Many times when people hear the words social networking, their brains automatically go to sites such as Twitter or Facebook.However, there are sites for those into social networking and into reading. Sound crazy? It's really not. If you' ve ever wanted a site where you can receive book recommendations, follow your favorite authors, and keep up with what your friends are reading.then look no further than Goodreads, com. Goodreads provides useful services for those in the reading world, It is a site where you can win books by going to giveaways and simply entering your information.Some giveaways are even signed by the author.And the books aren't boring, old or torn copies - many of them are ARC's (Advanced Readers Copies), for which you can write a short review on the site.Anyone can post reviews of their favorite books or series so that others may _ to read them as well. Another function of the site is offering book clubs and interest groups.You can have interactive discussions with groups of people reading the same things, sort of like a blog.You can also make friends with people and post statuses similar to Facebook.Your friends can send you hook recommendations and you can add them to your shelf if you choose. Shelves are by far one of the best features on the site.You can categorize your entire library and put hooks you want to read on your "to - read" shelf.These virtual shelves allow you to see what you' ve read and also let you keep track of the number of books you' ve read in a year. You can even read original writing for free because many people post their own writing on the site to gain feedback and advice on how to improve.Anyone can join this site for free and fall in love with not just a hook, but a book site as well. What do we know about the shelves on Coodreads.com? A) They are filled with all kinds of books from some libraries. B) They are real bookshelves presented to readers by the site. C) That is where people put books they have read or want to read. D) New books will continuously be added to readers shelves by the site.
C
People travel for a lot of reasons.Some travelers go to see battlefields or religious shrines.Others are looking for culture,or simply want to have their photos taken in front of famous places.But most Europeans are willing to pay a lot of money and put up with a lot of inconveniences for the sun because they have so little of it.Residents of cities like London,Copenhagen,and Amsterdam spend a lot of their winter in the dark because the days are so short and much of the rest of the year is in the rain.Every summer,more than 25 million people travel to Mediterranean resorts and beaches for their vacation.They all come for the same reason: sun. The huge crowds mean lots of money for the economies of Mediterranean countries.Italy's 30,000 hotels are booked every summer.And 13 million people camp out on French Beaches,parks,and roadsides.Spain's long sandy coastline attracts more people than anywhere else.37 million tourists visit yearly,or one tourist for every person living in Spain. But there are signs that the area is getting more tourism than it can handle.The Mediterranean is already one of the most polluted seas on earth.And with increased tourism,it's getting worse.The French can't figure out what to do with all the garbage left by campers around St.Tropez.And in many places,swimming is dangerous because of pollution. None of this,however,is damaging anyone's fun.The Mediterranean gets more popular every year with tourists.Obviously,they don't go there for clean water.They stand traffic jams and seem to like crowded beaches.They don't even mind the pollution.No matter how dirty the water is,the coastline still looks beautiful.And as long as the sun shines,it's still better than sitting in the cold rain in Berlin,London,or else. According to the passage,which of the following countries attracts more tourists than the others? A) Italy B) Spain C) France D) Greece
B
Q: Authorities will continue to take a hard line on Internet-based rumors and punish those creating fake information, a senior official said on Thursday. Authorities have removed more than 210,000 online posts and shut down 42 websites since mid-March in their latest crackdown on online rumors, said Liu Zhengrong, a senior official with the State Internet Information Office. Fake information or rumors spread through the Internet, especially on micro blogs, have harmed social order and residents' daily lives, he said at a news briefing in Beijing. Before the crackdown, six people who allegedly fabricated rumors about "military vehicles entering Beijing" had been detained and 16 websites closed for fake online information, according to police authorities. "What we've done and will do is to make sure residents can know what they want to know, say what they think and supervise our management in a reliable and useful network environment," Liu said. Liu disagreed that the Internet can police itself against rumors, and told China Daily that some netizens can't distinguish truth from fiction, "requiring government departments and website companies to take measures". On Monday, the Internet Society of China posted a proposal calling on Internet companies and websites to strengthen self-discipline and prevent the spread of online rumors. In response, three main Internet companies in the country - Sina, Baidu and Tencent - said they will target fake information with advanced technology and invest in manpower to supervise online information. Zhao Zhiguo, deputy director of the Telecommunications Administration under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said stricter self-management of websites will help banish online rumors. "Internet companies should take legal responsibility when operating their websites. They should not become a hotbed for rumors and provide opportunities for fake information," Zhao said, adding they will launch similar crackdowns to close illegal website companies and punish those... How many websites were shut down before mid-March in the latest crackdown on online rumors? A) 42 B) 58 C) 16 D) 18
A: C
(Q).
Do Americans have morals ? That's a good question. Many people insist that ideas about right and wrong are merely personal opinions. Some voices, though, are calling Americans back to traditional moral values. William J. Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education, edited the Book of Virtues in 1993 to do just that. Bennett suggests that great moral stories can build character. The success of Bennett ' s book shows that many Americans still believe in moral values. But what are they? One of the most basic moral values for Americans is honesty. The well-known legend about George Washington and the cherry tree tells this value clearly. Little George cut down his father's favorite cherry tree while trying out his new axe. When his father asked him about it, George said honestly, "I can not tell a lie. I did it with my axe." Instead of punishment, George received his father's praise for telling the truth. Sometimes American honesty-being open and direct-can offend people. But Americans still believe that "honesty is the best policy." Another virtue Americans respect is perseverance. Remember Aesop's fable( )about the rabbit and the turtle that had a race? The rabbit thought he could win easily, so he took a nap. But the turtle finally won because he didn't give up. Sympathy may be the queen of American virtues. The story of "The Good Samaritan" from the Bible describes a man who showed sympathy. On his way to a certain city, a Samaritan man found a poor traveler lying on the road. The traveler had been beaten and robbed. The kind Samaritan, instead of just passing by, stopped to help this person in need. In no way can these brief descriptions cover all the moral values honored by Americans. Responsibility, loyalty, courage, gratitude and many others could be discussed. In fact, Bennett's bestseller-over 800 pages-highlights just 10 virtues. Even Bennett admits that he has only covered the surface. But no matter how long or short the list is, moral values are invaluable, they are the... The story about a Samaritan suggests that A) an American should show sympathy to others. B) American ancestors are Samaritans. C) travelers are so poor as to be helped. D) help is the foundation of American culture.
(A).
A