Read the article and select the best answer. Article: It was midnight in Paris and we were rolling toward Avenue Bosguet. As we came to the Pont Alexandra III, the taxi slowed down, for the traffic light was red against us, and then, without stopping, we sailed through the red in a sudden burst of speed. The same performance was repeated at the Alma Bridge. As I paid the driver, I asked him why he had driven through two red lights. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, breaking the law and endangering your life that way." I protested. He looked at me, astonished, "Ashamed of myself? I am a law abiding citizen and have no desire to get killed either." He cut me off before I could protest. "No, just listen to me before you complain. What did I do? Went through a red light. Well, did you ever stop to consider what a red light is? What it means?" "Certainly,"I replied. "It's a stop signal and means the traffic is rolling in the opposite direction." "Half-right,"said the driver, "But incomplete. It's only an automatic stop signal. And it does not mean that there is cross traffic. Did you see any cross traffic during our trip? Of course not. I slowed down at the light, looked carefully to the right and to the left. Not another car on the street at this hour. Well, then! What would you have me do? Should I stop like a stupid animal because an automatic, brainless machine turns red every forty seconds? No, sir,"he shouted, "I am a man, not a machine. I have eyes and a brain and judgment, given me by God. Ashamed of myself, you say? I would only be ashamed of myself if I let those blinking lamps do my thinking for me. Good night,sir." Question: At the Alma Bridge, _ . Options: A: the writer stopped the taxi and aid the driver B: the taxi went through a red light again C: there was a performance the writer had already watched D: the writer began to criticize the driver
B

(Question)
Read the article and select the best answer. Article: The year 2009 is the Year of Ox. The ox is a representative of the fanning culture of China. In the farming economy , oxen are the major animals pulling plows . Of course, the good of oxen is not limited to plowing. In fact, they are seen as "boats on land" for their ability to carry loads. Besides, the whole body of an ox is full of treasures. Their meat and milk are food full of nutrition, and their skin can be used to make clothes and shoes. With all these qualities, oxen are regarded as generous creatures. In the past, oxen played an important role in the spiritual life of the Chinese. Even today, oxen still play a special part in some folk activities. For example, some people who1ire in southwest China will cook cattle bone soup and share it among family members when holding the ceremony for children who reach 13. They believe that the cattle bone soup represents the blood relationship among family members. In order to express their love for oxen, people in some other areas will run to shake off diseases on the 16th day of the first month by the lunar calendar , and during their run they will take their oxen along, which indicates they regard the creature as human. Because of the contribution of oxen in their lives, the Chinese people are very grateful to the animal. In addition, the use of oxen in ceremonies and the thanks people owe to oxen help to develop various traditional customs, which becomes an important part of the folk culture of the Chinese nation. Question: Why does the author write the text? Options: A: To stress the importance of oxen in farming. B: To introduce the Chinese folk culture. C: To describe how to celebrate the Year of Ox. D: To explain how to develop agriculture with oxen.
(Answer)
B

Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Friedrich Dobl, a Yugoslav working in Germany, was fed up with traffic jams. At long weekends and holiday times when he wanted to get him quickly he always found himself behind hundreds of other cars moving slowly along the notorious foreign workers' route through Germany and Austria. How easy it all was for police and emergency services. A siren, a flashing light? And like magic everyone was out the way. Going home from work one night he passed a garage. And there in front of him was the answer to his problems. An old ambulance was for sale. The red cross had been removed. But not the flashing light, and the siren. He tried the light. It flashed magnificently. He tried the siren. That too sounded impressive. He bought the ambulance and opened up for himself a dream world of motoring. It began early in the morning, all his luggage in the back of the ambulance and motorway in Germany looking reasonably clear. Soon, as always, a long line of traffic appeared ahead. He switched on the flashing light and set off the siren. Cars swiftly slowed and pulled off the fast lane. Other cars stopped and drivers waved him ahead to an open road all his own. In record time he crossed the border into Austria. The big bluff was working. Police even waved him through the confusion caused by an accident. But then the Yugoslav made his big mistake. Until then he had only stopped for petrol. Now he was driving past a real accident, lights flashing , to late realize that it was not another traffic jam as he assumed. They stopped him, and after hearing the story of his ride across two countries fined him 12. 5 pounds. Question: Why did he decide to buy the ambulance? Options: A: because he had always wanted one B: because he wanted to resell it at a higher price C: because he liked the siren and the flashing light D: because he knew that other traffic would get clear of the way for an ambulance.
Ans: D

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Neddine Parker is up by 7 in the morning. After her morning exercises and some housework, she drives to the local hospital, where she volunteers once a week. What makes Parker's routine so extraordinary is that she is 104 years old. "I don't know why I'm still here," she said. Dr. Thomas Perls of the Boston University Medical Center is trying to figure that out. As the director of the New England Centenarian Study, he studies there "super humans", those age 100 years and older. "It's like winning the lottery", he said. "You've got to choose the right numbers and the right combination." Researchers believe about 30 percent of aging is genetic. For those who get to extremely old ages, family history may play an even more important role. Reuben Landau's mother lived to 100, and three of his brothers and sisters into their 90s. Landau is nearly 102, and he still practices law a few hours every day. Both Landau and Parker are remarkably healthy. They take few medications and have no major illness. Perls has found that many centenarians lack a type of gene -- E4 -- that is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. One study found the gene is in 29 percent of young men, but only 15 percent of centenarians. Perls also believes they may have a "protective gene", one that helps them survive what might kill others. Parker, for example, smoked until she was 100 and had a stroke at 89. However, living into your 100s isn't just genetics. Aging successfully has much to do with environment and behavior. Landau watches what he eats and exercises his body and mind every day. He's convinced it's why he's still in good health. "People still have to do the right things to get to very old age," said Perls. So it's not just the cards you're dealt, but how you play the hand. Question: Why are Landau and Parker remarkably healthy according to the research? Options: A: Because they are remarkably active in mind. B: Because they lack a gene linked to illness. C: Because they are fond of social work. D: Because they enjoy sports and housework.
B