Living abroad to study can certainly be an interesting experience but is that alone a good enough reason for spending years far away from home? To make the experience truly worthwhile, there has to be a goal behind the decision to study abroad. This may be a wish to perfect language skills in a foreign language environment, or a clever move in your career development. You must also consider the costs, not just of living and studying abroad, but of applying. Most universities now charge application fees for international students. If after considering these points you are sure that you want to apply to study abroad, your next step is to choose the right programme of studies. Research your choices and select carefully. You must do your homework well. Most universities have information online but you can also email and ask them to send you more details. You can find a lot of information on school ranking from education websites. But read carefully. Different universities emphasize different strengths. Don't just think about the university's reputation ; look for the most suitable for your goals. Next, you must deal with a large pile of paperwork. This involves filling in application form, preparing your school records, and getting reference letters. Reading the instructions and requirements of the universities carefully is of great importance. Sadly, many fine applicants get kicked out in the first round, simply because they don't follow the application procedure properly. Money is another important consideration. Some scholarships are provided by governments, others by schools and colleges. This information, again, can be found on the Internet. If you find a scholarship that is suitable for you, follow the application procedure carefully; the earlier you apply, the better your chance of getting it. What are the three basic steps when you apply? A) Buy an airplane ticket, read the instructions and requirements, and study. B) Prepare reference letters, prepare school records, and fill in the application form. C) Prepare school records, do paperwork, and work hard. D) Write a reference letter, do paperwork, and study.
B
Britain's seed bank, the only one in the world aiming to collect all of the planet's wild plant species, has reached its goal of banking 10 percent by 2010. The Millennium Seed Bank Project, run by Kew Gardens--one of the oldest botanical gardens--will officially place the 24,200th species on Thursday, a pink, wild banana from China. More than 50 countries are now on board with Kew's giant task but vast places of the globe, including India and Brazil, still need to join in and donate seeds, director Paul Smith said. The seed bank is one of the largest and most diverse in the world with more than 1.5 billion seeds. Its goal is to help protect the planet's bio-diversity during a time of climate change. The wild banana seed is under threat of extinction in southwest China from agricultural development. It is a vital food source for Asian elephants and important for growing bananas for human eating. Stored at minus-20 degrees centigrade, so they can last for thousands of years, the seeds await the day that scientists hope never comes--when the species no longer exist in the wild. It is a race against time, Smith said, because in the last ten years alone, 20 plants held in the bank have already been wiped out in the wild. He estimates that between a third and a quarter will become extinct this century. "It is pressing and it is happening now. An area, the size of England, is cleared of primary vegetation every year." Smith said. Because most of the world's food and medicines come from nature, protecting wild plant species is quite important, scientists say. There are already many other seed banks safeguarding food crops, which only account for 0.6 percent of plant diversity. For Kew's next goal--to collect a quarter of wild varieties by 2020--the botanists need 10 million pounds a year, or a further 100 million pounds on top of the 40 million they have already been granted. Which of the following isn't spoken about in the passage? A) The global partnership of collecting wild plant species. B) The temperature condition of the wild plant species in the bank. C) The government's support for the seed bank project by giving money. D) Scientists' concern on the extinct wild plant species.
C
I was thirteen when my father got hurt.Looking back over the years, I sometimes wonder what I could have done differently that day.Spit twice over my shoulder when I saw the single magpie , maybe.But that's the thing about superstitions .You don't know how much power they have until you break them. We lived in a dark shabby house in Bucks.Wood blocks laid over dirt on the floor.That part of England was full of cherry trees.Chalky soil. The rice had caught in the bottom of the pot that morning at breakfast and all I could smell was burned rice.Even now when I think of that day I have the taste of burned rice in my mouth. "I'm going to cut down the old cherry tree," my father announced. "You've been saying that for years," said my mother lightly touching the end of her nose.Her nose ran all year long.Her arms rested on the table, a cup of tea placed between her hands, steam rising into the air."You'll never get round to it." My stomach, balled into a tight little knot relaxed itself. "Millie's going to cry if you cut it down," said my younger brother, Simon, his eyes bright as a fox."Silly Millie, silly Millie." "Hold your noise," said my father patting Simon on the head."And put back that butter.That's a week's ration you've got on your plate." "The war's over," said Simon in a low voice."We haven't had rationing for ages." Simon was right.Even sugar had come off points.However, we still occasionally received food parcels from distant cousins in Canada. My father glared at him and then went on. "Pigs.Burt says he'll come and help me take the tree down if he can have some of the wood." "No," I said springing to my feet."You can't do it.That's my tree.Always has been.Always will be.I won't let you." Tom, took a piece of toast, watching my reaction.My older brother, he knew what the tree meant to me. "Now then, Millie," said my father softening his face."That tree's wild.It's in the way." According to the passage, how many kids does the family have at least? A) 3. B) 4. C) 5. D) 6.
A