Hearing plays an important part in our everyday life, but few of us take the steps we need to protect our hearing. It is easy to see how your hearing is _ in today's world. There are so many things to hear, and so many new instruments, like iPods and headphones, which can harm your hearing if used improperly. Keeping the volume to a reasonable level on an iPod or other portable listening instruments is one of the most important ways to protect your hearing. Another great way to keep your hearing protected is to avoid loud noises whenever possible. There are many loud noises from power tools to machinery, and it is important to avoid these noises as often as possible. When it is not possible to avoid them, keep your hearing protected by using earplugs . If you think your hearing may have already been damaged by modern technology, it is important to have your hearing tested by a physician. Only such a professional will be able to measure your level of hearing loss and help you find the best solution to your hearing problem. For those with hearing issues, the choices have never been greater. There are many excellent hearing aids on the market. Having a hearing aid can be a perfect choice for the young and the old alike, and many people who swore they would never wear a hearing aid find that they love the convenience and quality these instruments represent. Never let an unimportant thing like vanity get in the way of treating a hearing problem. These days there are hearing aids that are nearly invisible to the naked eye, including a number of models that fit completely inside the ear. If you believe you may be experiencing a problem with your hearing, it is important to have it checked out, and to take the right measures to protect your ears. In many cases, this treatment will be as simple as wearing earplugs. Taking care of your ears is of great importance. After all, you only get one set of ears. All the following factors may cause hearing problems EXCEPT _ . A) using iPods improperly B) listening to MP3 at full volume C) standing near machinery making a loud noise D) using earplugs when there are loud noises
D
Martha's Vineyard has long been considered a favorite quiet of the Northeast. The vineyard is rich in history, breathtaking beaches, and beautiful scenery. It is well known for its unique lighthouses - you'll enjoy the variety and the history of each lighthouse, among the most photographed structures on the Vineyard. When the former First Family, the Clintons, chose to vacation on the island several years ago, it became a more popular tourist attraction. Martha's Vineyard got its name from its discoverer, Bartholomew Gosnold, who gave it the name of his wife Martha and was in memory of the thick growth of wild trees on the land. The island of Martha's Vineyard lies south of Cape Cod off the southeastern coast of Massachusetts,United States. It is nearly 20 miles long and runs from 2 to 10 miles in width. There are wide,hard beaches on the southern side. The north is hilly, but in the south and eastern parts there are wide areas of open land covered with wild flowers. The island was discovered early in the 17th century. The Indians were quiet and friendly, and the new-comers fished for a living, making a lot of money from whaling . With the decline of whaling and sailing ships. Martha's Vineyard was almost forgotten until about 60 years ago when people began to buy the old houses of the whaling captains and the small building of the fishermen near the beaches. Now people go there year after year for their summer holidays. When you visit Martha's Vineyard,_. A) you can see a lot of hills in the eastern parts B) you can enjoy the sunshine on the beach on the northern side C) you can live in the fishermen's old houses in the hills D) you can see different kinds of lighthouses and learn about the history
D
Q: NEW YORK-- Picking a Christmas tree takes most people a few minutes, or a couple of hours if they head for the woods. Dave Murbach needs 11 months. Almost every day of every year, Murbach's thoughts turn to vision of a perfectly shaped evergreen tree that will take everyone's breath away. Murbach is the man responsible for finding the towering tree that makes more attractive Manhattan's Rockefeller Center each Christmas season. "I'm always looking for a tree," the center's chief gardener says. "I look for it even when I go to the beach in the summer. It' s like a homework assignment hanging over your head." And if he gets it wrong, there's nothing hiding it. "Every day it's up, 400,000 people go by, and 2.5 million people watch the lighting celebration on television,"he says. This year's tree, a 74-foot Nomy spruce from Richfield, Ohio, flown to New York on the world's largest cargo plane, was lighted on December 2. The arrival of the tree leads in the Christmas season in New York -- a tradition dating back to 1931, when the workers building Rockefeller Center put up a small tree with ornaments . The search for the next year's tree starts soon after the old tree is chopped up for wood chips and horse-jumping logs. Murbach has three standards: The tree must be at least 65 feet high, at least 35 feet across and leaves dense enough not to see through. That's not as simple as it sounds. Though forests are full of evergreens, few get enough sunlight or space to fill out. And branches in snow regions often break under the weight, making trees unbalanced. Back at the office, he sorts through hundreds of letters from people offering their trees, many addressed simply to "Mr. Christmas Tree Man." Though there was occasional anxiety attack and sleepless night, Murbach knows the effect the tree has on people: "It's for bringing people together, attempting to bring together people you love. That's what I hope it sets off." But Murbach says he's always too worn out to celebrate Christmas. Why does Murbach take his job seriously? A) Because he wants everyone to be happy with his choice. B) Because he hopes to make everybody unable to breathe. C) Because he enjoys showing off. D) Because he wishes to attract people's attention to himself.
A: A
*Question*
It was my first day of high school, and I was late. My next class, Spanish, scared me. I just could not speak that language. As the bell rang, I ran to the classroom. At the door, a hand reached out and shook mine firmly. I looked up. A man with large glasses smiled. He introduced himself as Profe, which means teacher in Spanish. Right away, his warm smile and welcoming words eased my fears. That year, I enjoyed his classes a great deal because I learned more than just Spanish. I admit I only speak a little Spanish. But I try to live out the life lessons I learned from Profe. Every day Profe stood outside his classroom before and after class to give his "hand hug". After school his room was always filled with students and he would talk to and chat with them--even those not in his class. He taught me that every person is worth your time. One time, I was rejected by my friends, Profe told me, "Linda, life gives you ashes. But learning its lessons will turn those ashes to jewels." Therefore, I learned to look at my troubles differently and not to fear any difficulty. In my senior year, I became president of one of the school's clubs, so I was very busy. Many times I didn't even have time to buy lunch. He served me by giving me his food as well as advice. He lived out what he taught us to do: serve others. The author William Arther Ward wrote: "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." Thank you , Profe, for inspiring me. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? A) The writer was on time for his first day of high school. B) The writer didn't like Profe's class. C) The writer could speak Spanish fluently. D) The writer learned life truth from Profe's class.
**Answer**
D