*Question*
A few years ago I asked my children's governess, Julia Vassilyevna, to come into my study. " Sit down, Julia Vassilyevna," I said."Let's settle our accounts. Although you most likely need some money, you stand on ceremony and won't ask for it yourself. Now then, we agree on thirty rubles a month..." " Forty." " No, thirty. I made a note of it. I always pay the governess thirty. Now then, you've been here two months, so..." " Two months and five days." " Exactly two months. I made a specific note of it. That means you have sixty rubles coming to you. Subtract nine Sundays... you know you didn't work with Kolya on Sundays, you only took walks. And three holidays..." Julia Vassilyevna flushed a deep red and picked at the flounce of her dress, but--- not a word. " Three holidays, therefore take off twelve rubles. Four days Kolya was sick and there were no lessons, as you were occupied only with Vanya. Three days you had a toothache and my wife gave you permission not to work after lunch. Twelve and seven---nineteen. Subtract...that leaves...hmm...forty-one rubles. Correct?" Julia Vassilyena's left eye reddened and filled with moisture. Her chin trembled; she coughed nervously and blew her nose, but---not a word. " Around New Year's you broke a teacup and saucer: take off two rubles. The cup cost more, it was an heirloom, but---let it go. When didn't I take a loss? Then, due to your neglect, Kolya climbed a tree and tore his jacket: take off ten. Also due to your heedlessness the maid stole Vanya's shoes. You ought to watch everything! You get paid for it. So, that means five more rubles off. The tenth of January I gave you ten rubles..." " You didn't " whispered Julia Vassilyevna. " But I made a note of it." " Well...all right." " Take twenty-seven from forty-one ---that leaves fourteen." Both eyes filled with tears. Perspiration appeared on the thin, pretty little nose. Poor girl! " Only once was I given any money," she said in a trembling voice, " and that was by your wife. Three rubles, nothing more." "... The employer made all those criticisms about Julia Vassiliyevna's work because _ A) she had neglected her duties. B) he wanted to pay her as little money as possible. C) he wanted to make her realize that she was being cheated and protest against it. D) he wanted to make her feel miserable.
**Answer**
C

*Question*
How Room Designs Affect Our Work and Feelings Architects have long had the feeling that the places we live in can affect our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. But now scientists are giving this feeling an empirical(,) basis. They are discovering how to design spaces that promote creativity, keep people focused and lead to relaxation. Researches show that aspects of the physical environment can influence creativity. In 2007, Joan Meyers-Levy at the University of Minnesota, reported that the height of a room's ceiling affects how people think. Her research indicates that higher ceilings encourage people to think more freely, which may lead them to make more abstract connections. Low ceilings, on the other hand, may inspire a more detailed outlook. In additions to ceiling height, the view afforded by a building may influence an occupant's ability to concentrate. Nancy Wells and her colleagues at Cornell University found in their study that kids who experienced the greatest increase in greenness as a result of a family move made the most gains on a standard test of attention. Using nature to improve focus of attention ought to pay off academically, and it seems to, according to a study led by C. Kenneth Tanner, head of the School Design & Planning Laboratory at the University of Georgia. Tanner and his team found that students in classrooms with unblocked views of at least 50 feet outside the window had higher scores on tests of vocabulary, language arts and maths than did students whose classrooms primarily overlooked roads and parking lots. Recent study on room lighting design suggests than dim light helps people to loosen up. If that is true generally, keeping the light low during dinner or at parties could increase relaxation. Researchers of Harvard Medical School also discovered that furniture with rounded edges could help visitors relax. So far scientists have focused mainly on public buildings. "We have a very limited number of studies, _ ," architect David Allison says. "How do you take answers to very... What does Joan Meyers-Levy focus on in her research? A) Light. B) Ceilings. C) Windows. D) Furniture.
**Answer**
B

*Question*
One day Mrs. Perry said to her husband, Jack, there is a meeting of our ladies' club at Mrs. Young's house at lunch time today. And I want to go to it. I'll leave you some food for your lunch. Is that all right?" "Oh, yes," her husband answered, "that's quite all right. What are you going to leave for my lunch?" "This tin of fish." Mrs. Perry said. "And there are some cold boiled potatoes and some beans here, too." "Good," Mr. Perry answered. "I'll have a good lunch." So Mrs. Perry went to her meeting. All the ladies had lunch at Mrs. Young's house , and at three o'clock she came home. "Was your fish nice?" asked she. "Yes, but my feet are hurting," he answered. "Why are they hurting?" "Well, the words on the tin were Open the tin and stand in hot water for five minutes." Jack had his feet hurt _ . A) when he was opening the tin B) when he was helping himself to the fish C) before he opened the tin D) after he opened the tin
**Answer**
D

*Question*
"Write All About It" Centerville High School Essay Contest Rules 1. Students are asked to submit essays of 500 to 700 words of their own work. Any essay containing material plagiarized from another source will be disqualified. 2. Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced, with the student's name, address, and grade level on a separate sheet of paper. 3. Essays must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. on November 30. They can be brought to Mrs. Elton in Room 104 or to Mr. Markham in the school library. Essay-Writing Tips 1. Catch your readers' interest-Your opening should immediately pull your readers into your essay. Asking a question or starting with an anecdote, quotation, or surprising statement are some good ways to do this. 2. Create a picture-Use active words that show your readers what is happening. Instead of telling your readers vaguely that "the room was disordered," paint a picture using active verbs and lively adjectives. 3. Have a purpose-Well-written essays do more than just describe an incident or express a viewpoint, they also communicate a message. 4.Check for mistakes-Read your paper over to check for mistakes. Ask another student to read your paper and make suggestions. Another pair of eyes will often spot a mistake you've overlooked. 5. Format your essay-Neatly type your essay on white paper. Choose an attractive cover for submission. The computer lab will be open after school from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. each day this month so that students can use the computers. Prizes Winning essays will be published in the Centerville Times. Everyone who takes part in it will also receive a free pass to enter one school activity this year. First Prize: $ 50 savings bond Second Prize: Dictionary and reference book Third Prize: Pen set and journal Which of the following writing tips is given in the passage? A) Drawing a picture to go with the essay. B) Trying to communicate an important idea to readers. C) Asking a teacher to find the mistakes you haven't found. D) Making the essay short enough to hold the readers' interest.
**Answer**
B