Question: The Crimean War was a military conflict fought between October 1853 March 1856 in which Russia lost to an alliance of France, the United Kingdom, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia. The immediate cause involved the rights of Christian minorities in the Holy Land, which was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. The French promoted the rights of Catholics, while Russia promoted those of the Eastern Orthodox Christians. The longer-term causes involved the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the unwillingness of the United Kingdom and France to allow Russia to gain territory and power at Ottoman expense. It has widely been noted that the causes, in one case involving an argument over a key, have never revealed a "greater confusion of purpose", yet led to a war noted for its "notoriously incompetent international butchery."

While the churches eventually worked out their differences and came to an initial agreement, both Nicholas I of Russia and Napoleon III refused to back down. Nicholas issued an ultimatum that the Orthodox subjects of the Empire be placed under his protection. Britain attempted to mediate, and arranged a compromise that Nicholas agreed to. When the Ottomans demanded changes, Nicholas refused and prepared for war. Having obtained promises of support from France and Britain, the Ottomans officially declared war on Russia in October 1853. 1. Did the churches finally work out their differences?
2. What two people didn't?
3. What did Nicholas do?
4. What was Britain's response?
5. What did they propose?
6. What did Nicolas do in response to the Ottomans?
7. Who agreed to help the Ottomans?
8. who declared war?
9. on which country?
10. When did the crimean War begin?
11. till when? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. yes
2. Nicholas I of Russia and Napoleon III
3. issued an ultimatum
4. Britain attempted to mediate
5. a compromise
6. Nicholas prepared for war
7. France and Britain
8. the Ottomans
9. Russia
10. October 1853
11. March 1856

Q: Dear Mom, I'm sorry that I can't go back home for Mother's Day next week. On that day, I'll have to go to an important meeting for my boss, who helps me a lot with my work and life here. But I'll find time to see you at home soon. Mom, thank you for everything you've done for Tim and me. After Dad died of a heart attack at home ten years ago in a road accident, you had to work in a supermarket in the daytime and in a restaurant at night. But you always gave us two your love and care. Though you don't have to work now, I still remember your coming home and feeling tired many evenings. Tim is going to finish his studies next month. He said he would move back from school and look for a job near home. I'm glad you won't live by yourself any more. Let's plan to take a trip in the near future. It's been years since the three of us took a trip together. Happy Mother's Day. I love you, Mom. Best wishes, David

1. David
2. Mom
3. Mother's Day
4. next week.
5. that he I can't go back home for Mother's Day
6. go to an important meeting for his boss
7. Yes
8. with work and life
9. Yes
10. No
11. of a heart attack
12. ten years ago
13. in a supermarket
14. in a restaurant
15. at night.
16. finish his studies
17. next month
18. Yes
19. near home.
20. Yes

Numbered questions:
1. Who is writing the letter?
2. Who is he writing to?
3. What holiday is coming up?
4. When is it?
5. What is he apologizing for?
6. What is he doing instead?
7. Does his boss help him a lot?
8. With what?
9. Will he try to go home at another date?
10. Is his father still alive?
11. How did he die?
12. How long ago?
13. Where did his mom work then?
14. Where else?
15. What time of day did she work at the restaurant?
16. What is tim going to do?
17. When?
18. Is he going to move after he finishes?
19. Where?
20. Is David happy about that?

input: The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential act of the rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements and unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways. In 1963 their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", and as the group's music grew in sophistication in subsequent years, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, they came to be perceived as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the counterculture of the 1960s.

The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over a three-year period from 1960, with Stuart Sutcliffe initially serving as bass player. The core of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison went through a succession of drummers, including Pete Best, before asking Starr to join them in 1962. Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act, and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their popularity in the United Kingdom after their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962. They acquired the nickname "the Fab Four" as Beatlemania grew in Britain the next year, and by early 1964 became international stars, leading the "British Invasion" of the United States pop market. From 1965 onwards, the Beatles produced increasingly innovative recordings, including the albums "Rubber Soul" (1965), "Revolver" (1966), "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1967), "The Beatles" (commonly known as the White Album, 1968) and "Abbey Road" (1969). After their break-up in 1970, they each enjoyed successful musical careers of varying lengths. McCartney and Starr, the surviving members, remain musically active. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001. 1. Was Ringo with the band in 1960?
2. What was his instrument?
3. Who was the first drummer in the band?
4. Were The Beatles known for using traditional recording techniques?
5. Did they stick to one type of musical style?
6. Who wrote most of their songs?
7. What was their first hit song?
8. When was that?
9. What was their 1965 album?
10. What was their album the next year?
11. What year was "Abbey Road"? Return numbered answers in your output.

output:
1. Yes
2. drummer
3. unknown
4. No
5. No
6. Lennon and McCartney
7. "Love Me Do"
8. 1962
9. "Rubber Soul"
10. "Revolver"
11. 1969