Article: We have a real crisis in this country in the basic understanding of science. It affects our global competitiveness as a country, our national security, and the effectiveness of our social system. The misunderstanding about science is blinding our eyes. We know that an awful lot of teachers who are teaching science today have not been properly empowered to do so. School frequently isn't testing whether you understand something but whether you're familiar with it. What's Newton's second law? You say F=ma, and you get an A. That does not reflect a deep understanding of Newtonian mechanics. Science education is not just a body of facts; it's a process. To present it with appeal and excitement you need to picture it as a detective story--asking questions, making observations, and collecting evidence. You test and you fail but, you know, failure can lead to discovery. Another challenge we face is that science is often viewed as too hard, for experts only. But I don't actually think it's that difficult. People see science every day. They look outside and see weather and nature. They push a button in their house and the lights go on. Everybody's dealing with science every day. They just don't call it that. And it's important they do. In fact, science is determining the quality and outcomes of their life. Science needs creativity. And one of the best ways to be creative is to think "out of the box". However, we need more courage when we come to practice. Take me for example. Very early in my teens I decided to educate myself. I realized I would never be a very good student because I didn't like teachers judging me by what I thought were arbitrary standards. I decided I'd let the world judge me by whether I could do something of value--solve a problem or build something. That's why I quit school early and risked everything to start a company. I risked everything I had because I had nothing to lose. I'd rather fail at trying to do something really big than succeed at being medium. "When's the right age to think... Question: What's the tone of the passage? Yes or no, is the answer "Encouraging."?
Yes

Article: Following Christmas dinner,my family was relaxing around the kitchen table.The goodcooking smells still stayed.My sister,our chef, was enjoying the compliments."Delicious meal!""Everything was wonderful."Dad had risen from his chair and was contentedly standing nearby. My nephew,never one to sit still for too long,began playing his new basketball around the table and throughout the kitchen.Upon nearing Dad,he stopped----almost uncertainly.With shaking,wrinkled hands,Dad had reached out for the ball.He did not speak,and the boy,confused,looked up and over at us.It took some convincing,but the ball was lightly passedover. I watched my father closely to see what he would do.A playful smile appeared on his face.Holding the ball and reaching forward,Dad bounced it on the floor then caught it.This action was repeated.Nodding approvingly,he then turned towards our assembled group.Gently throwing the ball away,Dad began a game of catch. The ball continued to be passed though eager pairs of outstretched hands.Cries of"Over here!"rang through the warm kitchen.Dad's active participation in this game was remarkable to me,since he had advanced Alzheimer's disease.This disease had robbed him of many memories and the recognition of people,places mid points in time. In my younger years,playing with Dad was rare.To his credit,Dad worked hard and provided for us.He was very private and never showed nor shared much emotion.His game of choice was chess,which he did eventually teach me how to play.As an adult,I had become a caregiver and watched helplessly as Dad declined.Connecting moments between father and son had been few and far before he took the basketball. I'm not sure how long we played catch.What I do know is that our game ended all too soon,and it was time to face the reality of dirty dishes piled high on countertops.The moment,though,will certainly last forever.On this Christmas,Dad gave me a special memory--one that I will always treasure. Question: What can we learn about the author's father? Yes or no, is the answer "He seldom talked with his family."?
Yes

Q: Article: About three hundred words in the English language come from the names of people. Many of these words are technical words. When there is a new invention of discovery, a new word may be coined after the inventor or scientist. It is interesting to observe how many common words have found their way into the language from the names of people. Lord Sandwich, who lived from 1718-1792, used to sit at the gambling table eating bread with meat in between. As the Lord was the only one among his friends who ate bread in that way, his friends began to call the bread "sandwich" for fun. Later on,the word became part of the English language. The word "boycott" means to refuse to have anything to do with somebody or something. It comes from a man called Captain Boycott. He was a land agent in 1880 and he collected rents and taxes for an English landowner in Ireland. But the Captain was a very harsh man. He treated his poor tenants very badly. His tenants decided not to speak to him at all. Eventually word got back to the landowner and the Captain was removed . The word "boycott" became popular and was used by everyone to mean the kind of treatment that was received by Captain Boycott. Question: The tenants did not like _ . Yes or no, is the answer "the harsh land agent"?
A: No

*Question*
Article: Steve and Yaser first met in their chemistry class at an American university. Yaser was an international student from Jordan. He wanted to learn more about American culture and hoped that he and Steve would become good friends. At first, Steve seemed very friendly. He always greeted Yaser warmly before class. Sometimes he offered to study with Yaser. He even invited Yaser to have lunch with him. But after the term was over, Steve seemed distant. The two former classmates didn't see each other very often at school. One day Yaser decided to call Steve. Steve didn't seem very interested in talking to him. Yaser was hurt by Steve's change of attitude. "Steve said we were friends," Yaser complained, "and I thought friends were friends forever." Yaser was a little confused. As a foreigner, he doesn't understand the way Americans view friendship. Americans use the word "friend" in a very general way. They may call both casual acquaintances(;) and close companions "friends". These friendships are based on common interests. When the shared activity ends, the friendship may fade . Now as Steve and Yaser are no longer classmates, their "friendship" has changed. In some cultures friendship means a strong lifelong bond between two people. In these cultures friendships develop slowly, since they are built to last. American society is one of rapid change. Studies show that one out five American families moves every year. American friendships develop quickly, and _ may change just quickly as well. People from the United States may at first seem friendly. Americans often chat easily with strangers. But American friendliness is not always an offer of true friendship. After an experience like Yaser's , people who've been in this country for only a few months may consider Americans to be fickle . Learning how Americans view friendship can help non-Americans avoid misunderstandings. It can also help them make friends in the American way. Question: We can learn from the passage that _ . Yes or no, is the answer "Americans always base their friendships with others on common interests"?
**Answer**
Yes