question: Chapter 9 NEW YEAR'S CALLS

"Now I'm going to turn over a new leaf, as I promised. I wonder what I shall find on the next page?" said Rose, coming down on New Year's morning with a serious face and a thick letter in her hand.

"Tired of frivolity, my dear?" asked her uncle, pausing in his walk up and down the hall to glance at her with a quick, bright look she liked to bring into his eyes.

"No, sir, and that's the sad part of it, but I've made up my mind to stop while I can because I'm sure it is not good for me. I've had some very sober thoughts lately, for since my Phebe went away I've had no heart for gaiety, so it is a good place to stop and make a fresh start," answered Rose, taking his arm and walking on with him.

"An excellent time! Now, how are you going to fill the aching void?" he asked, well pleased.

"By trying to be as unselfish, brave, and good as she is." And Rose held the letter against her bosom with a tender touch, for Phebe's strength had inspired her with a desire to be as self-reliant. "I'm going to set about living in earnest, as she has; though I think it will be harder for me than for her, because she stands alone and has a career marked out for her. I'm nothing but a commonplace sort of girl, with no end of relations to be consulted every time I wink and a dreadful fortune hanging like a millstone round my neck to weigh me down if I try to fly. It is a hard case, Uncle, and I get low in my mind when I think about it," sighed Rose, oppressed with her blessings.
1. Who was carrying a letter?
2. Does she seem happy?
3. Why?
4. For whom?
5. Where is she?
6. To whom Rose is telling her worries?
7. Does she consider herself a common person?
8. What is her opinion about Phebe?
9. Who she think would be harder to handle this situation?
10. How she would like to be to handle this?
11. Is Phebe a career oriented person?
12. Can we assume that the reason for her leaving?
****
answer: 1. Rose
2. no
3. She'd had some sobering thoughts.
4. Phebe
5. away
6. her uncle
7. yes
8. she's inspired
9. it would be harder for her
10. by trying to be as unselfish, brave, and good as she is
11. yes
12. yes

question: (CNN) -- The list of those on the program for superstar pop singer Whitney Houston's funeral covers the spectrum of the entertainment world.

Actor Kevin Costner, who starred with Houston in the 1992 hit movie "The Bodyguard," will speak at the service on Saturday, according to a source with knowledge of the funeral plans.

Gospel singer Kim Burrell told CNN's Jason Carroll she will sing, "I Believe in You and Me," a selection made by the Houston family. The song was included in the soundtrack from "The Preacher's Wife," a 1996 film starring Houston.

The ceremony also will feature performances by Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin, who is Houston's godmother. Singer Roberta Flack will attend, but it was unclear whether she would perform.

Houston's ex-husband, Bobby Brown, has been officially invited to the funeral, according to Houston representative Kristen Foster.

Brown was openly emotional at a show in Mississippi on Saturday night following news of Houston's death, then pulled out of a performance in Nashville on Sunday night and flew to Los Angeles.

He will rejoin New Edition Thursday night for a performance in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, according to a New Edition publicist. Brown considers performing as therapy to get him through a difficult time, a source close to Brown said.

Foster said gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, actor-director Tyler Perry, producer Clive Davis, composer and music director Rickey Minor and Houston's cousin, Dionne Warwick, are among those on the program for the funeral.

Minor, who worked with Houston, told CNN that he will be involved with the funeral's music and that the New Jersey Mass Choir will perform.
1. Who were at the funeral?
2. Whose funeral?
3. Who was she?
4. Who will be one of the speakers?
5. Who is he?
6. How he is related to her?
7. In what movie?
8. When?
9. BTW, when is the service?
10. Who was her husband?
11. Is he invited?
12. Who confirmed that?
13. What Brown was doing in Mississippi?
14. What was his reaction at the news?
15. When did that happen?
16. What happened in Nashville?
17. On what day?
18. Where he ended up then?
19. Who is Donnie McClurkin?
20. Which choir will perform there?
****
answer: 1. pectrum of the entertainment world
2. Whitney
3. pop singer
4. Kevin Costner
5. Actor
6. who starred with Houston
7. The Bodyguard
8. 1992
9. unknown
10. Bobby Brown
11. yes
12. Kristen Foster
13. a show
14. openly emotional
15. Saturday nigh
16. ulled out of a performance
17. Sunday
18. Los Angeles
19. gospel singer
20. New Jersey Mass Choir

question: Liang Xiyan still misses her long black hair, which was cut two weeks ago. Liang became a senior high school student in September. In her new school, the rules say that boys' hairstyles must be cropped and girls' hair cannot fall below their shoulders. Liang's school is not alone: many have similar rules on hairstyles. Teachers think a cool hairstyle is a waste of time and money. It may also _ students from their studies. "Your personality is not shown in how you wear your hair but in your ability," say teachers. It's difficult for students to follow these rules. Teenage students like to look nice but they are asked to wear school uniforms. Liang says the only way in which they can be different lies in how they wear their hair. And they want to copy their favorite stars' hairstyles. They wouldn't be happy in a school with strict rules. "I prefer a school with rules on hairstyles," said Li Man, a Senior 1 student. She said her school's rules on hairstyles are OK but there could be some little changes. "For example, boys should be allowed to have their hair a little longer," Li said. "But students must not dye or curl their hair . This way there will not be so many complaints."
1. Who is the story about?
2. Who is Liang?
3. Are they a boy or a girl?
4. Do they like their school?
5. Why not?
6. What kind of rules?
7. What is the rule?
8. What is Liang's hair like?
9. Are they making her cut it?
10. How does she feel about that?
11. Why does the school have that rule?
12. Who says that?
13. Is her institution the only one that has these rules?
14. What does Liang think about it?
15. Can they wear whatever clothes they want?
16. What do they have to wear?
17. Do all the students agree with Liang?
18. Who disagrees?
19. Who is that?
20. What do they think?
****
answer:
1. Liang Xiyan
2. a senior high school student
3. girl
4. no
5. they have strict rules.
6. hairstyles.
7. boys' hairstyles cropped, girls' hair above their shoulders.
8. long and black
9. yes
10. she misses it
11. it is a waste of time and money
12. Teachers
13. no
14. she wouldn't be happy with strict rules
15. no
16. uniforms
17. no
18. Li Man
19. Senior 1 student.
20. boys should be allowed to have their hair longer," students must not dye or curlit