My mother always told us there is no use crying over spilt milk. That means you should not get angry when something bad happens and cannot be changed. She also told us you have to break some eggs to make an omelet . This means you have to do what is necessary to move forward. My mother believed you are what you eat. A good diet is important for good health. She would always give us healthy food. She liked serving us meat and potatoes for dinner. The meat and potatoes can also mean the most important part of something. It describes someone who likes simple things. People always said my father was the salt of the earth, because he would never pour salt on a wound , or make someone feel worse about something that was already a bad experience. However, sometimes he told us a story that seemed bigger than life. So we had to take it with a grain of salt. That is, we could not believe everything he told us. My manager at work does not always know what is going on in our office. Yet she is right about one thing: there is no such thing as a free lunch. Something may appear to be free, but there may be a hidden cost. When we fail to see problems at work, the manager tells us to wake up and smell the coffee. We need to pay more attention and fix the problem. I once made a big mistake at the office and felt silly. I had egg on my face. Over the weekend, my friend invited me to watch a football game on television. But I do not like football. It is not my cup of tea. I hope I have given you food for thought, that is, something to think about. When problems came up, the author's mother told them to _ . A) give up B) hurry up C) be careful D) keep calm
D
(Question)
"The Book That Can't Wait" is a great new idea that seeks to strengthen bonds between first time writers and their readers by getting their books read quickly. Argentinean independent publishers Eterna Cadencia are publishing a collection of short stories by new South American authors using special ink that slowly disappears once it comes in contact with sun and air, completely vanishing within 2 months after the book has been opened. This makes for an interesting approach to motivating book buyers to read books more quickly, giving first-time authors the attention they need to survive. "The Book That Can't Wait" tackles an important problem for new authors: How to get readers. The creative independent publishers teamed up with DRAFTFCB in the city of Buenos Aires to develop this project. "Books are very patient objects. We buy them, and then they wait for us to read them. Days, months, even years. That's OK for books, but not for new authors. If people don't read their first book, they'll never make it to a second," says the project coordinator Tito Santana. That's why Etema Cadencia, which also runs its own bookstore, has decided to create something different to launch its new authors into the market. It presented its first "The Book That Can't Wait" for the critics and the press last month. The invention is a success. Hundreds of people came to the bookstore to pick up a copy. To help spread the word, they gave away the first edition to customers for free. The very same day it was released, the publishing house claimed that it received thousands of requests for more copies of the book. So it will print a new edition later this month to satisfy the demand. And the best result? This time they have the guarantee that their new authors will be read. The company plans to use the book as a platform for other titles, because they believe there is a lot of literature out there that doesn't deserve to wait on the shelf. And these books won't wait at all. The main purpose of publishing "The Book That Can't Wait" is to _ . A) sell more books B) make it fun to read C) invent a new kind of book D) get new authors' books read quickly
(Answer)
D
Ques: Children are hooked on computers. Some spend up to six hours a day on their gadgets. They can be playing games live with others elsewhere in the world, updating their status on social media, texting friends or looking for the latest app to download to their tablets or smart phones. This worried Martin Strott, headmaster of the Old Hall School in Wellington, in the west of England. He was so concerned that he challenged his students to take part in a week of 'digital detox'. Strott told the local newspaper, the Shropshire Star, that he encourages the pupils to have a good knowledge of the computer from a young age, but is concerned that too much screen time will affect the development of their social skills. He said that this over-reliance on digital devices "erodes family time and they're missing out on messages from body language and facial expressions from those around them". According to the headmaster, the parents are happy with the movement. But what about the children? Nine-year-old Fred usually spends around two hours on his gadgets at home after school and around 12 hours on weekends. For him, the digital detox experience was "really hard". Fred spent it playing outside, especially basketball. He said that he'll probably engage in different activities from now on but he did miss his phone and online games. The idea of keeping children away from their tech for a while to prevent 'addiction' is not particularly new. There have been similar movements in the US. But are they effective in the long run? Well, even if kids go back to their gadgets, the hope is that at least they'll think about how they use their time. What about you: do you spend too many hours hooked on your digital devices? Why did the headmaster challenge his students to take part in digital detox? A) Because he wanted to encourage his students to have a good knowledge of computer. B) Because he wanted them to learn more about body language and facial expressions. C) Because he was pushed by many worried parents. D) Because he hoped to transfer children's attention to something meaningful.
Ans: D
Question: Yesterday I started the Year of Giving, my first day of a year-long journey into exploring the act of giving and the meaning of charity. I chose December 15 as the starting date, which marked three years since my mother died from heart disease. She was one of the most generous people that I have ever known. She always thought of others first and certainly serves as an inspiration to me. I had a rather busy day yesterday, ironic for someone who is unemployed right now. In the morning I went to the gym, and unsuccessfully got the phone call from the unemployment office for some job searching. Before I knew it, it was noon. I grabbed a quick lunch and rushed down to a meeting. On my way to Connecticut, I wondered if I would see someone that I would feel forced to give my first $10 to. I was running late and decided to do it afterwards. After the meeting I had about half an hour to find the first person of my Year of Giving! I decided to check out Dupont Circle. I had met a guy there named Jerry once and thought he would willingly accept my first $10. He wasn't there, but I did see a man sitting by himself who looked really lonely, so I approached him. Now I had to figure out what I was going to say. I think I said something like, "Hi, can I sit down here?" "I would like to know if I could give you $10?" He asked me to repeat what I had said. I did, then he looked at me funny, got up and left. I then started walking south where I spotted a man standing by the bus stop on Connecticut Ave. He appeared to be in his 60s. I don't know what drew me to him, but I thought I would make my second attempt. I was a bit nervous and asked him which bus came by that stop. Then I explained that I was starting a year-long project to give $10 to someone every day and that I wanted to give my $10 for today to him. The gentleman, I later found out that his name was Ed, responded without hesitation that he could not accept my offer and that there were many people more deserving the money than him. This was exactly one of the things... The author set the starting date on December 15 to _ . A) help the charity B) remember his mother C) make an exploration D) fulfill a wish of his mum
Answer:
B