When I was in my first year of high-school I tried out for my school's basketball team. Although I was very successful in other sports, particularly soccer and baseball, I was only a mediocre basketball player. I remember walking into the gymnasium and feeling shocked when I saw how many people were also trying out. I knew I was a good athlete, but I didn't know if my skill would be as good as the other participants. Try-outs lasted for four long days. At the end of each day, the basketball coach had a short discussion with each player. He told some of the players to come back for the next day, and told other players that they had not made the team. This is called getting cut. All of us were afraid of getting cut at the end of each practice. On the fourth day of try-outs there were only twenty kids left. I was one of them, but we all knew only eighteen students would make the team. This day was the most intense day of them all. There were many opportunities to impress the coach but there were so few people that the pressure was very high. I was not one of the best players on the team, so I was especially worried on this last day. At the end of practice the coach told every player to take one shot from the same spot. Many kids missed their shot but mine went in the basket. After practice we waited as the coach talked to each player. When my turn finally came my heart skipped a beat when I walked towards the coach. My head was spinning when the coach started speaking and I was almost shaking because I was anxious. The coach told me that I had done very well and that he was impressed. However, the team only eighteen spots and unfortunately none of these would be mine. What is the author's goal in this story? A) To play basketball everyday after school B) To improve his skill at basketball C) To join the school's basketball team D) To play basketball, soccer, and baseball.
C
(Question)
A man was selling medicine at a fair .At first he sold bottles of a cure for colds for just a dollar a bottle. Many people wanted to buy it and the man's young assistant moved quickly through the crowd collecting money and handing out bottles of the cure. Then,when he had a big crowd, the man held up a very small bottle. "And now,ladies and gentlemen,he shouted,"Here is the medicine you have been waiting for.The cure for old age.Drink just one bottle of this and you will live forever. "And,ladies and gentlemen,the man continued,"I'm not going to charge(............)you a hundred dollars a bottle for this wonderful medicine.I'm not going to charge you fifty dollars a bottle.I'm not going to charge you twenty-five dollars a bottle.Now,ladies and gentlemen,I'm going to charge you just ten dollars a bottle. Think,my friends,for ten dollars you can live forever. Most of the people in the crowd did not believe this. One person shouted,"If it can make you live forever,why don't you drink it?Then another person cried,"Yes, you look as if you're at least sixty years old. "Thank you,sir,thank you,the man answered,"I'm so glad you said that. My real age is three hundred and twenty-nine. The crowd laughed at this but there were still some people who wanted to believe the man .One of them spoke to the man's assistant as she passed by,"Is that true?he asked."Is he three hundred and twenty-nine? "Don't ask me,the assistant said,"I've only worked for him for a hundred and fifty years. What does this passage really mean? A) The man is not honest,and so is his assistant B) The cure for old age is very useful and not so expensive. . C) The cheaper the medicine is,the more people will buy. D) The two men are very honest,and they would like to help people live forever.
(Answer)
A
Ques: Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar, a country music singer is using his rising and falling voice to tell the audience about his love, hope and loss. Few people could avoid getting caught up in his feelings. This is the appeal of country music, which speaks to the basic emotions of human life. Throughout the 20th century, it has grown into one of the most original and lasting American musical forms. Country music's roots are in the songs of the American South, brought over by early immigrants from England. Those songs expressed the hardships of rural life and deep religious beliefs. In the 1920s, country music came into being as its first recordings were made. Early stars like Jimmy Rodger, known as "The Father of Country Music", and the Carter Family established its strong traditions - good song-writing, singing and playing. Much of this music was written for and brought to the American public through the cowboy films of the 1930s and 1940s. It was widely popular then and many singers turned up on stage wearing Western fringe and cowboy hats. In the 1950s, the country music recording industry was set up in Nashville and moved away from its rough roots. But singers like John Denver, with his hit track "Take Me Home, Country Roads", insisted on the originality and emotions of "real" country music. Younger artists in the 1990s turned to older country styles and mixed t3vhem with elements of rock 'n' roll. Steve Earle, with his song "The Devil's Right Hand", is typical of this so-called "another country music". Country music continues to speak to Americans of all ages and backgrounds. And it gives the nation an identity . Unlike pop music, country music was American, and only American. During its development, it continued to emphasize that "American" element and sounded completely different from its English ancestors. It may even be said that its sound and story tell the history of the United States. Which of the following statements about country music is TRUE according to the passage? A) Country music was created by immigrants from England. B) Country music comes from South American songs. C) John Denver was known as "The Father of Country Music" D) Country music that belongs to pop music was American, and only American.
Ans: B
Ques:A trip to the library can change your life.That is the idea of the Get It Loud in Libraries project,which challenges the habit of speaking in a low voice.The sweet tones of singer Diana Vickers rang out recently,surrounded by books as well as fans,at Lancaster Library.Plan B,Adele,Florence and the Machine,Speech Debelle,and the Thrills have also performed for the project. This fiveyear project aims to increase access to libraries while developing youth talent and has attracted more than 8,500 visitors,5,000 of whom are firsttime library users. "I think it's wonderful,"Vickers says."I've been playing in front of big crowds and I'm excited about close environments where you can be close to your fans." As a child growing up in nearby Blackburn,she says that her school library was a "second home"to her.When she was young she lovedPeterRabbitandMr.Menbooks,and later her favorites includedLittleWomenandTheLovelyBones. Attracted by the stage,the young who would once never have been to a library have been returning to borrow books and CDs.The project's founder,Stewart Parsons,has worked in libraries for 25 years.He feels that the concerts have made libraries something that the young want to be part of.A mother,Lauren Zawadzki,sent him a text message after a concert:"Your work is great!!!Both Izaak and Dom have been reading in the library for the last half hour...You should be proud.They would never have suggested that before the concerts." Parsons hopes that the activity is changing the way people view libraries."My big worry is that libraries trail behind slightly;they shouldn't.This is about bringing libraries up to date.The beautiful thing is that people are reconnecting with the library in a way they haven't done before." The Get It Loud in Libraries project aims to _ . A) collect money for libraries to buy books B) attract more people to read in libraries C) provide a performing place for music lovers D) develop youth talent for singing

Ans:
B