Increased use of the Internet and mobile phones are undermining pupils' capacity for independent study and promoting poor grammar, it was claimed. Cranfield School of Management found almost six in 10 schoolchildren were copying information directly from websites for homework tasks without properly reading it. More than a quarter thought it was an acceptable practice, even though they know it was considered plagiarism  .  The study, based on a sample of around 260 pupils aged from 11 to 18 at a secondary school in the Midlands, raised fresh concerns that modern technology was having a destructive effect on young people. Andrew Kakabadse, professor of international management development at Cranfield, said, "Our research shows that technology obsession prevent spelling skills, encourages plagiarism, and disturbs classroom learning. "Despite school policies restricting mobile phone usage, students use the phone frequently, with the majority making calls from the toilets. The mobile phone continues to be a main channel of social communication during the school day." The report revealed that so-called "text-speak" was increasingly finding it was into pupils' school work. Three in 10 students admit to using text message shortcuts, such as "r u ok" in essays and classroom tasks. It followed a study earlier this year that found almost half of teachers failed to understand some pupils' writing because it was so full of confusing language. Phrases such as "innit" and "Gr8" were regularly found in school work, it was claimed. The Cranfield study found that mobile use was so common that many pupils chose to ignore school rules on phones. More than a third said they would use their mobile in class, while nearly three quarters said they would not even make an excuse to leave class to answer a phone call. What's the attitude of the author to the problem? A) Optimistic. B) Approving C) Anxious. D) Tolerant.
C

When you hear about a man saving his dog from a sinking ship, it's hard not to be moved by the tale of an animal lover's bravery.But the story becomes slightly less heroic when you learn that the man saved his dog before his own wife. But that's apparently what happened when Graham Annie and his wife, Cheryl, found their Yacht  sinking after it hit a rock, while on a voyage from East London to Madagascar.  National Sea Rescue Institute North London station commander Geoff McGregor said all three were wearing life jackets.The 9-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Rosie was wearing a tailored life jacket equipped with a light. "As the incident happened Graham sent a radio distress call for help and activated the EPIRB (a GPS beacon) but they were immediately forced to abandon ship," McGregor said in an interview, "He first swam Rosie to the shore safely before returning for his wife, whose safety line had caught on the steering gear McGregor added. The couple and their dog all made it out free of injury.Graham, a long-time volunteer with the National Sea Rescue Institute, said, "it was humbling to have the shoe on the other foot and need to be rescued."      Some details have yet to come out.So, it's likely that Cheryl was in a position of   safety and Rosie might have been in a more dangerous position had she been left on the boat. The couple did not want to speak with the media about their rescue.So, for now, it's left to readers to find out Graham's priorities during their troubled time. Graham saved his dog first possibly because  _  . A) the boat was sinking B) his wife had a life jacket C) he knew his wife could swim D) the dog might be in a more dangerous situation
D

Coca-Cola has created a publicity stunt   in Singapore -- a vending machine   which gives out free cans of Coke in return for hugs. The _ idea is part of the company's Open Happiness campaign designed to attract young people in Singapore. Students at the National University of Singapore were surprised to find that the soft drinks company had placed the machine in the schoolyard. But instead of the drinks brand's logo  , the words "Hug Me" are written across its red-and-white logo. Instead of paying money, customers have to hug the drinks machine to receive a free can of Coke. Public displays of affection are uncommon and have long been discouraged in Singapore, but are on the rise among young people. The move is part of a campaign created by the advertising firm Ogilvy & Mather, intended to let the youth to see the brand as a non-threatening friend. Leonardo O'Grady, leader of the campaign, said, "Happiness is contagious  . The Coca-Cola Hug Machine is a simple idea to spread some happiness. We want to spread happiness in an unexpected, creative way to attract not only the people present, but the audience at large." He hopes that it will encourage consumers to bring positivity, optimism and fun into their lives and to open a Coke, sharing a little happiness. The machines have been such a success that there are plans to roll them out across Asia. Mr. O'Grady added, "The reaction was amazing -- at one point we had four to five people hugging the machine at the same time as well as each other! In fact, there was a long line of people looking to give hugs." What was the purpose of the campaign? A) To help sell more Coca-Cola drinks. B) To display the famous logo of Coca-Cola. C) To tell the young Coca-Cola is their friend. D) To show Coca-Cola is especially generous.

C