My grandmother pointed at a picture of a six-year-old me and asked, "Sweetie, do you see that?"  Studying my younger self, I smiled and nodded.     "That's my granddaughter," Grandma said. "She lives in Connecticut. She must be.'.Well, I've forgotten how old she'd be now!" My smile froze and my hands began to shake. My grandmother had Alzheimer's disease. It seemed impossible for her to be unable to look after herself. Gradually, not remembering where she placed her glasses became not remembering where her house was, which became not always remembering my name. My birthday gifts from grandma used to be highly expected; she always knew exactly what to get and her cards would make me smile. Now, my gift from her is really from my father, who buys a present in her name since she doesn't remember when my birthday is.^birthday card without her writing just reminds me that my grandmother isn't the same anymore.     I feel sad about it and I find a great comfort through writing. Writing my memories on paper helps me to deal with what is happening and to see Grandma as the~she truly is. Strangely  enough, recording my sadness reduced~of the pain. I know it's her strength that pulls me through the hard times. So now, when I sit on the chair next to Grandma and know she can't remember my name, I swallow the bitter medicine of disappointment and smile. What does the writer want to tell us? A) How my grandmother celebrated my birthday. B) My memories about my grandmother is very clear. C) I could relieve my pain through recording my sadness. D) I hope to write something to save the~who got the Alzheimer's disease.
C


Our world is a noisy place, but quiet places remain. Eight years ago, audio   engineer Gordon Hempton identified the quietest place in the continental United States. He calls the place "One Square Inch of Silence." He has used his symbolic spot in a northwestern rain forest to campaign against noise pollution. But the self-described "Sound Tracker" is now going deaf. For Gordon Hempton, it started with an experience known to many people. "I was lying in the bed in the springtime about a year ago. The sun was shining. The birds could be singing. They should be singing. But I was hearing none. I knew my life was going to be different." Hempton's eyes get watery as he describes his cruel situation. More than 20 years ago he trademarked his nickname as "The Sound Tracker." Sharp hearing defined his career as an Emmy award winning sound recordist. It also led to his activism against noise pollution. He has circled the globe three times in search of the perfect sounds of nature. Hempton says his hearing loss is quickly getting worse but he has to finish his project. "I am running a race to finish the Quiet Planet collection." That's the title of a planned 19-volume set of nature recordings. The sound tracks could be licensed for use in movies, video games, exhibits, plays and the like. Volunteer assistants now help Hempton review and edit sound files and identify imperfections. The exact cause of his hearing loss is not clear. Doctors say it may be the result of an infection, or a tumor   or a combination of things. Hempton is self-employed. His health care plan does not pay for hearing loss treatment. So, for now, he's directing his attention to completing his "greatest hits" album. "After I get it finished, I have an economic cash flow to get my hearing back. That's the first thing on my to-do list." He's hopeful his hearing loss can be recovered. What is Gordon Hempton doing now? A) Listening to the birds in the forest. B) Working on the Quiet Planet collection. C) Doing activities for noise pollution. D) Receiving medical care in the hospital.
B


Q: When Ann, a grade two student at a well-known school, was pestered   by her classmates to join their group to steal from shops, she was shocked. She was a quiet, well-behaved girl and she did not understand why the girls had approached her. They showed her some of the things they had stolen and said that shop theft was great fun and very exciting. Then they threatened to beat Ann if she did not join them. Ann was deeply troubled. She did her best to avoid the group of the girls after classes, but they often waited for her outside the school and tried to persuade her to come with them. This problem is one which many school students in Hong Kong face. We asked the chairman  of the local-fight-crime committee  what Ann should do in these cases. "First of all, she could try to _ . Being caught stealing from shops could ruin their futures and it is simply not worth the risk," he said. "Young people may think that it is easy to get away with stealing from shops, but more and more stores now have plain clothes detectives who are dressed like customers. I would say shop thieves have a more than ninety percent possibility of being caught. "If they won't listen to her, Ann should turn to someone in charge in school, who can then decide if the matter can be dealt with by her." One of the suggestions to Ann is to   _  . A) report the situation to the police B) ask the local-fight-crime committee for advice C) hire a detective to catch them D) turn to her teacher for help
A: D


Who is your role model? Normally the answer to this question would be anyone around you who you find truly inspiring. It could also be someone like J. K. Rowling or Martin Luther King Jr. who have proven to be strong and intelligent people. However, in today's world, stars are regarded as role models along with the heroes listed above, despite their intentions or actions. Teens attempt to imitate their actions for two major reasons. First, to be fashionable and accepted by popular culture, and second>>because stars' actions are so well documented by the media that it seems to grab our attention and turns it to following stars' lives. Much of the reports about stars is shocking and exhibits bad morals or lifestyles that aren't right for teenagers. In addition, almost everything stars do is described beyond truth to make a shocking story by taking it to the next level. However, teens must take responsibility for their actions. We can't always blame stars for influencing us. Only you have control over yourself and only you choose to do something. Our bodies and actions are in the hands of no one else. Now, who ever said stars are role models? Whether they choose to be or not, stars set examples as soon as they step into the spotlight. With reporters following and recording every move they make, it is impossible not to be watched and then be imitated. These people influence, teens whether or not they want to. Why should someone who doesn't want to be setting an example set one? So,should we look up to them or to people who are true and good role models? It's our responsibility as teens to know right from wrong, and it's time for us to take responsibility for our actions. In doing so,we will lean toward those inspiring people that want to be setting an example, and follow in their steps to be like them. It can be inferred from the passage that  . A) stars have the responsibility for teenagers' actions B) not all famous stars choose to influence teenagers C) teenagers choose those inspiring people as their role models D) stars set examples immediately they stepped into the spotlight

B