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Tom was nine years old and he went to a school near his house. He went there on foot and came back home usually at 4 o'clock. But last Monday he was very late. His mother asked, "Why are you so late today, Tom?" "Because my teacher asked me to stay behind " Tom answered. "Why did the teacher make you stay behind?" the mother asked again. "Because no one could answer the teacher's question except me," Tom said. "What was the question?" his mother asked. "The question was 'Who broke the window of the classroom?'" Tom said. Last Monday Tom came home _ . late Ogden was the fee simple owner of three adjoining vacant lots fronting on a common street in a primarily residential section of a city which had no zoning laws. The lots were identified as Lots 1, 2, and 3. Ogden conveyed Lot 1 to Akers and Lot 2 to Bell. Ogden retained Lot 3, which consisted of three acres of woodland. Bell, whose lot was between the other two, built a house on his lot. Bell's house included a large window on the side facing Lot 3. The window provided a beautiful view from Bell's living room, thereby adding value to Bell's house. Akers erected a house on his lot. Ogden made no complaint to either Akers or Bell concerning the houses they built. After both Akers and Bell had completed their houses, the two of them agreed to and did build a common driveway running from the street to the rear of their respective lots. The driveway was built on the line between the two houses so that one-half of the way was located on each lot. Akers and Bell exchanged right-of-way deeds by which each of them conveyed to the other, his heirs and assigns, an easement to continue the right of way. Both deeds were properly recorded. After Akers and Bell had lived in their respective houses for 30 years, a new public street was built bordering on the rear of Lots 1, 2, and 3. Akers informed Bell that, since the new street removed the need for their common driveway, he considered the right-of-way terminated; therefore, he intended to discontinue its use and expected Bell to do the same. At about the same time, Ogden began the erection of a six-story apartment house on Lot 3. If the apartment house is completed, it will block the view from Bell's window and will substantially reduce the value of Bell's lot."In an action brought by Bell to enjoin Ogden from erecting the apartment building in such a way as to obstruct the view from Bell's living room window, the decision should be for Ogden, because Bell has no easement for light, air, or view. Homeschool materials are every where .In fact, as a homeschool parent, one of the best learning tools you can use is making use of songs. Think of it .When you hear your favorite songs come on the radio and as soon as the lyrics begin , you can join in at once and sing along. Perhaps, you haven't heard this song for months or even years! Doesn't it amaze you? There is no doubt that learning through lyric and rhyme is a great way! With some careful searching , you can come up with many songs ,lyrics ,and rhymes that fit well with your homeschool lesson plan or unit study. Some places even have songs that have the same themes with the lessons. are perfect to be used to add to your homeschool materials ! Even if you don't find a particular great song for what you may be teaching at the time, you can write your own. With a little practice, you can not only write your own songs over time but also be surprised how good you can become. Take any of the traditional chidren's songs and modify them to meet your needs .This is an interesting exercise for both you and your children. It helps you with reading , recognizing sounds, and improving memory. Soon you'll have your children want to write and sing their own songs! Song and singing is such a great way to teach your children. It's fun and relaxing. Sometimes. you really need such a break from your study and work .It will cost nothing. So turn your creativity and imagination loose and have fun .Whisrle while you work! The passage is probably written to _ homeschool parents Balzac was a great French writer. But he was very poor before he became famous. He lived in a dirty, wet room and was often worried about food. All his friends were very poor and they could not help him. One night it was very cold. The wind blew and it was snowing heavily. Balzac went to bed early but couldn't fall asleep. He didn't get any food before he went to bed. He thought and thought, but he couldn't have a good idea. At midnight he saw a man climb in through the broken window. The man began to steal something on his bookshelf. Balzac got up quietly and said, "Don't waste time, my friend! I couldn't find any money in the daytime. How can you find some in the dark?" Could the thief find any money? _ No, he couldn't. If you want to live in Hawaii,you need to think about how to save money,because it is one of the most expensive states in the USA. Hawaii buys most of its goods from other countries.This makes the prices very high.Eating out can be expensive.Breakfast is at$5 or$8 and lunch ia around$12,while dinner goes from $15 to$30. What makes living in Hawaii more difficult is that there are few high-paying jobs. For example, it is harder to find engineering jobs than waitressing jobs. Here is some advice on how to get around and enjoy living in Hawaii. Check out online travel websites, magazines and books for information about the islands, from their beaches to their restaurants. Find hotels by reading newspapers. You can also find someone to share your room to save money. Try to find a job. Craigslist is a good website to start your search. Also, check the newspapers. Buy your food and other things at cheap chain stores like Costco and Wal-Mart. Hawaii is an expensive place to live, but there are ways to save your money if you shop properly. How many pieces of advice does the writer give on saving money in Hawaii? Two.
Come to Murray's big sale on clothes and things for school. They are at a very good price . Do you like jackets? We have jackets in all colors at 25 dollars each. Do you need bags for shopping or school? We have great bags for only 9 dollars. For young boys and girls, we have T-shirts in red, yellow, white and black for only 20 dollars. And socks in all colors for 2 dollars, skirts and pants for 5 dollars! See our nice schoolbags, pencils,pens and old books--everything for school! Come and see for yourself at Murray's shop! ,. You can buy a pair of _ for boys for 5 dollars. Answer: pants I was six when I joined my father and two brothers at sunrise in the hayfields of Eufaula,Oklahoma.By the time I was eight I was helping Dad fix up low-income rent properties.He gave me a penny for every nail I pulled out of old boards. I got my first real job,at JM's restaurant in town,when I was 12.My main responsibilities were cleaning tables and washing dishes,but sometimes I helped cook. Every day after school I would head to JM's and work until ten.On Saturdays I worked from two until eleven.At that age it was unlucky going to work and watching my friends run off to swim or play.I didn't necessarily like work,but I love what working allowed me to have.Because of my job I was always the one buying when my friends and I went to the local bar Tastee Freez.This made me proud. Word that I was honest and hard-working got around town.A local clothing store offered credit to me although I was only in the seventh grade.I immediately charged a $68 sports coat and a $22 pair of trousers.I was making only 65 cents an hour,and I was already $90 in debt!So I learned early the danger of easy credit.I paid it off as soon as I could. My first job taught me discipline,responsibility and brought me a level of personal satisfaction few of my friends had experienced.As by father,who worked three jobs,once told me,"If you understand sacrifice and commitment,there are not many things in life you can't have."How right he was! What does the author want to tell the reader by this text? Answer: If you know sacrifice and responsibility,you can have many things in life. Americans are thinking about national education standards recently developed by teachers and other education experts. The National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) led the effort. The United States, unlike other nations, has never had the same school standards across the country. What is the reason? Education is not discussed in the Constitution. That document limits the responsibilities of the federal government. Other responsibilities, like education, fall to each state. Local control of education probably was a good idea two hundred years ago. People stayed in the same place and schools knew what students needed to learn. But today, people move to different cities. And some people work at jobs that did not exist even twenty years ago. Many American educators say that getting a good education should not depend on where you live. They say that some states have lowered their standards in order to increase student scores on tests required by the No Child Left behind Act. Kara Schlosser is communications director for the CCSSO. She says the new standards clearly state what a student should be able to do to be successful in college and work. Forty--eight states have already shown approval for the standards. Two states refuse to accept the idea. Critics say that working toward the same standards in every state will not guarantee excellence for all. Some educators in Massachusetts say adopting the national standards will hurt their students because the state standards are even higher. Others say the change will be too costly, requiring new textbooks and different kinds of training for teachers. Still others fear federal control. Supporters say the standards are goals and do not tell states or teachers how to teach. They also say the federal government is not forcing acceptance. However, approving the standards will help states qualify for some federal grant money. If a state agrees to accept the national standards, it will probably get _ . Answer: money from the federal government DNA is the whole "map" of the human body. It is something that all humans have, and it tells the body what to do. DNA is the reason that we look like our parents, because we get some of their DNA to make our own. People have been trying to understand the human body for a long time. In 1860, Mr. Mendel discovered why we look the same as other people in our family. It is because of small things called "genes" in our body. In 1953, two scientists, Watson and Crick, found out that genes are really messages. They're written in the DNA with a special language. In 1961, another two scientists found the first "word" that they could understand in that language. It shows how DNA tells the cell to build its parts. So far, scientists have found all the words in the DNA map, but we still don't understand what they all do. By understanding what just one "word" means, we can help to save people from several illnesses. So the more we understand, the more doctors will be able to do. Most people hope that this will help to make better medicine and help sick people. Other people worry that when we learn more "words" and find out more information, we will use it in the wrong way. Just to make people more attractive , or stop sick people getting jobs. What do people think about this research about DNA? Answer: It can be good or bad. For their nick-of-time acts, Toby, a 2-year-old dog, and Winnie, a cute cat, were named Dog and Cat of the Year by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. As Amy Paul choked on a piece of apple at her home, her dog jumped up, landing hard on her chest and forcing the piece in her throat out. When the Keesling family of Indiana was about to be killed by carbon monoxide, their cat clawed at the wife Cathy's hair until she woke up and called for help. No one could explain their timely heroics. Both pets were rescued by their owners in _ -----Toby as a 4-week-old thrown into a garbage bin to die, and Winnie as a week-old orphan hiding under a barn, so helpless that Cathy's husband, Eric, had to feed her milk with an eyedropper. As the Keeslings recalled it, a gas-driven pump being used broke down, spreading carbon monoxide through the house. By the time Winnie went to rescue, the couple's 14-year-old son was already unconscious. "Winnie jumped on the bed and was clawing at me, with a kind of angry sound," Cathy Keesling said. The state police responding to her 911 call said the family was only minutes from death, judging by the amount of poisonous gas in the house. Amy Paul's husband was at his job when she took a midday break from making jewelry and bit into an apple. "Normally I peel them, but I read in Good Housekeeping Magazine that the skin has all the nutrients, so I ate the skin, and that's what caused me to choke," she recalled. "I couldn't breathe and I was in panic when Toby jumped on me. He never does that, but he did, and saved my life." Both Toby and Winnie accompanied their owners to the awards luncheon. What would be the suitable title for the passage? Answer: Dog and Cat Honored for Saving Their Masters
Question: A superstar is someone who is usually famous in sports, or films, or popular music, someone like the singer Michael Jackson. In the nineteen eighties, Michael Jackson made a record album called "Thriller". It quickly became the most popular recording in the history of music and it made Michael Jackson a superstar. The word "super" means more than usual or very wonderful. And of course, a star is a person who is very famous. So people who are famous and skilful in sports, films or music are called superstars, such as Li Ning. One of the most famous sports superstars in the United States is the boxer Muhammad Ali. After he won a gold medal in the Olympics and became the heavyweight boxing champion, he was known as one of the greatest and most famous boxers in the sports history. At that time Muhammad Ali was even better known than the president of the United States. He was a true superstar. nearly everyone knew his name. But like the stars in the sky, a superstar may fade away as the years go by. These days people know little about Muhammad Ali. Superstars, loved by millions of people today, may be forgotten tomorrow. What does a superstar mean? A. A person who is very famous in science B. A person who is very popular with the young people C. A star that is very beautiful and big in the blue sky and then fade away quickly D. A person who is very wonderful and skilful in sports, films or music Answer: D. A person who is very wonderful and skilful in sports, films or music Question: Royal palace and fortress for over 900 years , scene of mystery , murder and home to the Crown Jewels . KENSINGTON PALACE Birthplace of Queen Victoria , this royal retreat is home to magnificent State Apartments and the stunning Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection , which includes dresses worn by HM Queen Elizabeth II and Diana , Princess of Wales . HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES Hampton Court Palace is part of Historic Royal Palaces , a registered charity (N 1068852 ) that receives no public funding . We rely on the income from admission tickets to the palaces to pay for vital protection work, necessary for the preservation of these national monuments and collections for future generations . Please ask at the ticket office for more information or visit www.hrp.org.uk . VISITOR INFORMATION CARRIAGE RIDES Take a trip around Home Park in a horse-drawn carriage. Rides begin and end in Home Park at the entrance by the East Front Gardens. Available all day. 20 minute duration . PS10.00 per carriage . Subject to weather and ground conditions . ENQUIRIES For details of admission charges , group rates , the Friends of Hampton Court Palace and facilities for disabled visitors , call 0870 752 7777 or visit www. Hampton-court- palace.org.uk RESTAURANTS &SHOPS Choose from the Tiltyard Tea-rooms or the Privy Kitchen Coffee Shop. There are also a number of ice-cream kiosks open in the summer . The palace shops offer a wide range of gifts and souvenirs . AUDIO GUIDES Audio guides are included in the palace ticket and are available in English , French , German , Italian , Spanish and Japanese . Which of the following is Not given in the passage? A. The protection of the national monuments. B. Admission charges for group visitors. C. Free gifts and souvenirs. D. Conditions in which to take a horse-drawn carriage. Answer: C. Free gifts and souvenirs. Question: It was a secret Eli kept until he was 8 years old. "He would scream, like we were hurting him when we tried to put a dress on him." recalled Grace, his mother. That was when Eli was an 18-month-old baby girl already rejecting anything female. Now, Eli's mother and Eli are sharing their story with CBS New York. Eli still remembers being a baby, and rejecting putting on a dress. "Oh, I remember that," he said. "It was like torture." Now Eli is 11 years old. He is, by all accounts, a happy, active boy who never doubted he was born the wrong sex. Eli said to CBS New York. It was hard to keep that secret for 8 years though, "It was kind of hard because I hadn't really told anyone ever," he said. "He said, 'I have a secret, and the secret is I don't want to be a girl. I think I'm a boy,'"Grace recalled. "...I thought, 'I don't know what we're going to do, but we're going to figure it out."' CBS New York reports that it was a less clear path for Ryan, now a 21-year-old man. He, too, was born female, but never felt like one. He didn't understand his feelings at the time. Then he learned about what it meant to be transgender on the Internet, and it began to make sense. "It was a relief to know what exactly I was or am," he said. Ryan's mother said at first it was hard to accept. "It's a scary thing to think about," she said. But she came around. "I was glad my son is able to become the person he needed to be," she said. Experts say the kind of family support both Ryan and Eli are getting is of great significance. Without it, many transgender kids suffer from anxiety, depression and high rates of suicide. "We see a lot of kids with a lot of mental health concerns, and we also see that those mental health concerns really reduced when the family is on board," said Jean Malpas of Ackerman Institute for the Family, a non-profit research organization to CBS New York. Grace said for her it went from a situation that felt really confusing and difficult to one that she now celebrates. "We feel so lucky to have him." she said. Which word can best describe Ryan's feelings before he turned to the Internet? A. Confused. B. Angry. C. Relieved. D. Confident. Answer: A. Confused. Question: We are not born doubting ourselves.We learn to do it.In fact,we are usually taught to doubt ourselves.We can learn some ways that allow us to become more accepting of ourselves.Following are two behaviors that might explain the reasons why you can't move towards greater self-acceptance. One thing that might cause you not to accept yourself is over--generalizing about something you've done that you don't like.For example,if you fail a test you might generalize and say,"I'm really a stupid person.''When you do this you are making a statement about all of you all of the time and not just about this one situation at this time.Instead,you might decide that your grade on this test in this subject at this time was indeed poor,and then go on to decide what you want to do about your poor grade,if anything.Getting stuck in over--generalizing discourages you from taking steps that might allow you to do better on the next exam and to build an expectation of future failure. Having standards that are impossibly high is a second way you can not accept yourself.It may not come as a surprise to you that most of us are more demanding of ourselves than we are of others.We don't know why we can tolerate the fact that other people fail, that they aren't always kind,that they've done things they aren't proud of,but we have difficulty accepting those on ourselves.The need to be perfect is another way to set yourself up for failure and strengthen the feeling that you are not acceptable.We all make mistakes.Accepting less than perfection simply means recognizing the limitations natural in being born a human being.Learn to value who you are rather than who you could become.Wouldn't it be overpowering if we always had to do what we imagine we could do? Nobody has the time and energy to do all of that.We must make choices about what we will seek and do them the best we can under the conditions,which aren't always ideal.by the way. Which of the following would the author agree to? A. It's necessary for people to be perfect. B. It's acceptable for people to be imperfect. C. It's strange for people to be bona with limitation. D. It's good for people to do everything they can imagine* Answer: B. It's acceptable for people to be imperfect. Question: Tests can be stressful even for the most prepared students,and,unfortunately,test anxiety can actually have a negative impact on your performance.(Just having that knowledge adds to the stress,doesn't it?)Well,the following tips can help you get through your next test with much greater ease--and likely more success! Get Enough Sleep Getting 6 hours of less can put you into what's called a sleep deficit,or lack of sufficient sleep,which can actually make you less sharp mentally and thus negatively affect your performance on tests,even if you spent those missed hours of sleep studying.So it's very important for you to get all of your studying done so you can get a good night of sleep before your big day. Study Smarter Being organized with your studies can help you keep from pulling all-nighters to get all of your studying in and blowing the test because you're exhausted.How do you study 'smarter'? Make a list of the most important things you need to learn,in order of importance,and hit the items at the top of the list first.That way,if you run out of time,you're mostly covered.Make a list of all the work you have to do,estimate how much time each item will take,and compare that with the amount of hours you have available;this will tell you if you can carefully read or just skim,how many times you can afford to revise papers,and other ways to pace yourself so you can get everything done.If you're pressed for time,it's important to learn to let go of being perfect.Oh,and turn off the TV as much as possible until your tests are behind you. Visualize Success Before you fall asleep each night,it is a great way to visualize yourself taking the tests and doing wonderfully.Detailed visualizations can help you feel like you're really experiencing something,and visualizing yourself doing well is a way to 'practice' success in a way that can actually help you perform better and feel confident.Being confident as you take your exams can keep you from choking because of the stress.Visualizations can also help you to remember facts: you can create detailed scenarios that involve the information you're trying to remember,and this can help cement the facts in your memory. Stay Calm Because stress can impair your memory,it's important to stay calm before and during tests.While that's easier said than done,there are several stress relief techniques that can help you calm down quickly whenever you feel overwhelmed.For example,breathing exercise has been shown by research to reduce test anxiety,and can be extremely effective in helping you relax and reverse your stress response in a variety of situations: just take deep breaths,expanding your belly on the inhale,and let the stress come out with your exhales. According to the passage,which of the following about sleep is true? A. Sleep has nothing to do with test anxiety. B. Less sleep can actually save you more time to study. C. Lack of enough sleep can make you slower in mind. D. Less than 6 hours of sleep will lead to your failure in tests. Answer: C. Lack of enough sleep can make you slower in mind.
It is Sunday today. Ann is shopping with her mother. She wants her mother to buy a new sweater for her. In a clothing shop, she finds an orange one. She tries it on. It's too small. She wants a bigger one, but the bigger ones are not orange. Ann doesn't like other colours. Her mother asks, "Shall we go to another shop to have a look?" So they go out of the shop and go into another one. The second shop is bigger than the first, and in it there are many kinds of sweaters of different sizes and colours. Ann tries on an orange one. It's too big. She tries a smaller one. It's OK. "How much is it?" Ann's mother asks the woman who sells clothes. Then they find it too dear, and they don't have so much money with them. "Would you like a cheaper one?" the woman asks. "No, we shall take this one. My daughter likes it. We shall come back to buy it tomorrow," Ann's mother answers. There is only one _ . orange sweater in the first shop Hello. I'm Jan from Mrs. Lake's class. My class wants to work together to help the public. We think we have found a great way to do this. Last month we did a class project on the highways near our town. We learned about the Adopt-a-Highway Program. This program brings people together to pick up litter along the roads. We think it would be a great idea for all students in our school to join the program and adopt a highway. Adopting a highway is not like adopting a pet. When a highway is adopted, only part of the highway is cared for by a group of people. The group agrees to work every week to keep its part of the highway clean. Each group gets its own sign that has the name of the group printed on it. The sign is put up at the side of the road. This sign lets drivers know who is keeping that area of the road clean. The Adopt-a-Highway Program is a great way for people to help their environment look nicer. Also, the government does not have to send out as many road workers. This saves money. Finally, people may try harder to keep roads clean if they see people, especially teenagers like us, cleaning them up. We will need helpers to care for our adopted highway. If you want to feel great and keep our roads clean,please come with your parents to the meeting next week. We will meet in Mrs. Lake' room on Wednesday at 6:00 P.M. At the meeting, we will talk about which roads are the dirtiest as a result of people's unkind acts. Then we' ll try to pick an area to adopt and clean. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Remember to keep our roads clean! Which of the following can be the best title for the passage? Adopt-a-Highway Can you remember the day when you spoke your first word? If you can, you are unusual. Try to imagine what first few months of your life were like. I am sure you just spent most of your time eating, sleeping and crying. As you grow older, you were awake more of the time. It took your parents more time to play with you and talk to you. You watched and listened curiously. You began to know that people made certain sounds to go with certain things. Then you began to try making the sounds you heard. And step by step you were able to make the right sound for one thing.On that day you came to understand the secret of language. The secret is that a certain sound means a certain thing. One sound might be as good as another. But it is no good as a word unless everybody agrees on its meaning. Only when a group of people use the same set of sounds of things, can they understand each other. Then, and only then do these people have a LANGUAGE. After you found the secret of language, you learned words. Some of the words meant things, such as BOOKS, CHAIRS and SHOES. Some words meant doing things, such as GO and SWIM. And other words describe things, such as GOOD and DIRTY. Soon you learned to put words together to express one's idea, such as "I want to go out and play with my friends." This is language. By means of language people can communicate. So we say languages are means of communication. The secret of language is that _ . a certain sound is for a certain thing A trucker relates that he was traveling through rural North Carolina on I-95 when a brown car combined onto the highway. It came back and forth between lanes, causing the driver of the truck to change into a lower position. At first he thought the driver was drunk, but when he came closer, the trucker saw an old man shaking uncontrollably behind the wheel. He noticed a Citizen's Band aerial shaking to and fro as the car pulled suddenly between lanes, so he called on the radio: "You in the brown Chevy, if you can hear me, pull over. Pull off the road!" Amazingly, he drdf The trucker pulled up behind the car and climbed from his cab . The elderly man staggered from his auto and fell into the trucker's arms. He poured out a story of months of fear and pain that accompanied the illness of his only daughter. Now he was returning from the hospital where it was decided that she would stop any further treatment. In the hospital he remained "strong", but out on the road he fell apart. The two men talked for the good part of an hour. The father eventually decided to share his pain with his ciaughter and said he felt good enough to drive home. The men embraced and the trucker followed him for 50 miles. As they drove along, the two talked together on the radio. The older man finally acknowledged that his exn was ahead and thanked his new friend again for the help. The trucker asked if he could make it home all right and, suddenly, a third voice broke in on the conversation: "Breaker 19, cjon't worry, good buddy. Go your way. I'll see him home" Glancing in his mirror, he saw another truck move into the exit lane behind the brown car. I think there are good people the world over. People who will gladly give that caring touch, a needed warm embrace or a patient and listening ear. They are like angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. The brown car came back and forth because_. the driver of the car had something on his mind Anne is thirteen years old. She has long hair and black eyes. She is tall. She is a student at Beijing Sunshine Secondary School. She loves listening to music and dancing. She studies hard. She does well in English. But she doesn't like doing sports. Anne has a cousin. His name is Daniel. He is tall and he has short black hair. He is a student at Beijing Sunshine Secondary School,too. He and Anne are in the same class. He isn't good at English,but he does well in Maths. He doesn't like listening to music. He likes playing basketball. His favourite basketball player is Michael Jordan. He thinks Jordan plays basketball very well. He says he wants to be a basketball player like Michael Jordan some day. Daniel is Anne's _ . cousin
Colored alcohol is used in some glass thermometers. When placed in air of different temperatures, the column of alcohol rises or falls in the glass thermometer. Which of the following best explains why the height of the alcohol column changes? Answer: Webbed feet are used to move faster through what? Answer: If touring in a large group isn't fit for you and the idea of driving yourself doesn't attract you, a small group journey with the Great New Zealand Travel Company might be just the answer. Panorama -- 24 Days Discover why New Zealand remains one of the world's most popular destinations. This _ , 24-day journey offers you a wide choice of things to do and places to see. You will enjoy plenty of time to sightsee, relax and experience the lifestyle that is in New Zealand. Departure Dates: Jan. 12, 26; Feb. 9, 23 Price: NZ$10,715 Nikau -- 13 Days This 13-day journey from Auckland to Christchurch lets you experience the true diversity of this beautiful country. History, culture, scenery and adventure, they all feature on this trip to give you a brief insight into the land. Departure Dates: Jan. 2, 23; Feb. 2, 16 Price: NZ$5,680 Southern Adventure -- 11 Days Enjoy a South Island holiday with exciting sightseeing and activities, including the world-famous whale-watch at KaiKoura and a wildlife tour on Akaroa Harbour. This tour will take you on a journey of discovery. Departure Dates: Jan. 17, 31; Feb. 7, 24 Price: NZ$5,820 Northland -- 4 Days The Bay of Islands is a great place and should not be missed if time permits. You will visit the Northland region, the birthplace of New Zealand as we know it today. See the oldest Maori and European Settlements in the country and take an eco-cultural trip into the Waipoua Forest. Enjoy free time to learn more of the early days of the nation. Departure Dates: daily Price: NZ$2,015 According to the passage, who will be interested in having these trips? Answer: A funny thing happened on the way to the communications revolution: we stopped talking to one another. I was walking in the park with a friend recently, and his cell phone rang, interrupting our conversation. There we were walking and talking on a beautiful sunny day and... I became invisible, absent from the conversation. The telephone used to connect you to the absent. Now it makes people sitting next to you feel absent. Why is it that the more connected we get, the more disconnected I feel? Every advance in communications technology is a tragedy to the closeness of human interaction . With email and instant messaging over the internet, we can now communicate without seeing or talking to one another. With voice mail, you can conduct entire conversations without ever reaching anyone. If my mom has a question, I just leave the answer on her machine. As almost every contact we can imagine between human beings gets automated , the alienation index goes up. You can't even call a person to get the phone number of another person any more. Directory assistance is almost always fully automated. I am not against modern technology. I own a cell phone, an ATM card, a voice mail system, and an email account. Giving them up isn't wise... they're a great help to us. It's some of their possible consequences that make me feel uneasy. More and more. I find myself hiding behind email to do a job meant for conversation. Or being relieved that voice mail picked up because I didn't really have time to talk. The industry devoted to helping me keep in touch is making me lonelier ...or at least facilitating my antisocial instincts. So I've put myself on technology restriction: no instant messaging with people who live near me, no cell phoning in the presence of friends, no letting the voice mail pick up when I'm at home. The sentence "Now it makes people sitting next to you feel absent" means that _ . Answer: It had been a long,hard,wonderful day.The two of us had walked from the sea's edge through the length of a beautiful valley,climbed a superb mountain,travelled its narrow,rocky ridge ,and now stood on its final peak,tired,happy and looking for the perfect campsite. The experienced backpacker has a natural feeling for such things,and our eyes were drawn to a small blue circle on the map,like an eye winking at us.We could not see _ from where we were,but we followed our judgement and went down steeply until it came into view. We were right.It was a calm pool,with flat grass beside it.Gently taking our packs off,we made the first of many cups of tea before pulling up our tent.Later that evening,over another cup of tea and after a good meal,we sat outside the tent watching the sunset over a sea dotted with islands,towards one of which a ferry was slowly moving.It is not always so perfect,of course.On another trip,with a different companion,a thoroughly wet day had ended at a lonely farm.Depressed at the thought of camping,we had knocked and asked if we could use a barn as a shelter. Backpacking could be defined as the art of comfortable,selfsufficient travel on foot.Everything you need is in the pack on your back,and you become _ .I once left my pack hidden in some rocks while I made a long trip to a peak I particularly wanted to climb.I was away for nearly three hours and ended up running the last stretch in fear that my precious pack would not be there.It was,of course. The speed at which the backpacker travels makes this the perfect way to see any country.You experience the landscape as a slow unfolding scene,almost in the way it was made;and you find time to stop and talk to people you meet.I've learned much local history from simply chatting to people I met while walking through an area.At the end of a trip,whether three days or three weeks,there's a feeling of achievement,of having got somewhere under your own power. After years of going out walking just for the day,many people start backpacking simply through wanting to stay out rather than cut short a trip. How did the writer and his companion feel at the end of the day? Answer:
John H. Johnson was born in a black family in Arkansas city in 1918. His father died in an accident when John was six. He was reaching the high school age, but his hometown offered no high school for blacks. Fortunately he had a strong-willed caring mother. John remembered that his mother told him many times, "Son, you can be anything you want really to be if you just believe."She told him not to depend on others, including his mother. "You have to earn success, "she said. "All the people who work hard don't succeed, but the only people who do succeed are those who work hard." These words came from a woman with less than a third grade education. She also knew that believing and hard work don't mean everything. So she worked hard as a cook for two years to save enough to take her son, who was then 15, to Chicago. Chicago in 1933 was not the promised land that black southerners were looking for. John's mother and stepfather could not find work. But here John could go to school, and here he learned the power of words--as an editor of the newspaper and yearbook at Du Sable High School His wish was to publish a magazine for blacks. While others discouraged him, John's mother offered him more words to live by."Nothing beats a failure but a try. "She also let him pawn her furniture to get the $ 500 he needed to start the Negro magazine. It is natural that difficulties and failures followed John closely until he became very successful. He always keeps his mother's words in mind."Son, failure is not in your vocabulary!" Now John H. Johnson is one of the 400 richest people in America--worth $ 150 million. John's mother decided to move to Chicago because _ . Answer: Trip 1 Black Bear Count There have been fires in this area in the last few years and the Office of the National Park is not sure how many black bears are still living. Some bears have been seen since the fires, and the Office has asked for young people to help count them. The entire trip will last three hours. Bookings necessary. Cost: Free When: May 8 Trip 2 Garland Valley Bring your drink and lunch for this walk in a beautiful area of the Blue Mountains. Garland Valley is close to the town of Garland hut is part of the National Park. Many wild animals live in this area, including many rare birds. This is a great walk for bird-lovers. The trip lasts four hours. Bookings necessary. Cost: $ 15 When: May 8, May 15 Trip 3 Flashlight Adventure Put on your warm clothes, bring a flashlight and a pair of glasses, and come for a night walk along the Dungog Valley. A guide will lead the tour. Many of the animals you will see on this trip . The guide will tell you about the lives of the animals you see. Numbers are strictly limited on night trips, so be sure to book early. This walk lasts two and a half hours. Cost: $ 12 When: May 8, May 15, May22 Equipment to be needed: * Please bring enough water and food for all walks. * Wear good walking shoes--no high heels. * Wear a hat for day walks. * Dress warmly for night walks. * Children must be with an adult. * Make sure your flashlight works well and bring extra batteries for night walks. * Follow all instructions from guides during the walks. The mountains are a dangerous place. Bookings: * Bookings for the above trips can be trade by telephone(893 -- 4847)or on the Internet at What is the best title for the passage? Answer: Summer Camp 2013 Good news! Summer Camp 2013 opens between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on June 30th. And it will last for a week. All children aged 7-14 are welcome. Each child can take part in only one of the following activities and needs to pay 150 yuan for it. 1. Sports (basketball, football, table tennis, etc.) 2. Learn in groups (painting, singing, dancing, piano, computer, etc.) 3. English Worlds (songs, films, games, plays, etc.) Some American children are coming to the camp. If you really want to spend an interesting summer holiday, please join us for learning with fun. Act now! Book your seat as soon as possible either by phone or by e-mail. Register and pay before June 18th, then you can have a Mickey T-shirt as a member of the camp. Dongfang Children's Palace: No. 23, East Street, Changping Tel: 83212563 E-mail: [email protected] Each child can only choose _ of the activities. Answer: "In my country, men usually go to restaurants on their own. They always take their shoes off before they go in. Then they usually sit on the floor around a small, low table. In the evening they often sing songs." "You usually take chocolates or flowers. But you always take an odd number of flowers, and you remove the paper before you give them to the hostess. You can also send flowers before you arrive. you don't usually take wine except when you visit very close friends." "We always offer our guests something to drink when they arrive, tea, coffee or perhaps water or soft drinks. We think it is polite to accept a drink even if you're not thirsty. If you visit someone you always stay for a few drinks. When you have had enough to drink, you tap your cup or put your hand over it. If you say no, your host will insist that you have more to drink." "People's private lives are very important so they never ask you personal questions about your family or where you live or your job. They never talk about religion or matters of finance, education or politics, but usually stay with safe subjects like the weather, films, plays, books and restaurants." "It's difficult to know when to leave, but an evening meal usually lasts about three or four hours. When the host serves coffee, this is sometimes a sign that the evening is nearly over, but you can have as much coffee as you want." "If the invitation says eight o'clock then we arrive exactly at eight. With friends we know well, we sometimes arrive about fifteen minutes before." "Obviously it depends on the occasion, but most dinner parties are informal. The men don't usually wear a suit, but they may wear a jacket and tie. Women are usually smart but casual." Which of the following subjects are never talked about among the people? Answer: Historians usually just study great things that happened in the past time, but Drew Faust has made history! On February 11, 2007, Faust was named president of Harvard University.She is the first woman to hold the position in the school's 371-year history. "I am a historian," she said."I've spent a lot of time thinking about the past, and about how it shapes the future.No university in the country, perhaps the world, has as remarkable a past as Harvard's." "And our common enterprise is to make Harvard's future even more remarkable than its past.That will mean recognizing and building on what we already do well.It will also mean recognizing what we don't do as well as we should, and not being satisfied until we find ways to do better." It is her great desire for improvement and willingness to try out new ideas that have given Drew success in a world controlled by men."This is a man's world, my girl, and the sooner you learn that, the better off you'll be." Drew Faust recalls her mother telling her this when she was young, but she didn't _ it. Faust grew up in a well-off family in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley in the 1950s.Even then, she was a trailblazer .A conversation with her family's black handyman and driver inspired her to write a letter, on school notebook paper, to President Dwight Eisenhower. She asked that he help bring US citizens together in the south, a much divided part of the country at the time. "Drew Faust is a historian with her eyes on the future," said Susan Graham, a professor of Harvard.Many of the university's schools said that they believe Harvard will have a brighter future under the leadership of Drew Faust. Why does the writer say Drew Faust has made history? Answer:
"When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood. The happy childhood is hardly worth your while. "Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood. And worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood." That was Frank McCourt reading the opening lines of his book Angela's Ashes, released in nineteen ninety-six. This Irish American author best known for the Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography Angela's Ashes that recorded his poor upbringing, died of cancer on Sunday, The New York Times reported. He was 78. Born in New York City, he was the eldest of seven children born to Irish immigrant parents. Angela's Ashes was a memoir that captured an irresponsible, drunkard father with a gift for story-telling. When not drunk, his father was absent, turning his back on a family so poor, McCourt wrote, that they were reduced to burning the furniture in their rented hut to keep warm. His mother struggled to raise her many children after his father left the family. Already struggling when the Great Depression hit, the family moved back to Limerick, where they slipped ever deeper into poverty in the 1930s. Three of McCourt's siblings died of diseases worsened by hunger and the wretchedness of their surroundings. McCourt himself almost died of typhoid fever as a child. In Angela's Ashes, he wrote of hunger, a home flooded with rainwater and the unbearable humiliation of seeking handouts from charities in the Irish city. But he told the story in a way that is expressive, warm and light-hearted. Frank McCourt left Ireland at the age of nineteen to return to New York City where he was born. He earned a degree in- English education and taught creative writing for nearly thirty years. After retiring in nineteen eighty-seven, he decided to write about his childhood. "Angela's Ashes" became a huge success and brought McCourt a 1997 Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award and other honors. Millions of copies of the book were sold worldwide and it was adapted into a 1999 movie starring Emily Watson and Robert Carlyle. What's the text mainly about? Answer: A brief introduction to Frank McCourt and one of his works. Everyone's at it,even my neighbors. I thought I might be the only person left in the world who hadn't done an eBay deal. So,I decided to try my hand at online auction . Buying for beginners:Sign up on _ . Most items(e.g. tables, computers, and books) ready for auction will come with a picture and a short description;others may be marked with "Buy It Now" and have a fixed price. You can buy these right away. If the item is being auctioned,you offer the highest price you are prepared to pay and eBay bids for you. The bid will be increased little by little until it goes beyond your highest bid,then you are emailed and asked if you would like to bid again. Auctions last up to 10 days and when they finish you get an email telling you whether you have won the item. How to pay: Sellers decide how they would like to be paid and you need to check this before placing a bid as you might not want to post a cheque or postal orders. The easiest way is through PayPal,an online payment system that takes the money away from your credit card . Selling made simple:If you plan to sell on eBay,it helps to include a picture of the item. I followed my friends' advice and put up the items I wanted to sell for a 10-day auction,starting on a Thursday. This way, buyers had two weekends to bid. The big things in life:It' s easy to post a small item,but furniture is a big part of eBay and this has to be collected or sent by deliverymen . Check the ways of delivery before you bid. After bidding for an item,a buyer _ Answer: has chances to make higher bids Top 8 food and beverage companies in China No 1 COFCO Group COFCO Group is the largest company of various products and services in the agricultural products and food industry in China. It is devoted to providing healthy and nutritious food, as well as contributing to improvement of people's living standards and social development. No 2 Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co Ltd Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co Ltd is a dairy company. It is engaged in processing and producing milk products, including ice cream, milk powder, milk tea powder and fresh milk under "Yili"brand. It is headquartered in Hohhot. The company was an official sponsor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. No 3 Shuanghui Group Shuanghui Group is a privately-owned meat processing company headquartered in Luohe, Henan, China. The company's businesses include pig raising, consumer meat products, and so on. It is the largest meat producer in China. On May 29, 2013, Shuanghui announced it would sell American pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc. No 4 China Mengniu Dairy Co Ltd China Mengniu Dairy Co Ltd is a producing company of dairy products and ice cream in China. The company is based in Inner Mongolia and produces dairy products under the Mengniu brand. No 5 Bright Food (Group) Corp Ltd Bright Food (Group) Co Ltd is a food and beverages company headquartered in Shanghai. Bright Food has four listed branches, Bright Dairy & Food Co Ltd, Shanghai First Provisions Store Co Ltd, Shanghai Maling Aquarius Co Ltd and Shanghai Haibo Co Ltd. The company got a 60 percent stake in the British breakfast cereals producer Weetabix Ltd in 2012 and agreed to acquire a 56 percent stake in the Israeli Dairy producer Tnuva in 2014. No 6 Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co Ltd Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co Ltd is a private company, and the largest non-alcoholic beverage producer in China. The company is headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. No 7 Wuliangye Yibin Co Ltd Wuliangye Yibin Co Ltd is a Chinese alcoholic beverage company. It specializes in producing baijiu, and is best known for Wuliangye. Headquartered in Yibin, Sichuan Province, the company sells its products all over the market at home and abroad.Wuliangye reportedly ranks first in terms of market share compared with other baijiu brands. No 8 Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd is China's largest company to produce beer. It was founded in 1903 by a German. The beer is produced in Qingdao in Shandong province and it gets its name from the city's name. The beer's present-day logo displays an image of Zhan Qiao, a famous on Qingdao's southern shore. Which of the following statements is true? Answer: Headquartered in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co Ltd was an official sponsor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Ms. Strawberry loved to make vanilla cupcakes! Everyone loved her cupcakes, and she loved making them, too. One morning, she was in the store, buying ingredients for her cupcakes, when she came across the most delicious looking chocolate frosting she had ever seen in her life! She bought a whole bunch, excited about how delicious her cupcakes would be for her cupcake party tonight! She went home and took extra care making her cupcakes that afternoon. She made them extra fluffy, sweet and delicious. She even pulled out her favorite sprinkles for her cupcakes, bright purple ones, which was her favorite color. She couldn't believe how amazing her cupcakes were going to be for the cupcake party! That night at the cupcake party, Ms. Strawberry showed everyone her plate of delicious cupcakes! So many of her friends were there for the party. There was Mrs. Apple, Mr. Banana, Ms. Mitten, Mr. Green and even quiet Mr. Lemon showed up. Everyone was very happy about her cupcakes! Everyone except Mr. Lemon. Mr. Lemon took one bite of that cupcake and said, "Eew! This is the worst cupcake in the world!" Ms. Strawberry didn't know what to say! Were they really the worst cupcakes in the world? She had tried so hard! Ms. Strawberry started to cry. "Why don't you like my cupcakes, Mr. Lemon? I worked so hard to make the extra delicious!" Mr. Lemon said, "I don't like vanilla, and I don't like chocolate!" Ms. Strawberry cried even more! "There, there," said Mrs. Apple, and patted Ms. Strawberry on the head. "It's okay. Not everyone is going to like your cupcakes! You only have to know that you worked hard and that they're still tasty!" With that, Ms. Strawberry stopped crying, and she and Mr. Lemon made up. Ms. Strawberry's cupcake party was that... Answer: night. A well-dressed man goes into a restaurant one day. He sits down at a table near the window. A waiter comes up to him and says, 'Can I help you, sir?' The man says, 'Can I see the menu? ' 'Of course.' The man wants a good meal and he orders a lot of nice food. The waiter gets them for him. The man is having his meal. At this time, a boy comes in and sits beside the man. He asks the man to give him an ice cream. The man does so. Now the boy is eating his ice cream. The man says, 'I go out for a newspaper.' The man goes out. After the boy eats his ice cream up, he stands up and goes to the door. 'Excuse me, but your father doesn't give the money for the meal and your ice cream.' the waiter stops him and says. 'Father? You are wrong. He isn't my father. I don't know him. I meet him in the street. He says he will give me an ice cream if I come here at 12 o'clock.' One day a _ into a restaurant. Answer: well-dressed man goes
Question: BBC Sports program Sunday. We are currently planning our Volunteer Program, which will ensure volunteers are trained and ready to go for 2012.Up to 70,000 volunteers will be needed to help put on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our program will aim to encourage a wide range of people to join in. We will provide the training to make sure our volunteers' skills are of the highest standard. London 2012 is an opportunity to inspire everyone to develop their interests and volunteer--in sport and also more widely within their community. Applications will open in the late 2011.We'll recruit volunteers from across the UK--from a range of communities and backgrounds. Our recruitment process will be open and fair. Our goal is to select applicants who meet our standards and who will bring passion, enthusiasm and energy to the Games. Previous volunteering experience is not necessary. We'll give each successful applicant a specific role, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to the Games. There will be two kinds of Games volunteer--specialist and generalist. Specialist volunteers will have specific existing skills or qualifications that are needed for them to complete the role, for example, sport or medical training. Generalist volunteers will not need any special skills or qualifications and will receive full training. They might be given roles in areas such as event services, uniform distribution and village operations. All volunteers will be expected to attend training events that will give them the knowledge they need to carry out their role. There are lots of charities and sporting organizations that are looking for volunteers to help them. While you are waiting for applications for the London 2012 volunteer program to open in the late 2011, why not consider getting involved locally? You can find opportunities to volunteer in a range of activities in your local area by following the links on the right hand side of this page or make local enquiries about the needs in your community. Where will you probably find this article? A. In a newspaper. B. On a webpage. C. In a magazine. D. In a textbook Answer: B Question: Four decades ago a group of college students visited the mountains of Borneo to examine moth populations. Now a team of British scientists, including a member of the original trip, has returned to the same sites to repeat the survey. They have found that, due to rising temperatures, the insects now live 68 meters higher. Global warming is forcing tropical species uphill to escape the rising temperatures at a rate of nearly 2 meters a year, the new study from Borneo suggests. Since this was the only chance to repeat the original survey, the scientist did everything they could to do it exactly the same way, going at the same time of year, in July and August, using photographs to find the exact original sites of the moth traps. "While this is the first study of insects, a few other studies of tropical species are starting to appear," said Thomas. "If you look across all those studies, you'll find the same results, and it's extremely difficult to think of any other explanation for them." While some species might survive by finding places on the mountains with temperatures similar to those of their original habitats, others may run out of habitat on the rocky peaks, warns the study. In a paper in the journal Naturein 2004, Thomas and 13 other experts analyzed the habitats of 1,100 species on five continents, and estimated that on average one quarter were at risk of extinction. Last year a paper published in the Public Library of Science in the US warned that the risk of extinction in the tropics was becoming more and more serious. The authors, Jana and Steven Vamosi, estimated that 20-45% of tropical species were at risk of extinction. We can learn from the passage that _ . A. this survey of moths has been carried out many times B. some scientists have put forward other explanations for the results C. scientists tried to repeat the original survey D. 20-45% of tropical species were estimated to be at risk of extinction in 2004 Answer: C Question: Ling Tao is a student in Class 6, Grade 1. He has a good friend in the school, and his name is Tony. Tony is not a student. He is Ling Tao's English teacher. He is from England. He is only twenty-three years old, and he is a tall boy. He likes to wear blue clothes. He likes eating healthy food. Tony is good at singing. He often teaches the students to sing English songs and plays games with them. The students all love him and he loves them, too. ,. Tony often teaches the students to sing _ songs. A. English B. Chinese C. American D. Japanese Answer: A Question: Mary is an American girl. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith find work in China. So they live in Wuhan now. Mr. Smith works in a big shop. Mrs. Smith teaches English in a middle school. Mary goes to that school on weekdays. On Sundays she goes shopping with her mother. She likes dumplings very much. Every time they'd like many dumplings. It's 6:30 in the evening now. Mrs.Smith is cooking. Mr. Smith is helping her with the housework. What's Mary doing? She is doing her homework carefully. Mary is in _ now. A. America B. England C. Chinese D. Wuhan Answer: D Question: When your pet meets your infant ,it might not be love at first sniff. When Jennifer brought her baby home from the hospital, her cherished dogs had very different reactions. Her Boxer, Sonya, was immediately gentle and protective. But Tiger, the Pomeranian, was less welcoming. "If any diapers or toys were on the floor, he peed on them," says the Greenbrier, mom. In the eyes of a pet, there's a new star in home who's stealing his spotlight. Even the gentlest animal will probably act up if he doesn't get his usual attention. These simple steps will help your pet adjust and keep your baby safe. Introduce Them with Care Your newborn and per's first encounter can set the tone for their relationship. To make it as smooth as possible, try this trick from Caryn Ruiz:"Before we left the hospital, my husband took blankets home to our dog, Daisy, so she'd know our newborn Devon's smell." When you get home, have your husband carry the baby so you can greet your pet without worrying about her jumping on you. A cat will likely walk away at first, while a dog probably wants to investigate right away. To introduce your baby, get down on your pet's level and let her have a hello sniff. Don't panic and pull your baby away unless your pet is barking or hissing, because it'll send the message that the baby is a threat. Learn the Safety Basics No matter how smoothly the introduction goes, there are certain safety rules you should follow. Never leave your baby alone with the pet. Even the gentlest animal can react unpredictably. Your baby's crying could frighten your cat, or your dog could suddenly become territorial. Consider setting up baby gates to limit your pet's access. To keep your cat from jumping into the bassinet , try putting mosquito netting over the top. Cats hate sticky paws, so keep the crib and changing table off-limits by lining the edges with sticky strips made for furniture. You can also train your dog to sleep in a crate . At the beginning of the passage, the author uses the stories to _ . A. illustrate possible reactions when pets meet a newborn baby B. show that pets don't like a newborn baby C. prove how friendly a pet is when it meets a newborn baby D. introduce how terrible the pets are when a mother gets a baby home Answer: A
Question: A rich American went into a shop in London. He wanted very much to buy a nice looking watch, but the owner of the shop asked five hundred dollars for it. Suddenly a young man came into the shop, took the watch out of the owner's hands and ran out with it. It all happened in a few seconds. When the owner ran out into the street, the young man was already lost among the people. The American went on. At the next corner, he saw the young man with the watch in his hand. "Do you want to buy a fine watch, sir?" he asked in a low voice. "It's only a hundred dollars." "The young man doesn't know I saw him stealing the watch," he thought. The American paid at once and went back to his room with the watch. He told his friend about the fine watch. His friend took a look at the watch and started laughing. He said, "You are a fool. This watch isn't worth even ten dollars. I'm sure the shop owner and the young man planned this together." The owner of the shop asked _ dollars for the watch. A. 500 B. 250 C. 100 D. 10 Answer: A Question: I had a summer camp with my classmates last year. Early in the morning. We gathered at the bus station. After saying goodbye to our parents,we got on the buses. It took us more than two hours to arrive at the campground. We got off the buses cheerfully. Laughing and shouting. We jumped and ran all over the place. It was the first time for us to be away from the parents .Some of us started to feel homesick . However, when the night party and dances began, the homesickness was gone. The next day, everybody rushed to the boating class, hoping to be at the head of the others. At first ,my friends and I worked hard, but the boat wouldn't listen to us and kept going round and round. Then the teacher taught us how to work together. After many tries, we did much better. Swimming class was my favorite. It was about the hottest time of a day and the best time to stay in the cool water. The swimming teacher was a funny man, and during the class he often made us laugh happily. During the week I learned a lot of new things and made many new friends. I also learned how to take care of myself. Why swimming class was the writer's favorite? A. Because it was good to stay in the cool water when the weather was hot. B. Because the writer felt quite relaxed during the class. C. Because the swimming teacher was interesting. D. Because of all the above Answer: D Question: Stephen Hawking, one of the world's smartest physicists, once said: "I'm obsessed by time."Many of us are, and the popularity of time travel TV series has just proved that. After Palace and Startling by Each Step <<>> achieved startling ratings last year, Palace 2 aired on January 20, attracting time travel fans back to TV."It's fun to watch characters travel back in time and deal with the conflicts between modernity and ancient times," Xia Xiaoyan, who works for a foreign-owned enterprise in Shanghai, told China Daily. "Time travel series connect both today and the past, thus offering room for imagination," said Cai Yinong, the producer of Startling by Each Step. "I'm _ by the shows because they are characterized by dramatic and poetic love and have eye-pleasing actors," Xia explained her love for time travel TV series.Her comment echoes a 2011 survey by Great Marketing Research Co Ltd in China. When asked about what's so appealing about time travel TV series, 21 percent of respondents answered: "Those attractive characters." A bigger reason behind the popularity of time travel stories, however, is the relaxation they offer, according to the survey.Cai Yinong agrees. "Many people are facing tremendous pressures in their fast-paced lives, so this genre is more relaxing than other shows as it provides people with a terrific outlet to escape reality," Cai told China Daily. The love for time traveling is universal.Woody Allen's latest movie Midnight in Paris, which has been nominated for Best Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay and Art Direction for the 2012 Academy Awards, features modernity versus cultural nostalgia. The reasons why people like time travel are as followings except _ . A. It's fun to watch characters travel back and deal with the conflicts between modernity and ancient times. B. Time travel series offer room for imagination. C. The characters are attractive. D. After watching time travel series, you can escape reality. Answer: D Question: If you are really interested in music festivals, then you have probably heard of the Bestival Music Festival. It takes place every September on the Isle of Wight, the UK. As it is at the end of summer, people think it's their last chance to go to a festival and have fun before going back to boring work. The dream begins as soon as you start traveling to the island. In order to get to the campsite of the Bestival, you have to take the ferry . The ferry is full of happy festival lovers who are ready to take part in the fantastic music party. After you arrive at the campsite, you can put your tent up. There people talk with each other openly. They are not that cold like those you meet in your everyday life. The festival lasts for four days. During that time you forget all your worries and problems, just like living in a dream. And it is really hard for you to come back to "reality" after that. It seems that it is this kind of music event that makes people gather together. It gives people a real sense of unity. I took part in the Bestival with my friends the year before last. It was so exciting and we all lost ourselves in the beautiful music. We are family sung by Sister Sledge was my favorite. I'm really looking forward to joining in it for a second time. What does the writer think of the people at the Bestival? A. Crazy. B. Friendly. C. Cold. D. Patient. Answer: B Question: Bantham Beach, Devon The South Devon coast is knee deep in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Bantham is a golden bank of sand. There are rock pools for younger children and for their elders. This is one of the county's favourite surfing beaches. The 14th-century Sloop Inn (01548 560489, sloopatbantham.co.uk) has summer doubles from PS145 per night (and it's only a couple of hundred yards to the beach). Camber Sands, East Sussex Head to the western end of the overflow car park and then it ,s a pleasant walk through dunes to your own private area on the endless sands. If you haven't bought a picnic, the village's Rye Bay Cafe is good for lunch and the nearby Rye Bay Nature Reserve provides walking, cycling and bird watching options. Charming double rooms at The Galivant (01797 225057, thegalivant.co.uk) start at PS115 per night. Aberdour Silver Sands, Fife This small, rural, sandy beach is beside woodland and offers dreamy views out to the islands of Inchmickery and Inchcolm. The Fife coastal path passes through and there's a good walking road following the cliff top to Hawkcraig with views across the river Forth to Edinburgh. Lunch at Sands beachfront cafe and book a room at Forth View Hotel (01383 860402,forthviewhotel.co.uk), where doubles cost from PS85 per night. Druridge Bay, Northumberland Druridge Bay has 99 acres of golden, sweeping sands. The kids can explore the towering grassland dunes that shelter the bay, and just 300 yards from the beach is the Druridge Bay County Park and Visitor Centre with wildlife displays and play areas. Food can be had at the Widdrington Inn (eight miles away) while Eshott Hall (01670 787 454, eshotthall.co.uk) has doubles from PS120 per night. If you want to watch wild life displays, you can go to_. A. Bantham Beach, Devon B. Camber Sands, East Sussex C. Aberdour Silver Sands, Fife D. Druridge Bay, Northumberland Answer: D
If you have time, if you love sunshine and swimming, why not come to Australia to have a lovely holiday? You will enjoy every minute of being here. Of course, there is still some information that you have to know before you come. The sun In Australia, you can see many kinds of plants and animals and many beautiful views. However, you should be careful. Our sunlight is very strong and you may get sunburn, If you want to go out, you had better wear a hat and a shirt with collar and long sleeves and don't forget to take your sunglasses and sun cream, Don't look at the sun directly. Swimming We have so many beautiful places to swim, beaches, lakes, rivers and _ . Most of our public beaches have lifesaving service. Yellow and red flags tell you the area that you are advised to swim in. If there are no flags or lifeguards on the beach, you'd better ask the local people before you go into the water. Banks and money Banks are usually open between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Monday to Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Travellers can change money at all the banks and some of the larger hotels. . Which of the following is NOT true? You can go to all the banks and all the hotels to change money. One day Einstein is walking in a street in New York . His friend meets him and says to him, "Einstein, you should buy a new coat. Look, your coat is very old." But Einstein answers, "It doesn't matter . Nobody knows me here." After a few years, Einstein becomes a famous scientist . But he still wears the old coat. His friend meets him again and asks him to buy a new one. But Einstein says, "I don't need to buy a new one. Everyone knows me here." Some years later Einstein _ . Both B and C Mobile phone technology is developing rapidly. What will the future mobile be able to do and what will it look like? Take a look at the following mobile phones, and you'll find that some amazing phones are now coming our way. Packet The packet has five touch screens with different usages . When folded, the Packet is in a simple square shape. You can see the time and any messages you've received. Once you open it, the five screens will _ . Cob alto It has taken only two years for touch screen mobile phones to be used worldwide. Why not the 3D phones then? With an almost all-glass design, the Cobalto phone can make Google Maps even more useful, as shown here. Human-body Phone We often save photos of someone we love. When we miss them, we can see the photos. And now, Japanese scientists' human-body phone is more than just photos. With a human body shape, it's coated with a material just like human skin. When you're holding the phone, it feels as if you're holding someone you miss. Paper Phone How many times have you wanted to smash your phone when talking to annoying people? With the Paper Phone, you'll soon be able to do it. As the world's first flexible mobile phone, it can be bent freely while you're making calls, reading e-books and playing music. What's the best title for the passage? The future of Mobile Phones Teachers say the digital age has had a good influence - and a not-so-good influence - on this generation of American teenagers.More than 2,000 teachers took an online survey.Three-quarters of the teachers said the Internet and digital search tools have had a "mostly positive" effect on their students' research habits and skills.But 64 percent said the technologies "do more to distract( - - - ---) students than to help them academically." And 87 percent agreed that these technologies are creating an "easily distracted generation with short attention spans." The Pew Internet Project did the survey with the National Writing Project.Judy Buchanan is the vice director of the National Writing Project and a co-author of the report.Ms.Buchanan says digital research tools are helping students learn more and faster."Teachers really favor these tools because they are ways to make some of the learning exciting and engaging.Young people favor these tools.The goal is to really help them become creators of meaningful content, and not just sort of consumers." But one problem the survey found is that many students lack digital literacy.They trust too muck of the information they find on the Internet.Judy says these students haven't developed the skills to determine the quality of online information."It's something that really has to be taught and paid attention to.Because in a world in which things happen quickly, you do need to step back, reflect and analyze the information you have." Another problem is blamed on something that might not seem like a problem at all: being able to quickly find information online.Teachers say the result is a reduction in the desire and ability of their students to work hard to find answers.They say students are overly dependent on search engines and do not make enough use of printed books or research libraries. Many teachers are also concerned that the Internet makes it easy for students to copy work done by others instead of using their own abilities. The text mainly tells us _ . digital tools bring about benefits and problems which of these students will see the teacher larger? a boy sitting in front
In the United States, 30 percent of the adult population has a "weight problem.". To many people, the cause is clear: We eat too much. But scientific evidence does little to support this idea. Going back to the America of 1910, we find that people were slimmer than today, yet they ate more food. In those days people worked harder physically, walked more, used machines much less, and didn't watch television. Several modern studies, moreover, have shown that fatter people don't eat more on average than thinner people. In fact, some investigations (researches), such as a 1970 study of 3,545 London office workers, report that, on balance, fat people eat less than slimmer people. Studies show that slim people are more active than fat people. A study by a research group at Stanford University School of Medicine found the following interesting facts. The more the men ran, the greater loss of body fat. The more they ran, the greater their increase in food intake . Thus those who ran the most ate the most, yet lost greatest amount of body fat. What kind of physical problem do many adult Americans have? Answer: They are too fat The English language is changing fast,thanks to the rapid progress of technology.We all have a rapid choice:We can either bury our heads in the sand and spend the rest of our lives wishing Shakespeare were alive and well.Or we can embrace the new English,enter into the spirit of the Internet age called Weblish. "You can't keep away from it, for the simple reason that whenever a new variety of language comes along,it inevitably influence the language as a whole."Says Dr David Crystal,honorary professor of linguistics at the University of Wales in BangoL, whose book "Language and the Internet" has just been published. The trouble with keeping up with the new English is not so much that there are so many new words but that the old words no longer mean what we thought they did.In the past, if someone said they did not have Windows,you would have to suppose they lived in a cave.These days, it is probably because they use a Mac(which is a computer,not a rain coat).Spam is as disliked as it ever was,but whereas it once meant an unappetizing canned meat.It now stands for unwanted 'junk" email.Spellings are changing,too.Not only is text-messaging playing "hvc with vrbs" (havoc with verbs),but the conventions of email communication place little emphasis on "perfect speaking". Weblish loves to see nouns happily become verbs ("please bookmark this site"),and verbs become nouns ("Send me the download").Verbs and prepositions are regularly thrown together to become new nouns or adjectives(dial--up,logon,print-on,pull--down,upload),while others are created from simply pairing nouns:cyberspace,emit Internet,hyperlink,metatag,netspeak. The author thinks the main difficulty for people in keeping up with weblish is that _ . Answer: old words take on new meanings If you are ever lucky to be invited to a formal dinner party in Paris,remember that the French have their own way of doing things, and that even your finest manners may not be "correct" by French custom.For example,if you think showing up promptly at the time given on the invitation,armed with gifts of wine and roses,complimenting your hostess on her cooking,laughing heartily at the host's jokes and then leaping up to help the hostess will make you the perfect guest,think again. Here Madame Nora Chabal,the marketing director of the Ritz Hotel in Paris,explained how it works. The first duty of the guest is to respond to the invitation within 48 hours.And,the guest may not ask to bring a guest because the hostess has chosen her own. Flowers sent ahead of schedule are the preferred gift.They may also be sent afterwards with a thank-you note.It is considered a very bad form to arrive with a gift of flowers vase when she is too busy to do with that. See,that's the logic!The type of flowers sent has a code of its own,too.One must never send chrysanthemums because they are considered too humble for occasion.Carnations are considered bad luck,and calla are too reminiscent of funerals .A bouquet of red roses is a declaration of romantic intent.Don't send those unless you mean it,and never to a married hostess.And though the French love wine,you must never bring a bottle to a dinner party.Why?It's as if you feared your hosts would not have enough wine on hand,and that's an insult .You may,however,offer a box of chocolates which the hostess will pass after dinner with coffee. If an invitation is for eight o'clock,the considerate guest arrives at a quarter past eight.Guests who arrive exactly on time or early are mere thoughtless ones who are not giving the hostess those last few minutes she needs to deal with details and crises. If you are invited to a French dinner, the correct custom is to _ . Answer: arrive fifteen minutes behind schedule I still remember --- my hands and my fingers still remember --- what used to lie in store for us on our return to school from the holidays. The trees in the school yard would be in full leaf again and the old leaves would be lying around like a muddy sea of leaves. "Get that all swept up!" the headmaster would tell us. "I want the whole place cleaned up, at once!" There was enough work there, to last over a week. Especially since the only tools with which we were provided were our hands, our fingers, our nails. "Now see that it's done properly, and be quick about it," the headmaster would say to the older pupils, "or you'll have to answer for it!" So at an order from the older boys we would all line up like peanuts about to cut and gather in crops. If the work was not going as quickly as the headmaster expected, the big boys, instead of giving us a helping hand, used to find it simpler to beat us with branches pulled from the trees. In order to avoid these blows, we used to bribe the older boys with the juicy cakes we used to bring for our midday meal. And if we happened to have any money on us, the coins changed hands at once. If we did not do this, if we were afraid of going home with an empty stomach or an empty purse, the blows were redoubled. They hit us so violently and with such evil enjoyment that even a deaf and dumb person would have realized that we were being whipped so much not to make us work harder, but rather to beat us into a state of obedience in which we would be only too glad to give up our food and money. Occasionally one of us, worn out by such calculated cruelty, would have the courage to complain to the headmaster. He would of course be very angry, but the punishment he gave the older boys was always very small --- nothing compared to what they had done to us. And the fact is that however much we complained, our situation did not improve in the slightest. Perhaps we should have let our parents know what was going on, but somehow we never dreamed of doing so; I don't know whether it was loyalty or pride that kept us silent, but I can see now that we were foolish to keep quiet about it, for such beating were completely foreign to our nature. The headmaster asked the older boys to _ . Answer: take charge of the process of the cleaning A good way to pass an examination is to work hard every day in the year. You may fail in the examination if you are lazy for most of the year and then work hard only a few days before the examination. If you are taking an English examination, don't learn only rules of grammar. Try to read stories in English and speak in English whenever you can. A few days before examination you should start going to bed early. Do not stay up late at night studying and learning things. Before you start the examination, read carefully over the examination paper. Try to understand the exact meaning of each question before you pick up your pen to write. When you have at last finished your examination, read your answers, correct any mistakes that you see and make sure that you have not _ anything _ . If you are going to take examination, _ . Answer: go to bed early and have a good rest
Health experts are calling for action to expand cancer care and control in the developing world. A medical research paper says cancer was once thought of as a problem mostly in the developed world. But now cancer is a leading cause of death and disability in poor countries as well. Experts from Harvard University and other organizations urge the international community to fight cancer aggressively, saying it should be fought in the way HIV/AIDS has been fought in Africa. Cancer kills more than 7.5 million people a year worldwide. Almost two-thirds are in low-income and middle-income countries. They discover cancer dills more people in developing countries than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. But the world spends only 5% of its cancer resources in those countries. Felicia Knaul from Harvard Medical School was one of the authors of the paper. She was in Mexico when she was found to have breast cancer. She received treatment there and her experience showed her the sharp difference between the rich and the poor in treating breast cancer. Felicia Knaul says, "And we are seeing how this is attacking young women. It's the number two cause of death in Mexico for women thirty to fifty-four. All over the developing world, it's the number one cancer-related death among young women. I think we have to again say that there is much more we could do about it than we are doing about it." Professor Knalul met community health workers during her work in developing countries. They were an important part of efforts to reduce deaths from the cancer. They were able to persuade people to get tested to prevent the illness. The experts say cancer care does not have to be costly. For example, patients can be treated with lower-cost drugs. What would be the best title for the passage? A Cancer - a leading cause of death in poor countries B What should we do in preventing and treating cancer? C What makes the first killer in developing countries? D Experts urge more efforts to fight cancer in poor countries. Answer: D. Experts urge more efforts to fight cancer in poor countries. Which is most reliant on nonrenewable resources? A a solar panel B an electric car C an 1800s train D a modern bus Answer: C. an 1800s train Everyone needs safe drinking water, but about 1.1 billion people have no access to clean water. Most of the world's water is salty ocean water or frozen polar ice. By 2050, the world's population could grow from 6.7 billion to more than 9 billion. All of those people will need water to drink. But the bad news is that some areas of the world are growing drier because of climate change. The total area of the Earth's surface classified as very dry has doubled since the 1970s. Sadly, the precious resource is still misused in industry, in farming and at homes. Therefore, the world is facing a crisis over water. "You do the math, and it gets a little scary," says Stuart Minchin, a water expert in Australia. "We're waking up," he says. "But not fast enough." In southern Australia, farmers have been hit hard. They can't irrigate their fields well enough. The Australian government has launched a $1.3 billion project to improve Australia's irrigation system to stop the crop production dropping further. Australians have serious water worries, but it could be worse. They don't have to fear that when they turn on the tap, nothing will come out. That's the case in India. Many people in New Delhi, the capital, go without clean water for days. City leaders have taken stricter measures to save water. Users pay a very high but affordable price for it. Homeowners who waste water are given large fines. There are 1.9 million people who live in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now it has grown by more than 300,000 people since 2002. But it uses less water today than it did seven years ago. What happened to the farmers in southern Australia? A They can't get enough fields. B Their crop production has dropped a lot. C They find no water coming out of the tap. D They have to give up planting crops. Answer: B. Their crop production has dropped a lot. Transportation and communication networks bring people together. Yet sometimes people themselves create barriers to transportation and communication. In some countries, laws stop people from moving freely from place to place. Over the centuries, many groups of people have been denied the freedom to travel because of their race, religion, or nationality. In the Middle Ages, for example, Jews were often forbidden to move about freely within certain cities. South Africa's government used to require black Africans to carry passes when they travel within the country. Some governments require all citizens to carry identification papers and to report to government officials whenever they move. Countries set up Customs posts at their borders. Foreign travellers must go through a Customs inspection before they are allowed to travel in the country. Usually travellers have to carry special papers such as passports and visas . Some countries even limit the number of visitors to their country each year. Others allow tourists to visit only certain areas of the country, or they may require that travellers be with an official guide at all times during their stay. Many of those barriers to travel also act as barriers to communication. When two governments disagree with each other on important matters, they usually do not want their citizens to exchange news or ideas freely. Countries often try to keep military or industrial information secret. Today, people have the ability to travel, to communicate, and to transport goods more quickly and easily than ever before. Natural barriers that were difficult or dangerous to cross a hundred years ago can now be crossed easily. The barriers that people themselves make are not so easy to overcome. But in spite of all the different kinds of barriers, people continue to enjoy travel and the exchange of goods and ideas. Which of the following can serve as the best title of the passage? A Functions of Communication B Barriers Made by People C Restrictions on Transportation D Progress of Human Society Answer: B. Barriers Made by People One evening last fall, while Marcos Ugarte did his homework and his father, Eduardo, a teacher, prepared lesson plans, they heard shouting outside. Eduardo, 47, and Marcos, 15, stepped onto the balcony of their two-story home. Immediately, Marcos' s eye was caught by a flame from one of their neighbors' houses. "Dad, the house is on fire!" Marcos cried. Dressed only in shorts, the barefoot teen dashed towards the Mas' home with his dad. Grandmother Yim Ma, mother Suzanne Ma, and son Nathan Ma were gathered on the front grassland shouting for help. When the Ugartes got there, they saw through the open front door that father Alex Ma was falling down the stairs, coughing, his face black with dirt. "Is anyone else in the house?" Eduardo asked. "My son!" Alex managed to say, pointing to the second floor. Eduardo started up the stairs, but thick, black smoke, swirling ash, and extreme heatforced him to his knees. He inched upstairs and down the hall where Alex said he would find Cody, eight, who had locked himself in a bedroom. "I'd never seen smoke like that," says Eduardo. "My glasses immediately turned black from the ash." As the fire spread across the hall, Eduardo banged on the bedroom door and tried to turn the handle. But Cody didn't respond, and Eduardo made his way back downstairs. At the same time, Marcos saw Yim and Suzanne pulling an aluminum ladder out of the garage. "Cody was standing at the window, screaming for help," says Marcos. "I knew I had to do something." He grabbed the ladder, positioned it near the window, and climbed towards the boy. When Marcos reached the window, he pushed the screen into the room and persuaded Cody out. "It's OK," Marcos told him. "I've got you." Holding Cody with one arm, Marcos moved down the ladder. Halfway down, he handed the boy to a neighbor. The day after the fire, Alex visited Marcos. "Thank you for saving my son," Alex said. "You are his hero forever." What's the passage mainly about? A How a family got saved from a fire. B How a fire happened. C How a teen became a hero. D How a barefoot teen saved his neighbor. Answer: D. How a barefoot teen saved his neighbor.
When I was just a kid of ten, my father said to me," Come here and take a lesson from the lovely lemon tree. Don't put your faith in love, my boy." My father said to me, "I fear you'll find that love is like the lovely lemon tree." Lemon tree very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat. beneath the lemon tree One day my love and I did lie. A girl so sweet that when she smiled, the stars rose in the sky. We passed that summer lost in love beneath the lemon tree. The music of her laughter hid my father's words from me. Lemon tree very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat. One day she left without a word, she took away the sun. And in the dark she'd left behind, I knew what she had done. She left me for another; it's a common tale but true. A sadder man but wiser now, I sing these words to you. Lemon tree very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat. Lemon tree, Lemon tree, Lemon tree, Lemon tree In Father's eyes, _ . A. the lemon tree looks ugly B. the lemon flower has a pleasant smell C. the lemon fruit tastes delicious D. lemon tree is not lovely Answer: B Anyone who has ever traveled with a teenager knows that the teenager can make the vacation good or bad for the entire family. As a travel agent, Lynda Maxwell said, "If teenagers are happy, everybody is happy." Teenagers are often interested in travelling, but their interests and schedules often aren't the same as their parents'. It means that when the parents start to look for a place of interest in the early morning, their teenagers may be sleeping soundly! The thing makes travelling with teenagers very difficult, but it isn't impossible. The experts said, "The keys to success is what parents do before they travel." For many families, the hardest part may be finding a vacation time that is right for everyone. Be sure to sit down with everyone else in the family before setting a date. "After setting a date, ask teenagers where they would choose to go," suggested Maxwell. It is possible that they'd like nothing more than to sit on a beach for a week. "Maybe there's a compromise ," said Maxwell. "Most teenagers like using the Internet now, so parents can ask them to think up the ideas about what to see and do," said Brad Anderson. "I find teenagers are excellent at making great suggestions." The main problem of travelling with teenagers is that _ . A. they are always causing problems B. there's no way to make them happy C. they don't want to travel with their parents D. their interests and schedules are different from their parents' Answer: D One day the Smith family went to the zoo. Ann Smith rode her bike from place to place. Joe Smith crawled everywhere he went. Their parents, Katie and Mike Smith, walked. After visiting many animals they all met up at the monkey cage. There was a long line to feed the monkeys. The line was so long that Joe fell asleep for a bit. Finally, it was time for the Smith family to feed the monkeys. The daughter, Ann, feed the monkeys a banana. The son, Joe, fed the monkeys a cracker. The mother, Katie, fed the monkeys a piece of cheese. The father, Mike, fed the monkeys an apple. After the monkeys were done eating the zoo worker told them to pick their favorite treat, and give the person who gave it to them a hug. The monkeys all hugged Joe. Joe's parents were proud of him for picking the treat he liked best. As a reward, they gave him a special prize. Joe got the bike he had always wished for. At the end of the day he left the zoo a very happy child. What special prize did Joe get? A. an apple B. a bike C. a cracker D. a baby Answer: B I was loading my truck to go to the market when I hurt my left eye. The pain was like a hot sword being shoved through my head. I fell down on my hands and knees, and I knew it was bad. I was taken to the Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, and the doctors operated on me several times but couldn't save my left eye. When they told me the news, I wanted to die. Even after I got my fake eye, I couldn't shake the sadness. To make matters worse, I lost my job as a transportation officer because of my lost eye. But one morning, I woke up and the TV was on, and there was a 16-year-old girl who had been badly burned on her face and legs. Her situation was much worse than mine. She wore a big smile and seemed to look right at me and said, "You can't ever give up." At that moment, I thought, "This is just an eye. Get over it." And I did. It's been almost 12 years since my accident, and there's nothing I can't do now that I used to do. And although I didn't get my old job back, I got my license again. I read a story once. In that story, a man was feeling bad because he had no shoes until he met a man who had no feet. No matter how terrible your problem is, remember there's always someone somewhere who's worse off. So cheer up and smile at life! What can we learn from the passage? A. The writer got his old job back B. The writer can't see things clearly C. The writer is not strong-minded D. The writer has got over the accident Answer: D Mom was right!If you say thank you,for even the smallest gift or slightest show of kindness,you'll feel happy. Gratitude ,says Robert A.Emmons,a professor of psychology at the University of California,is an important element of happiness.In his recent book,Thanks!,Emmons uses the first major study on gratitude to prove mom's point.In acknowledging and developing this muchignored expression of thankfulness,he explains how people have benefited--even improved their health. As one of the leading scholars of the positive psychology movement,he admits gratitude may be difficult to express.He advises you to begin by admitting that life is good and full of events and elements that make daily existence a wonder.Second,recognize that the source of life's goodness is more than just you.That source may be your mom,a friend,partner,child,colleague at work or play,or any combination of these. Gratitude is always otherdirected,notes Emmons.You can be pleased or angry with yourself and feel guilty about doing something wrong,but you can never be grateful to or for yourself. Expressing gratitude shouldn't be a reaction;it should be a state of mind.To feel grateful when life is a breeze and you have more than you need is easy.To feel grateful in time of crisis--anger,hatred and bitterness--is easier.Also,too many people are aware of life's blessings only after these are lost.The voices expressing gratitude from his studies of individuals are many. It's crisis and chaos--danger,disease,disability and death--that bring many individuals to realize just how dependent they are on others.Yet it's the way each of us begins life and ends it.It's too bad that so many people waste those decades in between labouring under the illusion they are selfsufficient,says Emmons. To enable and embrace gratitude,Emmons encourages the readers of Thanks! to keep a gratitude diary.He even provides easytofollow directions on how to practise and develop gratitude. I'm not a reader or advocate of selfhelp books,but I am thankful for the reference I found in a newspaper article to the research Emmons was conducting on gratitude involving organ donors and recipients .The chance discovery led me to this book. Mom implied that kindness seems to find its way back to the giver because life really is all about giving,receiving and repaying.So I'll pay attention to her professional advice and say:Thank you,professor Emmons. What is the opinion of Professor Emmons? A. It is enough to thank others orally. B. Whether you are thankful is always up to you. C. Remember to be thankful anytime and anywhere. D. It is easier to be thankful for yourself than for others. Answer: C
When it comes to feeling better about yourself,nothing will help you like healthy eating.Controlling what you eat is a big factor in how you look and feel.If you think about it,so much of how we behave,how we feel,and how our bodies perform is based on what we put into them. The old saying "You Are What You Eat" is actually true.The problem is that a lot of mainstream diet books you might find in your local bookstore or online are trying to sell you diet plans that don't work and that might even make you sick. Healthy eating is great for your body.It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.Many people don't realize just how good healthy food is for them.By eating great foods that are natural and healthy,you can lose weight.You can also have a lot more energy.So you shouldn't just think of healthy eating as a way to burn fat,but you should also think of it as a way to get your life back in order. You can spend more time with your family and get more work done because you will have more energy.You will be impressed by how much better you'll feel by putting nutritious,natural foods into your body.Your look will be better.You'll have more energy,and you'll be happier. The important thing to remember when it comes to eating healthy is to not fall for any tricks.There are a lot of people out there looking to make quick money.They will tell you just something so they can sell a book or a video.What you need is to trust a diet plan that is right for your body.Educate yourself about your own body type.Find out what kinds of foods are best for you.If the diet book you trust doesn't teach you these important factors,then you might be reading bad information. According the passage, a good diet book should be one _ . Answer: that helps you choose suitable foods Data on British buying habits in 2015 reveals a move away from products such as sausages and bacon in favour of fish and poultry . The move may be because high-end consumers are noticing growing warnings about their impact on health. That was reinforced by an assessment by the World Health Organization in October that placed cured and processed meats in the same category as asbestos, alcohol, arsenic and tobacco as major causes of cancer. Sales of sausages and bacon were down 14.4% last year compared with 2014 and sales of red meat fell by 8.1%. In contrast, sales of poultry and fish rose by 13.1% and 25.1% respectively. The sustained interest in organic food is driven by an increase in young and socially conscious"millennials"(born from the early 1980s to the early 2000s) with strong social, ethical and environmental values. They are prepared to pay extra for healthier options and shifting shopping patterns away from"the big weekly shop"in favour of"a few and often". At Tesco sales of organic fruit and vegetables have risen by more than 18% over the last year -- double the market average. Tesco fruit commercial manager Gareth Wilcock said,"The revival of organic foods has been gathering pace over the last few years, with lower prices and better availability both playing a major part in that." George Scott, food and grocery analyst with Verdict Retail, said,"Organic food is no longer niche and I think this upward sales trend is here to stay. It is very significant that we have acute consumers who are prepared to trade up to the foods where they want the best quality and assurances of provenance." What does the World Health Organization think of processed meats? Answer: They're likely to cause cancer. For Rachael and Leigh Badman, there is only one wish on their Christmas list this year _ that their sick daughter survives until December 25. Fifteen -year-old Paige suffers from a rare brain condition. The disease affects as few as 12 people in the world, and can kill her any day without warning. And her condition has _ in recent months. Each time she closes her eyes, she may never wake up. Rachael and Leigh Badman are worried that she couldn't live through Christmas. They filled their house with Christmas decorations on November1, so she could enjoy her favorite day of the year in advance. Paige was diagnosed with the condition four years ago. Mrs. Badman described the condition as "being on death row" as she never knows if she will wake up and still have a daughter. She said, " Paige always loves Christmas and it's heartbreaking to see her suffering like this." In the last months, Paige has been unable to eat and has never walked or spoken. But she loves music, and enjoys watching pop stars' DVDs. And in May she also went on holiday to Florida with her parents and little brother, Kefton. The family , who have already organized parts of Paige's funeral, also saw the teenager swimming with dolphins during the trip. Since then, however, her condition has worsened. Mrs Badman, who is separated from her husband and works as Paige's full-time carer, said, "Now she can't eat or drink anymore, and her brain is shrinking. With all her problems, we just thought, 'Let's get the Christmas tree up as soon as possible.' We're praying she lives to see Christmas Day." Mrs Badman described Paige as " being on death row" because _ . Answer: Paige could die at any time without warning Chinese government has decided to give up the rules of food with no checking .According to the Xinhua News, from September 17th , 2008, Chinese government decided to give up the rules of food with no checking. Many people said yes to it. The officer said that these days, the food safety accident about children milk of Sanlu made the government decide to give it up. In order to keep the food safe and people healthy, Chinese government said that all the food must be checked. The rule of food with no checking made in 1999 was given up from that day. "I think if the companies get the food with no checking, they will never check their food. It gives them the chance of making the food of poor quality," an old man said in the shop. " I hope our government not only gives it up, but also makes some strong rules to manage the companies," a young woman told us. " The important point is our government should send officers to the companies and check their food every time," a shop owner said. A young expert of food safety said, " The department of government should take the food from the shop or supermarket and check, not ask them to send. In that way, we can get the real checking." But in order to keep people's health, the government asks the officers to check all the food before they are sent to the shop or supermarket. That means all the food must be checked before they are sold. A young expert of food safety think the government should _ . Answer: take food from shop or supermarket and check Mr. And Mrs. Bell are very forgetful . For example , Mr. Bell sometimes goes to his office for work on Sunday morning, for he thinks it is Monday. And Mrs. Bell sometimes forget to cook supper for the family. One summer they planned to fly to New York for their holidays. They got to the airport only ten minutes before the plane took off. So time was short. But suddenly Mrs. Bell said she must tell Alice, their daughter, not to forget to lock the front door when she went to school. As Alice was then at school, they couldn't tell her about it by telephone. So they hurried to the post office. Mrs. Bell wrote a short note to Alice while Mr. Bell bought a stamp and an envelope . Soon the note was ready. They put the stamp on the envelope in a hurry and dropped it in the letter box, but suddenly Mrs. Bell began to cry. The short note was still in her hand. She had put the plane ticket in the envelope. Mr.and Mrs. Bell wrote a note to their daughter to tell her _ Answer: to lock the front door
Electrical conduction may occur when A a person takes a trip B a person gets a dog C a person presses a key to a socket D a person moves plastic into a car Answer: C. a person presses a key to a socket For an increasing number of students at American universities, Old is suddenly in. The reason is obvious: the graying of America means jobs. Coupled with the aging of the baby-boom generation, a longer life span means that the nation's elderly population is bound to expand significantly over the next 50 years. By 2050, 25 percent of all Americans will be older than 65, up from 14 percent in 1995. The change brings many problems for government and society, of course. But it also creates career opportunities in medicine and health professions, and in law and business as well. "In addition to the doctors, we're going to need more sociologists, biologists, urban planners and specialized lawyers," says Professor Edward Schneider of the University of Southern California's (USC) School of Gerontology .www.zxxk.com Lawyers can specialize in "elder law" which covers everything from trusts and estates to nursing-home abuse and age discrimination. Businessmen see huge opportunities in the elder market because the baby boomers, 74 million strong, are likely to be the wealthiest group of retirees in human history. "Any student who combines an expert knowledge in gerontology with, say, an MBA or law degree will have a license to print money," one professor says. Margarite Santos is a 21-year-old senior at USC. She began college as a biology major but found she was "really bored with bacteria." So she took a class in gerontology and discovered that she liked it. She says, "I did volunteer work in retirement homes and it was very satisfying." Who can make big money in the new century according to the passage? A Retirees who are business-minded B The volunteer workers in retirement homes C Professionals with a good knowledge of gerontology D College graduates with an MBA or law degree Answer: C. Professionals with a good knowledge of gerontology I hated dinner parties. But I decided to give them another _ because I'm in London. And my friend Mallery invited me. And because dinner parties in London are very different from those in New York, "I'm having a dinner party" means: "I'm booking a table for 12 at a restaurant and we'll be sharing the cheque evenly , no matter what you eat." In Manhattan there is always someone who leaves before the bill arrives. They'll throw down cash, half of what they owe, and then people like me, who don't drink, end up paying even more. But if you try to use the same trick, the hostess will shout: "Where are you going ?" And I cannot say I have somewhere to go because everyone knows I have nowhere to go. But in London, dinner parties are in people's homes. Not only that, the guests are an interesting mix. The last time I went to one, the guests were from France, India, Denmark and Nigeria; it was like a gathering at the United Nations. In New York, the mix is less striking. It's like a gathering at Bloomingdatle's, a well-known department store. For New Yorkers, talking about other parts of the world means Brooklyn and Queens in New York. But at Mallery's, when I said that I had been to Myanmar recently, people knew where it was, while In New York people would think it was a usual club. What does the author think of the parties in London? A A bit unusual B Full of tricks C Less costly D More interesting Answer: D. More interesting The summer has seen a series of marine disputes involving China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines. This week there were more anti-Japanese riots in cities across China because of a dispute over a group of uninhabited islands known to the Japanese as the Senkakus and to the Chinese as the Diaoyu Islands. One Chinese newspaper has helpfully suggested skipping the pointless diplomacy and moving straight to the main course by serving up Japan with an atom bomb. The government in Beijing is trying to play down the dispute, aware of the economic interests in keeping the peace. China is re-emerging after what it sees as 150 years of humiliation, surrounded by anxious neighbours, many of them allied to America. In that context, disputes about _ could become very significant. Whatever the legality of Japan's claim to the islands, its roots lie in empire-building. China's leaders now face sharp criticism if they do not fight their country's corner. A recent poll suggested that over half of China's citizens thought the next few years would see a "military dispute" with Japan. The islands matter, therefore, less because of fishing, oil or gas than as counters in the high-stakes game for Asia's future. Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines fear that if they give in, China will sense weakness and prepare the next demand. China fears that if it fails to press its case, America and others will conclude that they are free to scheme against it. Asia's inability to deal with the islands raises doubts about how it would cope with a genuine crisis, on the Korean peninsula, say, or across the Strait of Taiwan. And the tendency for the slightest quarrel to turn into a full-blown conflict presents problems for America, which both aims to reassure China that it welcomes its rise, and also uses the threat of military force to guarantee that the Pacific is worthy of the name. According to a Chinese newspaper, the best way to deal with the dispute is _ . A holding diplomatic talks with the Japanese B moving the islands to the mainland of China C declaring war on Japan without a moment's delay D turning to other countries such as the US for help Answer: C. declaring war on Japan without a moment's delay Which is likely to be digested? A metal B water C hush puppies D pain Answer: C. hush puppies
The world's most famous awards, the Nobel Prizes, are given for achievements that benefit humankind. Ironically they are named for a 19thcentury scientist who invented powerful explosives that came to be used as weapons of war. Alfred Nobel, a Swedish-born chemist who died in 1896, was known by some as "The Mad Scientist," and by others as "The Merchant of Death." He was really pacifist, who at one time believed that his explosives could end warfare. Later, he realized that he was wrong. "High explosives will not stop men from war," he wrote. "Nobody will benefit from my inventions except manufacturers of war materials, some generals, and diplomats." Nobel was born in Sweden in 1833. His father was an architect and inventor who moved to Russia. With only one year formal schooling, Nobel became a chemist and inventor by the age of 16. He was also excellent in languages, speaking English, Russian, German, and French in addition to Swedish. He wrote poetry. His study of explosives began with manufacturing liquid nitroglycerin for use in mining and construction. But in 1864, the factory blew up, killing his youngest brother and four others. He then discovered that liquid nitroglycerin could be dried and handled safely to be a mixture, which can explode. He called the mixture dynamite, after the Greek word dynamis, meaning "power." He then perfected a more powerful form of dynamite that made him a multimillionaire. When he died, his fortune was about $9 million. Nobel never married, and he left his fortune to what has since become known as the Nobel Prizes. The money is invested and the interest is given out every year as prizes for the most important work in six fields: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. Nobel Prize winners receive money, a gold medal, and a diploma. Prizes were first awarded in 1901, and the list of Nobel laureates contains many well-known names: Albert Einstein in Physics, Marie Curie in Chemistry, Toni Morrison and William Faulkner in Literature, Martin Luther King, Jr., for Peace. Which of the following statements is NOT true? Answer: You have probably read the books. You have probably seen the movies. But have you heard the music? The latest Harry Potter news is that bands form to play what is called "wizard rock" or sometimes just "wrock". The new kind of music began when Joe De George and his brother Paul decided that the characters from Harry Potterwould make a great band. Ron on guitar, Hermione on bass, Hagrid on drums and Harry singing up front would make for an excellent group. In one day, the brothers wrote, rehearsed and performed six songs about life at Hogwarts. After the first performance, Paul decided that "we are Harry and the potters." Wizard rock is pretty much what it sounds like: rock "n" rock inspired by and set in the world of Harry Potter. The De George started a trend. Today there are dozens of wizard-rock bands: the Whomping Willows, the Remus Lupins and the Moaning Myrtles to name a few. Rockers dress like Hogwarts students and play at conventions and festivals. People who like Harry Potter think wizard rock music is totally _ . The songs can be funny, but the music is not a joke. Just ask the De George brothers. They've played more than 500 shows in 49 states and their hit songs are inspired by characters fromHarry Potter: "Save Ginny Weasley" and "Voldemort Can't Stop the Rock!" The themes of their music are the same as those of Rowling's books: love and friendship, upset and struggle. Wizard rock is just one more by-product in the Harry Pottercraze. Two years after J.K. Rowling published her last book in the series, Potter popularity continues to grow. There are Potter conventions and Potter clubs that try to get kids and grow-ups to help fight hunger, for example. And the fact that they may do it while humming "Wizard Chess" or "Platform 9" makes those meetings fun. Which of the following is true about wizard rock? Answer: A group of reporters asked a group of 4-to-8-year-old children this question, "What does love mean?" The answers were surprising. The children would answer like they did below. Rebecca --- age 8 "When my grandmother hurt her knees , she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails any more. So my grandfather would do it for her all the time, even when his hands hurt, too. That's love." Samantha --- age 6 "Love is when someone hurts you, and you get so mad but you don't shout at her because you know it would hurt her feelings." Terry --- age 4 "Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Bethany --- age 4 "I let my big sister pick on me because my Mum says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her." Lauren --- age 4 "I know my elder sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new clothes." Elaine --- age 5 "Love is when Mummy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Clear --- age 5 "My Mummy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Jessica --- age 8 "You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." The passage mainly tells us about _ . Answer: Electricity has many uses. Which device is designed to transform electrical energy into useful heat energy? Answer: How to deal successfully with a child who shows outstanding musical ability?It's not always clear how best to develop and encourage his gift.Many parents may even fail to recognise and respond to their children's need until frustration explodes into difficult or uncooperative behaviour.And while most schools are equipped to deal with children who are specially able in academic subjects,the musically gifted require special understanding which may not always be available in an ordinary school--especially one where music is regarded as a secondary activity.Such children may well benefit from the education offered by a specialist music school. The five music schools in Britain are a relatively recent introduction.They aim to provide an environment in which gifted children aged between seven and eighteen can develop their skills to the full under the guidance of professional musicians. Children at specialist music schools spend between one third and one half of an average day on musical activities,for example,individual lessons,orchestras,chamber groups,voice training,conducting and theory.They also spend several hours a day practising in properly equipped private rooms,sometimes with a teacher.The rest of their time is taken up with the subjects:English,maths,basic sciences and languages.All five British specialist schools are independent,classes are small by normal school standards,with a high teacher/pupil ratio .Most children attending specialist schools tend to be boarders,leaving home to live,eat and sleep fulltime at school. What are the disadvantages?An obvious problem is the cost;the fees are high(PS12,000PS17,000 a year for boarders).However,each school will make every effort with scholarships and other forms of financial assistance,to help parents of outstandingly gifted children to find the necessary fees.Secondly,not all parents want to send their children to boarding school,especially at a very early age.Almost all the directors of the specialist schools express doubts about the wisdom of admitting children as young as seven into such an intense and disciplined environment.They stress,however,that their main aim is to turn out "rounded and wellbalanced" individuals. There is little doubt that setting musically gifted children apart from an early age can cause stress.Early signs of musical ability may disappear in their teenage years,while natural competitiveness and the pressure to succeed can lead to a deep sense of failure.But all specialist schools do keep a close watch on the progress of individual pupils,and offer help and advice if needed. If a child's musical ability is not recognized, _ . Answer:
In China ,with the development of society, more and more people are annoyed at the continually rising house prices. They want to know who is to blame for it. Local governments,developers and speculators share a vested interest in it. People who are really in need of homes are most likely to suffer heavy losses. Many local governments depend on selling land to keep its normal operation. The higher land prices,the more money. Therefore,developers back the local governments by buying land at high prices. In return,the governments make favorable policies to help the developers. For example,drive all the possible home buyers to this nasty market. They even encourage large numbers of speculators to catch more people. Rising house prices have already become the fence which divides the Chinese society. It has caused widespread dissatisfaction. The government will lose the support of the common people if leaving house prices out of control. Besides,rising house prices will stop us building the new countryside as the present policy actually forbid people to flow freely from cities to the countryside. Collecting taxes on houses can fundamentally solve this problem. On one hand,it will discourage the speculators. On the other hand,it will offer a stable tax resource apart from reducing the sales cost of the developers. secondly,stop the developers selling the houses before completion. If so,the developers will certainly try their best to sell all their houses once completed. And this will also lower speculators' expectation of price rising,which will decrease speculations. We can infer from the passage that continually rising house prices will _ . A. benefit the government B. affect the sound development of the Chinese society C. help the housing industry develop soundly D. draw more home buyers Answer: B New rules and behavior standards for the middle school students came out. Middle schools are going to use a new way to decide who the top students are. The following are some of the new rules. You should not be allowed to dye your hair, smoke or drink. You should not copy others' work in an exam. Don't do it again if you did it! Good students love animals and care for other people. Being kind to animals is being kind to ourselves. Be friendly to the people around you. Try to think of others, not only yourself. Don't look down on new ideas. Everyone's ideas are important. You should welcome them, because new ideas make life better for everyone. Learn to protect yourselves. If you have to go home late, you should let your mother or your father know. Use the Internet carefully. The Internet can be very useful for our studies. But some things on the Internet aren't good for teenagers, so try to look at web pages that are good for you. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true? A. It's not polite to dye hair for everyone B. Don't copy others' work in an exam C. Be kind to others and try to think of others D. Don't look down on new ideas Answer: A While we are still children ,most of us live at home with our parents, more or less peacefully . But as we become teenagers , things change ,and we begin to grow apart from our parents . This means we are almost ready to leave the house where we grew up and make a new home of our own . All humans must do this ,but they don't all do it in the same way . If ,for instance ,you belong to a primitive tribe ,then as you grew up ,you'd learn the skills you needed as an adult---how to catch fish ,how to keep the house and look after children . You would be ready to marry in your early teens and you would build a house and live near your family in the village. This seems a very old way of life , but it is what humans have been used to through hundreds of years. And it is what we are still used to in the 21stcentury ,for man hasn't changed in the short time since he became civilized . But could you leave home and look after yourself during the teen years ? Most people would not do very well . Why ? Because although man hasn't changed very much , the society he lives in has changed greatly ,which means that we have to learn more and more before we are ready to leave our parents' shelter( ) and live alone . However ,sometimes it is very frustrating to live at parents' home . Parents can be very upset about late nights ,criticizing friends and always saying that we are noisy and dirty . But we still need our emotional shelter till we finish our studies , and that is why we usually stay in our parents' home until we feel grown up enough to deal with living alone . Why must we know more to be able to live alone ? A. Because we are becoming less talented . B. Because our society has changed a lot . C. Because not enough is taught in our schools. D. Because man has never really been civilized. Answer: B Food safety will become the food industry's key target as the nation tries to adopt international food standards. The National Development and Reform Commission, the Standardization Administration of China, the Ministry of Agriculture and six other departments announced their 2004-05 development programme for national food standards over the weekend. China is conducting a rectification within two years. Inspectors will search for all known banned materials in food production. To reduce trading barriers, China will raise the ratio of adopting international standards in the food industry to 55 percent from today's 23 percent. "Safety is the first consideration for anything entering people's mouth followed by its nutritious value," said Hao Yu, secretary-general of the National Food Industry Standardization Technique Committee. He added the usage of food addictives will be a major field for consideration in setting the new standards. On-the-spot checks during the past two years have shown the abuse or misuse of addictives in food production and processing has become the biggest threat to food safety. In one case, talcum powder was found in flour products, which is outlawed according to national food standards. "At present there are no methods or standards to test the content of talcum powder in flour," said Shang Yan'e, an official with the national watchdog on grain and oil inspections. Under the guidelines, all banned addictives will be recorded as inspections increase, Relevant departments have allocated funds to conduct risk evaluations on current food addictives to fix the limits of their usage. China will adopt international advanced techniques and standards so as to find out the harmful materials in food within a shortest period. China will raise the ratio of adopting international standards in the food industry by _ . A. 55% B. 32% C. 23% D. 78% Answer: B Envy seems to be bad-but it doesn't have to be. Researchers are finding that, if approached the right way, there can actually be an advantage. Psychologists classify envy in two ways: negative and positive. With positive envy, you are motivated by another person's success and struggle to follow it. With negative envy, you want to cut the advantaged person down so you look better by comparison. Let's say you feel sufferings of envy after your rival at another firm gets promoted. Negative envy might drive you to destroy his success, but positive envy would inspire you to work harder and get promoted, too. Studies show positive envy can be a great motivator . In a 2011 study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, researchers in the Netherlands conducted a series of experiments with more than 200 university students. Researchers found that when they caused feelings of positive envy----as opposed to admiration or negative envy----in the students, it drove them to want to study more and perform better on a test measuring creativity and intelligence. While admiration may feel better, the researchers found, it doesn't motivate performance like the pain and frustration of envy. "Those painful sufferings of envy are there for an evolutionary reason," says Texas Christian University researcher Sarah E. Hill, "warning us that someone has something of importance to us." Building on this theory, Dr. Hill and others conducted a series of experiments, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, to test whether envy improves attention and memory----the tools needed to copy a rival's steps to success. In one experiment, half of the participants were asked to recall past feelings of envy; the other half weren't. The two groups were then shown mock interviews of imaginary peers. The group filled with envy paid closer attention and better recalled details about the interview subjects. In other words, envy made them more astute . Not only can envy motivate us to reach for higher goals, it may even give us the cognitive push to get there. What's the benefit of positive envy? A. It inspires you to find a possible rival to try to defeat them. B. It encourages you to work harder with a positive attitude. C. It won't hurt your opponents in the same firm. D. It won't destroy your success at another firm. Answer: B
My daughter Alisa was born blind in her right eye and was bullied pretty severely in school. So I quitted my job as a babysitter and then schooled my daughter heart and soul at home. A year ago a boy of 14 befriended my daughter on Facebook after reading something Alisa wrote about bullying. Today he messaged her and asked if she would like six tickets to a Colorado Rockies baseball game. They have never met in person but she said, "Sure! That would be great." Then I received a call from his mother explaining why her son had chosen my daughter. She said he thought my daughter deserved them because of all the good she does in the community. Her son, she explained, had experienced a similar situation and was also home schooled. What she said is true. Now my daughter Alisa continues to teach groups of girls in trouble in our community how to look within themselves for the positive and how to be their own person. Everything taken into consideration, we decided to meet the mother and the boy at a local bike shop. After meeting, the boy approached my car and my daughter gave him a hug and thanked him for his generosity. She told him that she had never been to a baseball game and that she was going to take her entire family, including myself, her dad, little sister, her cousin and an aunt who has brain cancer. We all thanked one another, got in our car, and went our way. As we drove home my daughter opened the envelope. Inside it were the tickets and $100 each to buy hot dogs, pay for parking and not have any worries but a great time. My daughter has always been the giver and now she and our family are the receivers and I can not tell you how incredibly honored we feel to be on the other end. What an incredible young man to have such a kind idea. What can we learn about the boy? Answer: He receives education at home. He was surprised to see that the chicken was keeping up with him. Looking at his speedometer , he found that he was doing 50 miles per hour (MPH). Then he drove at 60 MPH, and the chicken stayed right next to him. He sped up to 75 MPH and _ still kept up. The man then found that the chicken had three legs. Growing even more curious , he followed the chicken down a road and into a farm. He got out of his car and saw that all the chickens around him had three legs. He asked the farmer, "What's up with the three-legged chickens?" The farmer said, "Well, whenever we have chicken for diner, everyone in the family fights over the legs, but there are only two. I have raised a kind of three-legged chicken. It's going to make me richer." "How do they taste?" the man asked. The farmer said, "Don't know yet, I haven't been able to catch one." Why did the farmer raise the three-legged chicken? Answer: Because everyone in his family fights over the legs while having chicken for dinner. You can't look good if you are not healthy. And one way to be healthy is to do exercise. Football, tennis, volleyball and swimming are all good for you. Muscle exercise is also important. You can exercise at school or at home. Boys can do push-ups and girls can do sit-ups . But there are some don'ts here: First, stay away from weight lifting . It's bad for you, because it gives too much stress to your body and you can't grow tall if you practise often. You should exercise for about an hour a day, and three days a week. On the other days, don't exercise too much. Exercising too much is not a good idea. Don't go running for a long time. Running for a long time makes you tired. Don't want fastresults . Your muscles will grow when you get older. If you want to be healthy and strong, exercise and healthy food are the best way. But don't think you can make it in one day. The article tells us that _ is good for students. Answer: volleyball Is gun play good or bad for children? For many years I emphasized its harmlessness. When concerned parents expressed doubt about letting their children have toy guns, because they didn't want to encourage them in the slightest degree to become criminals, I would explain how little connection there was. In the course of growing up, children have a natural tendency to bring their aggressiveness more and more under control if their parents encourage _ . One- to two-year-olds, when they are angry with another child, may bite the child's arm without hesitation. But by 3 or 4 they have already learned that aggression is not right. However, they may pretend to shoot their mother or father, but smiling to assure them that the gun and the aggressive behaviour aren't to be taken seriously. In the 6- to 12-year-old period, children will play an earnest game of war, but it has lots of rules. There may be arguments, but real fights are relatively rare. At this age children don't shoot at their mother or father, even in fun. It's not that the parents have turned stricter; the children's own conscience has. In adolescence aggressive feelings become much stronger, but well brought-up children can turn them into athletics and other competition or into kidding their friends. In other words, I'd explain that playing at war is a natural step in the disciplining of the aggression of young children; that a cautious parent doesn't really need to worry about producing a criminal. But nowadays I'd give parents much more encouragement to guide their child away from violence. A number of incidents have convinced me of the importance of this. One of the first things that made me change my mind, several years ago, was an observation that an experienced nursery school teacher told me about. Her children were hitting each other much more than previously, without reason. When she talked to them, they would protest, "But that's what the Three Stooges do." (This was a children's TV program full of violence which immediately became very popular.) What further shocked me into reconsidering my view was the assassination of the former President, and the fact that some schoolchildren cheered about this. (I didn't so much blame the children as I blamed the kind of parents who will say about a President they dislike, "I'd shoot him if I got the chance!") These incidents made me think of other evidences that Americans often tolerate lawlessness and violence. We were hard on the Indians and the later waves of immigrants. At times we denied justice to groups with different religions or political views. And now a great percentage of our adult as well as our child population has been endlessly fascinated with dramas of Western violence and with cruel crime stories, in movies and on television. This doesn't necessarily mean that we Americans on the average have more aggressiveness inside us than the people of other nations. I think rather that the aggressiveness we have is less controlled, from childhood on. To me it seems very clear that in order to have a more stable and civilized national life we must bring up the next generation of Americans with a greater respect for law and for other people's rights than in the past. There are many ways in which we could and should teach these attitudes. One simple opportunity we could seize in the first half of childhood is to show our disapproval of lawlessness and violence in television programs and in children's gun play. I also believe that the survival of the world now depends on a much greater awareness of the need to avoid war and to actively seek peaceful agreements. There are enough nuclear arms to completely destroy all civilization. This terrifying situation demands a much greater stability and self-control on the part of national leaders and citizens than they have ever shown in the past. We owe it to our children to prepare them deliberately for this awesome responsibility. Based on the author's view about the relationship between children's aggressiveness and their age, which of the following is true? Answer: Adolescents' aggressiveness is often displayed in the form of competition. David is an excellent student and he comes from New York. His family was there until he finished eighth grade. David had no choice but to sleep on park benches. Being alone on the streets was scary. One thing kept David going: his determination to do well in school. Even though many things were difficult in David's life, one thing was going very well. David was accepted to a special high school called MC2STEM.It is a public school in Cleveland for kids who are extremely good at science. The school turned out a peaceful place for David. He especially enjoyed having the chance to learn by doing lots of projects. High school wasn't easy. But David says that the school helped him set high standards for himself. Even when he didn't have a place to stay at night, David kept his focus on his schoolwork. While he was homeless, David would sometimes sleep in the park during the day because it was safer. " If you sleep in the daytime in the park, people won't bother you," he says. "you're just taking a nap. It's acceptable." Then David would study through the night. He showered at a friend's house when his friend's parents were at work. All his hard work paid off. In May 2011, David graduated second in his high school class. He was accepted to 22 colleges. He also won a scholarship form the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It will pay for all his college expenses. Last fall, David began attending Harvard University, one of the top colleges in the US."I found the perfect school for me." He wrote in his blog. In the future, David might look for a job at a company like Google. Even better, he would like to start his own company. David says, " I want to work for myself." What's the best title for the passage? Answer: Homeless to Harvard
The law has a great many rules, showing when and how far a man is to be punished, or if he should be made to hand over money or property to his neighbors, and so on. These rules are contained in books. A lawyer learns them mainly by reading books. He begins by doing little else than reading, and after he has prepared himself by three years' study, still, he has to, almost every day, read more about some new questions which he has to answer. The power to use books, then, is a special skill which a would-be lawyer ought to possess. He ought to have enough flexibility to make it easy for him to collect ideas from printed words. He ought to have some readiness to find what a book contains, and something of an instinct for where to look for what he wants. But although this is the power which he will first feel in need of, it is not the most important. A lawyer does not study law to recite it; he studies it to use it and act upon the rules which he has learned in real life. His business is to try cases in court and to advise people what to do in order to keep out or get out of trouble. What is the most important to a lawyer? Answer: To be able to use his book knowledge in the right way in his future business. The invention of the electric telegraph gave birth to the communications industry.Although Samuel B.Morse succeeded in making the invention useful in 1837,it was not until 1843 that the first important telegraph line was constructed.By 1860 more than 50,000 miles of lines connected people east of the Rockies.The following year,San Francisco was added to the network. The national telegraph network strengthened the ties between East and West and contributed to the rapid expansion of the railroads by providing an efficient means to monitor schedules and routes.Furthermore,the extension of the telegraph,combined with the invention of the steam-driven rotary printing press by Richard M.Hoe in 1846,revolutionized the world of journalism.Where the business of news gathering had been dependent upon the mail and on hand-operated presses,the telegraph expanded the amount of information a newspaper could supply and allowed for more timely reporting.The creating of the Associated Press as a central wire service in 1846 marked the arrival of a new era in journalism. This passage would most likely be found in a _ . Answer: U.S. history book I was working as an intern at my University's Museum of Natural history when I was an undergraduate in college. One day while working at the cash register in the gift shop, I saw an elderly couple come in with a little girl in a wheelchair. As I looked closer at this girl, I saw that she was kind of perched on her chair. I then realized that she had no arms or legs, just a head, neck and upper body. She was wearing a little white dress with red dots. As the couple wheeled her up to me I was looking down at the register. I turned my head toward the girl and gave her a wink , As I took the money from her grandparents, I looked back at the girl, who was giving me a nicest, largest smile I had ever seen. All of a sudden her handicap was gone and all I saw was this beautiful girl, whose smile just melted me and almost instantly gave me a completely new sense of what life is all about. She took me away from a poor, unhappy college student and brought me into her world; a world of smiles, love and warmth. That was 10 years ago. I'm a successful business person now and whenever I get down and think about the troubles of the world, I think about that little girl and the unforgettable lesson about life that she taught me. What do we know about the writer? Answer: He is successful in his business Not long ago, I asked large mid-aged persons a question. I asked, "How many of you had a hobby when you were children?" Nearly everyone raised a hand. I then asked them to keep their hands in the air if they knew at least one of their children had a hobby. Most of the hands went down. I felt sad. It's terrible if the children don't have a hobby. How I wish all the parents can care their children's hobbies! Thirty years ago, almost every child in my neighborhood had some kinds of hobbies. Collecting and trading baseball cards was a popular hobby. Others, like coin collecting and stamp collecting, are also popular. One of my friends was collecting photos, another was collecting radios. In fact, hobbies can benefit children in several ways. _ are expressions of personal success and self-discovery . Hobbies also help build self- respect . Hobbies are educational tools, as well. For example, a child who becomes interested in rocketry --one of the most popular hobbies, can explore those skills in many ways. By working on hobbies, children learn to set goals, make decisions, and solve all sorts of problems. ,. Why did the writer feel sad? Answer: Because the parents didn't pay enough care for their children's hobbies. Roger Federer and Serena Williams have been named as 2009' s world champions by the International Tennis Federation(ITF) after topping the year-end rankings. Federer, who wins the honour for the fifth time, completed a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros before winning his 15th Grand Slam ride at Wimbledon. And Williams won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, her llth major success. The pair will receive their awards at the annual 1TF world champions dinner in Paris in June. Federer regained the world number one ranking from Rafael Nadal after his Paris victory and his Wimbledon win over Andy Roddick saw him surpass Pete Sampras' haul of Grand Slam titles. He was also runner - up at the Australian Open and the US Open and helped his country retain its Davis Cup world group status. " It is an honour for me to be named ITF world champion for a fifth time.It was an incredible year for me both on and off the court," said the 28 - year - old Swiss star whose wife Mirka gave birth to twin girls in July. "To win my first Roland, Garros title, break the all - time Grand Slam record and regain the number one ranking is amazing.It means a lot to me to finish the year again at the top." Williams takes _ for the first time since 2002.As well as her Grand Slam wins, she won the season - ending WTA Championships in Doha.sealing the top ranking in the last event of die year. She also took the doubles year award with sister Venus after taking their career total to 10 Grand Slam titles.In doing so, she joins Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis as the only players to become singles and doubles world champions in the same year. American twins Bob and Mike Bryan were named as the men' s doubles world champions for the sixth time in seven years. _ has never got both singles and doubles world champions in a year. Answer: Venus Williams
City College Union Inc Secretary/Typist The Union is a student-run organization with a permanent staff of 20.Typing speed:at least 60 wpm. The ability to take shorthand dictation and a working knowledge of filling procedures are essential requirements. The basic salary for the position is $ 18,500 per year. Enquires to R.Barbar 387-5075. Emu Airline Secretary Emu Airline is now offering a part-time position for a secretary. The position offers at least 20 hours' work a week, with a view to full-time work in the future. Monthly salary is about $ 1,400. Phone 899-3264 for an appointment. Word Processor Operator (full-time) We need an operator to work in an office associated with the building industry.Only experienced operators are expected to apply. Starting salary:$ 17,950 yearly. Apply in writing to: The Personnel Officer Hill Morgan Pty Ltd 38 Green Hill Rd.Kensington 2033. Sewing Machinist Wanted Jeans Industry We are an expanding clothing company located south of the city.Our products include jeans,skirts,shorts and so on.We are looking for sewing machine operators. The factory works a 38-hour week over 4-5 days.Wages for this are $ 18,050 per year.Wages and conditions are in line with the current industrial award. If you are interested, come over and pick up an application form from Ripper Jeans,23 North Ave,Beaudesert. The attractiveness of the post in Emu Airline is _ . Answer: its promising future Bicycle Tour and Race A bike tour and race will be held on August 26 and 27 (Sat. & Sun. ) at 5:30 a.m. The riders will leave Tian'anmen Square and ride the first 35 kilometers as a training leg. Then the next 55 kilometers leg, from Yanjiao to Jixian, will be the first competitive part of the tour. The riders will be taken from Jixian to Changli. The second racing _ of the tour will be from Changli to the seaside of Nandaihe, covering about 20 kilometers. On Saturday night the riders will stay at Nandaihe for supper. Sunday morning is free for playing at the seaside. At noon all the people and their bikes will be taken back to Beijing. Cost: Y=200 Telephone: 010--60875678 If you want to do something for weekend, what should you do? Answer: Call 010--60875678 and take part in the Bicycle Tour and Race. Washington D.C.is the capital of the United States. It's the center of the national government. It's a busy,working city with a large population. But what is more,Washington is also a city of history and culture. Washington was created in 1790,when Congress decided to place the nation's new capital in the east of the country. It was built halfway between the northern and the southern states of the America. And of course it was named after George Washington,the first President of the United States. There are many tourist sights in Washington. One of them is the White House. This is the home and office of the President of the United States. Most visitors are,however,surprised by how small the White House actually is. Washington is also a great culture city. The Library of Congress contains one of the largest library collections in the world. The Smithsonian Museum holds the nation's largest collection of cultural materials. And John F.Kennedy Center is a famous center of art and culture. It has many great musical and theatre performances throughout the year. The writer mainly talks about _ . Answer: the history and culture of Washington It took me more than 10 years to realize that the world has no shortage of fashion designers who have the ability to make trendy and elegant garments, but that it is badly in need of, simply, clothes designers. My own definitions would set fashion and clothing greatly apart. It is a fact that, in the shopping malls, there are plenty of beautiful garments whose unpredictability makes our life color1ful and interesting. You are almost convinced: You can buy whatever you dare to think. There is no doubt that fashion designers are usually with high qualifications. They study fashion trends, select color1s, and make sure the final production of their designs is done properly. However, as experience grew with age, my attraction to arts became ever stronger. I have a strong desire for clothing to stand as does paint to the painter, as does stone to the sculptor, as a simple and particular language of an individual creation, which draws the audience from an appreciation of the surface to deeper thoughts with the world of the soul. I believe that the most meaningful creative motives should arise through caring for other people, the great care of humanity--a concern for human feeling and spirituality. _ , but it is bigger than love, and it is unconditional. I believe the greatest works of art can touch the deepest and strongest parts of human feelings and the world of the spirit, and only these works can be the memories of history, preserving the most valuable feelings that have ever existed, and inspiring a greater awareness of ourselves. I am not satisfied if people only appreciate clothing if it merely satisfies their desire. I believe clothing could be a specific creative language for communicating ideas and thoughts, for inspiring you and shaping your behavior. Those clothes fashioned out of necessity possess a power that can continue to exist across the ages. This is what I have tried to achieve, the clothing to return to its original simplicity, the clothing to help people regain the natural sense. The true fashion today should not follow the trends. It should instead uncover the extraordinary in the ordinary, for I believe the pleasure you get from the clothing is not its price, but its spirit. What is the main idea of the passage? Answer: Humanity is fundamental in fashion design. The other day when I was passing a clothing store, I fell in love with a skirt. I knew it would suit me best at first sight. But when I looked at the price tag , I knew I had to give it up. The love for beautiful clothes has been planted in my heart the day when I was born to be a woman. Several years ago I read an article in a magazine. The article stated that when a woman is at her best time, she is usually poor or tasteless, so she can't get the right clothes; when she can afford to buy the clothes she likes, she often finds that they do not suit her anymore. On the way home, I was quite disturbed by such thoughts. It was just a pity, like many other pities. I thought to myself this way. But when I was about to enter the building where I was living, I saw the big mirror placed in the entrance. I saw a girl in it who was in cheap but cleanly washed sweater and jeans. _ was rather young, healthy and energetic. For quite a while I was touched by what I had seen in the mirror. Then I almost forgot the tale: A person without shoes cried until he saw a man without feet. Being young without good clothes is like the person without shoes. I should have felt grateful that I haven't lost my feet. How did the author feel when she decided not to buy the skirt? Answer: Regretful.
Mr. Smith is an old man. He is very kind, so many people like him. He likes traveling. But he has a problem, he can't see clearly. One day he came to New York to visit his best friend. But his friend wasn't at home. So he had to find a hotel to live in. In the afternoon he went to buy two bottles of wine. When he came back to his room, he found a fly was on the wall. But he thought it was a snail, so he put bottles on it. Of course, it came down to the floor and they broke. He had to buy another two bottles. The waiter in the hotel knew this, then she put a snail into the wall. When he came back, he looked up at the wall and found the fly was there again. So he walked carefully and hit it hard. At once he cried loudly. In fact, the second time Mr. Smith saw _ on the wall. Answer: a snail If you put a buzzard in a pen six to eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be a prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten to twelve feet. Without space to run, it will not even attempt to fly, but remain a prisoner for life in a small prison with no top. The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is to _ about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully,until it reaches some slight height from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash. A bumblebee , if dropped into an open tumbler , will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but insists on trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists until it completely destroys itself. In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat and the bumblebee. They are struggling about with all their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there above them. A bumblebee will completely destroy itself for _ . Answer: it does not look for a way out above Liu Jiaoyang, 16, carefully winds a bobbin with thread, places it on her sewing machine and then presses her foot down to begin sewing.While she' s doing this, she pretends to guide fabric through the machine.Liu looks forward to the class when she can work on a piece of real cloth, and make a beautiful dress. Each Tuesday afternoon, after the bell rings for the fourth period, Liu becomes a fashion designer.At the same time, the rest of the students at the High School Attached to Yunnan Normal University in Kunming are also having classes a little bit different from the usual ones.Some students dance, others create robots, and still others review films.These are just a few of the other 27 elective courses besides Liu's sewing class that the school began to offer last month. "The fashion design class has become the bright point of my week.I learn how to choose colors and fabrics as well as sewing and sketching skills.It's all helping me to realize the dream of becoming a fashion designer I' ve had since I was a little girl, " Liu said. Design is Liu' s favorite, but for other students the electives are interesting lessons which relieve the pressures of schoolwork.Some students, for example, are learning how to play bridge.Chen Xi,15, is one of them.She said, "Many people think that playing a card game like this in class is a waste of time.But in fact, bridge is a very challenging game that helps develop memory and math skills." Why did the students like to have elective classes? Answer: Because they can get an opportunity to relieve their pressures. This is my school. There are many trees and flowers in it. The teaching building is big and tall. There is a big playground in our school..It is very nice to have it . After 4:30 in the afternoon, many students come to the playground to play football and some students play table tennis in the table tennis room. There are 1,200 students in 30 classes in our school. The students all like to study. The teachers in our school are very good. They help the students to study and sometimes play with them .All the students like them, too. After class the students often go to _ . Answer: the playground On Jan. 13th, 2009, the Peanut Corporation of prefix = st1 /Americaissued a recall for products it had made over the past six months, after five people had died and more than 400 had fallen ill with salmonella poisoning as a result of contamination. Two weeks later, the recall was extended to more than 400 consumer products made since Jan. 1, 2007, including Jenny Craig nutritional bars and Keebler Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, while the toll from the contamination had reached eight dead and more than 500 sickened in 43 states, half of them children. The company's factory in Blakely,Ga., which was the source of the contamination, supplied some of the largest food makers in the nation. The outbreak showed the complexities of the industrial food chain, and left consumers to figure out if some food in their cabinets had a danger. The recall of peanut products is the latest in a series of increasingly severe food contamination scares involving tomatoes, spinach, cantaloupes and other foods. TheGeorgiaplant, which is closed, packed peanut butter in bulk ranging from 5 to 1,700 pounds, much of which was shipped to institutions. Many school districts have pulled peanut butter from menus, with some substituting more commonly recognized supermarket brands. New York City school officials said they had not bought any peanut butter or products with ingredients that originated at theGeorgiaplant. An F.D.A. inspection team that visited the plant on Jan. 9 discovered that on 12 occasions in 2007 and 2008 tests conducted by the company found salmonella contamination in its products but that it shipped the contaminated products to customers after a retest found no contamination and did nothing to clean the plant. The passage is mainly about _ . Answer: a recall for peanut products of a company
Question: A person wanting to signal with light could redirect sunlight with A. a shoe B. a steel dish C. a teabag D. a cat Answer: B Question: Are you a TV lover? Can you imagine living without TV? Well, you could give it a try. A group of Americans, TV-Turnoff Networks , have an idea. From April 19 to 25, they are asking children all over the world to turn off their TVs for one week. They hope children will find more interesting things to do. Maybe they can read some books, or learn to swim, or paint a picture. Since 1995, about 24 million people in America have taken part in TV-Turnoff Week. TV-Turnoff Network says watching TV too much can bring children big problems; with school, health and family. They want kids to watch less TV. What do you think? Bad for your studies American scientists did a study of 1300 children .They watched the children for four years .They say that if children watch lots of TV, they don't do well in school. Bad for your health Studies show that when children watch lots of TV , they eat more unhealthy food . Most children are getting overweight .overweight children become ill more easily .Watching too much TV is also bad for their eyes . Bad for family life About 40%of America families watch TV at dinner time .That means that they don't talk very much when they eat together . Also ,too many violent things An American study says that before a child turns 18 years old ,the child will see 20 000 violent things on TV .Some kids become violent in real life . If you want to learn more about this unusual week ,you can go to this Website, www.tvturnoff. org . ,. (10) Which of the following sentences is NOT true? A. Millions of people have taken part in TV-Turnoff Week since 1995. B. The Website www.tvturnoff.org can tell you more about TV-Turnoff Week. C. Children in American aren't allowed to see violent things on TV until they are 18. D. About three fifths of American families don't watch TV when they have dinner. Answer: C Question: Whether you admit or not, music is rooted in our daily life, weaving its beauty and emotion through our thoughts, activities and memories. So if you're interested in music theory, music appreciation, Beethoven, Mozart, artists and performers, we hope you'll spend some time here and learn from those music articles of note for all ages and tastes. When I first started studying the history of music, I did not realize what I was getting into. I had thought that music history was somewhat of an unimportant pursuit . In fact, I only took my history of classical music class because I needed the credits . I did not realize how really attractive music history was. You see, in our culture many of us do not really learn to understand music. When I began to learn about the history of Western music, however, it changed all that for me. When most of us think about the history of music, we think of the history of rock music, we _ that the history is simple because the music is simple. In fact, neither is the case, The history of music, whether you're talking about classical music, rock music, jazz music, or any other kind, is never simple. Even when the class was over, I would not stop learning about the history of music. It had attracted my interest, and I wanted more. Why did the author take the history of classical music class? A. He was very interested in classical music. B. Classical music would bring him fame. C. Classical music was very important to him. D. He wanted to get the points from the course. Answer: D Question: The drug store was closing for the night and Alfred Higgins was about to go home when his new boss approached him. "Empty your pockets please, Alfred," Sam Carr demanded in a firm voice. Alfred pretended to be shocked but he knew he had been caught. From his coat he withdrew a make-up kit, a lipstick and two tubes of toothpaste. "I'm disappointed in you, Alfred!" said the little gray-haired man. "Sorry, sir. Please forgive me. It's the first time I've ever done such a thing," Alfred lied, hoping to gain the old man's sympathy. Mr Carr's brow furrowed as he reached for the telephone, "Do you take me for a fool? Let's see what the police have to say. But first I'll call your mother and let her know her son is heading to jail." "Do whatever you want," Alfred shot back, trying to sound big. But deep down he felt like a child. He imagined his mother rushing in, eyes burning with anger, maybe in tears. Yet he wanted to come quickly before Mr. Carr called the police. Mr. Carr was surprised when Mrs. Higgins finally arrived . She was very calm, quiet and friendly. "Is Alfred in trouble?" she asked. "He's been stealing from the store," the old man coolly replied. Mrs. Higgins pulled out her hand and touched Mr. Carr's arm with great gentleness as if she knew just how he felt. She spoke as if she did not want to cause him any more trouble. "What do you want to do, Mr.Carr?" The woman's calm and gentle manner _ the once-angry store-owner, "I was going to get a cop. But I don't want to be cruel. Tell your son not to come back here again and I will let it go." Then he warmly shook Mrs. Higgins' hand. Mrs. Higgins thanked the old ma for his kindness, then mother and son left. They walked along the street in silence. When they arrived home his mother simply said, "Go to bed, you fool." In his bedroom, Alfred heard his mother in the kitchen. He felt no shame, only pride in his mother's actions. "She was smooth!" he thought. He went to the kitchen to tell her how great she was, but was shocked by what he saw. His mother's face looked frightened, broken. Not the cool, bright face he saw earlier. Her lips moved nervously. She looked very old. There were tears in her eyes. This picture of his mother made him want to cry. He felt his youth ending. He saw all the troubles he brought her and the deep lines of worry in her grey face. It seemed to him that this was the first time he had ever really seen his mother. What was the mother's attitude towards Alfred? A. She felt disappointed with him. B. She was strict with him. C. She was supportive of him. D. She was afraid of him. Answer: A Question: The bus driver and his passengers were being hailed as heroes last night after rescuing a woman from her burning car following a crash on the Bluff Highway. The 60-year-old woman was taken by ambulance to Southland Hospital after firefighters battled for 30 minutes to cut her from her car. Acting Senior Sergeant Brock Davis of Invercargill, said emergency services were called to the scene of the crash at the crossroads of Motorimu Rd and State Highway I shortly before 5:00 p.m. yesterday. Mr. Davis said a Mitsubishi car driven by a 30-year-old man traveling north on the highway and the woman's southbound Suzuki Alto collided . The man suffered slight injuries in the crash, he said. Invercargill Passenger Transport Ltd driver Bill McDermott and his passengers--New Zealand Aluminum Smelters Ltd workers were first on the scene and alerted emergency services. The scene at the spot was disordered, Mr. McDermott said. "There was a car on its side and a guy wandering around who was quite excited," he said. "We stopped, got out and found a lady trapped in her car ...... then we noticed flames in the engine bay and the smell of petrol." Mr. McDermott took a fire extinguisher from the bus, doused the flames, and several other workers controlled traffic. However, he said his actions were "no big deal". He was not willing to take any credit for helping the woman. "The praise goes to all the guys that jumped off that bus." Invercargill Senior Station officer Alan Goldsworthy, who was an officer in charge at the scene, said there was a possibility the car could have burst into flames if Mr. McDermott and the smelter workers had not helped. "They should acquire a good pat on the back." he said. Who should get the biggest praise according to the reporter? _ A. Brock Davis. B. Bill McDermott. C. Allan Goldsworthy. D. The firefighters. Answer: B
Question: A person protecting the environment they have control over will most likely A. block in their yard B. salt their whole yard C. burn trash in their yard D. flood their whole yard Answer: A. block in their yard Question: When Boris left school,he could not find a job.He tried hard and pestered his relatives,but they had problems of their Own. He answered advertisements until he could not afford to buy any more stamps. Boris grew annoyed,then depressed,then a little hardened.Still he went on trying and still he failed.He began to think that he had no future at all. "Why don't you start your own business?" one of his uncles told him."The world is a money-locker. You'd better find a way of opening it." "But what can I do?" "Get out and have a look round," advised his uncle in a vague sort of way."See what people want;then give it to them,and they will pay for it." Boris began to cycle around the town and found a suitable piece of a waste ground in the end. Then he set up his business as a cycle repairer.He worked hard,made friends with his customers and gradually managed to build up his goodwill and profit.A few months later, he found that he had more work than he could deal with by himself.He found a number of empty shops but they were all no good:in the wrong position,too expensive or with some other snag . But at long last,he managed to find an empty shop on a new estate where there were plenty of customers but no competition. Boris and his assistant taught themselves how to repair scooters and motor-cycles.Slowly but surely the profits increased and the business developed. At last,Boris had managed to open the money-locker and found bank notes and gold Coins inside. Which of the following best describes Boris' job hunting experience? A. Surprising B. Encouraging C. Boring D. Disappointing Answer: D. Disappointing Question: A letter to Edward,a columnist Dear Mr. Expert, I grew up in an unhappy and abusive home. I always promised myself that I'd get out as soon as possible. Now, at age 20, I have a good job and a nice house, and I'm really proud of the independence I've achieved. Here's the problem: several of my friends who still live with their parents wish they had places like mine--so much so that they make mine theirs. It started out with a couple of them spending the weekends with me. But now they seem to take it for granted that they can show up any time they like. They bring boyfriends over, talk on the phone and stay out forever. I enjoy having my friends here sometimes--it makes the place feel comfortable and warm--but this is my home, not a party house. I was old enough to move out on my own, so why can't I seem to ask my friends to respect my privacy ? Joan Edward's reply to Joan Dear Joan, If your family didn't pay attention to your needs when you were a child, you probably have trouble letting others know your needs now. And if you've gathered your friends around you to rebuild a happy family atmosphere , you may fear that saying no will bring back the kind of conflict you grew up with--or destroy the nice atmosphere you now enjoy. You need to understand that in true friendship it's okay to put your own needs first from time to time. Be clear about the message you want to send. For example, "I really love your company but I also need some privacy. So please call before you come over. " Edward 60. We can infer from the first letter that _ . A. Joan thinks her friends more important than her privacy B. Joan doesn't like the parties at all C. Joan's friends visit her more often than expected D. Joan dislikes the boyfriends her friends bring over Answer: C. Joan's friends visit her more often than expected Question: Robert is nine years old and Joanna is seven. They live at Mount Ebenezer. Their father has a big property. In Australia they call a farm a property. Robert and Joana like school very much. At school they can talk to their friends, but Robert and Joanna can not see their friends. They live 100,perhaps 300,miles away and like Robert and Joanna, they all go to school by radio. Mount Ebenezer is in the centre of Australia. Not many people in "The Centre", there are no schools with desks and blackboards and no teachers in "The Centre". School is a room at home with a two-way radio. When all students answer, lessons begin. Think of your teacher 300 miles away! When children are having a lesson, they can hear their teacher _ . A. but their teacher cannot hear them B. and their teacher can hear them too C. but can not hear their schoolmates. D. and see him or her at the same time. Answer: B. and their teacher can hear them too Question: Bum rate is the speed at which a startup business consumes money. My rate would be $ 50,000 a month when my new media company started. So, I began looking around for individuals who would be my first investors. "Angel money" it was called. But when I reviewed my list of acquaintances to find those who might be able to help, I found the number got small. With no other choices, I began meeting with the venture-capital companies. But I was warned they took a huge share of your company for the money they put in. And if you struggled, they could drop you cold. As I was searching for "angel money", I started to build a team who trusted me even though I didn't have money for paychecks yet. Bill Becker was an expert in computer programming and image processing at a very famous Media Lab at M. I.T. With his arrival, my company suddenly had a major technology "guy" in-house. Katherine Henderson, a filmmaker and a former real-estate dealer, joined us as our director of market research. Steve White came on as operating officer. He had worked for the developer of a home-finance software, Quicken. We grabbed him. We had some really good people, but we still didn't have enough money. One night, my neighbor, Louise Johnson, came for a visit. She and I were only nodding acquaintances, but her boys and ours were constant companions. She ran a very good business at the time. Louise was brilliant and missed nothing. She had been watching my progress closely. She knew I was dying for money and I had prospects but could offer no guarantees of success. She told me that her attorney had talked to mine and the terms had been agreed upon. She handed me an envelope. Inside was a check for $ 500,000. I almost fell down. I heard her voice as if from heaven. "I have confidence in your plan," she said. "You' 11 do well. You're going to work hard for it, but it' s satisfying when you build your own company." Who would have thought I'd find an angel so close to home? There were no words sufficient for the moment. We just said good night. She left and I just stood there, completely humbled and completely committed. The author easily built a team for his company because _ . A. they were underpaid at their previous jobs B. they were turned down by other companies C. they were confident of the author and his business D. they were satisfied with the salaries in his company Answer: C. they were confident of the author and his business
Most American children begin to go to school when they are five years old. American schools begin in September. There are two terms in a school year. The first term is from September to January, and the second is from February to June. Then the students have a great summer vacation. High school students have only four or five subjects each term. They usually have same lessons every day, and teachers don't ask them to do much homework. After school, they can do many interesting things like playing sports. Most students are seventeen years old when they finish high school. After high school, many students go to college . They can go to a small one or big one. They need a lot of money to go to college. So many college students work after school to _ . Many American college students work after school to _ . A. help other children B. get money for their studies C. meet lots of friends D. see interesting things. Answer: B Miss Wang asks her students about their future jobs. Let's look at their answers. Bob: I'm going to be a cool spy like James Bond. I know it is difficult and dangerous. I will work hard and I look forward to studying in America one day. Mike: I'm going to be a mathematician , because maths is my favourite subject. I think it's very interesting. Meimei: I'm going to become a singer in the future. I love singing. I hope one day I can become famous. Lisa: I want to be a charitarian . I will make a lot of money and help the poor children in the future. Who wants to help the poor children in the future? A. Bob. B. Mike. C. Meimei. D. Lisa. Answer: D Harry Houdini was a man who astonished and attracted many people during his life. Whether he was escaping from a locked box or making things disappear and reappear, he surely was entertaining. People thought that he must truly have some supernatural powers, but in fact, what Harry really had was drive. Harry was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1874. His real name was Ehrich Weiss, the third of five children. His family moved to Wisconsin not long after his birth and when he was nine, he was tying ropes all over his backyard and learning amazing tricks to show his friends and neighbors. He visited the local locksmith, and when he had reached his teens he could pick almost any lock that was made. He also learned how to do card tricks. He and his brother, Theo, would often entertain at local parties and clubs for extra money. When Ehrich was 16, he came across a book that would actually change his life: the biography of France's greatest magician, Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin. It showed Ehrich that his hobby of magic and tricks could also be a career. Immediately, he changed his name to Harry Houdini. He and Theo headed out to make a living as magicians. In 1893, they performed at the Chicago World's Fair, and after that they traveled around giving magic shows for anyone willing to listen and pay. Theo grew restless, however, as the jobs became scarce, so he left. His timing was perfect since Harry had just fallen in love with a lovely woman named Bess who was just the right size for slipping in and out of the trunk they used in their magic tricks. They married immediately and then off they went, traveling with circuses and other road shows. Harry learned more and more tricks and spent much of his time reading and studying all kinds of locks, especially handcuffs. However, no matter what tricks they did or how hard they tried, Bess and Harry were not doing well. They tried to sell their shows for seven years and finally, in desperation, they went to Europe. It was the right move. Harry's persistence and constant practice were about to pay off. To get people's attention, he walked into police stations and offered to be handcuffed by all the policemen. They were shocked when he was loose only seconds later. Soon, everyone in Europe was talking about Houdini's astounding skills. He was in high demand and found himself doing more and more dangerous acts. He escaped from a straitjacket hanging upside down over the street; he escaped from locked boxes of all kinds; and, of course, he got out of any kind of handcuffs put on him. After several years in Europe, Bess and Harry returned to the United States in victory. Harry was doing such amazing tricks that people felt he must have special powers. However, few realized how much time he spent practicing and studying. He would do special exercises to keep his body strong, and he would do tricks with his fingers to keep them flexible. He would spend large amounts of time tying and untying knots -- with his toes! For his underwater tricks, he would get in the bathtub and practice holding his breath for longer and longer times. Since many of his tricks involved being deep in icy water, he would pour buckets of ice in the tub to get accustomed to working in the cold. The reason that Harry Houdini was such a success was that he practiced and prepared for whatever might happen. When a college student punched him in the abdomen in 1926, however, he wasn't prepared. The punch did internal damage that not even this magician could get out of. Harry died in 1926 at 52 years of age -- a master of his trade and a true legend. It can be inferred that Houdini's death was _ . A. a plotted murder B. another performance C. a legend D. an accident Answer: D In which of the following cases is a conviction of the named defendant for robbery LEAST likely to be upheld? A. Johnson forced his way into a woman's home, bound her, and compelled her to tell him that her jewelry was in an adjoining room. Johnson went to the room, took the jewelry, and fled. B. A confederate of Brown pushed a man in order to cause him to lose his balance and drop his briefcase. Brown picked up the briefcase and ran off with it. C. Having induced a woman to enter his hotel room, Ritter forced her to telephone her maid to tell the maid to bring certain jewelry to the hotel. Ritter locked the woman in the bathroom while he accepted the jewelry from the maid when she arrived. D. Hayes unbuttoned the vest of a man too drunk to notice and removed his wallet. A minute later, the victim missed his wallet and accused Hayes of taking it. Hayes pretended to be insulted, slapped the victim, and went off with the wallet. Answer: D Many people think heroes need to be handsome, rich, or very smart. But as for me, a hero is a person who always helps others. My hero is Uncle Bill. He is the oldest son of a worker, and he grew up in a poor family with four younger brothers and two little sisters. He was good at neither writing nor math. In fact, he never did well in school. so he had to give up school at a very young age. He worked and gave all his money to help his parents. When he was getting older, he found that he was very interested in fixing things. he collected broken things which people threw away and fixed them into good ones. He could fix almost everything that did not work. He worked hard never gave up. Finally, he opened his own repair shop. It took him about 20 years to become a successful shopkeeper . Now, he is very rich and has four shops. But he never forgets the days when he had nothing. He gives money to poor families, helps poor kids buy books and offers them free lunch. He also encourages people to reuse things. He always says :Make good use of what you have because we just have one earth. I am proud of Uncle Bill. He is really a hero. What does Uncle Bill's father do? A. He is a shopkeeper B. He is a worker C. He is a math teacher. D. He is a farmer. Answer: B
"Children need more geography field trips. Schools should organize geography field trips to stop pupils from sitting before computer screens for a long time. And children should be encouraged to see the natural world and study geography," says Michael Palin. The famous actor and writer, Michael Palin, made the comments days after a study showed that pupils in the UK were less likely to take part in science field trips than in most other developed countries. The study found that 13% of schools in the UK failed to take children out of the classroom regularly. Mr. Palin said that field trips were an important part of geography and that he was interested in geography because he had a good geography teacher and he had many opportunities to "get out of the school building". In an interview, Mr. Palin said, "It was important for children to see things for themselves and learn about the rest of the world. You have to show them a mountain, show them a factory, show them a power station." Mr. Palin had been to the North and South Poles, the Himalayas , the Sahara and Eastern Europe. "Geography is about the study of the earth. It is a _ subject," he said. "It's related to everything we do: what we eat, what transport we take to work, where we live, what houses are made of, and so on." He said children needed to get basic geography knowledge first and that once they had the basic knowledge they could move on to deeper problems, such as population and pollution. "Today's children will need to deal with a lot of problems when they grow up. They have to learn geography today," he said. From the passage, we can learn that Mr.Palin likes _ A staying at home B travelling C using computers D shopping Answer: B Farmers can produce more by planting several different crops in the same field.But their success depends on which crops they plant together and how they mix them in the filed.In the past, the only way the farmers could learn which crops grow best together is to plant them and wait for the results.Now, however, a computer can give them answers.A new computer program written by Dr John Vanderwell of Michigan University can tell a farmer which plants grow well together and which do not.It can tell him how to plant the different crops; if he should plant each in a separate row, or mix the crops in the same row.It can tell the farmer how changes in planting each of the crops will affect the production of all of them.And it can tell him which plants can help reduce losses from diseases. Which of the following best gives the main idea of the passage? A Computer helps find the best program for mixing plants. B Computer helps produce more crops. C Computer helps protect against insects and diseases. D Computer helps grow different plants. Answer: B Tom and Fred are talking about the year 2020. "What will our world be like in the year 2020?" "I don't know," says Fred. "What do you think?" "Well, no one knows, but it's interesting to guess." "In the year 2020 everyone will carry a pocket computer . The computer will give people the answers to all their problems. We shall all have telephones in our pockets, too, and we'll be able to talk to our friends all over the world. Perhaps we'll be able to see them at the same time. " "A lot of people will live and work under the sea. Perhaps there will be big towns, factories and farms under the sea, too. " "Machines will do most of the work, and so people will have more holidays, perhaps they'll work only two or three days a week. They'll be able to fly to the moon by spaceship and spend their holidays there. " "I'm looking forward to the year 2020. I hope to go to the moon! " "And 1 hope I'll be able to live under the sea." says Fred. "Won't that be very interesting? Just like a fish! " Which of the following statements is NOT mentioned ? A People will be able to fly to the moon in a spaceship. B People will have more holidays. C Many people will live and work under the sea. D All the factories and farms will be built under the sea Answer: D Julianna Huth, a second grader at Green Primary School, in Green, Ohio, is a fan of the digital world. The 8-year-old enjoys e-books at home and at school. "It's just cool that you can read on your IPad," said Julianna, who started using e-books when she was 6. "It's more fun and you learn more from it." Children would say that books on e-readers are fun. They include music, cartoons and other interactive functions that make reading a book feel like playing a video game. But is it better than a book? Julianna's teacher, Kourtney Denning, thinks highly of e-books. "Traditional books aren't good enough anymore," she said. "We have to transform our learning as we know it." Julianna's mother, Cathy Ivancic, said that electronic devices like the IPad were new and fun and gave children the motivation to read, including those who didn't like reading. Some people, however, are suggesting a closer look, especially for younger children learning to read. "Read traditional books with your child. We don't have any evidence that any kind of electronic device is better than a parent," said Julia Parish-Morris, who has studied e-books and how children interact with them. Ms. Parish-Morris and educators are concerned that children can be distracted by the cartoons and gamelike features within e-books. Keeping a focus on the story is important in developing reading and writing skills. "The most important thing is sitting and talking with your children," said Gabrille Strouse, a professor who has studied e-books. "Whether you're reading a book or an e-book, co-interacting, co-viewing is the best way for them to learn." Lisa Guernsey, director of the early education initiative at the New America Foundation, says conversations about how events of a story relate to(......) the child's own life, or asking open-ended questions about what happened, are examples of natural dialogue. But this kind of interaction is often different with e-books , she said, and in some cases, disappears. "We are seeing some evidence that parents expect the e-books to do it all and are stepping back from communicating with their children," she said. According to the text, Julianna _ . A likes playing video games B has great love for literature C seldom uses e-books at home D is crazy about reading e-books Answer: D It was a wet, rainy day during the school holidays. Lily looked out of the window and thought about her parents. They were on a long holiday. They said Lily was too young to go. So Lily was staying with her Aunt Bella. Today Lily was unhappy. She was all alone --Aunt Bella was out shopping. Lily decided to go to the top floor. Maybe there was something interesting. She arrived at the top. There was an old door. Lily opened the door and walked in. The walls were changing colours. A sofa wasn't on the floor! It was in the air. Suddenly she heard a sound "Whoooosh" and after a minute she saw a boy appear . "Hi," he said. "I am the genie . Who are you?" "I'm Lily," she answered, "but you don't look like a genie." The boy looked at her. He said, "Hocuspocusinversus!" And then suddenly Lily was in the air. "OK! I believe you," she shouted. "Get me down!" "So, how many wishes do you want?" the boy said. Then she told the cool genie she was lonely. She told him about having no friends. The cool genie just nodded his head . When Lily finished her story, she felt better. The genie said, "Well, I must go now!" Then suddenly he was gone. Lily went downstairs and found a postcard from her parents. It said, "Dear Lily. Miss you, back next week, love Mom and Dad." Then the front door opened and she heard Aunt Bella arriving with her shopping. The next day Lily decided to say "Thank you" to the genie. She went to the top floor and opened the door. But there was nothing there except a dark old room with a few boxes. When would Lily's parents come back? A Next week. B That afternoon. C Next year. D That week. Answer: A
Question: The Best of Alaska Nothing evokes Alaska like a whale exploding out of the water or an eagle pulling a silver fish from the river. Combine these images with high mountains, brilliant icebergs and wonderful meals and you really do have the Best of Alaska! Join us for an unforgettable 7-day excursion to the last frontier! Highlights : JUNEAU: Juneau, the state capital, is rich in culture and scenic beauty. It is here that we start and end our trip. HAINES: Haines is a small community located along the fjords . The natural beauty and expansive wilderness found here have made Haines a premier center for adventure in Alaska. ALASKA INDIAN ARTS: Alaska Indian Arts is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation and continuation of traditional native craft and culture of the Northwest Native Tribes. We spend a few hours learning carving, native beading and culture from these master artists. SKAGWAY: Skagway is a lively town, which still reflects its gold rush roots and contains colorful shops. In Skagway, we stop by the Klondike Gold Rush National Park Visitor's Center and ride the White Pass Yukon Route Railway. GUSTAVUS: Gustavus is the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. We'll stay at a comfortable lodge here for two nights. This will be the base for both the whale-watching excursion and a full day cruise in Glacier Bay. DATES/PRICES: 2014: May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15. 7 days--$3,500, including lodging, all meals, excursions, guides, park fees, sales taxes, and transportation between Juneau, Skagway, Haines, and Gustavus. Not included: Alcohol, personal items, airfare to and from Juneau. Contact: Email: [email protected] Call: 18007663396 Write: Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School P.O. Box 1081, Haines AK 99827 Which of the following requires a participant to pay additional fees? A. Going from Gustavus to Juneau by train. B. A full day cruise in Glacier Bay. C. Having the last supper at Juneau. D. Flying from Juneau to his hometown. Answer: D Question: Built in 1794 for the 5th Duke of Bedford, this hotel in the heart of Bedford overlooks the River Ouse, which winds through the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside. We offer a flexible approach to conferencing. With purpose-built meeting rooms offering a flexible and functional space, our hotel is designed for comfort and convenience. Day Delegate (/),24 Hour Delegate or room hire only can be arranged to meet your needs and we offer a range of food and drinks for all requirements. The Bedford Swan Hotel provides an impressive range of conference, training and function rooms which are suitable for up to 300 delegates. Our hotel is located about 30 minutes' drive from Luton Airport and a 20-minute walk from Bedford Train Station with regular trains to and from Central London. What to expect: A professional service from the beginning Your own event consultant * A great location with car parking * Well-equipped rooms perfect for your meeting or event * Various Day Delegate packages * Personalized dining and refreshment breaks * Accurate billing Discounted Day Delegate Rates from PS 40 per person * Hold your meeting before 30th November 2014 and benefit from our special day delegate rates * Day Delegate Rate from PS40. 00 per person * Minimum numbers of 10 apply Call us on 02348 346566 or e-mail us on [email protected] Which of the following is true about the hotel? A. It overlooks the River Ouse. B. It was built about 120 years ago. C. It is located in the suburb of Bedford. D. It takes you about an hour to drive from the hotel to Luton Airport. Answer: A Question: A man named Jerry lived in a small town in the state of Kentucky. Jerry owned a sheep farm. His favorite time of year was when lambs were born. They were very cute. Jerry also had other animals on his farm, such as pigs, dogs, cats, and cows. One day Jerry wanted to paint his barn. He could not find his ladder. He looked in the barn, in his house, in his garage, and in his field. Since he could not find it he had to stand on a table. It took Jerry six days to paint his barn that way. Jerry's favorite activity was to sit on his porch and sip lemonade. He would watch the clouds float by in the sky. He thought they looked a lot like his sheep. Every night when Jerry went to sleep, he would listen to the sound of the wind blowing across the fields on his farm. He would dream about feeding his sheep. What could Jerry not find? A. his ladder B. his house C. his garage D. his barn Answer: A Question: You bring each other.We'll provide everything else. To book the romantic getaway of a lifetime. Visit windjammerlanding.com or call 18775220722 The Romance Package From $2,650 for 5 days/4 nights in a Premium Ocean View Room Allinclusive food&beverage 1hou couples massage Sparking wine&flowers upon arrival 1 inroom champagne breakfast Airport taxi transfers All service&taxes Windjammer Landing VILLA BEACH RESORE,ST.LUCIA The romance package didn't cover _ . A. wine and flowers B. travel tips C. champagne breakfast D. couples massage Answer: B Question: An old English saying goes: Cold hands, warm heart, It is generally used to describe how a cool outlook often disguises a kind heart. However, Yale University researchers seem to disapprove of the old saying. They found how physically warm you are has a direct relation to ho how nice you are to people . To test the theory the scientists carried out two studies involving a total of 94undergrauates.For the first they gave half the unwitting participants a glass of hot or cold coffee and then asked what they thought of a stranger after a brief meeting They found that holding a hot cup of coffee led people to judge the stranger to be a "warmer "person, in terms of generosity and kindness, compared to a group of people who held a cup of iced coffee. In the second study the researchers had people , who thought they were evaluating a product, hold either hot pads or cold pads. Then they give the participants a choice of reward for reward for participating in the study: either a gift for a friend, or a reward for themselves. They study found that people who held the hot pad were more likely to choose the gift for a friend, and people who help the cold pads were more likely to choose the reward for themselves. "It appears that the effect of physical temperature is not just on how we see others, it affects our own behavior as well," said Professor John Bargh, a psychologist who carried out the study. "Physical warmth can make us see others as warmer people, but also causes us to be warmer -more generous and trusting -as well." The researchers believe the effect relates to childhood when emotional warmth given by a parent was often accompanied by the physical warmth of being held or hugged. We can learn from the passage that _ . A. physical temperature affects our behavior and judgement B. those holding the hot pads preferred to reward themselves C. the studies were based on the evaluation of the participants D. childhood experience is directly relates to future emotion Answer: A
Will you want me to read a whole book in English? Yes. Believe it or not, that may be easier than you think. Not all classics are so difficult or complicated. So you're not limited to the simplified versions. And the easier books are not all for children. In the original versions ,books may send you to the dictionary. And you might not understand everything you read. But reading one from cover to cover will give you a real sense of accomplishment. The key is to find the right books. Let's take a look at these. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis) Stepping into an old wardrobe, four English schoolchildren find themselves in the magical world of Narnia. On this delightful land, they find friends among the many talking creatures. The children soon discover, however, that Narnia is ruled by the White Witch. Edmund, one of the children, falls under her power. Who can free Narnia? Only Aslan, the great and noble lion. He alone knows the Deeper Magic. But the children themselves must help fight the battle against the White Witch and those who serve her. The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway) Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman, hasn't caught any fish in more than 80 days. Sailing far out from land, the old man hooks an enormous fish. That begins an agonizing three-day battle. First he struggles against the great fish. Then he must fight off the sharks that circle the little boat and threaten to eat his fish. Exhausted and bleeding, the old man arrives back at shore. But his fish, his beautiful fish . . . Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for this superb story of strength and courage, of victory and regret. A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine Lingle) Meg's father, a U.S. government scientist, has been missing for many months. He had been experimenting with time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin will try to rescue him. But first they must _ the forces of evil they encounter on their journey through time and space. Can they find Meg's father before it's too late? This novel is more than just a science-fiction adventure. It's an exploration of the nature of our universe. The Pearl (John Steinbeck) One day Kino, a poor Mexican pearl diver, finds a magnificent pearl. With it he dreams of buying a better life, new clothes and schooling for his son. Instead, it brings only evil. His wife pleads with him to get rid of it. "No," says Kino. "I will have my chance. I am a man." But when he kills a man who is trying to steal the pearl, Kino and his wife must run for their lives. This tale of dreams, justice and the power of greed is told simply and beautifully. In the passage, the author intends to _ . A recommend a few simplified versions of classics B recommend a few original versions of classics C tell us how to read an English book from beginning to end D tell us how to find proper English books to read Answer: B. recommend a few original versions of classics Leaving remain oil supplies alone is a form of A conservation B deliberation C transportation D pollution Answer: A. conservation Housing Price in China has always aroused heated discussion among property developers and ordinary Chinese. To many property developers and local government officials, housing price in China is still low compared with many developed countries. However, the average housing price in the United States is only 8, 000 yuan per square metre, while in China, it is even higher than that in the United States. "This shows that there are some bubbles in Chinese real estate market," the International Finance News reported. Although the average price of residential houses in the United States, after changed to RMB, is about 8, 000 yuan per square metre, the houses in the US are not sold in terms of building area, as most Chinese property developers do when they sell their houses. If the US property developers sell their houses according to the building area, then the housing price will be even lower than 8, 000 yuan per square metre. In most big Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, houses are sold at a price even higher than those in the US. The high housing price in large cities in China proves that Chinese real estate market does have some bubbles. Moreover, Chinese houses cannot be compared with houses in the US in terms of building quality, environment and supporting facilities. Furthermore, it should be noted that American people's average income is several dozen times higher than that of Chinese people. How can the Chinese afford to buy a house which is even more expensive than that sold in the US? At the beginning of 2007, Chinese government issued a set of policies that aimed to benefit the public. Now in order to reduce the high housing prices, the government can regulate the real estate market by raising tax on property industry and controlling the release of loans and lands to property developers. Meanwhile, the government should allow people to build more houses through various fund-raising channels, such as funds collected from buyers or raised by working units. By applying these multiple means, it is expected that the high housing prices can be lowered and Chinese public can really benefit from the economic achievement. What is the passage mainly about? A The problem of high housing price in China and possible solutions to it. B Different opinions on the problem of high housing price in China. C A comparison in residential housing price between China and the US. D The reaction of Chinese government to the bubbles in real estate market. Answer: A. The problem of high housing price in China and possible solutions to it. Do you love the holidays, but hate the pounds that follow? You are not alone. Holidays are times for feasting and celebrating. Many people are worried about their weight. With proper planning, though, it is possible to keep normal weight during the holidays. Whether it is celebrating at the office party or sitting down for the traditional family dinner, regard eating as a time for tasting a variety of the foods. The idea is to enjoy the holidays but not to eat too much. You don't have to turn away from the foods that you enjoy. Here are some tips for preventing weight gain and keeping physical fitness: Don't skip meals. Before you leave home, have a small, low-fat meal or snack. This may help to avoid getting too excited before delicious foods. Control portions. Use a small plate (about 10 inches) and put aside the large ones that may encourage you to "load up." You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist. Once you have your "tasting" serving, move away from the buffet. Doing so will make it less tempting to be eating constantly as your appetite is inspired by the sight of food. Begin with soup and fruit or vegetables. Fill up beforehand on water-based soup and raw fruit or vegetables. Or drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you feel full. Stick to physical activity. Don't let exercise take a break during the holidays. A 20-minute walk after a meal can help burn off extra calories. Avoid high-fat foods. Dishes that look oily or creamy may have a large amount of fat. Choose lean meats. Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables. Use lemon juice instead of dressing or butter. If the passage appears in the newspaper, which column do you think it should belong to? A Holidays and Festivals B Student Times Club C Fashion and Frontier D Health and Fitness Answer: D. Health and Fitness long ago people made fires from lightning . But they had to keep the fire burning, for they couldn't start it again if there was no lightning. Later, they found out hitting two piece of stone together could make a spark . The spark could fire dry leaves. In this way they could make the fire again if it went out. Then people also learned to make a fire by rubbing. They made a hole on a big piece of wood and put a smaller stick into the hole. They turned the stick again and again. After a few minutes they got a fire. As years went by, people learned other ways to make a fire. Sometimes they used the heat from sun. they held a piece of glass in the right way and made a piece of paper on fire. About two centuries ago, people began to make matches . Matches brought people a quick and easy way to make fire. Today matches are still being used, but people have more new ways to make fires. One of them is to use an electric fire starter. Of course an electric fire starter is much more expensive than a box of matches. But it is more useful. From this passage we know _ . A using matches is the easiest and most useful way to make fires B people don't use matches any more since they had electric fire starters C today there are only two ways to make fires D some forest fires happen from lightning Answer: D. some forest fires happen from lightning
Question: When people have money, they have the freedom to choose how to use it. Some people have more money than others, but no one has all the money in the world. The amount of money we have is limited. The supply of goods, land, and resources is limited. Because of this, people can not have or buy everything that they might want. This means that if you have only five dollars to spend, you can not buy something that costs ten dollars. As our country has grown in the number of citizens, the price of goods has increased. In the recent years the cost of food, clothing, housing and cars has risen quickly. The price of films and books has gone up. In a time when prices are rising, people cannot buy as much with the money as before. It is _ for anybody to have all the money in the world. A. unnecessary B. impossible C. unimportant D. abnormal Answer: B Question: refraction is when light bends and when it stops producing light after hitting something its its A. sleeping B. smelting C. absorbtion D. cooking Answer: C Question: Britain's Solo Sailor Ellen MacArthur started sailing with her aunt when she was eight. She loved it so much that she saved her money for three years to buy her first small sailing boat.When she was 18,she sailed alone around Britain and won the "Young Sailor of the Year" award. But Ellen really became famous in 2001.Aged only 24,she was one of only two women who entered the Vendee Globe round the world solo race,which lasted 100 days.Despite many problems,she came second in the race out of 24 competitors and she was given a very warm welcome when she returned. Ambition and determination have always been a big part of Ellen's personality.When she was younger,she lived in a kind of hut for three years while she was trying to get sponsorship to compete in a transatlantic race.Then she took a one-way ticket to France,bought a tiny seven-meter Class Mini yacht,slept under it while she was repairing it,and then she raced it 4,000 kilometers across the Atlantic in 1997,alone for 33 days. Ellen has had to learn many things,because sailing single-handed means that she has to be her own captain,electrician,sail maker,engineer,doctor,journalist,cameraman and cook.She also has to be very fit,and because of the dangers of sleeping for long periods of time when she's in the middle of the ocean, she has trained herself to sleep for about 20 minutes at a time. And she needs courage.Once,in the middle of the ocean,she had to climb the mast of a boat to repair the sails at four o'clock in the morning with 100 kph winds blowing around her.It took her many hours to make the repairs.Ellen says,"I was exhausted when I came down.It's hard to describe how it feels to be up there.It's like trying to hold onto a big pole,which for me is just too big to get my arms around,with someone kicking you all the time and trying to shake you off." But in her diary,Ellen also describes moments which make it all worthwhile: "A beautiful sunrise started the day,with black clouds slowly lit by the bright yellow sun.I have a very strong feeling of pleasure,being out here on the ocean and having the chance to live this.I just feel lucky to be here." Ellen lived in a kind of hut for three years _ . A. because she was interested in country life B. because she was ambitious for the coming race C. while she was trying to get financial support for a race D. while she was learning how to repair sails. Answer: C Question: Doctor Carl was a very busy man. He always worked hard. He often forgot his families' birthdays. Yesterday afternoon he remembered it was his wife's birthday. He loved his wife. He wanted to give her a present. On his way home from hospital, he bought some beautiful flowers in a shop. When doctor Carl got home, he gave his wife the flowers and said, "Happy birthday to you, dear!" "It's April 20th today. I remembered your birthday this year." Mrs. Carl laughed and said, "My birthday was the day before yesterday, but thank you all the same. Better late than never!" What date is Carl's wife's birthday? A. Today. B. The day before yesterday. C. April 20th. D. April 18th. Answer: D Question: Can people change their skin colour without suffering like pop king Michael Jackson? Perhaps yes. Scientists have found the gene that determines skin colour. The gene comes in two versions, one of which is found in 99 per cent of Europeans. The other is found in 93 to 100 per cent of Africans, researchers at Pennsylvania State University report in the latest issue of Science. Scientists have changed the colour of a dark-striped zebra fish to uniform gold by inserting a version of the pigment gene into a young fish. As with humans, zebra fish skin colour is determined by pigment cells, which contain melanosomes . The number, size and darkness of melanosomes per pigment cell determines skin colour. It appears that, like the golden zebra fish, light-skinned Europeans also have a mutation in the gene for melanosome production. This results in less pigmented skin. However, Keith Cheng, leader of the research team, points out that the mutation is different in human and zebra fish genes. Humans acquired dark skin in Africa about 1.5 million years ago to protect bodies from ultra-violet rays of the sun, which can cause skin cancer. But when modern humans leave Africa to live in northern latitudes, they need more sunlight on their skin to produce vitamin D. So the related gene changes, according to Cheng. Asians have the same version of the gene as Africans, so they probably acquired their light skin through the action of some other gene that affects skin colours, said Cheng. The new discovery could lead to medical treatments for skin cancer. It also could lead to research into ways to change skin colour without damaging it like chemical treatment done on Michael Jackson. The passage is probably taken from _ . A. a novel B. a science report C. a story book D. a science fiction Answer: B
Question: Which of the following is more likely to insulate from electricity? A. a soda can B. a brick wall C. aluminum foil D. a paint can Answer: B Question: The horsepower was first used two hundred years ago. James Watt had made the world's first widely used steam engine. He had no way of telling people exactly how powerful it was, for at that time there were no units for measuring power. Watt decided to find out how much work one strong horse could do in one minute. He called that init one horsepower. With this unit he could measure the work his steam engine could do. He discovered that a horse could lift a 3,300-pound weight 10 feet into the air in one minute. His engine could lift a 3,300 pound weight 100 feet in one minute. Because his engine did ten times as much work as the horse, Watt called it a ten-horsepower engine. What does one horsepower mean? It means _ . A. one horse's power B. what one strong horse can do in one minute C. what one horse can do in a day D. what work one horse can do as much as possible Answer: B Question: EVERY few hundred years, a sleeping giant in southern Italy awakens with a bang, spewing volcanic ash across the countryside. The volcano, called Mount Vesuvius, formed 25,000 years ago. During its most explosive eruptions, the volcano could blanket nearby cities with hot ash, sometimes also burying them with deadly flows of mud and rocks. One famous eruption occurred nearly 2,000 years ago, in the year AD 79. It lasted 18 hours and destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, killing thousands of people as they tried to escape. Scientists and city officials had supposed that Naples, one of Italy's most populous cities, was far enough away that it would be safe from the volcano's _ . New evidence suggests that this might not be the case. Researchers recently discovered 4000-year-old layers of ash and mud under present-day Naples. Just outside the city, they also uncovered abandoned villages, as well as human and animal skeletons. Most surprising of all, the researchers say, was the discovery of thousands of footprints from the same time period, pressed into layers of wet ash that had rained from the sky. The footprints show that thousands of people were fleeing to the northwest, away from the volcano, as it erupted. Mount Vesuvius hasn't had a major eruption since 1631, but it's still very active. The discovery of the ancient ash layers, skeletons, and footprints is a warning that modern Naples, a city of 3 million people, isn't safe from the volcano, scientists say. So, when the volcano begins to rumble again, Naples should have an emergency evacuation plan ready - just in case. Which of the following is true with Mount Vesuvius? A. It formed 2,500 years ago. B. Its latest eruption occurred 2,000 years ago. C. It is an active, destructive volcano. D. It is where the city Naples is located. Answer: C Question: A man stayed in his house as a flood engulfed his town. Two men in a boat came to his house and offered to take him to safety. "No, thank you," said the man, "God will help me." As the waters rose, the man retreated to the second floor of his house. Now, two men in a motorboat came by and offered to rescue him. Again, the man refused, saying, "No, thank you. God will help me. " As the waters rose still higher, the man retreated again to the rooftop of his house. A plane came by, and someone inside it threw down a rope, urging the man to grab it and be pulled up into the airplane. Once more, the man declined and said, "No, thank you. God will help me. " Just then a powerful voice called out to the man, "You idiot! I sent you a boat, a motorboat and now a plane. What more do you want me to do?" At the end of the passage, who called out to the man? A. The men in the rowboat B. The men in the motorboat C. Someone in the helicopter D. God himself Answer: D Question: A lot of people think Scotland is a part of England , but, as any Scotsman will tell you , it certainly is not. In fact, until the eighteenth century Scotland was an independent country, with a parliament of its own. The English had tried many times over many centuries to bring Scotland under their rule. They succeeded at last in 1707, and some Scots have never forgiven them. Scotland is now governed from London, but in some ways it is still a separate nation. It has its own capital city(Edinburgh),its own law, and its own stamps, it even has a language of its own, spoken now by only a few people in the islands. In some ways Southern Scotland is like England, with his good farmland and low green hills. Central and Northern (the Highlands) have high mountains and deep valleys, fast rivers and cold lakes. These days, of course, there are good roads and railways all through Scotland. Aberdeen, the northeast city where the oil from the North Sea comes to land, is especially easy to reach. But it can still be quite different to travel in the winter when the hills are covered with snow. It always takes a long time to visit the beautiful but far-off islands on the west coast. One reason why Scotland has stayed so different from England is the wildness of the land. It has always been difficult to get around there. Scotland has a language of its own, _ . A. which is spoken by all the Scots B. which not many people speak now C. which is almost the same as English language D. which the English prevent from being spoken Answer: B
Photos that you might have found down the back of your sofa are now big business! In 2005, the American artist Richard Prince's photograph of a photograph, Untitled (Cowboy), was sold for $ 1, 248, 000. Prince is certainly not the only contemporary artist to have worked with so-called "found photographs"--a loose term given to everything from discarded prints discovered in a junk shop to old advertisements or amateur photographs from a stranger's family album. The German artist Joachim Schmid, who believes "basically everything is worth looking at", has gathered discarded photographs, postcards and newspaper images since 1982. In his on-going project, Archiv, he groups photographs of family life according to themes: people with dogs; teams; new cars; dinner with the family; and so on. Like Schmid, the editors of several self-published art magazines also champion found photographs. One of _ , called simply Found, was born one snowy night in Chicago, when Davy Rothbard returned to his car to find under his wiper an angry note intended for some else: "Why's your car HERE at HER place?" The note became the starting point for Rothbard's addictive publication, which features found photographs sent in by readers, such a poster discovered in our drawer. The whole found-photograph phenomenon has raised some questions. Perhaps one of the most difficult is: can these images really be considered as art? And if so, whose art? Yet found photographs produced by artists, such Richard Prince, may riding his horse hurriedly to meet someone? Or how did Prince create this photograph? It's anyone's guess. In addition, as we imagine the back-story to the people in the found photographs artists, like Schmid, have collated , we also turn toward our own photographic albums. Why is memory so important to us? Why do we all seek to freeze in time the faces of our children, our parents, our lovers, and ourselves? Will they mean anything to anyone after we've gone? In the absence of established facts, the vast collections of found photographs give our minds an opportunity to wander freely. That, above all, is why they are so fascinating. According to the passage, Joachim Schmid _ . Answer: When I stepped out the plane from Miami into Charlotte, North Carolina, airport for a connecting flight home, I immediately knew something was wrong. Lots of desperate people crowded the terminal. I quickly learned that flights headed to the Northeast were called off because of a storm. The earliest they could get us out of Charlotte was Tuesday. It was Friday. A gate agent stood on the counter and shouted, "Don't ask us for help! We cannot help you!" I joined a crowd that ran from terminal to terminal in search of a flight out. Eventually, I found six strangers willing to rent a van with me. We drove through the night to Washington, where I took a train the rest of the way to Providence. The real problem, of course, is that incidents like this happen every day, to everyone who flies, more and more often. It really gets to me, though, because for eight years I was on the other side, as a flight attendant for Trans-World Airlines (TWA). I know the days are gone when attendants could be written up if we did not put the lines napkins with the TWA logo in the lower right-hand corner of the first-class diners' trays. As are the days when there were three dinner options on flights from Boston to Los Angeles in economy class. When, once, stuck on a tarmac in Newark for four hours, a planeload of passengers got McDonald's hamburgers and fries by thoughtfulness of the airline. I have experienced the decline of service along with the rest of the flying public. But I believe everything will change little by little, because I remember the days when to fly was to soar . The airlines, and their employees, took pride in how their passengers were treated. And I think the days are sure to come back one day in the near future. What can be implied from the passage? _ Answer: Before you argue with your boss, check with the boss's secretary to determine his mood. If he ate nails for breakfast, it is not a good idea to ask him for something. Even without the boss's secretary, there are keys to timing: don't approach the boss when he's on deadline; don't go in right before lunch, when he is apt to be distracted and rushed; don't go in just before or after he has taken a vacation. If you're mad, that will only make your boss mad. Calm down first. And don't let a particular concern open the floodgates for all your accumulated frustration. The boss will feel that you think negatively about the company and it is hopeless trying to change your mind. Then, maybe he will dismiss you. Terrible disputes can result when neither the employer nor the employee knows what is the problem the other wants to discuss. Sometimes the fight will go away when the issues are made clear. The employee has to get his point across clearly in order to make the boss understand it. Your boss has enough on his mind without your adding more. If you can't put forward an immediate solution, at least suggest how to approach the problem. People who frequently present problems without solutions to their boss may soon find they can't get past the secretary. To deal effectively with a boss, it's important to consider his goals and pressures. If you can put yourself in the position of being a partner to the boss, then he will be naturally more inclined to work with you to achieve your goals. From the passage, we can infer that _ . Answer: He found the boy's father in the hall waiting worriedly. On seeing him, the father cried out, "Why did you take all this time to come? Don't you know that my son is in danger? Don't you have any sense of duty?" The doctor smiled and said, "I am sorry. I wasn't in the hospital and I came as fast as I could after receiving the call and now, I wish you'd calm down so that I can do my work." "Calm down?! What if your son was in this room right now? Would you calm down? If your own son dies while waiting for a doctor, then what will you do?" said the father angrily.The doctor smiled again and replied, "We will do our best and you should also pray for your son's healthy life." The surgery took some hours after which the doctor went out happy, "Thank goodness!Your son is saved!" And without waiting for the father's reply he carried on his way running by saying, "If you have any questions, ask the nurse." "Couldn't he wait some minutes so that I can ask about my son's state?" shouted the father when seeing the nurse minutes after the doctor left. The nurse answered, tears coming down her face. "His son died yesterday in a road accident. He was at the burial when we called him for your son's surgery. And now that he saved your son's life, he left running to finish his son's burial." ,. How might the father feel after he knew the troth? Answer: On a recent Saturday evening at around midnight our home became the victim of an egg bombing.Early next morning I was ready to wash off the mess above our front bedroom windows.As I climbed up,I noticed that the glass in a small window just under the roof line was very badly broken.On a closer check,the crack ran around over half of the outer edge of the window.As the awning protected the window,it was clear to me that the damage had not been caused by the egg bombing.I discovered that the window was very loose. Just a few meters away,we have a small area for playing basketball and on most days of the week there are up to six young people who play there,including both my sons.My thoughts immediately turned to what could have happened if the broken glass in the window had gone unnoticed for much longer and then suddenly broke.Then my two sons and their friends would be likely to be seriously injured.The pain that could have been caused by the broken glass would never go away. Frequently in life,the small things that happen to us may cause some form of pain,sadness,discomfort or anger.My personal experience with the egg bombing on that Saturday evening reminded me that in most cases there is always a _ to everything that happens to us and that often it can provide a positive outcome or an even greater benefit,if not now,then at some time in the future. From now on whenever I see or break an egg,I will think of the egg bombing incident and say a thankyou to those latenight trickers.I will always be reminded of JeanPaul Sartre's words,"What is important is not what happens to us,but how we respond to what happens to us." The author used JeanPaul Sartre's words to suggest we should _ . Answer:
Which of the following is most likely to cause water to change from one state of matter to another state of matter? Answer: It was the Greek shopkeeper who taught me about the power of being kind. In 2008, I left Spain to study alone in London. My parents had to bring up my three younger sisters and two younger brothers, so I found three part-time jobs to pay for my studies. I worked early mornings and late nights, so I was tired, really tired, all the time. Unluckily, I got a cold and had a very high fever. Because I was new in London, I had no friends. Besides, I was too shy to talk with others and ask others for help. After sleeping on the bed for two days, I went out to get some food. Usually, I went to the supermarket, but this time I went into the Greek shop, a small corner shop, because it was closer. I picked up some food and gave it to the shopkeeper, who asked me, 'You look terrible, my boy! You are not feeling well, right?' I said YES in a low voice. She pointed at the salami and bread I was buying and offered, 'I can make you a sandwich, so you don't have to do it yourself.' I nodded without saying a word. So, she made the sandwich and asked me to wait a moment. She went into the back room and came again with a bowl of hot soup. 'It will warm you up,' she said with a friendly smile. What really warmed me up was not the soup. It was her smile that told me she cared me. Her kindness made me think of my mother. I was quite shy, but from that day on, I did not let shyness stop me from talking with and being kind to others. Now I work in a children's hospital in Africa. I love my work and people around me. I always bring my smile and kindness to them. When did the writer leave for London? Answer: He wishes the holiday season would end already. His back aches, his red suit feels like a spacesuit , his cheeks have gone tight from smiling for 12 hours --and still the kids keep coming and coming , like ants at a picnic . As Christmas becomes more commercialized across the U. S. and Canada, so must Santas. As the holiday begins earlier each year, so must its _ . The questions from children these days are harder than ever. Now, with thousands of children expecting a father or mother serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, the questions are as heart-breaking as they are unanswerable. For example, "Can you please bring Daddy home from the war in time for Christmas morning?" Santas also have a pretty good chance of getting sued . A professional Santa Claus in Canada told a story: A Santa had a girl on his knee, and he commented, "You have nice eyes and nice hair." The girl later said it was sexual harassment . When a Santa feels anxious, he often shows it in the same ways ordinary people do: The Santas were always seen to hang around at the dinner table when the show ended. Many of them just sleep in bed for several days and don't see other children again. What would be the best title for the passage ? Answer: A function of a plant's roots is to Answer: Monday...oh, I don't like Monday because I'll have to go back to school again after the weekend. Tuesday is not so bad. I usually play tennis with my friends after school. On Wednesday evening I don't go out. I stay at home and do my homework. I like Thursday because the next day is Friday. I always go out on Friday--maybe to the cinema. I love the weekend. On Saturdays I get up late, and I sometimes go to the shops in the afternoon. In the evening we go to a club. Then on Sundays I go to my friend's house or she comes to mine. I usually visit my grandmother for an hour in the afternoon. Then the weekend is over and it's Monday...and I feel bad again! From the text, we know that the writer _ . Answer:
Being busy can become a way of life. Our lives are always filled with emails and text messages. They make us feel wanted and important, but in a tiring and empty way. Being busy has a dangerous allure . If you are busy all the time, it's hard to sit quietly with your thoughts or to really feel what you're feeling. Whynot let everything become a choice -- how we spend time, who we reply to and how much or little we write? Many of us are busy becauseour self-worth goes up when people make demands on our time. Whydon't we free ourselves from needing, or even wanting? Why don't we make the best use of the time and space to be productive in a way that it best serves us? That may be consciously keeping ourselves not busy. In fact many great discoverieswere made by people who built white space into their day. Imagine asking "How are you?" to one of the most successful people you know like Warren Buffet. I've never heard anyone at that level answer "busy" though most people believe they are. What are they doing differently? First, they aim to project an image that things are under control. Second, they actually have things under control. They've had excellent staff, implemented thoughtful processes and they spend time only on critical tasks that require their attention. They make high-level strategic decisions with a large effect. It's time to end the glory of being busy and spend time setting up processes that make sense, rather than simply working more hours. To do this, you need to change yourway of thinking. It's cool to say you're busy, but it's better to be busy helping someone carry a stroller up the subway stairs or busy finishing a book. How to free us from the trendof being busy? Start with small steps. For one day, be mindful of every daily activity. Consider each thing a choice and decide proactively if it's necessary or simply a habit you can get rid of or do in half the time. Next, stop saying how busy you are. Then, figure out what you want to achieve with your day and begin doing it. Put your time and energy where you want it to be. What are many of us busy doing every day? A. Sitting quietly and think actively. B. Meeting people's demands on our time. C. Making great discoveries. D. Takinghigh-level decisions. Answer: B. Meeting people's demands on our time. Danny was just tired about the way things were going. His mum came to school and talked on and on about Rick Jackson. It seemed that she would never stop talking. "Somebody's got to stop that boy!" she was shouting. "Rick's troubling everybody in the neighborhood. And he loves to pick on little boys like Danny." Mrs. Green, Danny's teacher, was concerned a lot. "I didn't know that Danny was being picked on," she said. "He's never said anything about this to me!" Mrs. Green looked at Danny. "How long had this been going on?" she asked. Danny could only shake his head and look at the floor. He knew if he said a word about this, he would have trouble at school. Danny hadn't said anything about the problem because he wanted to do things with the boys in the neighborhood. After all, most of them were nice to him. He hated to leave the _ just because of Rick. Maybe the time had come to find new friends. He felt it hard to make up his mind. The word "gang" in the reading means " _ ". A. a place for boys to play games B. a group of young people C. a school bus for children to and from school D. the teacher's office Answer: B. a group of young people The United States Capitol Dome in Washington, DC, is recognized around the world as a symbol of the U.S. Government. Since last November, the dome has been surrounded by metal poles and heavy cloth as part of a repair project. The last major repair work on the U.S. Capitol took place in 1960. Since then, the dome has become weathered and worn. The Architect of the Capitol group reports that the dome has more than 1,000 narrow breaks on its surface and other damage. The dome was completed around 1863. U. S. Senate Historian Don Ritchie says the dome's cast iron frame is at special risk of weathering. "The capitol dome, being cast iron, has been hit by lightning countless times. And so the current construction is to repair the leaks, to fill the cracks, to take off extra layers of paint." Some recent visitors to the Capitol were unhappy about its current appearance. They had hoped to get a picture of the usually shining dome. Joyce said, "It was impressive, and very fantastic, and all white, but when I come here today, it is under construction so my family cannot see it clearly, it is kind of a disappointment." Others were more understanding of the repairs. Rick Jones, another visitor, said, "It's a little inconvenient for us not to see the dome but you have to think about the future and the people will be coming to this place for centuries...and you know ,there just needs to be preventive maintenance . I am not upset with that at all." The project is expected to take more than two years to complete. The dome should be ready for a new president in January 2017. The text is most probably taken from _ . A. a book review B. a news report C. a guide book D. a science report Answer: B. a news report People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother's Day,on the second Sunday in May, and Father's Day, on the third Sunday in June. Mother's Day was proclaimed a day for national observance by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. Ann Jarvis from Graffon, West Virginia, had started the idea to have a day to honor mothers. She was the one who chose the second Sunday in May and also began the custom of wearing a carnation. In 1909, Mrs Dodd from Spokane, Washington, thought of the idea of a day to honor fathers. She wanted to honor her own father, William Smart. After her mother died, he had the responsibility of raising a family of five sons and a daughter. In 1910, the first Father's Day was _ in Spokane. Senator Margaret Chase Smith helped establish Father's Day as a national commenortative day , in 1972. These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens. They give love and care. These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother's Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery. On these days families get togher at home as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father's Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories. Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important, but it is " the thought that counts". Greeting card stores, florists, candy makers, bakeries, telephone companies, and other stores do a lot of business during these holidays. When are Mother's Day and Father's Day? A. the second Sunday in May and the third Sunday in June B. the second Sunday in June and the third Sunday in May C. the third Sunday in May and the second Sunday in June D. the third Sunday in June and the second Sunday in May Answer: A. the second Sunday in May and the third Sunday in June The greatest sales woman in the world today doesn't mind if you call her a girl. That's because Markita Andrews made more than $80,000 by selling cookies when she was 13 years old. Andrews and her mother shared a dream of traveling around the world. Once while reading a magazine ad, Andrews found that the person who sold the most cookies could win a free trip for two around the world. She decided to give it a try. To make her dream come true, Andrews went door to door every day after school and repeated, "Hi, I have a dream. I'm earning a trip around the world for my mom and me by selling cookies. " Then she asked," Would you like to buy one or two dozen boxes of cookies?" Andrews kept asking for a whole year, no matter how heavily it was raining or snowing outside. Her hard work _ She sold 42,000 boxes of cookies that year and she won her trip around the world. Andrews is no smarter than thousands of other people. The key to her success is that she has found the secret of selling: Ask, Ask, Ask! Many people fail before they even begin because they fail to ask for what they want. It takes courage to ask for what you want. And , as Andrews has discovered, the more you ask, the easier ( and more fun) it gets. ,. How did Andrew succeed? A. Because she was young when she started doing things. B. Because she knew how to sell well and she worked really hard at it. C. Because her mother helped her a lot. D. Because she wanted to travel around the world. Answer: B. Because she knew how to sell well and she worked really hard at it.
At present, too much carbon dioxide makes the earth warmer and warmer and causes terrible effect to human beings. To save our planet, to save ourselves, a new lifestyle called low-carbon life becomes popular. Low carbon means low energy and no waste. It is necessary for everybody to learn to live a low-carbon life. To live a low-carbon life, we'd better save energy as possible. Turn off the lights and TV whenever they are not needed. If possible, use cold water to wash clothes or dishes. Take a short shower and try to take a cold one when the weather gets warm. Don't do the cooking with electricity. To live a low-carbon life, we should eat less meat. Everybody knows eating too much meat makes people fat and easy to have heart disease, but maybe you don't know keeping animals for food produces even more carbon dioxide than all the cars in the world, and being a vegetarian can help reduce one and a half tons of carbon dioxide a year. Maybe _ is a little difficult, but it's really necessary. To live a low-carbon life, we are supposed to do less shopping. When we go shopping, we may drive a car or take other transportations. On the one hand, these machines pollute the air and waste energy. On the other hand, most of us always buy some useless things because of some advertisements. It is not only a waste of money but also causes trouble to the earth, because as you know, making everything will produce carbon dioxide more or less. There are many other ways to live low-carbon life, such as recycling things, planting trees and reusing textbooks. If we can keep it a habit in our daily life, the earth will become a safer planet for us to live on. ,. We should do less shopping because _ . Answer: the less you shop, the less carbon dioxide will be produced "Happiness isn't just feeling good.It's good for you and for society.Happy people are more successful, have better relationships, are healthier and live longer,"said Ed Diener, a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois. Beyond your genes Sonja, a professor of psychology at University of California Riverside, analyzed studies on identical twins and concluded that happiness is 50 percent genetic, 40 percent intentional and 10 percent circumstantial. "Your circumstances-where you live, your health, your work, your marriage-can be tough to change .But most people are surprised that circumstances don't account for as much of their happiness as they think,"she said. Life circumstances don't result in continuous happiness, she says, because we adapt.That new car, promotion or house feels great at first.Then we get used to it. Keeping that good feeling requires something else: control of how you act and think. Happiness definition To gain happiness, you need to understand what happiness is. Martin Seligman, a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, says happiness is the pursuit of engaging and meaningful activities. By "engaging", he means when we get so absorbed in what we are doing that we lose track of time."Meaningful" would be using what you are best at to serve others or to participate in a cause that's bigger than yourself. "Your purpose doesn't have to be giant," says psychologist Dan Baker. "If you'reyou're your purpose can be getting into the college of your choice.When you're a parent, it can be getting your kids off to school safely and prepared for each day. External factors From 1981 to 2007, the World Values Survey took polls(lJ)all over the world and measured what it considers happiness and overall life satisfaction.Of the 52 countries that completed the surveys over the 17-year period, happiness increases in 45. According to the survey analysis, economic growth helped promote happiness for some, while Democratization and rising social tolerance contributed even more. Democracy provides more choice, which promotes happiness.Support for sex equality and tolerance of people who are different from oneself are also strongly linked.This is not just because tolerant people are happier, but because living in a tolerant society strengthens everyone's freedom. The World Values Survey suggests people are more likely to promote happiness if. Answer: .they live in a democratic and tolerance society Long long ago, a young man found a spring of delicious clean water while he was going through the desert. He brought some back to the oldest man in his village, who had been his teacher before. After a four-day journey he sent the water to the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village happily. The next day, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was awful. It went bad because it had stayed in the old leather container for so many days in such hot weather. The student asked his teacher why he pretended to like the awful water. The teacher _ , "You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for love and kindness. And nothing could be sweeter than these." I think we understand this lesson best when we receive small gifts of love from very young kids. Whether it's a slice of bread or a piece of colored paper, the natural and right response is to show our thanks and happiness because we get love from the gift. To show our thanks doesn't always come naturally. Unfortunately, most children and many adults only see the thing itself. They never feel the meaning of the thing. We should tell ourselves and teach our children about showing thanks and happiness to the persons who give the gifts from their hearts because gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart. How long did the water stay in the old leather container? Answer: Five days. Angus MacLeod was fifty and he had spent his entire life as a shepherd in the remote mountainous region of northwest Scotland. He had never owned a radio or television nor had he travelled further than forty kilometres from his birthplace. His knowledge of the world was gained only from his brief trips to the village to sell his sheep and buy food. However, he had lately come to rely on the growing number of hill-walkers in the region as sources of international news. In the spring of 1992, a Spanish student came across Angus high in the mountains. Eager to practise his English he engaged Angus in conversation. The student told Angus of the forthcoming Olympic Games in Barcelona. Excited by the student's colourful description of Spain and the Games, Angus decided to attend the event in person and two months later arrived in Barcelona. The ticketless Angus stood outside the stadium with his canny brain working overtime, watching a growing number of individuals entering the stadium through a small entrance at the side. He noticed that they all seemed to be carrying objects. Perhaps they were workmen, he thought. He moved closer and watched. Within minutes a thin young man came along carrying an extremely long pole. He approached the official at the door and said "Pole Vault". The official moved to the side and the man entered. Next came a heavy-set man with a spear. Angus wondered how a man could carry such a dangerous weapon in a modern city. The man shouted " Javelin " and was presently admitted. Angus was puzzled. Perhaps they were all connected with security. His puzzlement grew when a huge man appeared with a steel ball in his hand. He shouted "Shot Putt" and walked past the official. It suddenly dawned on Angus that these people were competitors. He opened his programme and sure enough under the heading "events" he saw the three words the men had said. Angus laughed to himself as a plan began to take shape in his mind. First he needed to buy one or two things. An hour later he reappeared dressed in a tracksuit with "Scotland" written across the chest. Over his shoulder he carried a roll of barbed wire . Smiling to himself he walked up to the official and as casually as he could, shouted, "Fencing!" What do you expect the official would do in the end? Answer: Refuse to let him in. A Southampton University team found that people who were vegetarians by 30 had recorded five IQ points higher on average at the age of 10. Researchers said it could explain why people with a higher IQ were healthier as a vegetarian diet was connected to lower heart disease and obesity rates. The study of 8,179 people was reported in theBritishMedicalJournal. Twenty years after the IQ tests were carried out in 1970, 366 of the participants said they were vegetarians -- although more than 100 reported eating either fish or chicken. Men who were vegetarians had an IQ score of 106, compared with 101 for non-vegetarians; while female vegetarians averaged 104, compared with 99 for non-vegetarians. There was no difference in the IQ scores, between strict vegetarians and those who said they were vegetarians but reported eating fish or chicken. Researchers said the findings were partly related to better education and higher class, but it remained statistically significant after adjusting for these factors. Vegetarians were more likely to be female, to be of higher social class and to have higher academic or vocational qualifications than non-vegetarians. However, these differences were not reflected in their annual income, which was similar to that of non-vegetarians. Lead researcher Catharine Gale said, "The findings that children with greater intelligence are more likely to report being vegetarians as adults, together with the evidence on the potential benefits of a vegetarian diet on heart health, may help to explain why a higher IQ in childhood or adolescence is linked with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease in adult life. But Dr Frankie Phillips of the British Dietetic Association said," _ Do people become vegetarians because they have a very high IQ or is it just that they are clever enough to be more aware of health issues?" It was found in the research that _ . Answer: vegetarians who ate fish or chicken were of similar intelligence with strict vegetarians
Dick is not old, but he does not have much hair. His wife Emma has thick, beautiful and black hair. They have a son. His name is Peter, and he is five years old. Today Dick is reading a book in his study. Peter looks at his father for a long time and then asks his mother, "Why does Papa have so little hair, Mama?" Emma laughs and says, "He has little hair becauseThe food looks good but _ bad. he thinks a lot. He's a very clever man." Peter looks at his mother's thick hair for a few seconds and then laughs, "Then I know why you have so much hair." Peter's words mean that Emma is _ . Answer: The early 1900s were very different from today, when toys were still the delight of children everywhere. Theodore Roosevelt's Presidency marks the beginning of the "Teddy Bear". In the year 1902,toy bears were named "Teddy" after the president's nickname. The Teddy Bear became known worldwide and it was only a few years later that the Teddy Bears were mass produced. In 1913,an item called the Erector Set was invented. It was a steel,motorized toy that children could use to build models of anything. Its creator was A.C.Gilbert,a medical doctor. Charles Pajeau created a similar wooden set called Tinker Toys in the year 1914.Tinker Toys were made for younger children. Raggedy Ann dolls first came on the scene after newspaper cartoonist Johnny Gruelle reproduced the doll he made for his daughter. That was in 1915. The following year,an architect's son named John Lloyd Wright,invented Lincoln Logs,which were interlocked to make structures. Two years after Mickey Mouse was created,stuffed Mickey Mouse dolls were made by Charlotte Clark. This was the start of Disney merchandise. The yoyo became popular in the United States after Donald Duncan bought a yoyo company in 1929. The ViewMaster,a three dimensional viewer,was developed by a camera enthusiast named William Gruber. The toy became popular when Gruber licensed Disney characters to make still, 3D images from Disney movies and television programs. Finally,in 1940,model airplanes were mass produced. They started out as a way for manufacturers to sell planes to the military,but later caught on as a toy. The toys that we know and love today have had their roots from these ancient times. Thanks to all these creative man's efforts, we know otherwise what we may never know. In which aspect do the toys created by Gilbert differ from those by Charles? Answer: Drug Use Report A new study examines drug use by young people in t he United States. The study found that cigarette smoking among American teenagers dropped during t he past years. The drop continues a general decrease in teenager smoking rates that started in 1996. American health officials praised the decrease as good news in the nation's battle against smoking. They note that smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease. Smoking rates among American teenagers increased in the first half of the 1990's. However, teenage smoking rates have been decreasing in recent years. The University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research supervised the latest study. The Department of Health and Human Services reported the findings. The study involved more than forty-four-thousand students in more than four-hundred schools across the United States. They were asked about past and daily use of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs. The youngest students questioned were thirteen years old. The study also involved fifteen-year-old students and seventeen-year-olds. The most notable change in the study was a continuation of the decrease in cigarette use among thirteen and fifteen-year-olds. For example, about twelve percent of thirteen-year-old students questioned reported smoking at least one cigarette during the past month. Six years ago, the rate was twenty-one percent. Among fifteen-year-olds, the rate dropped from thirty percent in 1996 to twenty-one percent last year. Tommy Thompson is the secretary of Health and Human Services. He praised the findings. He said more teenagers are making correct choices that will help them avoid health problems caused by tobacco. The study found that use of alcoholic drinks and illegal drugs among American teenagers remained the same or dropped during the past year. However, the use of one illegal drug known as Ecstasy continued to increase. Yet the rate of increase was not as great as in recent years. American health officials said they will continue to give teenagers scientific information about the serious health risks of Ecstasy and other illegal drugs. The goal is to further reduce the use of these drugs. In which section of the newspaper could we read the passage? Answer: Primary schools could be told to remove some traditional subject-based lessons and replace them with "personal development" classes to encourage children to improve their social and practical skill. Parents, teachers and pupils, who took part in the investigation carried out for the biggest ever official review of the primary curriculum, argued that the number of subjects taught to very young people should be reduced. The review, being conducted by the government's school's director Sir Jim Rose, will consider how to redesign the primary school day to handle concerns that too many pupils leave primary school unable to read, write and do maths at the level expected of them. It will also address criticisms that pupils are expected to study so many subjects there is little time for creative learning. The 60 focus groups brought together 1,500 parents, pupils and school staff and is expected to heavily influence the thinking of the Rose review, which the government is promising to back. Instead of a broad range of subjects, pupils should study in-depth literacy and maths lessons alongside a more creative curriculum that encourages pupils to develop personal, learning and thinking skills, they say. Such lessons might include "healthy lifestyles, sex and relationships education, drugs and alcohol education". "Child and personal development as priorities have been shamefully neglected in recent years in the rush to hit targets in the basics." John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said, "The worst thing would be to evaluate child development through the current high stakes testing system. That would weaken the capacity of teachers to meet children's unique needs." However, the shadow schools minister, Nick Gibb, said, "If lessons on lifestyle are given the same status as traditional subjects, it is the most disadvantaged children who will be worst affected." "Children are not able to personally develop and succeed in the future if they don't have a grasp of basic subjects such as maths and English early on in primary school. Removing high requirement from the primary curriculum would increase the inequality gap between less well-off pupils and the rest." Nick added. A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said, "This is a summary of stake holder's view, not the views of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or the DCSF, and has been submitted to Sir Jim Rose's review as evidence to consider." According to the focus groups, the result of learning too many subjects is most likely to be that _ . Answer: Rose usually wakes up early in the morning. She always has her breakfast at half past six. She leaves home at about seven o'clock.. She is never late for school. She has many classes in the morning. At about twelve fifteen, she comes back for lunch. In the afternoon, she isn't so busy. After school she does her homework and plays with other children. In the evening, her parents come back from the factory. The family has supper together. After that, they usually read newspaper or listen to the radio for a little time. Sometimes, they watch TV. Rose goes to bed at half past nine. But her father often works late at night. Rose's father often _ late. Answer:
I have a good friend at home. Her name is Mimi. She is white and yellow. She is very cute. I play with her when(......) I have time. She likes fish very much. When she is behind (......) the sofa or in her box, you can't see her. When I sit on the sofa, she sits with me. In the evening I do my homework at my desk, and she is on the desk. At that time I put her down . Then she sits next to me. Is she a good friend of me? Who is my good friend at home? Answer: A cat. Air travel makes some people very nervous. The crowds, the noise and flying itself can cause unease. But there are classes that people can take to help them defeat the fear of flying. And now we are going to talk about similar training for service dogs that suffer from the same problem. Service dogs almost never leave the side of the people they care for. You will see them working on buses, trains and other public transport systems. But the busy environment in an airport can trouble even the best trained working dog. People with disabilities depend on their dogs. They also need the dogs to remain calmly on duty on the airplane, even when the flight is not smooth. This takes special training. The Air Hollywood K9 Flight School is one place where such help can be found. The school has a piece of equipment that provides the sights, sounds and even the feel of an airplane in flight. It is called a flight simulator . The simulator was built for filming airplane scenes in movies. Sandy Alexander lives in Newport Beach, California. He has a disability that requires his two-year-old dog, Doc, to be always at his side. Mr. Alexander took the dog to the flight school to get him ready for plane trips. He says Doc did not like the bumpy part of the flight simulation. "When that started he was pretty _ and looked up at me and wasn't sure what was gong on." "Dogs need to be exposed gradually and repetitively to stimulation, to the environment, to loud noises, to sounds and other dogs so that when this experience happens to them on a daily basis, they are able to act in a way that they are used to acting and don't get excitable," days dog trainer, Mary Segall. Dog owners who have attended the training say they now feel much more at ease about future flights. Their dogs also seem ready for take-off. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the text? Answer: Dogs are exposed to stimulation repetitively in the flight school. Michael Jordan told me not to mention this until the season was over and I promised him at that time. Now I think it's time. Early last season, I wrote a column about an act of kindness I had seen Jordan do to a disabled child outside the Stadium. After it _ ,I got a call from a man in the western suburbs. He said, "I read what you wrote about Jordan, but I thought I should tell you another thing I saw." Here it comes, I thought. It always does. Write something nice about a person, and people call you up to say that the person is not so nice. A few weeks later Jordan and I were talking about something else before a game, and I brought up what the man had said. Was the man right? Has Jordan really been talking to those two boys in that poor and dirty neighborhood? "Not two boys," Jordan said, "but four." And he named them. He said four names. And what did they talk about? "Everything," Jordan said. "I've asked to see their grades so that I can check whether they're paying attention to their schoolwork. If it turns out one or two of them may need teaching, I make sure they get it." It's just one more part of Michael Jordan's life, one more thing that no one knows about, one more thing Jordan does right. The NBA season is over now, and those boys have their memories. So do I! When the expert reviewers begin to turn against Jordan, as they surely will, I'll think about those boys under the streetlight, waiting for the man they know to come, for someone they can depend on. What can we learn from this passage? Answer: Jordan deserves the admiration he had from others. Putting in water fountains at schools, and teaching children about the health benefits of water, could reduce their risk of getting extra pounds, reports a new study that is published in the latest issue of the journal Pediatrics. The findings are based on a survey in 32 elementary schools of two German cities, Dortmund and Essen. The researchers, led by Rebecca Muckelbauer, a nutritionist at the Research Institute of Child Nutrition Dortmund, weighed about 3,000 children, and asked them about their beverage consumption . At the beginning of the school year, the experts had water fountains added to 17 of the schools. The scientists also worked with teachers to carry out educational programs that promote the benefits of drinking water. In contrast to schools in the United States, there are very few schools in Germany that have water fountains. At the beginning of the study, there were no big differences in the number of overweight children in the different groups. But by the end of the school year, children in the schools with water fountains were 31 per cent less likely to gain extra pounds, compared to kids who went to other schools, where water drinking was not encouraged. Children in the schools with fountains increased their water consumption from about 3 up to 4 glasses a day, while those in the other schools continued to drink an average of 3 glasses. Over the research, the number of overweight kids upped from 384 to 385 out of 1,641 at the schools with water fountains. In comparison, the number of overweight kids at the other schools increased from 339 to 364 out of 1,309, Dr. Muckelbauer said. The experts cannot make any final conclusions and explain why the students who were encouraged to drink water were less likely to gain extra weight. Dr. Muckelbauer noted that according to a few other studies, drinking of water increases the rate at which calories are burned, while some other research suggested that water may temporarily decrease appetite . What do we know about the survey from the passage? Answer: It lasted for a whole school year. Michelle was a student at University of California, Los Angeles. She is here to tell us how she feels about the city. What were the best things about Los Angeles? One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is the weather. I hate the cold and it never really gets that cold there. Plus, most of the time it's usually sunny, which is good because I love going to the beach during the summer. There's so much to do at the beach, but my favorite thing in L.A. was having a picnic on the sand with my friends. What were the worst things about being there? I disliked having to drive everywhere to get around because the city is so spread out. Los Angeles has a lot of traffic and sometimes it takes a long time to get somewhere close by just because the streets are so crowded. Also, a lot of people complain about the pollution. Did you have any problems there? Just the normal problems of living in any city, like watching out for pickpockets . Some people think Los Angeles has a lot of crime, but I think it's as safe as any other city. Also, many people think driving is difficult because there is a lot of traffic and road rage , but it just takes a little practice and a lot of patience. What are the people like in Los Angeles? There are all types of people in Los Angeles since the city is pretty diverse. For the most part, though, most of the people are friendly, calm and relaxed. Some people say that everyone in Los Angeles is beautiful, but I think that's just a stereotype . Would you go back to Los Angeles? Certainly. Los Angeles is one of my favorite cities in the world. I love the fact that it has all the nightlife and shopping of a big city, but also has access to beaches, parks, mountains and other places you can't usually find in large cities. Between the weather and the beaches and all the fun things to do, it's a great place to be. How does Michelle find Los Angeles? Answer: Diverse and interesting.
Plants that live in the rainforest have adapted in amazing ways to several very difficult conditions. This means that the plant has changed something in its "body" or "habits" to make it easier to survive in difficult conditions. There are several conditions they have had to adapted to. First, the soil of the forest floor is shallow. Also, the soil of the rainforest is not very rich, or easy to grow in. Next is the problem of very heavy rain which continues over a large part of the year. Finally, many plants of the rainforest are food for animals that live there. The biggest problem that rainforest plants have to adapt to is the lack of sunlight in the rainforest's lower levels. Plants have adapted to this problem in several ways. Many plants have very large leaves. The large leaf is helpful because it has a bigger surface area. The bigger surface area a leaf has, the more sunlight it can absorb. The canopy trees adapt by growing to be 100 feet tall so that their leaves can grab all available sunlight. Other plants called lianas have adapted by rooting themselves in the soil of the forest floor and growing up the trees until they reach the canopy layer. Still other plants, such as epiphytes, have adapted by growing directly on the trees' trunks and branches in the canopy and understory layers of the rainforest. An adaptation to the large amounts of rainfall that many rainforest plants have is called "drip tips". Their leaves are tapered to a sharp point at the end. This allows water to run off the leaf quickly. There are many other adaptations that rainforest plants have made to their environment. These will be discussed in detail, as we investigate the plants of the rainforest! Which of the following is a difficulty that the rainforest plants have to face? Answer: He may not have an "S" across his chest but this dog is most certainly a hero. Harley, who was rescued from a puppy mill four years ago, was named the American Humane Association's 2015 American Hero Dog. Harley, who is missing an eye and has other medical issues from his time at the mill, is now a "spokes-dog" against puppy mills. He serves as the adorable furry face of the"Harley to the Rescue"campaign, which raises funds for the National Dog Mill Rescue, according to a press release. The pup was rescued back in 2011 and adopted by Rudi and her husband, Dan. "It was just four years ago that he was pulled from the cage in the puppy mill and left to die," Harley's owner, Rudi, said during the awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles this past weekend, according to Today. com. "We never would have ever thought he would live this long and make such a difference for so many puppies. " The dog was one of eight finalists up for the American Hero Dog and was chosen as the winner through public votes. The finalists all won $ 1,500 to be donated to one of American Humane Association' s charity partners, with Harley receiving another $ 5 ,000 to go toward his charity partner, New Leash On Life. According to the release, Harley spent 10 years at the puppy mill, and endured rough treatment there, which led to his many medical issues. He lost his eye as a result of his cage being power-washed with him inside. The dog isn't just the face of his campaign, he also goes on rescue missions and makes public appearances at events and schools to raise awareness for puppy mills. This incredible work is all due to the dog' s fighting spirit. That spirit is allowing him now to be the voice for dogs who cannot speak for themselves and give everybody hope that tomorrow's going to be a better day. Why was Harley blind in one eye? Answer: Everybody hates rats. But in the earthquake capitals of the world - Japan, Los Angeles, Turkey - rats will soon be man's new best friends. What happens after an earthquake? We send in rescue dogs. Why? Because they can smell people. Dogs save lives. They help rescuers to find living people. But dogs are big and they can't get into small spaces. So now a new research project is using a smaller animal to save lives: the rat. How does it work? First, the rat is trained to smell people. When this happens, the rat's brain gives a signal .This is sent to a small radio on its back, and then the rescuers follow the radio signals. When rat's brain activity jumps, the rescuers know that someone is alive. The rat has smelled that person. Although there are already robots which can do this job, rats are better. Christian Linster at Cornell University, New York, says, "Robots' noses don't work well when there are other smells around. Rats are good at that. " Rats can also see in the dark. They are cheaper and quicker to train than dogs, and unlike robots, they don't need electricity! The "rat project" is not finished, but Julie Ryan of International Rescue Corps in Scotland says, "It would be fantastic. A rat could get into spaces we couldn't get to, and a rat would get out if it wasn't safe." Perhaps for the first time in history, people will be happy to see a rat in a building(but only after an earthquake, of course.) Rats have all the following advantages except that _ . Answer: SEE a cell phone cover that you like on Taobao? Forget about placing an order, paying the bill online and waiting for days for it to be delivered to you. In the near future, you'll be able to get it in minutes just by hitting "print" on your computer. You might find it hard to believe that you could actually "print" an object like you would a picture. But it is not that hard to understand how it would work. Just as a traditional printer sprays ink onto paper line by line, modern 3-D printers spread material onto a surface layer by layer, from the bottom to the top, gradually building up a shape. Instead of ink, the materials the 3-D printer uses are mainly plastic, resin and certain metals. The thinner each layer is --- from a millimeter to less than the width of a hair --- the smoother and finer the object will be. This may sound like a completely new technology, but the truth is that 3-D printing has been around since the late 1980s. Back then, it was barely affordable for most people, so few knew about it. Last year, though, saw a big change in the 3-D printing industry--- printers became much cheaper. For example, 10 years ago a desktop 3-D printer might have cost PS20,000 (200,000 yuan), while now they cost only about PS 1,000, according to the BBC. Taken out of the factory and introduced to more diverse and common uses, 3-D printing can create just about anything you can think of ---flutes , bikinis, jewelry, aircraft parts and even human organs. In fact, scientists from Cornell University in New York have just made an artificial ear using a 3-D printer, according to Science Daily. The fake ear looks and acts exactly like a natural one. However, as 3-D printing becomes more commonplace, it may bring about certain problems --- such as piracy. "Once you can download a coffee maker, or print out a new set of kitchen utensils on your personal 3-D printer, who will visit a retail store again?" an expert in 3-D printing told Forbes News. Even more frightening, what if anyone in the world could use a 3-D printer to print out a fully functioning gun? According to the article, in the future, the 3-D printing technology will _ . Answer: Special ships that create clouds by sending seawater into the air could be the cheapest way of dealing with climate change, new research has found. The technique, known as "marine cloud whitening", would create clouds above the Pacific Ocean that would have a cooling effect by reflecting sunlight away from Earth. Nearly 2,000 wind-powered ships would cross the sea, getting seawater and sending it up through tall tubes. " When you send saltwater into the air, you create bigger and whiter clouds, and thus reflect more sunlight back into space," said David Young from the group of the study. The paper by Professor Eric Bickel and Lee Lane looked into the costs of the projects. It found that cloud whitening would reduce the effects of climate change this century for no more than PS5.3 billion. This is only a small part of the PS150 billion that leading nations are considering spending to cut CO2 emissions each year. It is also more than 25 times cheaper than the PS140 billion cost of another project which would copy the cooling effect of volcanoes. The authors also compared the cost benefits that reducing temperatures would have. They found every PS1 spend on other ways would have PS15 of benefits, however every PS1 spent on cloud whitening would bring PS2,000 of benefits. These would include the human costs on health and the influence on other fields. David Young said, "Marine cloud whitening could achieve as much for the planet as CO2cuts would, but with much less cost." But he warned that these techniques shouldn't be considered as a long-period way to deal with climate change. " It's important to note that this technique wouldn't reduce CO2emissions or deal with the causes of global warming, but would cover its effects." he said. Marine cloud whitening has an effect on global warming by _ . Answer:
It was January lst, the first day of the year and a holiday for me.I went to the bank to get the bank work out of the way. The bank clerk nodded and I sat in front of him. He was busy filling up entries in his register. I put my form and booklet in front of him.After waiting for a few more minutes, in which I showed all signs of being impatient, I asked him if my work was done. He shouted, "Nothing is done, and it will take time ! " Just then I saw his morning cup of tea, which had been lying there for the last ten minutes, untoucheD.The tea had turned almost cold while he was doing his work.Suddenly I felt what this man must be feeling when customers like me come always in a hurry to get their work done. We do not even feel the need to thank them for being there. So I told him, "Sir, please have your teA.I am not in a hurry. " This man suddenly looked up at me and for the first time we had eye contact.I saw a different person there, who was as hard-pressed for time as I always am. _ . I felt that he was also missing the small things in life like a hot cup of tea or lying in a warm bed for a few more minutes like me.He gave me a rare smile and said, "It is an everyday affair with me; you are not in a hurry but somebody else will be. He really touched my heart with his wise words. I felt that all this time I thought of him as someone who was there for my convenience, but today I suddenly felt a strange communion with him. I vowed to be friendly with people who help me with my work and be thankful that they are there for me. Which of the following is NOT true of the writer? Answer: He works in the bank as a clerk, too. Mr. King works in a shop and drives a car for the manager. He drives carefully and can keep calm in time of danger. And he escaped from several accidents. The manager pays him more and the traffic policemen often speak highly of him. Mr. Baker, one of his friends, works in a factory outside the city. It is far from his house and he has to go to work by bus. As the traffic is crowded in the morning, sometimes he is late for the work. His manager warns the young man will be sent away unless he gets to his office on time. He hopes to buy a car, but he hasn't enough money. He decides to buy an old one. He went to the flea market and at last he chose a beautiful but cheap car. He said he wanted to have a trial drive, the seller agreed. He called Mr. King and asked him to help him. Mr. King examined the car at first and then drove it away. It was five in the morning and there were few cars in the street. At first he drove slowly and it worked well. Then he drove fast. And when he reached a crossing, the light turned red. He tried to stop it, but he failed and nearly hit an old woman who was crossing the street. A policeman told him to stop, but the car went on until it hit a big tree by the road. "Didn't you hear me?" the police man asked angrily. "Yes, I did, sir," said Mr. King, "Since it doesn't listen to me, can it obey you?" Mr. King tried to stop the car when _ . Answer: the traffic lights turned red As we know, Human beings each have unique brains. The brain is of the greatest importance to the body. It is the boss of the body.Your eyes,ears,nose,and skin tell your brain what is going on around you.Other parts of your body tell your brain what is going on inside of you.Your brain takes in the signals.It tells your body what to do with them.When you touch fire,your skin tells your brain that your finger is too hot.Your brain tells you to move your finger.All these happen very fast.Your brain also controls your breathing,blinking,and heartbeat.It controls your feelings and thoughts too. Humans have the most developed brain of all animals.Yet it is not the largest brain.The human brain weighs three pounds.The brain of an elephant weighs 11 pounds.So the largest brain is not always the best brain.In people,a larger brain does not mean a clever person. What happens after the brain takes in the signals from the body? Answer: The brain tells the body what to do. Sigmund Freud was a world-famous doctor of Vienna . He was also a man full of humour. Once, at his 70th birthday party, a friend asked Freud if he could put his work into several words."Well,"said Freud, "we take the sick out of their trouble and return them to the common suffering." As a devoted son, Freud often visited his old mother. His mother usually spent her summer in a small mountain town in Austria. The King Josef usually spent his summer there, too. One day in the summer, a band was playing a lively tune when Freud's mother was sitting at the window and watching the people singing and dancing on Main Street. The old woman had a poor memory. She heard the band playing, but forgot it was the King's birthday. Freud was visiting his mother on her 95th birthday. He told his mother, "Mama, the band is playing for your birthday."She believed him and had a wonderful day. Freud was a famous _ of _ . Answer: doctor; Austria The turtle which lays the most eggs on a beach will Answer: boost hatching numbers
Question: Warwick New York Hotel This hotel offers you stylish rooms in a quiet neighborhood, just a short walk from some of New York's business streets. It's small. Family-owned hotel with 16 rooms. They provide not only comfortable rooms but also warm smiles and friendly greetings. The Westpark Inn The Westpark has 90 rooms and is close to Manhattan tourist centers. The hotel's rooms have been recently painted. On the Internet many travelers say it is below the usual standard and should be avoided. If you want to save money, you may have a try. The Affinia Hotel The Affinia is a good choice for experienced business travelers, families and international visitors. The 80 guest rooms are stylish and modern with good furniture. Guests who need more space might like the hotel's rooms. All the rooms have a kitchen. The 60 Thompson The 60 Thompson, with 100 beautiful guest rooms, is a stylish hotel in the heart of SoHo. Good use of dark wood and full-wall leather headboards give the hotel warmth. Guests can enjoy fine food in the hotel's Kittichhai restaurant and cocktails at Thom's Bar. Which of the hotels does NOT have stylish guest room? A. The Affinia Hotel B. The Westpark Inn C. Warwick New York Hotel D. She complained her father. Answer: B. The Westpark Inn Question: A 15-year-old boy planned to put a ball covered with petrol into his mouth and set it on fire. He would film the dangerous action and put it on YouTube.And, lie hoped to become famous on the Internet. But things didn't go the way he imagined.His clothing caught fire, and he was rushed to the hospital with serious bums on his body. YouTube hosts millions of videos of people attempting dangerous actions.Many of them are by kids and young adults.Some experts say that by hosting these videos, YouTube encourages young viewers to take deadly risks.Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 180,000 Americans die from accidental injuries each year.That's one person every three minutes.More than 14,000 of those killed are kids under the age of 19.Is YouTube to blame? People have always found it interesting to watch others try risky things..Audiences love these kinds of things.Some of the earliest Greek comedies had characters followed by wild animals and knocking into walls.Now, in the age of the Internet, anyone with a camera and a YouTube account can create this kind of 'fun".Many viewers, especially teenagers, are influenced by what they see and want to try it themselves."YouTube has taken the playing in the neighborhood to a worldwide level," says Clair Mellenthin, a researcher from the Centers. Supporters of YouTnbe argue that it isn't YouTube's responsibility to examine its content."Parents should be the ones to make sure that kids are behaving safely," they say.In fact, YouTube has a rule on content.For example, dangerous activities that have a risk of serious physical harm or death are not allowed.Staff of YouTube, carefully watch the website 24 hours a day, looking for videos that are against their rules.But is this enough? What happened to the 15- year-old boy? A. He got hurt in a traffic accident. B. He played with fire and burned himself C. He set fire to a ball by accident. D. He watched an action film on YouTiibe. Answer: B. He played with fire and burned himself Question: Tony is reading an advertisement in a magazine. It is about different evening classes or weekend classes. The Learning Centre, Garden City We have evening and weekend courses on ... test preparation friends and meeting people jobs and making money cooking and language learning Some of this month's courses: 1. Get good grades! Do you forget information and do poorly on tests? In this course, learn to... * remember more (95 percent of what you read). * think quickly and read fast (400 words per minute!). * do well on tests and get high scores. 2. Find true love...today! Are you single and shy? Is it hard for you to talk to people? In this course, learn to... talk to people; start a conversation with a man or woman. be more friendly and outgoing. * understand a person's body language. 3. You are on TV! Many actors get their start in television. You can too! In this course, learn to... * act in TV ads. * use your voice on the radio. * get TV and radio jobs. 4. Cook delicious and healthy food! Are you interested in cooking? Do you want to keep healthy? In this course, learn to... * keep a balanced diet. * cook delicious traditional Chinese food. * make western-style food. This course is also online al www. dffh. net. cn. What's the advertisement about? A. Finding true love. B. Getting good jobs. C. Cooking delicious food. D. Different evening and weekend classes. Answer: D. Different evening and weekend classes. Question: Hello! My name is Becky Sharp. I'm eleven years old. I've got one brother--his name's Jonson and he's fourteen. I haven't got any sisters. I live with my mum , dad and grandma in a small house in Chesterfield,in the north of England. There are lots of things to do here. My friends and I go to the cinema on Saturdays. Do you like games? I like football. My favorite team is Manchester United. I sometimes play football with my brother. I'm good at it but he isn't very good. I've got seven pets--a tortoise and six goldfish. I want a dog or a cat,but my mother doesn't like them. Does the girl play football well? A. Yes,she does. B. No,she doesn't. C. She's not very good. D. We don't know. Answer: A. Yes,she does. Question: After a long, hard workout, many professionals will help their body to heal by consuming A. electrolytes B. protein C. sugar D. carbohydrates Answer: B. protein
Hello Sandy, We have just returned from our holiday. We went with our friends Edward Smith and his wife Tina to the Yorkshire Moors. This is a beautiful place. It is a natural park. There are lots of places to walk on the tops of the hills, miles of grassland with no people, just sheep and birds. Edward, who had just come out of hospital, could not walk as far as be used to. However this meant that we walked in the mornings, and then stopped at a cafe for lunch each day, before returning to the place we live. Edward and I slept in front of the fire all afternoon, while the ladies went for another walk. Very pleasant! I have taken lots of photos from the place we live, across the valley below us, of the morning sunrise, and the mist in the valley. Also, in England, the old steam powered trains are very popular. I have taken many photos of the train and from it. Yesterday we had the first snow of this winter. It is very early (we usually expect snow in January). It rained all day, then snowed in the evening. Today we have bright sunshine! Both Jenny and I are well I don't know if I told you, in the last e-mail, that Jenny is now working in a hotel. Although she has to work hard, people there are nice and she is enjoying the work. Please write to us to tell us your news. Yours, Victor They had _ snow this winter. No one knows exactly how many disabled people there are in the world, but estimates suggest the figure is over 450 million. The number of disabled people in India alone is probably more than double the total population of Canada. In the United Kingdom, about one in ten people have some disability. Disability is not just something that happens to other people: as we get older, many of us will become less mobile, hard of hearing or have failing eyesight. Disablement can take many forms and occur at any time of life. Some people are born with disabilities. Many others become disabled as they get older. There are many progressive disabling diseases. The longer time goes on, the worse they become. Some people are disabled in accidents. Many others may have a period of disability in the form of a mental illness. All are affected by people's attitude towards them. Disabled people face many physical barriers. Next time you go shopping or to work or visit friends, imagine how you would manage if you could not get up steps, or on to buses and trains. How would you cope if you could not see where you were going or could not hear the traffic? But there are other barriers: prejudice can be even harder to break down and ignorance inevitably represents by far the greatest barrier of all. It is almost impossible for the able-bodied to fully appreciate what the severely disabled go through, so it is important to draw attention to these barriers and show that it is the individual person and their ability, not their disability, which counts. The last word of the passage "counts" more probably means _ . Dear Mum: Today I'm going to tell you something really special. I know you work very hard and feel tired every day. Every time you come home and see the messy house. I know you are very angry with me. But you always say nothing and clean up the house .I always want to help you, but I have so much homework to do. After I finish my homework, I feel like dying. I really want to help you, but I'm so tired too. I also want to tell you one thing, I love you so much. I usually talk back to you when you say that I don't study hard enough. But in fact I just want you to praise me more. I will try my best to get good grades and get praise from my teacher. So don't feel frustrated about my grades, OK? I have made up my mind that I will study harder and help you to clean the house. I am serious this time. I will have my homework done faster so that I can have more energy to clean the house. I will watch TV less so that I can have more time to study and get good grades. All these things are for one reason: I want to make you happy Mum. I love you! With lots of love Sally Why is Sally's mother angry with Sally when she comes back from work? Which is least likely to need to take in air? Open today's newspaper. What do you see? Ads! Turn on the TV. Still more ads! Everywhere you look, someone has something to sell. Here are some ways ads get us to buy. Some ads use famous people. Stars are paid to sell a product. Think about it. Do they really know about medicine? Do they know about soft drinks? These people may be famous. But they may not know about what they are selling. Some ads make you think you're getting the words of experts . A man in a white coat comes on TV. He looks nice. "I use White and Black, " he says. This man looks like a doctor. But he is an actor. He has been paid to sell this product. Does soap have anything to do with a pretty child? Not much. But ads may show their products with something nice, such as the sun, the flowers and so on. Such an ad is about feelings rather than fact. Ads are full of strong words like "new" and "power" . They can help a product sell. The soap may be called "Spring Rain". A car may be called "Tiger". Strong words work on our feelings. Some ads make promises . But can they keep them? No. Some ads use our fear of being too late. "Buy now! " they say, "Selling ends soon. " Check to see if this is true. Don't hurry. Take time to think. All ads hope we will buy something, do something, or think in a certain way. Know what ads are doing. Ask questions to yourself. Don't let their words and pictures fool you. uld not always believe the ads. The writer thinks the words and pictures in the ads _ .
The holidays are a time to give. These charities---and many more--are looking for volunteers and donations. World Wildlife Fund The World Wildlife Fund is helping to protect endangered species through the Symbolic Species Adoption program. Those who "adopt" an animal will receive an adoption certificate and a photo of their species. Anyone can support endangered species year round by buying WWF apparel . worldwildlife. Org/giving DoSomething. org This month, Dosomething. org launched their holiday campaign, "Grandparents Gone Wired". The goal of the campaign is to make it easier for senior citizens to keep in touch with their loved ones using the Internet. Teens can volunteer to help seniors in their community. Volunteers are able to win prizes and scholarships. dosomething. org/grandparents Coins for Change Disney's Club Penguin, a virtual gaming site for kids, launched its annual Coins for Change campaign this month. From Dec. 15 to Dec. 27, Club Penguin players can donate virtual coins to real-world causes. If players reach the donation goal, Club Penguin will donate $2 million to charity projects. clubpenguin.com. Toys for Tots Each year, the U.S. Marine Corps Toys Program collects new, unwrapped toys for the holidays. Communities across the nation host Toys for Tots drives around the holiday season. The toys collected are given as gifts to needy children so they can experience the joy of Christmas. toyfortots.org American Red Cross All you need is a pen and a piece of paper. The American Red Cross Holiday Mail Heroes Program is collecting handwritten card to send to members of the U.S. Armed Forces during the holidays. The charity has also set up a Holiday Giving Catalog where you can buy personal gifts, such as babysitting lessons. redcross.org The Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drive The Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drive is a non-profit organization sponsored by ABC's Good Morning America and Burlington Coat Factory. During the holiday season Burlington stores collect gently worn coats. The donated coats are given to people in need to keep warm during the winter. onewarmcoat.org From the passage we can learn that _ . A Club Penguin donates $2 million to charity projects yearly B old toys collected are given to needy children as gifts C teens can help seniors contact their family members online D whoever donates warm coats is likely to win scholarships Answer: C. teens can help seniors contact their family members online Chinese officials yesterday urged employers to take more measures to protect workers against workplace diseases and injuries. Experts estimate that about 200 million workers face a potential danger of occupational diseases and work-related injuries. The majority of them are farmers-turned-workers who are working in small or medium-sized firms. One of the most serious workplace diseases on the Chinese mainland is pneumoconiosis, a lung disease that is caused by breathing in too much dust of coal, silicon, and cerement. It causes serious breathing difficulties and can be fatal . The disease killed 966 people in the country last year, according to an official report released by the Ministry of Health yesterday. From the early 1950s until the end of last year, 607,570 people were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis. Among the number, 137,481 people died from the disease. Chen Xiaohong, vice minister of health, said the general level of prevention and control of workplace diseases is still quite low in China. "Health authorities at various levels will do more education work in the future to raise employers` awareness that they are the first person responsible for any workplace diseases or accidents," Chen said. He made the remark at a ceremony held by his ministry and other relevant departments under the State Council to award prizes to 56 companies which have done well in protecting workers` health. On the Chinese mainland, more than 16 million companies are engaged in potentially dangerous sectors, such as coal mining, construction, and those that use chemicals, according to the Ministry of Health. Although many companies, especially large foreign-invested and State-owned ones, have done well in protecting workers` health, many employees are still working in dangerous places with poor protection and without any insurance support. At least 90 per cent of Chinese companies are small or medium-sized organizations. Many of these companies, especially private ones based in towns and villages, do not want to spend their money strengthening workplace protection against various diseases and injuries, or buying insurance policies for their employees. According to statistics from Chinese labour and social welfare authorities, there are about 120 million farmers-turned-workers working in Chinese cities. Less than 10 per cent of them have medical or injury insurance and many have no contracts with employers. According to Chinese law on preventing occupational diseases, employers should establish qualified working conditions before opening factories, buy insurance policies for their workers, and provide regular health examinations for labourers. However, according to a survey last year of 74,946 companies that use chemicals or are based in "dangerous sectors," only about 50 per cent offered health tests for workers. From the passage we can see that _ . A 200 million workers suffer from workplace diseases and injuries B about 23% of Chinese workers once died from pneumoconiosis during about 55 years. C less than 12 million farmers-turned-workers have medical or injury insurance. D 50% of the companies have done well in protecting workers` health. Answer: B. about 23% of Chinese workers once died from pneumoconiosis during about 55 years. Mary was a 911 operator in Los Angeles. One Thursday morning, she was surprised to get a call from a young child who said, "Mom is ill, Mom is ill", again and again. Mary hurried to find the address of the call. She called the police. In a minute, the policemen and doctors arrived at the house. They broke the door open, and they couldn't believe their eyes. The little child was so young that maybe she could not walk! She was sitting beside her mother and holding her mother's hand. Tears were running down her face. The doctor gave the woman some medicine and soon she woke up. Later, she told people , "Everyone was surprised that my daughter could call 911. One Monday I tried to teach her how to call 911." "It's the first time I've seen a two-year-old child call 911." How could the little girl learn to call 911? _ A She learnt it by herself. B She called it by chance. C Her mother taught her one Monday D Her mother often taught her. Answer: C. Her mother taught her one Monday Long long ago, a God called Ratu lived in the sky. Ratu liked to play games and make people angry. The game he liked best was to fly down into the sea and frighten all the fishes. The fishes became very tired of his game. They asked Hemi, the God of the sea, to help them. So Hemi tried to catch Ratu the next time he flew into the sea, but he was too slow. Ratu laughed at Hemi as he flew past him. This made Hemi angry and he had an idea. He asked the fishes to bring him a lot of seaweed. Hemi tied it all together and made a large net from it. Soon Ratu flew down and Hemi threw the net over him. Ratu fought and fought but could not get free. He was caught. Ratu promised never to frighten fishes again if Hemi would set him free. But Hemi did not believe him. Instead, he changed Ratu into a mountain in the sea. Ratu was so angry that when he opened his mouth to shout at Hemi, fire and smoke broke out. And that is why the Island of Ratu is a volcano . The main point of the story seems to be that _ . A some volcanoes in the sea are gods B the person who makes trouble will be punished C seaweed is a good material for making nets D one who makes promises is not to be always believed Answer: B. the person who makes trouble will be punished Mrs. Bertha Flowers was the aristocrat of Black Stamps. She had the grace of control to appear warm in the coldest weather, and on the Arkansas summer days it seemed she had a private breeze which swirled around, cooling her. One summer afternoon, she stopped at the store to buy supplies. Another Negro woman of her health and age would have been expected to carry the paper sacks home in one hand, but Momma said, "Sister Flowers, I'll send Bailey up to your house with these things." "Thank you, Mrs. Henderson. I'd prefer Marguerite, though." My name sounded so beautiful when she said it. "I've been meaning to talk to her, anyway." They gave each other age group looks. There was a little path beside the rocky road, and Mrs. Flowers walked in front swinging her arms and picking her way over the stones. Without turning her head, she spoke to me, "I hear you're working very good school work, Marguerite, but that it's all written. The teachers report that they have trouble getting you to talk in class." We passed the triangular farm on our left and the path widened to allow us to walk together. "Now no one is going to make you talk--possibly no one can. But bear in mind, language is man's way of communicating with his fellow man and it is language alone which separates him from the lower animals." That was a totally new idea to me, and I would need time to think about it. "Your grandmother says you read a lot. Every chance you get. That's good, but not good enough. _ " She said she was going to give me some books and that I not only must read them, I must read them aloud. She suggested that I try to make a sentence sound in as many different ways as possible. "I'll accept no excuse if you return a book to me that has been badly handled." My imagination boggled at the punishment I would deserve if in fact I did abuse a book of Mrs. Flowers'. The odors in the house surprised me. The sweet scent of vanilla had met us as she opened the door. "Have a seat, Marguerite. You see, I had planned to invite you for cookies and lemonade so we could have this little chat." She carried a plate covered with a tea towel. As I ate she began the first of what we later called "My lesson in living." She said that I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and even more intelligent than college professors. She encouraged me to listen carefully to what country people called mother wit. That in those homely sayings was couched the collective wisdom of generations. When I finished the cookies she brought a thick, small book from the bookcase. I had read A Tale of Two Cities and found it up to my standards as a romantic novel. She opened the first page and I heard poetry for the first time in my life. "It was the best of times and worst of times..." Her voice slid in and curved down through and over the words. She was nearly singing. I wanted to look at the pages. Were they the same that I had read? Or were there notes, music, lined on the pages? Her sounds began cascading gently. I knew that she was nearing the end of her reading. "How do you like that?" It occurred to me that she expected a response. The sweet vanilla flavor was still on my tongue and her reading was a magic to my ears. I had to speak. I said, "Yes, ma'am." It was the least I could do, but it was the most also. "There's one more thing. Take this book of poems and memorize one for me. Next time you pay me a visit, I want to recite." I have often tried hard to search for the enchantment I so easily found in those gifts. To be allowed, no, invited, into the private lives of strangers, to share their joys and fears, was a chance to exchange the Southern bitter wormwood for a cup of mead with Beowulf or a hot cup of tea and milk with Oliver Twist. When I said aloud, "It is a far, far better thing than anything I have ever done..." tears of love filled my eyes at my selflessness. I was liked, and what a difference it made, I was respected not as Mr Henderson's grandchild or Bailey's sister but for just being Marguerite Johnson. It can be inferred from the passage that _ . A Mrs. Flowers was born in a noble family. B The meeting between Mrs. Flowers and Marguerite was probably an intentional arrangement. C Marguerite hadn't read poetry before her visit to Mrs. Flowers' home. D Mrs. Flowers would recite new poems on Marguerite's later visits. Answer: B. The meeting between Mrs. Flowers and Marguerite was probably an intentional arrangement.
Which of the following represents the velocity of a moving object? Answer: Which causes the electric fan to work? Answer: Researchers at the University of Kansas say that people can accurately judge 90 percent of a stranger's personality simply by looking at the person's shoes. "Shoes convey a thin but useful slice of information about their wearers," the authors wrote in the new study published in the Journal of Research in Personality."Shoes serve a practical purpose, and also serve as nonverbal cues with symbolic messages.People tend to pay attention to the shoes they and others wear." Medical Daily notes that the number of detailed personality traits detected in the study include a person's general age, their gender, income, political affiliation, and other personality traits, including someone's emotional stability. Lead researcher Omri Gillath said the judgments were based on the style, cost, color and condition of someone's shoes.In the study, 63 University of Kansas students looked at pictures showing 208 different pairs of shoes worn by the study's participants.Volunteers in the study were photographed in their most commonly worn shoes, and then filled out a personality questionnaire. So, what do your shoes say about your personality? Some of the results were expected: People with higher incomes most commonly wore expensive shoes, and flashier footwear was typically worn by extroverts . However, some of the more specific results are intriguing.For example, "practical and functional" shoes were generally worn by more "agreeable" people, while ankle boots were more closely aligned with "aggressive" personalities. The strangest of all may be that those who wore "uncomfortable looking" shoes tend to have "calm" personalities. And if you have several pairs of new shoes or take exceptional care of them, you may suffer from "attachment _ " spending an inordinate amount of time worrying about what other people think of your appearance. There was even a political calculation in the mix with more liberal types wearing "shabbier and less expensive" shoes. The researchers noted that some people will choose shoe styles to mask their actual personality traits, but researchers noted that volunteers were also likely to be unaware that their footwear choices were revealing deep insights into their personalities. We learn from the text that shoes one wears may _ . Answer: Do you know that many clowns go to school to learn how to be funny? How would you like to go to that school? You could learn how to walk and talk like a clown. Then you could make people laugh. Clowns may go to school for a year. There they learn to move in funny ways. They learn to run and jump like different animals. They also learn how to fall down in a special way. They make sure they don't get injured. They make every move look easy. But really it's hard work. In a school clowns decide how they will look. They make funny pants and tops. Then clowns have their funny long shoes made. They also learn to make up their faces. Clowns carefully put special paint on, so they look silly. They start by making every part of their feces white. Then they use red paint around their mouths to make them look big. Clowns may paint re spots on each side of their faces, too. Big red noses are added. They put on funny hair or funny hats. Now they look silly. They are ready to go to work! You can see clowns at the circus or parade. They do funny things to surprise people. Ten big clowns may get out of a very small car. Or they may walk on a high rope. Then they almost fall. The faces they make when they try to stand up again make people laugh. From the passage, we can learn that clowns play at _ . Answer: What's going to happen in the future? Will robots control our planet? Will computers become smarter than us? Not likely. But here are some things that scientists say are most likely to happen in 10 to 30 years from now, according to the BBC.2-1-c-n-j-y Digital money We used to pay with cash for everything we bought. Now when we use a credit card to shop online, money is spent without us seeing it. That means we are already using digital money. Using a card is much easier than searching our pockets for change. It is also safer than carrying a lot of cash. When ATM cards were first introduced, they were not accepted everywhere. But now it's hard to live without them. It's reported that people in Sweden completely stopped using cash last year, and the US might be next. Bionic eye It's no longer something only in a science fiction movie. People who are blind may have a chance to get their sight back--by wearing bionic eyes. A blind eye can no longer sense light, but a bionic eye can use a camera to "see" the environment and send data to the mind. Now the bionic eye only allows patients to see lights and unclear shapes. A high resolution image could be just a few years away. Self-driving cars Unlike a human driver, a self-driving car won't get distracted by phone call, the radio or something outside the window. Sensors and cameras on the car would allow it to stick reduce the number of road accidents. You could even take a nap while the car driver itself. Many vehicle companies are now planning self!driving cars. "By 2040, driverless vehicles will be widely accepted and possibly be the dominant vehicles on the road," said Jeffrey Miller, professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, US. Which of the following statements is TRUE? Answer:
Birds build nests out of things such as A fragments from plants B small glass shards C entire tree trunks D several flower buds Answer: A. fragments from plants More than half a century ago, there were 4, 000 drive-in movie theaters in the United States, and watching a movie from your car was a popular way to spend an evening. But with the number of drive-ins reduced to just a few hundred, outdoor movie has been popping up across the nation. Going to an open-air theater has become a modern summer pastime for an increasing number of movie fans. In recent years, outdoor movie screenings have come up in parks, vacant lots and shopping malls around the nation. On average, about 1,000 people attend each movie night. It attracts a lot of young professionals, young workers and residents nearby. For some, the outdoor movies bring back the memories of the drive-in theaters of their youths. But for the majorities, they think it is comparable to the atmosphere of drive-ins, as they can bring friends, food, good wine, and watch the movie together. The returning of Americans' love affair with outdoor movies makes Stephen Bastas ever busier. His seven-member crew sets up screens in various locations mostly in the Washington area every day throughout the summer. They are doing pretty well and they hope to continue the trend. And it looks like they are going to. That's because many fans say there is nothing like watching a movie on a breezy summer evening under the stars. From the text, we can learn that Stephen Bastas is most probably _ . A a movie maker B an outdoor movie fan C a movie director D an open-air theater operator Answer: D. an open-air theater operator I really love this job because I enjoy working with small children. I also think my work is very important. But there was a time when I thought I would never have a job like this. I wasn't the best student because I didn't do much schoolwork. Just before I left school, I started thinking what I might do and found that there's not much I could do. I thought I wasn't that kind of person to have a career. I then found myself a job, looking after two little girls for a family. It wasn't difficult at first. But problems began when I agreed to live in, so that my boss could go out to work in the evenings. I got very tired because I had too many late nights and early mornings with the children. One Sunday, I was in the park with the children, and met Mary who used to go to school with me. I told her about my job. She said that I should get a qualification if I wanted to work with children. And it would help me learn more skills to look after children better without feeling too tired. _ . I decided to take part-time lessons. In that way, I had to leave the family. But all the lessons I took helped me look after children better and helped me get a job at a kindergarten . Now I have a job as a professional teacher at a kindergarten. I should be thankful to Mary. I would never have a career if it wasn't for her. The writer's first job was to _ . A teach part-time lessons B look after children for a family C help children with their schoolwork D look after children at a kindergarten Answer: B. look after children for a family The iPhone has become one of the most popular mobile phones in the United States. An 18-year-o1d student in California has used his knowledge of the device to create his own business,gaining national recognition for his work. Vincent Quigg is the CEO of TechWorld. His company is kind of like a hospital for iPhones,specializing in customizing and repairing iPhones. Vincent Quigg launched TechWorld while in high school. "My mom became single a couple of years ago and I had to grow up. And in order to keep my lifestyle, I had to find different ways to keep my phone, keep a car, transportation and all that stuff. So I had to find ways to be entrepreneurial." An organization cal1ed the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. or NFTE, helped the young man get started. His mother, Carla Quigg: "He quit the class, which made me very disappointed." "It was extremely hard for myself to find a business to start and run with it. But once I had that ' _ 'or what I knew I wanted to go with, it was really easy and extremely fun." At the time, Vincent worked for the electronics store BestBuy. He says people always came into the store with broken electronic devices. He decided that repairing those devices was what he wanted to do. He not only re-registered for the NFTE class, but he also won the organization's national competition for best young entrepreneur.His business has grown through word-of-mouth. Vincent says he now fixes up to l0 phones per week. He earns about $l,500 each month in sales. TechWorld has two other employees. Kacee Wheeler is one of them. He works on the technical side of the business while Vincent Quigg now deals with finances and planning. He says he wants to continue to grow his business. What is Vincent Quigg's company specialized in? A Customizing and repairing iPhones. B Advertising and selling iPhones. C Helping students set up business. D Offering people medical advice. Answer: A. Customizing and repairing iPhones. Peach trees have sweet-smelling blossoms and produce rich fruit. What is the main purpose of the flowers of a peach tree? A to attract bees for pollination B to create flower arrangements C to protect the tree from disease D to feed migratory birds Answer: A. to attract bees for pollination
A motivational strategy that parents can employ with their kids, is to frame tasks and responsibilities in the context of what the end benefit is for them. I call this strategy WIIFM ("What's in it for me?"). When a teen can combine an understanding of WIIFM with a sense of passion about achieving a goal, barriers will start to fall away. At our teen summer camps, we arrange an event near the end of the 10-day session that helps campers identify an important life goal and mentally break through their biggest barrier to achieving the goal. We pass around 12-by-12-inch pine boards. We tell campers that this activity is not about breaking a piece of wood. It's about how you can get what you want in your life. It's about breaking barriers to grab on to your goals. They have the power to break through any barrier. It has nothing to do with body size or physical condition. The skinniest, smallest teens will break through the board almost as easily as the big ones. We talk to the campers about the reasons they might have had for not reaching their goals in the past. Maybe they got lazy and decided it wasn't worth the effort. Maybe they failed and let their fear of failure hold them back. But this exercise is about putting the past where it belongs. Today is about making new choices. By this point in the program, we ask them to think of the goal they've set for themselves and write their goals on the boards. Then they write the possible obstacles which may hold them back on the opposite sides. An inch of pine now stands between them and their dreams. The facilitators and their teammates gather around. The support is strong. One by one, they break through the barriers and grab their goals! All around us teens are laughing, crying, hugging, and holding up the broken pieces of their boards. The confidence shown on their faces is beautiful. While arranging such an activity in one's home is almost unrealistic for parents, the value of helping a teen break through a personal barrier simply by being there as moral support can not be overestimated. More help for parents in the form of videos and articles is available at our website, in our blogs and in a monthly e-newsletter. The passage is intended for _ . A. teens B. parents C. campers D. Tutors Answer: B In today's world many people seem to be hungry for money. Money does have its most useful effect on the poor. But once a person has a rich life, a lot more money doesn`t mean more happiness. If money were everything, all millionaires would have real love, true friendship, good health and a long life. However, this is not always true .But can love be bought ?I`m afraid not . Love means to give , not to take . To every person , health and long life are probably the most precious things . Well , can health and a long life be bought with money ? The answer is "No". Of all the longest living people in the world, few of them are millionaires. True friendship can't be bought, either. In a word, where money is dreamed too much, it can cause brothers to quarrel, marriage to end, lovers to hate, and strangers to fight. No matter how much money you have, it is still not enough to make a happy person if you have no one to laugh with, no one to cry for. ,. what does the sentence "Love means to give , not to take "mean in the passage ? A. , B. , C. , D. , Answer: D What makes a gift special? Is it the price you see on the gift cover? Or is it the look on the receiver's face when they receive it that determines the true value? What gift is worth the most? This Christmas I was thinking what to give my father. My dad is a hard person to buy for because he never wants anything. I pulled out my phone to read a text message from my mom saying that we were leaving for Christmas shopping for him when I came across a message on my phone that I had locked. The message was from my father. My eyes fell on a photo of a flower taken in Wyoming, and underneath a poem by William Blake. The flower, a lone dandelion standing against the bright blue sky, inspired me. My dad had been reciting those words to me since I was a kid. That may even be the reason why I love writing. I decided that those words would be my gift to my father. I called back. I told my mom to go without me and that I already created my gift. I sent the photo of the cream-color1ed flower to my computer and typed the poem on top of it. As I was arranging the details another poem came to mind. The poem was written by Edgar Allan Poe; my dad recited it as much as he did the other. I typed that out as well and searched online for a background to the words of it. The poem was mainly about dreaming, and after searching I found the perfect picture. The picture was painted with blues and greens and purples, twisting together to create the theme and wonder of a dream. As I watched both poems passing through the printer, the white paper color1ing with words that shaped my childhood, I felt that this was a gift that my father would truly like. Christmas soon arrived. The minute I saw the look on my dad's face as he opened those swirling black letters carefully placed in a cheap frame , I knew I had given the perfect gift. The author made the gift by _ . A. searching for poems online B. drawing the background by hand C. painting the letters in three color1s D. matching the words with pictures Answer: D Both the young and the old may feel lonely. A three-year-old child will feel lonely when it is left alone, and an old man over eighty years old is often afraid to live alone, too. Some people feel lonely because they may not have enough time to make friends. Not only the quiet, shy people may feel lonely. Some people are active and outgoing, but they are sometimes afraid to talk and make friends with others. They always try to hold other people away from them. They may seem to have lots of friends, but inside they are hurting. Are you lonely? If your answer is "yes", you may need to work hard enough! Here are some tips to think about: To be wanted and needed is a big answer to loneliness. Is there any way you can help other people? Try to do something helpful for others even if you are very busy. By helping other people, we find friends and lose loneliness. Do you have an interest or hobby? Find a group of people with this interest and join them. Live in the real world! The world on the Internet is not a real world and it is very different from the real life. The students asleep in class are mostly those who often surf the net through the night. As a result, they'll get lost in the real world. Don't wait for someone to phone, or write, or email you, you call them. And if they seem too busy, it doesn't mean you are not welcome. Try another time! When you've done anything wrong to other people, don't be too proud to say sorry. You must do that even if you find it hard to open your mouth. If you have done something wrong, you should _ . A. say sorry to others B. do it again C. open your mouth D. leave at once Answer: A Shower Radio -- Warranty and Directions Introduction Before using the radio, please read all directions, and put warranty information in a safe place. You may need to refer to the warranty information later. Warranty The radio is warranted for one year. If it fails to work because of problems of materials, please return it to the address on the warranty card. We will not pay shipping costs for returning the radio. We will either repair or replace the radio. At least four weeks is needed to examine the problem and repair the radio. If you have not heard from us within six weeks, call our customer service department at 1-800-123-4567. Radios that are returned not for problems of materials will pay service fee and the cost of the repairs. Customers will be informed of the charge by postcard. Radios will not be returned until these fees are paid. Directions The radio is designed and built to operate well in a damp environment. To Operate the Radio 1. Put two AA batteries following the introduction. 2. Turn the POWER dial in a clockwise direction until it clicks. 3. Press the station selector button for your desired station. The station's call number will be visible on the digital screen. 4. To switch between AM or FM stations, move the AM/FM switch. To Operate the Timer 1. Each time the Timer Set button is pressed, five minutes will be put on the timer. The amount of time on the timer will be visible for five seconds on the digital screen. 2. When the timer doesn't work, a sound will be given off. The timer may be reset again after one minute. Troubleshooting Before returning the radio for service, please check the following items: Problem: Radio cannot be heard. 1. Check batteries. 2. Check Power/Volume Control. Problem: Timer does not work. 1. Check batteries 2. Follow directions for setting timer. 3. Turn the power control on. 4. Adjust the volume control. According to the text, what should you do before returning the radio for service? A. Contact the store where you purchased it. B. Call the producer for a repair number. C. Consult the telephone book for local repair service. D. Check whether certain problems exist. Answer: D
Bill Fulton doesn't remember losing his wallet, but its return helped him remember the past. The leather stayed smooth and the cowboy design unblemished . And when he looked inside, the contents brought back memories from 1946, when he apparently dropped the wallet behind the balcony bleachers in the Baker Middle School gym. Fulton's Social Security Card and bicycle license, bearing the address where he lived during his teenage years, were positioned in their respective compartments, apparently untouched since the year after World War Il ended. Worker Nathan Osborne found the wallet -- along with old homework, lost library books and a 1964 talent show program -- while removing the bleachers for renovations on June 17. It was brought to Fulton's door the following day by Melanie Trindle, the Baker Middle School secretary. Middle School Principal Mindi Vaughan said the brown pine bleachers were connected to the gym balcony's brick wall and had remained in the same place since the school, known as the Helen M. Stack Building, opened in 1936. Fulton, 78, said he probably lost the wallet while cheering for the Baker High basketball team with a group of friends. Fulton said the bicycle ID was needed because he delivered medicine for Rodamar Drug. He was surprised, however, that his bicycle ID wasn't inside. He said he always kept it there. But rather than focus on what was inside the wallet, Fulton said the recovery has led him to reflect on his life -- one that took him to the Korean War and Berlin before the return to Baker City. He worked at Ellingson Lumber Company for 30 years, from March 1964 to April 1994. Since his retirement, Fulton has enjoyed spending time with his 11-year-old black dog, Smokey. The two often hike the nearby mountains. Trindle's knock on the door, wallet in hand, induced a slight ripple in his life, prompting him to consider the times he hadn't thought about in many years. "Where did all the times go?" Fulton said with a deep sigh. "It' s hard to believe that the times have gone so fast." After he retired, Fulton _ . Answer: Online Voting --The Most Beautiful Places in China What are the most beautiful places in China in your eyes? Please take part in our activity and vote online. We are looking forward to your choice and voice! Everyone is welcome! Rules: 1) Voting period: October 1 to November 30. 2) The results and the winners list will be released in December. 3) 10 votes are allowed. 4) Please leave your contact information when sending your votes. CRIENGLISH takes no responsibility if a winner fails to receive the award because of incorrect contact information. 5) Your comments will be important in choosing the winners. 6) CRIENGLISH reserves the right to decide the final winners. 7) CRIENGLISH reserves the right for final explanation of the rules. Awards: The three top winners will each receive an award worth 300 Yuan (about 48 US dollars); The five second place winners will each receive an award worth 200 Yuan (about 32 US dollars); The ten third place winners will each receive an award worth 100 Yuan (about 16 US dollars). What can be learned about the rules? Answer: It may be hard to believe, but the American Revolution --the war that freed the American states from British control--began over a cup of tea. Tea was not the only thing that caused the war, of course, but it played a very big part. The British people's love of tea is well-known. When the British won control over mush of North America in the early 1700s, they brought their tea- drinking habits with them. Tea quickly became the continents most popular drink. As tea could not be grown locally, just as in Britain, it was shipped into the country--mostly from India. In the early 1700s, the Britain government made a special deal with the East India Company, as an English trading company. They agreed that no other company was allowed to bring tea to Britain or any country controlled by Britain, including America. It was a great deal for the East India Company, since it meant that the company could decide whatever price it wanted for its products. And _ always decided on a high price! In North America, the local people did not like having to pay such high prices. Instead of overpaying for tea from the British, they turned to Dutch traders, who secretly brought tea to the country that was just as good--and much less expensive. Although this broke the law, the American people didn't care. They got the same cup of tea at a much lower price. The East India Company, however, didn't like this at all. By the 1760s, they were losing millions of pounds each year to Dutch traders--a huge amount of money in a time when PS60 a year was considered a good income. Instead of reducing their prices to compete with the Dutch, the company asked the British government for help and the government agreed. In 1767, the British introduced new law that increased the prices of all goods which were brought into America. These laws helped make the East India Company even richer and forced local people to pay much more for everything. The American leaders asked the British government not to do so, but the British refused to listen. These unfair laws increased Americans' anger about British rule and the rest, as they say, is history. What did the East India Company do to stop losing money? Answer: British and American scientists are raising genetically modified pigs in the hope of providing organs for transplant to humans, the project leader wrote in a newspaper Sunday. Scientists in London and California have begun conducting the genetic experiments to find a solution to record-long waiting lists for organ transplants, Robert Winston said in an opinion piece written for Britain's Sunday Times. In Britain alone, around 8,000 patients are waiting for a transplant. "People needing a new heart or liver are waiting for someone else to die -usually a violent death in a traffic accident," Winston wrote in the newspaper. He said his team was "trying to modify pigs so their organs might save the lives of humans." The scientists are introducing human genes into the animals to reduce the chances of the organs being rejected by patients, as has been common in previous attempts to use animal tissues, said Winston, who heads the Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology at London's Hammersmith Hospital. Working with Dr. Carol Redhead of the California Institute of Technology, Winston's team has injected human genes directly into male piglets , adding them to the animal's sperm . He said that pigs involved in experiments had successfully produced transgenic sperm, but acknowledged that British and European laws had prevented the team from using the pigs to mate. The Sunday Times newspaper reported that the experiments would be moved to the United States following difficulties with funding and regulations in Britain. It said the pigs would be bred in Missouri. "Our U.S. friends will benefit from our technology and the income we might have produced for Britain will be lost," Winston wrote. Some scientists have previously blamed the idea of using animal organs for human transplant, saying the technique risks spreading animal viruses to humans. Winston said his research project is attempting to breed virus-free pigs. It can be inferred from the passage that _ . Answer: Word Power Author(s): Kaplan $13.95 You'll never be at a loss for words again. Energize your vocabulary with must-know everyday words that are the essentials of a good vocabulary, engaging lessons to help you use words in text, hot words often found on tests, tips to help you figure out new words, roots, and more. Grades: 8 & up Ages: 13 & up Word Smart Junior Author(s): Russell Stauffer $ 17.95 Now this is the way to add new words to your vocabulary! Word Smart Junior will make you laugh so much. You'll be amazed that you've just learned more than 120 fascinating and very useful words! Parents, teachers, and friends will marvel at your eloquence ! Grades: 3-5 Ages: 8-10 Grammar Smart Junior Author(s): Marcia Reynolds $ 16.85 Do you quake when your teacher says, "Now it's time for grammar"? Do your verbs agree with your subjects? Fear no more!A big Hollywood producer and a famous movie star will help you learn all those nasty elements of grammar. You'll be amazed at how quickly you learn, and how much fun it can be. _ and you'll never have to worry about it again. Grades: 7-9 Ages: 12-14 Grammar Smart: An Audio Guide to Perfect Usage Author(s): Julian Fleisher $ 12.68 The words you use say a lot about you ... but the way you put them together says even more. Your grammar makes an immediate and lasting impression on your teachers, and even your friends. So don't make the mistake of thinking that grammar is too complicated. We've created Grammar Smart to help you write and speak with clarity and confidence. Grades: 6-8 Ages: 11-13 The four books are all about _ . Answer:
There have always been a lot of commonly believed but exercise. Some people believe that they can't help putting on hold that if they stop exercising, their muscles will turn into fat. Here are some more myths: false ideas about being fat and doing weight as they get older, while others I'll never lose weightI come from a fat family Wrong! While we can't change the body type we are bom with, we can't blame our genes for making us fat. There's plenty of evidence that fatness runs in families, and the main reason is that they share the same habits of eating too much and exercising too little. I am fat because I burn calories slowly Wrong! Fatness is not caused by a slow metabolism . In fact, although fat people consume more energy than slim people,they also fail to realize how much they eat! Keeping a diary can help you work out your daily food intake more accurately. Exercise is boring Wrong! Anything will become boring if you do it repetitively. The key is to develop a balanced and varied program thafs fun as well as progressive. If you enjoy a Sunday walk,take a different route. If you do yoga,try a tai chi class. If you like swimming, set yourself a distance or time challenge. No pain, no gain Wrong! Exercise is not meant to hurt. Indeed, pain is your body telling you something's wrong, and continuing to exercise could lead to serious injury. You may experience mild discomfort as you begin to exercise regularly, but this is your body adapting to the positive changes in your lifestyle and the aches should disappear relatively quickly. If they don't, rest and seek medical advice. According to the author, how can we make exercise more interesting? Answer: An unpunctual man never does what he has to do at the right time. He is always in a hurry and in the end loses both time and his good name. A lost thing may be found again, but lost time can never be got back. Time is more useful than material things. In fact, time is life itself. An unpunctual man is always wasting his most important things as well as others'. An unpunctual person is always saying unhappily that he finds no time to answer letters or return calls. But the man who really has much to do is very careful of his time. He knows that he can not finish all his work unless he carefully does every piece of work. Being unpunctual is the sign of disrespect ( _ ) towards others. If a person is invited to dinner and arrives later than the time when he should be there, he keeps all the other guests waiting for him. Usually this will be thought as a great disrespect to the host and all the other guests. Not like a punctual person, an unpunctual one can't do his duty wonderfully, whether it is public or personal. Imagine how it would be if those who should do important tasks failed to be on time. A man who is known to be often unpunctual is never believed by his friends or fellow men. From the passage, we learn that an unpunctual man usually _ in the end. Answer: Which likely most relies on its looks to reproduce? Answer: "Congratulations, Mr. Jones, it's a girl." Fatherhood is going to have a different meaning and bring forth a different answer from every man who hears these words. Some feel proud when they receive the news, while others worry, wondering whether they will be good fathers. Although there are some men who like children and may have had considerable experience with them, others do not particularly care for children and spend little time with them. Many fathers and mothers have been planning and looking forward to children for some time. For other couples, pregnancy was an accident that both husband and wife have accepted willingly or unwillingly. Whatever the reaction to the birth of a child, it is obvious that the change from the role of husband to that of father is a difficult task. Yet, unfortunately, few attempts have been made to educate fathers in this re-socialization process. Although many good books have been written about American mothers, only recently have some books discussed the role of a father. It is argued by some writers that the transition to the father's role, although difficult, is not nearly as great as the transition the wife must make to the mother's role. The mother's role seems to require a complete transformation of daily routine and adaptation to a new life, on the other hand, the father's role is less demanding and immediate. However, even though we have mentioned the fact that growing numbers of women are working outside the home, the father is still thought by many as the breadwinner in the household. It is stated in the passage that _ . Answer: My name is Lisa. Because of my job, I often went to the United States. I often felt worried during my trip because I didn't speak English well. So I decided to learn English. I went to Mrs Brown's English class. Before I came to the class, I always walked away when I met any Americans. But now I try to talk to Americans in English. And I like going to supermarkets, cafes and restaurants to talk with local people. I learn English in four ways. First , I listen to the teacher carefully and keep speaking in class. Second, I do my homework after I get home. I learn at least five words every day. Third, I listen to American radio and watch American TV programs. Finally, I surf the Internet to talk with different people in English. To learn English well, I think you must learn to open your mouth. For me that is the key to opening the door of learning English. What's the key to opening the door of studying English for Lisa? Answer:
In China, safety education is becoming more and more important now. The last Monday in March is for students to learn it at school. It helps students learn more about what they should do to keep themselves safe. What are the accidents at school? Take a look. Stampedes , earthquakes and fires are the main accidents at school. A stampede always happens in crowded places. When students around you begin to push, just stand there and try to hold onto something. If you fall down in the crowd, move to one side and protect your head with your hands around. When earthquakes happen, you can get under a desk quickly and hold on. It'll protect you from falling things. If you are outdoors, find a place away from buildings, trees, and power lines. When there's a fire, leave the classroom quickly. It's better to put something wet over your mouth and nose. In this way, you won't breathe in smoke. Many people die in a fire, not because of the fire but smoke. It makes them cough and they can't breathe. That's very dangerous! So when you want to get out, you should make yourself close to the floor. Then you can breathe some fresh air. Stampedes , earthquakes and fires are the main accidents _ . at school . We all remember seeing hitchhikers , standing by the side of the road, thumb sticking out, waiting for a lift. But it is getting rare nowadays. What killed hitchhiking? Safety is often mentioned as a reason. Movies about murderous hitchhikers and real-life crime have put many drivers off picking up hitchhikers. That no single women picked me up on my journey to Manchester no doubt reflects the safety fear: a large, strangely dressed man is seen as dangerous. But the reason may be more complex: hitchhiking happens where people don't have cars and transport services are poor. Plenty of people still hitchhike in Poland and Romania. Perhaps the rising level of car ownership in the UK means the few people lift hitchhiking are usually considered strange. Why can't they afford cars? Why can't they take the coach or the train? Three-quarters of the UK population have access to a car; many of the remainder will be quite old. The potential hitchhiking population is therefore small. Yet my trip proves it's still possible to hitchhike. The people who picked me up were very interesting-lawyer, retired surgeon, tank commander, carpenter, man who live in an isolated farmhouse and a couple living up in the mountains. My conclusion is that only really interesting people are mad enough to pick up fat blokes in red, spotted scarves. Most just wanted to do someone a good turn; a few said they were so surprised to see a hitchhiker that they couldn't help stopping. The future of hitchhiking most likely lies with car-sharing organized over the Internet, via sites such as hitchhikers. org. But for now, you can still stick your thumb out(actually, I didn't do much of that, preferring just to hold up my destination sign) and people-wonderful, caring, sharing, unafraid people-will stop. In the UK, with its cheap coaches and reasonable rail service, I don't think I'll make a habit of it. But having enjoyed it so much, I'm ready now to do a big trip across Europe and beyond. In the 1970s a female friend of my wife's hitchhiked to India. How wonderful it would be to have another go, though Afghanistan might be a challenge. I wish I'd got that tank commander's mobile number. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? 40% of UK people don't have access to cars. Teary Joe was a boy with a special ability: he could make himself cry in less than a second. If he disliked something, or things became difficult, Teary Joe would not hesitate to put on a pitiful face and set great big tears running down his cheeks. In this way he managed to get practically everything he wanted, because no one could resist the pity inspired by his tearful little face. But one day, Teary Joe met Pipo. Pipo was asking people in the street for some change, in return for him helping them in any way he could. Pipo was very poor; he had no home and no family, so he made a living however he could. Even so, Pipo always had the biggest smiles on his face. Joe took to Pipo, so he decided to help him out in making some money. He went over next to Pipo, took off his hat, put it face-up on the ground, and started crying with the most pitiful of expressions. Ina few minutes, Joe's hat was full of coins and sweets, but when Joe offered all this to Pipo, Pipo declined. "I prefer deserving what I receive," answered Pipo with his usual smile, "It's much more fun making an effort to get things. Maybe I haven't gotten everything I've wanted, but I've done a load of interesting things." Teary Joe didn't answer; he just walked sadly away. Joe had got everything he wanted, but he'd done practically nothing of interest the whole day. That evening, having returned home, Joe requested a delicious cake for his supper. When his mother said no, Joe tried to cry but, remembering Pipo and how joyful he was, he tried to get the cake in some other way. Joe spent the whole evening helping his mother to water the plants and organize the library books. In the end there was no cake. But that wasn't so bad, because Joe discovered it had been much more fun doing all those things that evening rather than just sitting crying to get a piece of cake that, in the end, wouldn't have been worth it. Teary Joe sadly walked away because he _ . got everything he wanted without delight Not many years ago, a wealthy and rather strange old man named Johnson lived alone in a village in the south of England. He had made a lot of money in trading with foreign countries. When he was seventy-five, he gave PS 12,000 to the village school to buy land and equipment for a children's play ground. As a result of his kindness, many people came to visit him. Among them was a newspaperman, During their talk, Johnson remarked that he was seventy-five and expected to live to be a hundred. The newspaperman asked him how he managed to be healthy at seventy-five, Johnson had a sense of humor . He liked whisky and drank some each day. "I have an injection in my neck each evening." He told the newspaperman, thinking of evening glass of whisky. The newspaperman did not understand what Johnson meant. In his newspaper he reported that Johnson was seventy-five and has a daily injection in his neck. Within a week Johnson received thousands of letters from all over Britain, asking him for the secret of his daily injection. The gift of money to the school suggests that Johnson _ . was very fond of children. Road Lines is an interstate bus company operating in a five-state area. A federal statute authorizes the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to permit interstate carriers to discontinue entirely any unprofitable route. Road Lines applied to the ICC for permission to drop a very unprofitable route through the sparsely populated Shaley Mountains. The ICC granted that permission even though Road Lines provided the only public transportation into the region. Foley is the owner of a mountain resort in the Shaley Mountains, whose customers usually arrived on vehicles operated by Road Lines. After exhausting all available federal administrative remedies, Foley filed suit against Road Lines in the trial court of the state in which the Shaley Mountains are located to enjoin the discontinuance by Road Lines of its service to that area. Foley alleged that the discontinuance of service by Road Lines would violate a statute of that state prohibiting common carriers of persons from abandoning service to communities having no alternate form of public transportation. The state court should hear the case on its merits and decide for Road Lines, because a valid federal law preempts the state statute on which Foley relies.
Angela Chang didn't know it would be so hard to turn her singing hobby into a career. Her agent used to take her to lots of auditions at different recording studios but the Taiwanese girl was always turned down for looking too young and small. Chang' s talent was finally recognized in 2002 by the Decca Record Company. When she was offered a contract she burst into tears. Two years later Chang, 21, is a star. With the release of her debut album "Over the Rainbow" this year, she won the "Most Promising New Artist in Taiwan" at the CCTV-MTV Music Awards in July. In September she won the "Best New Artist" in the Fourth Chinese Music Billboard Awards. "You just can't believe that such an amazingly powerful voice comes form such a small body," said musicians after hearing Chang sing "Over the Rainbow." "It's such a special voice. You cannot forget it." Chang can hit very high motes clearly and beautifully. Her tunes make Chang stand out from the numerous newcomers in the music world. But mainland fans also know her for her girl-next-door performances in Taiwanese TV dramas, "My MVP Valentine" and "At Dolphin Bay". But few people know that while filming her first TV series, Chang acted so badly that the director wanted to fire her. _ "I cried my heart out when I went back home." Change said, "But I know that defeat is often a temporary condition. By giving up you remain defeated." Though she looks very girlish, Chang said she has a boy's personality. "The way I release pressure is to have a sound sleep. When I wake up, everything is new." What musicians said shows _ . Answer: How do you usually celebrate your birthday? Playing a soccer game may not be your first choice. But Lu Han, the former EXO singer, did just that and showed has an unusual side of him. Lu Han celebrated his 25th birthday by playing a soccer game with players from Beijing No.47 High School on April 19th in Beijing, a day before his birthday. He scored three goals in the game. Lu Han has often shown on Weibo that he is a big soccer fan and his favorite soccer team is Manchester United. He said more than once that he used to dream of becoming a professional soccer player. So what was Lu Han's performance like on the pitch ?Fan Zhiyi, the former captain of the Chinese national soccer team, played with Lu Han in a friendly match in 2013. He thought that Lu Han is a top amateur player. ,A, B, C, D. When is Lu Han's birthday? Answer: From now on, never spend your precious time thinking of reasons for your failures and shortcomings. Instead, realize that the seeds of success were planted within you when you were born. Only you have the power to make those seeds grow. The seeds, and the power to grow them, are contained in the most awesome machine ever created: the human mind. Success is a choice and not a chance. You were born a winner. You were born rich. You can be a success if only you make the right choice. You cannot be successful without first developing your self-confidence. Your level of self-confidence is always based on the degree of control that you are able to exercise over yourself, and thus over your life. People with low self-confidence are people who do not believe that they have any power, or responsibility for their lives. They are mere victims. They are leaves tossed by the winds of chance blown about with any sudden change in the weather. You can exercise control over your life only to the degree that you believe that you are responsible for everything that happens in your life. Failures think that everything happens by accident and chance. Successful people realize that they are responsible. Everything happens as a result of something. If we can identify the cause, we can control the effect. We are responsible for what we choose to think and believe. One generally rises to the level that one expects. We are responsible for setting our expectations. Our success is dependent upon our level of confidence. If you associate with positive-thinking people, you are definitely going to achieve success. On the contrary, the opposite happens. We are responsible for finding, planting, and nurturing the seeds that contain future victory, born from setbacks. In short, in all areas of your life, whether they be financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual, you are responsible. Once you recognize this, accept it, and firmly believe it, you are on the road to success. People with low self-confidence are compared to leaves because they _ . Answer: Hello!I'm Tim Hand, I'm English, but I'm in China. This is my mother. Her first name is Steve. My telephone number is seven-six-zero, nine-one-seven-six, My friend is Li Lei. His English name is Paul. He is Chinese. His telephone number is 281-5248.Look at the photo. Who's that in the photo? It's my Chinese teacher. His name is Liu Yong. He is a good teacher. ---Where is Tim?--- _ . Answer: A recent survey found that the French are the second-most insecure people in Europe after Italy about their proficiency in English. Only 13 percent of the French respondents believed they are proficient in the language, according to the European data agency Eurostat. The situation is no better in business circles, where three-quarters of French executives feel unprepared to hold an interview in English and only 16 percent say they feel comfortable with the language, a separate survey showed. The survey results aren't surprising. The French seem to have always had this cold and gloomy attitude toward the English language. But what struck me is that, despite the French pessimism, living in Paris without being able to speak the language of Moliere is easier these days than in the past. New immigrants are part of the reason. I can have an easy chat with the owner of the laundry in my neighborhood. Buying the medicine I need at the local pharmacy is effortless. Ordering a meal in English at the restaurant two blocks away from my apartment does not make me feel awkward. It is all because the people who run these businesses are immigrants. Greater tolerance and acceptance of non-French speakers is a reflection of the fact that France, willingly or not, has begun to embrace globalization more comfortably. For instance, you will never get the same look you would have had 15 years ago if you ask for directions in English on the streets of Paris. I have also met many native French who are happy to communicate in English. They are usually the kind of people who are open-minded and are sensitive to the changes beyond their own territories. They are very interested in gaining insight into what is happening on the other side of the globe. In my hometown, English is also being hotly debated since Beijing education authorities decided to reduce the importance of English proficiency in college entrance exams and increase that of the Chinese language and literature. The Chinese and the French share similarities in attitudes toward foreign languages. We are both so proud of our own languages and cultures that we can feel uncomfortable when we are forced to communicate in another language. But like it or not, English is still the most widely used language in the world, at least for the foreseeable future. After all, it is not about abandoning one's own language but about being able to fit more easily into this globalized world. What can we infer from the passage? Answer:
Staff, Inc., a flour wholesaler, contracted to deliver to Eclaire, a producer of fine baked goods, her flour requirements for a one-year period. Before delivery of the first scheduled installment, Staff sold its business and "assigned" all of its sale contracts to Miller, Inc., another reputable and long-time flour Miller, Inc., another reputable and long-time flour wholesaler. Staff informed Eclaire of this transaction. For this question only, assume that when Miller tendered the first installment to Eclaire in compliance with the Staff-Eclaire contract, Eclaire refused to accept the goods. Which of the following arguments, if any, legally support(s) Eclaire's rejection of the goods? I. Executory requirements contracts are nonassignable. II. Duties under an executory bilateral contract are assumable only by an express promise to perform on the part of the delegatee. III. Language of "assignment" in the transfer for value of a bilateral sale-of-goods contract affects only a transfer of rights, not a delegation of duties. Answer: Neither I nor II nor III. Thick dust rose and a large building collapsed. This was the scene in Zhu Zhou,Hunan Province on May 17. Nine people were killed and 16 injured. Things were similar in the Sichuan earthquake. Thousands of people were buried in the ruins and lost their lives. What if we could have warned them? People are always _ to find a way of preventing buildings' collapse. Better materials and technology help,but they are not a solution. Just like humans,a building has its own life cycle from "birth" to "death".If we know when a building is going to collapse,we can repair it in advance or get out of it before it falls. Now,scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a material that turns red before it breaks. The invention could be used in things like climbing ropes or bridge supports. The research was led by Nancy Sottos,a professor at the university's Beckman Institute,and Douglas Davis,a graduate research assistant. The secret behind the color--changing material is a type of molecule .A molecule is a group of atoms held together by chemical bonds. Imagine you and your friends standing in a circle,holding hands. Each person stands for one atom,your hands represent the bonds,and the entire circle represents a molecule. If one person lets go of his or her hands,the molecule changes color. The research team put the molecule into a soft material. When the researchers stretched the material,it turned bright red for a few seconds before it broke into two pieces. When they repeatedly stretched and relaxed the material,without breaking it,it only turned a little red. The major problem is that light can get rid of the red color. When the team shone bright light on the molecule,the broken bond was fixed,and the color disappeared. Scientists have yet to do more research before the color--changing molecules can be used outside the lab. Which of the following is a WRONG statement? Answer: A new material has been applied to buildings to warn people of collapse. Announcements Bret Harte vs. Calaveras alumni boys The annual Bret Harte vs. CHS alumni boy basketball game will be held at 7 p.m.,Saturday, Nov. 30,at Calaveras High. All players must have played at least one year of varsity basketball. Cost to play is $30. Admission for audience is $5 for adults and $2 for kids. Kids 6 and under are admitted free. For more information, call Kraig Clifton at 7430679 or Jeff Eltringham at 7360162. CHS girls basketball skills The Calaveras High girls basketball program presents the Junior Redskins Winter Skills, a developmental basketball program for girls in fifth through eighth grades that will be held from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays. Signups are still being accepted for the second of two fiveweek sessions, which will be held for five Sundays in a row beginning Jan. 12,2014. Cost is $25 per session. Each competitor receives a Tshirt at the end of each session with recommended drills.For more information or to sign up, call Jeremy Malamed at 2174563 or email [email protected]. CHS swim/baseball coaching vacancies Calaveras High School (CHS) is looking for a head boys/girls swim coach and a baseball coach for the 2014 spring season. Applications will be accepted and jobs will remain open until filled. Interview dates are to be set. Anyone interested can stop by the district office or the high school for an application.For more information, call Mike Koepp at 7541811. Foothills Little League signups Foothills Little League will hold signups for the 2014 season from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.,Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Pizza Factory in Valley Springs. All players must provide proofs of citizenship and a birth certificate.For more information, call Shawn Threet at 3047399 or leave a message at 7721516. Yoga in Rail Road Flat Yoga is being offered at Rail Road Flat Elementary from 9.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Fridays with instructor Kristine Louise. Cost is a $5 instructor fee and $2 donation to The Friends of Rail Road Flat School for each person. For more information,visit friendsofrrfschool.org. Which of the following needs your identification? Answer: Foothills Little League signups. Ibrahim became disabled after contracting polio when he was three years old. At first his parents, like many other parents of disabled children in Niger, did not want to send him to school. They were worried he would be laughed at by his classmates. Despite his disability, and his parents' doubts, Ibrahim was determined to go to school. "When I was eight," Ibrahim says, "other kids of my age were going to school while I stayed at home. I did not like that. So, I pestered my parents until they finally let me go to school." Ibrahim's parents sent him to a private school nearby. Although the journey to and from school was a short one, it still wasn't easy for Ibrahim. He had to use his hands to help him move along, protecting them with plastic slippers. But at least he was getting an education. However, after only a year in school, Ibrahim's education was interrupted when his parents separated. His mother did not have the means to continue paying for his tuition. In 2007, Ibrahim received some money to be fitted with a leg brace , corrective shoes and his first pair of crutches . Now that he was more mobile than before, the most important thing for him was to find a way to go back to school. "I wanted to start school again last October," Ibrahim says. "After my mother told me she could not afford it, I went to visit some of my relatives for support. And I collected 5,000 francs CFA (US $8) to pay my tuition for half a year. I will find the rest of the money somehow." Ibrahim attends a school in which he is the only disabled student. According to his teacher, he is among the top five students in a class of 55. The best title for the passage might be _ . Answer: Determined to learn I live in a small doll's house in a young girl's room. The girl is called Danielle. She loves me very much. She puts beautiful clothes on me and combs my hair every day. I look like a lady from the Tang Dynasty in China. My clothes are red and blue. I wear golden shoes and small gold hair clips. Danielle is going to take me to Japan for the Doll Festival. I can see many dolls there. Sometimes I feel lonely because I am Danielle's only doll and I never see other dolls. I want to talk with other dolls. I want to talk about our clothes, houses and lives. I want to ask the Japanese dolls a lot of questions. I want to ask the Kokeshi dolls why they have no arms or legs! They are usually little girls. I like to talk to young dolls. Danielle says I can meet some boys' dolls at the festival too. I hope I can make friends with some of them. Where is the Doll Festival? Answer: In Japan.
Question: What's your earliest childhood memory? Can you remember the first time you heard thunder or watched a television program? Adults seldom recall events much earlier than the year or so before entering school, just as children younger than three or four rarely keep any memory of specific, personal experiences. A variety of explanations have been put forward by psychologists for this "childhood amnesia" . One argues that the _ , the region of the brain which is responsible for forming memories, does not mature until about the age of two. But the most popular theory thinks that, since adults do not think like children, they cannot access childhood memories. Adults think in words, and their life memories are like stories. But when they search through their mental files for early childhood memories to add to this verbal life story, they don't find any that fit the pattern. It's like _ . Now psychologist Annette Simms offers a new explanation for "childhood amnesia". She argues that there simply aren't any early childhood memories to recall. According to Dr. Simms , children need to learn to use someone else's spoken description of their personal experiences in order to turn their own short-term, quickly forgotten impressions of these experiences into long-term memories. In other words, children hear others talk about their experiences--Mother talking about the afternoon spent looking for crabs at the beach or Dad asking them about their day at Ocean Park. Without the help of this kind of verbal description, says Dr. Simms, children cannot form long-term memories of their personal experiences. Trying to find a Chinese word in an English dictionary is stated to show that _ . A. adults and children have different memory patterns B. it is unlikely to find a Chinese word in an English dictionary C. Chinese and English are totally different languages D. memories are in some way connected with languages Answer: A. adults and children have different memory patterns Question: One day my 13-year-old daughter told me that she was going to spend the afternoon at her friend Jesse's house. I didn't doubt it until I called Jesse's number to remind Liz that it was her turn to walk the dog, and Jesse's mom picked up the phone and said, "I thought she and Jesse were planning to be at your house." It turned out that the two of them had decided to hang out at a coffee shop instead. When I questioned my daughter, she replied coldly, "What's the big deal? You're such a psycho ." Can you say it is right or wrong for them to behave like that? Their changeable personalities leave you feeling angry and guilty at the same time. _ "There's nothing wrong about being angry with your child," Says Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., author of The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting. "Conflict is natural when your innocent, lovely child turns into an adolescent who can hardly tolerate you. It's part of the process of separation." Kids insisted on their individuality with behavior to purposely drive you crazy. It's their way of saying, "I am my own person" -- but doing it in a context that's safe and that has clear limits. So when your little darling changes into a silent person who still expects meals, clothing, and transportation, don't panic. Here's how to handle some common problems without losing your temper or your self-respect. By saying "In fact, if your kids don't annoy you from time to time, you're not doing your job", the writer probably means that _ . A. when you are doing a job, your kids shouldn't annoy you B. parents should be responsible for children's bad behavior C. parents shouldn't tolerate their children's bad behavior D. it's understandable for kids to annoy their parents Answer: D. it's understandable for kids to annoy their parents Question: Alan took an early interest in gardening---first on his grandfather's Yorkshire allotment in Ilkley, and then in his parents' back garden. Small polythene greenhouses appeared in the back garden, and cacti were bought from church markets. Alan left school at fifteen with one `O' level in Art and took a job as an apprentice gardener in Ilkley Parks Department nursery, studying for his City and Guilds in Horticulture in the evening. He went on to horticultural college at Oaklands in Hertfordshire where he studied for one year full-time, being awarded the National Certificate in Horticultural. This was followed by three years at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, resulting in the award of the Kew Diploma. After two years as supervisor of staff training at Kew, Alan entered journalism where he became first a gardening books editor, and then Deputy Editor of Amateur Gardening magazine. He appeared regularly on BBC Radio and Television in programs such as Nationwide , Breakfast Time, Open Air, Pebble Mill, Songs of Praise, Titchmarsh's Travels, and the Chelsea Flower Show. He presented the 100th edition of The Word for Channel 4, and hosted the quiz show Ask the Family. Gardeners' World and the hugely popular Ground Force, second only to Easterners in the BBC1 ratings, are broadcast as far as Australia, New Zealand and North America. After leaving both programs, Alan worked on two other series for the BBC to be transmitted in 2003 and 2004, one of them a landmark series on the natural history of Britain. Alan writes for the Daily Express, Sunday Express, Radio Times and BBC Gardeners' World magazine, and has more than thirty gardening books to his credit. His four novels, as well as a book about his own life, have been best sellers. Alan, 53, gardens organically, and lives with his wife, two daughters and a medley of animals. According to this passage, we can learn that _ . A. Alanaccepted little education B. Alan wrote many books about food C. Alan had never been married D. Alan was first a gardening books editor Answer: D. Alan was first a gardening books editor Question: John and Bobby joined the same company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary worker. John couldn't it anymore, gave his resignation to the boss and complained that the boss only promoted those who only said good words to him. The boss knew John worked very hard for the years. He thought for a moment and said, "I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave." John agreed. The boss asked him to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found a man selling water melons. The boss asked how much they per kilo. John shook his head and went back to the seller to ask and returned to tell the boss $1.2 per kilo. The boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to come to his office. He asked Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. Bobby went, returned and said, "Boss, only one person is selling watermelons. $1.2 per kg, and $10 for 10 kg. He has 340 melons in all, 58 of which are on the table. Every melon weighs about 2 kg. Brought from the South two days ago, they are fresh and red. " John was impressed and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to resign but to learn from Bobby. What does the passage mostly want to tell us? A. Learning is the key to great success. B. A person fails usually because of carelessness. C. A more successful person sees more and further. D. One's success is not related to his working hard. Answer: C. A more successful person sees more and further. Question: Fossil fuels were formed from A. volcanoes B. the remains of living things C. gases in the atmosphere D. water trapped inside rocks Answer: B. the remains of living things
One Saturday afternoon about the second week of May, Maggie and her mom Jan went to the dentist. Maggie was seven years old and she was scared of the dentist, but her mom promised to fix her favorite chicken dish for dinner if Maggie was a good girl. "At least it's not the doctor's!" she said. They got to the dentist office and Jan told the woman, named Tiffany, at the front desk that they were there. There were lots of toys in the waiting room but Maggie was too nervous to enjoy them like the other kids. Finally, a woman came and told Maggie and Jan that it was Maggie's turn. They made a right turn and went to the third room on the left. Maggie sat down in the dentist's chair. A woman, Mary, came in and cleaned her teeth and told Maggie and Jan that Maggie had done well with her brushing. Then the dentist, Taylor, came in and did a checkup. He saw that everything was good and that Maggie had no problems with her teeth. He gave Maggie a bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a sugar free candy. There was also a smiley face sticker in the bag. Jan was proud of her daughter and stopped at the grocery store to get ingredients for the chicken dish for dinner as promised. What was in the bag that the dentist gave to Maggie? She was a poor girl who worked to get money to pay for her lessons. She became the famous woman scientist of her time. That's the story of Marie Curie's life. She didn't mind working and she didn't care about the honors that were given to her in later years. Marie was born in 1867. Her name was Marie Sklosovska then. She lived in Poland. Her father was a teacher. Everyone soon saw that Marie had a quick mind. Marie's mother died when her youngest daughter was only ten. From then on, Marie knew that she would have to work hard at her lessons if she wanted to be successful in her life. She studied very hard and was one of the best students at her school. Marie and her older sister, Bronya, wanted to study in France at the Sorbonne. But their father didn't have enough money to send them there. It was Marie who had an idea: she would teach at home and send her money to Bronya. After her sister finished studying in Paris, she would get work and send Marie the money to study there herself. So Marie worked very hard for six years to pay for her sister's studies. At last it was Marie's turn but when she got to France, her sister was married and could not give her much help. Again Marie worked. She studied in a small room without heat or light. She lived on bread and tea most of the time. But all she thought of was her maths and science. This was her world. After four years' hard work, Marie and her husband found something which was called radium . They were given the Nobel Prize for their great discovery . But they were too ill to go Stockholm themselves to receive it. Marie always said that it was because of her children that she want her work. And she discovered a hidden power and gave it to the world. It was the same power, however, that killed Marie in 1934. The greatness of Marie's life in fact is that _ . After living in the United States for quite a long time, I do not think about the cultural differences any more. Last month, my parents came to visit me. Their observations on the American lifestyle reminded me that cultural differences between living in China and America are actually everywhere. When my parents came to America, they praised my house. Everyone had his/her own bedroom; there was a front yard, a backyard and a garage; there were many bathrooms - all convenient and comfortable. However, they were not used to the glass doors at the first floor. My mom, from southern China, was worried that someone would break open the glass doors. Though I said that nobody would do that, she was still worried about it. When I brought them to eat in fast food restaurants, whether it was in McDonald's or KFC, they saw that refilling drinks was for free. This concept of free refill was so new to them. A Chinese friend told me a story. He and his American girlfriend ate at a restaurant. His girlfriend wanted to drink English tea. He was curious, so he tried some and found that it didn't taste bad with milk and sugar in it. Adding more water to tea is free of course, so he drank more cups. His girlfriend found it embarrassing and explained to him that what he was doing was not exactly fair. If he wanted to drink more tea, he should buy another cup. My friend thought that Americans could take advantage of the free refills, but only a few of them did that. After staying in America for some time, he changed his habit. We can infer that the writer _ . Hu Li's heart sank due to the color of the air.Driving 140 kilometers from Tianjin City to Beijing last week,she held her breath as the air became a charcoal grey haze .The 39yearold businesswoman has lived in Beijing for a decade,and this past month,she said,brought the worst air pollution she has ever seen.It gave her husband a cough and left her sevenyearold daughter housebound ."My husband as well as I is working here,so we have no choice," she said."But if we had a choice,we'd like to escape from Beijing." The extended heavy pollution over the last month,which caused punishment in return for a day last week-called the "airpocalypse" by internet users- has largely changed the way that Chinese think about the country's air.On one day,pollution levels were 30 times higher than levels considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO).Flights were cancelled.Roads were closed.One hospital in east Beijing reported they had treated more than 900 children for breathing issues.Bloomberg found that for most of January,Beijing's air was worse than that of an airport smoking area. The smog's most threatening aspect is its high concentration of PM 2.5 - particulate matter that is small enough to breathe deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream,causing breathing infections,lung cancer and possibly damaging children's development.The WHO has estimated that outdoor air pollution accounts for two million deaths per year,65% of them in Asia. From the passage we know high concentration of PM 2.5 _ . Even a small reduction in salt in the diet can be a big help to the heart. A new study used a computer model to predict how just three grams less a day would affect heart disease in the United States. The result: thirteen percent fewer heart attacks. Eight percent fewer strokes. Four percent fewer deaths. Eleven percent fewer new cases of heart disease. And two hundred forty billion dollars in health care savings. Researchers found it could prevent one hundred thousand heart attacks and ninety-two thousand deaths every year. The study is in the New England Journal of Medicine. Kirsten, at the University of California, was the lead author. She says people would not even notice a difference in taste with three grams, or one-half teaspoon, less salt per day. The team also included researchers at Stanford and Columbia University. Each gram of salt contains four hundred milligrams of sodium, which is how foods may list their salt content. The government says the average American man eats ten grams of salt a day. The American Heart Association advises no more than three grams for healthy people. It says salt in the American diet has increased fifty percent since the nineteen seventies, while blood pressures have also risen. Less salt can mean a lower blood pressure. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leading an effort called the National Salt Reduction Initiative. The idea is to put pressure on food companies and restaurants. Mayor Bloomberg has already succeeded in other areas, like requiring fast food places in the city to list calorie information. Now a study by the Seattle Children's Research Institute shows how that idea can influence what parents order for their children. Ninety-nine parents of three to six year olds took part. Half had McDonald's menus clearly showing how many calories were in each food. The other half got menus without the calorie information. We can learn from the passage that _ .
So the little girl now walked on, her bare feet quite red and blue with the cold. She carried a small bundle of matches in her hand, and a good many more in her tattered dress. No one had bought any of them the live long day; no one had given her a single penny. Trembling with cold and hunger crept she on, the picture of sorrow: poor little child! The snow-flakes fell on her long, fair hair, which curled in such pretty ringlets over her shoulders; but she thought not of her own beauty, or of the cold. Lights were glimmering through every window, and the savor of roast goose reached her from several houses;it was New Year's eve, and it was of this that she thought. In a corner formed by two houses, one of which projected beyond the other. She sat down, drawing her little feet close under her, but in vain, she could not warm them. She dared not go home, she had sold no matches, earned not a single penny, and perhaps her father would beat her,besides her home was almost as cold as the street,it was an attic; and although the larger of the many chinks in the roof were stopped up with straw and rags. The wind and snow often penetrated through. Her hands were nearly dead with cold; one little match from her bundle would warm them. Perhaps, if she dared light it, she drew one out, and struck it against the wall, bravo! It was a bright, warm flame, and she held her hands over it. It was quite an illumination for that poor little girl; no, I call it rather a magic taper, _ , so beautifully blazed the fire within! The child stretched out her feet to warm them also; alas, in an instant the flame had died away, the stove disappeared, the little girl sat cold and comfortless, with the burnt match in her hand. The author emphasized that the story happened on New Year's Eve in order to _ . Answer: contrast with the girl's sadness. All of us eat every day, but most of us don't understand nutrition . How much do you know about good nutrition? Are the following statements true or false? 1. People who don't eat meat can stay healthy. True. As long as people eat enough milk, eggs and meat alternates , they can get enough protein. 2. Fresh vegetables cooked at home are always more nutritious than canned vegetables. False. The difference depends more on how vegetables are prepared than whether they are fresh or canned. Vegetables cooked in too much water can lose a large quantity of vitamins. 3. Food eaten between meals can be just as good for health as food eaten at regular meals. True. Nutritional value depends on what types of food you eat, not when you eat them. Eating an egg or an orange between meals can _ a good diet. 4. Taking extra vitamins beyond the recommended daily allowances won't give you more energy. True. It's widely believed that extra vitamins provide more energy. But taking more than the baby needs doesn't make it function better, just as overfilling your gas tank doesn't make your car run better. 5. Natural vitamins are better supplements for the diet than _ vitamins. False. There is no difference. A vitamin has the same properties and specific chemical structure whether made in a laboratory or taken from plant or animal parts. 6. Older people need the same amount of vitamins as younger people. True. Older people need the same quantity of vitamins as younger people although they need fewer calories. Certain illnesses raise the requirements for some vitamins, but that is true for the young as well as the old. 7. Food grown in poor soil is lower in vitamins than food grown in rich sold. False. The vitamins in our foods are made by the plants themselves. They don't come from the soil. However, the minerals in a plant depend on the minerals in the soil. If you have answered these questions correctly, you can say you know much about food and nutrition by today's standards. But remember that nutrition is a growing science and that may be aged as new information is obtained. The main purpose of the passage is to _ . Answer: list today's standards of some food and nutrition Doe, the governor of State, signed a death warrant for Rend, a convicted murderer. Able and Baker are active opponents of the death penalty. At a demonstration protesting the execution of Rend, Able and Baker carried large signs that stated, "Governor Doe - Murderer." Television station XYZ broadcast news coverage of the demonstration, including pictures of the signs carried by Able and Baker. If Doe asserts against XYZ a claim for damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress, will Doe prevail? Answer: No, because XYZ did not publish a false statement of fact with "actual malice." Although women lead healthier, longer lives, the cruel opinion that they become "old" sooner than men is widespread in the workplace , research shows . A survey of more than 2,600 managers and personnel professionals showed that age discrimination is not only common in the workplace , but is shot through with inconsistencies . Six in ten managers reported being a victim of age discrimination--usually because they were turned down for a job for being too old or too young . Yet more than a fifth admitted that they used ages as an important standard . Although the survey found widespread agreement that older workers were better than younger colleagues when it came to reliability , commitment , loyalty and customer service , these qualities were not necessarily considered to be worthy of advancement . A large number of persons believed that workers between 30 and 39 had the best promotion chances , with only 2 percent giving example of 50 year-olds or above. There was evidence that people were considered old at different ages in different jobs . A young man working in IT said he was considered too old by the age of 28. In fact there was no evidence to suggest that older workers were less valuable to companies than younger workers , in fact the opposite was often true because older workers often brought experience . The findings also suggested that the Government's ideas on age in the workforce may also be out of step with reality. Which statement is true according to the writer's attitude ? Answer: The present age standard doesn't go with reality . Liu Qian, a magician from Taiwan, cast his spell over an audience of thousands on the CCTV Spring Festival Show. Die-hard fans are still trying to work out the secrets behind many of the tricks he performed. But Liu, 32, when asked, laughed off the idea that there might be an "answer" to his magic. "The most fascinating things about magic is the puzzling process. People enjoy how magicians make the impossible come true," said Liu. Few people today believe in the possibility of real magic. They also often fail to consider magicians' devotion to their art. It can take a magician years' of practice to perfect a trick before he performs it on stage. Part of Liu's star appeal is his astonishing skill. However, when he began in the industry, he was embarrassingly clumsy. "I could practice thousands of times for one single act. It wasn't much fun," he said. No magician's supernatural powers on stage extend to their life off stage. Liu says his life was no easier or funnier because he was a magician. He developed an interest in magic at a young age, but didn't consider making a living out of it until he graduated from university. He had studied Japanese language and found himself unable to find a job. "My parents never considered being a magician as a proper job. To begin with, I had little confidence I would be doing this in the long term," he said. Yet Liu felt a powerful calling to become a magician. "For many people, magic somehow means a miracle, which is something we all secretly wish for no matter how hard-bitten or cynical we become," he said. Liu may be right. A popular modern dream is of the fairy godmother, who waves her magic wand and makes our dreams come true. But according to Liu, we all have the power to create magic in our lives. As Liu puts it: it's not the magic that makes it work;it's the way we work that makes it magic. As to whether there's real magic, Liu Qian believes _ . Answer: there is no real magic and what counts in our life is the way we work
Which graph is best to present data collected on yearly water usage in the United States? A bar graph B line graph C scatterplot D circle graph Answer: B I am the mother of a five-year-old girl now, but I'll never forget some of the best lessons my mother taught me. Lesson 1---Always be there for your child I can't tell you the last time my parents missed a big event in my life; it never happened. Whether it was a play, or even just a practice---my parents were always there for me. As an only child, they _ everything in my life. Lesson2---Hide in the bathroom For years I wondered why my mother had made the bathroom her own personal library and would stay there forever. Now I know it's the only place for her to have at least two minutes of peace and quiet. Well, I try to, but that's quite difficult with two cats, a dog, a kid, a husband and only one bathroom. Lesson3---Get involved I was lucky in having parents who let me do anything they think was good. Now today, I am fond of being active and involved. Whether it is a sports game or a volunteering group, or just playing with my daughter, I love to be involved. Lesson4---It's OK to fail My parents weren't perfect and that was OK. I know I'm not perfect and I hope my daughter knows that's OK. Families love one another no matter what happens. If you fail, you learn from the mistakes and keep right on going. Parents are so important to a child's growth and development and I'm so glad that I had great parents to follow. The big event in the writer's life _ . A was seldom missed by her parents B was never missed by her parents C didn't include her musical performances D wasn't noticed by her dad sometimes Answer: B When we talk about superstitious beliefs , the beliefs associated with Friday the 13th , no doubt , deserve a special mention . In fact , such is the fear associated with this date that people just can't seem to stick to their daily routine on this day . The data from Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute suggests that somewhere around 17 to 21 million Americans are affected by the fear associated with this day , i.e. the combination of Friday and 13 . Even worse , the financial losses caused on this day amounts to as much as US$800 million every year . As we flipped through the pages of history , we realized that Friday the 13th bears the brunt of bad luck associated with number 13 , the unluckiest number , and Friday , the unluckiest day of the week . Number 13 has always been considered unlucky , mainly as a result of it being associated with various occurrences in mythology . While some associate it with the instance of Norse mythology , in which the god of joy and gladness - Balter , was killed in a dishonest manner by Loki - the god of discord and mischief , who was the 13th guest , others associate it with the Last Supper , in which the 13th guest was Judas , who betrayed Jesus to his enemies for 30 pieces of silver . Similarly , Friday has also been a sign of bad luck to many people , with incidents like Jesus being crucified on this unfaithful day , contributing to this belief . It is also widely believed that Cain killed Able on this very day of the week . The fear of Friday the 13th is known as friggatriskaidekaphobia and paraskevidekatriaphobia , the former combining the words frigga , meaning Friday , and triskaidekaphobia , meaning the phobia of number 13 . Over the period , the belief that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day has just become one of the most widely accepted superstitions , which consequently causes much blind panic and unreasonable fear in the world . We can learn from the passage that _ . A superstition is more popular among the uneducated B religion is an important contributing factor to superstition C Numbers are believed to bring people bad luck in history D The belief of Friday the 13th is based on folk stories Answer: B "Haibao,the mascot of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo,is very cute,"said Gu Hui,a school kid."I want a big toy like the mascot." Haibao looks like the Chinese wordren,which means people or a person.The name,a typical lucky one in Chinese tradition comes from the Chinese phrase "Si Hai Zhi Bao" --the treasure of the four seas.It also means the treasure of Shanghai,which lies beside the sea. Haibao's blue curly hair looks like the waves of the sea.Its smile is a sign of the healthy spirit of China.Those thumbs-up will welcome millions of people to Shanghai from around the world.Its big feet show China has the ability to host a successful Expo. Haibao was created by two artists,one from the mainland and the other from Taiwan.The design is about people living together in the city.The designers want it to fit the theme of the Shanghai Expo,that is,a good life should be created by all the people and people should have harmonious relationships with nature and society,so that life in cities would be better. Surely the mascot will become the lucky symbol and cultural remark of Shanghai Expo. Which of the following is NOT true? A School children like Haibao. B The name Haibao shows Chinese traditional culture. C Haibao is the wisdom of two artists. D Haibao is an animal living in the sea near Shanghai. Answer: D Back in time, dog sledding was the only method of transportation in frozen parts of the world. You, too, can participate in this time-honored tradition after looking into dog sledding adventures and tours. Alaska Dog Sledding It offers two dog sledding tours in Alaska, the Golsovia Dog Trip and the Iditarod Dog Trip. On both trips, you will learn how to drive your own dog team. The Golsovia Dog Trip lasts six days. The Iditarod Dog Trip is held just before the internationally famous Iditarod race so that participants will be able to attend the Iditarod events. For more information, please see: Alaska Dog Sledding Greenland Expedition Specialists Travel through the shining ice and snow on the land of East Greenland via dog sledding. During this dog sledding vacation, you will be camping during the cold of winter and will take part in caring for the dogs and the camps. They also organize and guide kiting trips, sea kayaking trips and mountaineering vacations. For more information, please email: info@ expedition-greeland. com VICAAR Have you ever really wanted to see the North Pole? You can do it by dog sled. VICAAR offers two types of dog sledding trips to the North Pole. You should pay for clothing on the trip, permit of your North Pole visit, travel to the center of VICAAR, and more. But the cost of equipment is offered free. This trip is not for those who do not care for challenging conditions and exercise. VICAAR also offers other types of trips to both the North and South Poles. For more information, please see: VICAAR Panoramic Journey Travel to the Terelj National Park in Central Mongolia and live with local people during your dog sledding adventure. Along the way, see wolf, deer and other wildlife of the area. Panoramic Journey also offers an extreme dog sledding adventure that will take you to the outside of Siberia. Panoramic Journey offers horseback trips as well as dog sledding adventures to exotic locations in Mongolia and tours of Bhutan. For more information, please see: Panoramic Journey If you want to participate in a kiting trip, you should contact _ . A Panoramic Journey B VICAAR C Alaska Dog Sledding D Greenland Expedition Specialists Answer: D
In America, most people don't get enough sleep. Children aged 5 to 12 are advised to sleep 10 to 11 hours every night, but most of them can't sleep that long. A study found that about 41 million American workers got less than six hours of sleep every night. Scientists worry that parents are passing their bad sleeping habits down to their children. In the study, Reut Gruber and some other scientists either added or reduced on hour of sleep for healthy children aged 7 to 11. They watched the children for five nights. They wanted to know if the amount of sleep can affect a child's behavior. Before the study began, students were asked to sleep the same amount of hours as usual. Their teachers were asked to record their behavior. After five nights of the records, scientists found that those who slept one hour less behaved worse than those who slept one hour more. Students with less sleep were more likely to feel sad and had more problems paying attention. The scientists chose to study children in their homes instead of in a laboratory, because they wanted to find out how everyday changes might affect children's behavior at school. "In the study, nobody became a talent, and nobody became crazy. But small changes in children can really make a big difference," says Gruber. According to the new study, children with less sleep _ . A were more likely to feel excited B were more active in playing games C had more problems paying attention D didn't want to answer questions in class Answer: C Tony:I like eating hamburgers and drinking cola. Yes, they are not healthy. But I eat hamburgers and drink cola every day.I don't like vegetables. I hate tomatoes. Cindy: My favourite food is chocolate and my favourite drink is milk. Milk can make me healthy. I drink milk every morning. I like fruit too. And my favourite fruit is oranges. Zhang Qiang: I like meat. I eat beef and chicken, but my favourite is beef. So I'm strong and tall. Liu Xin: I like candy and vegetables. I eat candy every day. But my mum says candy can make me fat. Now I'm fat so I do sports every day. Liu Xin eats _ every day. A vegetables B beef C candy. D chicken Answer: C It is raining money ! Imagine this . A big bag full of money falls from the sky and lands right next to you . What would you do with the money ? This is the question faced by British seven-year-old Damian in the film " Millions ." Damian and his brother moved to a new place with their dad , after their mother passed away . Damian tries to make new friends , but he feels lonely . When Damian is watching some trains one day , a bag full of money falls out of the sky and lands at Damian's feet . The bag has 265,000 pounds in it ! He can't wait to tell his brother , nine-year-old Anthony . But Anthony doesn't want to tell their dad . Soon the money brings trouble . They have different ideas about what to do with it . Damian is kind-hearted . He wants to give money away to the poor . But Anthony wants to use it all to make more money ! As a kid , he also wants to buy a lot of fun toys ! But they have only one week to spend the money before Britain starts using euros ! They also find out where the money came from ! The terrible owner wants it back ! At the same time , their father works hard to give them a bigger house . What will they do with the money ? Watch the film to find out . Together with the two kids , you'll learn that true wealth has nothing to do with money ! What does Damian's brother want to do with the money ? A Give the money to the poor . B Buy a lot of toys . C . D Both B and Answer: D Marine invertebrates are likely to be discovered in A rushing streams B backyard ponds C clam filled waters D local pools Answer: C If a large boulder is kept in direct sunlight it can A become powerful B grow larger C gain chill D lose portions Answer: D
One afternoon, my son came home from school and asked me, "Are all people the same even if their skin color is different?" I thought for a moment, then I said, "I'll explain. Let's go to a fruit store first. I have something interesting to show you." At the store, I told him that we needed to buy apples. And we bought some red apples, green apples and yellow apples. After we got home, I told Adam, "It's time to answer your question." I put one of each type of apple on the table: first a red apple, followed by a green apple and then a yellow apple. Then I looked at Adam, who was sitting on the other side of the table. "Adam, people are just like apples. They come in different colors, shapes and sizes. See, some may not even look as delicious as others." As I was talking, Adam was examining each one carefully. Then, I took each of the apples and peeled them, placing them back on the table, but in a different place. "OK, Adam, tell me which one is the red apple, the green apple and the yellow apple." He said, "I can't tell. They all look the same now." "Take a bite of each one. See if that helps you tell which one is which." He took big bites, and then a huge smile came across his face. "People are just like apples! They are all different, but if you take off the outside, they're pretty much the same on the inside." "Right," I agreed. "Just like everyone has their own features but they are nearly the same." He completely got it. I didn't need to say or do anything else. Now, when I eat an apple, it tastes a little sweeter than before. What perfect fruit it is! I took Adam to buy apples for _ . A supper B his question C a party D a present Answer: B Environmental organizations have asked businesses to take action to reduce waste. Which of the following changes could a business make in order to become more “environmentally friendly”? A Purchase only recycled paper and paper products. B When making photocopies, print on only one side of the paper. C Purchase wood products manufactured only in other countries. D When packing boxes, use Styrofoam™ filler instead of old newspapers. Answer: A Eating too much fatty food, exercising too little and smoking can raise your future risk of heart disease. But there is another factor that can cause your heart problems more immediately: the air you breathe. Previous studies have linked high exposure to environmental pollution to an increased risk of heart problem, but two analyses now show that poor air quality can lead to heart attack or stroke within as little as a few hours after exposure. In one review of the research, scientists found that people exposed to high levels of pollutants were up to 5% more likely to suffer a heart attack within days of exposure than those with lower exposure. A separate study of stroke patients showed that even air that the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers to be of "moderate" quality and relatively safe for our health can raise the risk of stroke as much as 34% within 12 to 14 hours of exposure. The authors of both studies stress that these risks are relatively small for healthy people and certainly modest compared with other risk factors such as smoking and high blood pressure. However, it is important to be aware of these dangers because everyone is exposed to air pollution regardless of lifestyle choices. So stricter regulation by the EPA of pollutants may not only improve environmental air quality but could also become necessary to protect public health. The text mainly discusses the relationship between _ . A heart problems and air quality B heart problems and exercising C heart problems and smoking D heart problems and fatty food Answer: A Goodreads. com is a website for book lovers everywhere. If you love to read, and if you love social networking, you should check out Goodreads. The website marries social networking and books in such a way as makes your friends' reading progress easy to follow and makes it simpler than ever to find your next reading material. Goodreads is a social network for readers. Like Facebook or Twitter, it allows you to share information. Unlike most popular social networks, Goodreads also allows you to show your friends your progress on the book you are reading and to write reviews for everything you've ever read. You can see and comment on your friends' reading progress. Goodreads is simple to use. When you sign up for an account, you will be able to find your friends by their email addresses or other social network accounts. Once you have some friends, every time you log in, you will see a timeline of their updates. You can see when they've added a book to a list, or when they've finished or reviewed a book. As soon as you have an account, you can also start looking for books you've read or that you want to read and added them to your lists. Once you finish reading a book, you can go to the book page and review it by giving it any number out of five stars. If you wish to write a longer review, you can do that, too. If you have ever finished a book and needed a recommendation for what to read next, Goodreads has the answer. Finding your next book has never been easier. Now, not only can you search for individual books you know you want to read and add them to your "to read" list, but you can also easily see what your friends have recently read. When you search through your friends' reviews, you can also see who likes what books, making your selection process even easier. Adding books to your "to read" list can help you keep track of what you want to read next, and seeing what books your friends enjoy - or don't enjoy- can help you better your list of books to read next. Like all good social networks, Goodreads has apps for mobile phones and ways to connect to other social networks. You can get Goodreads for iphone and Android by downloading them from the App Store or Andorid Market. You can also connect your Facebook and Twitter accounts so all of your networks know what you're reading. Furthermore, you can connect your Amazon Kindle to automatically update your progress on your e-books. Last but not least , you can set up Goodreads to auto- publish book reviews to your Wordpress or blog. Sharing your favorite books has never been easier . If you want to create a web space for your own book club, you can do that easily; just start a new group on Goodreads and update the page to show what books you're reading. You can also create events to easily share with members where and when book club meetings and author readings are taking place. Goodreads. com is young, but we will do our best to attract more people and we hope you can use it and give us your advice. A "to read" list is bound to help you _ . A review books you have recently read B make your selection process even easier C find the books your friends didn't read recently D record what you want to read next Answer: D James lives in Hawaii and his mother lives in Korea. James speaks English (he never learned Korean), and his mom only speaks Korean. They communicate perfectly. Eric is from Honduras, but he lives in the U.S. Eric just started learning English and speaks very little. But, everyday Eric reads the latest local US news on the Web, with no problem. What these people (and close to 60 million others around the world) share is a remarkable, free software program called Babylon. Babylon may well be the most advanced translation software in the world, and it's a must-have for anyone whose life goes beyond the borders of their own language or those who want it to. Once you download it, you can simply highlight the part in practically any format, and it's instantly translated into the language of your choice. You can use it to translate a website, email, word doc, pdf, and actually any document in any format you can think of. You can write a document in your native language, and Babylon will instantly translate it into another before you send it. The program translates 75 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Indian, and Russian. It also includes up-to-date encyclopedias , dictionaries, and spell checkers. Babylon is a long way from early translation software that would, more often than not, make an unreadable text with grammar errors that was better suited for making laughs than comprehension. Babylon's ability to understand and translate is perfect. In fact, businesses are adopting Babylon as the standard when it comes to translating commercial communications and other important documents. Babylon is also a great tool for people who are learning another language. Use it anytime you come across a word or passage you don't understand. What users enjoy most is the program's ability to open up a different world to them. Whether it's surfing a news site in a different country, or being able to properly communicate with a family member or friend overseas, Babylon can make it happen. Best of all, Babylon is free! To get your free copy, visit Babylon.com. What is the main function of Babylon? A It is a software used for translation. B It's a website designed for communication. C It's a program intended to help language beginners. D It's a document downloaded personally. Answer: A
On Thanksgiving Day, a teacher asked her class of firstgraders to draw a picture of something they were thankful for. She thought that these children from poor families actually had little to be thankful for. And she found most of them drawing pictures of flowers or tables with food. The teacher was very surprised to see the picture Douglas handed in. It's a hand,a simple hand. But whose hand? The class were very interested in the strange picture. "I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food," said one child, "A farmer's," said another, "Because he grows beautiful flowers. " Finally when the others were at work ,the teacher went over to Douglas' desk and asked whose hand it was. "It's your hand, Teacher," he said quietly and shyly. She remembered that she had often taken Douglas, a dirty lonely child, by the hand while having a class break. She often did that with the children. But it meant so much to Douglas. Perhaps this is everyone's thanksgiving,not for the material things we get,but for the chance,in whatever small way, to give to others. What do you learn about Douglas from the passage? Answer: Music is magic! Music speaks louder than words and it is a "language" that the whole world can understand. A piece of music can produce a response in the heart and mind. Like feeling an electrical current or receiving a personal radio signal, music has a spiritual effect on a person. Different kinds of music influence people in different ways. I have listened to music all my life. When I was twelve years old, the Beatles came to America and my whole world opened up. Maybe young people today cannot understand the influence of the Beatles when they exploded across America. Their influence changed the way we dressed, looked, acted and spoke... even our culture. The Beatles arrived in America from the UK just under three months after the assassination of President John Kennedy, which had put America into a great depression. And the freshness and lively spirit of the Beatles was exactly what the country needed to refresh itself. Music links the heart of the hearer with that of the composer. This means that it mixes the spirit of the composer with your spirit when you listen to it. And the music can take your spirit out of your body and transport you into another world. Music has a great way of touching people. Music can make you laugh, cry or shout. It's also a great source of inspiration. Try this one day and notice what happens: make yourself a cup of tea, sit on your sofa and play one of your favorite songs. Close your eyes, and soon you'll find yourself creating vivid mental images--matching the music that you are listening to. One will do all of the following while listening to music EXCEPT _ . Answer: A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it "was too crowded." "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby appearance, the pastor guessed the reason, and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus. Some years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor buildings and the parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn purse was found which seemed to have been picked up from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School." For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note, he told people the story of her unselfish love and devotion. A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a Realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for 57 cents. Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000, a huge sum for that time. When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300 and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time. . What's the best title of the passage? Answer: An old man, too old to live on his own, went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled , and he couldn't see clearly. The family ate together at the dinner table every night. But the grandfather's trembling hands and poor sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he drank milk, he spilled it on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became angry with him. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. So the husband and the wife set a small table in the corner. There, the grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since the grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes he had tears in his eyes as he ate alone. The four-year-old grandson watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy said, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mum to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old boy smiled and went back to work. The words struck the parents and they were speechless. Then tears started to run down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took the grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. The wise parents should realize that the children are their parents' mirror. Why did the old man live in his son's house? Answer: Online Voting --The Most Beautiful Places in China What are the most beautiful places in China in your eyes? Please take part in our activity and vote online. We are looking forward to your choice and voice! Everyone is welcome! Rules: 1) Voting period: October 1 to November 30. 2) The results and the winners list will be released in December. 3) 10 votes are allowed. 4) Please leave your contact information when sending your votes. CRIENGLISH takes no responsibility if a winner fails to receive the award because of incorrect contact information. 5) Your comments will be important in choosing the winners. 6) CRIENGLISH reserves the right to decide the final winners. 7) CRIENGLISH reserves the right for final explanation of the rules. Awards: The three top winners will each receive an award worth 300 Yuan (about 48 US dollars); The five second place winners will each receive an award worth 200 Yuan (about 32 US dollars); The ten third place winners will each receive an award worth 100 Yuan (about 16 US dollars). Who probably wrote the passage? Answer:
It is 7 o'clock in the morning. You check yourself in the mirror, adjust your collar, and consider the busy day ahead. But at least you know that the stress won't damage your health, for this is no ordinary set of clothes you are wearing. Set within the fabric are numerous sensors, constantly monitoring your vital signs. If danger signs are detected, the garment is programmed to contact your doctor and send a text message telling you to take it easy. Garments that can measure a wearer's body temperature or trace their heart activity are just entering the market, but the European project BIOTEX weaves new functions into smart textiles. _ biosensors in a textile patch can now analyse body fluids, even a tiny drop of sweat, and provide a much better assessment of someone's health. Jean Luprano, a researcher at the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), coordinates the BIOTEX project. "One of the most obvious applications for smart fabrics is in the medical field," he says. "There has been a good deal of progress with physiological measurements, body temperature or electrocardiograms . But no one has yet developed biochemical sensing techniques that can take measurements from fluids like sweat and blood. We are developing a suite of sensors that can be integrated into a textile patch. The patch is a sensing and processing unit, adaptable to target different body fluids and biochemical species. At the very least, some basic biochemical analyses could complement the physiological measurements that can already be monitored. In some circumstances, fluidic analysis may be the only way to get information on a patient's health status." Garments mentioned in the passage are probably most useful in the field of _ . Answer: medicine "There are no real friends or enemies in the business world". This saying may have been on the minds of bosses at China's main online video providers, Youku.com Inc and Tudou Holdings Ltd, when the one-time rivals agreed to merge on March 12. The deal will create the country's largest company in the online video industry, Youku Tudou Inc. Three months ago, the two companies were involved in a copyright dispute. On December 12, Tudou charged Youku.com with illegally airing the entertainment series,Kangxi is coming. Tudou was the only company which had rights to the series. In response, Youku filed a lawsuit against Tudou, claiming the company was broadcasting more than 50 Youku-owned TV series. According to analysts, the deal came out of the market battle between the two companies. Each spent so much money buying licensed content that they ended up _ last year. "Funding pressures are the main reason for the deal," said Shi Jialong, a Hong Kong-based analyst with CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets. "After the merger, there might be a fall in copyright purchase prices, which is good for the industry in the short term." The new company will face competition from Web portals providing similar services. Youku owned 21.8 percent of Chin's online video market in the last quarter of last year and Tudou 13.7 percent, but Sohu.com followed close on the heels with 13.3 percent, according to domestic research company Analysys International. Some analysts do not feel the deal will secure the market for Youku Tudou. Shi Yu, CEO of media company KU6, said the merger was unlikely to have a "one plus one more than two" effect. In his opinion, video-hosting sites need to find new ways of generation profit to succeed in the market. The main reason for Youku.com Inc and Tudou Holdings Ltd to merge is that _ . Answer: the two companies were in great demand of money Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17,1706 in Boston,America. In his life he built a successful printing and publishing business in Philadelphia;he conducted scientific studies of electricity and made several important discoveries;he was a diplomat and statesman;he helped establish Pennsylvania's first university and America's first city hospital;he also organized the country's first subscription library . Franklin was also _ in America as an inventor until Thomas Edison. Ben had poor eyesight and needed glasses to read. He got tired of always taking them off and putting them back on,so he decided to figure out a way to make his glasses let him see both near and far. He had two pairs of glasses cut in half and put half of them together. Today,we call them bifocals .Another invention of his,an iron stove,allowed people to warm their homes. He loved to learn about new things. He also thought it was important to make life better with the things that he invented. Electricity was one of the things he experimented with when he retired from his business. Ben discovered that lightning and electricity were the same thing. The lightning rod was an important invention that we still use today to protect buildings and ships from lightning damage. Franklin preferred to have his inventions used freely for the comfort and convenience of everyone. Thomas Jefferson,the third president of America,called Benjamin Franklin "the greatest man of the age and country in which he lived".To Benjamin Franklin there was no greater purpose in life than to "live usefully". Which of the following is NOT Benjamin's invention? Answer: Printing. After two weeks of meetings in Paris, 195 countries reached an agreement on December 12 to do with climate change. It's the first time in history that most of the world's countries, rich or poor, agreed to take action. The agreement sets the long-time goal of making sure the world temperature does not get 2degC higher than the levels in the 1800s. Otherwise there will be serious problems on Earth like natural disasters. The agreement also asks countries to volunteer to make promises based on each country's economy , politics and technology. For developed countries, they will do even more. They have a plan to offer over $100 billion (about 647 billion yuan) to help poorer countries develop clean energy like water and wind power. Besides, there are some legally binding rules. Those countries need to set national goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions every five years. And they will publicly report their progress every five years starting in 2023. However, the Paris Agreement alone won't solve the climate change problem. The future depends on how well each country will carry out their promises. Lots of money will be offered to help poorer countries _ . Answer: produce clean energy Once a neighbour stole one of Washington's horses. Washington went with a police officer to the neighbour's farm to get the horse, but the neighbour refused to give the horse up; he claimed that it was his horse. Washington placed both of his hands over the eyes of the horse and said to the neighbour, "If this is your horse, then you must tell us in which eyes he is blind." "In the right eye," the neighbour said. Washington took his hand from the right eye of the horse and showed the police officer that the horse was not blind in the right eye. "Oh, I have made a mistake," said the neighbor. "He is blind in the left eye." Washington then showed that the horse was not blind in the left eye, either. "I have made another mistake," said the neighbor. "Yes," said the police officer, "and you have also proved that the horse does not belong to you. You must return it to Mr. Washington." From the passage, we know _ . Answer: Washington was a wise man
Question: After a fortnight of extraordinary type, the much-feared computer virus that was supposed to strike the globe's hard drives last Friday simply fizzled. So many warnings were sounded that most computer owners either fed anti-virus programs into their systems or refused to turn the power on during the dreaded M-day. They dodged one disease, but more strains are on the way. The eponymous Friday-the-13th virus is due to strike this week, and the Maltese Amoeba may detonate on March 15. Who creates these things? A disproportionate number seems to originate in Bulgaria or Russia, where writing the smallest, most elegant virus programs has become a matter of quirky pride. Viruses are transmitted either by shared disks (as was Michelangelo) or over telephone lines. The virus program hides in a computer until, activated by a date, time, or some other trigger, it springs to life. The most common virus, Stoned, makes your screen announce: "Your computer is now stoned. Legalize marijuana. " (Regardless of your politics, you don't want this one around; it can damage your files inadvertently.) Solution: either keep your computer isolated--no trading disks, no on-line communication--or else install one of a dozen or so commercially available anti-virus programs that detect and delete the little time bombs. If they can come up with a virus that is hidden, will they next try to extort a business?--as in, pay me $1 million or my virus will destroy your system. In the meantime, money is being made by firms selling anti-virus programs. Egghead software stores logged a 3,000 percent jump in anti-virus sales. Was the threat overblown by the companies that make millions selling anti-virus software? Thanks to the media blitz, no one will ever know what might have happened--an unallied number of computer owners discovered and deleted Michelangelo before it was supposed to strike--on the artist's birthday. Computer viruses are _ . A. diseases spread from one computer to another by shared disks B. viruses hidden in a computer's instructions by the designers C. little time bombs hidden in a computer waiting to be triggered D. just those computer programs created by malevolent designers Answer: D Question: Having learned much about the War of Resistance against Japan, Mao Jingxin didn't like the Japanese when she was a child. "I thought they were cruel and rude," said the 18-year-old girl from Hebei Province. But she began to change her mind after she met some Japanese teenagers in a history museum six years ago. These fashionable high school students looked seriously at the history displays and talked to Mao in a friendly way. "I found that they are not bad as I thought," she said. Like Mao, many Chinese teenagers' are caught up in this confusion. A survey by 21st Century Teens shows about 51 per cent of Chinese teenagers say they dislike Japan. But most of them still want to have a Japanese friend. Also, Japan lies third on their list of Asian countries that they want to visit, following Singapore and South Korea. Teens did a survey just before the 60th anniversary of the victory day of the War of Resistance against Japan, which fell on September 3. The survey aimed to encourage understanding and communication between young Chinese and Japanese. Teens also wanted to understand Chinese teenagers' attitudes towards Japan, and how much they actually know about the country. As Teens found, more than 60 per cent of Chinese teenagers learn about Japan through the media or books. Only 16 per cent have ever met a Japanese person. "Most of my friends hate Japan for what it did to China during World War II. But people should not live in hatred. I think the best way to figure it out is to have contact with the Japanese people myself," Zhang Yuyuan, a Senior 2 girl, told us in the survey. "Japan has done wrong to Asian countries including China and it has caused pain to everyone," said Hikaru, a 17-year-old girl in Kawasaki . Having visited China four times and learned much, she understands the importance of communication between the two peoples. She plans to join in an exchange programme with Chinese youth. "Welcome to Japan, my Chinese friends!" She says it with a smile. The passage is written to _ . A. give a brief introduction to the history of the War of Resistance against Japan B. report what Chinese teenagers think about Japan C. provide information about Japanese teenagers D. encourage Chinese teenagers to meet the Japanese Answer: B Question: Life gets noisier every day and very few people can be free from noise of some sort or another. It doesn't matter where you live--in the middle of a modern city, or a faraway village--the chances that you will be disturbed by jet aero planes, transistor radios, oil-powered engines, etc. are almost everywhere.We seem to be getting used to noise, too. Some people feel quite lonely without background music while they are working. Scientific tests have shown that total silence can be very frightening experience for human beings. However, some people enjoy listening to pop music which is very loud, and this can do harm to their eardrums .The noise level in some disco is far above the usual safety level for heavy industrial areas. One recent report about noise and concentration suggested that although a lot of people say that any noise disturbs their concentration, what really affects their ability to concentrate is a change in the level of noise. It goes on to say that a background noise, which doesn't change too much (music, for example) may even help people to concentrate. From this passage, the pollution of noise _ . A. doesn't matter much B. has become worse everywhere C. has become better in big cities D. has become better in villages Answer: B Question: If an animal is able to reproduce then A. that animal has matured B. that animal was impregnated C. that animal was in heat D. that animal was interested Answer: A Question: Could smells affect your lifespan? Female fruit flies rid of the ability to smell food outlive their peers.The sense of smell may be linked to the cellular ageing process in many other organisms--even people.A link has recently been found between sensory experiences and lifespan in both worms and flies.For example, Scott Pletcher, a biologist at the University of Michigan, found that eliminating fruit flies' ability to smell enabled them to live nearly 20 percent longer than flies with an intact sense of smell. Pletcher's team reasoned that food smells were the ones most likely to affect ageing, as nutrition and longevity are known to be linked in many organisms.To test the idea that food odors affect lifespan, Pletcher's team eliminated flies' ability to smell carbon dioxide, which is produced by some fly foods.They left the rest of the smelling system intact. This intervention had no effect on male flies, but the females lived 30 percent longer than normal.Pletcher thinks eliminating the ability to smell CO2may deprive flies of information about food availability.This could signal to cells that food is scarce, causing processes that promote survival.Indeed, his team found that the CO2-insensitive female flies stored extra fat and that both males and females immune to CO2were more resistant to stress than normal flies.Pletcher isn't sure why the change in his fruit flies only affected the lifespan of the females, but he suggests that females may simply be more sensitive to the odor of CO2. A smell or taste that stretches lifespan in humans could be a potential preventative for age-related disease, he adds.Although in fruit flies it appears to be the smell of CO2that affects ageing, he says that an analogue in humans might be a smell or taste linked to human food--or a lack of it.Matt Kaeberlein studies ageing at the University of Washington in Seattle. He cautions that we don't know whether ageing and smell are linked in mammals.But " we definitely undergo physiological changes in response to smelling food--I'm getting hungry just thinking about it--so I think it's possible." The purpose of the study by Scott Pletcher is to _ . A. show there is the best way to make lifespan longer B. tell us we should eliminate our smell ability to live long C. show the sense of smell can affect the cellular ageing process D. explain female fruit flies without ability to smell odor can live longer Answer: C
One day a teacher was giving her young students a lesson on how the government works . She was trying to explain the principle of income tax . "You see ," she began , speaking slowly and carefully , "each person who works must pay part of his or her salary to the government . If you make a high salary , your taxes are high . If you don't make much money , your taxes are low ." "Is that clear ?" she asked . "Does everyone understand the meaning of income tax ?" The students nodded. "Are there any questions ?" she asked . The students shook their heads . "Very good !" she said . "Now ,I would like you to take a piece of paper and write a short paragraph on the subject of income tax ." Little Joey was a slow learner . He had lots of problems with spelling and grammar , but this time he at least seemed to understand the task . He took his pen and after a few minutes , he handed the teacher the following composition : Once I had a dog . His name was Tax . I opened the door and in come Tax . The teacher was trying to explain _ one day . Answer: Zach has a stepson, Bradley. One day, Zach drove over to meet Bradley. Bradley was a student in a high school. He neither liked nor disliked Zach, even though he had known Zach for three years. Zach was still trying to get along with Bradley. He told Bradley that he was coming over. Bradley said OK. When Zach got there, he asked if Bradley wanted to drive his car. Bradley had a driver's _ . Bradley said all right. Zach told him not to drive too fast, but he could drive anywhere he wanted. Bradley got on the 210 Road and headed northwest. Zach gave Bradley a few driving tips: Don't drive next to big cars; don't drive behind trucks with goods... On their way back, Zach suggested that they stop at the golf course . He wanted to show Bradley how to play golf. But Bradley didn't like it; he liked his video games. However, Bradley soon found that playing golf was fun and he did very well. The next day, Bradley, for the first time, called Zach. Bradley asked if Zach would come the next Saturday, so they could take a drive and go to the golf course again. Zach said yes, with a happy feeling in his heart. What's the main idea of the passage? Answer: In 1977, Irene Pepperberg of Harvard University began studying what was on another creature's mind by talking to it. Her first experiments began with Alex. Alex was a one-year-old African grey parrot and Irene taught him to produce the sounds of the English language. "I thought if he learned to communicate, I could ask him questions about how he sees the world." At the time, most scientists didn't believe animals had any thoughts. They thought animals were more like robots but didn't have the ability to think or feel. Of course, if you own a pet you probably disagree. But it is the job of a scientist to prove this and nowadays more scientists accept that animals can think for themselves. "That's why I started my studies with Alex," Irene said, "Some people actually called me crazy for trying this." Nowadays, we have more and more evidence that animals have all sorts of mental abilities. Sheep can recognize faces. Chimpanzees use a variety of tools and even use weapons to hunt. And Alex the parrot became a very good talker. Thirty years after the Alex studies began. Irene was still giving him English lessons up until his recent death. For example, if Alex was hungry he could say "want grape". Alex could count to six and was learning the sounds for seven and eight. "He has to hear the words over and over before he can correctly say them." Irene said, after pronouncing "seven" for Alex a few times in a row. Alex could also tell the difference between colors, shapes, sizes, and materials (e.g. wood and metal). Before he finally died, Alex managed to say "seven". Another famous pet that proved some animals have greater mental skills was a dog called Rico. He appeared on a German TV game show in 2011. Rico knew the names of 200 different toys and easily learned the names of new ones. When Rico became famous, many other dog owners wanted to show how clever their pets were. Another dog called Betsy could understand 300 words. One theory for dogs' ability to learn a language is that they have ben close companions to humans for many centuries and so their ability to understand us is constantly evolving . While animals can't do what humans do yet, some scientists believe that examples like Alex and Rico prove that evolution develops intelligence, as well as physical appearance. Irene wanted to find out _ . Answer: Do you know that people without friends are more likely to die an early death? It's true.However,not all the friends are helpful to up your chances of living a long,happy life. The following types of friends are just what you need to keep the doctor away. A Loyal Best Friend Sometimes a loyal best friend is the only thing you need to stay calm. Everyone needs a non-judgmental friend who will support them no matter what.This is the kind of friend who knows all of your deepest and darkest secrets, but still loves you all the same. An Honest Confidant There are certain situations in life where we need to hear the harsh truth. It is really hard for you to face it, but that's what the honest confidant is for. Friends are supposed to be honest with each other. If you find someone who is bravely honest with you (in a constructive way), then hold on to this person! People like that are hard to come by these days. A Polar Opposite If you only develop friendships with others who follow the same beliefs, customs, and values as you do, chances are you're kept away from the rest of the world. Try to break out of your comfortable zone and befriend people who hold opposing views. You'll learn to accept people who don't see the world exactly the way you see it. A Work Pal Do you know that with a full--time job, you spend at least 50%of your waking hours at work? Depressing, isn't it? The more isolated you are at work, the more depressed you get. That's why it makes sense to get a work pal to chat with to help you get through the week. You spend 50%of your waking hours at work, and so does your work pal. You'll find it much easier to complain about work with someone than to eat lunch alone every day. With them in your life, you're bound to live a long and happy life! A loyal best friend must _ according to the passage. Answer: Ten Chinese PhD students are demanding that Beijing Normal University Professor Yu Dan be away from her television show on CCTV10. They argue that her on-air explanations of Confucius's Analects (<<>> ) are "incorrect and misleading". Yu is known for explaining Confucius's Analects to a TV audience. But some complain that her explanations are unfaithful to Chinese tradition. But Yu doesn't seem to worry too much about her critics, saying, "It's a matter of personal choice. Some like KFC, while others like McDonalds." STEALING some online gamer's password might seem less harmful than credit card theft. It does keep the victim from wearing himself out all night playing. But it is not all that nice, says 19-year-old Zhang Qiwen, in Shanghai. Last August, Zhang accidentally downloaded a Trojan while playing Warcraft. The Trojan is a type of virus used by hackers to steal people's passwords. Overnight the Trojan transferred all the "gold" (game credits) from Zhang's private account to an unknown account. Zhang hopes the police will find and punish the thief, who can also pocket some cash since the stolen "gold" can go on sale online. New England's largest indoor public garden has opened here in a historic park, and officials expect it to become a center for learning about plants as well as a top attraction for visitors. The glass-walled Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, which opened on March 2, offers a tropical garden, an orchid garden, and a Mediterranean room with a collection of citrus trees. The center also has two classrooms and will offer gardening classes provided by the University of Rhode Island. Roger Williams Park, named for the city's 17th-century founder, also has a zoo. The park already attracts more than 2 million visitors a year, and Providence Mayor David Cicilline said that he expects the new center will attract more and more visitors to Providence. We can learn from the passage that _ . Answer:
Each new school year brings fresh reminders of what educators call the summer learning gap.Some call it the summer learning setback.Simply speaking,it means the longer kids are out of 'school,the more they forget.The only thing they might gain is weight. Most American schools follow a traditional nine-month calendar with winter and spring breaks and about ten weeks of summer vacation.Some schools follow a year-round calendar.They hold classes for about eight weeks at a time,with a few weeks off in between.The National Association for Year-Round Education says there were fewer than 3,000 such schools at last count.They were spread among forty-six of the fifty states. But many experts point out that the number of class days in a year-round school is generally the same as in a traditional school.Lead researcher Paul von Hippel said,"Year-round schools don't really solve the problem of the summer learning setback.They simply spread it out across the year. Across the country,research shows that students from poor families fall farther behind over the summer than other students.Experts say this can be prevented.They note that many schools and local governments offer programs that can help. But calling them "summer school" could be a problem.The director of the summer learning center at Johns Hopkins,Ron Fairchild,said research with groups of different parents in Chicago and Baltimore found that almost all strongly disliked the term "summer school".In American culture,the idea of summer vacation is connected to beliefs about freedom and the joys of childhood.The parents welcomed other terms like "summer camp," "extra time" and "hands-on learning." Which of the following statements is true? Answer: Students from poor families often fall behind after the vocation. When my brother and I were young, my mom would take us on Transportation Days. It goes like this: You can't take any means of transportation more than once. We would start from home, walking two blocks to the rail station. We'd take the train into the city center, then a bus, switching to the tram, then maybe a taxi. We always considered taking a horse carriage in the historic district, but we didn't like the way the horses were treated, so we never did. At the end of the day, we took the subway to our closest station, where Mom's friend was waiting to give us a ride home--our first car ride of the day. The good thing about Transportation Days is not only that Mom taught us how to get around. She was born to be multimodal . She understood that depending on cars only was a failure of imagination and, above all, a failure of confidence--the product of a childhood not spent exploring subway tunnels. Once you learn the route map and step with certainty over the gap between the train and the platform, nothing is frightening anymore. New cities are just light-rail lines to be explored. And your personal car, if you have one, becomes just one more tool in the toolbox--and often an inadequate one, limiting both your mobility and your wallet. On Transportation Days, we might stop for lunch on Chestnut Street or buy a new book or toy, but the transportation was the point. First, it was exciting enough to watch the world speed by from the train window. As I got older, my mom helped me unlock the mysteries that would otherwise have paralyzed my first attempts to do it myself: How do I know where to get off? How do I know how much it costs? How do I know when I need tickets, and where to get them? What track, what line, which direction, where's the stop, and will I get wet when we go under the river? I'm writing this right now on an airplane, a means we didn't try on our Transportation Days and, we now know, the dirtiest and most polluting of them all. My flight routed me through Philadelphia. My multimodal mom met me for dinner in the airport. She took a train to meet me. Which means of transportation does the writer probably disapprove of? Answer: Airplane. The United States Department of the Interior granted Concessionaire the food and drink concession in a federal park located in the state of New Senora. Concessionaire operated his concession out of federally owned facilities in the park. The federal statute authorizing the Interior Department to grant such concessions provided that the grantees would pay only a nominal rental for use of these federal facilities because of the great benefit their concessions would provide to the people of the United States. The legislature of the state of New Senora enacted a statute imposing an occupancy tax on the occupants of real estate within that state that is not subject to state real estate taxes. The statute was intended to equalize the state tax burden on such occupants with that on people occupying real estate that is subject to state real estate taxes. Pursuant to that statute, the New Senora Department of Revenue attempted to collect the state occupancy tax from Concessionaire because the federal facilities occupied by Concessionaire were not subject to state real estate taxes. Concessionaire sued to invalidate the state occupancy tax as applied to him. The strongest ground upon which Concessionaire could challenge the occupancy tax is that it violates the Answer: supremacy clause of Article VI and the federal statute authorizing such concessions. The United States has many different kinds of climate .On the west coast ,the temperature changes very little between summer and winter,but the north central states have a very different kind of climate.In these states,people wear light clothes during the summer,and they need heavy wool or fur clothes in winter. In the southwest,the climate is quite warm during the winter,but hot in summer. In the eastern part of the United States,summer temperatures are very different from winter temperatures.Summers are usually hot,and winters are usually cold.Spring temperatures are comfortably warm,and autumn temperatures are quite cool. Years ago,people in the cold areas of the United States did not often get vegetables and fresh fruits during the winter.Today trucks and trains carry fruits and vegetables very quickly to all parts of the United States.In this way,Americans"send their climate"to people in other states. In the north central states,people wear _ clothes in summer and _ clothes during the winter. Answer: light;heavy fur Many Americans are turning to Japan, they think, a country of high academic achievement and economic success, for possible answers. However, the answers provided by Japanese preschools are not the ones Americans expected to find. In most Japanese preschools, surprisingly little emphasis is put on academic instruction. In one survey, 300 Japanese and 210 American preschool teachers, child development specialists, and parents were asked about various aspects of early childhood education. Only 2 percent of the Japanese respondents listed "to give children a good start academically" as one of their top three reasons for a society to have preschools. In contrast, over half the American respondents chose this as one of their top three choices. To prepare children for successful careers in first grade and beyond, Japanese preschools do not teach reading, writing, and mathematics, but rather skills such as determination, concentration, and the ability to work as a member of a group. The huge majority of young Japanese children are taught to read at home by their parents. Like in America, there is diversity in Japanese early childhood education. Some Japanese kindergartens have specific aims, such as early musical training or potential development. In large cities, some kindergartens are attached to universities that have elementary and secondary schools. Some Japanese parents believe that if their young children attend a university-based program, it will increase the children's chances of eventually being admitted to top-rated schools and universities. Several more progressive programs have introduced free play as a way out for the heavy intellectualizing in some Japanese kindergartens. Free play has been introduced in some Japanese kindergartens in order to _ . Answer: lighten children's study load
Yawning sends out certain messages -either "Oh,this movie is so boring" or "I probably need to get some sleep". But did you know that a yawn can also help your brain to cool down when it is overheated? A new study, led by a research team at Princeton University, has indicated that yawning could be the brain's natural way of regulating temperature. People yawn more often when the temperature outdoors is lower than their body temperature but are less likely to yawn when it is hotter outdoors, according to Sciencedaily. com. The research team did an experiment on 160 people, 80 in summer and 80 in winter, to examine how often they yawned at different air temperatures. The study found that people yawned more often in winter than in summer. Scientists say that when the air temperature is lower outside the body, there is heat exchange between the overheated brain and the cool air. But when the air temperature is higher than or equal to the body, people are less likely to yawn because the hot air they breathe in will make the brain even hotter. When people yawn, their jaw is also stretched,which increases blood flow and may also help cool the brain The study showed that the amount someone yawned could be related to the amount of time they spent outside. The longer they spent outside in summer, the less they yawned. Nearly 40 percent of participants yawned within their first five minutes outside, but after that the percentage was reduced to less than 10 percent. However, the result was the opposite in winter. The number of people who yawned increased when they spent more than five minutes outdoors. But the change was only slight compared to summertime. According to Gallup, this is the first report to show that yawning frequencies change depending on season. This could help us to understand better the way our brains work. It may also help us understand the reason why frequent yawning can sometimes be a sign of brain disease. What could be the best title for the text? Answer: If boy wizard Harry Potter uses his magic to capture the hearts of millions of teenagers, high school students Gabriella and Troy have charmed American boys and girls with their stories of campus life. They are the leading characters in High School Musical, a series of hugely successful films in the US. The sequel , High School Musical 3, came out on October 24 and has topped the American box office for two straight weeks. The show has everything attractive to teenagers -- dancing, catchy music, puppy love and good looks. The story starts when high school basketball star Troy and brainy Gabriella -- _ -- meet during the winter break. At a karaoke contest they discover their love for singing and an interest in each other. When school starts, Troy finds out that Gabriella is the new girl at his school. Eager to find the magic they had during karaoke, Troy and Gabriella decide to audition for the school's upcoming musical. This angers the school's drama queen Sharpay. However, they overcome difficulties and become the leading actors. But the story doesn't end there. High School Musical 2 follows their adventures over summer vacation when Sharpay tires to break up Troy and Gabriella. In the latest sequel, high-school seniors are facing the possibilities of being separated from each other as they go off in different directions when graduating from high school. Joined by the rest of their friends, Troy and Gabriella stage a musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about the future. "The success of the High School Musical films shows Disney's long-term efforts to attract youngsters for whom Mickey Mouse seems to babyish," wrote New York Times reporter Dave Itzkoff. "For the time being, the movie has made fictional high school students as recognizable as that 79-year-old mouse." What happens in High School Musical 2, according to the passage? Answer: A student learns that one year on Mercury is about 88 Earth days. This means it takes 88 Earth days for Mercury to Answer: The Smiths are going to visit Hong Kong next summer. They will fly there. They will spend about two weeks there. First, they are going to visit all the places of interest in the city and also do some shopping. They can enjoy shopping until ten o'clock at night. Second, they are going to eat delicious food there. There are many Chinese and western restaurants there. They can enjoy many kinds of food, for example, fish, meat and vegetables. Last, they are going to visit Disneyland. There are lots of interesting things to do. They will take lots of photos there. They are looking forward to their summer holidays. The Smiths can _ in Hong Kong. Answer: Animals have the ability to make people understand them, especially when they are in serious danger and hope to get help from man. And they often go together to help one another. One day, I visited my friend Jack on a sheep farm in North America. Suddenly one sheep came to cry in front of us. She made the most painful cries. Jack said ,"Something must be wrong. Come on, Mike. Let's follow her." Together we followed the sheep back to where she was feeding on the farm. She rushed forward and kept on looking back to see if we were coming. She finally took us to an old well , and we heard the sad voice of her young baby that had fallen into the well. As the well had no water and was only six feet deep, we took a ladder and climbed down. After a few minutes, the baby sheep was saved. The mother sheep looked happy with the successful result of the _ . She came to tell us her trouble and got help. How amazing! Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? Answer:
Interest in searching for international careers has increased to a high level in recent years, improved by lasting personnel shortages that are causing companies to search beyond their home borders for talent. Professionals seek career experience outside of their home countries for a variety of reasons. They may feel the need to recharge their batteries with a new challenge. They may want a position with more responsibility that encourages creativity and initiative . Or they may wish to expose their children to another culture, and the opportunity to learn a second language. When applying for a job, one usually has to hand in a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). The two terms generally mean the same thing: one or two pages describing one's educational qualifications and professional experience. However, guidelines for preparing a resume are constantly changing. The best advice is to find out what is suitable regarding the corporation culture, the country culture, and the culture of the person making the hiring decision. The challenge will be to include two or more cultures in one page. The following list is a good place to start. * Educational requirements differ from country to country. In almost every case of 'crossborder' job hunting, just stating the title of your degree will not be an adequate description. Provide the reader with details about your studies and any related experience. * Pay attention to the resume way you use: chronological or reversechronological order. Chronological order means listing your 'oldest' work experience first. Reversechronological order means listing your current or most recent experience first. Most countries have preferences about which way is most acceptable. If you find no specific guidelines, the general preference is for the reversechronological way. * If you hand in your resume in English, find out if the recipient uses British English or American English because there are differences between the two versions. For example, university education is often referred to as 'tertiary education' in the United Kingdom, but this term is almost never used in the United States. A reader who is unfamiliar with these differences may think that your resume contains errors. When writing about qualifications, people are advised to _ . A stress their academic potential to impress the decision maker B give the title of the university degree they have earned at home C provide a detailed description of their study and work experiences D highlight their special interest in a 'crossborder' career Answer: C In many businesses, computers have largely replaced paperwork, because they are fast, and do not make mistakes. And they are honest. Many banks say that their business is "untouched by human hands" and therefore safe. But they have no thought that the growing number of computer crimes show they can be used to steal. Computer criminals don't use guns. And even if they are caught, it is hard to punish them because there is often no proof. A computer cannot remember who used it. It simply does what it is told. The head teller at a New York City bank used a computer to steal more than one and a half billion dollars in just four years. No one noticed this because he moved the money from one account to another. Each time a customer whose money he had stolen questioned the balance in his account, the teller said it was a computer mistake, then replaced the missing money from someone else's account. This man was caught at last. Some workers use the computer's power to punish their bosses they consider unfair. Recently, a large company fired its computer record assistant for reasons that were connected with her personal life rather than her job. She was given thirty days notice. In those thirty days, she stole all the company's computerized records. Most computer criminals have been common workers. Now police wonder if this is "the tip of iceberg". As one official says, "I have the feeling that there is more crime out there than we are catching. What we are seeing now is all so poorly done. I wonder what the real experts are doing--the ones who really know a computer works." This passage is mainly about _ . A computer crimes B stealing through computers C computer mistakes D punishment through computers Answer: A Is it true ? 1.Wearing the wrong type of glasses will do harm to your eyes . This is not true for adults , although incorrect glasses may not be good for children under 10 . Ready-made glasses , and not wearing when you should , won' t do harm to your eyes , but you may see better with glasses that are specially made for you . 2.Watching too much television is bad for you eyes . This is not true. People with easily affected eyes may find they get red and aching from staring at a fixed distance for long periods , but there won' t be any lasting effects . 3. Carrots will help you see in the dark. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body can change into vitamin A, too little of which can cause night blindness. However , people in most countries don' t need to worry about vitamin A deficiency , night blindness is more likely to be connected with another vision problem . Night blindness is most likely caused by _ . A staring for long periods B too much beta-carotene C not enough vitamin A D vision problems Answer: D Studies have documented that smiling is a universal and effective way to lift mood. But in the latest research on the power of the smile, researchers led by Marcus Munafo of the University of Bristol in England found that even seeing smiles on the faces of others can have a profound effect on a person's tendency toward violence or aggression -- that is, as long as that person recognizes the smile as one of happiness, and not as a sneer . Munafo and his colleagues conducted a series of experiments involving normal adults and highly aggressive teens referred to a youth program, either by educational authorities or the courts. About 70% of the teens already had a criminal record. In the first experiment, 40 healthy adults, aged 1830, looked at facial expressions on the computer ranging from happy to angry with increasingly difficult ones to _ in between. Participants were asked how angry they felt and then had to rate the images as displaying either happiness or anger -- there was no option for "unclear" or "unable to tell". From these ratings, the scientists could generate a score of their preference toward happiness or anger. Previous research found that aggressive people -- including violent offenders -- tend to consider even a common expression as an unfriendly one. "You looking at me?" can easily turn a simple question into a tragic fight. Based on their original scores, half of the participants were then told by the computer that some of the unclear faces that they had rated as angry should have been scored as happy. This was intended to guide them toward judging the inbetween faces more positively. The other 20 received feedback that simply proved their first choices, creating a control group. After this training, both groups were tested again and the group that received the biased feedback shifted its ratings of unclear faces toward the happy side. Participants were also asked to rate their level of angry feelings again after completing the second round of testing. Those who were trained to consider unclear faces as happier reported feeling less angry afterward. The researchers next focused on the 46 adolescents from the high risk youth program. These teens completed the same testing, but both the youth and the staff reported on the teens' levels of aggressive behavior before the testing started and for two weeks afterward. The teens trained to interpret unclear facial expressions more positively were significantly less aggressive two weeks later. "The results of our experiments strongly suggest that the understanding of emotional facial expressions plays a causal role in subjective anger and aggressive behavior,"the authors conclude. That doesn't mean that smiles alone are the answer to violence among adolescents -- previous research in which antisocial youth were trained to better recognize emotions, for example, did not have any effect on their level of aggressive behavior. But this earlier study focused on improving teens' understanding of clear facial signals, not unclear ones. Since unclear signals are more likely to be misunderstood, it may be that violent behavior in some youth exists with their constant misunderstanding of angry expressions where they don't exist, which push them to aggressive responses. The findings suggest that helping young people, particularly those easy to be violent, to learn to give others the benefit of the doubt when they see what they think is a threatening face could help end the vicious cycle of violence. Which of the following will Munafo and his group probably agree with? A Just smile as much as possible. B Misunderstanding is the root of violence. C Seeing smiles can lower aggression. D Control our anger to avoid violence and aggression. Answer: C When Steve Maxwell graduated from college, he had an engineering degree and a high tech job -- but he couldn't balance his checkbook. "I took one finance class in college but dropped it to go on a ski trip," says the 45-year-old father of three, who lives in Windsor, Colorado. "I actually had to go to my bank and ask them to teach me how to read my statement." One of the biggest obstacles to making money is not understanding it: Thousands of us avoid investing because we just don't get it. But to make money, you must be financially literate. "It bothered me that I didn't understand this stuff," says Steve, "so I read books and magazines about money management and investing, and I asked every financial whiz I knew to explain things to me." He and his wife started applying the lessons: They made a point to _ . They never bought on impulse, always negotiated better deals (on their cars,cable bills, furniture) and stayed in their home long after they went for an expensive vacation. They also put 20 percent of their annual salary into investments. Within ten years, they were millionaires, and people were coming to Steve for advice. "Someone would say, 'I need to refinance my house -- what should I do? 'A lot of times, I wouldn't know the answer, but I'd go to find it and learn something in the process," he says. In 2003, Steve quit his job to become part owner of a company that holds personal finance seminars for employees of corporations like Wal Mart. He also started going to real estate investment seminars, and it's paid off: He now owns $ 30 million worth of investment properties, including apartment complexes, a shopping mall and a quarry. "I was an engineer who never thought this life was possible, but all it truly takes is a little self education," says Steve. "You can do anything once you understand the basics." Since Steve Maxwell became a millionaire, he _ . A has been unwilling to help others B hasn't stopped learning from practice C has been willing to follow others' advice D has stopped to invest in houses Answer: B
Dropout rates are rising, and what are parents and teachers doing? Though some may deeply regret these students dropping out, our schools continue to lack plans to teach motivation. Parents and teachers don't stress the fact that staying in school will help students succeed in life. A recent study by the Department of Education found that 31 percent of American students are dropping out or failing to graduate in the nation's 100 largest school districts. From what I can see, many parents are letting their children drop out, which shows that some students do not have enough support or encouragement to continue. It is reported that about 2,500 students drop out of high schools every day. Writer Ruth Wells says, "Schools expect youth and children to act as though school is important, but they never teach them to believe that. " That is why many students do not feel motivated to stay in school. Since some families are not helping their children become more involved in school, it's up to teachers, counselors , and youth professionals to provide this training. Researchers say they were surprised to find that a majority of 456 dropouts interviewed were not what most people would consider underachieving troublemakers. One third of the students said they were failing in school, but more than six out of ten were keeping C averages or better when they quit. Almost half said they were bored or that the classwork seemed unrelated. Another dropout said, "There wasn't any learning going on; they make you take classes you're never going to use in life. " Three out of four said if they could turn the clock back they would choose to stay in school, and eight out of ten said they now recognize that a high school diploma is important to succeeding in life-a lesson learned too late. Teachers need to convince students why they should stay in school. One is to have students name jobs that they can " always" do without a diploma. This will quickly highlight that jobs with the best pay and benefits require a diploma. There may be students who are happy they dropped out, but it is better to get an education and make the best of life. According to the passage, most dropouts _ . A reach C averages B make trouble in class C fail the exams in school D begin schooling too late Answer: A Most people want to be happy, but few know how to find happiness. Money and success alone do not bring lasting happiness. Aristotle, a Greek thinker, said, "Happiness depends upon ourselves." In other words, we make our own happiness. Here are a few suggestions to help you be happier. The first secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life. Too often, we spend so much time thinking about the future --for example, getting into college or getting a good job --that we fail to enjoy the present. You should enjoy life's simple pleasures, such as reading a good book, listening to your favorite music, or spending time with close friends. People who have several close friends often live happier and healthier lives. Another secret to living a happy life is to be active, and have hobbies where you forget your problems and time. Many people experience this dancing, or playing a sport, such as swimming. You can forget about your problems, and only think about the activity. Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. Studies show that people feel good when they spend their time helping others. If you want to feel happier, do good things for someone. You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to buy food for an elderly person, or simply help out around the house by washing the dishes. , The writer thinks that _ . A everyone knows how to live a happier life B it's wrong to spend time on work C hobbies take up too much time D doing good things for someone can make you happier Answer: D Mark and his brother Jason both were looking at the shining new computer enviously. Jason was determined not to go against their father's wishes but Mark was more adventurous than his brother. He loved experimenting and his aim was to become a scientist like his father. "Dad will be really mad if he finds out you've been playing with his new computer." Jason said, "He told us not to touch it." "He won't find out." Mark said, "I'll just have a quick look and shut it down." Mark had been scolded before for touching his father's equipment. But his curiosity was difficult to control and this new computer really puzzled him. It was a strange-looking machine -one his dad had brought home from the laboratory where he worked. "It's an experimental model," his father had explained, "so don't touch it under any circumstances." But his warning only served to make Mark more curious. Without any further thought, Mark turned on the power switch. The computer burst into life and seconds later, the screen turned into color1s, shifting and changing and then two big white words appeared in the center of the screen: "SPACE TRANSPORTER." "Yes!" Mark cried excitedly, "It's a computer game. I knew it! Dad's only been pretending to work. He's really been playing games instead." A new message appeared on the screen: ENTER NAMES VOYAGER 1: ... VOYAGER 2: ... Mark's fingers flew across the keyboard as he typed in both of their names. INPUT ACCEPTED. START TRANSPORT PROGRAM. AUTO-RETRIEVE INITIATED The screen turned even brighter and a noise suddenly rose in volume. "I think we'd better shut it off, Mark," Jason yelled, reaching for the power switch. He was really frightened. But his hand never reached the switch. A single beam of dazzling white light burst out of the computer screen, wrapping the boys in its glow , until they themselves seemed to be glowing. Then it died down just as suddenly as it had burst into life. And the boys were no longer there. On the screen, the letters changed. TRANSPORT SUCCESSFUL. DESTINATION: MARS. RETRIEVE DATE: 2025. Mark thought SPACE TRANSPORTER on the screen was the name of_. A a computer game B a company website C a software producer D an astronomy program Answer: A The Spring Festival is supposed to be a period of time entirely for family reunion. However, as people's enthusiasm for digital hongbao increased, the amount of the time they spend with family members during the holiday decreases. There has been widespread criticism over digital hongbao that it has _ family reunion. "I used to discuss programs in the Spring Festival Gala with my family members, but this year, I hardly had the time to watch the gala because I was staring at my cellphone all the time," said Kang, a 30-year old radio station editor. "I went to Karaoke with my cousins during the holiday, and I was grasping digital hongbao the whole time, even when I was singing Karaoke." "On the last day of the holiday, I started to regret spending too much time on these digital hongbao. Therefore, instead of fighting for hongbao, I watched TV with my mom that night. I left home feeling sorry! I should have spent more time with my parents." But Kang said regret came with a sense of achievement when he managed to bring classmates together. "Next year, I will still play the game, but with less money and for a smaller amount of time," Kang said. Dong Chenyu, a teacher from Beijing Foreign Studies University, said it unfair to blame hongbao for destroying family reunion. "When television was invented, people accused it of standing in the way of face-to-face human communication. The same accusation came up on telephone and text message services when they were first invented. The same goes with digital hongbao," Dong said. "It does nothing but offers a new way of human communication. The rest is people's choice. As long as no one expects to earn money from this and takes this as a means of gambling , it's a good way to improve human connections," Dong said. What can we infer from what Mr. Dong said about digital hongbao _ . A it will bring us trouble in holiday reunion B it will be out of fashion soon in future C Mr. Dong is in favor of the digital hongbao D lots of people will use it to earn money Answer: C Which animal produces more eggs A African Driver Ant B Humans C Monkeys D Goats Answer: A
Ellis Island is located in New York. Harbor Ellis Isl and is open daily year-round from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p. m. , with extended hours during summer. It is closed December 25. There is no admission charge to Ellis Island; donations are gratefully accepted. At Your Fingertips Park information (212)363-7620 Emergencies (212)363-3260 Ferry boat information (212)269-5755 Lost and found (212)363-7620 Dining, gifts, & audio tour (212)344-0996 Transportation Statue of Liberty a nd Ellis Island Ferry: Boats leave from Battery Park, Manhattan, and from Liberty State Park, New Jersey. They run about every 30 to 45 minutes beginning at 9:15 a. m. (ferry schedule subject to change) Hours: May vary; call the number below Closed: December 25 Ferry fees: (Includes Liberty and Ellis Islands) adults, $7; senior citizens, $6; children(age 3 to 17), $3. (group rates are available for 25 or more adults) Ticket & schedule information: (212)269-5755 We may infer from the passage that _ . Boat is the only transportatio n to Ellis Island One Saturday morning, Apple Inc's iPad table computer went on sale in the United States stores across the country. The iPad can be bought in more than 200 U.S. Apple stores from Apple. Many fans even waited overnight outside some Apple stores, hoping to be the first to get one. Dozens of the people were waiting before the door opened at 9:00 a.m. Hiro Kishimoto, a Japanese computer researcher who had a meeting in San Francisco, came as early as 5:00 a.m. He wanted to read books and magazines with the iPad. " It's much more comfortable than a laptop . Because the laptop is too heavy to carry all the time, when you are in the living rooms, maybe the iPad is the best one to use." He said. The iPad models that hit the U.S. Market on Saturday with price starting from 499 dollars, only have Wi Fi link to the Internet. Apple models that have both Wi Fi and 3G will be on sale in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Swizland and the UK in late April. With a 9.7 -inch touch screen like books and magazines, iPad can let users finish many tasks including making the web, watching videos, playing games and reding e-books. Apple is trying to remake the tablet computer. The iPad doesn't support Adobe's Flash software that is used to watch many of the videos on the web. " It is short of a keyboard, a mouse, USB ports and mwlti-tasking." some researchers said. People waited outside Apple stores early, because _ . they were eager to own the iPad Rooster Morris is an author, entertainer, storyteller, musician, and composer. He has performed for over 4.5 million students in elementary schools, public libraries and museums. Rooster shares with the audience some of the stories in children's books. Kids walk away from his performances, believing they can write, draw, perform, sing, or play a musical instrument. Most importantly, students walk away, believing reading will open the doors to every opportunity in life. Everyone knows authors write books, but how many students actually have the opportunity to watch a published author read from their books? When a student has the advantage of meeting an author and has the opportunity to ask questions, they realize authors are people from far-away places. Rooster points out these misunderstandings and explains how he started writing. Rooster talks of habits being one of the most important things in a person's life. If people develop good habits, they will achieve their goals and be ready for anything. Rooster talks about how he wanted to play the fiddle when he was a young boy. He learns to make a habit of practicing the fundamentals. Rooster shows the kids the pay-off -- he plays a song in front of the audience and brings the excitement to a new level. Rooster will educate and entertain the audience. Many students begin writing after having seen Rooster's program. When children hear someone they admire say, "You can do anything if you want to do it," it motivates them into action. Laid-Back West, Inc. has been booking authors for schools for over 13 years. We know the value of a successful author visit and can invite Rooster and other authors to visit your school. The main purpose of the passage is to _ attract customers for Laid-Back West, Inc. Many parents like setting family rules for their kids. When kids break rules, parents will give them some punishments, which aren't included in rules. In fact, when you tell your kids about a new rule, you should talk with them about the price they should pay for breaking the rule -- what the punishment will be. Punishments you set should be reasonable, without violence or threat . For example, if you find your son smoking, you may limit his social activities for two weeks. You should punish your kids only in ways you have discussed before the rule is broken. A study shows that the most popular punishment is to limit kids' TV time. It's understandable that you'll be angry when rules are broken. Punishment is a way to express your anger, but it's not a very good one. Sharing your feelings of anger, disappointment or sadness with your kids can have a better effect on them. Try to do that. When your kids know what they have done has made you sad, they will feel _ . When they know their actions influence you greatly, they will obey rules better. Rules are made to help your kids behave better. If your rules or ways of punishment make them unhappy or under a lot of pressure, are they helpful? Which of the following is the most popular way to punish kids? Limiting their TV time. Hello! I'm Sandy .I'm a Grade 8 students.I study at a secondy school .Now let me tell you about my school life. I get up at 6:15 a.m.Then I have my breakfast at six thirty. I go to school by bus .My home is about five kilometers away.from school.This often takes me 20 minutes.The first school begins at eight every morning.I usually have four classes in the morning and two in the afternoon.Each class lasts 45 minutes .I have lunch at school .I often eat rice ,meat and many vegetables.Then I can sleep about half an hour.After class, I play volleyball or football with my classmates.School is over and I go home.I spend an hour on my homework .I watch TV for half an hour . How many classes does she have in a day? 6
Harry had a very small farm. He only had one cow but dreamed about having a large farm. He once asked his father Bill, "I'd like to have that land over there. How can I get it?" His father encouraged him to go and talk to the landowner to see how they could get the land. Harry said. "But we don't have enough money." His father said, "Don't worry. Go and talk to him." Several years passed. Harry had not only the land, but also several hundred cows. He had a happy life with his wife. Later, Harry's wife, Sarah, had a dream. "I want to build the biggest farm in the world." She said. They called their friend Manuel about this task. Three days later Manuel had a plan for the whole project. Then they asked, "How much will it cost?" Manuel said they needed a lot of money. "Nobody will lend us so much money to build a farm," they thought. But the manager of the bank _ them and their dream. A few months later, La manuel, the biggest farm in the world, was opened. The passage tells us that _ . Answer: While there are many fascinating countries in the world to visit, I think there is something more adventurous, exotic and romantic about visiting an island country. Take a look at some breathtakingly beautiful island countries in the world, which everyone should certainly visit at least once in his lifetime. Malta Malta is a beautiful southern European country in the Mediterranean Sea, which has a rich history and culture. There are amazing sky-high cliffs to climb, splendid temples to explore and lots of wonderful places to go scuba-diving. In fact, there are plenty of interesting things to see and to do in Malta and this island country has something for everyone. The historic part of Malta is shown in its incredible architecture, great walled cities, and many underground tunnels. Fiji Fiji is a fabulous island that has plenty of surprises for any adventurous travelers. It is famous for the world's best surf scenes, and many surfing enthusiasts travel to Fuji yearly to ride the great waves. Well, if surfing is not for you and you love sitting on the beach and relaxing, hiking or seeing breathtaking waterfalls, Fiji is certainly the best island country to visit. Maldives Not only is Maldives one of the most beautiful island countries, but it is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations. Situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Maldives is made up of a series of ancient coral reefs that grow up along the sides of ancient volcanoes, with fascinating beaches and luxurious resorts. What is the special feature about Fiji? Answer: If you've been joining in chat room conversations, or trading e-mail with Web pals, you have become one of the millions who write in a peculiarly short form of English. And you've got a sense of humor about short forms like SOHF(="sense" of humor failure) to describe Internet newcomers who don't understand you. Across the globe, every night teenagers and their elders are "talking" online--many of them are talking at the same time. It's fast: try talking to six people at once. It's brief: three or four words per exchange. It takes wit, concentration, and quick fingers. And it requires tremendous linguistic economy. There's neither time nor space for explanations. Why consume precious key-strokes telling six friends you have to leave for a moment to take care of your little brother when BRB(="be" right back) will do? Want to enter a conversation? Just type PMFJI(="pardon" me for jumping in). Interested in whom you're talking to? Type A/S/L, the nearly universal request to know your pal's age, sex and location. You may get 15/M/NY as a response from your pal. If something makes you laugh, say you're OTF(="on" the floor),or LOL(="laughing" out loud),or combine the two into ROTFL(="rolling" on the floor laughing). And when it's time to get back to work or go to bed, you type GTG(="got" to go) or TTYL(talk to you later). People want to write as fast as possible, and they want to get their ideas across as quickly as they can. Capital letters are left in the dust, except when expressing emotion, as it takes more time to hold down the "shift" key and capitals. Punctuation is going, too. In order to talk to several people at the same time on the Internet _ . Answer: Many of us mistakenly believe that it's wrong to think we have any good qualities. We may spend a lot of time blaming ourselves for our negative qualities, thinking that self criticism is the key to improving our performance. However, a constant focus on our supposed shortcomings can stop our efforts to make friends with other people. How can we believe that others could like us if we believe our inner being is flawed? If someone seems to dislike you, the reason for that dislike might have little or nothing to do with you. The person who doesn't like you might be fearful, or shallow or busy or shy. Perhaps you and that person are simply a mismatch for each other at this particular time. Don't take yourself out of the game by deciding that your flaws are bigger than your good qualities. In fact, some of the very qualities you consider to be flaws may be irresistible to someone else. Although some factors that might cause one person to reject you, there are at least many factors that will work in your favor. You might be thirty pounds over your ideal weight, but you may have a wonderful laugh and a real enthusiasm for life. There are many people who don't mind your extra pounds. You may drive a shabby car, but you might be a great dancer and a loyal friend. There are people out there looking for loyalty, or fun, or sweetness, or wisdom, and the package it comes in is not important. If you are worried that you are not beautiful enough to attract friends, keep in mind that not everyone is looking for physical beauty in their friends. You can decide to feel inferior because you don't have much money and you don't drive a nice car. You can believe that this is the reason that you don't have many friends in your life. On the other hand, if you are very wealthy you may be suspicious that everyone is after your money and that nobody really likes you as a person. The point is that you can focus on just about anything and believe it's the reason you do not have friends and cannot make any. What do you think the author is most likely to suggest if he continues to write? Answer: One day, a man found the cocoon of a butterfly and he brought it home. A few days later, the man saw a small hole in the cocoon. He sat and watched for several hours as a butterfly struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it stopped. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a knife and cut a bigger hole in the cocoon. The butterfly came out of the cocoon but it had a weak body and small, thin wings. The butterfly didn't start to fly. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a weak body and thin wings. It was never able to fly. The man acted with kindness but he didn't understand that he had done something wrong. When a butterfly crawls out of the cocoon, it must struggle. The hard work of getting out of the cocoon forces the fluid from the butterfly's body into wings. It helps the butterfly be ready to fly. If the butterfly never has to force itself out of the cocoon, its wings never get the fluid and it can never fly. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If we lived our lives without any problems, we would never learn or grow. We would not be as strong as we could have been and we would never fly. So, the next time you are faced with a challenge or a problem, remember the butterfly. Struggle a little - then fly! Why couldn't the butterfly fly? Because _ . Answer:
Question: Children who are raised in households with dogs during their first year of life may have a lower risk of asthma a few years later, a new study suggests. In the study, the researchers looked at early exposure to dogs and farm animals and the rate of asthma among about 276,000 school-age children in Sweden. Among the school-age kids in the study, those who had been exposed to dogs during their first year of life were 13 percent less likely to have asthma at age 6. The researchers said they don't know for sure what exactly may explain the relationship between early exposure to animals and a reduced risk of asthma."It might be due to a single factor, or more likely, a combination of several factors related to a dog ownership lifestyle or dog owners' attitudes, such as kids' exposure to household dirt and pet dust, time spent outdoors or being physically active,"Fall told LiveScience."As a parent in a dog-and-baby household, it is nearly impossible to keep everything clean, and maybe this is a good thing for your baby's future health." Currently, one of the main hypotheses that aim to explain the link between a lower risk of asthma and early exposure to pets is that"kids in animal environments breathe air that contains more bacteria and bacterial fragments, which actually could lower their risk of asthma,"she said. Previous research on having pets and the risk of asthma in kids has mixed results. For example, the results of a 2001 review of previous studies suggested that exposure to pets was linked to an increased risk of asthma in children. But a 2012 review suggested that exposure to pets, especially dogs, was tied to a decreased risk of asthma and allergies in childhood. "My take-home message from this study is that parents at this point do not need to worry about keeping their dog when expecting a baby for fear of asthmatic disease,"Fall said."I do want to be clear that this recommendation is valid only for families without a child already having allergies. If they already have a furred-animal-allergic child, we do not recommend them to get a furred pet." According to this hypothesis, being exposed to bacteria early in life is crucial for shaping a healthy immune system, and may play a role in modifying a person's risk of developing asthma and allergies."As to allergies and asthma, it is partially genetic, but studies like this do show us that your environment does play a key role in the development of your immune system, and the development of allergies and asthma,"Parikh told LiveScience. What's the purpose of the passage? A. To tell readers the finding of a study on children. B. To persuade parents to buy a pet for their children. C. To clarify some misconceptions about keeping a pet. D. To explain why keeping a pet is beneficial to children. Answer: A Question: Harriet Tubman was an AfricanAmerican woman who fought against slavery. She was born in 1820. She helped many people escape from slavery through the Underground Railroad. It was an organized effort to help slaves from the southern states to areas that banned slavery. Slaves could be sold freely. Families were often separated. Harriet married a free black man named John Tubman in 1844, yet she remained a slave. In 1849, the farmer who owned her died. Then she ran to the home of a white woman who had offered to help her. This woman told her how to reach another home where she could hide. Harriet Tubman went from place to place in this way. This was how the Underground Railroad operated. Finally,she went into the northern state of Pennsylvania. During the next ten years,she led an expanded Underground Railroad,and helped 300 slaves escape. Harriet Tubman found another way to fight against slavery during the Civil War. She went into the southern states to spy for the North. After the Civil War,Harriet Tubman settled in New York State. She gave speeches to raise money for better education for black Americans, worked for women's rights and sought help for older adults who had been slaves. Harriet Tubman died in 1913.By that time, she had been recognized as an American heroine . What does the passage mainly tell us? A. The Underground Railroad. B. The history of American slavery. C. Harriet's hard life and bravery. D. Harriet's fight against slavery. Answer: D Question: A student sets a block at the top of a wooden ramp. The student pushes the block. As the block slides down the ramp, it slows down and then comes to a stop. What force causes the block to slow down? A. the force of gravity B. the force of friction C. the force of magnetism D. the force of the student's push Answer: B Question: When Bill is very young, he loves picture. His mother often draws some for him on old pieces of paper. She is very bad at drawing, but bill likes her pictures and always wants more. Then, when he is a little older, Bill's mother gives him some pencils and a drawing book, and he begins drawing pictures, too. But they are never good .When Bill is five years old, his mother gives him a small blackboard and some pieces of a baby on the blackboard, he draws lines and rubs them out too for ten minutes , but when he looks at his picture , he is not happy. "Well", he says at last to his mother, "I'll put a tail on it and make it a monkey." He is a little older, so his mother gives him _ and lets him begin drawing pictures . A. some paper and ink B. a book and some pens C. some pencils and a drawing book D. a blackboard and some old paper Answer: C Question: Mr and Mrs White live in the country( ). Christmas Day ( )is coming. They want to buy some clothes for their family in the city . In the morning, Mr and Mrs White have breakfast. Then they go shopping in their car at 8:30. They get to a store at 9:40. In the store they see a lot of clothes. Mrs White likes the clothes very much. So she buys a T-shirt for their son, a skirt for their daughter, and a sweater for Mr White. She buys a hat for herself , too. After that, Mr White is very tired and hungry . He looks at his watch. Then he says, "Oh, it's 4:00 in the afternoon, that's too late. I think we must go home now." So they begin to go home. But they lose their way. Mr White can't find the way home. He sees an old man and asks him, "Excuse me, sir. Where am I?" The old man looks at him and the car, "You're in your car, sir." he says. Mr White buys _ for her daughter. A. a hat B. a T-shirt C. a skirt D. a sweater Answer: C
Question: There's no pizza on Mars, but scientists have found a solution to this problem for hungry astronauts: a pizza printer! NASA, the American space agency, has developed a machine that "prints" food. They showed a model of the printer in Austin, Texas last month. How does it work? Cartridges filled with powdered dough , cheese, sauce, water and oil put the ingredients layer by layer onto a printer bed. The printer bed, which gets hot from below, cooks the food as it's being printed. Since most of the ingredients are powdered, they can be sent into space and stored for many years without going bad. Water makes food go sour, so the food powders are mixed with water and oil only when they are being printed. "Long-distance space travel requires more than 15 years of shelf life for food." says Anjan Contractor, whose company developing the printer. " We take water out, and in that form, food will last maybe 30 years." In outer space, there are far fewer choices for astronauts for dinner. Most of their foods--even things like beef or shrimp--are eaten from bags as powders . Scientists hope the new food printer can be used to make more delicious food in outer space, keeping astronauts healthier and happier. But the printer is not limited to use in outer space. Scientists think it could be useful on Earth, too. It could allow personal meals to be made at the dinner table, according to each person's different needs. "Let's say someone is an athlete in the family, and he needs more protein ," says Anjan Contractor, founder of Systems and Materials Research Corp, the company developing the printer. "We can design recipes for him and print out more protein-nutritious food for him." In outer space, food can be stored for many years without going bad _ . A. when it's mixed with water B. when it's mixed with oil C. when it's powdered D. when it's put in the fridge Answer: C. when it's powdered Question: In the early days of the Internet, the idea that it represented an entirely new and separate field distinct from the real world was seized upon by both supporters and critics of the new technology.Supporters liked the idea that the virtual world was a placeless datasphere, liberated from constraints and restrictions of the real world, and an opportunity for a fresh start.For instance, John Perry Barlow, an internet activist, issued the "Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace" in February 1996.He thundered, "Governments of the industrial world, I come from cyberspace, the new home of mind.Cyberspace does not lie within your borders.We are creating a world that all may enter without privilege or prejudice accorded by race, economic power, military force, or station of birth. Where Mr.Barlow found the separation between the real and virtual worlds exciting, however, critics regarded it as a cause for concern.They worried that people were spending too much time online, communicating with people they had never even met in person in chat rooms, virtual game worlds and, more recently, on social - networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook.A study carried out by the Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society in 2000, for example, found that heavy internet users spent less time talking to friends and family, and warned that the Internet could be "the ultimate isolating( ) technology". Both groups were wrong, of course.The Internet has not turned out to be a thing apart.Unpleasant aspects of the real world, such as taxes, crime and cheating are now characteristics of the virtual world, too.C'amers who make real money selling swords, gold and other things in virtual game worlds may now find that the tax man wants to know about it.Designers of virtual objects in Second Life, an online virtual world, are seeking to real -world lawsuits in order to protect their intellectual property. At the same time, however, some of the most exciting uses of the Internet rely on combining it with the real world.Social networking allows people to stay in touch with their friends online, and plan social activities in the real world.The distinction between online and offline chatters does not matter any more. All these approaches treat the Internet as an extension or an attachment to the physical world, not a separate space.Rather than seeing the real and virtual fields as distinct and conflicting, in short, it makes sense to see them as complementary and connected. The passage suggests that critics of the new technology _ . A. worried that friends would never meet in person B. believed that the Internet could isolate people online C. worried that people would be separated from the real world D. were concerned that people were addicted to social networks Answer: C. worried that people would be separated from the real world Question: The concept of personal choice in relation to health behaviors is an important one. An estimated 90 percent of all illnesses may be preventable if individuals would make sound personal health choices based upon current medical knowledge. We all enjoy our freedom of choice and do not like to see it restricted when it is within the legal and moral boundaries of society. The structure of American society allows us to make almost all our own personal decisions that may concern our health. If we do desire, we can smoke, drink much, refuse to wear seat belts, eat whatever foods we want, and _ without any exercise. The freedom to make such personal decisions is a fundamental aspect of our society, although the wisdom of these decisions can be questioned. Personal choices to health often cause a difficulty. As one example, teenager may know the facts to smoking cigarettes and health but may be pressured by friends into believing it is a socially accepted thing to do. A majority of factors, both inherited and environmental, influence the development of health-related behaviors, and it is beyond the scope of this text to discuss all these factors as they may affect any given individual. However, the decision to adopt a particular health related behavior is usually one of personal choices. There are healthy choices and there are unhealthy choices. In discussing the morals of personal choice, Fries and Crapo, drew a comparison. They suggest that to knowingly give oneself over to a behavior that has a statistical probability of shortening life is similar to attempting suicide. Thus, for those individuals who are interested in preserving both the quality and quantity of life, personal health choices should reflect those behaviors that are associated with a statistical probability of increased vitality and longevity . To knowingly allow oneself to pursue unhealthy habits is compared by Fries and Crapo to _ . A. improving the quality of one's life B. limiting one's personal health choice C. ending one's life on purpose D. breaking the rules of social behavior Answer: C. ending one's life on purpose Question: There are 365 days in a year. We sleep 8 hours a day, so we have 122 days for sleeping. Then our work time has 243 days left. But there are 52 weekends in a year. Each weekend is two days. We lose another 104 days a year for work. It takes us about one hour to have breakfast and supper. This comes to 15 days over a year. But we can't work all that time-we need a holiday. Let's say we have three weeks' holiday. We don't work all day. Four free hours each evening takes up 61 days. We have to remember that we get 2 days' holiday at Easter, 3 at Christmas and 1 at the New Year. There are also 4 Bank holidays. Take those 10 days away and we have 32 days for work. But then we have one and a half hours' lunch every day, and half an hour's coffee break. That comes to 30 days a year. This means that we have only a few days left for work every year! The writer means _ . A. we should know the numbers B. a few days for work is enough C. we need more holidays D. time is important and we'd better not waste it Answer: D. time is important and we'd better not waste it Question: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama arrived in Beijing on Thursday evening, the official Xinhua news agency said, beginning a hotly anticipated week-long trip during which she will promote education and cultural ties. Obama, a Harvard-educated lawyer, is expected to spend Friday with China's _ first lady, Peng Liyuan, who is admired at home as both a glamorous songstress and fashion icon. Besides Beijing, Obama will visit the western historic city of Xi'an and the southern city of Chengdu, where she will visit a panda preserve. Obama's two daughters are accompanying her, as well as her mother. She also plans to visit American and Chinese students to promote education and cultural exchanges, and visit historical landmarks like the Great Wall of China. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the visit would help deepen ties between the world's two largest economies. "We believe that this visit will play an important role in increasing mutual understanding between the two countries and expanding friendship." Hong told reporters ahead of Obama's arrival. News of Obama's arrival spread fast on Sina Weibo, where users speculated on what the trip would bring - as well as what Obama would wear and eat. "Two intellectual women playing the game of great power politics - how beautiful." wrote one user. In which part of a magazine can we probably read this passage? A. Entertainment. B. Education. C. Culture. D. News. Answer: D. News.
Wearing the wrong type of glasses will do harm to your eyes. Incorrect glasses may not be good for the children under 10. You may see better with glasses that are specially made for you. Watching too much television may be bad for your eyes. This is not true for everyone. People with easily affected eyes may find they get red and achy from watching TV for long. Carrots will help you see in the dark. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene (b). The body can change beta-carotene into vitamin A, and too little beta-carotene can cause night blindness. However, a lot of research shows that night blindness is more likely to be connected with some other vision problems. The purpose of this passage is to tell people _ . Answer: something more about their eyes Frank Lloyd Wright is often called the father of American modern architecture.He designed buildings and homes across the United States for more than 70 years.He created most of his works from 1900 through the 1950s,but his open-living spaces and imaginative designs still appear very modern today. Last week,the United States nominated 10 of his buildings for the UN Educational,Scientific,and Cultural Organization--or UNESCO--the World Heritage List.The World Heritage List recognizes the most,important cultural and natural sites worldwide. The 10 buildings,titled."Key Works of Modern Architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright,"were built between 1906 and 1969.They include several of his personal homes and studios,churches,government buildings,private residences,and one very famous museum--New York City's Guggenheim Museum. The Solomon R.Guggenheim Museum is one of the most visited sites in New York City.About one million people visit it every year.Frank Lloyd Wright worked on it from 1943 to 1959.It was designed to create a new type of space for new types of art.The museum remains an international symbol of modern architecture that represents Wright's unique design. Many of Mr.Wright's modern buildings and homes in the U.S.Midwest have also become symbols of modern American architecture.Richard Longstreth is the president of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.He calls Mr.Wrisht"the father of modern architecture,fundamentally redefining the nature of form and space during the early 20th century that would have enduring impacts of modern architecture worldwide." The UNESCO World Heritage Committee will announce its decision in mid-2016.If Frank Lloyd Wright's 10 buildings were chosen for the list,they would be the first World Heritage listings for modem U.S.architecture.The World Heritage List already includes 22 other American sites,including the Grand Canyon,Yellowstone National Park and the Statue of Liberty. Which of the following statements about Guggenheim Museum is true? Answer: It is a masterpiece showing Mr. Wright's unique design. On a grassy plain in South Africa,thousands of miles from home,two pairs of Zoo--bred South China tiger cubs----one-year-o1d Hope and Cathay and six-month-old Tiger Woods and Madonna--are learning to hunt in the wild.The hope is that they will one day pass on their skills to their young,allowing the next generation to get back to wildlife reserves in China. A survey shows that the tigers are in more danger of dying out than China's most famous animal,the giant panda.Forty years ago,about 4,000 South China tigers lived in the wild.Today there are only about 30.An additional 64 live in 19 zoos in China,,which are all descendants of six wild animals seized in 1956. The cubs were born in zoos in China and removed from their mothers when they were three months old.Their first home in South Africa was a one-acre camp where they stayed for a month.Their next home was a ten acre area,where they lived for three months to help them gradually get used to life outside a cage. When the cubs first arrived in South Africa,they didn't even want to leave their cages.It took weeks to get them to eat chicken,used as they were to being fed beef at the Zoo in China where they were born.It took months of practice to hunt a live animal and then make the link between the kill and food.Now just a few months on,and living in a 150-acre camp,they have become remarkably skilled hunters. All four animals will finally return to Zoos in China while the pioneering pairs' cubs will grow up completely wild.The aim is for _ to go to reserves developed in China by 2008,when the Olympic Games will be held in Beijing. The tigers are sent to South Africa so that_. Answer: their young can live in the wild Success by failure I had failed again. It was the day of the big marathon. I had decided three years ago to train for the half-marathon event and take home a medal. There I sat, in front of my TV, while I watched others cross the finish line. It was just another in a long string of failures. I had never met a single weight loss or fitness goal and I was majoring in the art of failing. We are a family of exploration and often plan active vacations. It seemed that on every vacation I was the one who couldn't go the distance. Each time I urged my family, "Go on without me. Bring me lots of pictures and videos. I'll be fine just sitting here taking in the view. " I lied. Sick of being left behind, I decided that it would never happen again. Sure I was in my 50s, but surely there was still hope for me. I always spent weeks walking to prepare for our active vacations. I had lost weight many times. I just always seemed to fail to get where I needed to be. But this time I would do something different. I was going to walk a half marathon. Surely 1 would lose weight and get in shape if I could complete over 12 miles in four hours. Besides, this would be training. Training sounded cooler than diet and exercise. _ and ready to go. I bought the proper gear , checked out what type of drinks would be handed out at the marathon and prepared a lot. I had a plan! Now two years later, there I sat, watching thousands of people of all ages succeed where I had failed. I walked out, angry with myself, sat down and had myself a pity party. I was a master at the art of pity parties, having a great deal of experience in holding them. What was my problem? Where was I going wrong? I stopped and considered each failure, one by one. I made some very interesting discoveries. I had failed to climb to the top of that Mayan pyramid, but I did climb it and stood on those ancient stones. I had failed to meet a single weight loss goal and yet I had lost 43 pounds. I couldn't walk 12 miles in four hours, but I could walk 12 miles. All my failures were sounding like a success story. This time I was giving thanks. I was thankful that I had been given the spirit of failure because failure meant that I was trying, that I didn't give up. I decided that I would be crossing the finish line next year. The writer probably agrees that _ . Answer: trying but failing to reach the goal is still meaningful Perhaps you've seen the English letters "WC" in your city. They show public toilets. But do you know it is far from elegant English? In fact, foreigners from English-speaking countries rarely use the letters. Workers in our city are changing "WC" signs all over the city. The government is spending much money changing all the bad English on signs and restaurant menus. Many other places in China are following our steps. "WC, or water closet, is old-fashioned English. It sounds dirty to me," says Charlie Shifflet, a young man from the US. The old sign will become "Gents/Men" and "Ladies/Women". "I see lots of poor English in everyday life, and not only on signs," he says. "I know what they mean. But they are Chinglish , not real English. For example, when someone says to me 'My hometown is Henan Province', I know he should say: 'My hometown is in Henan Province'. 'Hometown' is a smaller place in a province." The common mistakes he picked up include "Not Entry", which should be "No Entry", "Direction of Airport" should be changed to "To the Airport". And it is "room rate", not "room price". And remember to "Keep off the grass", rather than "Care of the green". What does the writer think of the use of "WC"? Answer: He doesn't think it proper for a sign.
Many people hurt their backs when they try to lift heavy things from the floor. It is easy to hurt your back muscle when you try to pick up a heavy thing. However, there is a correct way to lift things from the floor. If you pick up heavy things correctly, you probably will not hurt your back. To lift something from the floor correctly, first bend your knees and lower yourself. Keep your back straight. Do not bent over, from your waist keep your back and hips and waist in a line. If you bent over, the muscles in your lower back can became hurt very easily. If you keep your back and hips straight, the muscles are stronger, because they hold up together. The other muscles can then help the lower back muscles. As you lower yourself, try to get as close to thing as you can, put one knee on each side of the thing. Remember at all times to keep your back straight. Put your hand under the thing that is in front of you, between y our knees. To lift the thing, you should stand up slowly. Use your leg muscles in order to stand up. lift with your legs, not with your back. Which part of your body is more easily to be hurt when you lift heavy things? Answer: The back muscles Please do not leave your valuables in your room unattended. The hotel provides safe deposit boxes at the reception desk. When you leave the hotel, please put your key at the reception desk. PLEASE DO NOT TALK TO OR DISTRACT THE DRIVER WHEN THE BUS IS MOVING. PLEASE PAY EXACT FARE. The local government has advised skaters not to go out on the central pond today. There is a danger of the ice breaking. Skaters are advised to enjoy their sport at the local indoor ice rink instead SALE Sports fans Don't miss out! Tennis rackets - down to $15 Basketballs - down to $ 10 Aerobic wear - from just $ 10 Swimwear--from just $5 First five people in the store today will meet Yao Ming . Hotel Rendezvous 30 Kings Road Swindon UK 23/04/07 Mr. & Mrs. Biggs 80 Cuscaden Road London Dear Mr. & Mrs. Biggs, We are pleased to confirm your reservation as follows: Date:21-23 June (2 nights) Room: double Rate: $120 a night Which is not TRUE according to the passage? Answer: The cheapest swimwear is $5. Death Valley is a land of beautiful yet dangerous extremes. Death Valley can be dangerously cold during the winter months. Storms in the mountains can produce sudden flooding on the floor of the Valley. The air temperature during the summer has been as high as fifty- seven degrees Celsius. The sun can heat the ground so that the temperature of the rocks and soil can be as high as seventy -four degrees Celsius. Death Valley contains evidence of several ancient volcanoes that caused huge explosions. Evidence of one of these explosions is called Ubehebe Crater. The explosion left a huge hole in the ground almost a kilometer and a half wide. In many areas of Death Valley it is easy to see where the ground has been pushed up violently by movement deep in the Earth. This movement has created unusual and beautiful rock formations. Some are red. Others are dark brown, gray, yellow or black. The area was named by a woman in 1849. Thousands of people from other parts of the ountry traveled to the gold mining areas in California. They were in a hurry to get there before other people did. One group trying to reach California decided to take a path called the Old Spanish Trail. By December they had reached Death Valley. They did not have to survive the terrible heat of summer, but there was still an extreme lack of water. There were few plants for their work animals to eat. The people could not find a pass through the tall mountains to the west of the Valley, Slowly, they began co suffer from a lack of food. To survive, they killed their work animals for food and began to walk out of the Valley. As they left, one woman looked back and said, "Good -bye, death valley. " The name has never been changed. Almost everyone who visits Death Valley visits a huge house called Scotty' s Castle. The building design is Spanish, with high thick walls to provide protection from the fierce heat. The castle is named for Walter Scott , called Scotty. by his friends. He was a gold miner. He told everyone that he built the house with money he made from his gold mine. Many people believed him. But it was not really the truth. The main idea of the passage is about _ . Answer: the facts about Death Valley It was a dark and stormy night. I was about to go to bed when I heard a tapping sound on my window. "Who's there?" I shouted. Suddenly there was a flash of lighting; I saw a face at the window. It looked like an alien that I have seen on the television show. I felt very scared. I ran to my bed and pulled my blanket over my head. I started to shout for my parents but there was no reply. Then I remembered that they were at a dress party. After a while my head showed up out of my blanket but it was too dark to see anything. Then I heard footsteps. They were getting louder and louder. It was dark but I knew the way to drawer where I kept my camera. I ran there and took out my camera and started to take pictures in the direction of the window. Soon the footsteps _ , maybe because of my taking picture. The grandfather clock struck...It was 12 midnight. I went back to my bed and tried to sleep. But I couldn't sleep. I felt too frightened. I sat up; my mind was full of thoughts. Time passed, one o'clock, two o'clock, ... Finally, I fell asleep. I woke up only after eight and decided to find out the truth. I found some footprints outside my bedroom window. I measured them with a tape and found them to be exactly the same size as my father's shoes. The footprints ended at the door of my house. I then went to town to get the film developed . But when I saw the photos, they were black and I could hardly see anything. Then I remembered that I did not use the flash. When I reached home, I told my father the whole matter and he started to laugh. I also started laughing when he told me that he had dressed up as an alien for the party. What's the best title for this passage? Answer: A Scary Night When women sit together to watch a movie on TV, they usually talk simultaneously about a variety of subjects, including children, men, careers and what's happening in their lives. When groups of men and women watch a movie together, the men usually end up telling the women to shut up. Men can either talk or watch the screen--they can't do both--and they don't understand that women can. Besides, women consider that the point of all getting together is to have a good time and develop relationships--not just to sit there like couch potatoes staring at the screen. During the ad breaks, a man often asks a woman to explain the plot and tell him where the relationship between the characters is going. He is unable, unlike women, to read the subtle body language signals that reveal how the characters are feeling emotionally. Since women originally spent their days with the other women and children in the group, they developed the ability to communicate successfully in order to maintain relationships. For a woman, speech continues to have such a clear purpose: to build relationships and make friends. For men, to talk is to relate the facts. Men see the telephone as a communication tool for sending facts and information to other people, but a woman sees it as a means of bonding . A woman can spend two weeks on vacation with her girlfriend and, when she returns home, telephone the same girlfriend and talk for another two hours. There is no convincing evidence that social conditioning, the fact that girls' mothers talked to them more, is the reason why girls talk more than boys. Psychiatrist Dr Michael Lewis, author of Social Behaviour and Language Acquisition, conducted experiments that found mothers talked to, and looked at, baby girls more often than baby boys. Scientific evidence shows parents respond to the brains of their children. Since a girl's brain is better organized to send and receive speech, we therefore talk to them more. Consequently, mothers who try to talk to their sons are usually disappointed to receive only short grunts in reply. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage? Answer: Men Talk Differently from Women
Fire fighting is a serous matter, knowing what to do during a fire can save people's lives. It is important to know the ways you can use and show them to everyone else in the family, such as stairways and emergency exits, but not elevators. From the lower floors of building, escape through windows is possible. Learn the best way to get out from a window with the least chance of serious injury. The second floor window is usually not very high from the ground. An average person, hanging by the fingertips will have a drop of about 6 feet to the ground. It is about twice the height of an average man. Of course, it is safer to jump a short way down than to stay in a burning building. Windows are also useful when you are waiting for help. Be sure to keep the door closed before opening the window. Otherwise, smoke and fire may be drawn into the room. Keep your head low at the window to be sure you get fresh air rather than smoke that may have leaked into the room. On the second or third floor, the best windows for escape are those which open onto a roof. From the roof a person can drop to the ground more safely. Dropping onto cement might end in injury. Bushes and trees can help you to have a soft landing. According to the passage, windows are _ of escaping a fire? Answer: One day in my class, Maria shared her feelings about money, "Money worries me. I think I want to live without money because I hate it. I HATE MONEY." We were all touched by Maria's words as they reminded us of the spiritual burdens that money managing can bring to us. After class I offered to help Maria deal with her financial problems. She hesitated to accept my offer, and I could see from the expression on her face that she was afraid of what it might involve. I quickly promised her that I wouldn't make her do more than she was able to. I told her frankly that I didn't enjoy managing my money any more than she did hers and wouldn't burden her with guilt, judgments, or impossible tasks. All I would ask her to do was to let me help her look at her fears and try to make some sense of them. Maria still resisted my offer, and I can remember the excuses she gave me as they were the repeated complaints I had heard from so many people. "I'11 never understand money," she said. "My facts are meaningless." "I don't deserve to have money." "I never have enough," "I have too little to manage." "My financial position isn't worth looking at." and the most _ one of all, "I just can't do it." Going home that day, I couldn't get Maria out of my mind: Her attitude conveyed the same negativity and fear that I believed annoyed many people. I was sure it was this attitude that prevented people from managing their money effectively. My counseling has taught me that these anxieties are inseparably connected to our self-doubts and fear for survival. Many of us are terrified of handling our money because we don't believe we can do it well, and to do it wrong would put our very existence at risk. On a deeper level we know that money is not the source of life, but sense of worth drives us to act as if it were. It locks us up in self-doubts and prevents us from tapping into the true source of our management power, our spirit. According to the author, people's anxieties about managing money result from their understanding of money as the only source of _ . Answer: For years and years people have been saying that the rail ways are dead. "We can do without railways", people say as if motorcars and planes have made the railways unnecessary. We all keep hearing that trains are slow, that they lose money, and that they're dying. But this is far from the truth. In these days of expensive oil, the railways have become highly competitive with motorcars and planes. If you want to carry people or goods from place to place, they are cheaper than planes. And they have much in common with planes. A plane goes in a straight line and so does a railway. What is more, it takes you from the heart of a city into the heart of another. It doesn't leave you as a plane does, miles and miles from the city center. It doesn't hold you up as a car does, in endless traffic jams. And a single train can carry goods which no plane or motorcar could ever do. Far from being dead, the railways are very much alive. Modern railway lines give you a smooth, untroubled journey. Where else can you eat well, sleep in comfort, feel safe and enjoy the scene while you are traveling at speed at the same time? And we are only at the beginning,for we have just entered the age of _ . Trains are traveling at 150 miles an hour and more. Soon we will be wondering why we spent so much on motorways we can't use because we have not enough money to buy the oil and planes we can't fly in for the same reason. Some people think the railways are unnecessary for many reasons except that _ . Answer: The measure of the amount of light received on Earth from a star is known as Answer: A serious problem for today's society is who should be responsible for our elderly and how to improve their lives. It is not only a financial problem but also a question of the system we want for our society. I would like to suggest several possible solutions to this problem. First, employers should take the responsibility for their retired employees. To make this possible, a percentage of profits should be set aside for this purpose. But when a company must take life-long responsibility for its employees, it may suffer from a commercial disadvantage due to higher employee costs. Another way of solving the problem is to return the responsibility to the individual. This means each person must save during his working years to pay for his years of retirement. This does not seem a very fair model since some people have enough trouble paying for their daily life without trying to earn extra to cover their retirement years. This means the government might have to step in to care for the poor. In addition, the government could take responsibility for the care of the elderly. This could be financed through government taxes to increase the level of pensions. Furthermore, some institutions should be created for senior citizens, which can help provide a comfortable life for them. Unfortunately, as the present situation in our country shows, this is not a truly _ answer. The government can seldom afford to care for the elderly, particularly when it is busy trying to care for the young. One further solution is that the government or social organizations establish some working places especially for the elderly where they are independent. To sum up, all these options have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that some combination of these options may be needed to provide the care we hope to give to our elderly generations. The text is most likely to be found in a book about _ . Answer:
Hello, My name is Dale. I'm 13 years old. This is a photo of my family. Look! This is my father. His name is Tim Brown. He is 45 years old. This is my mother Alice. She is 43 years old. I have a sister and her name is Gina. She is 11 years old. I look like my mother and Gina looks like my father. All my family are in the same school. My parents are teachers. They are friendly to the students, so the students love them very much. My sister and I are students and we love our school. What's Dale's family name? Answer: Brown Imagine a house that keeps itself warm in the wintertime. Think of the savings in terms of fuel bills and unfriendly emissions. Such houses in fact exist, called "passive houses". The concept of these highly energy-efficient buildings took root in the 1990s, before slowly consolidating as a niche construction concept in the 2000s. Are passive houses now actively moving into the mainstream as sustainable buildings? For Brian McGarry, an economics lecturer who built a family house based on passive housing criteria in the Pyrenees this year, the arguments look convincing. As his first full winter in the low energy house draws in, we asked him to keep us informed. Do passive houses work? I had never heard of a passive house in February 2012, when I purchased a plot of land. Nor did I expect that I would be persuaded to build a pre-constructed, custom-designed house based on energy-efficient passive house criteria. It promised to be easier and quicker to build, cheaper to run, and more comfortable to live in. The objective was to incorporate the fundamental concepts of passive energy management into my project: an airtight and highly insulated building envelope; large southfacing double or triple-glazed windows (if possible, filled with argon gas) that passively capture the energy of the sun; a heat recovery ventilation system to provide fresh air; and a simple, low-cost heating system consisting of a modern wood-burning stove, a bathroom heater and a portable radiator backup for when the sun doesn't shine and temperatures decline. No significant limitations were placed on the design, and it had excellent environmental credentials. Moreover, the cost was no more than a conventional build. After six months in use, the house is proving to be both cheap to run and remarkably comfortable-staying cool in the hot summer was effortless, as long as the windows were shuttered or shaded from the sun. Nowstaying warm in the cold, high-altitude December climate also seems easy, so far. Winter arrived in force in the Pyrenees in November, with abundant snowfalls and temperatures as low as minus 8deg Celsius. Though early days, the house has responded well: the stove is lit during cold evenings but the portable radiator has not yet been needed. This type of construction seems not only to make economic and environmental sense, but to enhance our quality of life, too. How did Brian McGarry find his self-built passive house? Answer: comfortable to live in Despite the fact that businesses believe celebrities have a lot of _ with regard to the buying trends of consumers, researchers have discovered that this does not seem to be the case. British and Swiss researchers conducted a study showing that advertisements featuring endorsements by celebrities like David Beckham and Scarlett Johansson are not as effective as those by ordinary people. The difference is that regular people prefer to purchase goods that are bought by other regular people. In s sample of 298 university students, researchers presented a magazine advertisement for a digital camera that included an endorsement by an imaginary student saying the camera was "hot" and his "preferred choice." The same advertisement was shown to other students, but with a difference:the camera was endorsed by a famous person in Germany. The researchers also measured how important it was for consumers that the purchased products make a good impression on others. While the students said that both advertisements were beneficial, the one made by the student topped the celebrity one if students aimed to impress others with their purchases. More than half of the students, who admitted to purchasing products that would impress others, said they were influenced by the student advertisement. Only 20% said the celebrity one would affect their buying decision. For those who do not buy to impress, only 5% focused on the student advertisement. Professor Brett Martin from the University of Bath's School of Management, explained that the findings can be used not only in Germany, but in other countries as well. "Our re-search questions whether celebrities are the best way to sell products," said Mr. Martin."Celebrities can be effective but we found that many people were more convinced by an endorsement from an ordinary person. This is because many people, feel a need to keep up with the Jones" when they buy. " According to the research, common consumers tend to buy fashionable products endorsed by _ . Answer: people who resemble them When you choose a freezer, remember it's probably going to be with you for a long time. So it's important to know which freezer is right for your needs. First, decide if you want an upright or chest model. Uprights are more convenient. Their storage space is more accessible and they take up less floor area. However, chest models are more energy-efficient because less cold air escapes when they are open. If you are buying an upright, you'll have to choose between frostless or manual defrost . Chest freezers are always manual. Frostless freezers automatically defrost at present intervals and remove the water. Manual models must be defrosted by hand every few months or whenever frost pile up to about a quarter of an inch. To help your freezer reach a ripe old age, try to find a spot that's cool, dry, and away fromdrafts . Drafts and heat will raise the freezer's cabinet temperature, which makes it work harder to keep cool. That means wasted energy. That means wasted energy and a shortened life. Dry air is important because highhumidity can cause the freezer to rust outside and frost up inside. With proper care, a freezer can serve you for 15 years or more. Regular cleaning and simple maintenance will help it maintain a zero-degree temperature and keep it smelling fresh and looking almost new. Frostless models requires less care than manual defrost freezers. The inside of a frostless unit should be washed periodically with warm water and baking soda or a mild soap, rinse, and dried. Good habits go a long way toward a freezer that runs efficiently. To get the most from your freezer, check regularly to make sure it's providing a true zero-degree temperature. Keep the freezer at least three-quarters full. The emptier it get, the more energy is wasted. If more than three pounds of food per cubic foot of storage space is added every 24 hours, the resulting high or low temperature can damage the food. In order to get the best results, you should _ . Answer: keep the freezer at least 75% full A rabbit is running into its hole. You may ask, "What happened?" Well, when a rabbit sees something dangerous, it runs away. Its tail moves up and down as it runs. When other rabbits see this tail moving up and down, they run too. They know that there is danger. The rabbit has told them something without making a sound. It has given them a signal. Many other animals use this kind of language. When a bee found some food, it goes back to his home. It cannot tell the other bees where the food is by speaking to them, but it does a little dance in the air. This tells the bees where the food is. Some animals say things by making sounds. A dog barks, for example, when a stranger comes near. A cat purrs when pleased. Some birds make several different sounds, each with its own meaning. But human beings have something that no animals have --- a large number of words about things, actions, feelings or ideas. We are able to give each other information, to tell or inform other people what is in our mind or how we feel. By writing words down we can remind ourselves of the things what have happened, or send messages to people far away. No animals can do this. No animals has the wonderful power of language. No one knows how man learned to make words. Somehow he learned to make them. As centuries went by, he made more and more new words. This is what we mean by language. People living in different countries made different kinds of words. Today there are about fifteen hundred different languages in the world. A very large English dictionary, for example, contains four or five hundred thousand words. But we do not know all these. The words we know are called vocabulary. We should try to make our vocabulary larger. Read as many books as possible. When we meet a new word, look it up in the dictionary. A dictionary is the Most useful book. A dog can tell something _ . Answer: by making different sounds
My life suffered a lot in summer five years ago. My father died in a car accident,leaving my mother,my two younger brothers and I alone. At that time,I was a senior high school student. After my father's funeral,I had no choice but to drop out of school and work in a factory. I really wanted to return to school and wanted to go to college,but I couldn't. I only hoped to bring up my two young brothers. Life was not easy for me,for I can't afford their tuition even if I worked from day to night without stopping. Without my father's protection,I thought I was a slave to the fate. Later on,something changed my life. I still remember that it was a rainy day. I put myself in the rain and walked slowly in the street. Suddenly the rain stopped!I raised my head and found "the sky" was in fact a dark blue umbrella. Then I noticed a middleaged man with one leg on crutch standing behind me. He said to me,"Why not run without an umbrella?If you didn't run,you would get drenched." The man told me that he was a promoter. He once dreamed of being a policeman,but an accident ruined his dream. Though his present job was not suitable for his legs,it was a wonderful start to him. He was very happy that he didn't lose heart and still "ran" on the road of life... I was encouraged by the man's words. I went to a big city and became an assurance representative. After two years' running,I did well and my family condition turned better little by little. Later I returned to school and succeeded in my entrance to university. Life is like this. When you are in rainy days in your life,if you couldn't find a way to prevent you from being wet,you would be overwhelmed. But if you decide to get rid of it,you'll discover that the rainy days last not so long as you imagine. What happened to the writer at the beginning of the story? Answer: He couldn't afford his two brothers' tuition even if he worked from day to night. Today is Sunday, so Peter doesn't go out. He asks his parents about the traditional Chinese clothes. Mother tells him that Qipao is the traditional dress of China. Qipao is usually made of silk. Sometimes Qipao is made of cotton. Many women in the West like it very much too. Father say all the VIPs in important meetings like wearing Tang suit . People look smart in the traditional Chinese clothes. Many young people find it cool to wear the clothes in their own styles. Peter's cousin says the modern clothes are better. Finally, they think the fashion should be comfortable first. Where does Peter talk with his parents? Answer: At home. Frank Brown doesn' t have a soccer ball, but his brother Alan does. They go to the same school and they love soccer. They play it at school with their friends. They think it's relaxing. Gina Smith has two soccer balls, three volleyballs, four basketballs and five baseballs and bats. She loves sports, but she doesn't play them--she only watches them on TV! Wang Wei doesn't have a soccer. He thinks soccer is difficult. He likes ping-pong. It's not difficult for him. He has three ping-pong balls and two ping-pong bats. After class, he plays ping-pong with his classmates. Who doesn't have a soccer? Answer: Frank Brown and Wang Wei According to the United States government, people are classified as homeless if they have no place to stay and no expectation of finding a place for the next thirty days.Although technically accurate, that is an impersonal assessment of an enormous and very human problem. The homeless population represents all of us Americans.It includes men and women, the elderly, children, and infants.Its members are from all ethnic groups.What they have in common is poverty. Currently in the U.S., thirty-nine million people live in poverty.When money is really tight, paying the rent or buying food often becomes a choice.Government assistance in the form of food stamps does help but, as one homeless man explains, you can't pay the rent with food stamps. With no money for rent, the streets and homeless shelters become the alternative. Although men constitute the largest group within the homeless population, homeless women with children are rapidly joining them.In fact, one quarter of the homeless people in the U.S.are teenagers and young children. People may become homeless for numerous reasons.However, there are certain factors that many of these individuals have in common.They include a lack of adequate education and job skills.A majority of the teenagers and adults have not completed high school. The abuse of alcohol and drugs is also a common factor.One third of the adult homeless population abuses alcohol.While one quarter of the same group uses drugs. Some members of this population suffer mental health problems.Within the past several years many institutions for the mentally ill have been closed and their patients sent "home".Unfortunately, a number of those people have no home to go to and they are unable to adequately look after themselves. Job loss in today's economy has also become a real factor in the loss of people's homes.The breakup of families through abandonment and divorce are also contributing factors, particularly when there are children involved.The parent who is left to care for the kids with inadequate income may be forced to depend on the homeless shelters to put a roof over their heads. People become homeless for all the following reasons E XCEPT _ . Answer: the poor performance of economy We met in a crowded showroom fifteen years ago. As I inched forward I eyed him with suspicion, unsure what to make of this stranger.A salesman made the proper introductions and although we got to know each other, I didn't trust him. I call him Super. I would find myself staring at him, wondering what secrets he held. I found myself spending more and more time with Super, getting to know him, learning to trust him. My other friends soon became a little jealous, stating that I spent too much time with him. It was true, but I didn't feel guilty, for I could just be myself with him. He didn't care about my appearance, pay and failure. None of these things mattered to him. Then _ one _ day _ he _ said _ he _ was _ going _ to _ show _ me _ the _ world.He _ said _ that _ I _ could _ ask _ to _ go _ anywhere, _ anywhere _ at _ all. When I asked him to show me New York, he didn't hesitate. He showed me the bright lights of Broadway, the majestic Statue of Liberty and so much more. Late at night we played games. Sometimes I won, sometimes he did.It didn't matter because we had fun. Through him I met other people. Men and women I never would have met if it wasn't for him. Then suddenly he became sick. He was unable to do anything and I felt so helpless because I didn't know what was wrong. But I knew those who could.I paced around the room while he was examined.What if it was something serious? What if he died? I cried but luckily he was fine again. I looked at him and saw my companion, teacher, instructor, travel guide and so much more.He was my friend, my best friend.He is ... my computer. What side of the author matters a lot to Super according to him? Answer: Nothing.
Harris, a heroin addict, broke into a house and took several cameras and watches, which he promptly pawned to obtain cash with which to obtain a "fix." Harris was later charged with larceny of the cameras and watches. Commonwealth v. Mason. Two sisters see a wealthy neighbor's pedigreed dog on the street. They take the dog home, intending to conceal it until the owner offers a reward. Held, guilty of larceny. If you knew you had only three years left to live, how would you use your time? It's a hard question and few of us would even like to think about it. But 18-year-old Huang Ge has to answer this question and he says, "I want to thank the people who have helped me." At the age of one, Huang's mother left the family. Six years later, he was badly ill. He has been using a wheelchair since 9 years old. Doctors said he would only live to be 18. After Huang's story went on TV, hundreds of Chinese sent money to help him. The boy was so moved that he decided to thank everyone of them. But it is not an easy job, because Huang was too sick even to drive a mosquito away from his leg. Huang has to be tied to his wheelchair to stop him from falling out. And the family can only afford a three-wheeled motorcycle . Since 2003, the father and son have traveled 14,000 kilometers to 10 provinces, and thanked more than 30 helpers. "I am moved by the story of this boy. We need the courage to face death, and we should also feel the thankfulness for those who help us," reads an online article on CCTV,com. Which is the best title of the passage? A thankful heart. A robin catches and eats a cricket. Which statement best describes the roles of each animal? The robin is the predator and the cricket is the prey. Farming is moving indoors, where the sun never shines, where rainfall is irrelevant and where the climate is always right. The perfect crop field could be inside a windowless building with controlled light, temperature, wetness, air quality and nutrition. It could be in a New York high-rise or a sprawling complex in the Saudi desert. It may be an answer to the world's food problems. The world is already having trouble feeding itself. Half the people on Earth live in cities, and nearly half of those--about 3 billion--are hungry or ill-fed. Food prices, currently increasing, are _ by dryness, floods and the cost of energy required to plant, harvest and transport. And prices will only get more unstable. Climate change makes long-term crop planning uncertain. Farmers in many parts of the world are already using water available to the last drop. And the world is getting more crowded: by mid-century, the global population will grow from 6. 8 billion to 9 billion. To feed so many people may require expanding farmland at the expense of forests and wilderness, or finding ways to completely increase crop output. Gertjan Meeuws has taken the concept of a greenhouse a step further, growing vegetables and house plants in enclosed and regulated environments. In their research station, water flows into the pans when needed, and the temperature is kept constant. Lights go on and off, creating similar day and night, but according to the rhythm of the plant. A building of 100 square meters and 14 layers of plants could provide a daily diet of 200 grams of fresh fruit and vegetables to the entire population of Den Bosch, about 140, 000 people. Their idea is not to grow foods that require much space, like corn or potatoes. Here sunlight is not only unnecessary but can be harmful. Plants need only specific wavelengths of light to grow. Their growth rate is three times faster than under greenhouse conditions. They use about 90 percent less water than outdoors agriculture. And city farming means producing food near the consumer, and there's no need to transport it long distances. It can be inferred from the text that Gertjan Meeuws's farming _ . suits different conditions Miss sending letters? Try Lettrs! This new service brings back the art of letter writing by marrying it to the Internet. Lettrs, a new site, is attempting to bring back the old-fashioned idea of letter writing by providing a space that feels a little bit like a writing desk. Of course, there'll be purists who say that to truly enjoy letter writing you must do it on fancy letter paper and envelope in the mail is part of the fun. And if you're into that sort of thing, go for it. But I can't be the only one who is now so much faster at typing that writing by hand is painfully slow. Nor can I be the only one who likes to write on a whim when I'm going to be on a crowded train or airplane, both of which are situations where writing on the computer is far easier. The site tries, pretty seriously, to approximate what it's like to have your very own writing desk and paper to choose from (which comes in various prints and colors) as well as corresponding types of prints and cursive writing that come out on your screen as you write. There's also a "desk drawer" for letters you've already sent, a "fridge" to post letters publicly, a "kitchen counter" for letters you have just received, and "shoebox" to store your letters in. And if you need inspiration there are even old-style letters that are great examples of the kind of correspondence people used to send. Lettrs is such a great idea, because you get the best parts of communicating online (typing rather than writing, the speed, no lost mail, and it's free! ) with the nice parts of a letter-the sense of sitting down to write, quietly, to one person in a meaningful way. Who would you write to? What is the main purpose of the author writing the text? To advise readers to use Lettrs.
In America, after middle school comes high school, which includes grades 9 through 12. Students are required to take compulsory subjects like English, social studies, math, science, and physical education. In addition, they choose among elective subjects to complete their high school education. Electives include subjects in technology, music, art, and foreign languages. Each student in the school has their own locker for books and personal items. This convenience saves students from carrying textbooks, and allows students a small space they can decorate with(......)posters and favorite objects. Cheating in any form is strictly prohibited in American schools. And in fact, high school students usually don't cheat. If they are caught cheating, they will have to face severe punishment. Each school holds certain yearly activities for all school students, such as homecoming , prom night , holiday celebrations, etc. Most high schools have at least one sports team that competes in local games, and all students are encouraged to take part in athletics. Schools often offer football, baseball and softball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and soccer. Some may even have sports like golf, swimming, gymnastics and cross-country skiing. Many high school students have part-time jobs by the age of 15 or 16, some even earlier. Their first jobs are often babysitting or cutting lawns , but later they will likely get a job at a fast-food restaurant, video store, or clothing shop. Sixteen years old is legal driving age in most states, and students usually want to own a car as soon as they can. Some parents allow their children to drive a family car, and may even buy a car as a graduation present. Others prefer that their sons and daughters earn enough to buy a used car. Many teenagers feel it's necessary to own a car, and will do whatever it takes to be able to drive. From the short passage we can infer that_. Try it and see for yourself--Crossword Weaver is the leading Crossword Puzzle Creator. This crossword puzzle maker, Crossword Weaver, is the leading crossword puzzle software. Type in your words to quickly create two styles of crossword puzzles. The freeform style uses only your words. Perfect for educators, home scholars, parents, and anyone wanting their puzzle to use only their words. Or, our patented technology mixes your words with a high quality database to give you professional puzzles in just seconds! Education Discount--Get 25% Off! Teachers, parents, students, home scholars, and religious educators who are purchasing this product qualify for a 25% discount! The demo mode allows you to try the program to see if it meets your needs before you purchase it. After you purchase an unlocking code and enter the code into the Crossword Weaver demo, it will immediately become the full version. The demo version has limitations on printing, saving, and exporting. Crossword Weaver is the best program for the best price. Used by teachers, parents, puzzle lovers, businesses, newsletter editors, publishers, and newspapers all over the world! Help your students learn vocabulary, spelling, facts, and more. Easily add a puzzle to your newsletter to make it really special Quickly make gifts for that special puzzle lover in your life. New!Play your puzzles online or email to friends. New!Save your puzzles as PDF's. New!Easily export to a web site. Try it for yourself and see how Crossword Weaver can help you with all of your crossword puzzle needs. License number to unlock the demo $39.95 License number to unlock the demo plus the optional CD $39.95 + $4.95 (includes S&H) All upgrades are free. Simply download the demo for the new version and type in your unlock code again to get your new version. Compared to the full version, the demo mode _ . In 2003, Bethany Hamilton,13, lost her left arm to a shark attack while surfing off Kauai, Hawaii. A new film ,Soul Surfer, is based on the story of how she overcame that to achieve her dream of becoming a professional athlete. Growing up on the "garden isle" of Kauai, Hamilton spent every minute she could riding the waves. She was on the verge of becoming a top competitor in professional surfing. But while she was practicing at an isolated cove ,a four-meter-long tiger shark ripped off her left arm. Though her life was saved, nobody could imagine she would ever get back on a surfboard again. In a true test of her faith and by _ will power, Bethany did get back up on a surfboard only a month after the attack. Six months later, she was competing again. Bethany Hamilton won her first amateur surfing championship just two years after she lost her arm. She also established the "Friends of Bethany," a non---profit foundation dedicated to supporting sharks attack victims. It's a story told in her autobiography, which is the basis for the film that stars teenager Anna Sophia Robb. "I knew Bethany's story, of course, but I thought 'What an incredible role' ,"explains Robb. "I was so fascinated by all of the challenges. What would it be like to have your arm taken and what would go through your head and how would your faith be challenged?" The filmmakers used special effects to digitally remove Robb' s arm .However ,no tricks were necessary for the surfing scenes because Hamilton herself did the breathtaking wave riding. Now 21, Hamilton says she hopes audiences find inspiration in the description of the sport she loves. "Not a lot of people know that much about surfing, so I hope they're educated about it," Hamilton says. "And most of all if people are going through a hard time, they could be encouraged and find inspiration to push through those hard times and see that, in my case ,so much good has come out of it." According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?. Today, many species of animals and plants are endangered. This means they are in danger of becoming extinct and living on only in the pages of history books. The famous dodo is a classic example of a creature that became extinct. A flightless bird that lived on the island of Mauritius, it was discovered by sailors in 1598 but was hunted to extinction by 1681. Hunting has caused the Bengal tiger and the African elephant to be endangered today but habitat destruction can also lead to extinction. This is equally true for plants. Animals and plants disappear for other reasons too, but the main cause is often a disruption(,) in the natural food chain, whether due to hunting, habitat destruction, or even the introduction of alien species. The natural food chain is the cycle that governs the existence of all life on this planet. It is a carefully balanced cycle and any imbalance that occurs can cause knock-on effects that have serious consequences. At the beginning of the natural food chain are plants which turn sunlight into energy and draw nutrients from the earth. Plants are called producers. After the producers come the consumers. There are three tiers of consumers. First are creatures such as plant-eating animals, fish and insects which feed off the producers. These animals that only eat plants are called herbivores. The second tier of consumers are carnivores - animals that live off other animals. The third tier of consumers eats both other animals and plants. These consumers, including most humans, are called omnivores. After animals and plants die, they become food for other smaller creatures, such as bacteria and some plants, such as fungi. As they feed, these creatures turn the dead bodies back into gases and minerals which are again food for the producers at the beginning of the food chain. And so the cycle continues. All of nature is connected and governed by hundreds of these delicate food chains and if a single plant in the chain cannot survive, then the insects that live off the plant start to die and the animals that eat the insects also start to die. When a food chain is disrupted, the consequences can be extremely serious. One estimate suggests that for each plant species that is lost, up to 30 animals and insects may also die out. One wonders how many species were affected by the extinction of the dodo? Humans can have disastrous effects on food chains. We've already mentioned hunting but now let's look at travel. When people first started to explore the world they took plant and animal species from their home countries and introduced them wherever they went. They didn't realize that by introducing alien species they were disrupting the natural food chains of the areas they discovered. Although there are strict rules in place today controlling the import and export of alien species, some places are still fighting the effects of aliens introduced hundreds of years ago. For example, Gough Island in the South Atlantic Ocean is a breeding ground for albatrosses that have been nesting there for centuries. But in the 19th century, mice from passing ships were brought to the island. Being a species alien to the island, they had no natural predators and have now grown to such a size that they are attacking and killing albatross chicks. If they are allowed to continue, they will wipe out the albatross population. With import laws and people's rising awareness of how humans affect the natural environment, hopefully we can learn to fit better into the natural food chains that govern our world. Otherwise we need to accept that the loss of any more plants and animals could eventually mean our own extinction. By mentioning the mice in Gough Island, the author intends to highlight _ . New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate and enter the new year with a smile on your face. This year, there're plenty of local activities for all ages and interests, so the smiles will come easily. BLUE CONCERT Blues band the Coyotes is playing at the Dance Barn,at 8 Barn View in Sudden Valley, The show will start at 9 p. m. and benefit the charity Bikers Fighting Cancer. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 224-2308 for more information. NEW YEAR'S LAUGHS Ring in the New Year and laugh out the old one at the Upfront Theatre Comic improvisers will hit on all the highlights of the year with The Last Laugh of 2008. The 9 p. m. show will cost $15 and is open to all ages. The 11 P. m. show is open to 21 and older and costs $18, which includes a champagne toast. Call 733-8855 for more information. MAZE For a fun activity earlier in the evening,walk the labyrinth at the Leopold Crystal Bellroom. Wander through the maze, based on the French Chartres Cathedral, for free from 4 to 9 p. m. Call 752-0048 for more information. COUNTRY DANCING At the Bellingham Eagles Hall, live local music will help get the dance started at 8 p. m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for kids 12 and younger. For more information, call 676-1554. If you want to know something about the Coyotes at 8 Barn view, you'd better call _ .
Question: Which are examples of inherited traits? A. specific beliefs B. fingerprints C. memories D. nose shape Answer: D. nose shape Question: The world moves so quickly nowadays. With so many daily responsibilities, some of us can hardly keep our heads above water. Should we make time for studying or appreciating the arts? Many people would say the arts are nice, but not necessary .In school, students should focus on languages ,math and science. Painting, drama and music are _ After graduation, listening to Mozart won't lead you to a better-paying job. In truth, spending time learning to appreciate the arts may be more worthwhile than you think. A recent British study examined the salaries and jobs of people who spent time enjoying the arts when growing up. The researchers found those who enjoyed the arts from an early age had better jobs and higher salaries than those who didn't. What's the link? How could visiting a museum, enjoying a symphony, or honing painting skills lead to career success? It turns out that the arts help us develop many useful skills. Other students have found students studying the arts exercise their reasoning ability. The skill helps with problem-solving. Creative and critical-thinking abilities are also developed through art study. Moreover, those who enjoy the arts have more motivation to achieve .Students who practice an art experience the rewards that come from persistence and goal-setting. These benefits also extend to those who make time to appreciate the arts beyond their school years. The best kind of art stirs our imagination and makes us think. Paintings aren't just pretty pictures. They tell stories about the lives of the subjects or about the experience of the painter. See Michelangelo's art and you'll taste the power of his faith in God. Look at the world from Picasso's point of view, and you see everyday life in new ways. Those who appreciate the arts also gain a broader perspective on the world. The arts reveal and explain the world beyond our own personal knowledge which can help us better communicate and cooperate with other people. If you want to better yourself, go and enjoy the arts. Check out an art gallery or a museum. Take in a play. You won't regret it and it will do you more good than you can imagine. The benefits of enjoying arts are all of the following EXCEPT _ . A. communicating skills B. high positions C. problem-solving abilities D. creation and imagination Answer: B. high positions Question: A friend of mine named Paul received an expensive car from his brother as a Christmas present.On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office,a street urchin was walking around the shining car."Is this your car,Paul?"he asked. Paul answered,"Yes,my brother gave it to me for Christmas." The boy was surprised."You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you nothing?Boy,I wish..." He hesitated. Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for.He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the boy said surprised Paul greatly. "I wish," the boy went on,"that I could be a brother like that." Paul looked at the boy in surprise, then he said again, "Would you like to take a ride in my car?" "Oh yes,I'd love that." After a short ride,the boy turned and with his eyes shining,said,"Paul,would you mind driving in front of my house?" Paul smiled a little.He thought he knew what the boy wanted.He wanted to show his neighbours that he could ride home in a big car. But Paul was wrong again. "Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked. He ran up to the steps. Then in a short while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the step and pointed to the car. "There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm going to give you one just like it...then you can see for yourself all the nice things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about." Paul got out and lifted the boy to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began an unforgettable holiday ride. :urchin hesitate neighbour crippled cent From the story we can see the urchin _ . A. wished Paul could be a brother like that B. wanted Paul's brother to give him a car C. wished he could have a brother like Paul's D. wished to give his brother a car Answer: D. wished to give his brother a car Question: In 1834, the clock tower in London was burned down. People planned to build a new clock which would be the biggest and best in the world. So the clock had to be big and keep very good time. The big clock was made in two years. Five more years later the tower was finished. Then people put the big clock in the tower, and made it ring out for the first time on July 11, 1859. In order to give the bigclock a good name, people held a meeting. Someone wanted to call it the Queen of Bells, and someone thought Victoria was good. At last, a man named Benjamin Hall stood up. He was a big man. Before he started to speak, someone shouted, "Why not call it Big Ben? "Everybody laughed and agreed with him. From then on, Big Ben became its name. And it also became a famous building of London. People all over the world write to Big Ben. They even send birthday presents--bottles of oil-to help keep Big Ben running. Big Ben is not only a clock but also a dear friend ofpeople. Benjamin Hall is _ A. a man who built Big Ben B. a man who was always very funny C. the man who burnt down the old clock D. a man who attended the meeting which was held to make a name for the big clock Answer: D. a man who attended the meeting which was held to make a name for the big clock Question: A hard hat would be used to protect a student during which type of investigation? A. a field trip to a museum of geology B. a field investigation of rock layers in a hillside C. a laboratory demonstration on the hardness of minerals D. a laboratory investigation of the identification of fossils Answer: B. a field investigation of rock layers in a hillside
Question: We have heard about people who have special memories. Recently there has been a report about a woman from Australia who can remember almost every detail of all the events in her daily life. Rebecca Sharrock, 25, is one of just 80 people worldwide who have been identified as having Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory ( HSAM,). It means she can remember every small event-which most people would forget with in (......) days-as if it had happened just minutes ago. "I remember my mum putting me in the driver's seat of a car and taking a picture of me when I was 12 days old," she said. "That's my earliest memory. I remember every day since then. I can't tell all the dates exactly because I was too young to understand calendars, but I remember what I did that every day, what the weather was like and so on." Rebecca can also re-experience taste. If she's eating something that she doesn't like, she thinks about Black Forest cake, her favorite food, and the memory will be so strong that she can nearly "taste" it. However, sometimes her memories prove to be painful. Because they're not just events that she remembers. "When I relive memories, the feelings return, too," Rebecca said. "For example, I remember falling over when I was three at my grandparents' house and hurting my left knee. Talking about it now, I feel painful in my left knee. " "At night, I have to sleep with the radio/recorder and a soft light on, she added. "1f it's too dark or quiet, my mind would be filled with all these memories and I can't sleep. " What is the result of having HSAM? A. She can remember every event in her daily life. B. She can re-experience taste. C. She can relive feelings. D. All the above. Answer: D. All the above. Question: The Guidance Department at Burrville High School has a staff of eleven. Most of their work is done with the students. But the staff sees a lot of parents, too. "Parent meetings form a clear monthly pattern," says Mildred Foreman, Guidance Director. "This pattern stays much the same from year to year. The busy months are October, March and May." September starts rather slowly. Few parents come in. Most of them want to discuss the schedules. October brings many behaviour problems. Some parents are called in. Others come by themselves. Things quiet down in November. December is a quiet month. "It's the holiday," Ms. Foreman says. "People want to come in, I know, but they decide to wait until after New Year's Day." Report cards go home just before Christmas holidays. Bad marks bring parents in as school reopens. This happens again in March, another report card month. May is always the year's busiest month. That's when parents realize that their children might be held back . They come in to see if anything can be done before things are decided in June. Most of their work is done with the students means _ . A. they have most of their work done by the students B. most of their work is getting rid of their students C. most of their work is dealing with the students D. their work is mostly done together with the students Answer: C. most of their work is dealing with the students Question: Today, nearly 400 animals are listed as threatened or endangered animals in the United States. Many are at risk of becoming extinct or disappearing permanently. Unless efforts to save these vulnerable animals succeed, many of the country's greatest creatures will be lost forever. From the facts listed, guess which animals are endangered. Click on the picture to find out more about each of these animals in trouble. American Crocodile American crocodiles are about 12 feet long. They live on land and in shallow water, swamps and marshes. American crocodiles like to float in the water with only their eyes and noses above the water surface. American crocodiles eat mostly small animals, which they grab with their strong jaws and sharp teeth. American crocodiles lay eggs. They hide their eggs under twigs and leaves, or bury them in the sand. Some crocodiles help their young hatch, and then carry them to the water in their mouth. Habitat Southern Florida, Mexico, Central and South American, Caribbean islands. Why It's Endangered Overhunted for its skin and habitat destruction. Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Bighorn sheep can weigh as much as 280 pounds and stand about 3 feet tall. They live in dry, desert mountain ranges, near rocky cliffs. Bighorn sheep eat grass, twigs and leaves. Male sheep are called rams and can be recognized by their huge, brown horns. The horns curl back over the ears, down,and up past the cheeks. They live in herds or groups. The male sheep with the biggest horns are usually in charge. Male horns can weigh as much as 30 pounds. Males will use their massive horns to fight. The fights can last as long as 24 hours. Females are called ewes. They are smaller than rams and have shorter, smaller horns. Habitat Nevada and California to west Texas and south into Mexico. Why It's Endangered Loss of habitat, hunting illegally, drought and disease. What can be the best title? A. Animals in Danger B. American Crocodile C. Peninsular Bighorn Sheep D. How to Save Animals in Danger Answer: A. Animals in Danger Question: When I was young, my father used to grow carnations -- a kind of flower that was red, pink or white. He took care of them with much love and devotion. Every day he came home from work, he would enjoy watching them. And he used to tell us, "No one should touch my flowers." One day, my younger sister Clemence, who loved dad very much, wanted to help him. So she cut the carnation from their stems one by one and arranged them on the ground. She believed that dad would be very happy to see them that way. When mom and I realized what my sister had done, we became completely silent. However, my sister didn't know why no one showed her any appreciation . When dad arrived, he went as usual straight to watch the flowers. Seeing his flowers lying on the ground like dead animals, he was shocked at first. He looked towards the street to see if it was any of the neighbors' children who could have done it. Then he looked at mom in silence. Finally mom, who always taught us to tell the truth no matter what, said, "No bad neighbors did this great job, only your lovely daughter Clemence." Dad's face changed into a smile and then he said, "Do I have better flower than my lovely daughter?" My younger sister smiled and hugged dad strongly. ,. How did Clemence feel when she had the carnations cut? A. Sorry. B. Worried. C. Upset. D. Happy Answer: D. Happy Question: I know now that the man who sat with me on the old wooden stairs that hot summer night over thirty-five years ago was not a tall man. But to a five-year old, he was a giant. Once again, I was caught in the middle of circumstances. The fourth born of six children, it was not uncommon that I was either too young or too old for something. This night I was both. While my two baby brothers slept inside the house, my three older siblings played with friends around the corner, where I was not allowed to go. I stayed with Grandpa, and that was okay with me. I was where I wanted to be. "Thirsty?" Grandpa asked. "Yes" was my reply. "Would you like to run over to the gas station there and get yourself a bottle of Coke?" I couldn't believe my ears. On my family's modest income, Coke was not a part of our budge or diet. A few sips were all I had ever had, and certainly never my own bottle. "Okay," I replied shyly. Opening his fist, Grandpa instructed me to pick out a dime. "Okay," he said, " I'm going to stay here and I'll tell you when It's safe to cross. You go over to the Coke machine, get your Coke and come back out. Wait for me to tell you when it's safe to cross back." My heart pounded. Grandpa held my hand tightly. When he told me it was safe to cross, I ran faster than I had ever run before. Reaching the other side, I turned to find Grandpa. There he was, standing exactly where I had left him, smiling proudly. I waved. "Go on, hurry up," he yelled. Coke in hand, I proudly marched back out into the early evening dusk. Grandpa was waiting patiently. He smiled. "Come on, now," he said, "run." I did." "Don't ever do that alone, he warned. I held the Coke bottle tightly, fearful he would make me pour it into a cup, ruining my dream. He didn't. One lone swallow of the cold drink cooled my sweating body. I don't think I ever felt so proud. By saying " this night I was both.", the author probably felt that _ . A. he both wanted to sleep inside and play around the corner B. he was too young to sleep with his baby brothers and too old to play with his older siblings C. he was too young to play with his older siblings and too old to sleep with his baby brothers D. he was refused by both his baby brothers and his older siblings. Answer: C. he was too young to play with his older siblings and too old to sleep with his baby brothers
WASHINGTON -- It is announced Friday that White House visitor records will be opened up on a regular basis for the first time in modern history, providing the public an unusually detailed look at who gets the opportunity to help shape American policy at the highest levels. "Americans have a right to know whose voices are being heard in the policymaking process," the president said in a written statement issued by the White House while he vacationed with his family at Camp David. By the end of the year, the White House will begin posting online every month the names of the people who visited in the last 90 to 120 days. Each person's full name will be listed, along with the date and time they entered and left and the name of the person they visited. About 70,000 to 100,000 people visit the White House each month, and the records will include tourists as well as people conducting business. The White House pointed out several exceptions to the policy: "purely personal guests" of the Obama family; those cases in which the disclosure of visitors' names "would threaten national safety interests"; and those who come for "particularly sensitive meetings," like candidates for a Supreme Court nomination . Officials said only a "small number" will fit in the latter category , and their names would eventually be disclosed after they are no longer secret, like after a nomination is publicly announced. Moreover, they said, the number of undisclosed visitors will be disclosed, to make clear how few they are. Why will the White House visitor records be open to the public? Answer: Phillida Eves and her husband Tedd Hamilton weren't unhappy living in the Galway countryside with their sons, Cian and Oisin, and their daughter, Soracha. "We had a lovely home , a car, lots of friends, and weekends sailing our boat", says Phillida. "But there's a line from a poem that goes: 'Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?' That says it all for me. We felt that there was more to life." So they quit their jobs, took their sons, then aged six and nine, out of school and went to southern Spain where they bought a 15-meter yacht and headed up the coast to Barcelona. Soracah was not even three. And they brought along Poppy, the family dog. Now, two and a half years and 10,000 km later, they don't intend to stop. Tedd is a yacht engineer and can find work in ports. But, says Phillida, a supply teacher , "Any family could do this". The children are home-schooled using a correspondence course . My son had a recent project on the weather. The weather is vital to us. My son knows more than most adults about weather systems, compasses, maps and directions. The weather, for him, means life or death. Other subjects have become equally vivid. "They're living geography and history all the time. We've sailed round Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, and seen tiny islands we didn't know. The kids learned about ancient Romans by visiting Rome. One summer off the Italian coast we sailed past a volcano at 2am. We woke the kids. There it was, under the moon, with fire coming out the top--you don't get that in a textbook." But what about social development? Again, Phillida is _ . "The children have become much more socially confident since we set out. They play with tones of families of all nationalities on other boats we meet." Living for the moment, they believe, is a huge life lesson. "Our children never say they're bored." The other day they stopped mid-ocean and the kids swam, 110km from land. "That's the kind of freedom we want for them," says Phillida. "That's the kind of freedom they've got." What can we learn about the family from the text? Answer: Brighton: It is a seaside resort on the English Channel. Only 50 miles from London, it offers a good variety of lively entertainment. It is a cheerful place, busy and crowded in the summer, but alive in every season of the year. Its royal pavilion is a masterpiece of English architecture. Durham: Whatever travelers see or don't see in England, they must see this city, in the northeast, just south of NewcastleuponTyne. No one will forget the sight of its cathedral and castle rising together on a steep hill overlooking a loop in the River Wear, which almost surrounds them. The cathedral itself is one of the great medieval(,476~1500)buildings in Europe. Liverpool: A port in the northwest of England which possesses a quality that is not found in quite the same way anywhere else in England: the quality of grandeur . Liverpool has this grandeur in its site on the broad River Mersey (more than half a mile wide) with the houses rising near it; in its great dock buildings, its broad streets, and its two enormous cathedrals. Edinburgh: It has long been the capital of Scotland. Edinburgh Castle is Edinburgh's important building, controlling the city from its perch on a rock over a hundred meters above sea level. Another important building is the Palace of Holyrood House, begun by James III around 1500. Between the castle and the palace is the Royal Mile, which was the center of Edinburgh life before the 17th century and is fascinating to visit now. Which is the suitable time to visit Brighton ? Answer: What prohibits cells from contorting into deformed shapes? Answer: Mr. Black was very forgetful. Each time when Mrs. Black wanted her husband to do something, she had to tell him again and again not to forget it. Once Mr. Black was asked to post a letter, " Do remember to put it into the letter box on your way to work." The wife said. " This time I won't forget." Mr. Black said to his wife. "I will hold the letter in my pocket." "Oh, my dear, you may go now. Please come back early." Mrs. Black said. As Mr. Black was shown out, he felt as if his wife touched him affectionately on the back. Hand in his pocket, Mr. Black walked slowly down the street. Soon a man caught up with him from behind and smiled at him, "Don't forget to post the letter." Mr. Black was wondering how the man knew he had a letter to post. Then a girl passed him and turned to smile at him, too."Now be sure to post the letter," the girl said. Mr. Black was even more puzzled, "Why are they smiling at me? And how do they know I'm going to post a letter?" he thought to himself. The girl turned to smile at Mr. Black _ . Answer:
Short people, studies have shown , are more likely to have a stroke , suffer from high blood pressures and heart disease and be bullied in school . Now, researchers report that short people--at least in the past--were also more likely to die at a younger age than their taller peers. Their study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health , found that short bones have something to do with short life for more than 1,000 years. The conclusion was based on 490 sets of adult skeletal remains from an archaeological site in northeastern England , YC dating from the 9th century to about 1850 . About 55% of men and 73% of women died before the age of 45, and 39% of men and 56% of women died before age 30. The risk of death before age 30 declined as bone length increased. "This study provides evidence from an archaeological sample that long bone length is connected with age at death--those with smaller bones tend to die younger," according to Dr. D.J. Gunnell of the university of Bristol in the UK and colleagues . While it is not clear why short stature might be linked to earlier death , the researchers point out that height is _ of childhood nutrition, which may have long-lasting effect on health . "Mechanism for height-mortality associations in the past may differ from those today , for example , short stature may have increased the risk of death in childbirth and this may explain the higher risk of premature mortality in women," Gunnell and colleagues write . "However, short bones, it would appear, have always been a marker of a short life," the authors conclude. The topic in this passage is probably connected with Good morning! I'm Mike Brown. I am an English boy. My telephone number is five-four-five-zero-six-seven-eight. This is my room . The quilt is blue. In the room, there are books , a computer and a pencil box . Mike's last name is _ . Long long time ago,the Creator created a man and a woman,they lived together very happily for a time.But then they began to get angry with each other,and at last the woman left and started off to the Sun land in the east. The man followed alone and felt very sad,but the woman kept on ahead and never looked behind,until the Creator,took pity on him and asked him if he was still angry with his wife.He said he was not,and the Creator then asked him if he would like to have her back again.He answered yes. So the Creator created a patch of the finest ripe tomatoes along the way in front of the woman,but she passed by like seeing nothing at all.Later,he put a patch of beautiful flowers but again she refused to notice.Until suddenly she saw in front of her a patch of large ripe strawberries.They looked delicious. She stopped to pick a few to eat,and as she ate them she turned her face to the west by accident,and at once she remembered her husband and she found herself unable to go on.She sat down,but the longer she waited,the more she missed her husband,and at last she took a lot of the best strawberries and started back along the way to give them to him.He met her kindly and they went home together. What's the relationship between the man and the woman? Today's parents miss the golden age that their own mothers enjoyed in the 1970s and 1980s, researchers found. Mothers have less time to themselves and feel under greater pressure to _ work and family life than the previous generation. As a result, 88 per cent said they felt guilty about the lack of time they spent with their children. The survey of 1,000 mothers also found that more than a third said they had less time to themselves than their mothers did -- just three hours a week or 26 minutes a day And 64 percent said this was because they felt they 'had' to go out to work, while nearly a third (29 per cent) said they were under constant pressure to be the 'perfect mother', the report found. Other findings showed social network and parenting website were important in proving help and support among female communities Kate Fox, of the Social Issues Research Centre, which conducted the survey for Procter & Gamble, said: "With increasing pressure on mothers to work a 'double shift' -- to be the perfect mother as well as a wage-earner -- support networks are more important than ever It comes as a separate report examining childcare in the leading industrialized nations found that working mothers in Britain spend just 81 minutes a day caring for their children as a "primary activity". Critics say the pressure on women to work long hours, and leave their children in the hands of nurseries or child minders, is putting the well-being of their children at risk. The study also reveals that, despite the fact that more and more modern mothers go out to work, the burden of childcare still falls on them -- even if their husband is not in work A father who is not in work tends to spend just 63 minutes a day looking after his child -- 18 minutes less than a mother who goes out to work. Working fathers spare less than three quarters of an hour with their children. Which of the following statements is True? If your life is just too busy for the added stress of planning a birthday party, consider having someone else do all the work. There are several great places in Amarillo that would be happy to host the party for you. Here are a few party places for children's birthday parties in Amarillo, Texas. Jump'n Jive Jump' n Jive birthday parties are a hit in Amarillo. It is basically a giant indoor playground full of inflatable jumpers and slides. The kids will enjoy pretending to be popcorn, and you'll enjoy not having to plan the activities. It's great exercise and parents may content for wearing out their kids for a good short sleep. They can supply the cake, ice cream, tableware, pizza, good bags and much more. They are located at 7302 W. 34th Street and you can reach them at (806) 367-8954. Brush With Art If you've ever found your child color1ing on the wall (or even if you haven't) Brush With Art is a fantastic birthday party place. It is a paint-you-own pottery studio where the guests and your birthday star will enjoy painting items such as a plate, a cup and other items. Brush With Art is located at 1948 Civic Circle in Wolflin Square. You can reach them at (806) 355-7911. The Amarillo Zoo Want to celebrate the birthday with monkeys, lions and pot-bellied pigs? The Amarillo Zoo is a great place for a birthday party. The kids will enjoy seeing and talking about the animals. It will definitely provide a memorable experience. It even includes a private encounter with an animal such as a snake or a rabbit. For more details on birthday parties at the Amarillo zoo, call at least 3 weeks in advance at (806)381-7911. Don Harrington Discovery Center Want an entertaining birthday party with an educational twist? The Don Harrington Discovery Center is a fantastic place to go. Kids will enjoy interacting with fun exhibits such as a bubble area where you can make giant bubbles. Their birthday parties include the use of a private party room for two hours. It also includes a hands-on activity with a staff person. It definitely makes for a unique, but exciting birthday party. To learn more about their party packages, give them a call at (806)355-9547. The museum's address is 1200 Streit Drive in Amarillo. If Thomas' child is interested in painting, he is advised to visit _ .
When you work long hours and Sundays are no longer a day to rest, feeling overworked can become the new normal. Take sportsmen as examples and do the same yourself, so you'll know if you're overworking. Check your resting heart rate . Every day, before you get out of bed, take your pulse . Usually your heart rate will stay within a few beats every minute. But when you're overworked, the rate increases. If your heart rate is up in the morning, get a little more rest or sleep that night. Check your emotions. Getting angry easily? If you can't put your finger on a clear reason, there may be something wrong with your emotions. Hoping to change the condition won't help. The only way out is a break. Check your weight. If you lose or increase more than 1% of body weight from one day to the next, something is wrong. Maybe yesterday you were too busy and failed to notice you didn't eat and drink enough. Or maybe you failed to notice that you were eating too much. How many ways are mentioned to check if we're overworking? A Two B Three C Four D Five Answer: B. Three Scientists have created a " human-like robot" that can dance and do the housework. " Mahru" has been developed to imitate humans and can move its lips, eyebrows and pupils . The machine can also move its upper and lower body freely and automatically stop itself when walking. In addition, it has been programmed to give out two kinds of pleasant smells to match its emotions. The 1.5 tall robot was produced by researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and is the first South Korean- developed machine of its kind. "'Mahru' will open the way for the commercial use of humanoid robots doing housework," You Bum-Jae, leader of the development research team ,said. "'Mahru' can dance while walking on its legs and is able to work in place of a human." Through an advanced motion capture system, "Mahru" can follow a variety of human movements and move its hands freely enough to deal with any obstacles that may get in its way when walking. State-funded KIST showed the robot during a presentation at its head office in Seoul. People here were treated to an entertaining demonstration which saw the robot show off the full range of its skills, most notably s series of dance moves. The research team added that they had designed another " Mahru", this time with sensors allowing it to distinguish between faces and objects. The showing of " Mahru" came a week after researcher in Japan said they had created the "most human-like" robot in the world. A team at robotics department of Osaka University in Japan claimed that " robogirl", Repliee R-1, " looks, moves and interacts like a human, and has silicone skin that feels almost human to the touch." When Mahru" meets something in its way, it will be likely to _ . A go around it B turn back quickly C deal with it using its hands D ask humans for help Answer: C. deal with it using its hands An example of a fossil could be a A dino track B animal eye C human heart D abandoned nest Answer: A. dino track Which process occurs when rocks and soil slide down a mountain? A erosion B migration C recycling D maintenance Answer: A. erosion No one really knows how the ancient Egyptians build the pyramids. But Maureen Clemmons has a theory . She thinks the Egyptians may have used kites. "If you look at ht top center of every monument , you see wings," Clemons said. "I think the Egyptians have been trying to tell us in pictures for 3,000 years that this is how they built the pyramids." She thinks that earliest Egyptian workers might make use of kites to lift the stones with the help of the desert wind. She got a team of aeronautic engineers to help her test the theory. Yesterday, in the Mojave Desert, they put their theory to the test using a nylon kite, three pulleys and an obelisk that weighs nearly four tons. The wind speed had to be just right. And amazingly, it worked. "There's ly no evidence for kites in ancient Egypt," said Professor Carol Redmount of the University of California. "There's no evidence of pulleys as we know them today." Redmount says the historical evidence points to the "Charlton Heston method," which basically relies on the theory of the muscle of slaves pushing and pulling huge stone blocks to create the pyramids. But the kite-lifting group will have none that. "All I can remember from history is that Egyptians drank beer for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and as someone who has done field research on drinking beer, I know after I've had two beers and it's really hot. I'm not pushing or pulling anything," Clemmons said. "So, I figured I'd try to think another way." What is the best title for the passage? A An Unknown Mystery B Two Different Theories C Kites and Pyramids D Kites and Pulleys Answer: C. Kites and Pyramids
Have you ever run out of coffee or tea? Found no eggs in the fridge? No bread for the sandwich and the nearest shop is too far away? Well, all that can change in the future. If all goes well, the intelligent future kitchen will soon help solve all your problems. In the future, all kitchen units will be connected to the Internet. The intelligent future kitchen will give wise advice on planning your menu for the day. Worried about your weight? -- It will tell you the right diet and what is good for your health. It will even keep in mind your likes and dislikes! Designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this smart kitchen promises to pay attention to all your needs. The computer's system will help keep an "eye" on the fridge. If the fridge is empty, the kitchen will _ call and place an order at the local supermarket. So you don't have to worry about it at all. You get home late, and don't know what to make from the collection of ingredients in your fridge. A while back you might have ordered a take-out but now, instead of worrying about eating a collection of this and that, you're excited. You can pull out each vegetable, and pass each one in front of a web camera next to your fridge. A few moments later, a screen on your fridge would display a tasty recipe. After dinner, you take your plates to a box next to the sink. You don't have to clean them, your machine does. It produces new plates every time you need to eat. Later in the evening, you phone your other half, who is on a business trip half-way around the world. As you drink your cup of hot coffee, it makes your other half's cup change color on the other side of the world, another special way to keep in touch. The kitchen of the future may help you _ . Answer: keep a healthy diet Children are delight, they are our future. But sadly, hiring someone to take care of them when you're going to work is getting more expensive by the year. Earlier this month it was reported, that the cost of involving an infant or small kid at a childcare centre rose 3 percent in 2012, faster than the general cost of living. There are now large strips of the country where daycare for an infant costs more than 10% of the average married couples' income. This is not necessarily a new trend, but it is somewhat puzzling me. The price of professional childcare has been rising since the 1980s. Yet during that time, pay for professional childcare workers has stood still. Actually caregivers earn less today than they did in 1990. Considering that labor costs are responsible for about 80% of a daycare center's expenses, one would infer that stable wages means stable prices. So who is to blame for higher child care costs? Childcare is a carefully regulated industry. States lay down rules about how many children each employee is allowed to watch over, the space care centers need per child, and other details. And the stricter the regulations are, the higher the costs will be. In Massachusetts, where childcare centers must hire one teacher for every three infants, the price of care averaged more than $ 16,000 per year. In Mississippi, where centers must hire one teacher for every five infants, the price of care averaged less than $5,000. Unfortunately I don't have all the daycare center regulations, but I wouldn't be surprised if as the rules have become more complicated, prices have risen. The tradeoff might be worth it in certain cases; after all, the health and safety of children should probably come before cheap service. But certainly, it doesn't seem to be an accident that some of the cheapest daycare available is in the least regulated South. What prevents child care centers from saving money? Answer: Strict government regulations. My teachers suggested that I see a speech specialist in school. I never really gave much thought to my speech. If other people understood what I was saying, then that was good enough. I didn't mind repeating myself many times. Before testing me, the speech specialist asked me what I thought of having good speech. I told her I thought it was not important. "Well, when you are in an interview for a job, and they don't know what you are saying, what are they going to say to you? Nice meeting you, bye," she said. Maybe good speech was important. I took part in 20-minute classes each week with the specialist. After she tested me, she told me that I spoke too fast, and didn't give enough eye contact . I learned that when I made eye contact with someone, it meant that I was talking to that person, and I could also see what he or she thought about what I was saying. When my first speech class started, I found that I had been speaking too fast to be understood. Every time I spoke too fast, the specialist stopped me and told me to start again. At first, I got stopped after almost every other sentence. After a while, I felt my speech slow down. I wasn't sure if people could understand me better, but my friends stopped asking me to repeat myself. Speech is an important skill to have. If you do have good speech, that's a good thing, but if you don't have it, it is never too late to improve. Through the passage, the writer wants to tell us that _ . Answer: speech is an important skill to have New research shows sheep are clever People often make jokes about how dull sheep are, but new research shows they may be cleverer than we think. Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that Welsh mountain sheep have brainpower that equals rodents . Tests found that the sheep can map the area they live in, and some may even be able to plan ahead. Young fish prefer noisy neighbors A new study has shown that young fish like to live on reefs with noisy neighbors! Researchers from the universities of Auckland and Bristol found that young fish looking for a home choose areas where other noisy fish live. The scientists produced all kinds of sounds which had been recorded in different natural environments. The young fish seemed to prefer the sounds of natural reefs, complete with noisy animals! The scientists compared the choice to a music fan wandering around at a music festival, choosing to set up a tent closest to the music they like best! Butterflies are disappearing A new study has shown that 17 species of butterfly found in Europe have dropped by 70% in the last 20 years. The information collected from 3,000 sites across 15 countries shows it may be caused by the loss of grasslands covered with flowers. You can encourage butterflies to come into your garden by planting flowers. Which seems to have to do with the number of butterflies? Answer: The number of flowers in grasslands. My friend Robert started a new job this week and he's been in the training class for two days. The employer has a very strict dress code--dark blue shirts and pants. On the first day, an older gentleman in his class did not have the proper clothes and he was strictly told that he would be fired if he didn't have the right clothes the next day. He explained, "Sir, I had not been told about this. Because of my larger size, it's sometimes difficult to find the right clothing for a price I can afford." Last night, Robert and I decided that this old man shouldn't lose the chance of work simply because he couldn't afford the clothes. I had some cash on hand and Robert took it with him this morning just in case it was needed. When training started this morning, the trainer was ready to fire the older gentleman. "You have 10 minutes to be in proper clothes," he was told. At this point, Robert spoke up and asked if he could have 10 minutes to get him the clothes. He then ran out to the store and bought the proper-sized pants and a shirt; he returned with both and gave them to the older man. The older gentleman began to cry and told him that he couldn't accept such a gift from a stranger. Robert told him he had to because he had lost the receipt and couldn't return them--a little white lie. The pants were a perfect fit, the shirt was a bit tight but he was able to keep his job. "My wife and I tried to gather together some money last night, but we didn't have enough to buy the clothes," he told Robert. "It's unbelievable to me that anybody would do such a thing for only knowing me a day!" More unbelievable is how good it has made Robert and me feel to do this. What might be the best title for the passage? Answer: Proper clothes for a stranger
Question: Who taught you to speak English? Your parents, while you were a child? Your teacher at school? Perhaps even the BBC as a grown-up. Whoever it was, somehow you have developed an understanding of what is rapidly becoming a truly global language. There are now about 376 million people who speak English as their first language, and about the same number who have learnt it in addition to their mother tongue. There are said to be one billion people learning English now and about 80% of the information on the Internet is in English. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing? Should we celebrate the fact that more and more of us can communicate, using a common language, across countries and cultures? Or should we worry about the dangers of " mono-culturalism", a world in which we all speak the same language, eat the same food and listen to the same music? Does it matter if an increasing number of people speak the same language? I would have thought the other way around although I have never accepted the argument that if only we all understood each other better, there would be fewer wars. _ ... If we all speak English, will we then all start eating McDonalds burgers? Surely not. If English becomes more dominant , it will kill other languages? I doubt it. When I travel in Africa or Asia, I am always surprised by how many people can speak not only their own language but often one or more other related languages, as well as English and perhaps some French or German as well. When we discussed this on Talking Point a couple of years ago, we received a wonderfully poetic email from a listener in Ireland. "The English language is a beautiful language. Maybe it's like a rose," he said. "But who would ever want their garden just full of roses?" Well, I love roses, and I think they make a beautiful addition to any garden. But the way I see it, just by planting a few roses, you don't necessarily need to pull out everything else. If more and more people want to plant English roses, that's fine by me. This passage is mainly about _ . A. why English has become a global language B. how many people in the world speak English C. how people in the world learn English as a foreign language D. whether we need to worry about English being a world language Answer: D Question: A ball is dropped from different heights. When the ball is dropped from the highest height, it makes the greatest noise or vibration when it lands on the ground. What is the best explanation for the ball making the greatest noise? A. The air pushes down more and the ball goes faster. B. Gravity pulls for a longer time and the ball goes faster. C. The ball is gaining weight and going faster. D. The ball is warming up and going faster. Answer: B Question: Moscow,Russia(Space news)-"The computer is a better chess player,"insisted Viktor Prozorov,the loser ." It seemed as if it were laughing after every good move.I know I should have beaten it for the sake of mankind ,but I just couldn't win," he announced and shook his head sadly. Prozorov's disappointment was shared by several grand masters who were present,some of whom were so upset that they shouted at the machine.Many chess players said that this meant the end of chess championships around the world,since the fun had been taken out of the game. The computer walked-or rather,rolled-away with 5,000 dollars in prize money and limited its remarks to a set of noises and light. Which of the following best gives the main idea of this newspaper article? A. 5,000 dollars goes to a computer! B. New invention a laughing computer! C. World's best chess player beaten! D. Computer defeats man in chess! Answer: D Question: If you try to explain to someone, without using pictures, how to build the building that you have designed, it would take an enormous amount of writing and might end up with a very funny-looking building. The architect uses pictures called details to show how many hundreds of parts go together to form a complete building. This type of drawing is called drafting and is done by people called draftsmen. Draftsmen make up the largest group of the architectural offices' work force. Because of the wide range of duties they perform, draftsmen are sometimes called architectural technicians. In a typical office, there are not only career draftsmen but also architectural graduates working as junior draftsmen to learn the trade. Career draftsmen are usually graduates from a two-year junior college called technical school. There was a time when architectural office used young people right out of high school as tracers. Their job was to trace over the other people's details while learning to be a draftsman. This is no longer possible with the fast-pace of architects' offices today although a junior draftsman is given guides by the more experienced employees. So a good comprehensive architectural drafting course is a must before anyone seeks a job with an architectural firm. The job of the draftsmen is to translate the ideas and directions of architects, designers and engineers into complete and accurate working drawings. These become the plans and details used in the actual construction of a building. The project must be shown in great detail and drawn very clearly, so there is no chance for misunderstanding by the contractors . Every line and figure has an effect on the finished product. As you can see, the draftsman is a key member of the architectural team. Of course, a junior draftsman is not expected to produce a complete set of working drawings. Depending on the size of the office and difficulty of the project, draftsmen may work in groups. The group leader coordinates the group and works closely with the project architect while the drawings are being produced. Working conditions are mostly very pleasant as draftsmen's work is intense and many people depend on accurate work. Each draftsman has a large combination drawing board and desk with various drawing aids. Almost without exception, members of the architectural team have at one time in their careers worked as draftsmen. This is essential to an architect education and most architects never get very far away from the drafting board. We can learn from the passage that "working drawings" refers to _ . A. the architect's rough drawings and directions B. the ideas and directions for the project C. the plans and details for the actual construction D. the designer's handbooks, tables and building codes Answer: C Question: which form of transportation has zero emissions? A. motorbikes B. speed boats C. hybrid cars D. pedal bikes Answer: D
When you exit a dark film theater, the world A. looks darker B. looks brighter C. looks the same D. looks more French Answer: B. looks brighter My friend Alice visited my city last week. She arrived on Wednesday morning. She is from Australia. I showed her around the city. We visited the Clock Tower first. The Clock Tower was very tall. We took some photos there. Then we went to City Museum. After that,we saw a good movie. The next day, we visited the Ladies' Street .There were a lot of clothes shops. The clothes were cheap and beautiful. Alice bought some clothes for her parents and friends. Then we went to the Seafood Street. We bought some seafood. We also had seafood in a restaurant. All of us enjoyed the meal. Then we went to a concert in the evening. The music was fantastic! On the third day,the weather was very hot so we decided to visit the Monkey Garden. We found different kinds of monkeys in the Garden. The monkeys were funny and active. Alice went back to Australia on Friday evening. She enjoyed the trip. She invited me to visit Australia next summer. How many days did Alice spend visiting the city? A. Three days. B. Four days. C. Five days. D. Seven days. Answer: A. Three days. It is love that makes the world go round. And it is also love that has such power to overcome all difficulties. So we say: "Love will find a way." As smile is a facial expression showing pleasure, affection, and friendliness, it is the commonest way to show our good will perfectly without saying anything. A Chinese saying runs: "never hit a person who is smiling at you." It is a time-proven fact that the smile is a language all its own-- a universal language--understood by the people of every nation in the world. We may not speak the same tongue as our foreign neighbors, but we smile in the same tongue. We need no interpreter for thus expressing love, happiness, or good will. One day while shopping in a small town in southern California, it was my misfortune to be approached by a clerk whose personality contradicted mine. He seemed most unfriendly and not at all concerned about my intended purchase. I bought nothing, and marched angrily out of the store. My anger toward that grew with each step. Outside, standing at the corner, was a dark-complexion young man in his early twenties. His expressive brown eyes met and held mine, and in the next instant a beautiful, dazzling smile covered his face. I gave in immediately. The magnetic power of that shining smile drove away all bitterness within me, and I found the muscles in my own face happily responding. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" I remarked, in passing. Then, suddenly something inside me sent me turning back. "I really owe you a debt of gratitude," I said softly. His smile deepened, but he made no attempt to answer. A Mexican woman and two men were standing nearby. The woman stepped forward and eyed me inquiringly. "Carlos, he no speak English," she volunteered. "You want I should tell him something?" In that moment I felt transformed. Carlos' smile had made a big person of me. My friendliness and good will toward all mankind stood ten feet tall. "Yes," my reply was enthusiastic and sincere, "tell him I said 'Thank you!'" "Thank you?" The woman seemed slightly puzzled. I gave her arm a friendly pat as I turned to leave. "Just tell him that," I insisted. "He'll understand. I am sure!" Oh, what a smile can do! Although I have never seen that young man again, I shall never forget the lesson he taught me that morning. From that day on, I became smile - conscious, and I practice that diligently, anywhere and everywhere, with everybody. When I got excited in traffic, taking the right-of-way from the other car with my stupid mistake, I'd smile and shrug my shoulders apologetically. This action on my part would always draw a good-natured smile in return. If the other fellow was at fault - and if I could remember my resolution in time! - he'd get a broad smile of understanding. This took a bit of doing at first. I'll admit it wasn't always easy, but it was fun. The results were sometimes amazing. Many times, a broad, friendly smile would completely turn aside ill-feeling and tension. I'm wondering now how many tragic accidents could be avoided on our overcrowded highways, if every driver remembered to smile! The best title for this passage could be _ . A. The Art of Smiling B. The Universal Language C. The Power of Love D. The Magic Power of Friendship Answer: B. The Universal Language Tony walked home from school on his birthday. He was surprised to see a lot of cars in front of his house. When he opened the door and entered the house, he heard a lot of people yell, "Surprise!" It was a surprise party for his birthday. His parents called all his friends' parents and invited them to come to a party for Tony. Tony did not know anything about it. It was really a surprise to him. His best friends Jim and Melissa were there. Martha and Phil were there, too. There were about 20 kids at the party, and some of their parents were there, too. After a few hours, Tony started to open his presents. He got a new shirt, a basketball, and a book about dinosaurs. Finally, he opened the last present, which was from his parents. It was a blue bicycle. Tony was happy, because that was what he wanted the most. After the presents were opened, all the kids started to get tired. They left one by one with their parents. Tony was tired also, because it was a big day for him. Finally, he went to bed and dreamed about all the cool presents he got. What was the book about? A. parents B. dinosaurs C. dreams D. presents Answer: B. dinosaurs Some people remember the things by writing notes to themselves. Then they leave the notes in obvious places, such as on the table or on the floor in the middle of the living room. I don't think I like to write notes to myself. Most of the time I lose them or forget to look at them until it's too late. I prefer to use an alarm clock to tell me what I should do. I have ten alarm clocks in my house. They could tell me about things. For example, if I have to make a telephone call at a certain time, I'll set an alarm clock to go off a few minutes early and put the clock by the telephone. Or if I want to watch a certain television program, I'll set an alarm clock at the right time and put the clock on top of the TV set. I can remember almost anything if I use my clocks. However, sometimes an alarm clock goes off and I don't know what it means. I always remember setting it, but I do not know why I set it. If the clock is by the telephone, I know I may have set it to tell me to call someone, but I can't be sure. I might have set it to tell myself that somebody was to call me at a certain time. I don't like to write notes to myself because _ . A. they are easy to lose or forget to look at B. I don't know where to put them C. my handwriting is poor D. it gives me too much trouble Answer: A. they are easy to lose or forget to look at
Passengers will be able to travel by train from Londonto Beijing in just two days on trains that travel almost as fast as airplanes under new plans from China. China is under discussion with 17 countries to build a high-speed rail network to India and Europe with trains that are able to run at over 200mph within the next decade. The network would eventually carry passengers from London to Beijing and then to Singapore. It would also run to India and Pakistan, according to Wang Mengshu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a senior consultant on China's high-speed rail project. A second project would see trains heading north through Russia to Germany and into the European railway system, and a third line will extend south to connect Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia. Mr. Wang said that the rail lines will draw together and open up the whole of Central, East and Southeast Asia, which would also allow China to transport valuable raw materials more efficiently. Mr. Wang said the route of the three lines had yet to be decided, but that construction for the South East Asian line had already begun in the southern province of Yunnan and that Burma was about to begin building its link. China has offered to supply money to the Burmese line in exchange for the country's rich reserves of lithium, a metal widely used in batteries. At present, the only rail line that links China to South East Asia is an old track built by the French in Vietnam a century ago. The Asian Development Bank has recently agreed a second PS27 million loan as part of the PS93 reconstruction of Cambodia's network, which should finish by 2013. The cost of the lines from Cambodia to Singapore and then from Vietnam to China could be roughly PS400 million. According to Wang Mengshu, the three rail lines aim to _ . Answer: Ask a group of elderly people what it was about their lives that made them happiest overall, and they'll probably mention some warm relationships with family and friends. If you're satisfied with your social life, according to psychologists, you tend to be satisfied with life in general. From the point of my 50s, I'd say that sounds about right. Some of my happiest moments are the ones I spend with my husband, a few close relatives, and a handful of very good friends who know me well and like me anyway. But the more I read about how social media are interfering with good old-fashioned friendship, creating virtual bonds that can't quite take the place of real ones, the more I wonder just how today's 20-somethings will look back on their own lives when they're my age. After all, much crucial relationship building work is done in the 20s. According to research by the late Bernice Neugarten of the University of Chicago, who helped launch the academic study of human development, people choose most of their adult relationships, both friends and lovers, between the ages of 22 and 28. The friends we make in our 20s are not only best friends forever; they're also our first truly chosen friends. And choosing how to commit to these friendships is an essential psychological task of the 20s. But with so much of friendship in this age group now being developed online, an essential question is what the effect of that interaction is. A study, conducted in 2010 by Craig Watkins and Erin Lee of the University of Texas at Austin, investigated the Facebook habits of 776 young people between the ages of 18 and 35. "Whether it is a wall post, a comment, or a photo," they wrote, "young people's engagement with Facebook is driven, primarily, by a desire to stay connected to and involved in the lives of friends who live close by, far away, or have just entered into their lives." This kind of constant contact can be efficient, but it can also be upsetting. For one thing, it adds a new layer of concern to a young person's already-heightened awareness of social ranking, giving appearance-conscious young people yet another thing to worry about. "I see other 20-somethings feeling pressured to constantly keep up a public image, especially a public image online," wrote Ariana Allensworth on the group blog. "Folks are always keeping the world informed one way or another about what they're up to, where they're at, what projects they're working on. It can be a bit much at times." Not the most fertile ground for real-world friendship. The author may agree that _ . Answer: A pot is heated on a stove. Which process causes the metal handle of the pot to also become hot? Answer: If a thing is blown apart, and was living previously to that occurring, then that thing Answer: Disneyland calls itself the happiest place in the world. In order to keep visitors happy in its locations across the globe, every theme park in the world is changed slightly to satisfy local cultures and tastes. Opened in 1983 and larger than the original California Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland is the third most visited of any theme park in the world after the two Disney parks in the US. Like Walt Disney World in Florida, Cinderella's Castle is located at the centre of the park. But like karaoke, which originated in Japan and is a country-wide obsession , Disneyland gives the often-reserved Japanese people a place to show their noisy side. In Tokyo Disneyland, even adult visitors will sing, clap and dance along to the internationally themed live shows, which is a rare sight in the US. After excitedly entering Disneyland Paris, which opened in 1992, visitors can see an arcade that features a small copy of the Statue of Liberty - a gift from France to American in 1886, making it a perfect introduction to this Europe's only Disneyland theme park. Unfortunately, the French stereotype of a smoking wine drinker is supported in Disneyland Paris. Many visitors complain that although the theme park is equipped with special smoking areas, most smokers seem to puff away in all the open areas, including in queues for rides. _ What is the main idea of the text? Answer:
There's been a lot of talk about white-and-blue collar workers, and you may have even heard of gold collar workers, but lately a new color of collar is making its way into China's urban vernacular --green. Green collars say no when work is life and life is work. They choose to get out of the fast lane , and explore new ways of living "green". Living green doesn't mean someone is working as an environmentalist, biologist or scientist. Instead it is more of a lifestyle choice. A typical green collar is well educated like a white-collar but physically tough like a blue-collar, likely born in the 70s or 80s of the last century and living in one of China's big cities, with a monthly income well above 5,000 yuan (about US $700). The life of a green collar may go something like this; Turn off the mobile phone after work, eat only healthy food rich in vitamins, go on hikes every weekend, and like to help _ Green collars even have their own club. In Beijing, the Green Collar Club is for people who share a "be happy, healthy and helpful" spirit. The club often holds charity parties and uses the donations for environmental protection and poverty relief projects in China. "They are successful in their careers, but do not miss the pleasures in life. They have a lot of money, but do not fall slave to it." said Zuo Shiguang, one of the founding members of the club. What 's Zuo Shiguang's attitude towards green collars? Answer: Appreciative. It was a great day for a picnic and a picnic was a great way to start the summer holiday. Fred brought his classmates John and Betty to a wonderful picnic place. After lunch, John said they should play football. When the ball came to Fred, he kicked it into some long grass. "I'll get it," he said and hurried off to find the ball. Moments later after there was a shout and out came Fred holding his leg. "I've been bitten by a snake!" As the others rushed over to help, Fred laughing. "Ha! I'm not really hurt." But Betty didn't laugh, "I can't believe you did that, Fred. I was really frighten for you." The friends then decided to go for a swim. John and Betty jumped into the water. Fred was standing on a long rock by the riverbank and said, "Watch and jump" They shouted excitedly as he went under the water, but as the seconds passed he didn't come back to the top. The friends became worried. Suddenly they heard Fred's laugh. "Won't you ever learn? I swam behind this tree when I jumped." "Very funny, Fred?" said John angrily. "Anyway, I'm feeling tired and I'm going for a sleep." Betty joined him. Fred, however, moved to a narrow part of the river and jumped in. Although he was a good swimmer, the water there was moving much faster and Fred found himself being _ away. He managed to catch hold of a tree, but he was very tired now and with the water still moving fast, couldn't pull himself out. Back at the picnic place, as Betty and John were preparing to sleep, they heard Fred's cries for help. John looked at Betty and said, "Does he really think we're so foolish? Wake me up in an hour. It'll be time to go back home then." What can you learn from this story? Answer: It's important for a person to tell the truth. Feeling blue about world ? "Cheer up." Says science writer Matt Ridley."The world has never been a better place to live in, and it will keep on getting better both for humans and got nature." Ridley calls himself a tat ional optimist--tactical .because he's carefully weighed the evidence optimistic .because that offence shows human progress to be both unavoidable and good .And this is what he's set out to prone from unique point of view in his most recent book. The Rant anal Opting .He views mankind as grand enterprise that .on the whole .has done little but progress for 100.000 years. He backed his finding with hard gathered though years of research. Here's how he explains his views. Shopping fuels invention It is reported that there are more than ten billion different producers for sale in London alone. Even allowing for the many people who still live in poverty .our own generation has access to more nutritious food .more convenient transport .bigger houses, better ears .and of course, more pounds and dollars than any who lived before us .This will continue as long as we there things to make other things, This more we specialize and exchange, the better off we'll be. 2) Brilliant advances One reason we are richer, healthier, taller, cleverer, longer-lived and freer than ener before is that the four most basie human needs -food, clothing, fuel and shelter- have grown a lot cheaper. Take one example. In 1800 a candle providing one hour's light cost six hours' work. In the 1880s the same light from an oil lamp took 15 minutes' work to pay for. In 1950 it was eight seconds. Today it's half second. 3) Let's not kill ourselves for climate change Mitigating climate change could prove just as damaging to human welface as climate change itself. A child that dies from indoor smoke in a village, where the use of fassil-fuel electrieity is forhidden by well meaming members of green polucal movements trying to save the world, is just as great a tragedy as a child that mes in a flood caused by climate change. If chmaic change proves to be xxxx, but cutting carbon canses realparn, we may well find that we have stopped a nose bleed by putting a tournquet around our necks. The candle and lamp example is used to show that . Answer: increased production rate leads to lower cost of goods. A study suggests that although most students at UK universities are happy with their courses, dissatisfaction has grown as fees rise.The study highlights a big variation in teaching time, and lists different ideas about the value of getting university degrees. Katharine Collins, a second-year college student The course has been very interesting, but I was expecting a little more one-to-one time with my teacher. We do about four assignments each term, each of which is about 3,000 words.However, sometimes they are not that helpful.We hope to be given the right to write feedback after every assignment, but we had no feedback at all throughout the first year.We are given grades about three weeks after we hand the assignments in.There is no feedback on where we have gone wrong or how we might improve. Lee Millington, a creative-writing student I choose the courses because of its reputation.There is a lack of one-to-one teaching.I would like personalized feedback from an expert in my field of writing.Some of the lectures have been quite helpful but they try to use too many different styles of writing.For example, if you want to be a poet, you might find that the lectures focus too much on novels. I think there is too much attention paid to sharing our work in workshops and giving each other feedback.I think there should be more time given to actual teaching, rather than to feedback from people who are at a similar level to me. Reporters from Hounsdown Secondary School, Ella, 16 When I work independently, I feel I have more freedom to develop my ideas and come up with more original viewpoints.The price of university will still be worth it to get the qualifications necessary for better jobs. Tyier, 16 Although the cost of university is very high now, I think university is required for gaining a good and well-paid job. Agencies Why does Lee Millington choose the course-- writing? Answer: Because the course has a high reputation in society. Your stay in Britain should be a memorable and happy time. To achieve this, you need to prepare yourself well for the trip. Not only will you use English, but you will also need to get used to customs, attitudes and food that are different from what you know. Your stay will be more enjoyable if you join in with your host family, which is the family you will stay with. Use every opportunity to talk with your hosts. Do not just sit alone in your bedroom. If you plan to go out, you should tell them when and where you are going and when you expect to get back. This is important because your hosts are responsible for you. Find out what the "house rules" are. For example, who uses the bathroom first in the morning? When can you do your washing? Can you use the iron for your clothes? What about doing the dishes after dinner? Most British teenagers are very tidy. They are expected to help in the home and look after their things. Do not expect your host mother to do everything for you. The telephone can be a problem. At the start of your stay, ask your hosts if you may use their phone and of course, tell them you will pay for the calls to China. Make sure that you do not spend too long on their phone in the evenings. The food in Britain will be a new experience for you. Everyday food in Britain is not the same as the Western-style food you can find in China. Even so, you should try to eat whatever you are given. However, if it is something you really do not like, just say so politely. Do not bring your own food into the house. Whether you are at home or in a restaurant, do not spit out bones onto the table. Put them on the side of your plate. And remember--in Europe, people eat the main dish with a knife and fork. The spoon is used only for soup or dessert. The best title of the text could be _ . Answer: Adapting to English Family Life
The Harvard Student-led Walking Tour Let a student show you Harvard ... on a free walking tour. We welcome our neighbors to stop by the Harvard University Events & Information Center, located in the Holyoke Center Arcade at 1350 Massachusetts Avenue in the heart of Harvard Square in Cambridge. Let a student take you and your family,school,or organization on an interesting,hour-long historical tour of the Harvard campus.The tours leave from the Events & Information Center. Not only will you discover the location of fascinating exhibitions and programmes on campus,you will also see Harvard's rich sampling of American history and architecture from the Colonial period to the present Schedule of Tours Tours leave the Events & Information Center at 10 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday, and at 2 pm on Saturday through the academic year(February 4 through May 2;September 23 through December 16). Summer tours(June 24 through August 15)are offered at 10 am,11:15 am,2 pm,and 3:1 5 pm Monday through Saturday.Reservations for special tours of 20 or more people may be made by calling the Events & Information Center at(617)495--1573 or emailing icenter@camail. Harvard. edu. Tours are stopped March 23 through April 2 for Spring break,May 3 through June 23 for Spring intercession , and August 1 6 through September 22 for Summer intercession. NOTE:Prospective students may take tours originating at the Harvard Admissions Office,located at Byerly Hall on 8 Garden Street in Cambridge.The Admissions staff will conduct information sessions.For more information,please call at(617)495--1551. Harvard University Events & Information Center Location:Holyoke Center Arcade,1350 Massachusetts Avenue,Cambridge MA 02138 Phone:(617)495--1573 The above ads is mainly intended for _ . those living near Harvard University There are many special hotels around the world. In Greenland, there is a hotel made out of ice. In Turkey, there is a cave hotel. And in Bolivia, there is the Salt Palace Hotel. Thousands of years ago, the area around the Salt Palace Hotel was a large lake. But over time, all the water disappeared. Today, the area has only two small lakes and two salt deserts. In the early 1990s, a man named Juan Quesada built the hotel. He cut big blocks of salt from the desert and used the blocks to build it. Everything in the hotel is made out of salt: the walls, the roof, the tables, the chairs and the beds. The sun heats the walls and roof during the day. So the rooms stay warm at night, though it's cold outside in the desert. The hotel has twelve rooms. A single room costs $40 a night, and a double room $60. A sign on the hotel's wall tells guests, "Please don't lick the walls." What keeps the rooms in the Salt Palace Hotel warm at night? The heat from the walls and roof. Whitney Houston, who died on February 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California, is being remembered across the globe as a trailblazer . Among all of Houston's outstanding achievements, including a total of more than 400 career a wards , her most significant achievement was her record-setting string of seven Number One singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart . It broke the previous record of six set by The Bee Gees and The Beatles. The string began on October 26 , 1985 with her Grammy-winning hit "Saving All My Love For You," and ended on April 23, 1988 with her R&B ballad "Where Do Broken Hearts Go." It was the fourth single from her album"Whitney"to go to Number One, also a record for a female artist. She sold more than 170 million albums worldwide and co-produced and recorded songs for one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time,The Bodyguard. Whitney Houston was born the daughter of famed gospel singer Cissy Houston in Newak , New Jersey. Dionne Warwick was her cousin and Aretha Franklin her godmother. She began as a gospel singer and pianist in her mother's church and sometimes performed alongside her in nightclubs. At age 15 , Whitney sang backup on Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman," a tune she later performed on The Bodyguard soundtrack. Whitney signed with Arista in 1983 and released her self-titied debut album two years later. The New York Times called her first effort, "an impressive, musically conservative showcase for an exceptional vocal talent ." She continued to achieve similar praise for subsequent albums, while her fast-growing fan base put her into the world-class entertainer. In 1998, she released her most musically-diverse album to date, "My Love Is Your Love." The title track became her third best-selling single ever. The past 10 years were filled with highs and lows. While Whitney's contract at Arista Records was renewed for $100 million, album sales began to slide. Her 14-year marriage to singer Bobby Brown ended in 2007 , she canceled concerts and interviews , and accusation arose of drug abuse. Her final album "I Look To you," sold more than two million copies and reached the Number One spot in 2009. When did Whitney release her first self-titled album? In 1985. In the fall of 1985, I was a bright-eyed girl going to Howard University, aiming at a law career and dreaming of sitting on a Supreme Court bench somewhere. Twenty-one years later I am still a bright-eyed dreamer and one with quite a different story to tell. My grandma, an amazing woman, graduated from college at the age of 65. She was the first in our family to reach that goal. But one year after I started college, she developed cancer. I made the choice to leave college to care for her. It meant that school and my personal dream would have to wait. Then I got married with another dream: building my family with a mix of adopted and biological children. In 1999, we adopted our first son. To put eyes on him was wonderful---and very emotional. A year later came our second adopted boy then followed son No.3. in 2003, I gave birth to another boy. You can imagine how engaged I became, raising four boys under the age of 8! Our home was a complete zoo---a joyous zoo. Not surprising, I never did make it back to college full-time. But I never gave up on the dream either. I had only one choice: to find a way. That meant taking as few as one class each term The hardest part was feeling sorry about the time I spent away from the boys. They often wanted me to stay home with them. There certainly were times I wanted to give up, but I knew I should set an example for them to follow through the rest of their lives. In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Carolina. It took me over 21 years to get my college degree! I am not special, just single-minded. It always struck me that when you are looking at a big challenge from the outside it looks huge, but when you are in the middle of it, it just seems normal. Everything you want won't arrive in your life on one day. It's a process . Remember: little steps add up to big dreams. Why did the author give up school in her second year of college? She decided to look after her grandma. Students Begin to Smoke at a Younger Age SHANGHAI---- Almost one in four students aged between 12 and 14 have tried smoking, according to the results of a survey from the CATC . " Quite a number of boy students in my class smoke outside the school yard during lunch break," said Li Xiaolan, an English teacher from a high school in Shanghai. The survey also found that 39 percent of students took their first cigarette from their classmates. " It was quite common to smoke with my classmates at school,"said Zhou Guangrong,a 22- year-old university student from Guiyang, Guizhou province,who started smoking at the age of 12. Most of the student smokers buy cigarettes themselves." My middle and high schools were surrounded by cigarette shops when I was a student," said Liu Minghui who used to smoke two cigarettes per day in primary school and two packs per week in middle and high school. " We're keen to show that more teenagers are starting smoking much younger than before,and that we need to minimize the number of young smokers," said Duan Jiali, an officer in CATC. He added that teachers and parents should set a good example for teenagers by not smoking in front of them at school or at home, which is the best way of stopping teenagers from smoking. According to the survey,in a middle school if a class has 40 students, about _ smoke. 10
,A, B, CD,,. Roy wasn't the only one to receive his call-up papers.Stephen Napier's call-up came at the beginning of February and he was pleased to find that he would be going into the Royal Air Force (RAF). His father was not so pleased and made his feelings known as he and Stephen were on their daily walk. It was the first step in his plans for Stephen to take over the estate when the time came, and although Stephen was well aware of this, he could think of no reason not to accompany him. "Thought you'd forgotten that nonsense. Still, I dare say I could pull a few strings to get you to the Army..." "No, Father! I have told you I want to learn to fly. What chance would I have to do that in the Army? I'd be better off in the Navy----at least they've got the Fleet Air Arm. But I have been put in the RAF and that's where I want to be, so let's leave it at that." His face went red. Sent to his father's school and then to Cambridge, much to his satisfaction, he had never had to defend his own desires and his father was a hard man to oppose. The father glared at Stephen, "No, I won't leave it at that. I want to know what other ridiculous ideas are in your head. For a start, what's all this about America?" "America?" "Yes. All those books I saw in your room the other day. Brochures about emigration ." The big, silvered head lowered, _ ."Don't trouble to deny it." "I won't, Father. Some men at Cambridge have been talking about it. They want people like us here, mathematicians and scientists, for all kinds of research----the sort of research I could do.It would be a worthwhile life for me." The father responded exactly as his son had known he would."You've got a worthwhile life here!You've got an estate to run!" "No, Father. You've got an estate to run. I never asked for it. Why not ask Baden to do this stuff? He perhaps can make a good job of it, but I..." "If he were here, I might think about this silly idea of yours----only think about it, mind you but..." If Father wanted Stephen to take over the estate, the first thing he did would _ . Answer: persuade Stephen not to go into RAF A) LiYugang dresses like a woman and sings like a bird. He won the third prize in CCTV's Star Road in 2006. He sings folk songs. However, he seems to have the spirit of Mei Lanfang. In fact, the young man had learnt something from Mei Lanfang's students. People in China usually don't like cross-dressing . But people are really surprised at Li's beauty and _ when he sings and dances. B) Do you know who invented QQ? It was Ma Huateng. He was born in Guangdong in 1971. He chose computer science when he entered Shenzhen University in 1989. He worked as a computer programmer for a company in Shenzhen for five years after he graduated in 1993. Later he left the company and started his own company in 1998. C) Yue Fei was a famous hero of Southern Song Dynasty. He was born in a poor family in Henan Province. He was very brave and won many battles with his soldiers. But Qin Hui killed Yue Fei for Mo Xuyou. Later a temple about Yue Fei was built in memory of him at the foot of Qixia Ling by the West Lake, in Hangzhou. Ma Huateng set up his own company when he was _ . Answer: 18 Which of these tools would be best to use when observing insects in a field? Answer: hand lens What is the hottest English word of 2013? It's "selfie", according to Oxford dictionaries. Selfie is a photo that one takes of oneself, according to the Oxford online dictionary. People usually take selfies with a smartphone and send them to a social media website. The word was first used in 2002. In the past 12 months, its frequency in the English language has increased by 17,000 percent, said Oxford dictionaries. Now, almost everybody knows it. "Almost every day, I take a photo of myself at school, and save it in my Qzone (QQ)," said Huang Xu, 13, from Hunan. These photos record her happy and sad moments. Pop stars also take a lot of selfies. Li Chunping, 14, from Harbin, is a big fan of Yang Mi. "She has used many selfies to tell us what's going on in her personal life," said Li. What makes people love selfies? Some people say it's narcissism . "The rise of the selfie is a perfect symbol for our narcissistic culture. We're crying out: Look at me!" said US psychiatrist Carole Lieberman. Young people are using selfies to make friends online, Jonathan Freedland wrote in The Guardian. "The usual purpose of taking a selfie is to share online. They express a human need to connect with others," wrote Freedland. Huang Xu agrees with that. "During summer vacation, my classmates and I shared many selfies online. Hair or clothes were not our interests. Through these photos, we got to know each other's holidays and feelings," said Huang Xu. According to the story, a "selfie" is _ . Answer: a photo taken by oneself During the day we work and play,and at night we sleep. Our body rests when we sleep. In the morning we are ready to work and play again. Our body grows most when we are asleep. Children who are tired usually need sleep. We can get better at our lessons after having plenty of rest. Boys and girls who are eight or nine years old need ten hours of sleep every night. Our body needs plenty of air when we are asleep. If we do not get enough fresh air, we will feel tired when we wake up. While in bed we must not cover our head,our lungs need to get enough fresh air. If we open our windows at night,we can have plenty of fresh air. Cool air is better than warm air. Our body grows most while we are _ . Answer: sleeping
Question: My mind went blank when I saw the gun pointing against the car window as we pulled out of the garage. This can't be happening to me. Then I felt the gun, cold, against my head, and I heard my friend Jeremy saying, "What do you want? Take my wallet," but at the time I thought of nothing. I remember being a little annoyed when the gunman pulled me from the car by the hair. I remember the walk to the house --- Jeremy, me, the two men with two guns. I remember the fear and anger in the gunmen's voices because Jeremy was being slow, and I remember wondering why he was being slow. I did not realize that Jeremy had thrown the keys into the bush. But I remember that sound of the gun hitting Jeremy's head and the feeling as the man who had hold of my hair released me. And I remember the split second when I realized he was looking at Jeremy, and I remember wondering how far I could run before he pulled the trigger. But I was already running, and upon reaching the car across the street, I didn't crouch behind it but screamed instead. I remember thinking there was something ridiculous and illogical about screaming "Help, help!" at eight o'clock on a Tuesday evening in December and changing my plea to the more specific "Help, let me in, please let me in!" But the houses were cold, closed, unfriendly, and I ran on until I heard Jeremy's screams behind me announcing that our attackers had fled. The neighbors who had not opened their doors to us came out with baseball bats and helped Jeremy find his glasses and keys. In a group they were very brave. We waited for the police to come until someone said to someone else that the noodles were getting cold, and I said politely, "Please go and eat. We're O.K." I was happy to see them go. They had been talking of stricter sentences for criminals, of bringing back the death penalty and how the President is going to clean up the country. I was thinking, they could be saying all of this over my dead body, and I still feel that stiffer sentences wouldn't change a thing. In a rush all the anger I should have felt for my attackers was directed against these contented people standing in front of their warm, comfortable homes talking about all the guns they were going to buy. What good would guns have been to Jeremy and me? People all over the neighborhood had called to report our screams, and the police turned out in force twenty minutes later. They were ill-tempered about what was, to them, much trouble about nothing. After all, Jeremy was hardly hurt, and we were hopeless when it came to describing the gunmen. "Typical," said one policeman when we couldn't even agree on how tall the men were. Both of us were able to describe the guns in horrifying detail, but the two policemen who stayed to make the report didn't think that would be much help. The policemen were matter-of-fact about the whole thing. The thin one said, "That was a stupid thing to do, throwing away the keys. When a man has a gun against your head you do what you're told." Jeremy looked properly embarrassed. Then the fat policeman came up and the thin one went to look around the outside of the house. "That was the best thing you could have done, throwing away the keys," he said. "If you had gone into the house with them..." His voice became weaker. "They would have hurt her" --- he twisted his head toward me - "and killed you both." Jeremy looked happier. "Look," said the fat policeman kindly, "there's no right or wrong in the situation. There's just luck." All that sleepless night I replayed the moment those black gloves came up to the car window. How long did the whole thing last? Three minutes, five, eight? No matter how many hours of my life I may spend reliving it, I know there is no way to prepare for the next time --- no intelligent response to a gun. The fat cop was right. There's only luck. The next time I might end up dead. And I'm sure there will be a next time. It can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone. Security is an illusion ; there is no safety in locks or in guns. Guns make some people feel safe and some people feel strong, but they're fooling themselves. The police were rather angry because _ . A. the author was not hurt and gave a false alarm B. they thought it was a case of little importance C. the author and Jeremy could not tell the police anything D. the gunmen had already fled when they arrived on the scene Answer: B. they thought it was a case of little importance Question: On March 17 there will be an explosion of green colour across the world in celebration of St Patrick's Day. The Irish traditionally wear something coloured green on this day as the colour is connected with Ireland. Another St Patrick's Day tradition is for the non-Irish to make jokes about the Irish. Usually these jokes will be about Irish stupidity or their famous thirst for alcohol, or their reputation for telling tall(untrue) stories. These characteristics are all part of the famous Irish stereotype that Irishman are hot-tempered drinkers, who love to fight and will do anything to avoid a day's work. The real joke, however, is that this negative Irish stereotype still exists. The stereotype might have had some truth back in the 19th century when Irish was poverty-stricken and starving. Many Irish moved to the United States to escape famine , but there they had to compete, occasionally with their fists, for jobs and housing with other immigrant groups. It was on America's streets that the Irish earned their reputation for street fighting. However, it was far from truth today, with the exception of the drinking perhaps. Today, the Irish are admired for their story telling gifts and musical talents. It is no accident that several of the greatest writers of the 20th century were Irish. Or that many of today's most popular music groups such as singer Enya and rock band U2, are Irish born and growing. Lonely Planet readers even ranked Ireland as the friendliest country in the world. However, one bit of the Irish stereotype is true, their love for drink. Drinking in Ireland is a job, but it's not necessarily something to criticize. It was the Irish after all who created one of the world's best-loved beers, Guinness. What is this reading passage mainly about? A. The Irish festival--- St Patrick's Day. B. How the Irish earned their reputation. C. Jokes about the Irish people. D. Famous Irish stereotype and the truth. Answer: D. Famous Irish stereotype and the truth. Question: The young boy saw me, or rather, he saw the car and quickly ran up to me, eager to sell his bunches of bananas and bags of peanuts. Though he appeared to be about twelve, he seemed to have already known the bitterness of life. "Bananas 300 naira. Peanuts 200 naira." He said in a low voice. I bargained him down to 200 totals for the fruit and nuts. When he agreed, I handed him a 500 naira bill. He didn't have change, so I told him not to worry. He said thanks and smiled a row of perfect teeth. When, two weeks later, I saw the boy again, I was more aware of my position in a society where it's not that uncommon to see a little boy who should be in school standing on the corner selling fruit in the burning sun. My parents had raised me to be aware of the advantage we had been afforded and the responsibility it brought to us. I pulled over and rolled down my window. He had a bunch of bananas and a bag of peanuts ready. I waved them away. "What's up?" I asked him. "I...I don't have money to buy books for school." I reached into my pocket and handed him two fresh 500 naira bills. "Will this help?" I asked. He looked around nervously before taking the money. One thousand naira was a lot of money to someone whose family probably made about 5,000 naira or less each year. "Thank you, sir." he said. "Thank you very much!" When driving home, I wondered if my little friend actually used the money for schoolbooks. What if he's a cheat? And then I wondered why I did it. Did I do it to make myself feel better? Was I using him? Later, I realized that I didn't know his name or the least bit about him, nor did I think to ask. Over the next six months, I was busy working in a news agency in northern Nigeria. Sometime after I returned, I went out for a drive. When I was about to pull over, the boy suddenly appeared by my window with a big smile ready on his face. "Oh, gosh! Long time." "Are you in school now?" I asked. He nodded. "That's good," I said. A silence fell as we looked at each other, and then I realized what he wanted. "Here," I held out a 500 naira bill. "Take this." He shook his head and stepped back as if hurt. "What's wrong?" I asked. "It's a gift." He shook his head again and brought his hand from behind his back. His face shone with sweat. He dropped a bunch of bananas and a bag of peanuts in the front seat before he said, "I've been waiting to give these to you." Why did the author give his money to the boy? A. Because he had enough money to do that. B. Because he had learnt to help others since childhood. C. Because he held a higher position in the society. D. Because he had been asked by the news agency to do so. Answer: B. Because he had learnt to help others since childhood. Question: Hello, I'm Severn Suzuki speaking for E.C.O. -- The Environmental Children's Organization. Coming here today, I am fighting for my future. I am here to speak for all generations to come. I am here to speak on behalf of the starving children around the world whose cries go unheard. I am here to speak for the countless animals dying across this planet because they have nowhere left to go. I am afraid to go out in the sun now because of the holes in the ozone . I am afraid to breathe the air because I don't know what chemicals are in it. You don't know how to fix the holes in our ozone layer. You don't know how to bring back an animal now extinct. And you can't bring back forests that once grew where there is now desert. If you don't know how to fix it, please stop breaking it! Here, you may be delegates of your governments, business people, organizers, reporters or politicians-- but really you are mothers and fathers, brothers and sister, aunts and uncles-- and all of you are somebody's child. At school, even in kindergarten, you teach us to behave in the world. You teach us: not to fight with others, to respect others, to clean up our mess, not to hurt other creatures, to share-- not be greedy. Then why do you go out and do the things you tell us not to do? Do not forget why you're attending these conferences, who you're doing this for-- we are your own children. You are deciding what kind of world we will grow up in. But are we even on your list of priorities? My father always says "You are what you do, not what you say." Well, what you do makes me cry at night. You grown-ups say you love us. I challenge you, please make your actions reflect your words. Thank you for listening. What did the speaker mainly talk about? A. politics B. environment C. economy D. war Answer: B. environment Question: Researchers in over 80 nations are taking part in a project to conduct a decade-long census of sea life. Scientists presented some of their findings at a recent conference as the project neared its completion. In deep icy waters under Antarctica, scientists found bulbous tunicates, an underground animal, and many newly-discovered creatures believed to be related to starfish and other marine creatures. Elsewhere in the world's oceans, they have recently discovered many kinds of underwater life forms new to science. It is all part of a research effort called the Census of Marine Life. "There are about 2,000 scientists worldwide involved," said Bob Gagosian, President, CEO of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership. Gagosian helps manage the project. "Everywhere they've gone they've found new things," he says. "The ocean basically is unexplored from the point of view of marine living things." Researchers have placed small markers on hundreds of fish and marine animals to track by satellite their migration routes and to discover places where sea life gathers. According to Ron O'Dor, a senior scientist with the Census of Marine Life, knowledge of life on the ocean floor is especially limited. "90% of all the information we have is from the top hundred meters of the ocean," O'Dor states. And he says the sea floor is, on average, at a depth of 4, 000 meters. And so, as some machines dive far below what people have previously seen, scientists are discovering new species of plants, animals and living things. Since the census project began, more than 5,300 new marine animals have been found. Ocean researchers say they hope to catalogue 230,000 species during the census --which some say is only a small part of all the creatures living in the sea. From what Ron O'Dor says, we can conclude that _ . A. human beings only know a little about marine life B. the oceans don't need to be further explored C. he considers exploring the ocean a dangerous thing D. the marine creatures mainly live on the top of the ocean Answer: A. human beings only know a little about marine life
Dear Jenny, I'm very busy on Friday. At 8: 00 I have math. It is not fun. The teacher says it is useful, but I think it is difficult. Then at 9: 00 I have science. It is difficult but interesting. At 10: 00 I have history. After that I have P. E. at 11: 00. It's easy and fun. Lunch is from 12: 00 to 1: 00, and after that we have Chinese. It is my favourite subject. Our Chinese teacher, Mr. Wang, is great fun. My classes finish at 1: 50, but after that I have an art lesson for two hours. It is really relaxing! How about you? When are your classes? What is your favourite subject? Your friend, Yu Mei When does Yu Mei have science? Answer: 9: 00 Tamara walked through the night to the little house where her </PGN0103.TXT/PGN>old nurse lived. The old woman gave her a meal. Then Tamara went out to get a car. She had enough money with her to pay for the use of a car for a few days. She wanted to go into town and see a friend, a teacher of science. She had to sit through the second part of a class before she was able to speak to him. But then he took her to his office and listened to her. She told him that she wanted to build houses on some land her husband had owned. But first she must clear it of unwanted plants. She wanted something that would kill them. Her friend wrote down a name on a piece of paper and told her to take it to a shop he knew. "You will need lots of it." he said. "Put it in water and spread it over the plants." Tamara went to see her nurse _ . Answer: on foot What will the weather be like in the future? Some people say they can know the weather from animals. If birds are flying high in the sky, there will be a nice day. When they sit in trees or stay close together, bad weather is on the way. Ants often build their homes on the steep side just before the rain comes. Cats like to clean their ears before the rain. Chickens make a loud noise and run here and there when the rain is coming. Frogs will stay in the water and make a lot of noise, too. But on a nice day, they are quiet and jump out of the water. Turtles often look for higher ground and cows like to lie down when the rain is on the way. What's the best title for the passage? Answer: Animals and weather. I grew up in the south of Spain in a little community called Estepona. I was 16 when one morning, my father told me I could drive him into a remote village called Mijas, about 18 miles away, on the condition that I take the car in to be serviced(,) at a nearby garage. Having just learned to drive and hardly ever having the opportunity to use the car, I readily accepted. I drove Dad into Mijas and promised to pick him up at 4 p.m., then drove to a nearby garage and dropped off the car. Because I had a few hours to spare, I decided to catch a couple of movies at a theatre near the garage. However, I became so interested in the films that I didn't pay attention to the time. When the last movie had finished, I looked down at my watch. It was six o'clock. I was two hours late! I knew Dad would be angry if he found out I'd been watching movies. He'd never let me drive again. I decided to tell him that the car needed some repairs and that they had taken longer than had been expected. I drove up to the place where we had planned to meet and saw Dad waiting patiently on the corner. I apologized for being late and told him that I'd come as quickly as I could, but the car had needed some major repairs. I'll never forget the look he gave me. "I'm disappointed that you feel you have to lie to me, Jason." "What do you mean? I'm telling the truth." Dad looked at me again. "When you did not show up, I called the garage to ask if there were any problems, and they told me that you had not yet picked up the car. So you see, I know there were no problems with the car." A feeling of guilt ran through me as I weakly confessed to my trip to the movie theatre and the real reason for my being late. Dad listened intently as a sadness passed through him. "I'm angry, not with you but with myself. You see, I realize that I have failed as a father if after all these years you feel that you have to lie to me. I have failed because I have brought up a son who cannot even tell the truth to his own father. I'm going to walk home now and think seriously about where I have gone wrong all these years." "But Dad, it's 18 miles to home. It's dark. You can't walk home." My protests and my apologies were useless. I had let my father down and I was about to learn one of the most painful lessons of my life. Dad began walking along the dusty road. I quickly jumped in the car and followed behind, hoping he would weaken. I begged all the way, telling him how sorry I was, but he simply ignored me, continuing on silently, thoughtfully and painfully. For 18 miles I drove behind him, at a speed of about five miles per hour. Seeing my father in so much physical and emotional pain was the most distressing and painful experience that I have ever faced. However, it was also the most successful lesson. I have never lied to him since. The boy's father allowed the boy to drive the car to Mijas because _ . Answer: he would take the car to be serviced at a nearby garage I was desperately nervous about becoming car-free. But eight months ago our car was hit by a passing vehicle and it was destroyed. No problem, I thought: we'll buy another. But the insurance payout didn't even begin to cover the costs of buying a new car--I worked out that, with the loan we'd need plus petrol, insurance, parking permits and tax, we would make a payment as much as PS600 a month. And that's when I had my fancy idea. Why not just give up having a car at all? I live in London. We have a railway station behind our house, a tube station 10 minutes' walk away, and a bus stop at the end of the street. A new car club had just opened in our area, and one of its shiny little red Peugeots was parked nearby. If any family in Britain could live without a car, I reasoned, then surely we were that family. But my new car-free idea, sadly, wasn't shared by my family. My teenage daughters were horrified. What would their friends think about our family being "too poor to afford a car"? (I wasn't that bothered what they thought, and I suggested the girls should take the same approach.) My friends, too, were astonished at our plan. What would happen if someone got seriously ill overnight and needed to go to hospital? (an ambulance) How would the children get to and from their many events? (buses and trains) People smiled as though this was another of my mad ideas, before saying they were sure I'd soon realize that a car was a necessity. Eight months on, I wonder whether we'll ever own a car again. The idea that you "have to" own a car, especially if you live in a city, is all in the mind. I live--and many other citizens do too--in a place that has never been better served by public transport, and yet car ownership has never been higher. We worry about rising car costs, but we'd be better off asking something much more basic: do I really need a car? Certainly the answer is no, and I'm a lot richer because I dared to ask the question. What is the attitude of the author's family toward his plan? Answer: Disapproving.
Japanese Students Suffer from Pressure Last April,15-year-old Rei Iwasaki stopped her piano and flute lessons and began to study every day of the week. Her parents paid to send her to a "cram school ."She wanted very much to pass her exams. In February she did pass an all-day, five-subject examination and entered the high school she hoped to enter. Thirteen-year-old Akio Yoshiwara wasn't so lucky. Unable to take the pressure of the exams, he hanged himself in February. He left a suicide note which said, "I did my best in this dear life, but it's no good." Suicides are now a common part of life among students in Japan. The cause is the incredible pressure of the "examination hell." Even a number of teachers are committing suicide each year. When some students broke windows in a school near Tokyo, the principal blamed himself and wrote the following note: "The incidents were due to the lack of appropriate measures by the principal and I apologize. I am very tired. The Japanese educational system is much different from the American system. It is perhaps the most regimented school system in any of the industrialized nations. Boys and girls wear uniforms and go to school six days a week --- 240 days a year compared to 180 in the U.S. Ninety- five percent graduate from high school compared to seventy-five percent in the U.S. Students don't ask questions in class but only listen respectfully to the teachers. And every few year's students are tested to see which school they will enter next. There is stiff competition for the "best" schools. The result is a well-informed, disciplined student, ideal for factory and company work and excellent at learning specialized skills. But there is little fun in education, little creativity and the incredible pressure of "examination hell." Why did the principal kill himself? Because _ A He thought it was his fault that some students broke the windows. B He was very tired. C He couldn't stand the pressure of the "examination hell". D He blamed himself and wrote a note. Answer: A. He thought it was his fault that some students broke the windows. Have you ever been to Qingdao, a beautiful seaside city in the southeast of Shandong Province? There is the blue sea and clear air there. And it is also one of the most beautiful cities in China. Qingdao has the largest bathing beach in Asia. It holds Qingdao International Beer Festival every year. There are many interesting places to visit in Qingdao. But Qingdao beaches are the most fantastic places. There are nine beaches in Qingdao. No 1 Beach is the largest one, but it is not the best beach because there are too many rocks there and the sand is not the most beautiful. The best beach in Qingdao is No. 6 Beach. And it is also the longest of all the beaches and has beautiful yellow sand. There are also a few interesting things you can do near the beaches, such as visiting Lu Xun Park, eating sea food in a restaurant or visiting Qingdao Polar Ocean World. Many People prefer to visit Qingdao Polar Ocean World. There you can see lots of animals from the sea, such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions and polar bears. It's so great and interesting that every year lots of people, especially children must come here when they visit Qingdao. What is the best title for the passage? A Welcome to Qingdao International Beer Festival. B Qingdao--a beautiful seaside city. C Welcome to Qingdao beaches. D Traveling to Qingdao. Answer: B. Qingdao--a beautiful seaside city. Believe it or not, the ability to choose is the power to change. If you can choose to live your life differently, will you be the same person? Well, choosing to do the following few "simple" things will help to change your life. Review your life. Take time to go through your life and ask yourself, "If I do the same thing I do every day, will there be a change? If I want to change, where will my first step be?" Make careful choices. Choose exactly what you wish to get to live your life; describe and think what you really want. Keep up with chances. Find out about the possibilities and ways that can make you move toward your goals, write them down and see which one suits you most. Get down to business. Start working on your goals. People may bring you down; you may have difficulties; you will fail and want to give up. But the most important thing is never to give up. If you try these "simple" things, you will find that success is something for everyone, and you will finally become what you want to be. Remember, success is more than what you hold in your hands; _ is something from the heart. How many pieces of advice does the writer give on changing one's life? A Three B Four C Five D Six Answer: B. Four 33 Chilean miners were trapped nearly a half-mile underground after the mine accident. They had no real hope that they'd ever be found. Luckily, though, the men had Luis Urzua. They were rescued to safety on October 13, 2010.Urzua, 54, was the shift leader at the time of the disaster, and used all his wisdoms and his leadership talents to help his men stay calm and in control for the 17 terrible days it took for rescuers to make their first contact with them. It was no surprise that Urzua was the last of the 33 miners to leave the mine. Urzua --- after shaking hands with rescue workers ---- climbed into a capsule barely wider than a man's shoulders at 9:46 and was hauled up from a narrow hole drilled through 2,000 feet of rock. He arrived at the top 11 minutes later. "We have done what the entire world was waiting for," he told Chilean President Sebastian Pinera immediately after his rescue. "The 69 days that we fought so hard were not in vain." Pinera greeted Urzua, saying "You have been rescued, coming out last like a good leader... You have no idea how all Chileans share with you your hardships, your hope, and your joy. You are an inspiration." With Urzua by his side, the president led the crowd in singing the national anthem.Robinson Marquez once worked with Urzua in a nearby mine. He described Urzua as a calm, professional person and a born leader. "He is very protective of his men and obviously loves them. He wouldn't have left until all of his men were safely above ground," Marquez said. Under Urzua's leadership, the men stretched an emergency food supply meant to last just 48 hours over two and a half weeks, taking tiny sips of milk and bites of fish every other day.He described the difficulties of the first days, saying that it took about three hours for the dust to settle before the men could inspect where tons of collapsed rock sealed off the main way out. When the rescuers first made contact by drilling a narrow hole into their refuge , the miners were so excited that everyone wanted to hug the drill hammer.After the collapse, Urzua was the first to speak to Pinera and to urge him not to let him and his men down. "Don't leave us alone," he asked the president, who assured the workers that they would not be abandoned, telling them he would do everything he could to get them back to the surface. What do you know about the capsule? A It is very spacious. B It is very narrow. C It is made by Urzua. D It is used in space. Answer: B. It is very narrow. There are fifty states in the United States. The largest in population is California,the largest in area is Alaska. Alaska is the smallest in population and Rhode Island is the smallest in size. The oldest states are the ones along the Atlantic coast. The newest states are Alaska and Hawaii. Alaska is also the coldest state. California and Florida are the warmer. Henry and his family live in Seattle, a big city, on the Pacific coast. But Los Angeles and San Francisco, also on the Pacific coast, are larger than Seattle. Henry's cousin, Susan, lives in New York. It is the largest city in the United States. Thousands of people visit New York each year. The most important city in the United States is Washington D. C. It is the capital, but it is much smaller than New York. How many states are there in the U. S. A ? A Five B Forty- Five. C Fifty D Fifteen. Answer: C. Fifty
If you travel to a new exhibition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, you will have chances to see some meat-eating plants. Take bladderworts, a kind of such plant, for example. They appear so small and grow in a quiet pond. "But these are the fastest known killers of the plant kingdom, able to capture a small insect in 1/50 of a second using a trap door!" Once the trap door closes on the victim, the enzymes similar to those in the human stomach slowly digest the insert. When dinner is over, the plant opens the trap door and is ready to trap again. Meat-eating plants grow mostly in wet areas with soil that doesn't offer much food nutrition. In such conditions, these amazing plants have developed insect traps to get their nutritional needs over thousands of years. North America has more such plants than any other continents. Generally speaking, the traps may have attractive appearance to fool the eye, like pitcher plants, which get their name because they look like beautiful pitchers full of nectar . Hair-like growths along the pitcher walls ensure that nothing can escape, and the digestive enzymes can get to work. A tiny insect can be digested in a few hours, but a fly takes a couple of days. Some of these pitchers are large enough to hold 7.5 liters. Meat-eating plants only eat people in science fiction movies, but sometimes a bird or other small animals will discover that a pitcher plant isn't a good place to get a drink. If the trap door of a meat-eating plant is closed, the plant is A. fooling insects into taking a sip B. producing nectar C. tempting insects to come close D. enjoying a dinner Answer: D Being able to multitask--doing several things at the same time--is considered a welcome skill by most people. But if we consider the situation of the young people aged from eight to eighteen, we should think again. What we often see nowadays is that young people juggle an ever larger number of electronic devices as they study. While working, they also surf on the Internet, send out emails, answer the telephone and listen to music on their iPods. In a sense, they are spending a significant amount of time in fruitless efforts as they multitask. Multitasking is even changing the relationship between family members. As young people around them. They can no longer greet family members when they enter the house, nor can they cat at the family table. Multitasking also affects young people's performance at university and in the workplace. When asked about their opinion of the effect of modern gadgets on their performance of tasks, many young people gave a positive response . However, the response from the worlds of education and business was not quite as positive. Educators feel that multitasking by children has a serious effect on later development of study skills. They believe that many college students now need help to improve their study skills. Similarly, employers feel that young people entering the job market need to be taught all over again, as modern gadgets have made it unnecessary for them to learn special skills to do their work. The author develops the passage mainly by _ . A. providing typical examples B. following the natural time order C. comparing opinions from different fields D. presenting a cause and analyzing its effects Answer: D All writers dream of success. Yet some writers turn their back on success the moment it comes along. J.D. Salinger, the American author, is a good example. On the face of it, the future did not look promising for the teenage Salinger. He seems always to have been running away from something. First it was school, then he dropped out of New York University. Finally, after failing to find a career in his father's food import business and dropping out of yet another college he decided that his destiny was to be a writer. In the same year he joined a writing class at Columbia University which was taught by Whit Burnett, founder and editor of a magazine called Story. The March-April issue contained a story written by Salinger entitled 'The Young Folks'. In it there are early versions of the moody, selfish youths that appear in his later fiction. Soon, his stories were appearing in various mass-circulation magazines but it was the famous New Yorker which he dreamed of, believing that publication within its covers would indicate his future potential as a serious writer. Salinger has a huge reputation around the world yet it rests mainly on just one novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Published in 1951, it soon became highly popular with teenagers who identified with the hero's powerful sense of dissatisfaction. Its success made Salinger a public figure. Most writers, of course, would welcome this. Salinger, however, hated it and refused it. He moved to a small house in Cornish, New Hampshire, where he lived away from society until his death in 2010 at the age of 91. For Salinger, fame and artistic honesty were not the same thing. Some people become writers because they wish their works to speak for themselves. Salinger appears to have been disgusted by the idea that he had become the spokesman for a generation. In death he has perhaps achieved his highest goal: to be out of the spotlight, represented only by his work. According to the article, J.D. Salinger is an example of _ . A. a selfish and moody youth B. a serious writer who hates fame C. a famous American author D. someone who lives away from society Answer: B It took me several years to realize that my black skin is beautiful and I have accepted the fact that indeed black is beautiful now. This skin I have been in for so many years determined my self worth. I had so many factors "against" me in my mind when I was a little girl. I was a tall, thin, dark skinned girl with a gap tooth smile. Growing up, the only role model that I had was my mother, who has beautiful deep brown complexion . It's amazing how I could find beauty in my mother's complexion but not my own. One of the most outstanding memories of my childhood is the words "Oh, she is so cute for a dark skinned little girl." People spoke as if I wasn't in the room, as if I couldn't hear. From a young age, I felt ashamed that my black color wasn't good enough, so I buried myself in books to stay away from the mirror. I knew that my education would and could take me further than my looks. I stopped watching TV, absorbed in my studies and I was happy with my decision. Now I have been admitted to my ideal Coppin State University, which is for black students and has a long history. It wasn't until I was at age 16 that I officially decided to fix my deep rooted issue about my dark complexion. I had been brainwashed to subscribe to the European standard of beauty for so many years. I no longer accept this standard, because I set my own. My black is beautiful including my full lips, the wideness of my nose, and the intensity of my eyes. I believe that there are plenty of beautiful dark skinned women in the world. The author writes the text mainly to tell readers _ . A. the change of her attitudes toward her complexion B. varied standards of beauty in different periods C. how her appearance helped her to succeed D. why she thinks black skin is beautiful Answer: A Oscar, the owner in fee simple, laid out a subdivision of 325 lots on 150 acres of land. He obtained governmental approval (as required by applicable ordinances) and, between 1968 and 1970, he sold 140 of the lots, inserting in each of the 140 deeds the following provision: "The Grantee, for himself and his heirs, assigns and successors, covenants and agrees that the premises conveyed herein shall have erected thereon one single-family dwelling and that no other structure (other than a detached garage, normally incident to a single-family dwelling) shall be erected or maintained; and, further, that no use shall ever be made or permitted to be made other than occupancy by a single family for residential purposes only." Because of difficulty encountered in selling the remaining lots for single-family use, in January 1971, Oscar advertised the remaining lots with prominent emphasis: "These lots are not subject to any restriction and purchasers will find them adaptable to a wide range of uses.""Payne had purchased one of the 140 lots and brought suit against Oscar to establish that the remaining 185 lots, as well as the 140 sold previously, can be used only for residential purposes by single families. Assuming that procedural requirements have been met to permit adjudication of the issue Payne has tendered, which of the following is the most appropriate comment? A. Oscar should win because the provision binds only the grantee. B. The outcome turns on whether a common development scheme had been established for the entire subdivision. C. The outcome turns on whether there are sufficient land areas devoted to multiplefamily uses within the municipality to afford reasonable opportunity for all economic classes to move into the area so as to satisfy the standards of equal protection of the law. D. Payne should win under an application of the doctrine which requires construction of deeds to resolve any doubt against the grantor. Answer: B
Question: The world is not only hungry, it will also be thirsty for water. About 97% of water on the earth is sea water, or salty water. Man can only drink or use the other 3% of the fresh water which comes from rivers, lakes and underground. The sea is very big. Look at the map of the world, there is more sea than land. It covers quarters of the earth, it looks very beautiful when the sun is shinning on it. But it can be terrible when there is a strong wind. Some parts of the sea are very deep. There is one place near Japan. It's nearly 11 kilometers high. If we put that mountain into the sea at that place, there would be 2 kilometers of water above it! The sea is salty. There is one "sea" called the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is not a sea. It's a big lake in the Jordan Valley. It's the saltiest. It's near the city of Jericho. It's about 80.kilometres long, between 4.8 and 17.7 kilometers wide. The river Jordan runs into the Dead Sea. The sun is not there and the water is salty. Fish can't live in the Dead Sea and plants can't grow near it. People can't swim well in the Dead Sea, but they can float on the water. The water is very blue and the air is clean. In winter, people come to the Dead Sea to enjoy the sunshine. Does the fresh water come from rivers, lakes and underground? A. Yes, it does. B. No, it doesn't. C. Yes, it doesn't. D. No, it does. Answer: A Question: New research finds a link between poverty and poor decision making. The findings may explain why poor people sometimes make bad choices that continue their hardship. Earlier studies have found the poor less likely to escape poverty. But there has been little research on why the poor make decisions that make their lives harder. Until recently, it was economists who studied poverty, not psychologists. Eldar Shafir, a psychologist in Princeton University says now scientists from both fields work together. Mr. Shafir and his team did two experiments. One took place at a shopping center in New Jersey. Another was carried out among sugar cane farmers in rural India. The New Jersey experiment involved individuals with low paying jobs and others belonged to the middle class. All the volunteers were asked what they would do if their cars needed repairs. The volunteers were given two imaginary situations. In the first, the car repairs cost $ 150. In the second, $ 1,500. "And what we found is that the poor and the rich performed equally well on almost all the tests. " Not so when the researchers raised the repair costs to $ 1,500. "Now the poor performed significantly worse. " The poorer lost about 13 IQ points on average. This is about the loss experienced when a person has not slept for one night. The scientists then wondered if the same person reacted differently when he was rich and when he was poor. The Indian sugar cane farmers earn most of their money once a year, when the harvest comes in. But the money often does not last through the year. "So they find themselves basically rich after the harvest when the income comes in and poor just before the harvest. The researchers gave them tests similar to the ones taken by the people in New Jersey. They tested the Indian farmers before the harvest and after. And the results were much the same as with the mall shoppers. "They performed much more slowly and with many more mistakes when they were poorer than when they were richer. " Mr. Shafir says the results support 50 years of research that shows all humans have limited mental power to deal with things in life. "And so the insight here is that, having not enough of something in a way makes it harder to make good decisions for everything else. " The Indian sugar cane farmers_( ) A. are smarter when they are poor B. earn money all through the year C. earn lots of money so they think they are rich D. feel rich after the harvest and poor before harvest Answer: D Question: Marriages improve after children grow up and move out,according to an academic study,which suggests an" empty nest" is not always a bad thing. Popular wisdom has it that parents' relationships may suffer once their young fly the coop,because they feel they have lost their purpose in life.However, a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley,has found that many couples actually feel happier when their children leave home because they are able to enjoy spending time together. In total,123 American mothers born in the 1930s were tracked for 18 years and asked to rate their satisfaction levels shortly after marrying, when they were bringing up babies,once their children reached their teenage years and finally at age 61,when almost all had" empty nests". Although not all said they were happier in general,most claimed their marriages had improved since their children had left home.Researchers believe this is not just because the spouses were spending more time together, but because they were able to enjoy each other's company more. One of the participants in the study, which is published in the journal Psychological Science,said:"Once the kids grow up...there's some of that stress removed...that responsibility removed,so things are a little more relaxed.'' Psychologist Sara Gorchoff, who carried out the investigation,said:"The take-home message for couples with young children is' hang in there'."Her co-author Oliver John added:"Don't wait until your kids leave home to schedule quality time with your partner." However, Dr Dorothy Rowe,from the British Psychological Society,said the effects of living in an "empty nest'" will depend on the parents'relationship with their children."If yod're just waiting for them to leave home so you Can get on with your life,then of course you'11 be pleased to see them go,"she said,''But if you've built your life around your children you'11 be terribly lonely."For some parents,their world falls apart when their Children leave.'' When did many couples feel happier according to the study? A. At age 61.when almost all had" empty nests". B. Shortly after marrying. C. Once their children reached their teenage years. D. When they were bringing up babies. Answer: A Question: Recently we asked for people's opinions about paying students to encourage them to come to class and get higher scores on tests. Some American schools are doing this. More of the people were against the idea than were for it. Some people said paying students sends a message that money is the only reason they should study for. Steven from prefix = st1 /Chinasays students should study for knowledge. Money may make a difference in the short term, he says, but we should think about the long term. Zhao Jing Tao, a college student in China, thought of an old saying. Paying students is like "drinking poison to end thirst"-- trying to solve a problem without thinking of the bad effects. Dinh Minh Tuan from Vietnamsays rewards are important because they prepare students for the future life. But young children should get things they value more than money, like funny books, pens and film tickets. There was a suggestion from South Korea that if rewards are necessary for learning,they could be gathered like a charity fund. This money could be used for a project designed by the students. Francisco Mora from Colombiasays the city ofBogotapays parents, so children do not have to work until they finish their basic education. This, he says, has increased the number of students who come to public schools. Teresa Finamore wrote: "I am an Italian teacher of math and science for students from eleven to fourteen. I think that it is wrong to pay students. Each student has to understand that going to school, he gets a wonderful chance to live better in the future and also at present." Nelly Constant in France wonders, if young people get paid for studying, what will they expect from a job --a rocket to the moon? Sergio Fernandes from Brazilsays paying students is not realistic. But Camillus Chiemela, a Nigerian living inGermany, feels it will help to make the education system better. Students' expectations will be much higher. Naval from Russiaalso says yes to the idea: "We should at least get something for our time wasted. Because in my country students pay money to go to school or get good grades from teachers." And Lucy Ding from Chinasays most Chinese students work hard for two reasons: their parents' expectations and pressure from teachers. She says getting rewards will become a good thing that will get students to work hard for themselves, for the things they hope to get. Who of the following says yes to the idea of paying students? A. Dinh Minh Tuan B. Camillus Chiemela C. Nelly Comstant D. Teresa Finamore Answer: B Question: Across the rich world, well-educated people increasingly work longer than the less-skilled. Some 65% of American men aged 62-74 with a professional degree are in the workforce, compared with 32% of men with only a high-school certificate. This gap is part of a deepening divide between the well-education well off and the unskilled poor. Rapid technological advance has raised the incomes of the highly skilled while squeezing those of the unskilled. The consequences, for individual and society, are profound. The world is facing as astonishing rise in the number of old people, and they will live longer than ever before. Over the next 20 years the global population of those aged 65 or more will almost double, from 600 million to 1.1 billion. The experience of the 20th century, when greater longevity translated into more years in retirement rather than more years at work, has persuaded many observers that this shift will lead to slower economic growth, while the swelling ranks of pensioners will create government budget problems. But the notion of a sharp division between the working young and the idle old misses a new trend, the growing gap between the skilled and the unskilled. Employment rates are falling among younger unskilled people, whereas older skilled folk are working longer. The divide is most extreme in America, where well-educated baby-boomers are putting off retirement while many less-skilled younger people have dropped out of the workforce. That even the better-off must work longer to have a comfortable retirement. But the changing nature of work also plays a big role. Pay has risen sharply for the highly educated, and those people continue to reap rich rewards into old age because these days the educated elderly are more productive than the preceding generation. Technological change may well reinforce that shift: the skills that complement computers, from management knowhow to creativity. Do not necessarily decline with age. What is characteristic of work in the 21st century? A. Computers will do more complicated work. B. More will be taken by the educated young. C. Most jobs to be done will be creative ones. D. Skills are highly valued regardless of age. Answer: D
Nicaragua's Cerro Negro Volcano has erupted 23 times in the past 100 years,burying homes, crops and people in lava and ashes. But recently the black mountain has become a tourist draw, thanks to a newly invented extreme sport: volcano boarding. Thousands of thrill-seekers have climbed to the top of Cerro Negro, peered into its mouth, then zipped down its rough-and--rocky 41--degree slope on special boards. The volcano-boarding speed, set by an Israeli woman, is 54 mph. "Rushing down an active volcano is something that people expect." Said Anthony Alcalde, an expert volcano boarder. The sport was developed in the mid-2000s by Darryn Webb, an Australian who had climbed the nearby Cerro Negro but was looking for a faster way to get to the bottom. He tried sliding down on surfboards, snowboards, and even a refrgerrator door before inventing a sit-down board made of plywood. "At first, Darryn planned to use a snowboard," said Gemma Cope, a British woman who now runs Big Foot, which offers volcano boarding tours. "But he realized he couldn't cut an edge for there were little rocks everywhere. So he came up with the sitting-down option and realized he can go pretty fast. " Tourists,who are nearly all foreigners,pay $28 for the experience, which begins with a truck ride on dirt roads to Cerro Negr0.a 2,400-foot--high volcano that last erupted in l999.Visitors must carry their boards during the half-hour climb to the top. There,they go straight down the slope and sometimes they have to use their feet for brakes.Along the way.The board fills with rocks and dust,making boarders almost blind.Crashes are common."l wiped out twice and ripped my pants."said Melinda Vorisek, a tourist from Miami."But I'd do it again." Another tourist added:"It was sheer terror. I was eating dirt.But how many people can say they've bombed down a volcano?" what adds to the danger of volcano boarding according to the passge? Answer: At the top of a three-story brick building, Sue and Johnsy had their studio. One of the girls was from Maine; the other from California. They had met in an Eighth Street restaurant, and found their tastes in art, chicory salad and bishop sleeves so much in tune that the joint studio resulted. That was in May. In November, a cold, unseen stranger, whom the doctors called "pneumonia", stalked about the district, touching one here and there with his icy fingers. Johnsy was among his victims. One morning the busy doctor invited Sue into the hallway with a bushy, gray eyebrow. "She has one chance in ten," he said. "And that chance is for her to want to live. Your little lady has made up her mind that she's not going to get well. Has she anything on her mind?" "She wanted to paint the Bay of Naples some day," said Sue. "Paint? Bosh! Has she anything on her mind worth thinking about twice? A man, for instance?" "No, doctor; there is nothing of the kind." "Well," said the doctor. "I will do all that science can accomplish. But whenever my patient begins to count the carriage in her funeral procession , I subtract 50 per cent from the power of medicines." After the doctor had gone, Sue cried. Johnsy lay, scarcely making a movement under the bedclothes, with her face toward the window. She was looking out and counting--counting backward. "Twelve," she said, and a little later "eleven," and then "ten," and "nine," and then "eight,' and "seven," almost together. Sue looked out of the window. What was there to count? There was only a bare, depressing yard to be seen, and an old, old ivy vine climbed half way up the brick wall of the brick house. The cold breath of autumn had blown away its leaves, leaving it almost bare. "Six," said Johnsy, in almost a whisper. "They're falling faster now. Three days ago there were almost a hundred. It made my head ache to count them. But now it's easy. There goes another one. There are only five left now." "Five what, dear?" "Leaves, on the ivy vine . When the last one falls I must go, too. I've known that for three days. Didn't the doctor tell you?" "Oh, I've never heard of such nonsense. Don't be so silly. Why, the doctor told me this morning that your chances for getting well soon were ten to one! Try to take some soup now, and let Sue go and buy pork chops for her sick child." What may Sue do for her friend next? Answer: What can you do on the Internet? Many of us like to read the news, buy things and play games. Some students now have a new use for the Internet - helping them with their homework. Tina, 14, from Shenzhen, Guangdong, often searches online for the answers to her math problems. She said sometimes she and even her parents don't know the answers to the problems, so she has to turn to the Internet. "I can see how other people work out these problems and learn from them," Tina said. "It's easy and saves time." But not all the students welcome this. Leo, 15, from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, thinks it may make students stop thinking. "We should think over the problems first. Simply copying the answers won't improve our abilities. " he said. In the eyes of Wang Zhaoming, a Shanghai teacher, the success of all this is down to the students. If they use the Internet properly , it could be a good tool for study, Wang said. "Students should first think about the problems by themselves. As for the online answers, they should choose the best among different ones. The most important thing is to know the logic behind the answers," he said. "Don't be shy to ask teachers and classmates the next day if you don't understand the answer." The best title of this passage is _ . Answer: Which statement describes animal embryos? Answer: Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and one of the richest people in the world, is now making efforts to reinvent the toilet. Gates has donated a big part of his wealth to charity. Now his charitable organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is looking for future toilets that can improve the living conditions of millions of people. The flush toilet we use today was invented in 1775. While it works well in getting rid of our waste, it also uses a lot of water and needs a costly sewage system . Besides, it's not necessarily practical for the developing world. In some developing countries, lack of toilets leads to poor hygiene ,and _ could kill people. According to the World Health Organization, 1.5 million children under the age of five die each year because of hygiene problems. Last year, the Gates Foundation gave money to eight universities around the world and asked them to start inventing the toilet of tomorrow: a toilet that uses little or no water is cheap and easy to fix, and is safe and hygienic. At the " Reinvent the Toilet Fair " competition recently held in Seattle, twenty-eight designs were displayed. The winners, from the California Institute of Technology , were awarded a $ 100,000 prize by the Gates Foundation. "We couldn't be happier with the response that we've gotten," Bill Gates said at the event. Many of the new designs would not only greatly improve hygiene in the developing world, but also help change the dependence on traditional flush toilets in developed nations, he said. What are disadvantages of the flush toilet we use today? Answer:
Question: Living things all require energy for what? A. dying B. observing C. staying perky D. decaying Answer: C Question: Once there is a boy in London. His name is Jimmy. He starts painting when he is three years old, and when he is five years old, he is already very good at it. He paints many beautiful and interesting pictures, and a lot of people buy his pictures. They say, "This boy is going to be famous when he's a little older, and then we're going to sell these pictures for a lot of money." Jimmy's pictures are different from others' because he never paints on the whole of the paper. He only paints on half of it, and the other half is always empty. "That's very clever," people say. "No other painters have ever done that!" One day someone asks Jimmy, "Please tell me, Jimmy, why do you only paint on the bottom half of the paper, but not on the top half?" "Because I'm small," Jimmy says, "and my brushes can't reach very high." Jimmy only paints half of the paper because _ . A. he was very clever. B. he was very short. C. he was very tall. D. he was very big. Answer: B Question: On a cool November afternoon in Fleming Island, Florida, Melissa Hawkinson, 41, was driving her five-year-old twins home from school when she saw a sudden splash in Doctors Lake just ahead. What was that? She thought. As she drove up to the scene, she saw a half-submerged car sinking about 30 yards offshore. "It was going down pretty quickly," Hawkinson recalls. She stopped the car near the boat ramp and ran toward the water. Water is going to be cold, she thought. She took off her vest and leather boots, got into the icy water, and swam to the car, where she found Cameron Dorsey, five, trapped into his car as the swirling water rose around him. Hawkinson tried to open the door, but it was locked. So she pushed and pulled hard on the partially open window until she could reach through and unlock the door. She pulled the boy free, swam to shore, and handed him off to onlookers who were only watching them on a dock. The driver, the boy's suicidal father, swam back to land on his own. Afterward, Hawkinson sat on the shore wrapped in a blanket. "For ten or 15 minutes, I couldn't stop shaking," she said. There's nothing visibly extraordinary about Melissa Hawkinson, an energetic stay-at-home mom with brown hair and a sweet smile. Yet something made her different from the dockside onlookers that day. Why do some people act quickly, willing to take a risk for a stranger? What makes them run toward danger rather than away from it? Hawkinson, the Granite Mountain Hotshots (,)---19 of whom lost their life this past summer in Arizona--- every hero who puts his or her life on the line to save another: what makes them brave? Moreover, can bravery be learned, or is it a quality with which you are born? The answer is complex. Bravery taps the mind, brain and heart. It comes from instinct, training and sympathy. Today, neurologists, psychologists and other researchers are studying bravery, trying to uncover the mystery. It can be learned from the passage that _ . A. Melissa Hawkinson was a 41-year-old nurse B. it was spring when the accident happened C. Melissa Hawkinson was picking up her five-year-old son D. Melissa Hawkinson was kind and courageous. Answer: D Question: One answer to the question of land shortage was suggested by an organization some years ago. A city was to be built at sea, housing 30,000 people. The suggestion was to shape the city like a harbor .The outer wall of the harbor would stand on steel columns resting on the sea-bed. Naturally this could only be where the water was fairly shallow. The people would like to live in flats in the fifty-metre high outer wall. The flats would be all face inwards, and would be made of concrete and glass. The glass would be specially made and colored to control the heat and strong light from the sun. The planners called this man-made harbor would be calm. On it would be floating islands carrying more building: a hospital, two theaters, museum, an art exhibition hall and a church. On one of the islands would be a special factory to take the salt out of sea water and turn it into fresh water. People living in the city could move around on small boats driven by electricity, so there would be no air pollution from the burning of gas. There would be platforms outside the man wall for ships bringing supplies. People could also travel to the mainland by motorboat or water plane. The suggestion made by the organization is to solve the problem that _ . A. there is not enough space for building cities on land B. land transportation has became increasingly difficult C. there are too many people on land D. present cities are heavily polluted by cars Answer: A Question: The smartphone has become the centerpiece of many students' digital lives. Yes, it can be a distraction(,), but it is also an incredible tool that can transform classroom learning and late-night studying. Professors and students are starting to explore what the smartphone can contribute to learning-and there is a whole host of apps to help that process along. There are also plenty of apps to help students with the less academic parts of college life. To download any of these apps, search the iTunes App Store or Android Market. iOS apps are built for Apple's mobile platform and can run on the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Skype Cost: Free Platform: Android, BlackBerry, iOS More and more smartphones now ship with front-facing cameras that make them great video chat tools. There are several competitors here ---- including Apple's FaceTime ----but Skype is still the best cross-platform tool for keeping in touch with faraway friends and family. Users on either end can be on a computer, smartphone. Grades 2 Cost: Free Platform: iOS This app is a sophisticated tool for calculating grades. Students can use it to figure out what grade they'll need on a test to achieve their target grade and also keeps track of overall GPA, weighted by each class's credit count. Students can also enter due dates for assignments as reminders. The app is free and supported by ads, but users can pay $1 inside the app to turn them off. Snoozerr Recordings Cost: 99 cents Platform: iOS This is a great tool for logging long lecture classes or smaller study sessions . It records audio and pairs that with time-stamped pictures that the student takes of presentations--- say, equations on a blackboard----or of his or her own notes. When the student wants to review, he or she can use the pictures as a visual guide to what the instructor was saying and replay that section. TED Cost: Free Platform: iOS This app is great for the student in everyone. It compiles video from hundreds of presentations at technology, entertainment and design----a conference that features short speeches focused on new ways of thinking. Presenters often speak about technology, social good or education and challenge societal norms. It's a great way to spend an hour or so hearing from some of the world's leading minds for free. All of the videos are also available at www.ted.com. AroundMe Cost: Free Platform: Android and iOS This app uses a smartphone's GPS to find nearby locations by category such as banks, gas stations, bars, coffee shops, restaurants and supermarkets---- all the college staples . If you want to use your smartphone to find a nearby supermarket, you should download _ . . A. TED B. AroundMe C. Skype D. Grades 2 Answer: B
Part of the magic in movies is the costumes. They can transform a normal-looking actor into a cowboy, a space alien or even a superhero. Costumes for movies are designed and created by a whole team of people, according to Courtney Daniel, a Toronto-based costume designer who worked on the recent movie Night At The Museum. As a designer, she does research to find out what details are needed to make a costume work, and what makes sense for a specific movie. In Night At The Museum, she and a few other designers spent time at libraries and museums studying everything from what cowboys should wear, to what ancient Egyptians and Huns would have put on. Once they got the information they needed, they figured out what fabrics to use and how to put them together. The designers even changed a few details to make the costumes more "movie friendly". For example, more colour and extra touches helped historical costumes to be alive for kids. One example of this is the costume for the role in the movie Night At The Museum, an Indian woman Sacagawea, which has a shorter skirt and fits more closely than the clothes the real Sacagawea would have worn. Daniel has also worked on costumes for other big-name movies, such as the second and third X-Men movies, and Catwoman. If you are. interested in being a costume designer, it helps to have an interest in sewing. She said,"Learning how to sew, and how different fabrics and materials work is important."So is knowing how to carry out research, Daniel's degree in art history helped in this area. What do we know about the movie Night At The Museum? Answer: Sacagawea is one of the characters in it. One day,Mr.Li was reading a book in his office after school.To his surprise,a ball flew in suddenly and hurt him on the head.He took the ball to the window,but he only saw a group of boy students running away quickly and disappearing in a minute.He sat down again and continued his reading.As it got dark,it was time for him to leave for home.Looking at the ball,he wondered what to do with it.He knew the owner of the ball must be nearby and wished to get it back.He went downstairs and walked to the playground.It was at the center of the playground that he placed the ball with a piece of paper,on which he wrote "Be careful next time!".Then he walked away. The next morning,as Mr.Li opened the office door,he found the same piece of paper on the floor.Some words were added after his words:"Thank you for your kindness.Anyway,you are a clever fellow." What happened while Mr.Li was reading in his office? Answer: A ball hurt him on the head. Traffic problems are an everyday concern in many cities,including Washington,DC.A growing number of Washingtonians are turning to bicycles to get to and from work.In fact,the number of commuters who use bicycles has doubled in the city since 2007. Ralph Buehler teaches urban planning at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,popularly known as Virginia Tech.He has written a book about urban biking,called "City Cycling". He says there is a reason why urban bike tiding is now becoming more popular. "Over the last 60 to 70 years.cities in the U.S.have been adapted to the automobile." "Most cities took advantage of the money coming for the interstate highway system,from the federal government,starting in 1956.There was a 90 percent federal match so the cities only had to put up 10%.It was very tempting." In the years after World War Two,many Americans moved to suburban communities,just outside major cities,They decided to travel great distances to and from work in exchange for a home in the suburbs.Their cars became a symbol of freedom. But today,many people believe they can save money by living in the city. Greg Billing is with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association."When a person makes a change from 04 using a car to using a bike,they are saving anywhere between 8 or$9,000 a year." Ralph Buehler says governments save money when people use bicycles."Building bicycling facilities is much cheaper than building and maintaining road facilities or public transport." Washington,DC has also taken steps to protect bike riders.It approved a safe passing law and created areas on the road between cars and bikes. The United States Census Bureau says 4%of the city's workers ride to work by bike.The only city on the East Coast with more bike commuters is New York. What do Ralph Buehler and Greg Billing agree with? Answer: Money can be saved when people use bicycles. _____ tide is a stage in the tide cycle process that surfers like the best Answer: high China is very famous for its food in the world. There are many kinds of food in China. They're Cantonese food, Sichuan food, Shanghai food, Hunan food and so on. And I like Sichuan food best. Now, Sichuan food is very popular. There are many Sichuan food restaurants all over the country. Sichuan food is very hot , but people love it. In some famous Sichuan food restaurants, you can see many people waiting there. Now in Beijing, there are more and more Sichuan food restaurants. Now, _ is very popular. Answer: Sichuan food
Pollution is reducing the fragrance of plants and thus preventing bees from pollinating them--endangering one of the most essential cycles of nature, a new study suggests. The potentially hugely significant research, funded by US National Science Foundation, has found that gases mainly formed from the emissions of cars prevent flowers from attracting bees and other insects to pollinate them. And the scientists who have conducted the study fear that insects' abilities to drive away enemies and attract mates may also be disturbed. Professor Jose Fuentes, who led the study, said, "Scent molecules produced by flowers in a less polluted environment could travel for roughly 1,000 to 1,200 meters. But today they may travel only 200 to 300 meters. This makes it increasingly difficult for bees and other insects to locate the flowers." The researchers, who worked on the molecules of snapdragons ,found that the molecules are volatile and quickly bond with pollutants, mainly formed from vehicle emissions. This chemically changes the molecules so that they no longer smell like flowers. A harmful cycle is therefore set up where insects struggle to get enough food and the plants do not get pollinated enough to multiply. Already bees, which pollinate most of the world's crops, are in such a great decline that has never been known before in Britain and across much of the globe. At least a quarter of America's 2.5 million honey bee colonies have been mysteriously wiped out by colony collapse disorder(CCD),where hives are found suddenly deserted. The crisis has now spread to Europe. Politicians insist that CCD has not yet been found in Britain, but considering the present number of bees, the agriculture minister Lord Rooker has sent the warning, "The honey bee population could be wiped out in 10 years." Although the researchers are not certain whether this is the real cause of CCD, they say that pollution is making life more difficult for bees and other insects in many ways. What would be the best title for the passage? Pollution Makes Flowers Lose Their Scent I had just gone to bed after a very hard day when the phone rang. It was an eccentric farmer. I had never met him before although I had often heard people talk about him. He sounded quite nervous and he had been talking for a minute or so before I understood anything. Even then I could _ that someone called Milly had had a very bad accident. I hadn't the slightest idea who she was but I obviously had to go. It had been snowing so heavily that I didn't know the way. I had been driving for at least an hour when I finally found his place. He was standing there, waiting for me. It seemed Milly had died. "She meant more to me than anyone... even my own wife!" he said. I could see that he had been crying. I thought something terrible had taken place, a possible scandal . I was even more shocked when he told me he had put her in the barn. "I wouldn't leave her out in the cold!" he said. Milly had clearly been a secret lover of his. I was about to tell him he could not expect me to cover anything up when he opened the barn door. He lifted his candle and I saw a dark figure on the ground. "She was such a good cow! I wouldn't let anyone but a doctor touch her !" he said, and burst into tears again. The farmer wished that the writer might _ . bring Milly back to life My 8-year-old daughter is making an experiment. She has been making her own colorful smile cards and often takes them with her everywhere. Last Sunday, I took my kid to go shopping with me. She was hoping to see John, who is an elderly man and gives out samples. We see him from time to time and he is so happy and friendly. John wasn't at the store on Sunday, so my daughter decided that it would be a good idea to _ her smile cards to the store's other employees. So she did. In the produce department, she gave a card to a young man and she hoped it would make him smile. And he smiled at her and thanked her. Then she came across an older gentleman who looked rather impatient. And she snuck a card into his cart on top of his groceries, remarking to me later that he looked at her suspiciously as if she was dumping trash in his cart. But I thought he would be happy later. When we got back from our shopping trip, she had run out of cards. She was walking by a woman with two babies in her cart. My daughter smiled at her and the young mother smiled back. My daughter came to me and said excitedly, "Mom, I just realized something. You don't need cards to make someone smile. All you need to do is make eye contact and smile into their eyes and they will smile back." What a beautiful lesson my daughter reminded me of. You are never too young or too old to experiment with kindness and smiles. From the text, we can learn that _ . the older gentleman would smile later after he got the smile card Which is an example of the type of body of water that contains the most water on Earth? Caribbean Sea In business, there is a speed difference: It's the difference between how important a firms leaders say speed is to their competitive strategy and how fast the company actually moves. The difference is important regardless of industry and company size .Companies fearful of losing their competitive advantage spend much time and money looking for ways to pick up the speed. In our study of 343 businesses, the companies that choose to go, go, go to try to _ ended up with lower sales and operating incomes than those that paused at key moments to make sure they were on the right track, What's more, the firms that "slowed down to speed up "improved their top and bottom lines, averaging 40% higher sales and 52% higher operating incomes over a three-year period. How did they disobey _ , taking more time than competitors yet performing better? They thought differently about what "slower" and "faster" mean. Firms sometimes fail to understand the difference between operation speed (moving quickly )and strategic speed (reducing the time it takes to deliver value ).Simply increasing the speed of production, for example ,may be one way to try to reduce the speed difference .But that often leads to reduced value over time, in the form of lower-quality products and services. In our study, higher-performing companies with strategic speed always made changes when necessary. They became more open to ideas and discussion. They encouraged new ways of thinking. And they allowed time to look back and learn. By contrast , performance suffered at firms that moved fast all the time, paid too much attention to improving efficiency, stuck to tested methods, didn't develop team spirit among their employees, and had little time thinking about changes. Strategic speed serves as a kind of leadership. Teams that regularly take time to get things right , rather than plough ahead full bore , are more successful in meeting their business goals . That kind of strategy must come from the top. . Which could be the best title for the text? Need speed? Slow down.
Do your parents ever say "do it like a lady" or "be a gentleman" to you? But in the eyes of today's students, what should a lady or a gentleman be like? Let's take a look. What is a gentleman? _ ? _ : A gentleman doesn't always get angry . He wants others to be well and happy. He's always ready to help others. There is a boy in my class I think he is a gentleman. If I don't do well in the English exam, he will say "You will do better next time". That makes me feel happy. _ : A gentleman always says, "Ladies first". When students clean the classroom, he always does heavy work. He lets girls go into rooms first. There are no gentlemen in my class. When there is something to eat, the boys in my class always get them before girls! What is a lady? Boys tell us what they think a lady is: _ : A lady is kind and quiet ,but she's not shy and she can talk about her ideas in front of others. To me, Dong Jie, a film star, is a lady. She is pretty and kind. She does a lot for others. _ : A lady is not just beautiful but clever. She never says bad words. She is quiet and kind to others. I don't think there is a lady in my class. Most of the girls are _ , I think. Which of the following is the best title for this passage? A Here's what teachers think B Here's what students think C Girls have their ideas D Boys have their ideas Answer: B. Here's what students think Dear Abby, I'm a helpless mother.My son Tom is 15 years old.I find that the older he grows,the less we talk.I feel very sad and I really need help. My first problem is about his hobbies.He spends almost all his spare time on computer games.When he gets home.he always turns on the computer and closes the door.I'm getting worried about him,especially when his English teacher tells me he always gets low marks in the English exams. Second,he likes new technology,but I don't have enough money and I can't afford all the things he wants. Recently,I've found that he is always alone.I've never seen him talking to his friends on the phone or going out with anyone on weekends.That is the last problem I have. What should I do to help him?Please give me some advice. A helpless mother From the passage we know that Tom's mother _ . A is not worried about Tom B feels very happy C is not rich D likes new technology Answer: C. is not rich IT'S a scene in many homes around the world: tired-eyed teens wake to the sound of their alarm clock. Another school day begins, and we all wish we could have just one extra hour of sleep. For lucky high school students in England, they're now going to reset their alarm and get an extra hour of sleep. Instead of starting school at 9 am, students will begin the academic day at 10 am. This is part of a huge study by Oxford University. The experiment will see whether later classes can improve exam results. More than 100 schools across England will join the four-year experiment, which includes tens of thousands of students. It is based on(...) scientific evidence(; )that teenagers are out of step with traditional school hours. "We know that something funny happens when you're a teenager," lead sleep researcher Colin Epsie told The Telegraph. "Your parents think it's because you're lazy and everything would be OK if you could get to sleep earlier. But science is telling us that teenagers need to sleep more in the mornings." A similar experiment in 2009 saw an improvement of 19 percent in exam scores for major subjects - such as math and science. Teenagers' sleep cycles, on average, begin two hours after adults. Neuroscientists say teens have a built-in clock, which makes them more likely to go to sleep around midnight. As well as not feeling fully awake until between 9 am and 10 am. This body clock stays until the age of 19 for females and 21 for males. Schools are places for learning, as well as education laboratories - finding out the best ways to learn and increase knowledge. Yet we'll have to wait until 2018 to find out these exciting results! Teenagers feel hard to get up early because _ . A they are too lazy B their sleep cycles are later than adults C they stay up late at night D they hate going to school Answer: B. their sleep cycles are later than adults There are plenty of beauty schools throughout the country that can help you to start a career in cosmetology . Nowadays, young people may not be able to afford a four-year college. Students can look forward to attending a beauty school program which will only take a few months to complete and start their career right away to earn money. There can be many benefits of going to beauty school. The expense is much less than attending a four-year university. Besides, attending beauty school is mostly a hands-on experience which appeals to many people. Some students don't like sitting all day listening to lectures and then having to study at night. What's more, most beauty school programs keep up with the changing trends and fashion. So you will always be working on different hair types which can be fun and will give you a lot of experience throughout the years of your career. If you are worried about finding a job after graduation, many beauty schools will offer assistance for immediate job placement and give you peace of mind that you will not be _ looking for a job. Most colleges and universities are not equipped to do that because of the large number of graduates each year. Cosmetologists will also make a good salary. The average salary will depend on your location, but you may earn a salary around $3,000 -- $3,500 a month. This is not including tips which could be $600 or more a month. Not only can young people go to cosmetology school, but people of all ages can start this career. As you can see, there are many benefits of beauty schools that can be the perfect opportunity for anyone to become a great cosmetologist. What can be learnt from the passage? A A cosmetologist gets paid at least $3,600 a month. B Beauty schools are not popular with young people. C Graduates can easily be offered jobs by universities. D It isn't suitable for the old to start a career in cosmetology. Answer: A. A cosmetologist gets paid at least $3,600 a month. Did you know that many people today are getting extra work by taking translating jobs online? It's true! And you can do it too. Many companies in the USA need translators now to translate simple documents online from Chinese to English, such as emails, website content, movie subtitles and more. Companies like Real Translator Jobs are actively seeking translators from China to fill demand. There are more translation jobs than people to complete them. This leaves a big opportunity for anyone to start doing this and earn extra money. Do you have to speak perfect English? No! Even basic knowledge of English is OK. This is really a job for anyone from China who wants to do it. We spoke to one student from Beijing, Harris, who has been doing this for 2 years now and is earning between $150 and $225 every day. He completes about 3 to 4 jobs per day which takes him about 3 hours. It's an incredible amount of money to earn on your spare time! It is great that we now live in the "Information Age" and opportunities like this are available to people in China to earn extra money working from home over the Internet. It's something that our parent's generation could have never imagined. This type of work is surely to do great things for young people in China. If you would also like to do this, it's easy to get started. Just follow these steps: 1. Sign up at Real Translator Jobs (where Chinese translators are needed now), or a similar service. 2. Review the job posting and complete the ones you like. 3. Get paid once per month by cheque, PayPal or bank wire transfer. I hope you enjoyed this information and good luck earning extra money online translating documents. Which of the following is not mentioned about the documents online translated? A Articles. B Emails. C Website content. D Movie subtitles. Answer: A. Articles.
New York State has passed the USA's first state law banning motorists talking on hand-held cell phones. The ban will begin November 1, although drivers caught using hand-held cell phones will be given only warnings during the first month. First-time violators will face a $100 fine. A second time call for a $200 fine and every violation after that will cost$500. At least a dozen localities have established bans, starting in 1999; and 40 states have had bans proposed but not passed.At least 23 countries, including the Great Britain, Italy, Israel and Japan, ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones. There are about 115 million cell phones in use in the United States and more than 6 million in New York State. "To think that I'm not going to use cell phone when at the same time I can still use my laptop, I still can read a paper, I can still change my pants while driving 65 mph. I think there's just something wrong," an official said. Other critics noted that other things like eating, drinking coffee and applying make-up while driving posed at least as much of a concern. They suggested that the ban include a broader range of things. The official mentioned in this passage _ . Ms. Strawberry loved to make vanilla cupcakes! Everyone loved her cupcakes, and she loved making them, too. One morning, she was in the store, buying ingredients for her cupcakes, when she came across the most delicious looking chocolate frosting she had ever seen in her life! She bought a whole bunch, excited about how delicious her cupcakes would be for her cupcake party tonight! She went home and took extra care making her cupcakes that afternoon. She made them extra fluffy, sweet and delicious. She even pulled out her favorite sprinkles for her cupcakes, bright purple ones, which was her favorite color. She couldn't believe how amazing her cupcakes were going to be for the cupcake party! That night at the cupcake party, Ms. Strawberry showed everyone her plate of delicious cupcakes! So many of her friends were there for the party. There was Mrs. Apple, Mr. Banana, Ms. Mitten, Mr. Green and even quiet Mr. Lemon showed up. Everyone was very happy about her cupcakes! Everyone except Mr. Lemon. Mr. Lemon took one bite of that cupcake and said, "Eew! This is the worst cupcake in the world!" Ms. Strawberry didn't know what to say! Were they really the worst cupcakes in the world? She had tried so hard! Ms. Strawberry started to cry. "Why don't you like my cupcakes, Mr. Lemon? I worked so hard to make the extra delicious!" Mr. Lemon said, "I don't like vanilla, and I don't like chocolate!" Ms. Strawberry cried even more! "There, there," said Mrs. Apple, and patted Ms. Strawberry on the head. "It's okay. Not everyone is going to like your cupcakes! You only have to know that you worked hard and that they're still tasty!" With that, Ms. Strawberry stopped crying, and she and Mr. Lemon made up. Who patted Ms. Strawberry on the head and told her "Not everyone is going to like your cupcakes!" When I was 15, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my short-comings . Week by week her list grew. I was skinny , I talked too loud, I was too proud, and so on. I put up with her as long as I could. At last, I ran to my father in tears and anger. He listened to my outburst quietly. They he asked, "Are the things she says the true or not?"True? I wanted to know how to strike back. What did truth have to do with it? "Mary, didn't you ever wonder what you are really like? Well, you now have that girl's opinion. "Go and make a list of every thing she said and mark the points that are true. You needn't pay attention to the other things she said. I did as he told me and discovered to my surprise that about half the things are true. Some of them I couldn't change(like being skinny), but a good number I could and suddenly wanted to change. For the time in my life I began to get a quiet clear picture of myself. I brought the list back to Daddy, but he wouldn't take it."That's just for you,"he said."You know better than any else the truth about yourself, once you hear it. But you've got to learn to listen, not close your ears in anger or hurt. When someone says something about you, you'll know if it's true or not. If it is ,you'll find it will echo inside you." "I still don't think it very nice of her to talk about me in front of everybody." "Mary, there is one way you could stop others talking about you ever again, and criticizing you--just say nothing and do nothing. But then, if you do that, you'd find you were nothing. You wouldn't like that now, would you?""No, I admitted " One day the writer ran to her father in tears and anger because _ . In 1961 Obama was born in Hawaii, US. His father was an African and his mother was a white American. He grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii. When Obama was 10 years old, he was one of the only three black students at his school in Hawaii. He felt very different from most other students. White girls wanted to touch his hair. A white boy even asked him what his father was. "I lied to them that my father was a Kenyan prince. But I kept asking myself who I am," said Obama. However, 37 years later, the boy made history. Obama became the first black president in US history. Obama's unusual background made him wonder who he was. He once turned to alcohol to help forget this question. With the help of his friends, Obama finally turned his life around at college. His hard work made him a star at Harvard. Later, he became the third black senator in US history. "Obama's success has made Martin Luther King's dream come true. That is: A man should not be judged by the colour of his skin, but by the content of his character," wrote ABC news. Obama was born in _ . Many areas of Massachusetts have small deep ponds called kettle ponds. Which of the following best explains the formation of these ponds?
A young British sailor was missing at sea yesterday in similar circumstances to the way his father died five years ago. The dinghy ,used to take Richard Smith,21,to his yacht ,was discovered empty, floating in seas off the Caribbean island.An air and sea search was carried out but he has still not been discovered . Richard's mother, Bicknell,said from her home in Hampshire,"It's so much coincidence.Richard always carried a photograph of his father attached to a poem,which included the date of his disappearance." "Now, it's very strange because all they have found is Richard's dinghy.We need to know this time what has happened one way or another.If you know at least you can go through the grieving process ." In November 1996,Mr. Smith's father, Charlie,was sailing in the Tasmen sea between the Australian mainland and the island of Tasmen with his new wife.They lost radio contact with the shore and they, together with their yacht were never seen again,and their disappearance remains a mystery. Richard is described a talented and experienced sailor who has crewed for the champion ocean racer.He had sailed to the. Caribbean in November to crew ocean racing yachts for entertainment.He ended the evening drinking in the Abracbabra bar but left after local police closed it for being too noisy. About 2 am the following day Richard headed back for his dinghy.He started its outboard motor before giving all elderly woman a lift to her yacht after her dinghy had gone missing.It was the last time he was seen. The writer tells us _ . A. a story about two heroes B. a piece of news about a merchant ship C. a coincidence D. the dying process of Richard Answer: C Vitamins are complex chemical substances found in many foods. The human body needs them for health and growth. The body makes some vitamins, but usually in amounts too small to meet its needs. Other vitamins are not made in the body. These must be supplied. No one knows exactly how all vitamins work. Doctors do know that vitamins have very special uses. One vitamin therefore cannot take the place of another. The steady absence of one vitamin in an otherwise complete diet causes a deficiency disease. Rickets, scurvy, and pellagra are examples of deficiency diseases. It is best to obtain vitamins by eating the foods in which they occur. There are also pills that contain a single vitamin or a combination of vitamins people should consult their doctors before they take any vitamin pills. Scientists have discovered about 25 vitamins and their different forms that are very important to human beings and other forms of life. Experts believe that there are many more vitamins to be discovered. There are two basic groups of vitamins. One group of vitamins dissolves in fat and is therefore called the "fat-soluble" group. Vitamins A, D, E and K are in this group. The other group is known as "water-soluble" vitamins. These vitamins, understandably, dissolve in water. Among this group are Vitamin C and the B group of vitamins. Vitamin A aids the building and growth of body cells. This vitamin is therefore vital for the growth of children and for good development of babies before birth. Vitamin A is also important for good vision at night. Vitamin B1 is also called thiamine. This vitamin prevents and cures disease. Vitamin B2, called riboflavin, is needed for growth, healthy skin, and for the eyes. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, prevents and cures scurvy. Vitamin D is a group of 10 vitamins that prevents rickets. Scientist believe that Vitamin D3 forms in the skin when the body is exposed to sunlight. Because of this, it is called the "sunshine vitamin". A lack of Vitamin D may lead to bone damage; too much may cause kidney disease. All of the functions of Vitamin E, also called tocopherol, are not known. It is necessary for reproduction in animals. Vitamin K is necessary for making the blood clot. The more that is learned about vitamins, the more it is realized how these chemical substances play a part in all aspects of human activity. Which disease is caused because of the steady absence of one vitamin in the diet? A. Scurvy B. Pellagra C. Rickets D. All of the above Answer: D Hello! I'm Jim Green. I'm English. This is my mother. Her first name is Mary. This is my father.His name is Steve. My telephone number is eight five six o nine one seven six. My friend is Li Lei. His English name is Tony. He is a Chinese boy. His telephone number is 82815248. My English teacher is Jenny Brown. She is a good teacher. What is my first name? _ A. Jim B. Green C. Jim Green D. Green Jim Answer: A #United States Capitol It serves as the seat of government for the US Congress. It is located in Washington, D. C., on top of Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall. Officially, both the east and west sides of the Capitol are referred to as "fronts". Historically, however, the east front was initially the side of the building intended for the arrival of visitors and famous guests. Phone: (202) 225-6827 Official website: www.aoc.gov Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. #International Spy Museum It is a privately owned museum dedicated to the field of espionage located in Washington. D. C., The museum was built by The Malrite Company at a cost of US $ 40 million. Despite being one of the few museums in Washington that charges admission fees, it has been popular since its opening in July 2002. Phone: (202) 393-7798 Official website: www.spymuseum.org Hours: Monday-Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. #National Museum of Natural History It is a natural history museum administered by the Smithsonian Institution, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Admission is free and the museum is open 364 days a year. The museum's collections total over 125 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites ,and human cultural artifacts, making it the largest such museum anywhere. It is the second most popular of all of the Smithsonian museums and is also home to about 185 professional natural history scientists--the largest group of scientists dedicated to the study of the natural and cultural history in the world. Phone: (202) 633-1000 Official website: www.mnh.si.edu #Jefferson Memorial It is a presidential memorial in Washington, D. C., dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, an American Founding Father and the third president of the United States. The neoclassical building was designed by John Russell Pope. It was built by Philadelphia contractor John Mc. Shain. Construction began in 1939, the building was completed in 1942, and the bronze statue of Jefferson was added in 1947. When completed, the memorial occupied one of the last significant sites left in the city. Phone: (202) 426-6821 Official website: www.mps.gov/thje Visitors can learn more about _ in the Jefferson Memorial. A. the third American president B. the US government C. rock collections D. natural history Answer: A What do astronauts eat in space, and why? How did astronaut food come into being? How do astronauts preserve food for long periods of time in space? NASA(the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has been researching food for space travel since the 1960's to find the best way of keeping astronauts from going hungry. The research could date from an accident that took place on the first manned Gemini mission in 1965. astronaut John Young managed to sneak a corned beef sandwich onto the Geminni III capsule to eat during its orbit around Earth. To Young's surprise, the sandwich plan did not go as expected; instead the sandwich began to break apart and scatter through the Geminni IIIcapsule. This could have resulted in disaster, since a small piece of food could have stuck in the air vents and other equipment. The sandwich was stuffed into a pocket to avoid the further mess inside the small space capsule This incident caused NASA to enforce strict rules on what types of food can be taken into space. Space food has come a long way since then. During the Gemini period, the astronauts mostly ate cubed, compressed foods high in calories and lightweight. NASA expects a long shelf life for space food. The majority of food taken into space has been dried out or heat-treated. These process and use of sodium , make the food taken into space last longer. Research is ongoing into space food to seek out healthier ways to preserve it. Too much sodium is unhealthy, and can badly change the taste of some foods. The majority of the space food is dried out or heat-treated in order to _ . A. keep astronauts healthy B. keep it from breaking apart C. change its taste D. make it last longer Answer: D
Can you make a telephone call? Of course you can make it in Chinese. But a call in English is quite different from one from one in Chinese. If you want to ask somebody to answer the telephone, you can not say, "Please ask Mr. XX to answer the telephone." Instead ,you must say,"May I speak to Mr. XX?" If you want to ask who is answering the phone, you should say,"Who is that?""Is that Mr. XX ( speaking)?"Instead of "Who are you?" If you want to tell the other one who you are, you should say,"This is XX (speaking)"instead of "I am XX" If you want to tell the people who you are, you should say, " _ A This is XX B I am XX C That is XX D He is XX Answer: A Countries must learn to share water fairly if they are to prevent warring over water as population growth and climate change make it ever more scarce. Farming uses 70 percent of the fresh water taken from the world's lakes and rivers and need from farms is set to increase by 14 percent in the next 30 years. Water conflicts can happen in water-stressed areas among local communities and between countries. The lack of instruments for water sharing _ already difficult conditions. In the absence of clear rules, things will not be organized or arranged in order and power plays an important role. While humans drink between 2 and 5 litres of water a day, it takes 1,000-2,000 litres to produce a kilogram of wheat and up to 15,000 litres to produce a kilo of grain-fed beef. The daily consumption of water per person is a thousand times more than the consumption through drinking. Already 1.1 billion people lack clean water and, with the world's population set to grow from 6.5 billion to 8 billion by 2025, 1.8 billion people will face water scarcity by then. Global warming will exacerbate the problem, especially in poor, dry areas. To improve cross-border cooperation on water use, the 10 countries on the Nile are negotiating a water-sharing agreement which the Food and Agriculture Organisation hopes will be a model for other areas where the scarce water can be shared out peacefully. What's the passage mainly about? A Water conflicts can arise in poor and dry areas. B Countries must learn to share water fairly. C What caused water conflicts. D Water consumption is increasing. Answer: B A modern-day love story of a man seeing the girl of his dreams across a New York subway train and tracking her down over the Internet has failed to have a fairytale ending with the relationship over. For Web designer Patrick Moberg, then 21, from Brooklyn, it was love at first sight when he saw a woman on a Manthttan train last November. But he lost her in the crowd so he set up a website with a sketch picture to find her--www.Nygirlofmydreams.com. Unbelievably in a city of 8 million people, it only took Moberg 48 hours to find the woman, with his phone ringing non-stop and email box overflowing. New Yorkers took pity on the subway Romeo and joined his hunt. The mysterious girl was named as Camille Hayton, from Melbourne, Australia, who was working at the magazine Black Book and also lived in Brooklyn. One of her friends saw the sketched picture on the Web site and recognized her. But after finding each other, appearing on TV and getting international press, the couple took their romance out of the public eye, with Moberg closing down the Web site and with both refusing to make any more comments--until now. Hayton told Australian newspaper The Sunday Telegraph that she dated Moberg for about two months but it just didn't work out. "I say we dated for a while but now we're just friends," Hayton, now 23, told the newspaper. Hayton said she is still recognized about three times a week on the streets of Manhattan as "that girl" and the question is always the same: "So what happened?" "I think the situation was so intense that it linked us," she said, adding, "it linked us in a way that you could mistake, I guess, for being more romantic than it was. I don't know. But I wanted to give it a go so didn't wonder what if, what if?" Hayton told The Sunday Telegraph that she is enjoying single life in New York, keeping busy with acting classes, working in two clothing stores. Last week she had a small role as a waitress in the long-running daytime soap As the World Turns. "I just can't believe it happened. It feels like a long time ago," said Hayton. Moberg, however, was still refusing to comment on the relationship. What has happened to Hayton after the subway romance? A She still gets noticed in the streets in New York. B She has become a journalist in Australia. C She has become a superstar in the city. D She is out of work and is looking for a new job. Answer: A Many companies use guards and expensive alarm systems to protect their property . Soon a new kind of protection will be used--robots. Engineers have been working on the first mobile robots for businesses. The robots will guard factories, warehouses and museums at night. The mobile robots will move around slowly on wheels. They will be able to detect(,) people through walls and pick up sounds, such as breaking glass. They can be fixed with loud sirens to frighten thieves, or radios to signal police or guards. To protect a building, a robot will have to move around without knocking into the walls. Information about the building will have to be stored in the robot's small, built-in computer. A floor map could be programmed into the computer's memory, for example. A mobile robot will not be able to do everything. Unlike human guards, it will not be able to climb stairs, open doors, or move along rough ground. It won't be able to tell the difference between friends and enemies. Because of that, people will have to be prevented from entering the area it moves. One kind of mobile robot will be able to "sense" whether a chair or a box has been moved and go around it. This robot will also judge size well enough so that it won't send an alarm if a cat crosses the room. And if someone tries to steal this robot, it will sound a loud, painful siren. The three-foot-tall robot is hard to be stolen anyway. It weighs about 200 pounds. U.S. companies pay almost $10 billion a year to protect their property with alarm systems and human guards. Mobile robots may be cheaper. Why is the new kind of robots called mobile robots? Because they can _ . A guard factories, warehouses and museums B send loud, painful sirens when it is stolen C sense moving objects and signal police D move around and do the programmed work Answer: D How much empathy do you feel towards other people? If you saw someone fall off their bike in traffic,would you stop and help--or just walk away? Many people would give in to coldness,go about their business and just do nothing.So it was a big surprise when about 100 bystanders got together recently to move a bus in east London to help a cyclist trapped under it.A video of the incident went viral on social media. According to Zoheb,a driver who stopped his car to take part in the rescue,about five people gathered to move the bus.He says:"There was no chance we could do it,it was more an invitation for other people to help,really." The initiative paid off.Diners from nearby restaurants joined in.There wasn't much coordination but it didn't take long to develop a collective understanding of what the objective was. Spontaneous cooperation among strangers doesn't happen often.People in a crowd are not sure what to do--they don't have a plan.It's one of the reasons bystanders often do nothing,according to Dr Mark Levine,professor of social psychology at Exeter University in Britain."The presence of others can prevent you from helping",he says. The key to positive group behaviour,Levine explains,"is building a sense of shared identity".Action has to be decided quickly,Levine says."The longer you leave it,the harder it is to make a decision.If you don't immediately act then you kind of think'Well,actually I probably couldn't have done anything anyway'." But the people who took the initiative like Zoheb might make a difference.The cyclist ended up in hospital and the images of the collective effort might inspire others to more acts of unity. What can we learn from the text? A The sense of shared identity makes no difference. B It's not necessary to make a quick decision. C It's impossible for strangers to cooperate. D Collective effort is inspiring. Answer: D
Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side. Most people know this joke. But recently, some people have been much more worried about how the grizzly bear and mountain lion can cross the road. " Millions of animals die each year on the U. S. roads, " the Federal Highway Administration reports. In fact, only about 80 ocelots , an endangered wild cat, exist in the U. S. today. The main reason? Roadkill. "Eco-passages" may help animals cross the road without being hit by cars. They are paths both over and under roads. " These ecopassages can be extremely useful,so that wildlife can avoid road accidents ," said Jodi Hilty of the Wildlife Protection Society. But do animals actually use the eco-passages? The answer is yes. Paul Beier of Northern Arizona University found foot marks left by mountain lions on an eco-passage that went under a highway. This showed that the lions used the passage. Builders of eco-passages try to make them look like a natural part of an area by planting trees on and around them. Animals seem to be catching on. Animals as different as salamanders and grizzly bears are using the bridges and underpasses. The next time you visit a park or drive through an area with a lot of wildlife, look around. You might see an animal over-pass ! This passage is written to _ . Answer: introduce a new way to help protect wild animals Hello! I'm Jane. I'm thirteen . I have a sister, but I don't have a brother. I like games. I often play soccer with her. I have 2 volleyballs. I like ping-pong, too. I play ping-pong with my friends after school. Do you like games ? Do you play sports every day ? How old is Jane ? Answer: Thirteen. Wanting: I want nothing but music Wanting Qu,born and raised in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, has become one of the most popular singers in China this year. During the past few months, her name and songs have spread quickly on the Internet, over the radio, and in almost every corner of China. You would be considered totally "out" if you have never heard of her song "Stay in My Song". She is a girl full of courage. At only 16, Wanting left home and entered a Canadian school to study business, starting her life in a foreign country alone. Soon,she found that her true passion was music. She went on to get her degree , but also tried her hand at songwriting. She did part-time jobs to keep on her study like many Chinese students who study in foreign countries, but never gave up her dream of being a musician. When the chance came, she bravely introduced herself to the CEO of Nettwerk and became the first Chinese singer-songwriter the company signed in 26 years. Wanting's music career started to _ in 2009 when she worked in Nettwerk. In 2011, after hearing the songs she wrote and recorded, the famous Chinese composer Zhang Yadong called her and would like to work with her. With all the successes she has achieved in China, Wanting is recording her first English album. She is ready to conquer the world. From the passage,we know that _ . Answer: The song "Stay in My Song" made Wanting Qu popular around China. Kids love animals, so children's magazines about wildlife are a great way to plant a love of reading in young kids. If your kids love animals, check out these magazines. National Geographic Kids National Geographic Kids brings animals, nature, science, and fun to the little learners. Its animal stories develop pre-reading and reading skills. They also answer questions about kids' favorite creatures. Features about different cultures bring the world to your child and inspire a sense of understanding. Interactive experiments introduce simple science, and fun puzzles and games teach logic, counting, and so much more! It is for children aged from 6 to 14. Click Click opens up a universe of wonder by introducing kids aged 3-7 to the world around them. Click is about science, nature, and the environment. From the publishers of Ladybug, Click is written so that children will love the challenge of new learning. Wild Animal Baby It helps a child develop a lifelong love of reading and learning. This sturdy , board format magazine is designed especially for babies and toddlers between the ages of 12 months and 3 years. Each issue is filled with rhymes, stories and lovable baby animals. Wild Animal Baby is a fun, interactive reading experience for children and parents alike. Zootles It was created for children aged 2 to 6 years old. Each issue includes a featured animal, numbers, and phoneme sounds. Counting and sound recognition games are built into the content, along with read-aloud stories, poems and more! This magazine is so much fun that little kids won't realize how much they are learning. We know that the magazine Zootles _ . Answer: tells about a featured animal in each issue What if I took that big jump on my bike?What's the worst thing that could happen if I go out at midnight?Should try smoking?The teen years can play out like a choose-your-own-adventure novel. Teenagers must act on an endless parade of choices.Some choices.including smoking.Come with serious consequences.As a result, adolescents often find themselves trapped between their impulsive tendencies(-Just try it!)and their newfound ability to make well-informed and logical choices(-Wait, maybe that's not such a good idea!). So what makes the teenager's brain so complex? What drives adolescents-more than any other age group-to sometimes make rash or questionable decisions? If you have ever thought that the choices teenagers make are all about exploring and pushing limits, _ . Experts Experts believe that this tendency marks a necessary period in teen development.The process helps prepare teenagers to confront the world on their own. It is something all humans have evolved to experience-yes, teens everywhere go through this exploratory period.Nor is it unique to people:Even laboratory mice experience a similar stage during their development. For example,laboratory experiments show that young mice stay close by their mothers for safety. As mice grow.their behavior does too."When they reach puberty,they're like,'I'm gonna start checking out how this environment looks without my mom,...explains Beatriz Luna,of the University of Pittsburgh. As a developmental cognitive neuroscientist,Luna studies those changes that occur in the brain as children develop into adults.She and other researchers are showing how the teen experience can lead to powerful advantages later in life.Take mice again:Young mice that explore most tend to live longest----that is,unless a cat eats them,Luna adds. What is the best title for the text? Answer: The teenage brain drives them to be different
Which organisms benefit in the relationship between bees and flowering plants? A. only the bees B. only the flowering plants C. both the bees and the flowering plants D. neither the bees nor the flowering plants Answer: C. both the bees and the flowering plants According to the American Automobile(car)Association, since 1964 all cars sold in the United States have been equipped with seat belts (They are also called safety belts) Many studies of car accidents have shown that safety belts can save lives. One study showed that forty percent of those killed in car accidents could have been saved if they have been wearing seat belts. Unfortunately seat belts are worn only by a small number of drivers and passengers _ about fifteen percent in cities and only nine percent in small towns. And safety belt can not protect people who do not wear them. In order to find out what kinds of people do wear seat belts, a study was made in several cities in of the United States. The following facts were learned about those who use their safety belts. 1. They do not smoke while driving. 2. They had more education than less educated people 3. They know some one who was hurt(but not killed) in an accident Advertisements based on these facts have been printed in newspapers and magazines in order to teach people the importance of using seat belt. But these advertisements have not helped much. Some people believe there should be a law ordering drivers and passengers to use safety belts. In Australia, where there is such a law, death in car accidents have reduced to twenty-four percent. What is the best title of the passage? A. Seat belts B. Who wear seat belts C. A study on seat belts D. A law and safety belts Answer: C. A study on seat belts Scientists have tried to come up with biological explanations for the difference between boys and girls. However, none were believable enough to explain the general picture. As one scientist points out, "There are slight genetic differences between the sexes at birth which may affect the subjects boys and girls choose. But the difficulty is that by the time children reach school age, there are so many other effects that it is almost impossible to tell whether girls are worse at science and maths, or they've been brought up to think of these subjects as boys' 'territory' ". Statistics show that in mathematics, at least, girls are equal to boys. A recent report suggests that girls only stop studying mathematics because of social attitudes. One of the reports' authors says, "While it is socially unacceptable for people not to be able to read and write, it is sill acceptable for women to say that they are 'hopeless' at maths. Our research shows that, although girls get marks which are as good as the boys' , they have not been encouraged to do so." The explanation for the difference, which is very clear during the teenage years, goes as far back as early childhood experiences. From their first days in nursery school, girls are not encouraged to work on their own or to complete tasks, although boys are. For example, boys and not girls, are often asked to 'help' with repair work. This encouragement leads to a way of learning how to solve problems later on in life. A further report on maths teaching shows that teachers seem to give more attention to boys than to girls. Most teachers who took part in the study admitted that they expect their male students to do better at mathematics and science subjects than their females students. All of this tends to encourage boys to work harder in these subjects, gives them confidence and makes them believe that they can succeed. Interestingly, both boys and girls tend to regard such 'male' subjects like mathematics and science as difficult. Yet it has been suggested that girls avoid mathematics courses, not because they are difficult, but for social reasons. Mathematics and science are mainly male subjects, and therefore, as girls become teenagers, they are less likely to take them up. Girls do not seem to want to be in open competition with boys. Neither do they want to do better than boys because they are afraid to appear less female and less attractive. According to scientific studies, girls_. A. are poorer at maths B. avoid maths because of social reasons C. are afraid of maths because they are the weaker sex D. can't learn maths as well as boys Answer: B. avoid maths because of social reasons if a person looked a their head in a mirror, and moved toward it, what would happen? A. the head would start to grow B. the head would disappear C. the head would start to shrink D. the head would explode Answer: A. the head would start to grow I'll never forget that summer day in 1965 when my mother suddenly died of an unexplained illness at the age of 36. Later that afternoon, a police officer stopped by to ask my father if the hospital could use Mother's corneas . I was shocked. "The doctors want to _ Mum and give her away to other people!" I thought as I ran into the house in tears. "How can you let them do that to her?" I screamed at my father. "My mum came into this world in one piece and that is how she should go out." "Linda," Father said quietly, putting his arm around me, "the greatest gift you can give is a part of yourself. Your mother and I decided long ago that if we can make a difference in just one person's life after we die, our death will have meaning." He went on to explain they had both decided to donate their organs . The lesson my father taught me that day became one of the most important in my life. Years passed. I married and had a family of my own. In 1980, my father became seriously ill and moved in with us. He cheerfully told me that when he died, he wanted me to donate his eyes. "Sight is one of the greatest gifts a person can give," he said. I told Wendy what her grandpa had said, and with tears in her eyes, she went into her grandpa's room and gave him a big hug. She was only fourteen years old------the same age at which I was introduced to such a thing. What a difference! My father died on April 11,1986, and we donated his eyes as he had wanted. Three days later, Wendy said, "Mum, I'm so proud of you for what did for Grandpa." At that moment, I realized that my father gave much more than his eyes. Why did the writer finally agree on her mother's donation? A. Because she was afraid of her father B. Because she didn't care about it any more C. Because she was too young to stop it. D. Because her father explained to her Answer: D. Because her father explained to her

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