In the south there were large cotton farms called plantations. Growing cotton was very hard work, so saves were brought from Africa to work in the fields. The white slave owners did not let the slaves have drums because they knew that Africans could use drums to send messages. They were afraid the slaves would help each other to run away. Most slave owners did not let the slaves keep their African dances or their religions. All the slaves had to become Christian. They sang white religious songs but they added African rhythms to the music. We call these songs "spirituals". Some spirituals told about the hard life of the slaves or their wish to run away. Although the slaves could not do African dances, in church, they clapped their hands and moved their whole bodies. Today black religious music is called gospel music In Louisiana and the city of New Orleans the slave owners were French. They let the slaves and the free blacks play drums and horns, they also let them keep their African dances. Black musicians in New Orleans put European musical instruments and songs together with African rhythms. They made a new musical sound that was later called jazz. Many of the first jazz instruments were home made. Black people also made rhythm with their hands, feet, and bodies. Later black brass bands , in the French style, became common. These bands played at special times like weddings and funerals. You can still hear early form of jazz in the city of New Orleans. The slaves were set free in 1865, ahead the Civil War between the North and the South. Since that time black gospel music and jazz have become an important part of the popular music in America. The white slave owners did not let the slaves have drums because_. A) they thought drums would distract slaves from work B) they expected that all slaves became Christians. C) they were afraid that drums would help slaves escape D) they believed slaves had no right to play it
C
(Question)
At one time it was the dream of many little girls to become a nurse. Today, however, America is facing its worst nurse shortage since World War I. Recently about 2, 000, 000 nurses are needed and 60 percent of all hospitals in the US have shortages large enough to threaten the quality of care provided. The demand for nurses spreads widely throughout the nursing field. What has become of these women in white? The answer lies in not one but several causes. One possibility is the fact that women have greater career options . In the past, women who chose to work outside the home had two basic choices: nursing or teaching. Today, more women than ever are in the work force, but their options have greatly increased. There are women doctors, lawyers, firefighters and police officers. In fact, women today are found in nearly every field of work. Nursing has been left behind, as women move on to jobs with higher pay and greater status . A woman or man in the nursing field is often looked down upon as "merely a nurse". Teachers may be also at fault. Many high school students are actually being persuaded to keep away from nursing, told by teachers that they are "too bright to be a nurse". Americans are living longer than ever and requiring more medical attention. In fact, the number of elderly patients has almost doubled in the past twenty years. Obviously a larger population requires more nurses. AIDS and other diseases have caused more and more people to need nursing care. Usually fatal diseases mean long drawn-out hospital stay, that is to say, more nurses are needed to care for these patients. It is said that the demand for nurses will be doubled in the coming ten years. The author wrote this passage in order to _ . A) describe the unequal treatment of women in the US B) tell us women's free choice of jobs today in America C) draw people's attention to the nursing shortage problem D) call on more women to be nurses after graduating from high school
(Answer)
C
Ques: Anyone for kimchi ? Around 2,000 women made the traditional dish last week in Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea(ROK). More than 270 tons of kimchi were produced and handed out to needy neighbours. In the ROK, kimchi is more than a dish to be eaten with every meal, even though Koreans are said to eat about 40 pounds(around 18kg) of kimchi per person each year. According to Korean.net, the country's official multilingual website, kimchi represents "the spirit" of the Koreans. Kimchi traditionally has a rosy color. Korea.net says: "The color red wards off evil spirits. The color represents the spirit of the Korean people and kimchi is more than just a food. It's a culture." A meal without kimchi is unthinkable. So what is kimchi? Joan Raymond, food writer for US website health.com, writes: "It's a reddish, fermented cabbage dish , made with a mix of garlic salt, vinegar, chili peppers and other spices. It is served at every meal, either along with or mixed with rice and noodles. It is part of a high-fiber, low fat diet, which has _ ." Kimchi is used in everything from soups to pancakes and as a topping on pizza and burgers. Health.com named kimchi in its list of the world's top five healthiest foods as it is rich in vitamins, aids digestion and may even reduce the risk of cancer. A study conducted by Seoul National University claimed that chickens infected with the H5N1 virus (bird flu) recovered after eating food containing the same bacteria found in kimchi. When Koreans pose for photos, they say "kimchi", instead of "cheese". What does the article mainly talk about? A) The nutritional value of kimchi. B) Ways of making kimchi. C) The origin of kimchi. D) Kimchi and what it means to Koreans.
Ans: D
There exist cruel wars, fighting and sadness in the world today, so it's not only necessary, but also essential to have a good sense of humor just to help us go through difficult times in our lives. Putting a smile on someone's face when you know they are feeling depressed, as the saying goes, makes me feel good and warms my heart. How would you feel if you could not joke around with your wife, husband, child, co-worker neighbor, close friend, or even just someone that you are standing in line with at your corner store? I am always saying things that make others smile or laugh, even if I don't know the person I'm joking around with. My Grandma always found humor in everything she did, even if it was the hardest job anyone could imagine. This not only relieves stress in any situation, but also is a common manner to speak to others that are around you. I know of a few people that don't have a funny bone in their bodies, as they say. Everyone around them could be rolling on the floor after hearing a great joke and they would sit there without the slightest smile on their face. They don't get the joke that makes others laugh. I am busting a gut while they just sit there, looking at me as if I were from outer space. How can people not get a really funny joke? Laughing is essential to keep your stress levels under control. Without humor we would find ourselves with a lot of psychological problems, or on a lot of medications to keep us from going crazy. There is too much sadness in this present world. It drives people crazy. We all need to find a way to avoid the sadness and bring a little light into our lives. Therefore, I believe our best medicine is to get together and tell some jokes and have some fun laughing together. What is the author's attitude towards the present world? A) Indifferent B) Positive C) Satisfied D) Critical
D