Dr charlotte Uhlenbroek recently returned to London after filming her second series, Jungle. It was difficult, 19-week trip, during which she explored the rainforests of Borneo, the Amazon and Congo, travelling around using variety of means of transport, including hot-air balloons and canoes. "I'm interested in the way animals communicate with each other. It was sometimes dangerous making the program ---I even went swimming with piranha fish. But the worst thing was insects. On one occasion I had 70 sand-fly bites on my arm. Luckily I didn't get sick. I prefer not to take tablets every day, but if I get a fever, take some medicine immediately." Filming the series was exciting, but also frightening at times. Her most challenging experience was climbing a 100-meter tree in Borneo, as she has a great fear of heights. "I had to keep pulling myself further and further upwards. All I wanted to do was get down again. Suddenly the safety equipment didn't look very strong and I thought that my ropes would break and I would crash to the ground." What did she enjoy most about returning to London? "When I've been away in hot uncomfortable conditions for a long time I dream about an ice-cold drink and my bed at home! But the thing I look forward to the most is nice long showers. There wasn't much water in some of the places we visited and I worried that I was using it all up and not leaving any for my colleagues on the camera team! " What does Charlotte miss most when she is away filming? A) Air-conditioning. B) An unlimited water supply. C) A comfortable bed. D) Iced drinks.
B
There are some strange driving laws in different countries. Vietnam: If you're in Vietnam without a Vietnamese driver's license, you risk a prison sentence of up to 3years. Russia: In Moscow, if your car is dirty enough to draw dust art, you will be fined about 2,000 rubles. Worse yet, it's not legal to wash your car by hand in public places--forcing you to take it to one of the few car wash facilities. Thailand: Drivers--males or females--can't drive shirtless, whether it's a car, a bus or a tuk-tuk. France: France requires its drivers to carry a potable breathalyzer all the time when driving a car. The one-time breathalyzer cost around US $ 5, and if you don't have one, you will be fined US $ 15. Cyprus: Raising your hands in the car can get you fined of US $ 35. The law states a driver can be fined if the person is not in a regular position inside the car or raises his hands from the steering wheel unnecessarily. Japan: Politeness isn't just the culture in Japan; it's part of driving laws. Splashing a person by driving through a puddle with your car will cost you over US $ 60. The country is also strict with its DUI laws---riding with or lending your car to a driver who gets caught drinking can lead to a fine costing thousands of dollars. If you are fined thousands of dollars in Japan, you may have been _ . A) in an irregular position in your car. B) sitting in a car with a drunken driver. C) splashing a person with mud. D) impolite to other drivers.
B
Q: Children today spend less time outdoors than ever before and it may be harmful not only to their physical health, but also to their cognitive development. A year-long study, recently published in the Sciences, found that elementary school children who were exposed to more green space within or directly outside their school showed improved learning and memory. The findings reinforce that of a recent six-year study on 905 Massachusetts public elementary schools, which found that students in schools that had more "greenness" in their surroundings reported higher scores on standardized testing in English and math. "There is an expanding body of scientific evidence linking the human experience in the natural world to better physical and mental health and improved cognitive abilities," journalist Richard Louv, co-founder of the Children & Nature Network, said in an email to The Huffington Post. "An increasing number of homeschoolers, nature preschools, independent primary and secondary schools, and forward-thinking public schools are incorporating nature experience into learning." The new study was conducted on more than 2,500 children in second, third and fourth grade at 36 primary schools in Barcelona, Spain. Researchers found that the students who attended schools with more green space showed a 5 percent improvement in the short-term memory that's critical for reasoning, learning and comprehension. But their inattentiveness decreased slightly. Spending time outside could have a number of benefits for children beyond improved memory and attention. Another recent study found that adventurous outdoor play such as climbing, rough and tumble play, and exploring alone improves children's physical health while also help them develop creativity and social skills greatly. Some schools are starting to take notice, creating more space for children to enjoy being in nature, including community gardens, outdoor playgrounds and small parks. Spending time in green space may have little effect on children's _ . A) inattentiveness B) creativity C) communication D) learning
A: A
(Question)
There's nothing like experiencing history to understand it.So instead of reading about the U.S.Civil War in textbooks,some schoolchildren in Virginia are creating videos related to the conflict,in which the northern Union and southern Confederate states fought over several issues,including slavery,from l861--1865. In one scene, children act as two Union generals, meeting at the Kaploan Klver in central Virginia.The l2-and l3-year-olds are producing a mini--video on the key role temporary pontoon bridges played during the war.After building and crossing a pontoon bridge,Union soldiers defeated a Confederate army in the Battle of the Wilderness. In another scene,students act as soldiers who are marching to the river with guns.Today,the area is part of a national military park.Park Educational Coordinator Peter Maugle shows the children how to hold the fake guns."Hopefully they will understand why these places are important through projects and programs like this,and they will make an effort to keep these places preserved for future generations,''he said. Another background is a plantation where much of the Battle of the Wilderness was fought. At this location,another group of children is focusing on the diary of a woman who lived in the region during the war.Student director John Ashley says the experience has made him think more about the human aspect of the war.Filmmaker Ghil Hong donated his time to help the students, who have understood it quickly."They are trying to convey the emotions during the Civil War.They really focus on wanting the story to be accurate,''Hong added. With help from advisors,the children also research,write,and edit the videos.Alexis Albert got a chance to try out directing and learned a lot about Civil War history in the process. "It helps me more as a student understand it more than reading a book and looking at words,"he said. The project is sponsored by the Journey Through Hallowed Ground,which raises awareness of historical sites from Pennsylvania to... The Journey Through Hallowed Ground sponsors the proj ect to A) direct the children to research,write,and edit the videos B) teach the children more about the Civil War history C) earn more money by attracting more tourists to the military park D) make the public pay more attention to the historical sites
(Answer)
D