(Q).
Although in 1947 we were still very new to the atomic age,  we knew about mushroom clouds. A huge crack spread across the library wall upstairs, sending teachers and students screaming down the hall. Had a new world war started? Pale-faced, our young science teacher quickly organized us for a fire drill. We huddled in little groups on the beach side of the school grounds and watched the spreading cloud darken the bright spring sky. Rumors flew every which way, although two hours would pass before we got the full story.One rumor we heard was that the Texas City Monsanto Chemical plant had blown up; children whose parents worked there began to weep. I froze--that was where my father was working that day. The school bell called us back inside, and we were dismissed to find our way home the best way we could. I-d walked a quarter of the three-mile trip to my home when a car horn startled me to attention. My Uncle Barney pulled up alongside me in his old Ford. The instant I saw him, I knew my father was gone. Otherwise, Papa would have come for me himself. As if in slow motion from a great distance, Uncle Barney motioned for me to get in. Numb with grief,  I crawled into the back seat.  I barely took notice of the man sitting there, and didn't recognize him until he reached for me.  When Papa put his strong arms around me, I forgot for a moment that Cherokees  aren't supposed to cry. Many of my fellow students lost their parents in the explosion.  Tragedy would one day come to our family, as it inevitably comes to all, but on the day Texas City blew up, it miraculously passed us by. Because he lost his keys on that April morning, as he explained, my father lived for another 32 years-we were to have a second lifetime forever. Which of the following statements is TRUE? A) The author-s father didn-t have to work that day. B) The author-s father had a narrow escape. C) The school was near where the accident happened. D) The author-s uncle broke the news of her father-s death.
(A).
B


(Q).
(1) Liu Xiang got another gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the East Asian Games (EAG) in Macao last Wednesday.  The 22-year-old Liu defended his EAG title in 13.21 seconds, beating Shi Dongpeng (13.36) and Japan's Kota Kumamoto (13.89). His winning time was 0.16 seconds behind his top time this year and a further 0.08 behind this season's best: 12.97 set by Frenchman Ladji Doucoure, who beat Liu into second place in the world championships.  (2) Over 30,000 people were killed in the huge earthquake that took place in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan on October 8. Millions were left homeless after the quake destroyed houses, cutting off power and water.  The international community has responded to the countries' call for help. China has sent a rescue team, along with money and relief materials  . But because of bad weather, it is difficult for them to reach those in remote areas. The United Nations warned of a possible outbreak of infectious diseases  . How many countries were hit by this huge earthquake? A) 3. B) 2. C) 4. D) 1.
(A).
A


(Q).
Bill Javis took over our village news-agency at a time of life when most of us only want to relax. He just thought he would like something but not too much to do, and the news-agency was ready-made. The business produced little enough for him, but Bill was a man who only wanted the simplicity and order and regularity of the job. He had been a long-serving sailor, and all his life had done everything by the clock. Every day he opened his shop at six a.m. to catch the early trade; the papers arrived on his door-step before that. Many of Bill's customers were city workers, and the shop was convenient for the station. Business was _ by 10 o'clock, so at eleven sharp Bill closed for lunch. It was hard luck on anybody who wanted a paper or magazine in the afternoon, for most likely Bill would be down on the river bank, fishing, and his nearest competitor was five kilometers away. Sometime in the afternoon, the evening paper landed on the doormat, and at 4 o'clock Bill reopened. The evening rush lasted till seven, and it was worthwhile. He lived in a flat above the shop, alone. Except in the very bad weather, you always knew where to find him in the afternoon, as I have said. Once, on a sunny afternoon, I walked home along the river bank from a shopping trip to the village. By my watch it was three minutes past four, so I was astonished to see Bill sitting there on his little chair with a line in the water. He had had no luck, I could see, but he was making no effort to move. "What's wrong, Bill?" I called out from the path. For answer, he put a hand in his jacket and took out a big, golden object. For a moment I had no idea what it could be, and then it suddenly went off with a noise like a fire engine. Stopping the bell, Bill held the thing up and called back, "Ten to four, you see, and this is dead right." I had never known anyone carrying a brass alarm clock round with him before. Bill Javis became a news-agent when   _  . A) he needed the money. B) he decided to take things easy C) he was quite an old man D) he gave up clock-repairing
(A).

C