Article: "I'd be better off dead." he said, without any hesitation . Hearing those words come out of my best friend's mouth tore my heart apart. He has repeated that phrase more than once, and my mind continually plays it over like a voice recording. I met him about three years ago. After knowing me for six months, he told me about his struggles with depression . Sadness was not the only feeling that came over me; I was shocked. He seemed so outgoing and happy all the time. I soon learned that he was hurt physically and mentally as a young child, causing him to have the thought of killing himself. He refuses to talk to others about his depression because he now distrusts adults, especially those in his family. However, he feels as if I understand him and that I know the right words to speak. Therefore, when it comes to helping him, convenience is not in my vocabulary. It does not matter where I am or what I am doing, for he always comes first. Many students at his school laugh at him when they notice scars on his arms from cutting. As he sees it, other kids have every right to make fun of him. But no one holds such a right, so I encourage him to ignore the heartless kids who treat him badly. When he feels the weight of judging eyes or hateful voices, I always remind him that I care about him unconditionally. Just hearing me say I will always be his best friend seems to give him the safety he needs to keep on going. My best friend once told me that if he had not had me, he would not be alive. He said that my encouraging words helped him not to take his life. Our friendship has taught me that a single kind word can influence someones life. Life is not easy for every one, which makes me strongly believe in the necessity of encouragement. Question: What is the best title for the passage? Yes or no, is the answer "I believe in encouragement"?
Yes

Article: People tend to be more impressed by evidence that seems to confirm some relationship. Thus many are convinced that their dreams are prophetic because a few have come true; they fail to notice the many that have not. Consider also the belief that "the phone always rings when I'm in the shower. " If it does ring while you are in the shower, the event will stand out and be remembered. If it doesn't ring, that nonevent probably won't even be remembered. People want to see order, pattern and meaning in the world. Consider, for example, the common belief that things like personal misfortunes, plane crashes, and deaths "happen in threes. " Such beliefs stem from the tendency of people to allow the third event to define the time period. I if three plane crashes occur in a month, then the period of time that counts as their "happening together" is one month; if three crashes occur in a year, the period of time is stretched. Flexible end strengthens such beliefs. We also tend to believe what we want to believe. A majority of people think they are more intelligent, more fair-minded and more skilled behind the wheel of an automobile than the average person. Part of the reason we view ourselves so favorably is that we use standards that work to our advantage. As economist Thomas Schelling explains, "Everybody ranks himself high in qualities. " He values: careful drives give weight to care, skilled drivers give weight to skill, and those who are polite give weight to courtesy. " This way everyone ranks high on his own scale. Perhaps the most important mental habit we can learn is to be cautions in drawing conclusions. The "evidence" of everyday life is sometimes misleading. Question: By "things like... 'happen in threes'" in Para. 2, the author indicates that people believe . Yes or no, is the answer "unfortunate events usually happen together."?
Yes

Q: Article: One fine afternoon I was walking along Fifth Avenue when I remembered that it was necessary to buy a pair of socks. I turned into the first sock shop that caught my eye, and a boy clerk who could not have been more than 17 years old came forward. "What can I do for you, sir?" "I wish to buy a pair of socks." His eyes glowed. "Did you know that you had come into the best place in the world to buy socks?" I had not been aware of that. "Come with me," said the boy happily. He began to haul down from the shelves box after box. "Hold on, boy, I am going to buy only one pair!" "I know that," said he, "but I want you to see how beautiful these are. Aren't they wonderful?" There was on his face an expression of joy, as if he were showing to me the mysteries of his religion. "My friend," said I, "if this is not just the enthusiasm that comes from novelty , if you can keep up this day after day, in ten years you will own every sock in the United States." In many shops the customer has to wait for someone to serve him. And when finally some clerk does notice you, you are made to feel as if you were disturbing him. He displays no interest either in you or in the goods he is paid to sell. Yet possibly that very clerk who is now so cold began his career with enthusiasm. As time goes by, the enthusiasm is gradually gone; his only pleasures were found outside of working hours. He became a mechanical , not inspired, salesman. I have observed such change in the lives of so many people in so many occupations that I have come to the conclusion that the fastest road to failure is to do things mechanically. Question: The writer was impressed by _ . Yes or no, is the answer "the way the boy served him"?
A: Yes

Article: Tell our story, make your mark Havering is one of London's largest towns. It is a place of _ , from the shopping and nightlife of Romford to the cultural quarter of Hornchurch; from the industrial Thames riverside in Rainham to the ambitious regeneration project in Harold Hill. The London Borough of Havering has a great story to tell, and we're looking for the right people to tell it. Campaigns and Marketing Manager A creative strategist is needed to plan and deliver campaigns that change behaviour across the town and form Havering's reputation beyond its borders. Media Manager An experienced professional is required, who fully understands how the news media works and works well under pressure. You will manage a team of three, as well as our media message. Communications Business Manager As a senior member of the communications team, you will be part salesperson and part business strategist, with wide-ranging power to increase our commercial potential as much as possible and save taxpayers' money. Senior Media Officers Two experienced persons are needed to turn the stories that we talk about into the stories that everyone is talking about. Community Newspaper Journalist (12month contract at the beginning) Our community newspaper, Living, is being expanded as an energetic publication once every two weeks. We need an editor and a journalist or writer who produces brilliant copy, even against the tightest deadlines. Pay & grading award are yet to be decided for all posts. Full details are available on our website. For an informal conversation about these positions, please contact Mark Leech, Head of Communications, by calling 01708 434373. Any disabled applicants, meeting the necessary standards set out in the profile for a job, will be guaranteed an interview. Please apply online via the Council's website at www.havering.gov.uk or contact the Recruitment Team at 01708 433039. Closing date for completed applications is Friday, 18th April 2008. Interviews will be scheduled for the week beginning 28th April 2008. Question: We can learn from the passage that _ . Yes or no, is the answer "applicants should hand in the application forms before 18th April 2008"?
Yes