Scientists have argued for long over whether birds show real intelligence. Some scientists believe birds have abilities including communication and different kinds of memory. In some unusual cases, their abilities seem better than those of humans. Irene Pepperberg, a birds expert, did research about a grey parrot named. Griffin. Ms. Pepperberg says Griffin can arrange objects in order of size. She says the talking bird also can combine words in the right order. For example, he will combine words when asking for a piece of food. The researcher says experts had thought that only humans and other mammals with large brains have the ability to combine objects and words. She believes that bird brains have the ability to understand that complex tasks must be done in the correct order. Some birds have other memory skills. For example, they collect and store thousands of seeds in autumn, and find them later in winter. Alan Kamil and Alan Bond of the University of Nebraska are studying the memories of birds called jays and nutcrackers. Their experiments show that these birds use natural objects to find the seeds they have stored. It's said some birds can learn as many as 2,000 different songs. Songs may have developed as a way for birds to communicate with other birds. According to Verner Bingman of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, birds must have a special guidance system in their brain. He says that understanding how a bird's brain operates may help us better understand how a human brain processes information. However, some scientists do still believe birds do many things that appear to be acts of thoughtful intelligence. In most cases, they say, their behavior is simply instinctive , no reasoning power directing it. What is the main subject discussed in the passage? A) The intelligence of birds. B) Irene Pepperberg's study on birds. C) The difference between humans and birds. D) Ways for experts to train birds.
A
(Question)
New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate and enter the new year with a smile on your face. This year, there're plenty of local activities for all ages and interests, so the smiles will come easily. BLUE CONCERT Blues band the Coyotes is playing at the Dance Barn,at 8 Barn View in Sudden Valley, The show will start at 9 p. m. and benefit the charity Bikers Fighting Cancer. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 224-2308 for more information. NEW YEAR'S LAUGHS Ring in the New Year and laugh out the old one at the Upfront Theatre Comic improvisers will hit on all the highlights of the year with The Last Laugh of 2008. The 9 p. m. show will cost $15 and is open to all ages. The 11 P. m. show is open to 21 and older and costs $18, which includes a champagne toast. Call 733-8855 for more information. MAZE For a fun activity earlier in the evening,walk the labyrinth at the Leopold Crystal Bellroom. Wander through the maze, based on the French Chartres Cathedral, for free from 4 to 9 p. m. Call 752-0048 for more information. COUNTRY DANCING At the Bellingham Eagles Hall, live local music will help get the dance started at 8 p. m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for kids 12 and younger. For more information, call 676-1554. In what way do these activities have in common? A) They're all held in the same day. B) They're all held by the same organization. C) They're all organized for children. D) They're all about the dancing and music.
(Answer)
A
Ques: In most cases, drivers lose their driving licenses because they drink and drive. I have always promised myself that I will never drive if I have drunk alcohol . Still, half a year ago, I made a terrible mistake and drove after having drunk two beers at my friend's while watching a football match. I then drove my car to take another friend to his place. I thought there would be no problem because it was night and there would be no policemen on my way. But to my surprise, a policeman stopped me. I was not allowed to drive for three months and I also had to pay a fine. I told my parents nothing at the beginning, but then I had to invent a lie because I did not have the courage to tell them that I had driven after drinking and _ was the real reason why my driving license was taken away. Those three months seemed to pass very slowly for me because I was used to driving almost daily and I really needed my car quite often. I had to take a taxi and it cost me a lot of money. Then there were times when I had to ask a friend to take me to some place or another, especially if I wanted to go out of town. It was indeed a punishment for me not to have my driving license and I promised myself not to repeat this mistake again. Apart from this, being drunk while driving represents a real danger not only for the driver, but also for people in the car and for people on the street or in other cars. Therefore, I advise people to avoid drinking alcohol before driving. The author still drove after having drunk alcohol that night because _ . A) he thought he hadn't drunk too much B) it was too late at night for him to take a taxi C) he thought he would not meet any policemen D) he had promised to take one of his friends home
Ans: C
Ques:If you don't have a college degree, you're at greater risk of developing memory problems or even Alzheimer's . Education plays a key role in lifelong memory performance and risk for mental disorder, and it's well documented that those with a college degree possess a cognitive advantage over those less educated in middle and old age. Now, a large national study from Brandeis University published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry shows that those with less schooling can significantly make up for poorer education by frequently engaging in mental exercises such as word games, puzzles, reading, and lectures. "The lifelong benefits of higher education for memory in later life are quite impressive, but we do not clearly understand how and why these effects last so long," said lead author Margie Lachman, a psychologist. She suggested that higher education may encourage lifelong interest in cognitive efforts, while those with less education may not engage as frequently in mental exercises that help keep the memory agile . But education early in adulthood does not appear to be the only route to maintain your memory. The study found that intellectual activities undertaken regularly made a difference. "Among individuals with low education, those who are engaged in reading, writing, attending lectures, doing word games or puzzles once a week or more had memory scores similar to people with more education," said Lachman. The study, called Midlife in the United States, assessed 3,343 men and women between the ages of 32 and 84 with an average age of 56 years. Almost 40 percent of the participants had at least a 4-year college degree. The researchers evaluated how the participants performed in two cognitive areas, verbal memory and executive function --- brain processes involved in planning, abstract thinking and cognitive flexibility. Participants were given a series of tests, including tests of verbal fluency, word recall, and backward counting. As expected, those with... According to the result of Margie Lachman's study, we can conclude that _ . A) education is responsible for the lifelong memory performance and risk for mental disorder B) education early in adulthood can be the only route to maintain your memory C) those with higher education did better on the memory tests than those with lower education D) an intellectually active lifestyle does help to maintain your memory

Ans:
D