One afternoon, after finishing shopping in a supermarket, my family and I went to the checkout. I suddenly thought we didn't need any of the junk, and we abandoned all of those, saving $300. That got me thinking about all our pointless expenses in life. With a promise that we'd stop if it was killing us, I convinced the family to take the leap into frugality . The rules were that we would buy nothing for 30 days except absolutely essentials. Our adventure began with a great start. By 9 a.m., my wife, Ruth, had already made cakes from old strawberries and picked flowers I didn't even know we had in the garden. I cleared the car by hand for the first time for years. I read and returned the neighbor's newspaper before he woke up. Total spending on the first day: $0. As days turned into weeks, we became so proficient at living frugally. We started riding our bikes to save gas. My child's finger painting was recycled as gift wrap for the homemade presents. We started to use an Internet application like Skype for free phone calls and ask neighbors with gardens for extra vegetables and herbs. In the end, we saved more than $2000 by not spending for a month. When we began, I imagined we would rush out the moment we were done and buy a lot of things in the supermarket, then maybe hit the mall or go to the movies. We can infer from the passage that before that very afternoon, the family _ . A) had had higher income B) had had a good habit of saving money C) had often spent money without thinking much D) hadn't realized they would have met financial problems
C
In tests, it shrank breast tumours by 80 percent and researchers believe it could also treat prostate, pancreatic, bowel and ovarian cancers. Even tumours that resist treatment with the best medicines on the market, including the "wonder drug" Herceptin, may surrender to the vaccine. The experiments so far have been on mice - but researchers hope to pilot the drug on people within two years. If all goes well, the vaccine could be on the market by 2020. Rather than attacking cancer cells, like many drugs, the new treatment arouses the power of the immune system to fight tumours. The search for vaccines has been prevented by fears that healthy tissue would be destroyed along with tumours. Researchers from the University of Georgia and the Mayo Clinic in the US focused on a protein called MUC1 that is made in bigger amounts in cancerous cells than in healthy ones.Not only is there more of it, but a sugar that it is "decorated" with has a distinctive shape. The vaccine trains the immune system to recognise the rogue sugar and turn its weapons against the cancer. "Cancer cells have a special way of thwarting the immune system by putting sugars on the surface of tumour cells so they can travel around the body without being detected," researcher Professor Sandra Gendler said. "To enable the immune system to recognise the sugar it took a special vaccine that had three parts to it. "She said it was this that "turned out to be a winning combination". The passage mainly recommends me _ A) a sugar that it is decorated with a distinctive shape. B) a medicine that could attack cancers. C) a protein that exists in cancerous cells D) a vaccine that could treat fatal cancers.
D
Q: Below are the top four supermarket chains in the world in 2012 and the reasons behind their success. Tesco Headquartered in Chestnut, United Kingdom , this global grocery store is one of the largest supermarket chains in terms of revenues and profits. If was founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen. Tesco stores can be found across all continents. Even though it was set up only for food and beverages, Tesco has drastically branched out , not only in geographical terms, but also in terms of products. Which now include electronics , clothing, health care, home improvement and even financial services. Safeway Founded in the year 1915 by a young M. B, Skaggs. Safeway developed from just a small grocery store on the fundamentals of providing value to customers and narrow profit margins. The success story of Skaggs becomes more evident when , by the end of the year 1926,he had opened almost 428 stores across ten states. Almost two years later, Safeway was listed at the New York Stock Exchange . At present, there are more than fifteen hundred Safeway stores across US and Canada. The Kroger Company Founded at Cincinnati, Ohio, US in 1883 by Mr. Bernard Kroger, the Kroger Company is now one of the largest supermarket chains not only in the US. but across the world . Over the last couple of decades, the Kroger Company has vastly expanded by acquiring popular brand names, including those of Owen's Market. Its stores are largely spread out across Middle. Western and Central United States. Reve-Gruppe Reve - Gruppe was founded in 1927 and is presently headquartered at Cologne, Germany . This supermarket chain is easily counted among the top supermarket chains of the world . Its vast line of products includes grocery, home improvement, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, optical as well as clothing . Its stores can be found in as many as fourteen European countries, providing employment to more than 325,000 people. What is the topic of the passage? A) An introduction to four top supermarket chains around the world. B) The history of four top supermarkets chains. C) The background of four supermarket chains. D) The most profitable supermarket chains in the world.
A: A
Q: Ice climb in London The huge ice skating area at Somerset House has been drawing crowds each winter for years, but last November an ice wall was added for the first time, bringing even more danger and excitement. Standing more than 26 feet high is a long line of pure ice, featuring three climbing faces of varying difficulty using crampons , ice picks and ropes. Using it costs about PS40 (020 78454600; www.somersethouseicednk.org.uk). It is open from late November to the end of January. Hang-gliding in Rio De Janeiro According to the hang-gliders of Rio, once you've swooped over the city's streets, gazing at the Sugar Loaf, and the city of Niteroion, the other side of Guanabara Bay, you will understand why birds are peaceful animals. Accept the romantic idea on a 30-minute cycling flight from the 525-meter Pedra Bonita in the Sao Conrado mountain down to the Sao Conrado beach. It costs around PS55. Contact Air Adventures (00 21 9843 9006; www.riohanggliding. com). Skywalk in Sydney This experience takes having a look at a nice view to the whole other level, as you are suspended more than 850 feet (260 m) above street level, controlled to a glass viewing platform of Sydney Tower. It's the city's highest building. After a thorough briefing and being fitted with protective skysuits, skywalkers make their way along two-purpose-built walkways and platforms, which have transparent floor, while a guide points out landmarks. Night time skywalks are also available. It costs PS46. Mountain boarding in Leeds Riders roll down hills and fly off jumps, doing tricks. A number of special mountainboard parks have opened around the country (see www. ridethehill.com). But the Leeds body of the Boarding Society practice at least twice a week in the city in locations that include Roundhay Park. Those with their own boards are welcomed to join them. Contact the society at www.scuz.info. Alternatively, beginners can get lessons in Halifax at the Another World (01422 245196; www. Mountain boarding.co.uk) mountainboard center for... You have never tried dangerous sport, then you can get on _ to find some training information. A) www.ridethehill.com B) www.riohanggliding.com C) www.scuz.info D) www.mountainboarding.co.uk
A: D