Passage 1 As one of China's most popular and widely known story ,Monkey King, is set to return to screens with 3D effects. It may feature many of the same leading actors from the earliest 1986TV series Journey to the West. According to the producer, which can be got easily in the market? The TV drama, with a total investment of 150 million yuan, will be broadcast on Sichuan TV. Almost 90 million yuan has been put into 3D effects with each 45-mniute episode containing eight minutes of 3D. "The 3D effects not only cost us a lot of money but also a lot of time," director Kan Weiping said. "We had to put off its broadcasting time, which was set at first this summer." Passage 2 The Solar Roadway is an intelligent road that provides clean renewable energy using power from the sun, while providing safer driving conditions along with power. American inventors of the Solar Road said that it will power itself, and reduce the country's carbon marks. Many panels are fixed on the Solar Road. The top of the Solar Road panels is made of glass and the inventors are working together with top glass researchers to develop super strong glass that would offer vehicles pulling power they need. The Solar Roadway creates and carries clean renewable electricity and, therefore, electric vehicles can be recharged at any rest stop, or at any business that uses solar road panels in their parking lots. Such parking lots will be safer at night with the light provided by LED within the road panels. The inventors say their solar roadway has many applications and advantages from main roads to driveways, parking lots, bike paths and runways. About the 3D TV series Journey to the West we can learn that _ . A) it contains 45 episodes in total B) it will feature new actors completely C) we could watch it on TV after the summer D) we can enjoy it at home just with normal glasses
C
Because phones have caused many problems, many head teachers have ordered that pupils must keep their phones switched off at school. Others have told pupils to leave them at home. However, Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young at the University of Nottingham believes it is time that phone bans were reassessed--because mobile phones can be a powerful learning aid, they say. "At the start of the study, even pupils were often surprised at the thought that mobile phones could be used for learning," Dr Hartnell-Young says. "After their hands-on experience, almost all pupils said they had enjoyed the project and felt more motivated. "Some teachers also had to reassess their views. "Using this technology gives them more freedom to express themselves without needing to be constantly governed." one said. Other teachers found that pupils who lacked confidence gained most from the project. However, they recognized that greater use of mobile phones in schools could prove troublesome. Increased temptation to steal phones was one worry. "I thought, well, four of these smart phones are going to end up on e-BAY tomorrow," one teacher said. A few teachers remained concerned that phones could prove a distraction for some pupils. Allowing pupils to access school emails via mobiles would also bring risks if passwords were shared, they said. Dr Hartnell-Young says that the teachers' worries are understandable. "While the eventual aim should be to cancel overall bans on phones we do not recommend immediate, whole-school change," she said. "Instead we believe that teachers, students and the wider community should work together to develop policies that will enable this powerful new learning tool to be used safely. We hope that, in future, mobile phone use will be as natural as using any other technology in school." Which of the following can be the best title of this passage? A) Temptation from Mobile Phones B) The Mobile Phone Using Ban C) Mobile Phones, a Powerful Learning Aid D) Yes or No for Using Cell phones at School
D
Q: Italians like to say that when it comes to alcohol, they have a sipping culture rather than a drinking culture. That means that while Italians may enjoy a glass of wine or beer, they don't usually get very drunk. That's not true anymore. The new study by the Italian National Health Institute found that 63 percent of Italians under age 18 get drunk on the weekends. Now, the city of Milan has created a law that will stop anyone under 16 from buying alcohol. Anyone who sells or gives alcohol to a person under 16 can be fined up to $700. Young people who feel that the new law is unfair should go to the US for some perspective. The US has the highest drinking age in the world: It's illegal for anyone under 21 to buy alcohol, and stores or restaurants that are caught selling alcohol to people under the legal age risk losing their licenses. Many young Americans complain that the drinking laws are unfair: They are allowed to vote in elections and join the military at age 18, so why wait another three years just to buy a bottle of beer? These young people have found help in an unusual place. Last year, more than 100 presidents of US universities joined together to ask lawmakers to consider changing the drinking age. They argued that the law doesn't stop underage college kids from getting drunk - it just makes them want to drink more. For now, the law seems unlikely to change. But US teenagers who want alcohol can go north to Canada, where the drinking age is 18-19, or south to Mexico where the legal age is 18. Throughout much of Asia, Africa and Europe, the legal drinking age ranges 16-18. In plenty of places though, the official drinking age is ignored, and even young children can buy alcohol if they have the money to pay for it. No matter how old you are, you should always be responsible with alcohol. Teenagers in Milan are now learning that their reckless drinking behavior may come at a high price. We can infer from the passage that _ . A) Restaurants in the US don't sell alcohol to people under 21 for fear of a $700fine B) In many places shop owners don't mind selling alcohol to underage customers C) The author thinks that US teenagers should go to Canada or Mexico to drink D) Teens in Milan have to pay a lot of money for their reckless drinking behavior
A: B
(Q).
The Friday after the American holiday of Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It's said that it's the day that store ledgers move into the black and companies become profitable. On that day, retailers slash prices to get consumers to buy. It is also a time when many Americans start their Christmas shopping. VOA's Elizabeth Lee tells us how the economy may affect consumers on that bargain day. This day should be a shopper's dream. "It's just the deals, the sales and everything you can get for a lesser price," said Sandy Thomas, a shopper. But it's a nightmare for others. "I think it's crazy. I've done all of my shopping throughout the week so I don't have to go out on Friday," she said. It's called Black Friday, the start of the traditional Christmas shopping season in the United States. Every year it's the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. Stores open before sunrise and there are deep discounts everywhere you look. Last year a crowd of bargain-hunters killed a Wal-mart worker in a New York suburb. This year, many stores are increasing security while they slash prices. "This is a huge time for the retail stores," said Fred Joutz from George Washington University. "This is when they begin making their profits for the year." Economics professor Fred Joutz says how Americans spend the weekend after Thanksgiving is a good indication of how consumers feel about the future. With the unemployment rate above 10 percent, Joutz says Americans are saving more and spending less. Some retailers are attracting consumers by opening on Thanksgiving Day, when shops are traditionally closed. Other stores open their doors anywhere from midnight to four in the morning. And shoppers will be lining up in front of the doors in order to be one of the first ones to walk through and get a big discount. Electronics like flat screen TVs are usually the first items to go. Sandy Thomas says it's an annual family tradition and well worth it. "I just save maybe half of what I would have spent on a regular, you know, shopping trip," she... Why American people call it a black day? A) Because they organize activities in honor of some great person. B) Because there are too many people going out shopping for Christmas. C) Too many people are celebrating Thanks giving. D) The sky is black that day.
(A).
B