The dissolution of the Soviet Union was formally enacted on December 26, 1991, as a result of the declaration no. 142- of the Soviet of the Republics of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. The declaration acknowledged the independence of the former Soviet republics and created the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), although five of the signatories ratified it much later or not at all. On the previous day, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union, resigned, declared his office extinct, and handed over its powers including control of the Soviet nuclear missile launching codes to Russian President Boris Yeltsin. That evening at 7:32 p.m., the Soviet flag was lowered from the Kremlin for the last time and replaced with the pre-revolutionary Russian flag.

Mikhail Gorbachev was elected General Secretary by the Politburo on March 11, 1985, three hours after predecessor Konstantin Chernenko's death at age 73. Gorbachev, aged 54, was the youngest member of the Politburo. His initial goal as general secretary was to revive the Soviet economy, and he realized that doing so would require reforming underlying political and social structures. The reforms began with personnel changes of senior Brezhnev-era officials who would impede political and economic change. On April 23, 1985, Gorbachev brought two proteges, Yegor Ligachev and Nikolai Ryzhkov, into the Politburo as full members. He kept the "power" ministries happy by promoting KGB Head Viktor Chebrikov from candidate to full member and appointing Minister of Defence Marshal Sergei Sokolov as a Politburo candidate. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. What was the time when the Russian flag was lowered?
2. What date was the dissolution put in place?
3. Who was the leader that quit the day before?
4. What date was the election of Gorbachev?
5. Who were the nuclear passwords given over to?
6. What position was Gorbachev voted in to by the Politburo?
7. Who did he take over from due to him being deceased?
8. How old was he when he died?
9. Where was the flag lowered from for the last time?
10. And what was put in its place?
11. How old was Gorbachev as the youngest person in the politburo?
12. What was his original aims as secretary?
13. What date did he bring in two apprentices?
14. Was the declaration no. 142-H?
15. How did he keep the ministries satisfied?
Answer: 1. 7:32 p.m
2. December 26, 1991
3. Mikhail Gorbachev
4. March 11, 1985,
5. Boris Yeltsin
6. General Secretary
7. Konstantin Chernenko
8. 73
9. The Kremlin
10. The pre-revolutionary Russian flag.
11. 54
12. To revive the Soviet economy
13. April 23, 1985
14. Yes
15. By promoting Viktor Chebrikov and appointing Marshal Sergei Sokolov

Passage 1

The information Highway is the road that links computer users to a large number of on-line services; the Web, e-mail, and software, to mention just a few. Not long ago, the information Highway was a new road, with not many users. Now, everyone seems to want to take a drive, with over 30 million families connected worldwide. Not surprisingly, this well-traveled highway is starting to look like a well-traveled highway. Traffic jams can cause many serious problems, forcing the system to close down for repair. Naturally, accidents will happen on such a crowed road, and usually victims are some files, gone forever. Then, of course, there's Mr. Cool, with his new broad-band connection, who speeds down the highway faster than most of us can go. But don't trick yourself; he pays for that speeding.

Passage 2

Want to know more about global warming and how you can help prevent it? Doctor Herman Friedman, who is considered a leading expert on the subject, will speak at Grayson Hall next Friday. Friedman studied environmental science at three well-known universities around the world before becoming a professor in the subject. He has also traveled around the world observing environmental concerns. The gradual bleaching of the Grate Barrier Reef, which came into the public eye in 2002, in his latest interest. Signed copies of his colorful book, which was published just last month, will be on sale after his talk. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. How many families are connected to this roadway?
2. Who has a new broad-band connection?
3. Is he going a lot quicker than we are?
4. But does that come with a cost?
5. Does is seem like everybody wants to travel this road?
6. Does the road need to shut down for repair sometimes?
7. Due to minor or major problems?
8. When wrecks occur, who vanishes?
9. When was the road new?
10. Who's giving a talk at Grayson Hall next Friday?
11. What's the main idea of the talk?
12. How many schools did that guy attend?
13. What did he major in?
14. Did he travel far?
15. What was he watching on those trips?
16. How long has his new book been on the shelves?
17. Is it plain and drab?
18. What's happening to the reef?
19. When did that hit the news?
20. Is that his newest worry?
Answer: 1. over 30 million
2. Mr. Cool
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. Major problems
8. usually some files
9. Not long ago
10. Doctor Herman Friedman
11. global warming and how you can help prevent it
12. three
13. environmental science
14. Yes
15. He was observing environmental concerns
16. It was published just last month
17. No
18. gradual bleaching
19. in 2002
20. Yes

CHAPTER V

Nigel and Maggie had tea together in the little room which the latter had used as a boudoir. They were discussing the question of her future residence there.

"I am afraid," he declared, "that you will have to marry me."

"It would have its advantages," she admitted thoughtfully. "I am really so fond of you, Nigel. I should be married at St. Mary Abbot's, Kensington, and have the Annersley children for bridesmaids. Don't you think I should look sweet in old gold and orange blossoms?"

"Don't tantalise me," he begged.

"We really must decide upon something," she insisted. "I hate giving up my rooms here, I should hate having my worthy aunt as resident duenna, and I suppose it would be gloriously improper for us two to go on living here if I didn't. Are you quite sure that you love me, Nigel?"

"I am not quite so sure as I was this morning," he confessed, holding out his cup for some more tea. "I met a perfectly adorable girl to-day at luncheon at the Ritz. Such eyes, Maggie, and the slimmest, most wonderful figure you ever saw!"

"Who was the cat?" Maggie enquired with asperity.

"She is Russian. Her name is Naida Karetsky. Karschoff introduced me."

Maggie was suddenly serious. There was just a trace of the one expression he had never before seen in her face--fear--lurking in her eyes, even asserting itself in her tone.

"Naida Karetsky?" she repeated. "Tell me exactly how you met her?"

"She was lunching with her father and Oscar Immelan. She stopped to speak to Karschoff and asked him to present me. Afterwards, she invited us to take coffee in the lounge." What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Who had used the room as a boudoir?
2. What does Maggie think she would look nice wearing?
3. What is the name of the girl Nigel saw?
4. Was Maggie happy to hear of this?
5. Did she seem afraid, too?
6. What nationality is Naida?
7. Who was she eating with?
8. Who introduced Naida to Nigel?
9. Where does Maggie wish to be wed?
10. Does she like Nigel?
11. Is Nigel sure he loves Maggie?
Answer:
1. Nigel and Maggie
2. old gold and orange blossoms
3. Naida Karetsky
4. Maggie was suddenly serious
5. in her face--fear
6. Russian
7. Karschoff
8. Karschoff
9. St. Mary Abbot's
10. I am really so fond of you
11. that you will have to marry me