You either have it, or you don't-- a sense of direction, that is. But why is it that some people could find their way across the Sahara without a map, while others can lose themselves in the next street? Scientists say we're all born with a sense of direction, but it is not properly understood how it works. One theory is that people with a good sense of direction have simply worked harder at developing it. Research being carried out at Liverpool University supports this idea and suggests that if we don't use it, we'll lose it. "Children as young as seven have the ability to find their way around," says Jim Martland, Research director of the project. "However, if they are not allowed out alone or are taken everywhere by car, they never develop the skills." Jim Martland also emphasizes that young people should be taught certain skills to improve their sense of direction. He makes the following suggestions: If you are using a map, turn it so it relates to the way you are facing. If you leave your bike in a strange place, put it near something like a big stone or a tree--something easy to recognize. Note landmarks on the route as you go away from your bike. When you return, go back along the same route. Simplify the way for finding your direction by using lines such as streets in a town, streams, or walls in the countryside to guide you. Count your steps so that you know how far you have gone and note any landmarks such as tower blocks or hills which can help to find out where you are. Now you will never get lost again! Scientists believe that _ . A) some babies are born with a sense of direction B) people learn a sense of direction as they grow older C) people never lose their sense of direction D) everybody has a sense of direction from birth
D
The new iPhone 3G should please everyone . Its look and feel are only slightly improved, but a faster network loads Web pages more quickly , true GPS functionality allows it to easily find places nearby , and the new $199 price(down from $400) makes it an affordable luxury. Before deciding whether to buy, however , make sure you can actually take advantage of the iPhone 3G's high-speed data network. 3G stands for third-generation , which in non-geek speak translates to Web pages and mail messages that, ideally, load about three times faster than on the original iPhone. Even better, 3G coverage enables you to make a phone call and surf the Web at the same time . That's great, if you live or work in a place where the 3G network of AT&T (the sole wireless carrier of the iPhone) is active. That's not so great in cities like New York where AT&T's cellular coverage is awful. As one of my colleagues in New York City, who bought the original iPhone , commented , "It's just a toy . You can't make phone calls on it, so I carry my Verizon phone with me all the time." The real fun begins when you tap on the icon called "Apple Store" and start browsing the hundreds of add-on applications that have been developed just for the iPhone. You will find tons of games (I like JirboBreak , a free game inspired by the Atari classic Breakout ) and mobile version of popular websites like Pandora , Facebook , MySpace and the New York Times . Most apps will cost you , but the vast majority are $9.99 or less. The apps work on the old iPhone too, but you'll enjoy them a lot more on the iPhone 3G because many of the programs , including Yelp(local business reviews ), Whrrl (mobile social networking) and UrbanSpoon(restaurant reviews), use you exact location --- provided by the iPhone 3G's GPS chip --- to make recommendations. The apps also load much faster over the 3G network. . Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage ? A) App Store will offer you great fun . B) Many apps have been developed for the iPhone. C) Most apps are very expensive. D) Pandora , Facebook, MySpace and the New York Times are popular websites.
C
Q: It is not unusual at all for teens to answer their parents with oneword answers."Where are you going?""Places.""When will you be back?""Sometime.""Who will you be with?""People." That means that the days of your children standing in the front door with the details of their day are over.They are breaking away from you so that they'll be able to stand on their own as a young adult. Some parents feel sad about this loss of their children's closeness.Of course you miss those conversations and friendly talks.Once your children move out after high school and establish themselves confidently as a young adult,they'll come back for easy conversations and even ask for advice.But in order to determine who are right now,they need to separate from you. Your job,however,is to keep them safe--and that requires knowing where they are and who they are with.Let them know clearly that it's not because you want to dominate their life and control them;it's because it's a safety issue for family members to keep track of one another. When they're home and sit down to eat a meal,sit down with them.You need to open up to them about your life.Tell them of an interesting incident at the office,let them in on a bit of family gossip ,discuss a piece of news with them.They are glad that you see them as old enough to be in on a few experiences of your life.By letting a teen in on your life,they just may let you in on theirs. It can be inferred from the passage that _ . A) the generation gap is becoming wider and wider B) teens quarrel a lot with their parents C) teens don't want to live with other family members D) some parents feel distant from their teenage children
A: A
(Question)
Santa Claus is someone who will remain in the hearts of children forever. Santa C1aus also has some other names: Saint Nicholas, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, Pelznickel. Two of his names-Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas-both come from the Dutch who settled in New York long ago. The Dutch honored this kindly saint with a yearly festival on December sixth. The Dutch spoke the name "Saint Nikolas" very fast. It sounded like "sinterklaas". And so, when the English said this word, it sounded like "Santa Claus". West of New York, in Pennsylvania, many German farmers had also heard of Saint Nikolas. But they cal1ed him "Pelznickel". This word came from "pelz", meaning fur, and "nickel" for Nicholas. So, to the Germans of Pennsylvania,"Pelznickel" was a man dressed in fur who came once a year with gifts for good children. Soon, people began to feel that the 1ove and kindness Pelznickel brought should be part of a celebration honoring the "Christkindl", as the Germans ca1led the Christ child. After a time, this became Kris Kringle. Later, Kris Kringle became another name for Santa Claus himself. Whatever he is called, he is still the same short, fat, jolly old man with a long beard, wearing a red suit with white fur. The picture of Santa Claus as we see him came from Thomas Nast. He was an American painter born in Bavaria. Someone asked him to paint a picture of Santa Claus. Nast remembered when he was a little boy in southern Germany Every Christmas, a fat old man gave toys and cakes to the children. So, when Nast painted the picture, his Santa Claus looked like the kindly old man of his childhood. And through the years, Nast's painting has remained as the most popular picture of Santa Claus. Santa can be seen almost everywhere. It is easy to find them by the long lines of children waiting to tell Santa what they want for Christmas. What can we learn from the text? A) The Dutch used to honor Santa on December 25th. B) "Santa Claus" was a misunderstanding of another term. C) It was the Dutch who created Santa Claus. D) Children line up to take photos with Santa Claus.
(Answer)
B