What's your dream vacation? Watching wildlife in Kenya? Boating down the Amazon? Sunbathing in Malaysia? New chances are opening up all the time to explore the world. So we visit travel agents, compare packages and prices, and pay our money. We know what our vacation costs us. But do we know what it might cost someone else? It's true that many poorer countries now depend on tourism for foreign income. Unfortunately, though, tourism often harms the local people more than it helps them. It might cost their homes and lands. In Myanmar, 5,200 people were forced to leave their homes among the pagodas in Bagan so that tourists could visit the pagodas. Tourism might also cost the local people their livelihood and dignity. Local workers often find only menial jobs in the tourist industry. And most of the profits do not help the local economy. Instead, profits return to the tour operators in wealthier countries, When the Maasai people in Tanzania were driven from their lands, some moved to city slums. Others now make a little money selling souvenirs or posing for photos. Problems like these were observed more than 20 years ago. But now some non-government organizations, tour operators and local governments are working together to begin correcting them. Tourists, too, are putting on the pressure. The result is responsible tourism, or "ethical tourism." Ethical tourism has people at its heart. New international agreements and codes of conduct can help protect the people's lands, homes, economies and cultures. The beginnings are small, though, and the problems are complex. But take heart. The good news is that everyone, including us, can play a part to help the local people in the places we visit. Tour operators and companies can help by making sure that local people work in good conditions and earn reasonable wages. They can make it a point to use only locally owned hotel, restaurants and guide services. They can share profits fairly to help the local economy. And they can involve the local people in planning and... What is probably the best title for the article? A) Tourism Causes Bad Effects. B) Tourism Calls for Good Behavior. C) Vacations Bring a Lot of Fun. D) Vacations Cost More Than You Think
D
A warm blanket is the ideal sleep aid for a freezing winter night. The right blanket can warm your bones but the wrong one can affect your sleep. I asked experts for advice on picking the perfect blanket for a good night's sleep. Here's what they told me. When it comes to sleep temperature, experts recommend following the principle: not too cold, not too hot, but just right. "People seem to sleep best at temperature between 62 and 70 degrees F," says Dr. Alice Hoagland. When the surrounding temperature falls too low, it can _ you from sleep. A good blanket helps drive the coldness away. At the other extreme, overheating yourself can affect your sleep as well. "Core body temperature typically drops during the first four hour's of sleep," says Dr. Hoagland. This decline in body temperature helps you fall asleep and stay asleep. "In medical care, weighted blankets are one of our most powerful tools for helping people who are anxious, upset, and possibly losing control," says Dr. Karen Moore. These special blankets are filled with weighted pellets. Weighted blankets are also marketed for general use as an aid to sleep and relaxation. Like a firm hug, weighted blankets help us feel safe." This is the reason why many people like to sleep under a blanket even in summer. "If you want to try this type of blanket, the best weight depends on your body size and personal preference. However, 15 to 30 pounds is typical for adults," Moor says. She adds that weighted blankets are not recommended for those recovering from surgery. "People can also have serious preferences for a particular blanket," says Dr. Hoagland. "Regularly using a favorite blanket for sleep can help to develop a conditioned response so that sleep is quicker." In fact, many sleep centers ask patients to bring their own blanket and pillow from home, which helps them fall asleep more easily. The author wrote the passage mainly to tell us _ . A) the importance of blankets B) how to choose the perfect blanket C) different materials used to make blankets D) the history and usage of blankets
B
(Question)
The longest day of the month is the day after my younger brother T.J gets his new issue of Just Joking , a magazine filled with all kinds of jokes. When the new issue arrives, T.J tells me every riddle in it . But a constant stream of riddles can get annoying . "Hey, Keith ! What did he hamburger name his daughter ?" "T.J !" I shout . "Enough riddles !" He is suddenly quiet. "Keith , be nice ,"Mom says. "T.J, honey, what did the hamburger name his daughter?" "Patty," he says. During dinner ,T.J doesn't say anything . Usually he brings Just Joking to the table with him and tells us some riddles in between bites of food .This evening, he does not .I'm relieved . At last --- some peace and quiet. After dinner, I go to my friend Brad's house to work on a project for science class . We're painting the planets when Brad's little sister, Nita, comes into the room. "Brad, can I help you with the project ?" Nita asks. "Nita !" He shouts at her . "Leave us alone!" Nita walks out of the room looking sad. I feel bad for her. I can tell that she just wants to be around her big brother. The look on Nita's face reminds me of the look on T.J's face earlier in the evening . Now I don't feel so good about T.J's silence at the dinner table. When Brad and I finish working on the project, I see Nita in the front of the room .She still looks sad. "Hey, Nita! Do you know what the hamburger named his daughter ?" I ask. "I don't know. What?" Nita says.www.ks5u.com "Patty!" Nita laughs and I laugh too . " I heard that from my brother, T.J," I say. "He's very funny. When I get home, T.J still looks unhappy. "T.J, guess what ?" I say. " I used one of your riddles tonight. Brad's little sister thought it was really funny. So let's find more riddles for the next time I go over there. And maybe you can come along with me sometime." "Really ?" T.J's eyes light up . "OK!" T.J runs upstairs, and then comes back, smiling and carrying Just Joking. Why does Keith tell Nita the riddle about the hamburger and patty ? A) Because he wants to relax. B) Because he wants to impress Nita C) Because he wants her to be happy D) Because he wants to know if she is smart
(Answer)
C