When Joan gave birth to the first boy in her family in three generations, she and her husband were overjoyed. So were her parents. Joan expected her elder sister, Sally, to be just as delighted as them. Joan had always admired Sally--the beauty and the star of the family--and felt happy about her achievements.

But since the baby's arrival, the sisters have become distant. Joan feels hurt for Sally seems completely uninterested in her baby. Sally, who has no children, claims that her younger sister "acts as if no one ever had a baby before."

Neither Sally nor Joan understands that the real cause of the current coldness is that their family roles have suddenly changed to the opposite. Finally Joan seems to be better than her elder sister--and Sally doesn't like it! Their distance may be temporary, but it shows that childhood competition don't fade easily as ages grow. It can remain powerful in relationships throughout life.

In a study of the University of Cincinnati, 65 men and women between ages 25 and 93 were asked how they felt about their brothers and sisters. Nearly 75 percent admitted having hidden competitive feelings. In a few cases, these emotions were so strong as to have affected their entire lives.

Many adult brothers and sisters are close, supportive--yet still tend to compete. Two brothers I know turn into killers when on opposite sides of a tennis net. Off the court, they are the best of friends. My own younger sister can't wait to tell me when I've put on weight. However, she's a terrible cook and that pleases me; I tease her when she comes to dinner. Happily, despite these small failings, we have been an important resource for each other.

In between the very competitive and the generally supportive children lie those who say that no friendship should survive. _ . Why do these puzzling, unproductive, often painful relationships continue to exist? What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. who gave birth?
2. what happens to two brothers who are playing?
3. who is Joan's sister?
4. who is older?
5. how many people were questioned about siblings?
6. what age was the youngest?
7. oldest?
8. did Sally feel happy?
9. What did sally say?
10. does competition fade?
11. how many of those asked felt competitive?
12. What did someone say about her sister's cooking?
13. how are the brothers when not playing?
14. is the distance between sally and her sister permanent?
15. which sister does not have children?
16. did they have other boys in the family?
Answer: 1. Joan
2. unknown
3. Sally
4. Sally
5. 65
6. 25
7. 93
8. Yes
9. her younger sister "acts as if no one ever had a baby before
10. No
11. 75 percent
12. she's a terrible cook
13. they are the best of friends
14. No
15. Sally
16. No

Problem: CHAPTER XXIII.

PATSY ADOPTS AN UNCLE.

Uncle John and Mr. Watson did not appear at dinner, being closeted in the former's room. This meal, however, was no longer a state function, being served by the old servants as a mere matter of routine. Indeed, the arrangements of the household had been considerably changed by the death of its mistress, and without any real head to direct them the servants were patiently awaiting the advent of a new master or mistress. It did not seem clear to them yet whether Miss Patricia or Lawyer Watson was to take charge of Elmhurst: but there were few tears shed for Jane Merrick, and the new regime could not fail to be an improvement over the last.

At dinner the young folks chatted together in a friendly and eager manner concerning the events of the day. They knew of old James' unfortunate end, but being unaware of its import gave it but passing attention. The main subject of conversation was Aunt Jane's surprising act in annulling her last will and forcing Patricia to accept the inheritance when she did not want it. Kenneth, being at his ease when alone with the three cousins, protested that it would not be right for Patsy to give him all the estate. But, as she was so generous, he would accept enough of his Uncle Tom's money to educate him as an artist and provide for himself an humble home. Louise and Beth, having at last full knowledge of their cousin's desire to increase their bequests, were openly very grateful for her good will; although secretly they could not fail to resent Patsy's choice of the boy as the proper heir of his uncle's fortune. The balance of power seemed to be in Patricia's hands, however; so it would be folly at this juncture to offend her.
1. Who is Patsy going to adopt?
2. What's the name of one of the people who missed supper?
3. What's the name of the other?
4. Where were they both holed up?
5. What chapter is this?
6. Who would it be folly to offend?
7. Did someone resent Patsy's choice of an heir?
8. More than one person?
9. Who was one of them?
10. And the other?
11. Did Kenneth want all of the fortune?
12. Was he open around his cousins?
13. How many did he have?
14. What did he want to use Uncle Tom's money to learn?
15. Did he want to live in a fancy mansion?
16. What type of home did he want?
17. Who's hands did all the power seem to be in?
18. Did anyone really care that Jane had died?
19. Did the young people have an amicable conversation while they ate?
20. What did they talk about from the day?
Answer: 1. the boy
2. Uncle John
3. Mr. Watson
4. John's room
5. XXIII
6. Patricia
7. yes
8. yes
9. Louise
10. Beth
11. no
12. yes
13. three
14. artistry
15. no
16. humble
17. Patricia's hands
18. no
19. yes
20. the events

question: (CNN) -- An 11-mile stretch of the Mississippi River near Greenville, Mississippi, was closed Monday to most vessel traffic because of low water levels, idling nearly a hundred boats and barges in the stream, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

"We are allowing a limited number of vessels based on size" to attempt to pass, said New Orleans-based Coast Guard spokesman Ryan Tippets, adding that the closure was affecting 97 vessels Monday afternoon and was halting both northbound and southbound traffic.

Salt creeping up the Mississippi River

This same area near Greenville, which sees about 50 vessels pass on an average day, has been closed "intermittently" since August 12, when a vessel ran aground, said Tippets.

The Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers have continued surveying the area and deemed it "dangerous for vessels to travel through," he said. The Army Corps of Engineers also has being dredging in the area to deepen the channel and help navigation.

Complete coverage of the drought

A historic drought and excessive heat have reduced water levels and scorched wide sections of the U.S. Midwest. Flooding last year may have worsened the situation on the Mississippi by leaving deposits of silt and debris in areas that would normally be clear.

Tippiets said he was unsure when the river would reopen or, once that happens, how long it would take to undo the gridlock.

Interactive map: Watch drought overtake U.S.

Are you affected by the drought? Let us know on CNN iReport.

1. What is going on near Greenville, Mississippi?
2. What are the consequences of the drought?
3. Where?
4. What body of water?
5. Who is responsible for closing the area?
6. What are they doing about it?
7. How many vessels are affected?
8. Who is Ryan Tippets?
9. What did he say?
10. Did a drought happen last year?
11. How did floods contribute to the problem?
****
answer:
1. A historic drought
2. vessel traffic is closte to hundred boats and barges
3. near Greenville, Mississippi
4. the Mississippi River
5. The Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers
6. allowing a limited number of vessels based on size" to attempt to pass and dredging in the area to deepen the channel
7. hundreds it depends on the time and day
8. A New Orleans-based Coast Guard spokesman
9. he was unsure when the river would reopen or, once that happens, how long it would take to undo the gridlock.
10. yes
11. leaving deposits of silt and debris in areas that would normally be clear.