When I was about 12, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings. Week by week her list grew: I was very thin, I wasn't a good student, I talked too much, I was too proud, and so on. I tried to hear all this as long as I could. At last, I became very angry. I ran to my father with tears in my eyes. He listened to me quietly, then he asked. "Are the things she says true or not? Janet, didn't you ever wonder what you're really like ? Well, you now have that girl's opinion. Go and make a list of everything she said and mark the points that are true. Pay no attention to the other things she said." I did as he told me. To my great surprise, I discovered that about half the things were true. Some of them I couldn't change (like being very thin), but a good number I could--and suddenly I wanted to change. For the first time I go to fairly clear picture of myself. I brought the list back to Daddy. He refused to take it."That's just for you," he said."You know better than anyone else the truth about yourself. But you have to learn to listen, not just close your ears in anger and feeling hurt. When something said about you is true, you'll find it will be of help to you. Our world is full of people who think they know your duty. Don't shut your ears. Listen to them all, but hear the truth and do what you know is the right thing to do." Daddy's advice has returned to me at many important moments. In my life, I've never had a better piece of advice. Which do you think would be the best title for this passage? A) Not an Enemy, but the Best Friend B) The Best Advice I've Ever Had C) My Father D) My Childhood
B
The Carnival of Brazil is an annual festival held 46 days before Easter, especially famous for the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Carnival celebrations are believed to have roots in the festival of Saturnalia, which, adapted to Christianity, became a farewell to bad things in a season of religious discipline to regret and prepare for Christ's death and coming back to life. Modern Brazilian Carnival dates back to Rio de Janeiro in 1641. It originally copied the European form of the festival, later taking in elements of Native American and African cultures. In the late 19th century, the strings were introduced in Rio de Janeiro. These were pageant groups that paraded through city avenues performing on instruments and dancing. Today they are known as blocks, consisting of a group of people who dress in costumes or special T-shirts with themes or logos. Blocks are generally connected with particular neighborhoods; they include both a music group and a lot of revelers. Block parades have become an expressive feature of Rio's Carnival. Today, they number more than 100 and the groups increase each year. Blocks can be formed by small or large groups of revelers with a clear title. Before the show, they gather in a square, then parade in sections of the city, often near the beach. Carnival time in Rio is very interesting, but is also the most expensive time to visit Rio. Hotel rooms and other lodgings can be up to four times more expensive than the regular rates. There are big crowds at some locations and life is far from ordinary in many parts of town. How long is the history of the people's celebrating modern Brazilian Carnival? A) About 100 years. B) Less than two centuries. C) About 370 years. D) Over five centuries.
C
Q: I don't know if I am missing the greatest pleasure of my life.I am not a fan of computer games.Some guys forget themselves and forget day and night when they play games.For example,a colleague has been playing since 1 o'clock this morning and now it is 7 o'clock.He is still commanding his army of little people to attack strange-looking animals.Some games could be fun,I admit,and it is therefore understandable that such a game catches players.For example,games like Red Storm or some role-play games,you do something and try to outwit your computer.You get some fun out of these games.It is understandable that such a game pushes you into a pitfall of pleasures.But some games look quite stupid and simple.Again for example,my colleague has been interested in Stone Age,a cartoon-like game rooted in pre-historic time.The game is well made,full of strange people and animals and you can play on line with partners.You can have reference books to study so as to shortcut your rivals and increase your own conquering power. I believe some kinds of games are really created for adults.But seeing these adults play the simple games with such interest,I just wonder if there is something wrong with me and if I am losing the greatest possible fun of my life.I ask why I don't _ playing such games and why I seem to have some aversion to such games.I have no answers.Certainly computer games are not my idea of a good time.I would rather listen to some music or read a book.Take music for example.Good music tops my list of pleasures.Nothing could beat music, all in a harmony of sounds and emotions.But how about games? Why am I so strongly biased against such games? The author has a pleasure to _ . A) make a computer game B) to read newspapers C) to listen to good music D) ask himself questions
A: C
At one time no one could travel on an English road faster than four miles an hour. That was the law until 1896. A man had to walk in front of a car which could not go faster than the man. At night the man had to carry a red lamp. Once Charles Rolls brought a car from France to England, but he wanted to drive faster than four miles an hour. In order to have no trouble with the police, he had a talk with some of the police officers, who ordered their policemen to look the other way when the car came along the road. This was a good plan in the country, but not so easy to follow in the busy streets of London. One night Rolls and some friends started from London on their journey to Cambridge. One of the men walked in front with the red lamp, but he walked as fast as he could. The police became very interested in walls and shop-fronts when they heard the car and not one of them saw it. They reached a hill, but what a waste of time it was to drive down the hill at four miles an hour! Rolls was getting ready to jump into the car, but then he noticed a policeman who was not looking the other way. The slow car reached him. "Good evening," said the policeman, looking at the car. "Good evening," said Rolls, holding the lamp. "One of these horseless things," said the policeman, looking at it with interest. "Yes," said Rolls, and waited. "I've often wanted a ride in one, but of course policemen can't buy things like that." He turned and looked hopefully in Rolls's face. "Jump in," said Rolls. "Thanks," said the policeman, and did so. "Now," he said, sitting down, "You can let it go just as you like down this hill. There isn't another policeman on this road for a mile and a half." In what way did the policemen carry out the order from their officers? A) They greeted Rolls when the car came along. B) They walked in front of the car with a red lamp. C) They pretended to be attracted by something else. D) They stood on duty every 1.5 miles along the road.
C