A recent report has suggested that air pollution in our big cities could be as damaging to our health. The report put forward practical tips that city people can take to reduce their exposure to city air pollution. Quite a lot, it turns out. * Watch where you walk Avoid walking along busy streets and thoroughfares , instead choosing side streets and parks. because pollution levels can fall by a factor of 10 just by moving a few metres away from the main source of the pollution - exhaust fumes. " Don't walk behind smokers, and walk on the windward, side of the street where exposure to pollutants can be 50% less than on the leewardside. * Pavement sense When you're crossing a road, stand well back from the kerb while you wait for the lights to change. Every metre really does count when you are close to traffic. As the traffic moves, the gases can disappear in just a few seconds, particularly if the wind is up, which means holding your breath during this period can make a difference, silly as that might sound. Besides, cross the road as quickly as possible. And once you're over, continue along the pavement as far away from the kerb as possible. * Where to sit on the bus Sitting on the driver's side of a bus can increase your exposure by 10% compared with sitting on the side nearest to the pavement. And sitting upstairs on a double-decker can reduce your exposure too. It's difficult to say whether travelling on an underground train is better or worse than taking the bus, but the air pollution on underground trains tends to be less toxic by weight than that found at street level. * Wear a mask Masks can be a good thing, but they only make a difference if they fit tightly and are cleaned regularly. Even the slightest gap to allow you to breathe more easily will _ any advantages. Worse, if you fail to clean or change the mask regularly, something dangerous can form on the mask. So the air you breathe is dirtier rather than cleaner. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage? A) when you are close to traffic, it is not advisable to hold your breath a while B) Cross the street as quickly as possible when waiting for the light to change C) Travelling on an underground train is better than taking the bus. D) Don't get close to traffic whenever it is possible.
D
(Question)
As the semester ended, students had a chance to _ . They got to grade me anonymously , assessing the ability of my thinking, my organizational skills and the depth of my knowledge. Such evaluations keep me alert to what works and what doesn't. Students reflect my performance back to me, and I'm glad to learn what they think of my teaching so that I might try to improve. This system reflects many aspects of my work. There is, of course, nothing wrong with it. But this system assumes that what students need is the same as what they want. Reading my evaluations every semester has taught me otherwise. Actually many students' expectations for their courses have already changed, reflecting, in part, the business model many universities are following: classes are considered services, and parents are eager to get their money's worth from their children's education. Students feel pressure from their parents to get practical use from their courses. This could make sense for an engineering course, but in my field, creative writing, which rarely trains up excellent 21-year-old writers, it is more difficult to provide the results that the career-minded students desire. Then I tried some teaching techniques to change the criticism of those unhappy students to the opposite and improve my student evaluations. My record would accurately reflect a smart, attentive, encouraging teacher. However, I would admit that they loved me simply because I agreed writing should be easy. I know other teachers have done the same thing: teach your heart out to the teachable but be sure to please the unteachable; keep your ratings high, like a politician trying to improve his poll results. I believe in the struggle. But I still can't help wincing when I read, "The instructor is mean." "Marcus is not committed to my work." "This class sucks." The business model has taught me that customers are always right. And maybe a few more dissatisfied customers would mean a better learning experience. Why have the students' expectations for their courses changed? A) Because students want to improve other abilities. B) Because students feel great pressure from universities. C) Because students have to satisfy their parents. D) Because the business model has changed.
(Answer)
C
Question: Every New Year brings renewed expectation for a change, for a better life and for a better you. That's a wonderful thing, because this fresh start gives us a chance to reinvent our lives and ourselves. Here's how. Let go Many times we are held back by our previous failures,emotions and barriers . This is all old baggage. Let everything unhappy from the past go. Let go of failures. Let go of fears you've built up. Let go of your ideas about what your life has to be like. Let go of long-held beliefs and habits which seem to be burdens to you. Clear away distractions Clear away email, your favourite blogs and news websites. Clearaway the iPhone or Blackberry, and clear away all the _ that pull at your attention. In fact, if you can, shut off the Internet for a while. You can come back to it after you take a break. Decide what matters most today Forget about your goals for all of this year. Instead, decide what you want to do today. What matters most to you and your life? What are you most passionate about right now? What excites you? What gives you the most fulfillment ? Often the answer would be in creating something, making something new, helping others, becoming a better person, and working on a project that you will be proud of. But whatever your answer, have it clear in your mind at the beginning of the day. Reinvent yourself every day Every day, you are reborn.Reinvent yourself and your life. Do what matters most to you. It might be the same thing that mattered most yesterday, or it might not be. That isn't important. What's important is today---right now! Be passionate, and be happy! You'll have a fresh start every single day---not just on January 1 of a new year. Which of the following is the writer's suggestion according to the passage? A) Stopping using hi-tech devices to avoid troubles in your life. B) Seizing the moment, but not to make a plan for the far future. C) Forgetting everything about and from the past D) Making yourself a person reborn every day.
Answer:
D