Time never had any importance to me until I received a watch from my father that organized my life and made me more responsible. I received this gift on a gray-sky day. I had to go to the airport at 9:00 a.m. to pick up my uncle Ali and take him to my father's house. However, I was late because I was hanging out with my friends. Later that day, around 11:00 a.m., I remembered my uncle, but I was very late. He had already left the airport and taken a taxi to my father's house. I got to my father's house at 2:00 p.m. on the same day and looked at my angry father's face. I felt ashamed. After I said hi to my angry father and tired uncle, my father asked me to sit next to him and handed me this watch as a gift. Then he asked, "Eric, did you have fun with your friends today?" I answered, "Yes, father, and I am sorry about not picking up my uncle." He said, "What you did was not very nice and you should be sorry for your actions." I was ashamed. "Father, I'll never do it again. I promise." Then he replied, "I hope today you learned something important, and this watch will be a reminder for you." He told me to take this watch and use it as an organizer of my life. I learned a very important lesson from my father that day: to respect time and never be late to meet someone. This watch is important to me, not because of its price, but because of the lesson that I learned from it. What do we know about Eric's watch? A) It was quite expensive. B) It was made especially for Eric. C) It was a prize for his good behavior. D) It helped to organize his life.
D
(Question)
Once you've tasted the joy and freedom of an all-access backstage pass, sitting in the balcony far from the stage has little attraction. In March of 2008, I had the opportunity to tour with a band. The experience was eye-opening. I hadn't realized how many misconceptions I had about the lifestyle of a world-class musician. Such a life is not as great as it appears. In fact, some aspects are extremely _ . Hours and hours are spent waiting. The musicians wait for their transportation; they wait for the sound check; they wait to perform. After the show, they wait for the crowds of fans to go away. When the musicians are not waiting, they are traveling. Sometimes the travel itself can seem attractive and exciting, with the limousines and the first-class seats on the plane. However, even these luxuries cannot make up for long, boring hours on the road or in the air. Basic needs are all but ignored. Late-night shows and early wake-up calls make them know the preciousness of sleep. The demanding travel itineraries and show schedules make regular meals impossible. In spite of the sacrifices, life on tour has its advantage, at least for the talent. A support team generally travels with the band, with at least one person dedicated to meeting the musicians' needs at all times. The musicians are expected to perform at the shows, but they are not expected to manage any detail of their lives. When I was with the band, I poured glasses of grapefruit juice, made sandwiches, prepared dressing rooms, and performed all kinds of routine work, such as buying toothpaste and getting money from the ATM. In addition, efforts are made by promoters to keep the musicians happy. Most places offer private dressing rooms for the musicians. There is also usually a green room, a room that is large with comfortable furnishings where the band can visit with friends and family while waiting to go on stage. Before the band goes on, their families and friends file out into the auditorium and find their seats. The house lights go dark and... Which might be the best title for the passage? A) Behind the Scene. B) Hard Life of Musicians. C) My Part-time Job. D) How to Make Musicians Happy.
(Answer)
A
Ques: Those accustomed to looking through thousands of books in big bookstores may find Japan's Morioka Shoten a little strange.That's because this tiny bookstore that is located in luxury shopping district of Ginza,in Tokyo offers just one title to its customers. Opened in May 2015,Morioka Shoten(Japanese for bookstore)is the brainchild of Yoshiyuki Morioka.The experienced bookseller began his career as a bookstore clerk in Tokyo's Kanda district before branching out to open his own store.It was here while organizing book readings that he realized that customers usually came into the store with one title in mind.Morioka began to wonder if a store could exist by selling many copies of just one single book.In November 2014,he partnered with his two friends,to establish a unique bookstore with the idea'A Single Room,A Single Book.' Like its offering,the bookstore is simple.The selections that are picked by Morioka change weekly and vary widely to attract customers with different interests.Recent choices include The True Deceiver,all award-winning Swedish novel by Tove Jansson,Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales.and a collection of artist Karl Blossfeldt's photography of plants.Morioka has also displayed books written by famous Japanese authors Mimei Ogawa and ito Akagi. To highlight his single offering,Morioka often uses clever methods.For example,when selling a book about flowers,he decorated his shop with the ones that had been mentioned in the book.He also encourages featured authors to hold multiple talks and discussions so they can connect with customers.Morioka says his ultimate goal is for the customers to perience being inside a book,not just a bookstore! Risky as the idea might seem,things appear to be going well.Morioka says he has sold over 2,100 books since he opened it.Things can only get better given that his bookstore is becoming increasingly popular not just among the locals but also visitors from other countries* What is unusual about Morioka Shoten? A) It sells only one kind of book each week. B) It is huge with various books to choose. C) It is located in the busy shopping district. D) It is opened by an experienced bookseller.
Ans: A
The tallest building in the United States, the One World Trade Center, opened on November 3, 2014 in New York. The building is 1,776 feet tall, making it the 3rd tallest building in the world. It has 104 floors. The building stands in the area where the twin towers of the World Trade Center once stood. On September 11, 2001, a group of terrorists destroyed these twin towers and killed nearly 3,000 people. It took 8 years to build the new One World Trade Center. Does the height of the building in feet reminds you of something in history? _ is the year when the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. One problem with such a tall building is how to clean the windows. Well, a platform hangs from ropes, and workers on the platform clean windows. On November 12, while two men were busy cleaning windows, a rope of the platform broke near the 68th floor. The two men were saved by cutting a hole in the glass window. The two tallest buildings in the world are the BurjKhalifa in Dubai, UAE and the Makkah Royal Clock Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. How were the workers on the platform saved when a rope broke? A) By calling for help. B) By using a new rope. C) By jumping off the platform. D) By cutting a hole in the glass window.
D