Pollution is anything that harms or disturbs the natural environment. Just as chemicals in a river or litter in the park are pollution, so unwanted noise can pollute too. Some people cause noise pollution by playing their radios too loud, but the main problems in many areas are aircraft and traffic noise. In science, a noise is a mixture of vibrations without any smooth, regular pattern, for example, the sound of an electric drill or a radio tuning from one station to another. Noise can be reduced by soundproofing. You have probably noticed the difference between the sound in a empty room and a furnished one. Some materials are very effective at _ sounds. They are often made up of fibres or foam, because these trap layers or bubbles of air. Sounds do not travel well through air. Most of the curtains, carpets and upholstery in your home are good sound absorbers and will stop sound travelling through windows, walls and floors. A lot of noise pollution can be avoided if a machine is designed properly. Modern cars contain different materials to reduce the amount of noise coming from the engine and other moving parts, as well as noise produced by the car as it moves through the air. Have a look around next time you are in a car. What soundproofing can you see? By replacing metal parts in cars and other machines with parts made of plastics and foams, there is now far less noise than there used to be. Which of the following can be used in modern cars to reduce noise from engines? A) Metals. B) Plastics. C) Radios. D) Chemicals.
B
(Question)
Some trees can survive a long time without water. Think of trees that grow in the desert. But other trees may need more moisture than they can get from rainfall or from the air . Trees and other plants can look thirsty. Leaves can become weak and hang downward. They can also turn yellow. Yellowing can be a sign of too much water. But it can also be a warning sign of too little water. With a newly planted tree, the roots have not yet spread out from the root ball. The root ball can become dry faster than the dirt around it. So put water on the area of the root ball and the surrounding soil until the roots become established. Once a tree is well established, water deeply instead of watering often. The amount of water needed depends on the tree and the soil. Clay soils hold water for longer periods while sandy soil holds less water. During the hottest season, a deep watering may satisfy a tree for anywhere from ten days to four weeks. Ted Swiecki is a plant scientist . He says people should not water established trees at the base of the trunk . This can harm the tree. Too much water in the soil at the base of a tree can lead to the growth of fungi . If the area is too wet, harmful organisms have a better chance to invade the tree and cause disease. Mr. Swiecki says this is true especially in Mediterranean and semi-dry climates. Many trees in these climates have adapted to having a dry area near their base during the hottest season. He said, "Water displaces (,)air in the soil. And roots are aerobic ; they require oxygen for the soil to function properly. So if you keep the soil completely wet and there's no air there, then the roots are starving for oxygen." Which of the following situations requires the most watering? A) Newly planted trees in sandy soil B) Newly planted trees in clay soil C) Well-established trees in clay soil D) Well-established trees in sandy soil
(Answer)
A
Ques: Some researchers claim that people's personalities can be classified by their blood types If you have blood type O, you are a leader. When you see something you want , you strive to achieve your goal. You are passionate, loyal, and self-confident, and you are often a trendsetter . Your enthusiasm for projects and goals spreads to others who happily follow you. When you want something ,you may be ruthless about getting it or blind to how your actions affect others . Aother blood type A, is a social , "people" person . You like people and work well with them . Y ou are sensitive , patient , compassionate , and affectionate .You are a good peacekeeper because you want everyone to be happy .In a team situation , you resolve conflicts and keep things on a smooth course . Sometimes type As are stubborn and find it difficult to relax. They may also find it uncomfortable to do things alone. People with type B blood are usually individualist who like to do things on their own . You may be creative and adaptable, and you usually say exactly what you mean . Also you can adapt to situations , you may choose to do so because of your strong independent streak. You may prefer working on your own to being part of a team . The final blood is type AB . If you have AB blood , you are a natural entertainer. You draw people to you because of your charm and easy-going nature .ABs are usually calm and controlled , tactful fair. On the downside ,though , they may take too long to make decisions. And they may procrastinate, putting off tasks until the last minute. People with type O will do the following things except _ A) manage businesses B) self-control C) be considerate D) set the fasion
Ans: C
I live in Hollywood. You may think people in such an attractive, fun-filled place are happier than others. If so, you have some mistaken ideas about the nature of happiness. Many intelligent people still equate happiness with fun. The truth is that fun and happiness have little or nothing in common. Fun is what we experience during an act. Happiness is what we experience after an act. It is a deeper, more long-lasting emotion. Going to an amusement park or ball game, watching a movie or television, are fun activities that help us relax, temporarily forget our problems and maybe even laugh. But they do not bring happiness, because their positive effects end when the fun ends. I have often thought that if Hollywood stars have a role to play, it is to teach us that happiness has nothing to do with fun. These rich, beautiful individuals have constant access to exciting parties, fancy cars, expensive homes, everything that spells "happiness". But in memoir after memoir, celebrities reveal the unhappiness hidden beneath all their fun: depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, broken marriages, troubled children, and long-time loneliness. The way people hold on to the belief that a fun-filled, pain-free life equates happiness actually decreases their chances of ever attaining real happiness. If fun and pleasure are equated with happiness, then pain must be equated with unhappiness. But, in fact, the opposite is true: More times than not, things that lead to happiness involve some pain. As a result, many people avoid the very efforts that are the source of true happiness. They fear the pain inevitably brought by such things as marriage, raising children, professional achievement, religious commitment, charitable work and self-improvement. It is difficult for people to find real happiness because _ . A) they believe happiness is the fun life without pain B) they find pain equals unhappiness C) they fear to lose what they already have in life D) They are afraid all their efforts were in vain
A