*Question*
My 13-year-old daughter Lisa remembers birthdays, makes people cards when they are sick, and sends encouraging notes written in colored pens in her neat, artistic hand. One day I got a call from her principal, "I called to tell you that in 20 years of teaching I have seen nothing like what Lisa did today", he said I held my breath again as I thought, my Lisa? My sweet daughter? She must be the wrong kid. What could she have done? My silence made him go on. "I've never seen a student do anything so nice for anyone who needed it more." "What did she do?" I asked. He explained to me about the cupcakes . When Lisa came home from school that afternoon, I told her the principal from her school had phoned me. "Yeah", she answered, "I got called out of math class to go to his office. Everyone thought I was in trouble, but he just wanted to know what was going on at lunch." Lisa and Ashley had sat with Jordan, a boy who is in special classes. They talked about birthdays, and Lisa asked Jordan when his birthday was. He told her it was coming up but that he lives in a group home and they don't celebrate birthdays there. "I remembered his birthday was today, so I made the cupcakes yesterday," Lisa explained. "Ashley bought a two-liter bottle of soda and some birthday cups, plates, and napkins left over from her little brother's party, and we got some other kids together at lunch today to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Jordan." "The principal wanted to know why they were having a birthday party for Jordan at school. When they told him, he just shook his head, took off his glasses, and rubbed his eyes," Lisa told me. "Finally, he said he was going to tell my parents that I wasn't in trouble, he was proud of what I did, and I could go back to math class." How different my daughter was from me. Better, in fact! I wouldn't have ever known how to help out disadvantaged kids like that. But my wise daughter knew how-- all it took was cupcakes and adventurous , independent , kind spirit. How did Lisa and Ashley celebrate Jordan's birthday? A) They bought him a beautiful birthday cake. B) They brought him food and drinks from home. C) They invited Jordan's parents to the birthday lunch. D) They had the principal sing "Happy Birthday" to Jordan.
**Answer**
B

*Question*
Real gift at Christmas IT was Christmas Eve, 1881. I was 15 years old and feeling like the world was over for me. I didn't have enough money to buy myself the gift that I had wanted that year. Dad came back in and there was ice in his beard. "You've been by widow Smith's house recently?" he asked. Widow Smith lived two miles down the road. Her husband died a year ago and left her with three children. "I rode by just today," Dad continued. "Little Jack was out looking for wood . They must be out of wood, Tom." We filled our sled high with wood. Then we went to the store and Dad bought some food, and a smaller pair of shoes. I tried to think through what Dad was doing. I knew we didn't have much money, so why was Dad buying _ so many things? We got to the Smith's house and went in. "We brought you a few things, madam," Dad said, and put down the bag of food on the table. Then Dad handed widow Smith the pair of shoes. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling , and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. My throat seemed to be filled with something, and there were tears in my eyes, too. Just then my dream gift seemed very unimportant. Dad had given me the look on widow Smith's face and the smiles of her three children. He had given me the best Christmas of my life. The writer was not happy on Christmas Eve 1881 because _ . A) he was worried that his father was still not back B) it was the beginning of a new year and he didn't want to grow up C) he couldn't have the Christmas gift he wanted D) he didn't want to go out in the cold
**Answer**
C

*Question*
New Zealand is beautiful no matter what time of the year or season you visit. The best time to visit New Zealand is the time that suits you best. The weather in New Zealand is fine all year round. However, if you have more than one date in mind, the following information may help with your travel plans. The warmest months of the year are from September to April. December, January and February are the three hottest months of the year. It is summer. The long summer days are wonderful for water sports. Spring is from September to November. It can be hot, warm or cool. The weather is quite different. That depends on the places you visit. You can travel to Alexandra in Central Otago and Hastings in Hawk's Bay. Autumn is from March to May. It is a pleasant season in New Zealand. The temperature is a few degrees lower than that of summer. The winter season runs from June to August. The mountainous areas are covered with snow during winter and there is a little rainfall in some places. This is a good time for skiing. What is the weather in spring in New Zealand like? A) It is very hot. B) It is pretty cool. C) It is hot but wet in spring. D) It's different in different places.
**Answer**
D

*Question*
When you are feeling unhappy or forget how great you are, these are six ways to make you feel good about yourself. Look in the mirror and say to yourself,"I am a special person and there's no one in the world like me. I can do anything!" It may not sound so good, but it really works! Do something nice for someone. Helping others always makes you feel good. Smile! Be friendly to people you meet. Look for the good things in your friends and family. Learn something new! Have you always wanted to decorate your own room or learn how to swim? Go for it! New challenges are fun and give you a sense of accomplishment when you have finished. Read and start a diary, Turn off the TV and let your imagination fly! Write you're your thoughts, dreams or anything you want! Writing always helps to express your feelings. Stay with your family. We all need our family time. Talk with your Mum or Dad or maybe even your cousin. According to the passage, when you are helping others, you will _ . A) feel nice B) be sure C) be special D) be remembered
**Answer**
A