The Museum: The Charles Dickens Museum in London is the world's most important collection of material relating to the great Victorian novelist and social commentator.The only surviving London home of Dickens (from 1837 until 1839) was opened as a museum in 1925 and is still welcoming visitors from all over the world.On four floors, visitors can see paintings, rare editions, manuscripts, original furniture and many items relating to the life of one of the most popular and beloved personalities of the Victorian age. Opening Hours * The Museum is open from Mondays to Saturdays 10:00-17:00; Sundays 11:00-17:00. * Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. *Special opening times can be arranged for groups, who may wish to book a private view. Admission Charges: Adults: PS5.00; Students: PS4:00; Seniors: PS4.00; Children: PS3.00; Families:PS14.00( 2 adults & up to five children) Group Rates: For a group of 10 or more, a special group rate of PS4.00 each applies. Children will still be admitted for PS3.00 each, Access: We are constantly working to improve access to the Museum and its collection.Our current projects involve the fitting of a wheelchair ramp for better access, a customer care kit and an audio tour for visitors with impaired vision.Our Handling Sessions are also suitable for the visually impaired.The Museum has developed an online virtual tour through the Museum.Click here to visit all the rooms in the Museum online. Hire the Museum: The Museum can be hired for private functions, performances soirees and many other social occasions. Find Us: The Museum may be reached by using the following buses: 7, 17, 19, 38, 45,46, 55, 243.And by these underground services: Piccadilly Line; Central Line.For a map, please click here.The British Museum and the Foundling Museum are within walking distance. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE? A) The Museum is not very far from the British Museum. B) In any case people cannot visit the Museum after 17:00. C) Visitors with poor vision cannot enjoy the Museum. D) Anyone cannot hire the Museum for other users.
A
The University of South Carolina has developed a sociology course dedicated to the life, work and rise to fame of pop star Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga and the Sociology of the Fame is to be taught by Professor Mathieu Deflem, a fan of the singer. The course, which has its own blog, is due to start in spring 2011. The Belgian born sociologist, whose research interests also include counter-terrorism, international policing, crime control and internet technology, says he has seen Lady Gaga in concert 30 times. "We're going to look at Lady Gaga as a social event," Prof Deflem told the USC student newspaper, the Daily Gamecock. "So it's not the person, and it's not the music. It's more this thing out there in society that has 10 million followers on Facebook and six million on Twitter. I mean, that's a social phenomenon.". It will look at business and marketing strategies, the role of old and new media, fans and live concerts, gay culture, religious and political themes, sex and sexuality, and the cities of New York and Hollywood, it says. Prof Deflem said he initially planned to call the course the Sociology of Fame or the Sociology of Celebrity, and to use Lady Gaga as an example. Also a fan of Frank Zappa, Prince, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Status Quo and Ritchie Blackmore, Prof Deflem says his interest in Lady Gaga began when he first saw her perform on television on 9 January 2009. "They don't have to be hardcore fans. The better fan will not necessarily be the better student. But you have to have some interest in the topic. So if you really don't like her, you probably shouldn't take the course." The course Lady Gaga will do research on the following EXCEPT _ . A) the role of old and new media B) sex and sexuality C) the development of Internet culture D) business and marketing strategies
C
Q: Washington----A screaming intruder made it onto the front lawn of the White House Sunday while President Obama was at home before being caught by Secret Service officers. Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren recognized the man as 40-year-old Brian Lee Patterson, whose last known address was in Albuquerque, N.M. Patterson has been caught trying to get onto the White House grounds at least three times before Zahren said. The bearded man, wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt that read "God Bless America" jumped the fence outside the White House and ran across the north lawn while repeatedly crying, "I am a victim of terrorism!" Members of the Secret Service emergency response team, including one holding a barking dog, ran after Patterson with their guns and surrounded him near the row of cameras set up for television stand-ups. "I have intelligence information for the president," he said, waving his arms in the air. "I'm not afraid of you." Patterson screamed at the officers who were ordering him to lie ground with guns drawn. Patterson finally kneeled on the ground and was taken into custody shortly before 4 p.m. He cut his hand jumping the fence and was taken to George Washington University Hospital for treatment and was to appear in court Monday, Zahren said. Zahren said Patterson was charged with unlawful entry for the last time he jumped the fence, in February. He faces the same charge for Sunday's incident and also a contempt of court charge for disobeying the judge's orders to stay away from the White House. The best title for this piece of news is _ . A) Man with intelligence information for the president B) Man caught after jumping White House fence C) A victim of terrorism D) Secret Service officers caught Patterson
A: B
Ridgewood is a small, quiet town 20 miles from Manhattan. It is a typical suburban town, perfect for raising children away from the fast pace of the city. However, some Ridgewood kids feel as upset as if they were on the city's busy streets. In addition to hours of homework, Ridgewood's children are occupied with afterschool activities -- from swimming to piano to religious classes. Out of desperation one day, the town decided to schedule another activity. This one was called "Ridgewood Family Night -- Ready, Set, Relax!" Instead of schedules filled with sports, music, or overtime at the office, some of the town's 25,000 residents decided to take the night off and stay home. For a few months before Family Night, a committee of volunteers worked hard to spread the word. Younger students took "Save the Date for Me" leaflets home to their parents. The mayor issued a statement, and schools and clubs agreed to cancel homework and meetings so families could relax and be together. The tension between a hope for a more relaxed lifestyle and the knowledge that the benchmark for success has been raised in recent years weighs heavily on the minds of the townspeople. Some parents like to recall a different kind of childhood, one without so many scheduled afterschool activities. However, these same parents feel obliged to make sure their children are prepared to survive in today's high-pressure work environment. They are afraid that any gap in their children's physical or intellectual development might mean they won't be admitted to the "right" universities and won't succeed in a more and more competitive world. Nevertheless, it seems that Family Night worked, at least to a point. Cars moved easily around Ridgewood's normally busy downtown streets, and stores and restaurants saw a drop in business. Some families ate supper together for the first time in months. Initially, there was great hope of taking back their lives. But sadly, few families believe that one night will change their lives. Many are sure that they will... According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about the Family Night? A) Schools assigned no homework. B) Fewer people ate in the restaurants. C) The streets were less crowded. D) People enjoyed meeting each other.
D