It's 5:00 in the morning when the alarm rings in my ears. I roll out of bed and walk blindly through the dark into the bathroom. I turn on the light and put on my glasses. The house is still as I walk downstairs while my husband and three kids sleep peacefully. Usually I go for a long run, but today I choose my favorite exercise DVD, Insanity. Sweat pours down my face and into my eyes. My heart races as I face my body to finish each movement. As I near the end of the exercise ,I feel extremely tired, but a smile is of my face. It's a smile because the DVD is over , but a smile of success from pushing my body to its extreme limit. Some people enjoy shopping, smoking , food, work, or even chocolate. But I need exercise to get through each day. Some shake heads when they see me run through the town. Others get hurt when I refuse to try just one bite of their grandmother's chocolate cake. They raise their eyebrows, surprised by my "no thank you," or by my choice to have a salad. Over the years , I have learned it's okay to just say "no." I shouldn't feel sorry for refusing food that I don't want to eat. So what drives me to roll out of bed at 5:00 a.m.? What gives me the reason to just say no to ice cream? _ t. A commitment to change my life with a way that reduces daily anxiety, increases self -confidence and energy, extends life and above all improves my body shape. This is the point where a smile appears on my face as I look at myself in the mirror or try on my favorite pair of jeans that now fit just right. It's through commitment and sweat that I can make a difference within myself inside and out. What can we learn about the author from the text? A) She acts in a strange way B) She wants to look different from others C) She aims to develop a good body shape D) She has difficult getting along with others
C
Samantha, or Sam, as her husband, John, called her, had left the doctor's house looking perfect, satisfied with her appearance. The year was 1862. It seemed that the war with the North would never come to an end. Sam's father had left as soon as possible, swearing that he'd fight for Virginia, for their land, for their new government, for God, for the South. At last, Samantha reached the house that she and John owned. It was a cold, rainy night, and she was glad to be home. She stepped into the sitting room. John rested in an armchair, reading a book. He glanced at her, put the book down, and stood, reaching his arms out for her. They kissed briefly. He put a hand to her now slightly round belly and asked, "What did the doctor say?" "He said the baby was fine and that I seemed healthy. Do you have any news?" "Surprisingly, yes." John hesitated for a moment, as if deciding how he would phrase what he was about to say, and then unwillingly continued, "I've been demanded to join the army." Sam screamed, "What?" She was near tears. "But-but we're just starting out." Her voice shook. "I thought that after two years of begging my mother to let the two of us get married that our life would finally be happy. Isn't there any way you can get out of this?" John answered, "I'm afraid not." "Please. Please, John, if you love me, please get out of this. Break a leg, fake an illness, do something." She began to sob. John comforted her, resting her head on his shoulder. "Sam." "What?" "Name the child after me; name it John or Joanna. I'll come back as soon as I can. I promise." Sam smiled into his collar bone, knowing that John lived by his word. He never broke a promise. She pressed her hand to her belly, and, unknown to her, the baby was a girl. And unknown to both of them, the promise that John had just made would be the only promise he would ever break. Which is the best title for the passage? A) The Civil War B) The Broken Promise C) A Family's Struggle D) A Love of Deep Ocean
B
*Question*
Columbus College , 241 Queen Elizabeth Drive ,Kowloon City Memo To: All Staff From: Jakie Mok, Secretary; Sports Development Committee Date: May 20, 2010 A week ago, "Sports for Life" programme was sent to the parents, requiring them to select a sport they wanted their child to play. Since then, our staff have received lots of calls from parents asking for more information about it. Here is a memo for your reference when you answer the phones. Sports 1: Basketball. We expect that this will be the most popular of the four sports. Therefore, students should be advised to sign up as soon as possible. Students will take a private bus to and from Kwun Tong Sports Park .To cover the cost of hiring a bus , each student will have to pay $10 each time. There will be four basketball courts available for our use with one teacher watching over each game. Sports 2: Gym We will be using St. Peter's Memorial Park. There are two reasons for choosing this park. First, it is not very busy and crowded before 6:00 pm. Second, it has lot of trees with plenty of shade. Students must bring along two bottles of water to prevent thirst. Three activities, skipping , jogging , outdoor aerobics ,all of which are free of charge, will be arranged. And there will be a teacher on duty for each of the activities. Sports 3: Hiking Hiking will take place at Kowloon Peak. The activity will start at 2:30 pm and finish 90 minutes later. Three teachers will accompany the students, and a hiking instructor will accompany each group of 15 hikers . Each instructor will cost $75/hr. Students are advised to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Sports 4: Swimming The Kowloon City Aquatic Centre is a 10-minute walk from our school. Four teachers will go to the pool and conduct the goings-on from the poolside. We will only be able to reserve the pool for one hour (i.e. 2:45pm to 3:45pm).Only students skilful at swimming can take up this activity. The pool will have two lifeguards present. Girls must wear a swimming suit. The cost is $10 per visit. It can be inferred from the passage that _ A) students taking part in basket ball will walk to the courts B) every student can gain admission to one of the four sports C) hiking students can have a regular rest in the shade of trees D) students taking up the four sports should bring bottles of water
**Answer**
B