Many times  when  people  hear  the  words  social  networking,  their  brains automatically go to sites such as Twitter or Facebook.  However, there are sites for those into social networking and into reading.  Sound crazy?, It's really not. If you've ever wanted a site where you can receive book recommendations,follow your favorite authors,and keep up with what your friends are reading, then look no further than Goodreads. com. Goodreads provides useful services for those in the reading world.  It is a site where you can win books by going to giveaways and simply entering your information. Some giveaways are even signed by the author.   And the books aren't boring,old or torn copies ---- many of them are ARC's (Advanced Readers Copies),for which you can write a short review on the site.  Anyone can post reviews of their favorite books or series so that others may _ to read them as well. Another function of the site is offering book clubs and interest groups.  You can have interactive discussions with groups of people reading the same things,sort of like a blog.  You can also  make friends with people and post statuses similar to Facebook. Your friends can send you book recommendations and you can add them to your shelf if you choose. Shelves are by far one of the best features on the site.  You can categorize  your entire library and put books you want to read on your"to-read" shelf.  These virtual shelves allow you to see what you've read and also let you keep track of the number of books you've read in a year. You can even read original writing for free because many people post their own writing on the site to gain feedback and advice on how to improve. Anyone can join this site for free and fall in love with not just a book, but a book site as well. What do we know about the shelves on Goodreads. com? A) They are filled with all kinds of books from some libraries. B) The books there are categorized for readers by the site. C) That is where people put books they have read or want to read D) New books will continuously be added to readers by the site.
C


I appreciate how biking to work allows me to be outside for at least a small part of my day. I'm a senior program director. If I didn't bike to work, I'd spend my weekdays almost entirely indoors--underground tunnel. On the bike, I get trees, air and a great way to get to know city neighborhoods. Of course, I also get bad weather and city traffic. But it's worth the trade-off. The weather's not often bad, and rain and snow have their charms. I've been cycling to work since the late 1990s. I started when the city was doing some construction in the subways and rerouting passengers, which would have lengthened my trip considerably. I tried riding my sister- in- law's bike to work one day and liked it, so I bought my own. Even though I hadn't biked since I was a child, I got back into it right away. I bike during all four seasons. In summer, I wear shorts and a T- shirt and carry a messenger bag over my shoulder for my lunch and anything else I need. Once at the office, I change into business- casual clothes. In winter, I wear layers and a thin hat under my helmet. A cold winter day can be the best time to be on a bicycle. When the air is clear, free of oppressive summer haze, the city can look beautiful. Biking to work also _ during the workday itself. I have a rack   on the back of my bike that accommodates panniers that allow me to pick up groceries. During work hours, a colleague will occasionally need to send or retrieve documents by messenger. If I have the time, I volunteer. Pedaling 30 blocks and back is a nice way to take a break from work--and to save the office a few bucks on messenger fees. I'm sure that some people thinking my mode of transportation might be afraid of Midtown traffic. I'm no hero; I don't want to get hurt riding to work. It just takes time getting used to it. There's a risk, but all travel has risks. They're worth it to me. What made the author began to ride a bike to work? A) The author bought his own bike. B) His sister- in- law lent him a bike. C) There were few bikes on the street then. D) The subway construction in the city was under way.
D


Q: There is only one winner and in this case it is Gina Rinehart who has won it all. In her own words,"beauty is an iron mine", Gina suggested her recipe for glory and fame. She has been announced as the richest woman of the world by BRW (formerly Business Review Weekly) in May 2012. Let's read more about her life and journey to the top. Georgina "Gina" Hope Rinehart was born on 9th February, 1954 in Perth, Western Australia, to Hope Margaret Nicholas and Lang Hancock, the mining king. Her father discovered one of the world's biggest reserves in the early 1950s. Gina gained lots of knowledge of the iron-ore industry while working with her father. She married an Englishman Greg Milton, at the age of 19 and together they had two children, John Langley and Bianca Hope. Soon the marriage broke off and she remarried in 1983. Frank Rinehart and Gina had two children: Ginia and Hope. Frank died in 1990. Since then, Gina has devoted herself to her work and empire. She was the sole heir   of her family's wealth. Then after her father died in 1992, she started her professional career as the Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting Pty Limited (HPPL) and other privately owned group of companies. At that time, the company centered its functioning to mining-related explorations and accumulation of vast mining leases  . From there, Rinehart worked her way towards transforming the leases into profit earning mines. She also worked together with other companies to raise capital. Her efforts made the business increase three times in 2011 as much as before. At home, Rinehart was working to expand the family business, but she did not satisfy herself with it. In 2010, she stepped into the media industry by acquiring 10% stake   in Ten Network Holdings. Afterwards, she went on to hold stake in Fairfax Media, proving that mining is not her only interest. In June 2012, by increasing her stake in Fairfax to 18.67%, she became the largest stakeholder in the company. With this, she now stands at the head of $US 29.3 billion worth of an... How old was Gina Rinehart when she succeeded her father? A) She was 58 yeas old. B) She was 62 years old. C) She was 38 years old. D) She was 36 years old.
A: C


(Question)
Michael was a farmer in Texas.His parents moved to the USA from Ireland in the 1940's, and they became very rich.Michael decided to go back to Ireland to meet his old grandfather, who was still living on the same farm. Michael booked his ticket,flew to Shannon airport,hired a car and drove to the small village where his parents had been born.He asked for directions to the Ohagan farm,and in the end he drove up a bumpy path.He was shocked by what he saw:a small field,and in the middle of it was an old house,which looked as if it was falling down.Animals were wandering in and out of the front door,and on the porch an old man was smoking a pipe. "Are you Mr. Ohagan?"asked Michael.  "Yes,"replied the old mall. "I'm your grandson,Michael,"said Michael. "A--ha,"replied the old man. "Is this your farm?"asked Michael. "Yes,all the way to the wall over there,"said the old man. Michael was astonished."Grandfather,"he said,"I have a farm in Texas.I can get into my car and drive all day and I still haven't reached the end of the farm." "Yes,"said his grandfather."I used to have a car like that." Michael's parents   _  . A) still lived in Ireland alone B) owned a small farm in Texas C) returned to their birthplace D) were Irish immigrants in America
(Answer)

D