When it comes to film, people usually favor good over evil, focus on the main characters and ignore the supporting characters. But when it comes to the Minions  , these conventions go right out of the window. Originally comedic background characters in the Despicable Me series, these yellow pill-shaped screwballs  have totally stolen the show. This summer the characters appeared in their own self-titled movie in theaters abroad, having the second biggest opening weekend of all time for an animated film, according to USA Today. Recently, McDonald's has been including Minion toys with kids' meals in some regions, causing loyal fans to go to the restaurant to collect them all. Related video games, clothing, toys and other merchandise are sweeping the world. The movie's huge popularity even surprised its writers. "We never knew the Minions were going to be so popular. It just became a force of nature," the film's co-writer, Cinco Paul, told the Los Angeles Times. So, what makes the banana-loving Minions a big hit? For many, the most attractive is obviously their cuteness. Their simple, graphic   nature can easily transcend cultures and age groups. "Even children can draw them", Los Angeles Times reporter, Rebecca Keegan, wrote. But there's more than just cuteness. US entertainment website, HitFix, explains that their way of communicating makes the creatures infectious   as well. They largely speak in nonsense words. But it seems everyone can understand them through their exaggerated movements and expressions. They desire nothing more than to serve their most despicable master, Felonious Gru. And this evil characteristic strikes a chord   with humans. "Perhaps we love Minions because they remind us of ourselves," Huffington Post associate Web editor, Sara Boboltz, wrote. Which of the following is true according to the passage? A) HitFix explains that Minions gained popularity by striking a chord with humans. B) While Minions can't be understood sometimes, their way of communicating is infectious. C) Minions are eager to take on whatever task their despicable master gives them. D) The opening weekend of Minions was the second biggest of all time.
C


2014 TFK Poetry Contest Calling all poets! TIME For Kids has a challenge for you:Write a funny, rhyming poem. It must be an original poem that does not copy another poet's work. Enter it in the TIME For Kids Poetry Contest. As fewer and fewer children are interested in writing poetry of their own, TIME For Kids decides to organize and sponsor such a contest to change the situation. Contest Rules 1. How to enter: This contest begins 12:01 am on March 6, 2014 and ends 11:59 pm on July 24, 2014. To enter, mail the following information to 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10020: (a) an original and previously unpublished poem that is humorous and has a rhyme scheme ; (b) Entrant's first name only and a parent's mail address. Limit one entry per person. By entering, Entrant promises that the entry (1) is original, (2) has not been published in any medium and (3) has not won an award. 2. Judging: All entries will be judged by poet Kenn Nesbitt, based on the following criteria: creativity and originality (50%), use of language and rhyme (25%) and appropriateness to the theme of the contest (25%). The length of the entry will not be taken into consideration. 3. Prizes: Our judge will select four semifinalists from which one grand-prize winner and three finalists will be chosen. The one grand-prize winner will receive an online class visit from Children's Poet Kenn Nesbitt and a signed copy of his newest book of poetry, The Armpit of Doom:Funny Poems for Kids, approximately value: $275. The three finalists will each get a signed copy of Nesbitt's newest book of poetry,The Armpit of Doom: Funny Poems for Kids,and both their poems and that of the grand-prize winner will be published at timeforkids.com. 4. Eligibility :Open to legal citizens of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are primary school students and are 8 to 13 years old at time of entry. 5. Winner's list:For names of the winner and finalists,visit timeforkids.com(after August 1, 2014, available for a period of 10 days). What can be known about the finalists of the contest? A) They will get a great deal of money. B) Their poems can be read at timeforkids.com. C) They will receive an online class visit from Nesbitt. D) Their poems will appear in Nesbitt's newest book of poetry.
B


Q: Our clothes are a powerful tool that can make us feel better about ourselves. One way in which this works is by wearing different color1s of clothes. Normally when we are sad, we will wear dark color1ed clothes. Oppositely, when we are happy, we often choose to wear brightly color1ed clothes. The reason for this is that our choice of color1 mirrors is how we are feeling. Those who don't believe in the idea are often heard saying, "if only this truly worked". Well in reply to those people, there has been a lot of research into what happens to someone's feelings when they are asked to wear just one color1 of clothes. It has been proven that if we wear particular color1s of clothes they can change our feelings. Suppose we are feeling sad, if we wear black we may begin to feel worse. However, if we wear green, red or yellow, we may begin to feel better. Each color1 is said to have its own healing power. So remember, if you are not feeling your best, you can always try out some different color1ed clothes. If one color1 has no effect on your feelings, maybe another will. What's the author's attitude toward "wearing particular color1s of clothes can change our feelings"? A) Believe. B) Doubt. C) Opposite. D) Enjoy.
A: A


(Q).
My grandma whom we all called Nanny was a solid, first-generation, Italian immigrant. She came to this country with her family on a tiny ship during World War I when she was only 8 years old. During the trip she survived stormy seas,little food, and an attack by a German U-boat. After getting here,her large family worked hard to build a new life in America. They never had much money but were rich in love. One day,when I was about 5 or 6 years old, my parents and brothers went on a trip. It was just me and Nanny in the house for the weekend. Nanny seemed so happy to be taking care of me all by herself. She made me a special breakfast that first morning. However, all I could do was to complain about how the food was not how Mom always made it. Nanny quietly put down the plate and went into the living room. I followed a minute later and saw that she had tears in her eyes. It was the first time I had ever seen my strong and proud grandmother cry and I was the one who had caused it. I walked over to Nanny, climbed on her lap, and for the first time in my short life I did something else too. I apologized without being told to and asked Nanny to forgive me. She smiled, rubbed my head, and told me I was a good boy even though I didn't feel like one then. That memory just like my Nanny's love will stay in my heart forever. It is a sign of both strength and wisdom. Asking for forgiveness helps us to learn, to grow, and to love. Nanny,s family immigrated to America mainly because   _  . A) they suffered starvation in their homeland B) they wanted to start a rich life in the new land C) they tried to get away from the terrible climate D) their country was in war and they needed peace
(A).

D