Problem: (CNN)It's amazing what (literal) lengths some people will go to earn frequent flier miles. Take Ben Schlappig. Over his lifetime, he's accrued about four million miles. Half of those, he estimates, were earned on "mile runs" -- trips taken for the sole purpose of earning points.

Recently, he completed a dizzying, non-stop trip (London-New York-Los Angeles-Honolulu-Los Angeles-London-Miami-London-Los Angeles-London) that would set most people's heads spinning. It took four days (three of which were spent almost completely on a plane), and he accrued 270,000 miles.

He admits that the journey was exhausting, but ultimately worth it.

"To put it into some kind of perspective, it's enough miles for two first-class tickets between the U.S. and Asia," he notes.

"If I would have paid cash for them, they would have each cost me over $20,000."

December -- which marks the last opportunity for many frequent fliers to earn enough to gain (or maintain) their elite statuses -- is mile-run season. In the past, the trick was looking for a cheap ticket that went the distance, as miles earned were calculated by, well, miles flown. This year, that is all set to change.

"In 33 years of frequent flier programs, this is the year of the biggest changes ever," says Randy Petersen, founder of the online travel forum FlyerTalk and CEO of Frequent Flyer Services, which offers guidance to road warriors the world over.

"Some of the world's largest frequent flier programs are going to a revenue model," he explains, noting that come this year, many programs will start awarding members based on how much they spend, not how far they fly.
1. this is coming from what news outlet ?
2. how long he's accrued about four million miles
3. what are mile runs ?
4. who admits that the journey was exhausting ?
5. what cost over 20000
6. between ?
7. which marks the last opportunity ?
8. for ?
9. how many miles did he rack up recenty ?
10. how long did it take ?
Answer: 1. CNN
2. Over his lifetime
3. trips taken for the sole purpose of earning points
4. Ben Schlappig
5. wo first-class tickets
6. U.S. and Asia
7. December
8. many frequent fliers
9. 270,000
10. four days

Problem: (CNN)He's a blue chip college basketball recruit. She's a high school freshman with Down syndrome.

At first glance Trey Moses and Ellie Meredith couldn't be more different. But all that changed Thursday when Trey asked Ellie to be his prom date.

Trey -- a star on Eastern High School's basketball team in Louisville, Kentucky, who's headed to play college ball next year at Ball State -- was originally going to take his girlfriend to Eastern's prom.

So why is he taking Ellie instead? "She's great... she listens and she's easy to talk to" he said.

Trey made the prom-posal (yes, that's what they are calling invites to prom these days) in the gym during Ellie's P.E. class.

Trina Helson, a teacher at Eastern, alerted the school's newspaper staff to the prom-posal and posted photos of Trey and Ellie on Twitter that have gone viral. She wasn't surpristed by Trey's actions.

"That's the kind of person Trey is," she said.

To help make sure she said yes, Trey entered the gym armed with flowers and a poster that read "Let's Party Like it's 1989," a reference to the latest album by Taylor Swift, Ellie's favorite singer.

Trey also got the OK from Ellie's parents the night before via text. They were thrilled.

"You just feel numb to those moments raising a special needs child," said Darla Meredith, Ellie's mom. "You first feel the need to protect and then to overprotect."

Darla Meredith said Ellie has struggled with friendships since elementary school, but a special program at Eastern called Best Buddies had made things easier for her.
1. who is trey ?
2. who is ellie ?
3. what changed ?
4. whay day ?
5. where does trey go to school ?
6. what is a prom posal ?
7. to what ?
8. did she say yes ?
9. who is a a teacher at Eastern ?
10. who is darla ?
11. what is Best Buddies ?
12. where ?
Answer: 1. college basketball recruit.
2. high school freshman
3. Trey asked Ellie to be his prom date.
4. Thursday
5. Eastern High
6. invites
7. prom
8. yes
9. Trina Helson
10. Ellie's mom
11. special program
12. Eastern

Problem: Why do you study? Many students would simply reply: "To get good result in the college entrance examination ." For several years, many have spoken out against the exams. Some say they have turned children into studying machines. Others think that one exam cannot possibly _ a student's true level of knowledge. So, should the exams be canceled? Minister of Education Yuan Guiren doesn't think so. "Officials and the rich might take advantage if the college entrance examination were called off . And life would be more difficult for poor children. However, we do need to change the exams," Yuan said on March 7. He has put an exam reforms at the center of his fourth year in office. "I think the exam is a fair way to choose talented people. But it should pay more attention to all-around personal qualities, not just grades," said Cui Shangyu, a Senior 3 student in Sichuan. The college entrance examination was restored in 1977. From then to 2007, 46.85 million people have entered higher education through the exam. According to survey by the Ministry of Education, 90 percent of people who participate believed the college entrance examination could in some way change a person's life, especially for poor students in the countryside. The college entrance examination is not the only way to become a successful person. However, the process of preparing for the exam is a good experience, said Shen Hui, a Math teacher at Gaoyou Middle School in Jiangsu. "Through it students can learn many things, such as how to deal with stress and how to arrange a learning plan." Shen said.
1. What do many people dislike?
2. Why?
3. What's another reason?
4. What do students think studying is for?
5. What might happen if they cancel it?
6. Who would be hurt?
7. When was the exam restored?
8. What does Shen Hui think is a good experience?
9. What is his job?
10. What does he teach?
11. At what school?
12. Where is that?
13. What does Yuan think about the exams?
14. What is his job?
15. How many years has he done that?
16. What is his focus?
17. How many people used the exams to get into college?
18. Who believes they change someone's life?
19. Who did a survey on it?
20. Who is Cui Shangyu?
Answer:
1. the exams
2. children become studying machines
3. the exams don't test true level of knowledge
4. to get a good result on the exam
5. some might take advantage
6. poor children
7. 1977
8. a good experience
9. he's a teacher
10. Math
11. Gaoyou Middle School
12. in Jiangsu
13. they need changed
14. Minister of Education
15. 4 years
16. reforming exams
17. 46.85 million
18. 90 percent of participants
19. the Ministry of Education
20. a student