In the face of rising gas costs, many consumers are beginning to consider the choice of a hybrid vehicle--one which operates on both gas and electricity. All of the models of hybrid car will save money, but are they really effective when all of the costs of maintenance and other considerations are included in? First of all, consider the cost of buying a hybrid vehicle. Depending on the model, hybrid vehicles can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 more than the traditional models. However, some say that as the hybrid cars become increasingly more available as a reflection of demand, the prices can be expected to drop, making them more cost effective when it comes to the initial investment. Also important to keep in mind is the fact that the hybrid cars have a much more specialized system than the standard vehicle, and will therefore require more specialized workers to repair them when they break down. It seems as though, at least for the time being, the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the average consumer may not be the best choice when it comes to saving money. It is important to keep several things in mind, however, when considering purchasing a hybrid model. Many consumers are choosing to purchase these cars because they represent a significant development in terms of environmental concerns over standard models. They also mean that as a whole, Western nations will become less dependent on oil as the only means of power. Finally, it is necessary to remember that the hybrid car is a very new technology. Developed only within the last few years, the technology is still in the starting stage, where costs will continue to be high. As time passes, the development of the hybrid technology will begin to push prices down to the point where hybrids are more competitive with the traditionally fueled models of the past. What do we know from the passage? A) The hybrid technology is very new and mature as well. B) It's not easy to repair a hybrid car due to its special system. C) Many average consumers can not afford to buy hybrid cars. D) The traditional vehicles are much safer to drive than hybrid cars.
B
My son ,Izzy, was a nine-year-old boy and had been begging me to please let him find his way home by subway, by himself. After all, we live in New York City, and getting around by public transportation is a basic part of life. It is also the first step toward feeling grown-up. So on that sunny Sunday,I gave him a subway map, a transportation card,$20 for emergencies, and a couple of coins so that he could call me if necessary. I didn't give him a cell phone because nine-year-olds lose things. A few days later, I wrote about his adventure,or non-adventure for a newspaper. Little did I realize the idea that a kid could tour the city on his own, and that a mom would let him, was big news. It turned out that many TV shows called me and asked for an interview. Bloggers were going crazy, so I started a blog, too, and letters came pouring in. Finally I found out why this was such a big story: we have become fearful for our children. Fear is hardly a new thing for parents, of course. But the fear of letting our children out of sight for even a second-that's new. How did this happen? How did it become too scary to let kids be kids? I asked the question when the reporter Trevor Butterworth interviewed me. "News reports," he answered. "News reports scare the pants off you. What is scarier than a kidnapped kid no matter how far away?Because there are so many such stories, it starts to feel as if kidnappings are happening all the time. That's why the kid-on-the-subway story surprises the whole world." Izzy probably did a good job. He simply proved that kids could leave home alone and return home safely! But he didn't think it was a big deal. "It was fun," he said. "But I missed some classes because of the interviews." Sometimes it really pays to be brave. The author didn't expect that after she wrote her son's story for a newspaper, _ . A) a blog would be started in her name B) her son would receive so many letters C) many TV shows would want to interview her D) many TV stations would want to film her son's story
C
Q: With just a few minutes left before school was to start, my six-year-old, Dustin, was crying. "I don't want to go," he said. Ever since he'd entered first grade, he had hated school. What's going on? If he hates school this much now, how bad will it be later on? Every kid sometimes complains about school. But five to ten percent of kids dislike it so much they don't want to attend. "If a child seems worried or anxious about school, pretends illness to stay home, or refuses to talk about things of the school day, you should be concerned," says a school psychologist, Michael Martin. Fortunately, you can usually solve the problem--sometimes very easily. In our case, my husband and I visited Dustin's class and noticed that the teacher, just out of college, called only on kids who sat right under her nose. Dustin, who often sat near the back, was ignored . We simply told him to move up front. He did, and he was happy again. What's the reason that Dustin dislikes going to school? A) He is laughed at by his classmates. B) He can't answer the teacher's question. C) He is afraid of his teacher. D) He feels like being ignored in class.
A: D
Question: Read the following directions on a bottle of medicine: "Take two tablets with water, followed by one tablet every eight hours, as required, For maximum night-time and early morning relief, take two tablets at bed - time, Do not take more than six tablets in twenty-four hours. For children six to twelve years old, give half the amount for a grownup. For children under six years old, ask for your doctor's advice. Reduce the amount if nervousness, _ , or sleeplessness occurs," The directions on this medicine bottle clearly warn the patient not to take more than _ . A) twenty-four tablets a day. B) eight tablets a day. C) six tablets a day. D) three tablets a day.
Answer: C
(Question)
Guide to Stockholm University Library Our library offers different types of studying places and provides a good studying environment. Zones The library is divided into different zones. The upper floor is a quiet zone with over a thousand places for silent reading, and places where you can sit and work with your own computer. The reading places consist mostly of tables and chairs. The ground floor is the zone where you can talk. Here you can find sofas and armchairs for group work. Computers You can use your own computer to connect to the wi-fi specially prepared for notebook computers; you can also use library computers, which contain the most commonly used applications, such as Microsoft Office. They are situated in the area known as the Experimental Field on the ground floor. Group-study Places If you want to discuss freely without disturbing others, you can book a study room or sit at a table on the ground floor. Some study rooms are for 2-3 people and others can hold up to 6-8 people. All rooms are marked on the library maps. There are 40 group-study rooms that must be booked via the website. To book, you need an active University account and a valid University card. You can use a room three hours per day, nine hours at most per week. Storage of study material The library has lockers for students to store course literature. When you have obtained at least 40 credits , you may rent a locker and pay 400 SEK for a year's rental period. Rules to be followed Mobile phone conversations are not permitted anywhere in the library. Keep your phone on silent as if you were in a lecture and exit the library if you need to receive calls. Please note that food and fruit are forbidden in the library, but you are allowed to have drinks and sweets with you. A student can rent a locker in the library if he _ . A) can afford the rental fee B) attends certain courses C) has nowhere to put his books. D) has earned the required credits
(Answer)
D