Problem: The television news feature about Ben Heckmann, an eighth grader from Farmington, Minn, was breathless in its praise. "At 14, he has accomplished something many adults can't achieve," the reporter said, "Ben is a twice-published author." But Ben's two "Velvet Black" books, describing a fictional rock band, were not picked from a pile of manuscripts by an eagle eyed publisher. They were self-published, at the cost of $400 by Ben's parents. Over the past five years, print-on-demand technology and a growing number of self publishing companies whose books can be sold online have inspired writers of all ages to avoid the traditional gatekeeping system for determining who could call himself a "published author." The mothers and fathers who foot the bill say they are simply trying to encourage their children, in the same way that other parents buy equipment for a promising baseball player. But others see self-publishing as a lost opportunity to teach children about hardship and perseverance. Mr. Robbins, a critic, thinks it is wonderful to start writing at a young age, but worries self-publishing sends the wrong message. "There are no prodigies in literature," he said. "Literature requires experience, in a way that mathematics and music do not." Alan Rinzler, a publishing industry veteran, suggested parents hire a professional editor like him to work with their child to tear a manuscript apart and help make a better. Ben's father, Ken, said Ben's ambitions "weren't to knockHarry Potteroff the list," but "to get that good feeling inside that you've done something." Ajla Dizdarevic, 12, who has self-published two books of poetry, has been on television and in local newspapers. "Being a published author," she said, "was always a dream of mine." Her new dream: three books by age 15.
1. How many books did Ben publish?
2. Who published them?
3. Who paid for this?
4. What is a benefit of self publishing?
5. What other child prodigy has published books beside Ben?
6. How did the television station feel about Ben's book publishing?
7. Was everyone praising the self publishing idea?
8. Why not?
9. What else?
10. What did the kid's father say to the naysayers?
11. Who wee a few of the naysayers?
12. What did Ken feel was a top children's book?
13. What was Ajla's ambition?
Answer: 1. Two
2. Self-published
3. Ben's parents
4. unknown
5. Ajla Dizdarevic
6. Breathless in its praise.
7. No
8. Lost opportunity to teach children about hardship and perseverance.
9. Literature requires experience
10. To get that good feeling inside that you've done something.
11. Mr. Robbins, Alan Rinzler.
12. unknown
13. three books by age 15.

Problem: CHAPTER XVIII.

"The Gordon is gude in a hurry, An' Campbell is steel to the bane, An' Grant, an' Mackenzie, an' Murray, An' Cameron will truckle to name."--HOGG.

The interruption of this scene came from old Holmes, who cried to his companion, on the high key in which it was usual for him to speak:

"This is downright bad, Shabbakuk--we'll never get our leases a'ter this!"

"Nobody can say"--answered Tubbs, giving a loud hem, as if determined to brazen the matter out. "Maybe the gentleman will be glad to compromise the matter. It's ag'in law, I believe, for anyone to appear on the highway disguised--and both the 'Squire Littlepages, you'll notice, neighbor Holmes, be in the very _middle_ of the road, and both was disguised, only a minute ago."

"That's true. D'ye think anything can be got out o' that? I want profitable proceedin's."

Shabbakuk gave another hem, looked behind him, as if to ascertain what had become of the Injins, for he clearly did not fancy the real "article" before him, and then he answered:

"We may get our farms, neighbor Holmes, if you'll agree as I'm willin' to do, to be reasonable about this matter, so long as 'Squire Littlepage wishes to hearken to his own interests."

My uncle did not deign to make any answer, but, knowing we had done nothing to bring us within the view of the late statute, he turned toward the Indians, renewing his offer to them to be their guide.

"The chiefs want very much to know who you are, and how you two came by double scalps," said the interpreter, smiling like one who understood, for his own part, the nature of a wig very well.
1. Who interrupted the scene?
2. Was the line in the scene a rhyme?
3. Whose line was it?
4. Does Holmes have a low voice?
5. Was he upset about something?
6. Why?
7. Who is he discussing this with?
8. Does Tubbs agree that they won't get their leases?
9. What does he hope might occur?
10. Was anyone wearing costumes?
11. How many?
12. Where were they?
13. Recently?
14. Why does Tubbs think that is important?
15. What does he think about someone being in costume on a road?
16. Does Holmes concur?
17. What is he hoping to achieve?
18. Does Tubbs think they should be demanding?
19. What do the chiefs accuse them of having?
20. What did the chiefs mistake for scalps?
Answer: 1. Holmes
2. Yes
3. Hogg
4. No
5. Yes
6. He was afraid they won't get their leases
7. Shabbakuk
8. No, he thinks nobody can say for sure
9. unknown
10. Yes, they were disguised
11. 2, both 'Squire Littlepages
12. Middle of the road
13. Yes
14. He thinks they will end up getting their farms
15. It's against the law
16. Yes
17. Profitable proceedings
18. No, reasonable not demanding
19. unknown
20. a wig

Problem: Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, China, was chosen to be the host city of the 19th Asian Games . However, some people say that the 19th Asian Games will be held in 2022, while some say 2023. Which is true? To make it clear, we need to have a better understanding of Asian Games first. The Asian Games is a multi-sport event. It is held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. It is the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games. The Asian Games are always held at the same year as the World Cup, which is also held every four years. Many people around the world pay more attention to the World Cup. This really makes the Olympic Council of Asia(OCA) worried. So, the OCA decides to _ the 18th Asian Games for a year. That is in 2019. In this way, the Asian Games won't be held in the same year as the World Cup. So Hangzhou will hold the event in 2023. Hanoi , capital of Vietnam , is the host city of the 18th Asian Games. However, Vietnamese government announced in 2014 that Hanoi gave up the right to host the Asian Games because they don't have enough money. Luckily, Djakarta , capital of Indonesia , was willing to be the host city instead of Hanoi. But then came another problem. Djakarta will hold presidential election in 2019, so the government wanted to change the holding time of the Asian Games back to 2018. The OCA agreed.
1. What is the capital of Zhejiang Province?
2. What was it chosen to do?
3. What are the possible years the games will occur?
4. How often do the games happen?
5. How do they compare to the Olympics?
Answer:
1. Hangzhou
2. to be the host city of the 19th Asian Games
3. some people say that the 19th Asian Games will be held in 2022, while some say 2023
4. every four years
5. It is the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.