As a high school dropout myself, I often feel it is my duty to defend my fellow non-scholars. Common wisdom would have you believe we are the "bad kids", the future criminals, the worst sort of people. But not all dropouts will deal drugs, shoplift, or even shoot pool all day. My own favorite hooky hangout was always the public library. My early retirement meant that at last I had the time to read everything I wanted to. Best of all was the time I finally had to myself. I felt uncontrolled and free. I had been in school nearly my whole life. I wanted to find out for myself who I was, and until I did, everything else felt like a waste of time. To be honest, though, my daily life as a dropout consisted mostly of long hot baths, afternoon naps, and microwave food. After nearly three years of such self-centered pleasure, a series of strange thoughts began to enter my mind continuously. Images of myself at the age of 35-still living at home, collecting dust balls on the couch, reading the same book over and over-began to bother me in my sleep. And a voice in my head began asking over and over, "Who is paying the hot water bills? Who buys the microwave pizza?" The answer, of course, was my poor old parents. Sure, I was having a wonderful time doing plenty of nothing, discovering myself and all, but they were getting a raw deal. What parents long to see their child drop out of school, with no plans for the future? Could they be expected to support me forever? Certainly not. I had been visited by Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility, and there was no looking back. I immediately moved out of the house and out of town, in search of a future for myself. And it is here, in my new home of San Francisco, that I have decided to do what was once unthinkable: go back to school. I plan to take adult education classes and get me GED (General Educational Development), and then enroll in City College. So next time you see a dropout, that unchangeable anti-student, be understanding. And please don't push him to do something he... Which question is NOT answered in the article? A) When did the writer leave school? B) How was the writer's life as a dropout? C) What future plans did the writer have in San Francisco? D) What did the writer's parents say when he dropped out?
D
The first Europeans came to America in 1492 with Christopher Columbus. Since that time people have come to America from all over the world, from Europe, Africa, and Asia, and they have brought their music with them. This mixing of people and music has created American music. Music is a very important part of our lives. Music is for dancing, drinking, eating, loving, and thinking. Some songs remind us of our childhood or youth. Others remind of the people they love. Many important occasions, like weddings and funerals have special music. Every nation has a national song like the American "The StarSpangled Banner". In the US high schools and colleges have school songs too. Music is a part of the history of America. It expresses the problems and feelings of its people. As the years pass, the music grows and changes. Modern science has also changed music. Inventions like records, radios, movies, electric instruments, tape recorders, and videos have changed the way we play and listen to music. They have helped to make music an important form of international communication. American music, from the earliest folk songs to modern "pop", is known around the world. Music is one of America's most important exports. It brings the people of the world together. Even when people cannot understand the same language, they can share the same music. Many people learn and practise English by singing song. Understanding American music can help you understand American people, their history and culture. So, as the song says, "put a dime (10 cents)in the juke box , baby. Let's listen to the music!" From the text we know that _ . A) American music has spread all over the world B) American music began in the 1550s C) American music is special D) American music has changed modern science in the US
A
Q: A few days ago, I went to school with lots of books,hoping to get a locker . Suddenly, it started raining heavily. I hurried to pay for my locker, but I was disappointed when they informed me they only accepted cash. I was $ 7.00 short, which meant I had to carry the books back home. It would be an exhausting two-hour journey back home with all those books. An elderly gentleman nearby noticed my problem. He asked how much cash I needed. When I told him I was $7 short, he quickly took out the money from his wallet ."You don't have to pay me back ,"he said. I was speechless; I didn't know whether to take the money or come back with the books the next day. A young student who was working there noticed my hesitation. "He's really nice ,"said the student. I was starving this morning and he bought breakfast for me. He always helps people in different ways. The next day, I went to him and thanked him for trusting me and lending me the money. He said he forgot about it and didn't expect I would give it back. "I'm very happy," he said,"not because I'm getting my money back, but because this is the right way to go---whatever you get from this world, give it back as much as you possibly can. Spread kindness around the world with the smallest things you can do." Later, I found out he wasn't involved with any charity organizations. He has been performing these types of acts for years. Earlier, someone had done something incredibly kind for him and he has been spreading the kindness ever since. He taught me a very important lesson in life. We come to this world with nothing and we will leave with nothing. Whatever we own, it will become somebody else's and whatever we leave, it will become somebody else's. When the old gentleman offered the money, the writer was _ . A) touched B) amazed C) hesitant D) embarrassed
A: C
Q: A clique(,) is a group of friends who hang out together and act in similar ways. Cliques are common feature of the teen years. Members of a clique usually have certain things in common. For example, they might all be good students. Membership in a clique is limited. Not everyone who wants to belong can join. Cliques can have a positive or negative influence. Because most teens have a strong need to belong, they want to feel that they fit into a group. Cliques can help them meet this need. Sometimes teens feel unsure of themselves, and they use a clique to gain approval of what they wear or how they act. Cliques can become harmful, however, if they pressure members to behave the same way as the group that may damage their health. Cliques may discourage members from making their own decisions, giving their own opinions, or having other friends who aren't accepted by the clique. Cliques may even pressure members to act in ways that go against their own values and beliefs, such as lying to parents or teachers. Cliques can also hurt people outside the group. For example, members might make fun of a teen who isn't in the clique. If you find yourself under this type of pressure from a clique, here are some actions you can take to improve your situation. * Suggest other activities. Offer ideas that don't involve hurting others or putting anyone at risk. * Find new friends. If staying in the clique is becoming a negative experience, you will be better off with new friends. Why can cliques be harmful? A) Because kids in there don't have independent thinking. B) Because kids in there are not allowed to have their own opinions. C) Because kids in there sometimes are pressured. D) Because kids in there are forced to lie to their parents.
A: C