Read the article and select the best answer. Article: A lot of us lose life's tough battles by starting a frontal attack--when a touch of humor might well enable us to win. Consider the case of a young friend of mine, who hit a traffic jam on his way to work shortly after receiving an ultimatum about being late on the job. Although there was a good reason for Sam's a being late--serious illness at home--he decided that this by-now-familiar excuse wouldn't work any longer. His supervisor was probably already pacing up and down preparing a dismissal speech. Yes, the boss was, Sam entered the office at 9:35. The place was as quiet as a locker room ; everyone was hard at work. Sam's supervisor came up to him. Suddenly, Sam forced a grin and stretched out his hand. "How do you do!" he said. "I'm Sam Maynard. I'm applying for a job. Which, I understand, became available just 35 minutes ago. Does the early bird get the worm?" The room exploded in laughter. The supervisor _ a smile and walked back to his office. Sam Maynard had saved his job--with the only tool that could win, a laugh. Humor is a most effective, yet frequently neglected , means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying "no", criticizing, getting the other fellow to do what you want without his losing face. For some jobs, it's the only tool that can succeed. It is a way to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialog may start a quarrel. For example, many believe that comedians on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance than people in any other forum. Question: Why was Sam late for his job? Options: A: Because he was ill. B: Because he got up late. C: Because he was caught in a traffic jam. D: He was busy applying for a new job.
C

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: With just a few minutes left before school was to start, my six-year-old, Dustin, was crying. "I don't want to go," he said. Ever since he'd entered first grade, he had hated school. What's going on? If he hates school this much now, how bad will it be later on? Every kid sometimes complains about school. But five to ten percent of kids dislike it so much they don't want to attend. "If a child seems worried or anxious about school, pretends illness to stay home, or refuses to talk about things of the school day, you should be concerned," says a school psychologist, Michael Martin. Fortunately, you can usually solve the problem--sometimes very easily. In our case, my husband and I visited Dustin's class and noticed that the teacher, just out of college, called only on kids who sat right under her nose. Dustin, who often sat near the back, was ignored . We simply told him to move up front. He did, and he was happy again. Question: From the case in the passage we can conclude that _ . Options: A: a child hating school needn't be taken seriously B: a small thing may lead a child to dislike going to school C: parents have to get in touch with teachers D: parents should know how teachers teach children
B

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: Despite the fact that businesses believe celebrities have a lot of _ with regard to the buying trends of consumers, researchers have discovered that this does not seem to be the case. British and Swiss researchers conducted a study showing that advertisements featuring endorsements by celebrities like David Beckham and Scarlett Johansson are not as effective as those by ordinary people. The difference is that regular people prefer to purchase goods that are bought by other regular people. In s sample of 298 university students, researchers presented a magazine advertisement for a digital camera that included an endorsement by an imaginary student saying the camera was "hot" and his "preferred choice." The same advertisement was shown to other students, but with a difference:the camera was endorsed by a famous person in Germany. The researchers also measured how important it was for consumers that the purchased products make a good impression on others. While the students said that both advertisements were beneficial, the one made by the student topped the celebrity one if students aimed to impress others with their purchases. More than half of the students, who admitted to purchasing products that would impress others, said they were influenced by the student advertisement. Only 20% said the celebrity one would affect their buying decision. For those who do not buy to impress, only 5% focused on the student advertisement. Professor Brett Martin from the University of Bath's School of Management, explained that the findings can be used not only in Germany, but in other countries as well. "Our re-search questions whether celebrities are the best way to sell products," said Mr. Martin."Celebrities can be effective but we found that many people were more convinced by an endorsement from an ordinary person. This is because many people, feel a need to keep up with the Jones" when they buy. " Question: According to the research, common consumers tend to buy fashionable products endorsed by _ . Options: A: people who resemble them B: common people whom they know nothing about C: a person who doesn't buy to impress others D: famous persons
A

Read the article and select the best answer. Article: For Chinese students the end of their senior year is filled with studying and stress as they prepare for the college entrance exams in June. The end of senior year is a celebration of their time in high school and involves parties, games and fun. Senioritis is a commonly used expression. It means seniors have a disease which makes them unable to do work. This starts in April when seniors find out whether they have been accepted to university. Unwilling to do school work, seniors have plenty of other activities to focus on.Many schools have a "Senior Show", in which only seniors are allowed to perform. Some seniors sing or dance but many of them perform skits , where they make fun of their favorite teachers or their friends. For example, a group of boys may dress up and imitate a group of their girl friends. It is all very light-hearted.The "Senior Show" is usually a part of Senior Week, which is a week specifically dedicated to seniors. During this week, seniors usually get academic or athletic awards they have won over their high school careers. The seniors also vote for one of their male and female classmates who they believe is the best-looking or funniest or most involved, etc. These are then published in the yearbook. The yearbook is an important part of high school for seniors. It is usually dedicated to them and has all their pictures and some words from them in it. Then seniors go around and get it signed by their friends so they can always remember their time together. Of course during all of this time, seniors are preparing for the Senior Prom , which is an important moment in American culture. It is the most important dance in a young American's life. The end of senior year is a truly special and wonderful time for American students. It's something they will remember for the rest of their lives. Question: Why are seniorities unable to do work? Options: A: Because they have a "disease". B: Because they are busy for the university. C: Because it is illegal for them to work. D: There's too much for them to learn in high school.
A