Sri Lanka is known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean", and it is easy to see why. This little country never fails to please visitors. ArriveThe national airline is Sri Lankan Airlines, which flies from Colombo to London and a couple of other European cities. The country's main airport is Colombo Bandaranaike, located 29km north of the capital city.Why now? The best time to visit Sri Lanka's southern beaches is from November to April. So by going early in the season, you'll get the best weather. Also in November, Deepavali, known as"Diwali" or the "Festival of Lights", is Sri Lanka's main religious festival, Celebrated throughout the country. See There is plenty to see in Sri Lanka. The ancient capital cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura are worth seeing, and so are many outstanding ruins. Other mustsees are the rock fortress ( ) of Sigiriya, towering over the jungle as far as the eye can see, and Dambulla's cave temple, the country's largest and best preserved. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites . Kandy is a picture-like town, which was the last stronghold of the Kandyan Kings. Today it is a cultural relic centre where age-old customs, arts, and crafts remain. Do Sri Lanka owns about 1,600km of beautiful palm-shaded beaches as well as warm, pure seas and colourful coral reefs. You can explore the underwater world, and surfing and di ving are available too. Away from the shore, wildlife is a big draw for Sri Lanka, and Yala National Park is one of the best places in the world to see wild animals including leopards and elephants.Taste Sri Lanka is celebrated for its excellent food, with a particular emphasis on fresh fruit and vegetables on menus everywhere. Fish and seafood are a big part of the local diet.Did you know?Sri Lanka is known for its tea, but it is also the world's largest producer and exporter of cinnamon . According to the passage, _ . A) you rarely see fish and sea food on the table there B) local people provide a healthy menu for tourists C) surfing and diving are not popular in Sri Lanka. D) Sri Lanka is the world's largest exporter of tea
B
Answering the Community Needs of Our City The Silver City Council recognizes that citizens have certain needs. To better meet your needs, we have made several changes to community facilities in 2004. This chart shows how we have tried to make your life better. Transport Three stations for the suburbs have been added to the western train service.20 new buses for the southern line were purchased in January. 50 percent of city bus-stops have been upgraded . Buses to the eastern suburbs will run every15 minutes. Communication Broadband cable is now available to all parts of the city. All of the new Government buildings are ' smart'-wired for better computer service! Medical Facilities The new state-of-the-art Nightingale Hospital was opened in June. To overcome a shortage of trained medical staff at Dover Hospital, 10 doctors have been employed from overseas.Some facilities at Station Street Hospital have been upgraded. Education Textbooks will be free to all primary students in 2004 ! Rent for private schools has been reduced. Teachers report that the 'no hat - no play' rule has been successful. Protection and Security Extra police now patrol ( ) the tourist areas. 50 new police officers graduated in July and have taken up duties in the city area. Entertainment / Recreation The John Street basketball courts have been re-surfaced ! The new Central Community Building opened in May. 5,000 new fiction books were bought for the Silver City Library. All the following are true EXCEPT that _ A) both residents and tourists can enjoy more security now B) Station Street Hospital had out-dated facilities before 2004 C) primary students had to pay for their textbooks in 2003 D) Dover Hospital is still short of trained medical staff
D
(Q).
Stagnant scientific education endangers U.S. economic leadership, says a report by leading business and science figures. Released at a congressional meeting attended by senators and Congress members of both parties, the report updates a 2005 science education report that led to moves to double federal research funding. Nevertheless, the Rising Above the Gathering Stormreview finds little improvement in U.S. elementary and secondary technical education since then. "Our nation's future has worsened," concludes the report panel headed by former Lockheed chief Martin Norman Augustine. The report "paints a discouraging future for America if it were to continue on the _ path it has been following'': * U.S. K-12 education in mathematics and science ranks 48thworldwide. * 49%of U.S. adults don't know how long it takes for the Earth to circle the sun. Although US school achievement scores have stagnated, harming the economy as employers look elsewhere for competent workers, the report says that other nations have made gains. If the USA's students matched Finland's, for example, analysis suggests the US economy would grow 9%-16%. "The real point is that we have to have a well-educated workforce to create opportunities for young people," says Charles Vest,head of the National Academy of Engineering, a report sponsor. "Otherwise, we don't have a chance." "The current economic crisis makes the link between education and employment very clear,'' says Steven Newton of the National Center for Science Education in Oakland. In 2007, however, an analysis led by B. Lindsay Lowell of Georgetown University found that worries about US science education were overblown . It saw three times more science and engineering college graduates than job openings each year. Other reports have found top science and engineering students migrating to better-paying jobs in finance, law and medicine since the 1900s. We can conclude from what Charles Vest says that _ . A) he is satisfied with America's science education B) improving science education helps the growth of the U. S. economy C) American young people have no chance to find good-paying jobs D) Finland's students are not as good as the USA's students in school achievement
(A).
B