In the southern part of America, when somebody has a birthday, often family or friends, or both, will arrange a party. The party could be elaborate and include a meal or may be simple with a birthday cake and drinks. One does not plan, nor give, one's own birthday as is the custom in some cultures. At a party there is usually a decorated cake, often with the words "Happy Birthday" and with the name of the person written on the top of the cake. Sometimes there is also one candle for each year of the person celebrating the birthday before the cake is cut. While blowing out the candles, the person makes a wish for something pleasant. Usually those invited to a birthday party will bring a gift for the person honored. Gifts given by friends do not have to be expensive, but the family of the birthday person will spend whatever they can afford on a gift. Christmas parties also are very popular in the South. Often this is the only time during the year that some people see acquaintances . These parties can be elaborate or simple, ranging from a buffet to a reception called "open house  ". If you are invited to one of these, you don't need to take a Christmas gift, as it is not customary to take the hostess a gift every time you are invited to a party or a meal. However, if you wish to take a gift, it should only be something useful and inexpensive and should be given to the hostess at the door as you enter the party. Usually gifts of Christmas food treats are the most appreciated. In southern America, birthday parties are often arranged by   _  . A) friends B) oneself C) family D) Both A and C
D

Kenya is losing an average of 100 of its 2,000 lions each year because of growing human settlements, increasing farming, climate change and diseases, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). "Lions have a special place in Kenyans' life," said Paul Udoto, a spokesman for the organization.  "Other than being the symbol of national strength, they are among the Big Five, a main attraction for visitors to Kenya." There were 2,749 lions in Kenya in 2002 and their population dropped to 2,280 by 2004 and to about 2,000 today, according to KWS figures. "The fall of the lion population is worrying and every effort needs to be made to make sure that Kenya either protects its population of 2,000 lions at present or increases the numbers to an ecologically   acceptable level," said Mr. Udoto. "There is no doubt that the numbers are in free fall. I'd be surprised if they even last as long as 20 years," said Laurence Frank, project director of Living With Lions, a Kenya-based animal protection organization. "When I first came here 30 years ago, I would always hear lions roaring across the land at night and see their tracks in the morning. Now that is very rare." "The reason is simple. As the numbers of people grow and the numbers of cows increase, they take up much of the lion's space. Alongside that there are other ways, including poisoning, to kill lions." Animal lovers are making a new strategy to save the animals. Part of the measures will include tracking lions fitted with radio collars   in the Amboseli area in southern Kenya, close to the border with Tanzania. Wildlife officials in Tanzania face similar challenges in protecting their lions, but there is far less human encroachment  on the animals' homeland there than in Kenya. What will the following passage most probably talk about? A) Lions' past living condition in Kenya. B) Ways of improving lions' condition. C) Radio collars tracing lions. D) Lions' present living condition in Tanzania
D

Some of the most painful moments I spend as a vet ( ) are those spent with my customers assisting my animal patients from this world to the next. Making this final decision is not easy, and I have often felt powerless to comfort the sorrowful owners. That was before I met Shane. I had been called to examine a ten-year-old dog named Belker who had developed a serious health problem. The dog's owner--Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane--were hoping for a miracle  . But I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia   for the old dog in their home. As we made the arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the euthanasia. They felt Shane could learn something from the experience. The next day, _  Shane seemed so calm, patting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. A few minutes later, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's death without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a little while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up: "I know why." Shocked, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next astonished me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "Everybody is born so they can learn how to live a good life: like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long." What would the author say about Shane? A) He knew little about animal lives. B) He felt unexpected about Belker's death. C) He had a unique opinion about life. D) He was an outgoing and warm-hearted boy.

C