A murder will occur this weekend in the peaceful seaside town of Langley, Washington. In fact, a murder has occurred there every February for the past 25 years. But don't panic! It's all part of the town's yearly Mystery Weekend. What began as a local event in 1984 now attracts visitors from over the U.S. and even abroad. Would-be detectives arrive and check in at the visitor center on Saturday. There, they receive a packet, including a newspaper with details about the crime and information telling where to find clues . Participants then travel to various shops, restaurants and other downtown locations, picking up clues as they go. Along the way, they encounter and interview suspects played by local townspeople. Most Langley residents participate in some way in the Mystery Weekend, a true community event. Amateur detectives have until Sunday at 4:00 p.m. to solve the crime and turn in their guesses. Then as everyone gathers, the murderer is found and arrested, and prizes are awarded for correct answers. It's the perfect ending for a murder mystery and enormous fun for those who get to play detective. For visitors, Mystery Weekend is not only fun but also a great introduction to the charms of Langley. It's a very attractive community with historic buildings, exciting ocean views and above all, friendly people. Since Langley is on an island, a fun way to get there is by taking a car ferry to the nearby town of Clinton and then driving the rest of the way. Langley has a delightful selection of inns with bed and breakfasts that are open all year round. And activities in Langley aren't limited to Mystery Weekend. There is also great hiking, biking, golfing and diving to enjoy. And for a special adventure, visitors can book on one of the whale - watching ships that leave nearby harbors each day. According to the passage, visitors in Langley can _ . A) book B& B inns open throughout the year to their own taste B) take a ferry to Clinton for a special adventure C) enjoy a wide variety of recreation like dancing and singing D) feel secure to watch whales performing
A
When 47yearold volunteer Susan Boyle stepped onto the stage of Britain's Got Talent and announced she was unemployed, had never been married and "never been kissed, actually", few in the audience would have wondered why. This Ms Boyle, looking unfashionable, from a village in Scotland, shocked the three judges and the audience with the song I dreamed a dream on a show of Britain's Got Talent. She couldn't hide the awkwardness when walking to the center of the stage in a house dress, and everyone -- including the judges -- seemed laughing at her when she said she wanted to be as successful as Elaine Paige. As soon as she began singing, however, everyone in the hall fell silent, then rose within seconds to admire her wonderful voice as the celebrity judges sat openmouthed, and remained standing to the end. After her performance, one of the judges Piers Morgan said,"Without doubt that was the biggest surprise I've had in three years of this show. When you stood there everyone was laughing at you. No one is laughing now. That was amazing." Actress Amanda Holden followed,"I'm so thrilled because I know that we everybody were against you. I honestly think that we were all being very cynical and I think that's the biggest wakeup call ever." Susan obviously won over the hearts of millions around the world with success spreading across the Atlantic. Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher, who has nearly 1.5 million followers, speaks highly of her. Kutcher posted a link to the video clip . The Scottish talent made her live American show via satellite connection on CBS's The Early Show, doing an interview and singing live from her room. And she already accepted an invitation from talk show hostess Oprah Winfrey. Now Boyle has become one of the world's hottest celebrities. The video clip of her performance has been viewed more than 50 million times on Youtube, becoming a hit on the Internet. At the beginning of the show, almost everybody _ . A) looked forward to her wonderful performance B) was attracted by her beautiful dress C) looked down upon her D) placed great hope on her
C
Q: In China most people these days know what it means to have an "English teacher", since almost all pupils study English from their third year. In primary school the first English teacher will usually be a young and lovely lady. But my first English teacher is _ . Looking back, I can see that, when I was only a little girl, he created an English environment by providing me with flashcards ,fun English- language toys and even dolls which can sing English songs! My interest in English had certainly been awakened when I began to learn English at school. Just imagine, he went a step further and asked me to learn New Concept English by myself! I was confused and even angry. I could not understand why a father could be so strict with his little girl. All the same, he never gave up and he gently insisted that I follow through with his idea. At first, I read stories with tears and I actually hated them because they were too difficult for me. In the end, I came to love the funny stories and, to be honest, my father was always there with a helping hand. I am sure that my English would never have got so far without his support. And that's why my father is not only my first English teacher but also my lifelong teacher. He is the one who aroused my interest, gave me confidence and offered me much needed help. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? A) The girl's father is her first English teacher. B) The girl had been interested in English before going to school. C) The girl's father was always ready to help her with her English. D) The girl could have learned English well by herself without her father.
A: D
Steve Jobs made technology fun.The co-founder of Apple died last Wednesday at the age of fifty-six He had fought for years against cancer.Mourners gathered outside his house in Palo Alto, California, and Apple stores around the world. Tim Bajarin, president of a high-tech research and consulting company, said "If you actually look at a tech leader, they're really happy if they have one hit in their life.Steve Jobs has the Apple II, the Mac, the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad and Pixar." Steve Jobs was a college dropout.He was adopted by a machinist and his wife, an accountant.They supported his early interest in electronics. He and his friend Steve Wozniak started Apple Computer--now just called Apple--in nineteen seventy-six.They stayed at the company until nineteen eighty-five.That year, Steve Wozniak returned to college and Steve Jobs left in a dispute with the chief executive. Mr.Jobs then formed his own company, called NeXT Computer.He rejoined Apple in nineteen ninety-seven after it bought NeXT.He helped remake Apple from a business that was in bad shape then to one of the most valuable companies in the world today. Steve Wozniak, speaking on CNN, remembered his longtime friend as a "great visionary and leader'' and a "marketing genius ". President Obama said in a statement: "By building one of the planet's most successful companies from his garage, _ .By making computers personal and putting the Internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun." David Carroll is a professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City.He says Steve Jobs not only revolutionized technology, he also revolutionized American business. "The fact that he was able to redesign American commerce top to bottom and across is really stunning .He probably will be considered an industrial giant on the scale of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, so one of the great[s] of all time." David Carroll said. Steve Jobs stepped down as Apple's chief executive in August because of his health.He... Which of the following is true according to the text? A) Jobs's parents discouraged him from working on electronics B) Jobs stayed in Apple as chief executive for about 24 years. C) Jobs started his career in his family garage. D) Run unsuccessfully, Apple was sold to NeXT Computer.
C