question: CHAPTER XXIV. JULIUS TAKES A HAND 

IN his suite at Claridge's, Kramenin reclined on a couch and dictated to his secretary in sibilant Russian. 

Presently the telephone at the secretary's elbow purred, and he took up the receiver, spoke for a minute or two, then turned to his employer. 

"Some one below is asking for you." 

"Who is it?" 

"He gives the name of Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer." 

"Hersheimmer," repeated Kramenin thoughtfully. "I have heard that name before." 

"His father was one of the steel kings of America," explained the secretary, whose business it was to know everything. "This young man must be a millionaire several times over." 

The other's eyes narrowed appreciatively. 

"You had better go down and see him, Ivan. Find out what he wants." 

The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In a few minutes he returned. 

"He declines to state his business--says it is entirely private and personal, and that he must see you." 

"A millionaire several times over," murmured Kramenin. "Bring him up, my dear Ivan." 

The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting Julius. 

"Monsieur Kramenin?" said the latter abruptly. 

The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous eyes, bowed. 

"Pleased to meet you," said the American. "I've got some very important business I'd like to talk over with you, if I can see you alone." He looked pointedly at the other. 

"My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets." 

"That may be so--but I have," said Julius dryly. "So I'd be obliged if you'd tell him to scoot." 
1. Was someone on a couch?
2. What was he doing
3. What else was he doing
4. In what language
5. What was his name
6. Where was he
7. Who called him
8. Who was his father
9. Was this on the phone?
10. Is this man a millionaire?
11. Did the secretary leave?
****
answer: 1. yes
2. reclining it
3. dictating to his secretary
4. sibilant Russian.
5. Kramenin
6. in his suite
7. Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer
8. one of the steel kings of America
9. Yes
10. yes
11. Yes when asked


question: Bratislava ( or ; , or "" ) is the capital of Slovakia, and with a population of about 450,000, the country's largest city. The greater metropolitan area is home to more than 650,000 people. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia, occupying both banks of the River Danube and the left bank of the River Morava. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two sovereign states. 

The history of the city has been strongly influenced by people of different nations and religions, namely by Austrians, Croats, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Jews, Serbs and Slovaks (in alphabetical order). The city served as the coronation site and legislative center of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1536 to 1783, and has been home to many Slovak, Hungarian and German historical figures. 

Bratislava is the political, cultural and economic centre of Slovakia. It is the seat of the Slovak president, the parliament and the Slovak Executive. It is home to several universities, museums, theatres, galleries and other important cultural and educational institutions. Many of Slovakia's large businesses and financial institutions also have headquarters there. 

The capital of Slovakia is the eighth best city for freelancers to live in, mostly because of fast internet and the low taxes. In 2017, Bratislava was ranked as the third richest region of the European Union by GDP (PPP) per capita (after Hamburg and Luxembourg City). GDP at purchasing power parity is about three times higher than in other Slovak regions.
1. What is the name of this town?
2. What is that in?
3. How many people live there?
4. Does that make it the biggest town?
5. Which river is near it?
6. Are there any more?
7. Which one?
****
answer: 1. Bratislava
2. in southwestern Slovakia
3. 450,000
4. Yes
5. River Danube
6. Yes
7. River Morava


question: The first overseas tour by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge -- North America -- was an undisputed triumph. The couple, still basking in the glow of their globally televised wedding, drew vast crowds throughout Canada and California. 

Will their hosts in Southeast Asia be charmed as easily? Here's my best guess as to where and when the likely highlights will be. 

The most poignant moment would undoubtedly be at the start of the tour in Singapore. In 1997, the Singapore Botanic Gardens named an orchid after Prince William's mother, Diana, with the intention of presenting it to her on her next visit -- but she died before she had a chance to see it. 

William completed what Diana could not on the first day of his tour Tuesday. He and his wife also had an orchid named after them. 

The next stop, Malaysia, will take on a more excitable tone -- and it's all about Catherine. A bigger population means bigger crowds, and the British High Commission is doing what it can to whip up interest by tweeting details of where you can rub shoulders with the couple. 

The Duchess will give only her second public speech at a hospice in Kuala Lumpur. Public speaking doesn't come naturally to Catherine, but she clearly wants to make the hospice movement a key part of her public role: her first public speech as a royal was at East Anglia's Children's Hospices, the hospice charity she supports in the UK. 

Catherine will be more comfortable on Thursday night for what's set to be the most glamorous evening of the tour: full frocks and rocks for a state dinner hosted by the King of Malaysia, whose name -- Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah -- takes some getting used to. Luckily for the Duke and Duchess, the king -- who attended Oxford University -- speaks fluent English. 
1. WHO IS THE PROTAGONISTIC COUPLE?
2. WHAT IS HIS NAME?
3. WHAT ABOUT HIS MOTHER?
4. WHAT KIND OF FLOWER WAS NAMED AFTER HER?
5. WHO DID IT?
6. WHAT INTENTION DID THEY HAVE?
7. DID SHE GET TO SEE IT?
8. WHAT HAPPENED?
9. DID THE COUPLES WEDDING STAY INTIMATE?
10. WHO WITNESSED IT?
****
answer:
1. the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
2. William and Catherine
3. Diana
4. orchid
5. Singapore Botanic Gardens
6. they wanted to present it to her on her next visit
7. no
8. she died
9. no
10. the entire population