According to legend, the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy, which connects the Palazzo Ducale to an ancient prison, got its name because the walk across it gave prisoners on their way to jail a final chance to appreciate the beauty of the city. The view from the bridge today, however, is more likely to be of a giant billboard selling Bulgari or Coca - cola. Beyond the billboards, monuments are being restored. The money comes from advertising profits. But when the Coke billboards went up this summer on buildings near the Piazza San Marco, which is at the historic heart of Venice, there was a public debate. "We can't commercialize everything," said Alessandra Mottola Molfino, a Venetian. "The lesson that goes out is that a price is for everything." "We couldn't stay quiet," said Maria Camilla Bianchini d'Alberigo, president of a heritage protection association. "Too much is too much." There needed to be rules, she added, rules that prevent the advertising billboards clashing with the monuments of the city. City of officials, however, argue that without these ads, the city could not afford to maintain its heritage. Many have been damaged by centuries of wear and are even a threat to public safety. "I can't turn down the image of bottle when there are pieces of the Palazzo Ducale falling to the ground," said Renata Codello, a Cultrue Ministry official. The Culture Minister has a budget of about $ 47 million (315 million yuan) for restoration of monuments, but Italy has a rich architectural heritage, and funds are always tight.Of that amount, $ 1.8 million was given to the entire Vector region, which includes Venice. Two years ago, the city signed an agreement with the Dotter Group, a company responsible for the restoration of the Bridge of Sighs and the Palazzo Ducale.It allows it to sell ad space. But there is a condition in the agreement: The ads should not offend public taste, In August, Venice banned US actress Julianne Moore's Bulgrari ad from a billboard in the Piazza San Marco. The photo shows a naked... It can be inferred from the passage that A) Hollywood stars' ads cannot go up in Venice B) the mayor of Venice is expecting new advertising C) the Dotter Group may stop its restoration work for lack of funds D) people can buy Bulgaria or Coca-cola on the Bridge of Sighs
B
The highlight of my journey was to be Paris,the city I'd always longed to see.But now I was frightened to travel without a companion.I steeled myself and went anyway.I arrived at the train station in Paris panicked.Pulling my red suitcase behind me,I was pushed by sweaty travelers . On my first Metro ride, I encountered a clumsy pickpocket.I melted him with a look,and he eased his hand from my purse to fade into the crowded car. At my stop,I carried my heavy suitcase up the steep stairs and froze in confusion.Somewhere in this confusing city my hotel was hidden,but suddenly I couldn't read my own directions.I stopped two people.Both greeted me with that Parisian face that said:"Yes, I speak English,but you'll have to struggle with your French if you want to talk to me." When I finally found the hotel,my heart was pounding. Then when I saw my room.I couldn't stay.Could I? The wallpaper looked like it had been through a fire.The bathroom was down the hall,and the window looked out onto the brick wall of another building.Welcome to Paris.It was my third week away from home and my kids,and I had arrived in the most romantic city in the world, alone, lonely and very scared. The most important thing I did in Paris happened at that moment.I knew that if I didn't go out,right then,and find a place to have dinner,I would hide in this place my entire time in Paris. I might never learn to enjoy the world as a single individual.So I went out.Evening in Paris was light and warm.I strolled along a winding path,listening to birds sing,watching children float toy sailboats in a huge fountain.Paris was beautiful.And I was here alone but suddenly not lonely.My sense of accomplishment at overcoming my fear had left me feeling free,not abandoned. During my week's stay in Paris.I did everything there was to do,and it was the greatest week of my European vacation.I returned home a believer in the healing power of solitary travel.Traveling alone makes up for its problems by demanding self-reliance and building the kind of... What did the author learn from her solitary trip in Paris? A) Solitary travel can heal people's wounds. B) Traveling alone brings about many problems. C) Traveling alone helps people become independent and confident. D) Solitary travel in Paris makes it not a challenge to go anywhere.
C
*Question*
Speak confidently and think logically. Year 13 schoolboy Arunabh Prakash can't agree more. Anmabh is one of the five students that will represent New Zealand at the 26th World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) to be held in Thailand from August 5 to l5 this year. "You've got to be persuasive, regardless of the fact that you believe in a topic or not," says the 17-year-old. "There are a lot of speakers who are eloquent but find it difficult to think logically and then there are those who have a good argument but can't deliver." Endurance is another quality he says one must have in the heated arena of expressing opinions and ideas. "There are times when you have to debate for five hours at a go and are completely exhausted. It's quite intense. You must have the energy to debate for long hours," says Arunabh, who began debating in year 10. The WSDC is a debating competition in the world for high school students from different countries. It involves four prepared debates and four impromptu debates -- debates without specific preparations. To gain selection for the national team for the global final, Arunabh had to compete with regional teams. Despite the mounting pressure, he says he was confident of winning. "We didn't loose a debate in the first two days. And we had a very strong team. We were confident of our ability to win," he says. According to Arunabh, what are important in debating? A) Eloquence and logic thinking. B) Confidence and dreams. C) Endurance and experience. D) Talent and teamwork.
**Answer**
A