Problem: Consumer electronics once again topped the list of the most wanted gifts this holiday season. "Seventy-six percent of consumers who plan to buy holiday gifts say that they will spend money buying at least one technology product; definitely a solid vote of confidence for technology." Steve Koenig is with the Consumer Electronics Association. He says the group's latest research also shows that Americans this year are spending more on technology products. 

"Here in 2012, $252 on average-the technology spend for consumers this year." From tablet computers to smartphones, American shoppers have been lining up to get the newest and coolest electronic devices on the market. There are more choices today than ever before. "It's kind of hard to make a decision." 

Tablet computers are one of the best-selling products this year. Brian Tong is Senior Editor of CNET.com. The website reports on tech news and examines the latest electronic products. He says the Apple iPad Mini is one of the most popular tablets. Its starting price is $329. One of Apple's biggest competitors is the Google Nexus 7. It starts at $199. 

"The hardware inside is more powerful than what's in the iPad Mini, but also it offers you a lot of things like maps that work better than Apple's maps." Brian Tong says there is one reason why people may like the iPad Mini more than the Nexus 7. "If you just want to read books and surf the Internet, you don't really need to get an iPad Mini, but if you want the largest group of apps that's where the iPad and Apple's ecosystem shines the most." 

Elman Chacon is with the electronics store Best Buy. He says another hot product this season is smart cameras. They connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi. This makes it easy for users to email or upload photographs directly from the camera. "You can literally take a picture, upload it into your Facebook in a matter of seconds. These things are pretty cool because they do a lot of things." 

Streaming media boxes also connect to the Internet. People are able to watch web content such as movies and YouTube videos on their televisions. Another popular item is wireless speaker systems. The newest ones work with any device that has Bluetooth technology, including smartphones, laptops and tablets. 

With the growing popularity of Internet shopping, many consumers will visit a store first to look at a product, and then go online to find it at a lower price. Stores like Best Buy understand that and they want to stay competitive. 

"We have something called the perfect match promise which means if you buy a certain device and you find it cheaper within 30 days we'll go ahead and price match that for you." Elman Chacon said.
1. What's the cost of the Nexus 7?
2. Who makes it?
3. What is the competition?
4. How many plan to by technological Christmas gifts?
5. Who gave the percentage?
6. With what group?
7. Who is spending more on tech goods?
8. When?
9. What was the average spend in 2012?
10. On what?
11. Are there fewer options?
12. How does this affect decisions?
13. Name a best-seller now?
14. According to whom?
15. Of what website?
16. What does the site do?
17. Who is with the electronic biz?
18. Which one?
19. How long is the price match guarantee?
20. Where can photos be uploaded?
Answer: 1. $199
2. Google
3. Apple
4. Seventy-six percent
5. Steve Koenig
6. Consumer Electronics Association
7. Americans
8. this year
9. $252
10. From tablet computers to smartphones
11. No
12. hard
13. Tablet computers
14. Brian Tong
15. CNET.com
16. reports on tech news
17. Elman Chacon
18. Best Buy
19. 30 days
20. Facebook

Problem: CHAPTER III. 

THE END OF THE BALL. 

THE priest's long journey did not appear to have fatigued him. He was as cheerful and as polite as ever--and so paternally attentive to Stella that it was quite impossible for her to pass him with a formal bow. 

"I have come all the way from Devonshire," he said. "The train has been behind time as usual, and I am one of the late arrivals in consequence. I miss some familiar faces at this delightful party. Mr. Romayne, for instance. Perhaps he is not one of the guests?" 

"Oh, yes." 

"Has he gone away?" 

"Not that I know of." 

The tone of her replies warned Father Benwell to let Romayne be. He tried another name. 

"And Arthur Penrose?" he inquired next. 

"I think Mr. Penrose has left us." 

As she answered she looked toward Lady Loring. The hostess was the center of a circle of ladies and gentlemen. Before she was at liberty, Father Benwell might take his departure. Stella resolved to make the attempt for herself which she had asked Lady Loring to make for her. It was better to try, and to be defeated, than not to try at all. 

"I asked Mr. Penrose what part of Devonshire you were visiting," she resumed, assuming her more gracious manner. "I know something myself of the north coast, especially the neighborhood of Clovelly." 

Not the faintest change passed over the priest's face; his fatherly smile had never been in a better state of preservation. 
1. Was anyone still with full vigor?
2. Who was it?
3. Why the author thought he would be tired?
4. Was he amiable?
5. Who was nearby?
6. Did she greet him?
7. What she did?
8. Where he was coming from?
9. What mode of tranportaion he took?
10. Was the train delayed?
11. Was he looking for someone specifically?
12. Did he ask for any other person?
13. Who was that person?
14. Were he there?
15. Who was the hostess?
16. Did anyone ask about anyone's whereabout?
17. Was the person touring some place?
18. Did the priest show any emotions?
19. Where all these were happeneing?
20. What happened to Mr. Romayne anyway?
Answer: 1. yes
2. the priest
3. he had a long journey
4. yes
5. Stella
6. yes
7. unknown
8. Devonshire
9. The train
10. yes
11. Mr. Romayne
12. yes
13. Arthur Penrose
14. no
15. Lady Loring
16. yes
17. unknown
18. no
19. unknown
20. unknown

Problem: (CNN) -- Chris Froome retained the yellow jersey on a day of toil and trouble as Ireland's Dan Martin won the ninth stage of the Tour de France. 

Sky Team rider Froome, who has a one minute and 25 second lead over his closest challenger, was forced to battle on his own as his teammates failed to give him adequate protection. 

Richie Porte lost his grip on second place overall after finishing more than 17 minutes adrift, while Vasili Kiryienka was swept up by a broom wagon and is unlikely to feature in the remainder of the Tour. 

There was also misery for Peter Kennaugh, who suffered bruising after falling from his bike -- an incident which left Froome wide open to attack on all fronts. 

"This was one of the hardest days I have ever had on the bike," Froome told reporters. 

"I had no-one else with me. I am really happy I have come through today. I was completely on my own, I had (sporting director) Nicolas Portal in the car telling me not to worry." 

Martin, the nephew of great Irish cyclist Stephen Roche, won the long descent to Bagneres-de-Bigorre with Froome following home 20 seconds later in a pack which included rivals Alejandro Valverde and Alberto Contador. 

Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford revealed his surprise at seeing his team struggle with Porte's failure particularly difficult for him to comprehend. 

"That was a bit of a surprise, it is not often we've seen Richie have a day like that," Brailsford said. 
1. What race is this about?
2. What stage of the tour?
3. Who is Martin the nephew of?
4. Who kept the yellow jersey?
5. Did Froome also win the ninth stage?
6. Who won the ninth stage?
7. Did anyone fall?
8. who fell?
9. Was he injured?
10. Who finished over 17 minutes back?
11. What team does Froome ride for?
12. how big is Froome's lead?
13. Where is Martin from?
14. Was Froome riding with others?
15. Who won the descent?
Answer:
1. Tour de France.
2. ninth
3. great Irish cyclist Stephen Roche,
4. Chris Froome
5. no
6. Dan Martin
7. yes
8. Peter Kennaugh
9. suffered bruising
10. Richie Porte
11. Sky Team
12. one minute and 25 second
13. Ireland
14. no
15. Martin,