Read the article and select the best answer. Article: The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family members would come to stay with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to keep away from the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began. The following are some countries' birthday traditions: Canada---Putting butter on the nose. In Atlantic Canada, the birthday child's nose is put butter on for good luck. China---Noodles for lunch. The birthday child pays respect to his / her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life. England---Money cakes. Certain symbolic objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it is being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it, you will be rich. Ireland---Birthday bump . The birthday child is lifted upside down and " bumped" on the floor for good luck. Italy---Pulling ears. The child's ears are pulled as many times as how old he / she is turning. Japan---New clothes. The birthday child wears new clothes to mark the occasion. New Zealand---Birthday claps. After the candles are hit, the happy birthday song is sung loudly and often out of tune and then the birthday person receives a clap for each year he / she has been alive and then one for good luck. The United States---Cake, candles and the birthday song. A cake is made, and candles are put on top based on how old the person is. Question: The birthday traditions of New Zealand and the United States share all the following in common EXCEPT _ . Options: A: birthday cake B: birthday candles C: birthday claps D: birthday song
C

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: LOS ANGELES--The advice offered from any other 82-year-olds might have made young people yawn and roll their eyes. But when former South African President Nelson Mandela advised two dozenprefix = st1 /Los Angelesto take education seriously, his audience was listening. The famed old man said to the young people that if they expected to improve the lives of others in the future, they must work at improving their own lives now. "Education is one of the most important weapons you have," Mandela advised, "it will place you in a far better position to serve yourself and your community." "The point is, he was young once and rebellious once and he kept his dream alive, just as you each have dreams." ExplainedSouth Africa's ambassador to theUnited States, Sheita Sisulu, as she introduced Mandela to the young crowd. Asked for specific advice about changing society by 21-year-old Ahmed Younis, Mandela suggested that somehow helping arouse more American interest in foreign affairs might be a start. "There is an impression that Americans, in general, have not followed international developments properly," Mandela said, "I'm not making that statement myself, but there are serious political analysts who say Americans are not well informed as to what has happened in the world." 22-year-old Omari Trice said Mandela left him full of passion. "He's a person who set the tone for an entire nation." said Trice. "You go away feeling you need to be Superman in order to get things done." Trice said. Question: What Sheila Sisulu said suggested that _ . Options: A: Nelson Mandela never lost hope in his life B: was especially troublesome when young C: Nelson Mandela was quite different from American youth when young D: American youth should be no more rebellious
A

Q: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: New research suggests that speaking more than one language may delay different kinds of dementia , that is the loss of mental ability. In fact, researchers say, speaking two languages appears to be more important than the level of education in defending against dementias. A study in India examined the effect of knowing more than one language in delaying the first signs of several dementias. Researchers studied nearly 650 people whose average age was 66. 240 of those studied suffered from Alzheimer's, the most common form of mental decline . 391 of the _ spoke two or more languages. Researchers found the dementias began about four-and-a-half years later in those who spoke two languages compared to those who spoke only one language. The level of education had no effect on the age at the first sign of dementia. Thomas Bak, from the Center of Cognitive Aging at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, who helped to organize the study, suggests that individuals who speak more than one language train their brains by moving back and forth between different words and expressions. He also believes this effort improves what scientists called executive functioning, which often weakens in people with dementias. He states that researchers found there was no extra gain in speaking more than two languages. Mr Bak says it does not appear important whether you learn another language at a young age or later in life. It's not something that "you missed the boat when you do not do it as a baby." It is something that is still quite useful and powerful when you do it as an adult. Question: The finding of the study is that _ . Options: A: learning more than one language can cure dementias B: speaking two languages may delay kinds of dementias C: the level of education matters in defending against dementias D: people who suffer from dementias will lose mental ability
A: B

(Q).
Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Register in person, by phone 264-8833, or by mail. Use form given. 178 IN Winchester St, Chicago Basic Photography This is an eight-hour course for beginners who want to learn how to use a 35mm camera. The teacher will cover such areas as kinds of film, light, and lenses . Bring your own 35mm camera to class. Course charge: $50. Jan.10,12,17,19, Tues. & Thurs. 6:00~8:00 p.m. Marianne Adams is a professional photographer whose photographs appear in many magazines. Understanding Computers This twelve-hour course is for people who don't know very much about computers, but need to learn about them. You will learn what computers are, what they can and can't do, and how to use them. Course charge:$75. Equipment charge:$10. Jan.14,21,28, Sat. 6:00~10:00 p.m. Joseph Saimders is Professor of Computer Science at New Urban University. He has over twelve years of experience in the computer field. Typing This course on week-days is for typing. You are tested in the first class and practice at one of eight different skill levels. This allows you to learn at your own speed. Each program lasts 20 hours. Bring your own paper. Course charge:$125. Materials charge:$25. Two hours each evening for two weeks. New classes begin every two weeks. This course is taught by a number of business education teachers who have effectively taught typing courses before. Oil Painting Oil paint is easy to use once you learn the basics. When you enroll in this oil painting course, you will learn to draw and paint using many oil painting techniques under complete guidance and instruction. Together--with the teacher's knowledge and your passion--we'll unlock your creativity and develop your potential! Course charge: $35. Jan. 5,12,19,26, Thurs. 2:00---5:00pm. Ralf Ericssion has taught beginners to masters and he has learned that everything builds on just a few basic concepts that he will show you here. Question: Of all the courses mentioned in the text, the shortest one is _ . Options: A: Understanding Computers B: Basic Photography C: Oil Painting D: Typing
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B