike three times. The lack of oxygen made him feel dizzy and weak. "At the most serious moment, I felt that my life was _ ," said Cai.

However, he also gained something unexpected. At Ya'an, a city in Sichuan, he met a group of tourists who are also university students. A girl called Wu Ling told him that she planned to work as a teacher in a primary school in Tibet after her journey. He was impressed by the idea as she looked slender and weak.

It was not until he reached a family-run hotel in Shigatse that Cai's spirits began to rise. The hotel manager's two daughters enjoyed talking with him. The kids asked about his experiences on his trip, and showed him the beautiful local lakes. "They told me that they always liked to talk to guests, as they wanted to improve their Mandarin," he said, "Their parents and many locals can only speak Tibetan."

Cai was touched by the girls' story. Their situation is tough and the local people have little chance to learn Mandarin because the schools are short of teachers. "I want to do something to improve the situation for kids like them," said Cai. His parents finally gave their agreement and his teachers also supported him. 1. What is the name of the first person mentioned?
2. Did he want a car for a gift?
3. What did he decide?
4. Where?
5. What female did he meet along the way?
6. Did she have a goal?
7. What was it?
8. What physical observation did he have about her?
9. So he didn't think much of her then?
10. Did he have a near-death experience? Provide a numbered list of answers.
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A numbered of answers: 1. Cai Kaiyuan
2. No
3. to work as a volunteer teacher
4. Tibet.
5. Wu Ling
6. Yes
7. to work as a teacher
8. she looked slender and weak.
9. He was impressed by the idea
10. No

Question: Laos (, , , or ; , , "Lao"), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao: , "Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao") or commonly referred to its colloquial name of Muang Lao (Lao: , "Muang Lao"), is a landlocked country in the heart of the Indochinese peninsula of Mainland Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar (Burma) and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southwest, and Thailand to the west and southwest.

Present day Lao PDR traces its historic and cultural identity to the kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao (Kingdom of a Million Elephants Under the White Parasol), which existed for four centuries as one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Due to Lan Xang's central geographical location in Southeast Asia, the kingdom was able to become a popular hub for overland trade, becoming wealthy economically as well as culturally.

After a period of internal conflict, Lan Xang broke off into three separate kingdoms Luang Phrabang, Vientiane, and Champasak. In 1893, it became a French protectorate, with the three territories uniting to form what is now known as the country of Laos. It briefly gained freedom in 1945 after Japanese occupation, but was recolonised by France until it won autonomy in 1949. Laos became independent in 1953, with a constitutional monarchy under Sisavang Vong. Shortly after independence, a long civil war ended the monarchy, when the Communist Pathet Lao movement came to power in 1975. 1. What is Laos colloquial name?
2. What is the official name/
3. Is it landlocked?
4. What is one country it borders with?
5. And another? Provide a numbered list of answers.
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A numbered of answers:
1. Muang Lao
2. Laos
3. Yes
4. Myanmar
5. China