Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Until late in the 20th century, most Americans spent time with people of generations. Now mid-aged Americans may not keep in touch with old people until they are old themselves.That's because we group people by age. We put our three-year-olds together in day-care center, our 13-year-olds in school and sports activities, and our 80-year-olds in senior-citizen homes. Why? We live away from the old for many reasons: young people sometimes avoid the old to get rid of fears for aging and dying. It is much harder to watch .someone we love disappear before our eyes. Sometimes it's so hard that we stay away from the people who need us most. Fortunately, .some of us have found our way to the old. And we have discovered that they often save the young. A reporter moved her family onto a block filled with old people. At first her children were disappointed. But the reporter baked banana bread for the neighbours and had her children deliver it and visit. Soon the children had many new friends, with whom they shared food, stories and projects. "My children have never been less lonely," the reporter said. The young, in turn, save the old. Once I was in a rest home when a visitor showed up with a baby. She was immediately surrounded. People who hadn't gotten out of bed in a week suddenly were ringing for a wheelchair. Even those who had seemed asleep wake up to watch the child. Babies have an astonishing power to comfort and cure. Grandparents are a special case. They give grandchildren a feeling of security and continuity. As my husband put it, "my grandparents gave me a deep sense that things would turn out right in the end." Grandchildren speak of attention they don't get from worried parents. "My parents were always telling me to hurry up, and my grandparents told me to slow down," one friend said. A teacher told me she can tell which pupils have relationships with grandparents: they are quieter, calmer, more trusting. Question: Now in an American family, people can find that _ . Options: A: children never live with their parents B: not all working people live with their parents C: aged people are supported by their grandchildren D: grandchildren are supported by their grandparents
Ans: B

Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Discounts at various bicycle shops. Why Cycle with a Group? Getting to work by bicycle has never been more popular. Governments and nations are transforming their cities and highways to meet the needs of this new generation of cycling enthusiasts,and in a world where green choices are the new must-have, average citizens are eagerly seizing their chance to help make their bodies cleaner than ever before. Become an EBTC Member. Year round, organized by members like you! The Edmonton Bicycle and Touring Club(EBTC)is a recreational not-for-profit volunteer-run group devoted to promoting its members to cooperatively run bicycling trips during the spring, summer and fall, cross-country skiing trips in the winter, and social events all the year round. We welcome both road bike and mountain bike riders! Benefits of Joining EBTC: Opportunity to create the kinds of events you like:enjoy dozens of events. Participation in the local cycling community. Use of club bicycle tools on tour and library materials. It's more FUN! It encourages you to come out often and get healthy exercise without going to a gym. Develop skills and gain through the experience of others. Meet new and interesting people with a common interest in cycling. Meet a fun-loving,energetic and different group of individuals who enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy the outdoor experience with the companionship and security of a group. For more information on the EBTC: Phone the Club Hotline at 780-424-2453 E-mail:jprineau@edmontonbicycle.com Mail us at: Edmonton Bicycle & Touring Club P.O.Box 52017 Garneau Postal Stn. Edmonton,AB T6G 2T5 Canada Question: We can infer from the passage that the aim of EBTC is _ . Options: A: to call for governments to produce more bicycles B: to make money by organizing bicycling trips C: to popularize cycling by attracting more members D: to look for young volunteers for sporting events
Ans: C

Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: BEIJING - China's railway rates for freight and passenger transport will continue to be set by the government, announced a senior official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, on Friday. Cao Changqing, head of the NDRC's department of price, said that the country will continue to implement government-set or government-guided prices for the railway sector after the China Railway Corporation (CRC), a State-owned company that takes over the commercial functions of the former Ministry of Railways (MOR), went into business on March 17. Cao said the railway sector, constituting China's main public transport facilities, is a key basic industry. Its pricing scheme is concerned with both the sector's normal operation and development, as well as the daily traveling and vital interests of the general public. The state will be very cautious in making any price adjustment in the railway sector, taking into account various factors including operation, construction, public acceptance and coordinated development with other modes of transport, according to the NDRC official. Under Chinese law and regulations, hearings will be held before adjustments in the basic passenger train ticket fare, Cao said. In China's latest railway reform, endorsed at the just-concluded annual session of the country's top legislature, the former MOR was dismantled into two parts, with the newly created CRC carrying out business functions and a state railways administration fulfilling administrative functions. Question: What does this passage mainly talk about? Options: A: China's railway pricing scheme unchanged B: A State-owned company takes over the commercial functions of MOR. C: China's latest railway reform D: The former MOR was divided into two parts
Ans: A

Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: A casual employee is one who is engaged and paid as such by agreement between the employer and employee. There is a three-hour minimum payment for each period of engagement and a four-hour minimum engagement on a Public Holiday. No notice of termination is required. For night work between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Monday to Friday a penalty of $1.28 per hour (or part of hour) shall be paid with a minimum of $4.37 for any one day on which such hours are worked. Meals: Casual employees whose engagement extends for five hours or more shall be provided with a meal free of charge, or shall be paid in lieu of $5.00 ($6.00 from 1 May 1996) Casual employment over eight hours: Paid at the overtime rate of full time employees. Payment of wages: By mutual consent either weekly or on termination of engagement. Annual leave: Pro-rata Annual Leave entitlement for casuals is on the basis of 1/12thof earnings. Many employers pay this inclusive with the hourly rate. If this is not done, it should be paid on termination of services or at the end of 12 months' service. Special clothing: A casual employee is required to provide and wear a black and white uniform or an equivalent standard specified by the club (e.g. blue and white, cook's clothing, etc.) this includes how tie and cummerbund if required by the employer. The employer may launder all uniforms, or pay the employee and allowance of $1.00 per engagement ($1.20 from 1 May 1996) for general staff. Cooks shall be paid $1.50 per engagement ($1.70 from 1 May 1996). Question: In casual employment, notice of termination is _ . Options: A: not possible B: not necessary C: provided D: paid in lieu
Ans:
B