*Question*
WASHINGTON--There are more than 222 million TVs in American homes. And it would make Frank Vespe very happy this week if every one was turned off.        Vespe is head of the TV--Turnoff  Network, the Washington organization behind TV Turnoff Week. For TV Turnoff week, American kids are encouraged to go one week without watching TV. This year it runs from April 23 to 29.        "Our real meassage here is to see what lift is like without TV and then make watching TV a conscious decision,"said Vespe.        Vespe said that most of the kids who go without television for a week go back to watching, but not as much."They watch more selectively. They do more things as a family. It helps them put TV in its place.        One kid who is turning off her television is Sarah Foote, 9, of Virginia."        Sarah admits it won't be too hard to give up TV. She's allowed to watch only educational television, and her favourite show from last year isn't on any more.        Of course, there are plenty of good things about TV: programmes can be entertaining, even educational.        Even so, some experts aren't sure TV Turnoff Week is the answer.        "Too much TV is not good. A little bit of TV for young kids is good because it adds to their vocabulary. The bottom line is moderation ,"says Susan Neuman, a university educator who studies kids and reading.        Neuman says the real problem is that parents do not keep track of what their kids are watching.        They do not set limits on TV viewing. Also, in some families, TV might be the only thing there is to do.        What message does Sarah have for other kids?        "It's a very good idea. I survived a whole week without TV. It also teaches you to enjoy time doing different things and not being sucked into something on TV, because you do not want TV taking up all of your time,"Sarah said. What's the writer's purpose in writing this passage? A) To advise us to turn off TV. B) To warn parents of the danger of TV. C) To report to us a piece of news about TV. D) To praise Vespe and his organization.
**Answer**
C

*Question*
Virginia is set to begin enforcing the toughest drunken-driving punishment, one that will require thousands of first-time offenders--whether they were highly drunk or slightly over the limit - to install   in their cars blood-alcohol testing devices that can lock the ignition. The devices work like this-A driver must blow into a blood alcohol device linked to the car's ignition. If the result is higher than the legal limit, the car will not start. The device also requires random "rolling retests" once the driver is on the road. Virginia's current law requires only repeat drunken-driving offenders or those with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher to have an ignition interlock device in their car. The new law, which takes effect in July, will roughly increase the number of people required to use ignition interlock devices four times, and offenders will have to pay about $ 480 for a typical six-month installation. The measure has caused a debate between groups battling drunken driving and those representing offenders. Such groups as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program say that Virginia's 274 alcohol-related road deaths and more than 5,500 injuries in 2010 remained unacceptably high despite years of cracking down on drunken driving. Ignition interlock devices, they say, reduce repeat offenses. But some public defenders and lawyers argue that the devices are too severe a punishment for offenders at the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.08, and that the court system will be burdened by more cases going to trial and lower-income drivers will be affected by the fees. Del. Sal R. laquinto, who sponsored the bill, had a simple reply for concerns about the costs of the interlock devices: "How much does a life cost?" "Blowing into a tube for six months, you will remember that, " Iaquinto said, " and you are not likely to offend again. " The ignition probably refers to the part in a car where   _  . A) the alarm goes off B) the car is fueled C) the key is placed D) the engine starts
**Answer**
D

*Question*
Space is where our future is -- trips to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Most people would think that aside from comets  and stars, there is little else out there. But, since our space journey started we have left so much trash  there that scientists are now concerned that if we don't clean it up, we may all be in mortal  danger. The first piece of space junk was created in 1964, when the American satellite Vanguard I stopped operating and lost its connection with the ground center. However, since it kept orbiting around the Earth without any consequences, scientists became increasingly comfortable abandoning  things that no longer served any useful purpose in space. It is estimated  that there are now over 500,000 pieces of man-made trash orbiting the Earth at speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hour. The junk varies from tiny pieces of paint chipped off rockets to cameras, huge fuel tanks, and even odd items like the million-dollar tool kit that astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn Piper lost during a spacewalk. The major problem with the space trash is that it may hit working satellites and damage traveling spacecraft . Moreover, pieces of junk may collide  with each other and break into pieces which fall back to the Earth. To avoid this, scientists have invented several ways for clearing the sky. Ground stations have been built to monitor larger pieces of space trash to prevent them from crashing into working satellites or space shuttles. Future plans include a cooperative effort among many nations to stop littering in space and to clean up the trash already there. Which of the following statements is true about space junk? A) It is huge, heavy machines. B) It never changes position. C) It floats slowly around the Earth. D) It may cause problems for space shuttles.
**Answer**
D

*Question*
Being the head of a high school for many years, I grew tired of budget meetings, funding cuts, and many other administrative chores . I started to dream of retirement. Sitting in traffic on a weekday morning, I would find my mind wandering. I would imagine spending time with my grandchildren, quiet evenings with my wife, traveling, or rediscovering some great books. I told myself that I wouldn't sign myself up for any committees, any classes, or anything requiring a schedule. My first day of retirement came at last! I cooked a great breakfast for my wife and me, leisurely read the paper, cleaned a bit of the house, and wrote a few letters to friends. On the second day, I cooked breakfast, read the paper... On the third day, ... This is retirement? I tried to tell myself that it was just the transition , that those golden moments were right round the corner, and that I would enjoy them soon enough. But something was missing. A former colleague asked a favor. A group of students was going to Jamaica to work with children in the poorest neighborhoods. Would I interrupt my newfound "happiness" and return to the students, just this once? One trip. That's all. My bags were packed and by the door. The trip was very inspiring. I was moved not only by the poverty I saw but also by the sense of responsibility of the young people on the trip. When I returned home, I offered to work one day a week with a local youth organization. The experience was so positive that I was soon volunteering nearly full-time, working with students across North America to assist them in their voluntary work. Now, it seems, . Some days I am the teacher, other days I am the student. These young people have reawakened my commitment  to social justice issues by challenging me to learn more about the situation in the world today, where people are still poor and suffer because of greed, corruption and war. Most important, they have given me the opportunity to continue to participate in helping to find solutions. In return, I help them do their... What does the writer think of his retired life now? A) Meaningful. B) Troublesome. C) Relaxing. D) Disappointing.
**Answer**

A