For three days Mr Bunter did not say a word. He looked at people sensibly enough but seemed unable to hear any questions put to him. An officer remarked to the captain, "Those brass plates on the steps of the bridge-ladder are very dangerous things. " "Are they?" replied Captain Johns, "It takes more than a brass plate to make an able-bodied man fall down in that way. And the weather fine, everything dry, and the ship going on a smooth sea!" On the fourth day, the chief officer looked better. He could hear and understand and could even speak in a weak voice. "Well, Mr Bunter," said Captain Johns, "Can you tell us what caused the accident!" Bunter moved his head slightly and fixed his cold blue stare on the Captain's eyes and said in a whisper, "You--were--right!" "Bless my soul!" cried out Captain Johns, "Do you mean you had a supernatural experience that night? You saw a ghost on my ship?" Unwillingness, shame, disgust would have been seen on poor Bunter's face if a good part of it had not been wrapped in bandage . He tried hard and answered, "Yes, I have seen." "And did it --did it knock you down from the ladder?" "Come! Am I the sort of man to be knocked down by a ghost?" Captain Johns pointed a finger at Bunter. "You've been terrified, " he said , "That's what's the matter, even the man at the wheel was frightened, though he couldn't see anything. He felt the supernatural. You've been punished because you wouldn't believe, Mr Bunter. " "Suppose I have, " said Bunter, "You don't know what I saw. And I can't tell you what it was like. Every man has his own ghosts. I stepped back. I don't remember anything else. " "The man at the wheel said you went backwards as if something had hit you." "It was a sort of inward blow, " Bunter explained, "Aren't you satisfied now that I believe?" Bunter forced himself to agree that he had been punished because _ . A) it could be clearly seen from his injuries B) he really had been punished C) he knew the man at the wheel also saw what had happened D) he wouldn't like to argue with the captain and that explanation would satisfy him
D
(Question)
Do you want a bit of an adventure? Would you like to discover all the corners of the UK, or travel abroad? Maybe you have never tried the motorhome lifestyle before. Well, read this article and you will know why a motorhome is a good choice. Nothing is better than a motorhome. It has so many uses that it is considered the most _ vehicle and it is also very comfortable. If you are thinking about hiring a motorhome this summer, then the best choice is to book it early, especially if you are considering the school holidays. The motorhome hire service is very seasonal and motorhome hire companies will never have extra vehicles available in the summer months. There are a lot of companies throughout the UK, and some of the big ones have motorhomes spread all over the country. At present, the largest network for motorhome hire is provided by Motorhome which is based in Cambridge. If you are in the UK, you may phone 0800612-8719 for details of its motorhome hire information. Motorhome has a network of over 500 vehicles all over England, Scotland and Wales. Most people wishing to hire a motorhome are families that are looking for an alternative to a European package holiday, especially as flying now has become more expensive, and is considered to be environmentally unfriendly. There is no doubt that the idea of no-fly holidays is going to become more popular as fewer people think it is safe to fly. This explains why more and more people are choosing to hire a motorhome for their holidays. The main purpose of this text is to explain why it is a good idea to _ . A) take an adventure B) travel to England C) try a new lifestyle D) hire a motorhome
(Answer)
D
Ques: Controlling traffic is a complex and high cost problem in many developed countries. It becomes more difficult and costly with the ever- increasing number of cars on the roads. But scientists and students at the CATT, at the University of Maryland are working to solve this problem. They are using simulation technologies to help government and private business control and react to changing traffic conditions. The online economics magazineForbes.comsays traffic congestion cost Americans $ 124 billion in 2014 and that number could rise to $ 186 billion by 2030. Bui scientists at the CATT lab are trying to reduce those costs. They are developing a system that helps traffic managers. planners, emergency workers and businesses plan and react better. Michael Pack is CATT director. He says the system is important to help emergency workers, or first responders,reach an accident area faster. The CATT Lab collects information from many sources, including roadside devices, GPS (global positioning system) equipment and wireless phones. About 60 students and 30 software developers observe traffic flow and manage the computer servers at all times. They also work to develop software and applications that can help traffic run smoother and safer, Some of them turn the information gathered into so-called "visualizations". These visual representations help emergency workers better understand what is happening. The center shares its findings with firefighters, police,Transportation departments and the military. They also share information with universities and transportation company. The technology company Google uses the data for its traffic-related websites. Michael Pack says, the information is then shared with anyone who wants to help traffic run more smoothly. Mr. Pack says the goal is to help develop an intelligent system of road signals that will communicate with each other and with vehicles on the road. 1n which column of the newspaper can you read this text? A) Daily life. B) Science. C) Education. D) Exploration.
Ans: B
Long-time exposure to air pollution can lead to physical changes in the brain and cause trouble in learning and memory, and even anxiety. This is suggested by the results of new research on mice. While other studies have shown the harmful effects of polluted air in the lungs and heart, this is the first to show the negative effect on the brain. The team of Laura Fonken, Randy Nelson , from the Ohio State University, the USA, has spread to the brain a previous line of research which found that fine particulate matter floating in the air mainly because of air pollution caused by humans, causes swelling in much of the body, and may be related to high blood pressure problems, and some other diseases. In the research Fonken and his colleagues exposed mice to polluted air for six hours each day, five days a week, over a period of 10 months, almost half the average life length of mice. Polluted air contains fine particles created by cars, factories and natural dust. Fine particles of this kind are tiny, about 2.5 micrometers in diameter , or about one-thirtieth the width of a human hair. These particles can go deep into lungs and other organs. The concentration of this particulate material to which they exposed mice is equal to the concentration at which people can be exposed in some polluted urban areas. After a period of 10 months, the researchers got the animals to have a series of behavioral tests. Both the behavior of mice and the results of neurological tests done to them show that those within the polluted air had more problems in learning and memory, and higher levels of anxiety. The results suggest that long-time exposure to polluted air can have measurable negative effects on the human brain and can cause a variety of mental health problems. This could have important consequences for those living and working in polluted urban areas. Which of the following is the best title for the passage? A) Long-time Exposure to Air Pollution B) Evidence and Concern of Air Pollution C) Measurable Effect on Human Brain D) Mental Problems Caused by Air Pollution
D