(Q).
Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: He must have been completely lost in something he was reading because I had to tap on the windshield to get his attention."Is your cab available ?"I asked when he finally looked up at me.He nodded,then said apologetically as I settled into the back seat,"I'm sorry,but I was reading a letter."He sounded as if he had a cold."I am not in a hurry,"I told him."Go ahead and finish your letter."He shook his head."I've read it several times already.I guess I almost know it by heart." "Letters from home always mean a lot" I said. "This isn't family," he replied."although it might just as well have been family.Old Ed was my oldest friend.In fact,we used to call each other 'Old Friend'--when we'd meet.I'm not much good at writing." "I don't think any of us keep up our correspondence too well,"I said."I know I don't,but I take it he's someone you've known quite a while?" "All my life.We were kids together, went to school together and all the way through high school.""There are not too many people who've had such a long friendship,"I said."Actually,"the driver went on,"I hadn't seen him more than once or twice year over the past 25 or 30 years because I moved away from the old neighborhood and you kind of lose touch even though you never forget." "You said 'was'.Does that mean---?" he nodded."A couple of weeks ago." "I'm sorry" He didn't say anything more,and we rode on in silence for a few minutes.But I realized that Old Ed was still on his mind when he spoke again,almost more to himself than to me." "I should have kept in touch with him." "Well,'' I agreed,"we should all keep in touch with old friends more than we do.But things come up and we just don't seem to find the time." When I got to my hotel room I didn't unpack right away.First I had to write a letter --and mail it. Question: Why did the driver said sorry when the writer settled into the back seat? Because - he didn't want to take the passenger - he didn't notice the writer - he had a cold and could not speak - he didn't feel well
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he didn't notice the writer

(Q).
Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: The last five pounds. The vanity pounds. The dream weight. The fantasy weight. The high school weight. Yes, many names are given to the weight - the five pounds - that seems just out of reach no matter how much we exercise and improve our eating habits. But why is it out of reach? Is it all in our heads? Or is it because the body has a set-point or ideal weight - a weight to which it doesn't want to give in? "There is no such thing as ideal body weight," says James, author of "Weight Loss That Lasts." "But your body does resist you when you are trying to lose weight. It gets used to a certain weight over a long period of time and then will defend that weight." In other words, the body's "set point" can be lowered - or raised, he says, but it takes time to reset that new weight. That period of time is at least six months. "I often ask patients, 'What is the lowest stable weight of your adult life?' to get an idea of what is realistic" in terms of weight loss and maintenance , James says. He refers to the body's refusal to change, weight-wise, as an "biological control system that prevents us from going hungry and dying - part of our primitive biology." Some people might get down to their dream weight for a short period but then can't keep it long because the calorie limits are too strict once the body starts defending itself against weight loss. "That's why it's important to set realistic goals," he says. "The idea of the 'ideal weight' or 'dream weight' is really just a useless exercise." But let's say your goal is realistic and has been set by a nutritionist or other weight-loss professionals and _ . What could be going on? The reason is that you need fewer calories the less you weigh. So if you want to continue to drop weight, you have to drop calories and increase calorie-burn. James encourages people to tell the difference between weight loss goals for health reasons and those to do with vanity. "They are different issues," James says. "One is where important health benefits are seen and the other is... Question: What does it mean by saying "you are still plateauing" ? - Your weight keeps increasing. - Your weight remains unchanged. - You are still worrying. - You are still dreaming.
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Your weight remains unchanged.

(Q).
Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: Happy birthday! Do birthday really make people happy? Of course they do. _ Birthdays celebrate the day when we were born. Besides, that extra candle on the cake suggests another year of growth and maturity --or so we hope.We all like to imagine that we are getting wiser and not just older.Most of us enjoy seeing the wonder of growth in others, as well.For instance, seeing our children develop and learn new things makes us feel proud.For Americans, like people in most cultures, growing up is a wonderful process.But growing old? _ That is a different story. Growing old is not exactly for people in youth-oriented American culture.Most Americans like to look young, act young and feel young. As the old saying goes, "You're young as you feel." Older people joke about how many years young they are, rather than how many years old.People in some countries value the aged as a source of experience and wisdom.But Americans seem to favor those who are young, or at least "young at heart". _ Economically, "senior citizens" often try just to get by.Retirement at the age of 65 brings a sharp decrease in personal income.Social security benefits usually cannot make up the difference.Older people may suffer from poor nutrition , medical care, and housing. Some even have the experience of age discrimination . American sociologist Pat Moore once dressed up like an older person and wandered city streets.She was often treated rudely--even cheated and robbed.However, dressed as a young person, she received much more respect. Unfortunately, the elderly population in America is increasing fast.Why? People are living longer.Fewer babies are being born.And middle-aged "baby boomers" are rapidly entering the group of the elderly.America may soon be a place where wrinkles are "in".Marketing experts are already noticing this growing group of consumers. Question: Growing up is a wonderful thing because _ . - people can celebrate their birthdays. - people can become more and mature and wiser. - people can receive many presents. - people will feel younger at heart.
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people can become more and mature and wiser.