When I was seven years old my mom was diagnosed with cancer. For this type of cancer the survival rate was low. My family was extremely upset and shocked. I was too young to understand. I had no idea that everyday with my mom had to be the absolute best because we didn't know if it would be our last. I didn't understand why everyone was suddenly taking time out of their busy lives to come over and sit on our couch. The doctors told us my mom might survive with surgery . But it could also kill her. She agreed to have it. The surgery was scheduled for the day after the Columbus Day. The day before the surgery I had off from school, and my mom planned the best day of my life. The day began with her waking me up saying, "Kate, I have a surprise for you. Come see." The surprise was a doll I had wanted for the longest time. Throughout the day, she told me everything that she thought I would need to know to grow up and be a good person; she told me to be the best I could be and that I would always make her proud. The day was filled with laughter. For the first time in a long time I could see she was happy. Really happy. The day passed and the next day, it was time for the surgery. There were no tears; I think I understood that I could lose my mom, because they did tell me she could die. We waited all day for news from the doctor. Everyone jumped when a door opened or anyone walked into the waiting room. Finally the doctor came in, and the news was what we had prayed for. I will never forget that day together, and how her illness pulled our family closer. I understand now how lucky we were. I truly appreciate life and honor my mom for being so strong. After the author's mother fell ill, people _ . A) took turns to look after the author B) tried to spend more time on their work C) spared more time to stay with the mother D) asked the doctors to operate on the mother at once
C
(Question)
Different countries have different greeting customs.Now let's learn more about the greeting customs in different cultures. France France people greet each other with a handshake ,but close friends kiss each other on the cheek when they meet.They do this when meeting and before leaving. Korea In Korea ,it is a sign of respect for people to bow when greeting each other.In Korea, a bow is followed by a handshake.However ,Korea women do not shake hands with western men ,instead ,they bow slightly. Brazil Kissing women on the cheek is a common way of greeting.In a formal situation ,a handshake is often done to show respect.Men should shake hands before and after meeting, and once they have become familiar with each other ,a light hug is often given to each other. Ghana In a social situation, it's polite to greet everyone in the room.A handshake is used in greeting,and the palm must directly touch the palm of the other.It's considered impolite to touch the back of the hand. Two close French friends will kiss each other on the _ when they meet. A) hand B) cheek C) neck D) arm
(Answer)
B
Ques: Children are delight, they are our future. But sadly, hiring someone to take care of them when you're going to work is getting more expensive by the year. Earlier this month it was reported, that the cost of involving an infant or small kid at a childcare centre rose 3 percent in 2012, faster than the general cost of living. There are now large strips of the country where daycare for an infant costs more than 10% of the average married couples' income. This is not necessarily a new trend, but it is somewhat puzzling me. The price of professional childcare has been rising since the 1980s. Yet during that time, pay for professional childcare workers has stood still. Actually caregivers earn less today than they did in 1990. Considering that labor costs are responsible for about 80% of a daycare center's expenses, one would infer that stable wages means stable prices. So who is to blame for higher child care costs? Childcare is a carefully regulated industry. States lay down rules about how many children each employee is allowed to watch over, the space care centers need per child, and other details. And the stricter the regulations are, the higher the costs will be. In Massachusetts, where childcare centers must hire one teacher for every three infants, the price of care averaged more than $ 16,000 per year. In Mississippi, where centers must hire one teacher for every five infants, the price of care averaged less than $5,000. Unfortunately I don't have all the daycare center regulations, but I wouldn't be surprised if as the rules have become more complicated, prices have risen. The tradeoff might be worth it in certain cases; after all, the health and safety of children should probably come before cheap service. But certainly, it doesn't seem to be an accident that some of the cheapest daycare available is in the least regulated South. What problem do parents of small kids have to face? A) The ever-rising child care prices. B) The budgeting of family expenses. C) The balance between work and family. D) The selection of a good daycare center
Ans: A
Last year, CCTV journalists approached pedestrians with their cameras, held a microphone to their mouth and asked a simple question, "Are you happy?" The question has caught many interviewees off guard. Even Mo Yan, who just won a Nobel Prize, responded by saying, "I don't know". While the question has become a buzz phrase and the Internet plays host to heated discussions, we ask: What exactly is happiness? And how do you measure it? In the 1776 US Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson set in writing the people's unalienable right to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness". 235 years on, Wen Jiabao told the nation, "Everything we do is aimed at letting people live more happily." At National People's Congress, officials agreed that increasing happiness would be a top target for the 12th five-year plan. US psychologist Ed Diener, author of Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth, describes happiness as " a combination of life satisfaction and having more positive than negative emotions", according to US broadcasting network PBS. This may sound straightforward enough, but it still doesn't explain what determines people's happiness. Many argue that happiness is _ and that there is no single source. It also means different things to different people. For some, happiness can be as simple as having enough cash. Researchers believe happiness can be separated into two types: daily experiences of hedonic well-being; and evaluative well-being, the way people think about their lives as a whole. The former refers to the quality of living, whereas the latter is about overall happiness, including life goals and achievements. Happiness can cross both dimensions. Li Jun, a psychologist and mental therapy practitioner at a Beijing clinic, says, "Happiness can mean both the most basic human satisfaction or the highest level of spiritual pursuit. It's a simple yet profound topic." Chen Shangyuan, 21, a junior English major at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said his idea of... According to the passage, the writer may most likely agree that _ . A) CCTV journalists are concerned about people's happiness out of sympathy B) the question has led to heated discussions about who are the happiest people in China C) Bhutan's new index shows that people there are the happiest in the world D) it is not easy for us to decide what determines people's happiness
D