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Question: Much has been said and written recently about heroes, mainly because many people think we have too few of them. There are many different kinds of heroes, but they all seem to have two things in common. First, heroes, by their actions, show the great possibilities of human nature. Second, heroes can also stand the test of time, and their achievements will not be easily forgotten. Because of these good points, we need to choose our heroes carefully. Olympic sports star Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who is believed to be a hero, warns young people to be careful of making athletes heroes. She hopes that if someone tries to copy her, it will be because she has achieved her goals by working hard. Joyner-Kersee says that a hero should be someone who has an influence on another person's life. Poet Maya Angelou believes that a hero encourages people to treat others well and to be concerned about the greater good. A hero should show politeness, courage, patience, and strength all the time. A hero should encourage others to follow him with actions that improve the world, even if only in small ways. Author Daniel Boorstin suggests that, " _ are people who make news, but heroes are people who make history." Thus, if a person is truly worthy to be called a hero, he or she will not be soon forgotten. We all need heroes. We need to be able to respect people who have been there, done that, and succeeded. Many times the greatest heroes are the people we deal with every day -- relatives , friends, and neighbors -- who will keep going when it is easier to give up. The parent who puts her or his family ahead of herself or himself, the teacher who will make more money at another job but chooses to help others -- all these people can be considered as heroes. A hero quietly and continuously sets a good example, an example that inspires others to follow. The best title for this passage is _ . A. What Heroes Do B. Who Are Heroes C. How Heroes Live D. Where Heroes are Answer: B Question: By May,after three months,I had lost22pounds and reached my goal of 115 pounds.My friends would say "Alice,you look great!"or"How did you lose so much weight?"Those _ made me feel good and confident. Soon I dropped to110 pounds.A few of my friends told me that I needed to stop dieting,because I was starting to look sick. They brought me a present---- a bag of chocolates,which I later gave to my sister.My mother would come to my room,with tears in her eyes,and have long chats about how harmful this diet was and begged me to stop.My dad would leave worried messages on my cell phone at school,telling me that it would do serious harm to my body. By mid-June,when school was coming to an end,I was down to an only alive state of 95 pounds.All of a sudden,I knew I had to do something.I guessed the number itself scared me.I recalled my doctor.He told me about a girl who was 95 pounds and was at the risk of dying.I knew I was putting my life at risk,but for what? To make those who love me worried? Was it worthwhile to be thin? Now I realize that models in magazines,TV and movies are not realistic.The price to pay for the"perfect body"is living with a dangerous and sometimes deadly eating disorder.And there are more important things to think about than how thin you are. From the text we learn that _ . A. there are no models with a perfect body in real life B. it is too expensive for people to lose weight C. you will be healthy as long as you stop dieting D. an unhealthy diet can lead to serious health problems Answer: D Question: Sending electricity through what causes electric current to flow through it? A. ground B. water C. air D. copper Answer: D Question: Let children learn to judge their own work. A child who learns to talk does not learn by being corrected all the time. If corrected too much., he will stop talking. He notices a thousand times a day the differences between the language he uses and the language those around him. Little by little, he makes the necessary changes to make his language like other people's. In the same way, children learn to do all the other things without being taught-to walk, run, climb, whistle, ride a bicycle-compare their performances with those of more skilled people, and slowly make the needed changes. But in school we never give a child a chance to find out his mistakes and correct them himself. We do it all for his act as if we thought that he would never notice a mistake unless it was pointed out to him, or correct it unless he was made to. Let him work out, with the help of other children if he wants it, what this word says , what the answer is to that problem, whether this is a good way of saying or doing this or not. If it is a matter of right answers, as it may be in mathematics or science, give him the answer book. Let him correct his own papers. Why should we teachers waste time on such routine(daily) work? Our job should be to help the children when they tell us that they can't find the way to get to measure their own understanding, how to know what they know or do not know. The passage suggests that learning to speak and learning to ride a bicycle are _ . A. different from learning other skills. B. the same as learning other skills. C. more important than other skills. D. unnecessary skills. Answer: B Question: A man enters a store to buy milk. He walks out of the store with milk. That is all-- milk. At the same time, a woman enters the same grocery store also to buy milk. She buys it. But, she also buys chicken and lemons to make dinner that night. Then she remembers to buy food for her son to eat at school. She also gets a bottle of wine for drinks with friends and a birthday card for her husband's niece. Then she gets coffee for breakfast, ice cream for dessert and remembers stamps to mail the bills. And don't forget soap for the bathroom. And that is the difference between the female and male brains simply explained in a grocery store. Generally speaking,men do one thing at a time. Women do many. Doing many things at one time is often called "multi-tasking", a very popular word these days. Now scientific research supports this theory about male and female brains. A recent study has confirmed what we have known all along--men and women think differently. Scientist at the university of Pennsylvania studied brain images of 949 people aged from 8 to 22 years old. They found that male brains have more connections on one side of the brain, or hemisphere. In female brain, they found more activity and connections between the right and left sides of the brain. The left side of the brain is known as the side of "reason" The right hemisphere is known as the "creative" side. Regina Verma is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She co-wrote the report. She says when women are asked to do something difficult they might use different parts of the brain. Men, she adds, generally use just one side of the brain. As a result, men generally deal directly with a problem. There is a strong connection between the "understanding" and the "action" parts of their brains. Women, however, might include other parts of the brain, like the part connected with reason and the part connected with sensitivity when solving a problem. Women take a less direct path to find a solution. Dr. Venma warns that the study should not lead anyone to expect some behaviors from women and others from men. What would be the best title for the passage? A. "reason" brain or "creative" brain B. Multi-tasking or single-tasking C. Costly shopping or economical shopping D. Reason or sensitivity Answer: B
Nowadays people are troubled by the violence that spreads throughout the media. Movies, television and video games are full of gunplay and bloodshed, and one might reasonably ask what's wrong with a society that presents videos of violence as entertainment. Viewing large amounts of violent television and video games may well contribute to violent behavior in certain individuals. The trouble comes when researchers downplay uncertainties in their studies or overstate the case for causality . Skeptics were dismayed several years ago when a group of societies including the American Medical Association tried to end the debate by issuing a joint statement: "At this time, well over 1,000 studies... point to a causal connection between media violence and aggressive behavior in some children." Freedom-of-speech advocates accused the societies of catering to politicians, and even disputed the number of studies (most were review articles and essays, they said). When Jonathan Freedman, a social psychologist at the University of Toronto, reviewed the literature, he found only 200 or so studies of television-watching and aggression. And when he weeded out "the most doubtful measures of aggression", only 28% supported a connection. The critical point here is causality. The alarmists say they have proved that violent media cause aggression. But the assumptions behind their observations need to be examined. When labeling games as violent or non-violent, should a hero eating a ghost really be counted as a violent event? And when experimenters record the time it takes game players to read "aggressive" or "non-aggressive" words from a list, can we be sure what they are actually measuring? The intention of the new Harvard Center on Media and Child Health to collect and standardize studies of media violence in order to compare their methodologies, assumptions and conclusions is an important step in the right direction. Another appropriate step would be to tone down the criticism until we know more. Several researchers write, speak and testify quite a lot on the threat posed by violence in the media. That is, of course, their privilege. But when doing so, they often come out with statements that the matter has now been settled, drawing criticism from colleagues. In response, the alarmists accuse critics and news reporters of being deceived by the entertainment industry. Such clashes help neither science nor society. Why is there so much violence shown in movies, TV and video games? Answer: Showing violence is thought to be entertaining. Your teenage daughter is supposed to be doing homework, but you catch her chatting online. She tells you that she's talking about the math test tomorrow. Before your eyes start rolling, listen up: teens are using social networking sites for more than just gossip, according to a new study by the National School Boards Association. The students who took part in the online survey, aged 9 to 17, said they spent almost as much time on social networking online as they did watching television. And it is what these kids are talking about online that is causing such a cheer: education. Of the students who took part in the study 60 percent reported that some of the most popular social networking topics were college planning, learning outside of school, careers, and schoolwork. They also reported posting writing and art projects that might have nothing to do with schoolwork. Ann Flynn, director of education technology for the National School Boards Association, says social networking tools into educational is the way forward. Flynn says a school in Cleveland, Ohio is posting students' book reports on a blog for students of their own ages, parents and other teachers to read and comment on. "If someone reacts other than the teacher, a child is much more likely to take an assignment seriously," Flynn says. Not only students but also parents can benefit. Now parents can go online and know what the class is doing. So, next time your child says her blog is educational, get curious, sit down and check out the blog with her. You might just learn something new yourself. A student will not probably take an assignment seriously if he gets comments from _ . Answer: his teachers Robert lives in a small town. Five years ago, when he was nineteen, he finished middle school. He didn't like any subjects except playing when he was at school. Of course he learned nothing and the bosses wouldn't use a man like him. He has to stay at home, but doesn't do any housework, only watches TV or lies on bed. It makes his parents angry. They want him to study something, he always think it difficult and doesn't listen to them. One day Robert was walking near a bookshop while some young men were talking about the writers. He heard the publishing house pays the writers a lot. He became interested in it. As soon as he got home, he began to write. But he couldn't write anything. At last he bought a book and copied a story. Then he posted it to the publishing house. He waited for nearly half a year, but didn't get any answers. He had to ask an editor on the telephone, "Have you read my story yet, sir?" "Yes," said the editor, "I had read it before you were born! " _ , so he learned nothing at school . Answer: Robert didn't study hard at all Happiness is important for everyone. Most people want to be happy but few know how to find happiness. Money and success don't bring lasting happiness. Happiness depends on ourselves. In other words, we make our own happiness. Some people believe that if they are _ , they will be able to do anything they want, which means happiness. On the other hand, some people believe that holding a high position in the government is happiness. In this way, you have not only money, but also many other things which can't be bought by money. However, other people believe that having lots of money is not happiness, nor is holding a high position in the government. These people value their beliefs, or their intelligence, or their health. They think these can make them happy. Here are a few ways 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 don't 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 close friends usually enjoy happier and healthier lives. The second secret of happiness is to be active. Many people go dancing or play sports. People can forget about their problems and only think about the activities. Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. According to studies, people feel good when they volunteer their time to do many meaningful things for other people. If you want to feel happier, do something nice for someone. You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to get food for an old neighbor, or simply help around the house. Now maybe you know how to find happiness! The passage mainly tells us _ . Answer: how to find happiness Would you like to be an actor, but aren't the right age or physical type for the part? Don't give up: there may be a place for you in the world of voice-acting. _ . In addition to many appearances on television and in movies, Rickey is a voice-over actor, someone we hear but don't see. Rickey has acted since he was 6, both on and off camera. After school, his grandmother-- a manager and acting coach--helped him develop his skills by doing voice exercises and reading aloud. Voice-over actors do many kinds of acting. They are the voices of cartoon characters on television, in movies and video games, and for communicating toys. In films, they replace the foreign language conversation with English version. They create crowd noises, make commercials, act in radio plays, and record telephone instructions and public announcements. They read books on tape and even record museum tours. Like other actors, voice-over actors need to understand scripts, interpret characters, and breathe correctly. They have to master voice techniques, such as pacing, volume, and range. Sometimes they use their normal voices; other times they change their voices to create different characters or noises. Rickey receives his Danny Phantom scripts only a few days before he tapes each episode . He writes helpful notes on the script to guide himself on speaking his part. Rickey practices, then tapes at the recording studio. He and the other cast members sit in a soundproof booth, acting out their characters as they read their lines into the microphones. "The cartoon gets created after we record the words, so we have to imagine everything in our mind," says Rickey. Later, the recorded words, music, and sound effects are combined with the cartoon art to create the cartoon we enjoy on TV. Sound interesting? Maybe you can have a "voice" in acting after all! Which is true about voice-over actors? Answer: They must use different voices for different characters and situations.
The day was like any other day in his life. Tom walked past the shop on the street corner. He stopped to look at the front row of shoes, and he felt happy to see that the pair of shoes he wanted very much was still there. Looking down at his old shoes, he felt sorry for himself. He really wanted to have them for his birthday. He sadly walked away and thought how to tell his mother about it. He knew very well she had little money. He decided not to go home at once, as he looked sad and his mother would notice it. So he went to the park and sat on the grass. There he saw a boy moving a wheelchair with his hands. Tom looked at him and was surprised to see that the boy had no feet. He looked at his own feet. "It's much better to be without shoes than without feet. "he thought. There was no reason for him to feel so sorry and sad. He went away and smiled, thinking he was happier. Why did Tom go to the park? Because _ . A many nice shoes were sold there B he wanted to play there for a while C he wanted to see his disabled friend D he didn't want to make his mother worried Answer: D. he didn't want to make his mother worried Mr. and Mrs. Wilson lived in a big city. They liked traveling. One summer they went to the countryside for their holiday. They enjoyed it very much, because it was a quiet and clean place. One day they went out for a walk early in the morning and saw an old man. He lived on the farm, and he was sitting alone in the warm sun in front of the house. Mr. Wilson asked him, "Do you like living in the quiet place?" The old man said, "Yes, I do." Mr. Wilson asked, "What are the good things about it?" The old man answered. "Well, everybody knows everybody. People often come and see me, and I often go and see them. And there're lots of children here." Mr. Wilson said, "That's interesting. And what are the bad things?" The old man thought for a minute and said, "Well, the same things." Why did they like the countryside? Because _ . A it was far B they had a farm in the countryside. C it was quiet and clean D they saw the old man Answer: C. it was quiet and clean It's nine o'clock on a Tuesday night.You are trying to finish your maths assignment. You have only two problems left to go.Almost done!You are looking forward to a nice snack and your favorite TV show.You read the next problem and groan.You don,t have a clue how to do it .You may check your notes from class .Or you may try reading your text-book .But the problem might as well be written in a foreign language. Does this sound familiar? Most people who have taken any kind of maths class have had this experience.What do you do when you get stuck? Perhaps you call a friend.Or you ask a family member for help.But what if it's late at night? Years ago there were very few ways to get help if you were stuck on a maths problem. Maths is different from other school subjects.You often cannot find what to do in a book.A dictionary or even an encyclopedia probably won't help you.You need someone to show you the steps.Learning most kinds of maths is something like learning to play a musical instrument.You need a coach to show you what to do. In many areas there are homework telephone lines.These hot lines have volunteers.They can help you do homework in all subjects.A maths volunteer can explain the steps in a maths problem that has you stumped* Today you can also get help on the Internet.There are several homework help programs and Web pages .In some,you leave your question on a message board.Or you write it in an e-mail note.In other maths-help programs there are live volunteer teachers.You can wait for a real maths teacher to help you do the problem. The passage suggests that people who need maths homework help should _ . A not take any more maths classes B try a homework help program on the Internet C watch some television D write an e-mail note to a friend Answer: B. try a homework help program on the Internet Moving in with a boyfriend causes women to eat more unhealthily and put on weight. But the opposite is true for men, whose long-term health benefits when they move in with a female partner. Dieticians at Newcastle University said both partners try to please one another, and so change their dietary habits to suit their other half. It leads men to eat more _ meals, such as salads, fruit and vegetables, while women choose to make creamier, heavier dishes like curry or rich pasta sauces, which may please their partner. Women still have the strongest long-term influence over the couple's diet and lifestyle, as they still have the traditional role of shopper and cook in most households. The report, by Newcastle University's Human Nutrition Research Centre, reviewed the finding of a variety of research projects from the UK, North America and Australia, which looked at the eating and lifestyle habits of couples. The research shows that women are more likely to put on weight and increase their consumption of foods high in fat and sugar when they move in with their partner. Women also use food as a comfort when dealing with emotional stress and have been found to gain weight when a relationship ends, while the same finding has not been observed in men. Many couples reported food as being central to their partnership, and eating together in the evening was particularly important to many. Report author and registered dietician Dr. Amelia Lake said, "The research has shown that your partner is a strong influence on lifestyle and people who are trying to live healthier lives should take this factor into consideration." According to the passage, moving in with a girlfriend, men _ . A have to eat more unhealthy food B have few changes of their dietary habits C don't like foods high in fat and sugar at all D try to eat foods that their girlfriends like Answer: D. try to eat foods that their girlfriends like Diwali is perhaps the most well--known of the Hindu festivals. It is celebrated by Hindus in India and abroad. It is often called the Festival of Lights. For Hindus, Diwli is very important and it is also very exciting time for them. Normally , this holiday is celebrated in October or November and it falls on a different date each year. This year , it will be celebrated on October23. Diwali is usually celebrated for 5 days. To prepare for Diwali, Hindus spend several weeks cleaning their homes and preparing special food in order to welcome Laskhmi, the goodness of wealth into their lives. They will open the windows of their homes during this time to make sure that she can enter their home. One of other traditions of Dawali is to light up oil lamp in the homes. The oil lamps are used to make the goddess of wealth enter the homes. Hindus believe that she will not enter a home that is not lit up. During Diwali, the children in India do not have to go to school. They share gifts with one another and prepare special holiday meals to celebrate this event. Fireworks are also a big part of the Diwali festival. They are used to scare away bad spirits. Hindus believe the goddess of wealth will enter a home with _ during Diwali. A bad spirits B young children C lots of gifts D oil lamps on Answer: D. oil lamps on
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It rotates on its axis once about every 10 hours. What time period on Earth would be 10 hours long if Earth rotated on its axis once every 10 hours? Answer: a day Last night I was driving from Harrisburg to Lewisburg,distance of about eighty miles. It was late. Several times I got stuck behind a slow-moving truck on a narrow road with a solid white line on my left, and I became increasingly impatient. At one point along an open road, I came to a crossing with a traffic light. I was alone on the road by now, but as I drove near the light, it turned red and I made a stop. I looked left, right and behind me. Nothing. Not a car, no suggestion of car lamps, but there I sat, waiting for the light to change, the only human being for at least a mile in any direction. I started wondering why I refused to run the light I was not afraid of being caught, because there was clearly no policeman around, and there certainly would have been no danger in going through it. Much later that night, the question of why I'd stopped for that light came back to me. I think I stopped because it's part of a contract we all have with each other. It's not only the law, but it is an agreement we have, and we trust each other to honor it: we don't go through red lights. Trust is our first inclination .Doubting others does not seem to be natural to us. The whole construction of our society depends on mutual trust, not distrust. We do what we say we'll do; we show up when we say we'll show up; and we pay when we say we'll pay. We trust each other in these matters, and we're angry or disappointed with the person or organization that breaks the trust we have in them. I was so proud of myself for stopping for the red light that night. Why was the author proud of himself? Answer: He made a right decision. Enjoyable Saturday Do your children enjoy interesting stories,funny games,and exciting dances?Captain Goodfellow will be ready to do all these things with children at the City Theatre on Saturday morning at 10:00,free. Movies at the Museum Two European movies will be shown on Saturday afternoon at the Museum Theatre.See Broken Window at 1:30.The Workers will be at 3:45.For further information,call 4987898. International Picnic Are you tired of eating the same food every day?Come to Central Park on Saturday and enjoy food a11 over the world.Delicious and not expensive.Noon to 5:00 P.M. Take Me out to the Ballgame It's November,and Saturday night(7:00--9:00)is your last chance to see the Red Birds this year.Get your tickets at the game.It might be cold.Don't forget sweaters and jackets. Do You Want to Hear "The Zoo"? "The Zoo",a popular rock group from Australia,will give their first US concert this Saturday night,at 8 at Rose Hall,City College. Mr. Turner wants to have a nice Saturday.Which is NOT possible for him to do? Answer: Listen to concert and watch a ballgame. Here's an unusual story:a diamond ring was recently found in an egg. The magician,Liu Qian,discovered it,in front of an audience of millions at CCTV's Spring Festival Gala. Liu's magic tricks have made the centuriesold art of magic fashionable once again,and made him the hottest magician in China. As a _ young magician from Taiwan,Liu is popular worldwide for his magic shows. Countries he has performed in include the United States,Japan,South Korea and the UK. Witnessing something impossible happen right before your eyes is the root of people's love for magic. Liu is known for his interaction with his audiences. He has a unique understanding of showmanship . "It's actually thinking rather than one's manipulation skills that is more important to achieving a successful magic show. We think carefully about how to design the shows creatively,to make them appear more interesting."Liu said. Liu Qian's success dated back to his childhood. Born in 1976 in Taiwan,he found himself attracted to a magic toy in a shop when he was seven years old. At the age of 12,he won Taiwan's Youth Magic Contest,which was judged by the great American magician,David Copperfield. Yet,Liu never planned on becoming a professional magician. He studied Japanese literature at university and only hoped to be an amateur magician in his spare time. However,his failure to find a proper job after graduation pushed him towards magic as a career. To refine his performing skills,he has performed on streets,roads and fields for passersby,policemen and farmers. "Street shows are the biggest challenge for us magicians. We have to deal with unexpected situations and tough crowds,"Liu said. From the story we know that _ . Answer: Liu Qian often invites audiences to be in his magic show When a rare disease ALD threatened to kill the four-year-old boy Lorenzo, his parents refused to give up hope. Doctors explained that there was no cure for ALD, and that he would probably die within three years. But Lorenzo's parents set out to prove the doctors wrong. The parents devoted themselves to keeping their son alive and searching for a cure. But doctors and the families of other ALD patients often refused to take them seriously. They thought the efforts to find a cure were a waste of time, and drug companies weren't interested in supporting research into such a rare disease. However, the parents still refused to give up and spent every available hour in medical libraries and talking to anyone who would help. Through trial and error, they finally created a cure from ingredients commonly found in the kitchen. The cure, named "Lorenzo's Oil", saved the boy's life. Despite the good results, scientists and doctors remained unconvinced. They said there was no real evidence that the oil worked and that the treatment was just a theory. As a result, some families with ALD children were reluctant to try it. Finally, the boy's father organized an international study to test the oil. After ten years of trials, the answer is: the oil keeps ALD children healthy. From the passage we can conclude that _ . Answer: the oil really works as a cure for ALD
Some parents are worrying that their children wouldn't like meals. In fact, most children are usually ready to eat almost anything that is offered to them. A child often likes food unless it is badly cooked. Never ask a child whether he likes or dislikes a food, never discuss likes and dislikes in front of him or allow anybody else to do so . If the father says that he hates fat meat or the mother refuses some vegetables in the child's hearing, he may copy this action. Parents should agree to the fact that he likes everything and he probably will . At meal times, it is a good idea to give a child a small part at one time rather than give him as much as he may eat all together. Do not talk too much to the child during meal times, but let him get on with his food. And do not allow him to leave the table at once after a meal , or he will soon learn to eat his food hurriedly so he can hurry back to the toys in his room . Never coax or make a child eat, or he will think he eats for you. Don't you think it is the same with study ? From the passage, parents should learn that it's better _ . A to coax the child to do his homework B to make the child study C not to make the child work on his lessons D not to help the child with his study Answer: C Two young men, one was a prisoner while the other was a famous official from the White House, both told a story about how their mothers give apples to them. The story from the prisoner: When I was young, one day my mother brought several apples, among which there was a biggest red one that I really wanted to get. My mum put all the apples on the table and asked us, "Which do you like?" I was about to say "the biggest one" while my brother took one step ahead and said what I wanted to say. My mum said angrily, "A good child should give the best to others instead of being self-centered." I learnt a quick lesson and said, "Mum, give me the smallest one. The biggest one should be left for my brother!" Hearing my words, she felt more than happy and gave the biggest apple to me as a reward. I told a lie but I got what I wanted! Since then, I learnt to lie. Later, I learnt to fight, steal and rob. I would try all means to get what I wanted. Then later I was _ . The story from the White House: When I was young, one day my mum brought several apples of different colors and sizes. Both my two younger brothers and I wanted the biggest one. My mum picked up the biggest apple and said, "It is good to get the biggest apple. Now let's start a competition. I will divide the lawn in front of our house into three parts, one for each. Who could do the job best and fastest would be rewarded with the biggest apple." I won the apple finally. It can be inferred from the passage that _ A the official was very honest when he was young. B the prisoner's mother taught him how to tell lies. C the official learned that what he wanted needed to pay for the same effort. D it was his mother who had him break laws. Answer: C December 25 is Christmas Day . Christmas is an important holiday in many countries. On Christmas Day, most families get together for a big dinner. They give presents to each other and visit friends. The Christmas tree is an important part of the Christmas holiday. Most families buy trees. The families decorate the tree together. Parents usually tell their children that Father Christmas comes during the night and brings presents to good children. Of course, Father Christmas isn't real. The parents of the children are really "Father Christmas". They put the presents under the tree or into their children's stocking after the children go to sleep. When Christmas Day is coming, the parents _ . A usually tell their children that Father Christmas isn't real B tell their children that Father Christmas comes during the night and brings presents to good children C sometimes tell their children that Father Christmas comes during the day D often tell their children that Father Christmas gives presents to poor children Answer: B The first flights of the new airlines that will take tourists into space are ready to take off in 2012, and getting a seat on one is not all that different from booking a trip someplace on Earth. You can sign up on the website of, say, Virgin Galactic,the most wellknown of the new space tourism companies, or go to an approved travel agency and put down a large deposit. Soon you will be able to buy travel insurance,just as you can for any other vacation. Until now,space tourism has been limited to the ultrawealthy. Just seven people have paid tens of millions of dollars each for a trip to the International Space Station aboard a Russian rocket. But that could change this year, when Virgin Galactic intends to start offering flights just beyond the space barrier on a rocket ship it has built, featuring five minutes of weightlessness during a twoandahalfhour tour. At $ 200,000 a seat, this will open the final frontier to far more people. At least two other specialty airlines have jumped in as well, taking reservations and deposits for future space flights.Allianz, the big insurer, will introduce an insurance product in 2012, lending space tourism the _ of the regular travel industry. "Just to be able to sell space travel as a regular part of your business, really, just how cool is that?" said Lynda Turley Garrett, president of Alpine Travel of Saratoga, Calif.,who is one of 58 accredited space agents for Virgin Galactic in the United States. In five years,Ms.Garrett has sold three seats. But she expects that to change once passengers start going up and coming down to tell their friends. "By 2017,it'll be just like scheduling a flight to L.A.," Ms.Garrett predicted. What does Ms. Garrett think of the future space travel? A Common. B Changeable. C Flexible. D Reasonable. Answer: A A kitten curled up against a cool marble slab will A heat B chill C freeze D starve Answer: B
Question: It is a very common thing for a person to have a good friend. My good friend is Diana. She is a rich and proud girl. She often thinks that she is too good for anyone, so nobody wants to be her friend. One day after school, I was waiting for Diana when Vivien came up to me. She gave me a biscuit. I accepted it. We talked and joked, and from then on, I began to spend more time with Vivien than with Diana. I felt a little uneasy. After a few days, I went to see Diana with some snacks when Vinien came and sat with me. She offered me a sandwich. She also offered one to Diana, but Diana refused it. She walked away. I was angry with Diana for being so rude . "Never mind." Vivien said, "I'm used to it." After school, I tried to catch up with Diana. While walking home, I tried to correct her attitude , but she didn't listen to me. She said, "Go and join your dear Vivien. I know you make a new friend and forget the old one." For the next few weeks, we didn't talk to each other. Then one day, Diana came to Vivien and me, saying, "I'm really sorry about what I did. Would you please forgive me?" Vivien and I looked at each other and smiled. From then on, Diana, Vivien and I have been best friends. According to the passage, it is clear that _ . A. Diana, Vivien and the writer became good friends at last B. Diana didn't like the sandwich C. Vivien didn't want to make new friends at all D. the writer forgot her old friend after she had a new one Answer: A Question: Where has the Time gone? is the hottest song that has moved thousands of Chinese. Chinese parents give their children endless love and want nothing from them. However, sometimes, daughters and sons are too busy growing up and forget that their parents are getting older and older. What should we do? Let's have a look at a letter of a father's. Dear son, One day if you see me old and I am not myself, have patience and try to understand me. If I get dirty when eating.. ., if I cannot dress.. ., have patience. Remember the hours I spent teaching it to you. If, when I speak to you, I say the same things one thousand and one times, do not stop me and listen to me. When you were small, I had to read to you one thousand and one times the same story until you get to sleep. When I do not want to have a shower, neither shame me nor scold me. Remember when I had to chase you with a thousand excuses I made, in order that you wanted to bath. When you see me meet something new, give me the necessary time and don't laugh at me. I taught you how to do so many things _ to eat well, to dress well... to face life. If I do not want to eat, do not force me. I know well when I need to and when not. When my legs do not allow me to walk, give me your hand the same way I did when you gave your first steps. When sometimes I lose the memory during our conversation, let me have the necessary time to remember. And if I cannot do it, do not become nervous because the most important thing is not my conversation but to be with you and to have you listen to me. Yours, Father According to the father, what should you do when your old parents lose the memory during your conversation? A. Go on talking with them. B. Be with them and listen to them. C. Make them calm down. D. Leave them alone. Answer: B Question: There is a forgotten player in the global efforts to limit C02 emissions:the consumer. Households consume one--third of the final energy used in the European Union and produce around two--thirds of city waste.Moreover,food,housing,and private transport account for almost 80%of environmental pressures.So consumers can make a real difference when it comes to fighting climate change. Several factors can direct consumers towards more environmentally--friendly behavior. To achieve this,we need clear and simple information to guide consumption decisions. Indeed.Two thirds of consumers find it difficult to understand which products are better for the environment when shopping. With 58% of Europeans believing that many companies pretend to be green in order to charge higher prices, industry has a long way to go in helping consumers feet confident when making green choices.They should give consumers more information about the carbon footprint of their products,and promote more sustainable behavior among their customers. To be sure, companies are increasingly creating product labels that help consumers make responsible choices--for instance, reminding users of products made from materials that are recycled,renewable, and/or less carbon--intensive. Even so,only,20% of Europeans believe that companies are doing enough to promote environmentally friendly options. In times of crisis, consumers prefer high-quality products that will last long and won't go out of style.Durable products might sometimes cost more, but they don't need to be replaced as frequently. In this way,companies that create durable or recyclable products enable consumers to think differently about their purchases, which can help users behave more responsibly, and thus may help end our "throw-way" culture. However, it is not enough to inform consumers of the environmental features of products. We also need to provide consumers with guidance to establish a practical lifestyle model to follow. This cannot be brought about by regulations alone, but by good business communities that would create a loyal group of "sustainable consumers". The author is trying to inform the readers in the third passage that _ . A. most European consumers lack confidence in making responsible choices B. companies can make a higher profit by making less carbon-intensive products C. people are buying sustainable products to have a lighter carbon footprint D. companies have done enough to allow consumers to make greener choices Answer: A Question: Is it worth it to go to college? This has been questioned a lot recently in America. According to a new survey released by the Pew Research Center, only 40 percent of Americans felt that colleges provided a good value for the cost. At the same time, 86 percent of college graduates still felt it was good for them. There are a number of reasons for such dissatisfaction with college. First, there are plenty of problems with higher education -- poor quality and out-of-control costs are two of the biggest. Second, it is true that college is not for everyone. Plenty of rewarding and important careers do not require college. And due to the slow economy, there may in fact be more graduates than the current job market needs. Besides, anti-college feelings are nothing new. Today, Microsoft's Bill Gates or Apple's Steve Jobs -- both college dropouts -- is often held up as evidence of why all that time sitting in class is better spent elsewhere. However, getting a college education is still a good idea. College graduates earn more, and are more likely to have a job in the first place. According to the statistics last year, the average weekly earnings for someone with some college education but no degrees were $712, compared to $1,038 for a college graduate. That is almost $17,000 over the course of a year and there is an even bigger divide for those with less education. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate was 9.2 percent for those with only some college education and more than 10 percent for those with just a middle school degree, but it was 5.4 percent for college graduates. The economic gaps between college completers and those with less education are getting larger. Although most Americans surveyed by Pew feel doubtful about the value of a college degree, an overwhelming majority of parents Pew surveyed still expect their children to go to college. "It can be inferred that the increased doubt has not significantly influenced decision making." Pew's Taylor says, "Despite the concern about rising costs and other problems, college remains a universal desire in this country." The writer seems to agree that _ . A. there is no need to go to college B. anti-college feelings are a new thing C. college cannot guarantee employment D. college education remains a wise choice Answer: D Question: Glacier National Park in Montana shares boundaries with prefix = st1 /Canada, an American Indian reservation, and a national forest. Along the North Fork of the Flathead River, the park also borders about 17,000 acres of private lands that are currently used for ranching, timber, and agriculture. This land is an important part of the habitat and migratory routes for several endangered species that frequent the park. These private lands are essentially the only ones available for development in the region. With encouragement from the park, local landowners initiated a landaus planning effort to guide the future of the North Fork. The park is a partner in an interlocal agreement that calls for resource managing agencies to work together and with the more than 400 private owners in the area. A draft plan has been prepared, with objective of maintaining traditional economic uses but limiting new development that would damage park resources. Voluntary action by landowners, in cooperation with the park and the county, is helping to restrict small lot subdivisions, maintain wildlife corridors, and minimize any harmful impact on the environment. The willingness of local landowners to participate in this protection effort may have been stimulated by concerns that congress would impose a legislative solution. Nevertheless, many local residents want to retain the existing character of the area. Meetings between park officials and landowners have led to a dramatically improved understanding of all concerns. The passage mainly discusses _ . A. the endangered species in Glacier National Park B. the protection of lands surrounding Glacier National Park C. conservation laws imposed by the state of Montana D. conservation laws imposed by Congress Answer: B
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. Craigslist is a website to find _ . Answer: information about jobs The Red Panda isn't much bigger than an average size house cat. At first you may think it's a bear because of its name. They're actually a member of the raccoon family which you can tell if you look at their appearance. The Red Panda has a long bushy tail that is useful in two ways. It helps them stay balanced when they are high up in the trees and it keeps them warm in cold weather. Their fur is thick and reddish brown, which may be why they're known as the fire fox. The Red Panda can be found in forested mountains. They're originally from the forested mountain in the Himalayas in India, Nepal and Southern China. Bamboo is the most important part of their diet. They only eat the young leaves and shoots of a bamboo plant. Red Pandas have a very low metabolic rate in order to deal with their low energy diet and cool environmental temperatures. They're very shy and gentle and don't hang around the wild too much during the day. If they feel endangered, they'll stand on their back legs and make a hissing sound. Red Pandas are good climbers and spend most of their time living mainly in trees. Their claws are very strong and help them hold onto the branches. They sleep in an unusual way by curling up tightly and wrapping their tails around their heads while sitting on a branch. Sometimes they'll sleep with their head beneath their chest and behind their back feet. This is the same position as an American raccoon sleeps. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? Answer: The Red Panda's tail can help it stay balanced when it is high up in the trees. There are many ways to keep healthy. Different people have different ways. Lisa's father thinks riding a bike is the best way because he likes to go to work by bike. And their home isn't far from his bank. Lisa thinks running is better than riding, so she runs every day. However, her mother thinks it's boring. She loves walking to work. Lisa's sister likes flying kites. She goes to fly kites once a week. Lisa's brother thinks playing ping-pong is a good way to keep healthy. He plays it every morning. Lisa's sister likes _ Answer: flying kites Throughout history there have always been people who can make other people laugh. Early clowns often both annoyed and delighted listeners with their comments and songs. They were not the silent performers seen in today's circus rings. Clowns _ when the big three-ring circuses made it impossible for the audience to hear them. Circus clowns give performances in various ways. Walk-around clowns use an animal or something, like a huge rubber hammer, as part of their performance. A carpet clown moves around, talking with the audience and performing while the acts change in the rings. Then there are acrobatic clowns, riding clowns, juggling clowns and others. Everything a clown does looks easy, but it is not. Making people laugh can be hard work. Clowns must be in good physical condition to prevent injuries. Each funny move is carefully timed and well-rehearsed . Most clowns have also been trained as acrobats, jugglers or aerial artists, and many include such skills into their acts. Generally, there are three types of circus clowns--whiteface, auguste and character. Each has a special makeup and clothes. Each has a typical act as well. The neat whiteface is usually a strict, in-charge character who sets up the punch line (the point of a joke) with a partner who is typically an auguste. His facial makeup is neatly detailed in red or black, and his clothes look so loose with a ruffle around the neck. Old circus stories have it that the auguste clown got his name from a German nickname for someone who is clumsy, acting in a careless and stupid way. The auguste wears light-coloured makeup, but white is used around the mouth and eyes, and there's a big red nose. This clown performs a great deal of humour. An oversized suit or baggy trousers allow freedom of movement for all the clumsy acts. He also wears big shoes. Character clowns perform as different characters--cowboys, grandmothers or concert conductors. The most famous character clown, however, is the tramp . Tramps wear different styles of makeup and torn clothes. Some tramp clowns are happy-go-lucky. Others are extremely sad. Still others act like gentlemen who just happen to be out of money. In what way is the whiteface different from the auguste? Answer: He plays a leading role in performances. The Internet has become part of teenagers' life. A new report shows that 38 percent (......) of 3,375 students use the Internet often. Most of the students get useful information for their studies, but some are not using it in a good way. Many students are playing online games too much. Some even visit some unhealthy websites. A teacher from Beijing Yinghua Middle School, Hong Ying warns that something bad can happen if young people spend too much time on the Internet. She said that one of her students used to be good at school. But when he started visiting unhealthy websites,he hurt a girl by cheating online. At last the police caught him and sent him into the prison . In order to help young people use the Internet safely, some schools in Shanghai find a good way. The schools provide a textbook for the students. The book uses real examples to teach students about good ways of using the Internet. Teachers and parents all think the book is good. Hong said that the book will help students keep away from the bad behaviors of using computer. The book will teach students how to be a good person in the online world. Some students from _ are learning a textbook about good behavior. Answer: Shanghai
It's Sunday morning. My family are all at home. My father is sitting near the window. He's reading newspapers. He wants to know what h appens all over the world. My mother is watering the flowers in the small garden. My brother is a worker. He's watching TV. He's a basketball fanAnd he is good at p laying basketball. Now he is watching NBA on TV. Where are my twin sisters? Oh, look! Lily is listening to music. She likes popular music very much. Lucy is surfing the Internet in her room. She often writes emails to her friends. What am I doing? I am doing my homework . ,A, B, C, D The brother is _ . Answer: abasketballfan One might expect that the ever-growing demands of the tourist trade would bring nothing but good for the countries that receive the holiday-makers. Indeed, a rosy picture is painted for the long-term future of the holiday industry. Every month sees the building of a new hotel somewhere, and every month another rock-bound Pacific island is advertised as the 'last paradise on earth'. However, the scale and speed of this growth seem set to destroy the very things tourists want to enjoy. In those countries where there was a rush to make quick money out of sea-side holidays, over-crowded beaches and the concrete jungles of endless hotels have begun to lose their appeal. Those countries with little experience of tourism can suffer most. In recent years, Nepal set out to attract foreign visitors to fund developments in health and education. Its forests, full of wildlife and rare flowers, were offered to tourists as one more untouched paradise. In fact, the nature all too soon felt the effects of thousands of holiday-makers traveling through the forest land. Ancient tacks became major routes for the walkers, with the consequent exploitation of precious trees and plants. Not only can the environment of a country suffer from the sudden growth of tourism. The people as well rapidly feel its effects. Farmland makes way for hotels, roads and airports; the old way of life goes. The one-time farmer is now the servant of some multi-national organization; he is no longer his own master. Once it was his back that bore the pain; now it is his smile that is exploited. No doubt he wonders whether he wasn't happier in his village working his own land. Thankfully, the tourist industry is waking up to the responsibilities it has towards those countries that receive its customers. The protection of wildlife and the creation of national parks go hand in hand with tourist development and in fact obtain financial support from tourist companies. At the same time, tourists are being encouraged to respect not only the countryside they visit but also its people. The way tourism is handled in the next ten years will decide its fate and that of the countries we all want to visit. Their needs and problems are more important than those of the tourist companies. Increased understanding in planning world-wide tourism can preserve the market for these companies. If not, in a few years' time the very things that attract tourists now may well have been destroyed. The author's attitude towards the development of the tourist industry is _ . Answer: objective There were red faces at one of Britain's biggest banks recently. They had accepted a telephone order to buy PS 100,000 worth of shares from a fifteen-year-old schoolboy (they thought he was twenty-one). The shares fell in value and the schoolboy was unable to pay up. The bank lost PS 20,000 on the deal which it cannot get back because, for one thing, this young speculator does not have the money and, for another, being under eighteen, he is not legally liable for his debts. If the shares had risen in value by the same amount that they fell, he would have pocketed PS 20,000 profit. Not bad for a fifteen-year-old. It certainly is better than delivering the morning newspaper. In another recent case, a boy of fourteen found, in his grandmother's house, a suitcase full of foreign banknotes. The clean, crisp, banknotes looked very convincing but they were now not used in their country of origin or anywhere else. This young boy headed straight to the nearest bank with his pockets filled with notes. The cashiers did not realise that the country in question had reduced the value of its currency by 90%. They exchanged the notes the notes at their face value at the current exchange rate. In three days, before he was found out, he took PS 200,000 from nine different banks. Amazingly, he had already spent more than half of this on taxi-rides, restaurant meals, concert tickets and presents for his many new girlfriends (at least he was generous!) before the police caught up with him. Because he is also under eighteen the banks have kissed goodbye to a lot of money, and several cashiers have lost their jobs. Should we admire these youngsters for being enterprising and showing initiative or condemn them for their dishonesty? Maybe they had managed for years with tiny amounts of pocket money that they got from tight-fisted parents. Maybe they had done Saturday jobs for peanuts. It is hardly surprising, given the expensive things that young people want to buy, such as fashionable running shoes and computer games, if they sometimes think up more imaginative ways of making money than delivering newspapers and baby-sitting. These lads saw the chance to make a lot of money and took it. Another recent story which should give us food for thought is the case of the man who paid his six-year-old daughter PS 300 a week pocket money. He then charged her for the food she ate and for her share of the rent and household bills. After paying for all this, she was left with a few coins for her piggy bank. "She will soon learn the value of money," he said. "There's no such thing as a free lunch. Everything has to be paid for and the sooner she learns that the better." At the other extreme there are fond parents who provide free bed and board for their grown-up children. While even the most hard-hearted parents might hesitate to throw their children out on the streets, we all know people in their late twenties who still shamelessly live off their parents. Surely there comes a time when everyone has to leave the parental nest, look after themselves and pay their own way in life. But when is it? One of Britain's biggest banks recently _ . Answer: lost money as its young customer did not have the money to pay his debts The Regional Director of the National Heritage Conservation Commission Kagosi Mwamulowe said the Barotse Plains is unique and it deserves to be on the list of the World Heritage Sites. Mr. Mwamulowe said the Barotse Plains deserves to be included on the World Heritage List because it has a rich cultural heritage which includes the burial sites of former kings. The Director said he hoped that the landscape would be declared as a heritage site next year in June. He also said it was important to protect Zambia's unique culture for education and entertainment. Chief Natural Heritage Officer Muyumbwa Ndiyoi said there will be a lot of benefits when the Barotse Landscape is declared a World Heritage Site because it will attract many tourists and business investments will increase. Mr. Ndiyoi said the site will also benefit young people as knowledge will be passed down from generation to generation. He was reacting to a question from Nalolo District Labour Officer Jason Ngoma who wanted to know how the people of Western Province will benefit once the Barotse Landscape is declared a World Heritage Site. And University of Zambia Lecturer Charles Namate said there is a need for the site to be included on the World Heritage List because 50 years after its independence Zambia only has one heritage site, which is the Victoria Falls. Lecturer Namate said the Barotse Landscape was facing a lot of environmental degradation , and that's why there is a need to recognize the value of its landscape and the memories of dead kings. The National Heritage Conservation Commission together with the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs are in Western Province to hold meetings with Heads of Government Departments. The Commission also held closed-door meetings with the Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II of the Barotse Royal Establishment. In the text, Lecturer Namate expressed his concern about _ . Answer: the environmental problems of the Barotse Plains Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually lasts only a few minutes or a few hours.This kind of loneliness is not serious.In fact, it is quite normal.For some people, though, loneliness can last for years.Now researchers say there are three different kinds of loneliness. The first kind of loneliness is temporary.This is the most common type.It usually disappears quickly and does not need any special attention. The second kind, situational loneliness, is a natural result of a certain situation, for example, a family problem, the death of a loved one, or moving to a new place.Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, _ usually does not last for more than a year. The third kind of loneliness is the most severe.Unlike the second type, chronic loneliness usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause.People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and being close to others.Unfortunately, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition. Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person's social contacts, such as friends, family members, co-workers, etc.We depend on various people for different reasons.For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share interests and activities.However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more.They question then" own popularity. Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons: they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease.While temporary and situational loneliness can be a normal and healthy part of life, chronic loneliness can be a very sad and sometimes dangerous condition. What can we learn from the passage? Answer: People feel lonely in a certain situation.
One day, my dog woke up early and wouldn't go back to sleep. Why did the dog wake up early? I tried really hard to find out. "Are you sick, dog?" I asked. He didn't say anything, so I took his temperature. It said he wasn't sick! "Are you hungry, dog?" He didn't say anything, so I feed him some dog food. He didn't eat it! "Are you thirsty, dog?" He didn't say anything, so I gave him some water. He didn't drink it! "What's wrong, dog?" He wagged and wagged his tail, and then went over to a bag of balloons that I had. He poked them with his nose. "Oh!" I said. I went over to the balloons and took one out of the bag. I blew it up. He wagged his tail harder. "Is it your birthday, dog?" He wagged and wagged. It must be his birthday! I baked him a bright yellow cake and blew up more balloons. I played his favorite music. We had a party. It was so much fun! How did I know it was his birthday? Answer: If you see someone drowning, speed is very important. Once you get him out of water, if he isn't breathing, you have four minutes before his brain is completely destroyed. Support his neck, tilt his head back and press his chin upwards. This stops the tongue blocking the airway in the throat and is sometimes enough to get him breathing again. If that doesn't work, start mouth-to-mouth breathing. Press his nostrils together with your fingers. Open your mouth and take a deep breath. Blow into his lungs until his chest rises, then remove your mouth and watch his chest fall. Repeat twelve times a minute. Keep doing until help arrives. To bring a child back to life, keep your lips around his mouth and nose and gently blow into his mouth. Give the first four breaths as quickly as possible to fill the blood with oxygen. If, in spite of your efforts, he starts turning a blue-gray color1, and you can feel no pulse,then pressing is the last chance of saving his life. With arms straight, rock forwards, pressing down on the lower half of the breastbone. Don't be too hard or you may break a rib. Check how effective you are by watching if his color1 improves or his pulse becomes independent to your chest pressing. If this happens, stop the pressing. Otherwise continue until help arrives. Once you get a drowning person out of water, if he isn't breathing, you must_first. Answer: A person lost in a maze will need to find their way out alone, but a person lost in a forest may Answer: Spanish explorers called them Las Encantadas, the Enchanted Isles, and Charles Darwin used his studies of the islands as the foundation for his theory of natural selection. The Galapagos are among the world's most important scientific treasures, a group of volcanic islands surrounded by deserted beaches and inhabited by unique varieties of giant tortoise, lizards, and birds. Yet life on this United Nations world heritage site has turned sour. Battles have broken out between fishermen and conservationists. Ecuador, which owns the islands, has sent a naval patrol to put down disturbances. The controversial director of the Galapagos National Park--which controls 97 percent of Galapagos land and the reserve extending to 40 miles offshore--has been fired, while an air of uneasy tension hangs over the islands, as the islanders prepare for election when they pick their representatives in Ecuador's national assembly. "It's a very tense situation," said Leonor Stjepic, director of the London-based Galapagos Conservation Trust, which raises money to help projects on the islands. "We are watching it with concern." The violence has been triggered by an alarming growth in the islands' population. Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz island, housed just 45 inhabitants in the 50s. Today there are more than 10,000, while the islands' total population is more than 19,000 and growing by 6 percent a year, despite recently introduced a law to limit waves of immigrants fleeing the poor areas of Ecuador for a life "in paradise ". On top of _ , more than 100,000 tourists visit the islands every year. Such numbers have put the islands, special ecology under intense pressure. Conservationists backed by the Ecuador government, have replied by exercising strict controls to protect the islands* iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and giant tortoises. These moves have angered many local people, however. They want to exploit the islands' waters and catch its protected species of sharks, lobsters and sea cucumbers, which can fetch high prices in Japan and South Korea. Angry fishermen surrounded the Charles Darwin research station on Santa Cruz last February, threatened to kill Lonesome George--the last surviving member of the Pinta Island species of the Galapagos giant tortoise. The situation got improved after the Ecuador government made concessions by increasing fishing quotas , which angered conservationists. "It is tragic, the short-term gain of a few fishermen versus the long-term survival of the Galapagos," said John McCosker of the California Academy of Sciences. "They are killing the golden goose." Then, the Ecuador government appointed Fausto Cepeda as the national park's new director, a post that has become a political football for the mainland government. There have been nine directors in the past 18 months. This appointment was particularly controversial, however. Cepeda was known to have close ties with the fishing industry, and the rangers ,who run the national park and reserve, rebelled. More than 300 staged a sit-in at the park's headquarters and prevented Cepeda from taking up his post. A battle broke out, and at least two people suffered serious injuries. Eventually, Cepeda--with the fishermen's help- entered the park. "I am in office, i am in control. And I am trying to lower the tension," he announced. The Ecuador government _ , and sent a patrol boat to maintain the peace. A few days later, Ecuador Environment Minister Fabian Valdivicso met representatives of rangers. After discussions, he told newspapers that he had decided to remove Cepeda from the post. However, as the population continues to rise, the long-term pressures on the islands are serious and will not disappear that easily. "We have to balance its special environment with the needs of local people. In that sense, it is a microcosm for all the other threatened parts of the world. So getting it right here is going to be a very, very important trick to pull off," said Stjepic. How significant were the islands for Charles Darwin? Answer: Accidents often happen. It's necessary for us to remember these tips. On your way home or to school: Wait for the green traffic light, and look left and right before you cross the road. If you see a car coming, don't cross until it really stops. At school: Never run around too fast at school. When students around you begin to push, try to hold something. If you fall down in a crowed place, cover your head with both hands. When there's a fire: Keep quiet and leave quickly. Use a piece of wet cloth to cover your mouth and nose so that you don't breathe in smoke. If your clothes catch fire, drop to the ground and roll from side to side to put out the fire. For eating: Wash fruit like apples or pears carefully before you eat it. And if your food looks or smells bad, don't eat it. About strange invitations: If an Internet friend asks to meet you, tell your parents about it. Don't go alone. How many tips does the passage tell us? Answer:
Even before there were people, there were cases of air pollution. There were dust storms. Volcanoes erupted, sending ash and poisonous gases into the atmosphere. When people appeared on the scene and began their conquest of nature, they also began to pollute the air. They cleared land, which made possible even larger dust storms. They built cities, and the soot from their hearths filled the air. The Roman author Seneca wrote in A.D. 61 of the "stink, soot and heavy air "of the imperial city. In 1257, the Queen of England was forced to move away from the city of Nottingham because the heavy smoke was unbearable. The industrial revolution brought even worse air pollution. Coal was burned to power factories and to heat homes. Soot, smoke, and sulfur dioxide fill the air. The good old days? Not in the factory towns. But there were large rural areas unaffected by air pollution. With increasing population, the entire world is becoming more urban. It is the huge cities that are most affected by air pollution. But rural areas are not unaffected. In the neighborhoods around smoky factories, there is evidence of increased rates of spontaneous abortion and of poor wool quality in sheep, decreased egg production and a high death rate in chickens. Traffic police in Tokyo have to wear gas masks and take "oxygen breaks" --breathing occasionally from tanks of oxygen. Smog in Athena at times has forced factory closings and traffic restrictions. Acid rain in Canada is caused by air pollution in the United States, contributing to strained relationships between the two countries. Sydney, Rome, Tehran, Ankara, Mexico City, and most other major cities in the world have had frightening experiences of air pollution. One of the two major types of smog--consisting of smoke, fog, sulfur dioxide, sulfuring acid (H2SO4), ash and soot--is called London smog. Indeed, the word smog is thought to have originated in England in 1905 as a contraction of the words "smoke" and "fog." Probably the worst case of smog in history started in London on Thursday, 4 December, 1952. A large cold air mass moved into the valley of the Thames River. A temperature inversion placed a blanket of warm air over the cold air. With nightfall, a dense fog and below-freezing temperatures caused the people of London to put coal into their small stoves. Millions of these fires burned throughout the night, pouring sulfur dioxide and smoke into the air. The next day, Friday, the people continued to bum coal when the temperature remained below freezing. The factories added their smoke and chemical fumes to the atmosphere. Saturday was a day of darkness. For twenty miles around London, no light came through the smog. The air was cold and still. And the coal fires continued to bum throughout the weekend. On Monday, 8 December, more than one hundred people died of heart attacks while trying desperately to breathe. By the time a breeze cleared the air on Tuesday, 9 December, more than 4,000 deaths had been caused by the smog. Soot and ash can be removed by electrostatic precipitators . Unfortunately, they use large amounts of electricity, and the electrical energy, which is hardly affordable for most of us, has to come from somewhere. Fly ash removed from the air has to be put on the land or water, although it could be used in some way. The elimination of sulfur dioxide is more difficult. Low-sulfur coal is rare and expensive. Although sulfur can be washed from finely pulverized coal, the process is expensive. There are also processes for changing dirty coal into clean liquid and gaseous fuels. These processes may hold promise for the future, but they are too expensive to compete economically with other fuels at present. They also waste a part of the coal's energy. What is the passage mainly talking about? A recent survey made by BUPA, an international healthcare provider, shows that 54 percent of Chinese people aged between 45 and 54 consider themselves old, while 28 percent say that the thought of getting old upsets them. 25 percent are afraid of getting old, and a third worry about life in old age. BUPA made the survey among 12,262 people from 12 countries over 2 months, starting in June 2010. The survey shows that 72 percent of international participants aged over 65 don't feel old and that 67 percent still feel healthy. On the other hand, 65 percent of Chinese feel old even before reaching 60. About one third of those surveyed in China said they have enough savings , and 46 percent are insured . Around 60 percent of the Chinese participants hope they will be taken care of by family members. According to the survey, the French hold the most positive attitude towards getting old, with 32 percent of them considering age 80 and up old. 17 percent of Brazilians look forward to old age, compared with 3 percent globally. Indians are not bothered by old age, as 70 percent said that they don't feel that they will be affected by old age and 71 percent say they have already made preparations for this stage of life. The illnesses that most people around the world are worried about are cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Why are the Indians not afraid of getting old? The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo teacher, Mr. Tanaka. The boy was doing well, but his teacher had taught him only one move in three months of training. "Mr. Tanaka," the boy finally asked, "shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," his teacher replied. Several months later, Mr. Tanaka took the boy to his first tournament . The boy won his first three matches, using his one move to win. The boy was now in the finals, and was amazed by his own success. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. The referee wanted to stop the match. "No," the teacher insisted, "let him continue." Soon, his opponent lowered his guard. At that moment the boy used his move to pin him. The boy won the match and became the champion. On the way home, the boy and his teacher reviewed every match. Then the boy asked what was really in his mind. "Mr. Tanaka, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," his teacher answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only defense for that move is for your opponent to catch your left arm." The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength . The boy decided to study judo though _ . Why are we addicted to upgrades? According to Donald Norman, American author of the book The Design of Everyday Things, "planned obsolescence" is the trick behind the upgrading culture of today's consumer electronics industry. The New York Times cited Norman last month, saying that electronics manufactures strategically release new upgrades periodically, both for hardware and software, so that customers on every level feel the need to buy the newest version. "This is an old-time trick- they're not inventing anything new," he said. Thomas Wensma, a Dutch designer, despises the "planned obsolescence" of companies, as recently reported by UK-based The Guardian. Wensma said this is a wasteful system through which companies - many of them producing personal electronics - release shoddy products simply because "they know that, in six months or a year, they'll put out a new one". But the new psychology of consumers is part of this system, as Wensma said to the newspaper: "We now want something new, something pretty, the next shiny thing." _ "It's to the damage of the consumer and the environment," as the New York Times quoted Norman. "But perhaps to the betterment of the stockholder." In its most recent fiscal year, Apple's profit margin was more than 21 percent, reported the Los Angeles Times. At Hewlett-Packard, the world's biggest PC manufacturer, it was only 7 percent. "Steven Jobs pushed the principle of 'planned obsolescence' to new heights," the newspaper commented on the company's profits and marketing strategy. "Apple's annual upgrades of its products generate sales of millions of units as owners of one year's MacBook or iPhone line up to buy the newest version, even when the changes are incremental." Peer pressure As to Li Jijia, the need for upgrading his smart phone comes mainly from friends and classmates. When the majority of friends are switching to the latest devices, he worries about feeling left out. "Some apps and games require better hardware to run," said Li. "If you don't join in, you lose part of the connection to your friends." What subtitle can best fit into the blank in the text? Perhaps a parent's most important contribution toward raising a trustful child is to develop a relationship founded on trust. A child of any age will feel proud and grown-up if parents frequently show their trust. In court a defendant is innocent until proved guilty. But in the family, a teenager "defendant" is too often assumed guilty. Even when the child is caught in a complete lie, this should not be the end of trust. A parent can tell a child that a single lie is forgivable. Yet it should be clear that if lies continue, the child, like the boy who cried wolf, will suffer loss of trust. When my wife and I discovered that our son Tom, then 13, had lied about throwing a party while we were away, we grounded him for a month. We also told Tom that we could no longer trust him, and we could not allow him to stay alone overnight again. This loss of freedom was an important lesson; he learned how hard it is to live with people when they don't trust him. As a result, now more than three years later we can again trust Tom to stay alone overnight. Parents must always remember there is no easy answer to this universal problem of lying. We can set a good example, allow for privacy, monitor friendship, develop trust and punish wrong doing, but still we discover our child has lied to us. Finally that's why there is a need for trust on both sides of a parent-child relationship. Lying destroys closeness and friendship. For that reason, parents should always try to give a child the feeling that they can be trusted with the truth. Parents may start with a child's trust, but as the child grows older, parents must earn it. According to the passage, the writer believes that _ .
Question: Japanese professor Yoji Kimura believes laughter is a weapon that in healthy doses can end the world's wars. To measure it, the expert on communications has invented a machine to chart out laughter--and a new unit of "aH" to calculate it. "We have found that children laugh more freely, releasing 10 aH per second, which is about twice as much as an adult," Kimura, a professor at Kansai University in the western city of Osaka, told reporters. "Adults tend to calculate whether it's appropriate to laugh and under those restraints they eventually forget how," he said. "Laughing is like a restart function on a computer. Laughing freely is very important in the course of human development," he said. Kimura, who believes in "a change from a century of wars to a century of humor and tolerance," has studied the science of laughter for decades in Osaka. In his theory, human laughter is produced in four emotional stages. "I believe there is a circuit in the human brain that creates laughter," Kimura said confidently. To measure laughter, he attaches sensors on the skin of a tested people's stomach, particularly the diaphragm , and detects muscle movements. "I have a theory that humor detected in the brain gets directly released through the movement of diaphragm," he said. By checking the movement of the diaphragm and other parts of the body, it will be possible to see if a person is only pretending to laugh while also telling different types of laughter, Kimura said. Kimura wants to make the measuring device as small as a mobile phone and possibly market it as a health and amusement device. Kimura said he planned to present his findings this summer to the US-based International Society for Humor Studies, adding that he looked forward to looking at differences in laughter internationally. The passage mainly tells us something about _ . A. how to measure laughter B. Yoji Kimura and laughing C. laughing as much as possible D. a device that is made to measure laughter Answer: D. a device that is made to measure laughter Question: I will be traveling to Australia as a Student Ambassador with People to People. People to People arranges for American students to travel all around the world to learn about other cultures, and to help others understand American culture. The program was founded by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote peace through understanding. I had to put in many hours of special work to get to this point. First, a teacher nominated me, and then I attended an informational meeting about the program. The application process included an interview, and finally, I was accepted. That's when the hard work really began. In addition to attending monthly meetings to prepare for the big trip, my parents encouraged my twin sister Beth (also participating in the program) and me to raise $ 2,000 each to help pay for the cost. And so the fund-raising began. We did everything from selling candy bars to selling an old car to decorating people's mailboxes during the holiday season. We also babysat, washed cars, held a yard sale, and washed windows. After months of hard work I had raised a total of $2319.87! Combined, Beth and I raised over $ 4500.00! Now I have a problem-packing. Yes, I know it sounds unimportant, but my suitcase seems to have shrunk as I placed my belongings inside. According to airline regulations , a suitcase can be no larger than 54 inches and weigh no more than 44 pounds. For a person who likes to wear a different outfit every day, packing all my clothes into such a small space seemed an impossible task. However, I have lessened my load and my suitcase which started out weighting overweight now checks in at a mere 36. Apart from a slightly bloated carry-on bag, my luggage is definitely manageable. I doubt that I will not get much sleep tonight because I am so excited! I know that what lies ahead is going to be the trip of lifetime! What does the author think of the journey? A. It could be a tiring expensive journey. B. It could be long-lasting journey, which needs taking all daily necessities. C. It could be an exciting, unforgettable journey. D. It could be an overseas journey, during which she would experience hard labor. Answer: C. It could be an exciting, unforgettable journey. Question: "Walt Disney World is banning selfie-sticks from its theme parks because selfie-sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our guests and cast." Disney World spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. Under a new policy, which takes effect Tuesday, the poles won't make it past the bag check at any Disney World theme park. The sticks also won't be allowed in Disney World water parks or Disney Quest, a gaming attraction at Downtown Disney. Selfie-sticks will also become forbidden at Disneyland Resort in California on June 30. The prohibition begins at Disney's parks in Paris and Hong Kong on July 1. Guests will be checked for the equipment during the routine bag check that happens near the parks' entrances. They will have an option of turning in their selfie-sticks for pick-up later or to go back to their cars or hotel rooms to keep them. Visitors will be told of the policy in locations such as the parking lots and at the resort's hotels. The prohibition will be added to the park rules post on Disney World's website. The issue has been building at Disney. Previously, the sticks were prohibited from its rides, and "no selfie-sticks" signs were at select rides, such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. Cast members have given oral warnings to rule breakers. Selfie-stick users put smartphones and cameras on the ends of poles to extend their reach, frequently capturing theme-park moments through self-portraits. The tools have been banned in public places - including some museums and stadiums - worldwide for _ views or causing safety issues. Disney World already prohibits items such as skateboards, inline skates, wagon, folding chairs and glass containers, according to its official website, which also lists "other items that we determine may be harmful." Universal Orlando has banned selfie-sticks and other loose items from certain thrill rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks, but it has not set parkwide bans. Which of the following objects has already been banned in Disney theme parks before the new policy takes effect? A. smart phones B. folding chairs C. cameras D. containers Answer: B. folding chairs Question: An old farmer lived on a farm with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early to read his Bhagavat Geeta. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagavat Geeta just like you but I don't understand it, What good does reading the Bhagavat Geeta do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the same took place. He told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water with a basket. The old man said, " You're just not trying hard enough," So the boy again dipped the basket into the river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket into a clean one inside and outside. "You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Krishna in our lives." We can learn that by getting water with a basket, the grandson _ . A. washed the dirt off the basket B. kept some water for the future C. was punished for what he had said D. became stronger and cleverer Answer: A. washed the dirt off the basket Question: Student Services Students' Union Every University has a Students' Union. If students are the lifeblood of a university, the Union is surely its beating heart. For students, by students A Students' Union is run by students and acts independently. At the end of each academic year, it will find six students to hold a sabbatical position managing the Union for the coming year. That the six successful sabbatical officers have only recently experienced issues affecting students ensures that your needs are very well understood. Letting your hair down Although the University is spread across a fairly wide area, the Union is centrally located and is only a short walk from any of the main buildings. This makes it very easy to catch up with friends who might be on a different course. At night, the place really comes alive - we have three different bars to suit every occasion. The venues are student-only so you can be sure of meeting people with a similar outlook and we throw in a transport service to make sure you get home safely. The Union also organizes various formal balls throughout the year, with the highlight being the end-of-year ball. Supporting you Beyond having fun, we also make sure some of the more serious issues are effectively dealt with. If you have a problem with your course, another sabbatical officer is trained to help you. Being independent from the University means we can represent and support you to the best of our ability, and once you reach university you may find that you become aware of more national or political issues. The person who takes up a certain post of the Students' Union _ . A. learns what the students need B. is very happy and easy C. can affect the life of any student D. has understood everything of the University Answer: A. learns what the students need
Question: An experienced teacher is offering private lessons in English. Please email me at the address below and tell me: Your age Reasons for learning English Your level of English Areas that you need to focus on - grammar, listening, speaking, reading, writing, etc. Mrs. Daniels( daniels _ m@mail.com) From: Li _ Hua@gmail.com To: daniels _ m@mail.com CC...: Subject: English Lessons Dear Mrs. Daniels, I recently saw your advertisement on the university website offering private English lessons. I'm very interested in your private lessons and would like some more information. I am a student at Aston College here in Hong Kong studying English, so my language level is already quite good. However, I feel that I need to improve my listening and speaking skills. This is because I'm planning to study at London University in England next year and I think your lessons will help me to live and study abroad. Could you send me some more information about the lessons offered, such as where and when they will be held and how much they cost? Also, I would like to know whether you teach students in groups or one-on-one. I would be glad to supply any further information you might need. Regards, Li Hua Which of the following information did Li Hua NOT mention in his email? A. His age B. His reasons for learning English C. His language level D. The language skills he wants to focus on Answer: A Question: When I spent the summer with my grandmother, she always set me down to the general store with a list. Behind the counter was a lady like no one I'd ever seen. "Excuse me," I said. She looked up and said, "I'm Miss Bee." "I need to get these." I said, holding up my list. "So? Go get them. " Miss Bee pointed to a sign. "There's no one here except you and me and I'm not your servant, so get yourself a basket from that pile." I visited Miss Bee twice a week that summer. Sometimes she shortchanged me. Other times she overcharged. Going to the store was like going into battle. All summer long she found ways to trick me. No sooner had I learned how to pronounce "bicarbonate of soda" and memorized its location on the shelves than she made me hunt for it all over again. But by summer's end the shopping trip that had once taken me an hour was done in 15 minutes. The morning I was to return home, I stopped in to get some run. "All right, little girl," she said. "What did you learn this summer?" "That you're a meanie!" I replied. Miss Bee just laughed and said, "I know what you think of me. Well, I don't care! My job is to teach every child I meet life lessons. When you get older you'll be glad!" Glad I met Miss Bee? Ha! The idea was absurd... Until one day my daughter came to me with homework troubles. "It's too hard," she said. "Could you finish my math problems for me?" "If I do it for you, how will you ever learn to do it yourself?" I said. Suddenly, I was back at that general store where I had learned the hard way to add up my bill by myself. Had I ever been overcharged since? How did the author first shop in the store? A. She shopped with her grandmother together. B. Miss Bee gave her a hand. C. She asked a servant to help her. D. She served herself. Answer: D Question: Jay Chou is a well-known name both in Taiwan and mainland. He is now one of Asia's hottest pop stars. His catchy tunes have main-streamed rap and R&B in the Mando-pop world. In the past his teacher thought he was dumb . Talent spotters thought he was ugly. But his success proves that the music still _ than looks and image. His musical talent is recognized by fans, fellow-singers and producers. Now, a singing contest was held in Taiwan Chou appeared at the contest with band "Nan Quan Mama", which was discovered by Chou. Their first album the Summer of Nan Quan Mama, composed and produced by Chou was a great success. Chou started his career at a singing contest, attracting the attention of record producers. But the successful singer does not believe in luck. He says it's his passion for music and hard work that are keys to his success. He said, "I didn't know how to sing at the beginning, so I lost the first time. But I was so determined that I never stopped trying. My advice to these young singers is never to give up, and always believe in yourself. " Chou's confidence has strengthened his music. He is a great source of inspiration to youngsters who share his determination to become a superstar. Jay Chou's musical talent is recognized by the following except _ . A. his teachers B. fellow-singers C. producers D. fans Answer: A Question: The dog was playing in the street outside. I walked past the dog and threw the ball to him. He seemed to be hot from the heat of the day. I then headed to the store because I needed to buy some food and other things that were needed. I entered the store and said hi to Mr. Jones. He had been working at the store for a long time. I walked to the back of the store and picked up some cold sodas and a bottle of orange juice. I then went and picked up some popcorn. This would be good for eating later while watching tv. I then went to the dog food section and picked a meat treat for the dog. I then went up to the front of the store and paid Mr. Jones. He smiled and thanked me for shopping at his store. Then I walked back to my house and looked at the dog. His name was Rex and had lived with us for around four years. His coat was brown and white. I unwrapped the dog treat and gave it to him. Rex seemed happy and started to lick my hand in happiness. He was a good dog and it made me feel good that he was happy. what is the name of the dog A. Jones B. Rin tin tin C. Rex D. Hazel Answer: C Question: Dinner customs are different around the world. If you are a dinner guest in Ghana , this information will help you. In Ghana, dinner is usually from four in the afternoon to six in the evening. But there are no strict rules about time in Ghana. Whenever a guest arrives, a family offers food. When you go to a home, the host takes you to the living room first. At this time everyone welcomes you. Then you go to the dinner room. There you wash your hands in a bowl of water. All the food is on the table. In Ghana you usually eat with your fingers. You eat from the same dish as everyone else. But you eat from one side of the dish only. It is not polite to get food from the other side of the dish. After dinner, you wash your hands again in a bowl of water. Most meals in Ghana have a dish called fufu. People in Ghana make fufu from the powder of some plants. Sometimes they cut the fufu with a saw because it is very hard and like rubber . You must chew fufu well, or you can get sick. You eat fufu with fingers of your right hand only. If you are a dinner guest to a family in Ghana, you're first _ . A. told to wash your hands B. taken to the dinning-room C. told some strict rules about dinner D. taken to the living-room Answer: D
Chinese scientist Tu Youyou on October 5 won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine amongst a trio for discovering parasite therapies . 85-year-old Tu is awarded this world-renowned prize for her contribution to reducing the death rate of malaria, minimizing patients' suffering and promoting mankind's health. This is what science is all about. Tu's finding has saved millions' lives during the 40 years. This also proves the value of her research product. The reward is never too late in that aspect. The moment of joy and satisfaction came when she discovered the artemisinin( ) after all kinds of failures in experiments. As the first Chinese mainland Nobel Prize Winner of natural science award, Tu's winning completely surprised Chinese people, who have long been wondering when the first Chinese Nobel laureate in natural science would appear. Let's backtrack to 40 years ago. Tu accomplished the breakthrough findings without access to any advanced equipment, communication with outside world and papers to research. However, over the 40 years, improvements and innovations have transformed everything. Nowadays, Chinese scientists have the passion to invent. As Premiere Li Keqiang mentioned in his letter, "Tu's winning the prize signifies China's prosperity and progress in scientific and technological field". Tu's record-breaking winning serves as a reminder to those who are too eager for instant success. Science is never about instant success. There is no way to measure how much you spend on scientific research and compare it with how much reward you get. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage? Remember your first romantic disappointment? Remember the pain and unhappiness of breaking up - the _ ? Winne recalls feeling very sad after her first true love deserted her. Her mother came into her room carrying a beautiful nightgown and handed it to her, gave her a hug and said, "I know you are feeling heartbroken. I thought you could use something to make you feel beautiful right now." The nightgown didn't make Winne's hurt go away, but she knew that her mother understood and cared about her feelings. As a parent, as much as you want to make it all better for your teen, give them space. Tell him or her that break - ups are hard and you are there for him or her whenever he or she wants to speak to you. Then let it go. Teenage girls often deal with break - ups by talking on the phone with their friends or diving into the Internet for a long chat. They review all the hurts and pains which are being cured. Boys react to broken relationships differently. Boys often become angry since that, unfortunately, is the only emotional choice that society accepts for boys. Some boys hide their pain. Respect your teen, when a relationship breaks up. It takes time to get over it, and the only way to get through that is to get through it. Sometimes teenagers get into trouble while trying to feel accepted again or win back a loved one. Keep reaching out to troubled teenagers. At first, teens will refuse a parent's attempts to help. Don't be afraid to insist. Teen break - ups can cause heart - wrenching pain , but sooner or later teenagers should be ready to date again. How can you lead your child toward a healthy relationship? Teens are likely to meet others like themselves through activities. The secret to attracting good people is to become your own independent person who feels good about who he or she is and what he or she is about. Which of the following statements is NOT true? Where we live, on the eastern shore of Maryland, the gentle waters run in and out like fingers slimming at the tips. The Canada geese know this place, as do the white swans and ducks. In the autumn, they come home for the winter. Once or twice each year, snow and frozen rain move into the area. When this happens, if the river is at its narrowest, there is a freeze which hardens the water to the ice. One morning, a friend of mine set the breakfast table beside the huge window, which overlooked the Tred Avon River. Suddenly she leaned forward and cried out, "There is a goose out there." We saw the figure of a large Canada goose, very iii, its wings folded tight to its sides, its feet frozen to the ice. Then from the dark sky, she saw a line of swans. They floated from the top of the sky downward and at last landed on the ice. My friend was on her feet now, with one unbelieving hand against her mouth. As the swans surrounded the frozen goose, she feared what life it still had might be pecked out by those great swan beaks. Instead, those beaks began to work on the ice. The long necks were lifted and curved down, again and again. It went on for a long time. At last, the goose's head lifted. Its body pulled. Then the goose was free and standing on the ice. And the swans stood in the air watching. Then, as if it had cried, "I cannot fly," four of the swans came down around it. Their powerful beaks chipped off the ice and held in the feathers. Slowly, the goose spread its wings as far as they could go, and moved slowly into the sky. This is a true story. I just think of it in the bad moments, and from it comes only one hopeful question:" If so for birds, why not for man?" What did the swans do when they saw the Canada goose couldn't fly? It was a beautiful summer afternoon. I happened to be at a local Walmart picking up some stuff for my wife when I laid my eyes on two young ladies. They were walking confidently, with their heads held high, which made me believe that they were involved in some kind of competitive sport. They were wearingT-shirts, at the back of which printed, "Pain is temporary, but pride is forever." Thinking of these words, I automatically said to myself, "That's right! No pain, no gain." Whatever is worth having is worth fighting for, and with fight, there comes pain! Fortunately, pain is just temporary. However, it is a necessary step you need to take to get your gain. Athletes and their coaches understand this so well. They spend so many hours and so much effort preparing for a competition. Some will think about giving up when the training is so painful, but coaches are there to remind them that "quitters never win and winners never quit".. So they know that when victory comes, they will be proud of themselves and that pride can last a lifetime. You've probably heard the saying, "There's no such thing as a free lunch." Well, it is true. Everything in life has a price, whether you agree or not. To want something for free will always lead to deception. Even if you get it, you will not value it or enjoy it, because it is free. No one has told you that life is easy! In fact it is a series of struggles and fights. You will achieve what other people call "impossible" only when you are willing to endure pain and overcome fear and doubt. Your achievement in life is in direct proportion to how much sacrifice you are willing to make. Successful people are usually and wrongly labeled as lucky or highly favored by circumstances. However, if you hear their personal stories, you will realize that they went through a lot of trials, but still kept on going, enduring the pain to make where they are today. If we understand that every effect has its cause, then we will grasp the fact that we do have a chance to influence the outcome we get in life. What's the best title for the passage? We drink tea every day. But more than three hundred years ago most of the people in Europe did not know anything about tea. Some people heard about it, but very few of them know what to do with it. There is a story about an English sailor who went to countries in the east, the west and the south. He went to India and China. One day he came home and brought some tea as a present for his mother. She told her friends about the present and asked them to a "tea party". When her friends came to the "tea party", the old woman gave them brown tea-leaves. The old woman's friends began to eat them. Of course, nobody liked the tea-leaves. At that time the sailor came in. He looked at the table and said, "Mother,what did you do with the tea?" "I boiled it,as you said." "And what did you do with the water?" "I threw it away ,of course." answered the old woman. "Now you may throw away the leaves,too," said her son. What mistake did the old woman make? She _ .
The next time your face turns red after tripping over your own feet in public, don't try to hide it--a new study finds that showing your embarrassment actually makes other people view you as more reliable. Researchers at the University of California have carried out the study and found that embarrassment is a good signature of a person to whom you can entrust valuable resources. Not only are the findings useful for people seeking cooperative and reliable team members and business partners, but they also make for helpful dating advice."Moderate levels of embarrassment are signs of virtue. Our data suggests embarrassment is a good thing, not something you should fight."said Matthew Feinberg, who led the study. While the most typical gesture of embarrassment is a downward gaze to one side while partly covering the face, a person who feels shame, as distinguished from embarrassment, will typically cover the whole face, Feinberg said. The results were got from a series of experiments. In the first experiment, 60 college students were videotaped describing embarrassing moments, such as making incorrect assumptions based on appearances. The college students also participated in the "Dictator Game" which is used in economics research to measure altruism . For example, each was given 10 raffle tickets and asked to keep a share of the tickets and give the reminder to a partner. The findings, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, showed that those who showed greater levels of embarrassment tended to give away more of their raffle tickets, indicating(=showing) greater generosity. According to the passage, which of the following is thought to be reliable? Answer: A person who shows his embarrassment. Recently Chinese society has seen a flowering of a new vocabulary. Perhaps the most interesting has been the division of people into tribes (zu in Chinese). The pains of the yi zu, or the ant tribe, have been well-known --- recent graduates from outside the main cities who move to urban areas, live cheaply and work hard, often in low-paid jobs. Perhaps less well-known are the ken lao zu, the bite-the-old tribe, those between 25 and 35 who are out of work, still at home and depending completely on Mum and Dad. Many of the tribes, inevitably , are made up of people looking for love. There is the jia wan zu, the marry-the-bowl tribe. These are young women searching for the most stable husbands, the ones who hold government jobs. The shan hun zu, or lightening-marriage tribe, marry fast and sometimes separate faster. They should not be confused with the yin hun zu, the hidden-marriage tribe. These are women in their 20s who hide the fact that they are married. And if you can only afford a postage stamp of an apartment, you're probably a member of the wo ju zu, the snail-house tribe. You can belong to more than one tribe. Most members of the ant tribe also belong to the ben ben zu, the rush-rush tribe, to which, in fact, most urban Chinese belong. All that rushing around can create a lot of anger, leading to the nie nie zu, the crush-crush tribe, so named because they go into supermarkets and take out their anger by standing in the passages crushing packets of instant noodles. Another famous one is the yue guang zu, or moonlight tribe, so named because the Chinese characters for "moonlight" sound the same as the phrase "spend all your monthly salary". Their parents save every coin, but life for these young people is just to spend, spend and spend. Most young people in the big city have to _ . Answer: rush around to make a living A businessman lost his wallet. There was plenty of money in it. So he made a promise, "If someone finds my wallet and returns it to me, I'll give half the money to him." A dustman found the wallet in a dustbin. He sent it back to the loser. But the businessman changed his mind. "There was still a diamond ring in my wallet," said the loser, "I won't give half the money in my wallet to you until you return it to me!" "I've never seen a diamond ring in the wallet," said the dustman. They began to quarrel. The businessman refused to do what he had said. The dustman became angry and took him before a judge. After the judge heard what had happened to them, he said to the businessman, "I'm sure you are an honest man. It's true that you have lost a wallet in which there was a diamond ring. But it's also clear that there is only a lot of money in this wallet. I don't think it's yours. Wait for some time. Perhaps someone will be able to return your wallet to you!" Then the judge turned to the dustman and said, "Take the wallet home. If the loser doesn't go to get it back in three days, it will belong to you!" The businessman was eager to get back the wallet because _ . Answer: there was a lot of money in it People say time is .But to what.I do know that sometimes time"seems"to be moving slower.Remember Christmas Eve when you were a child? It was the longest night of the year.It lasted forever! And now it seems like I just paid my bill yesterday...and it's due again! People tell me all too frequently...I need more time! Oh ,really?...Mother Teresa, Michelangelo,and Helen Keller all had 24 hours a day.Look what they did with their time! Is it that we need to manage our time better...or our priorities ?You've heard the expression"first things first."The first step in understanding the power of time is to understand that it is limited.Why is it then that some people get a lot more done? We know the answer.They use their time smartly. One day an expert on time management was speaking to a group of students and announced a quiz.He pulls out a wide-mouthed jar.Next,he places about a dozen fist-sized rocks,one at a time , into the jat, until no more will fit."Is it full?"he asks."Yes,"responds the class."Oh really?"he asks.So he takes out a bucket of gravel . which he manages to work down into the spaces between the larger rocks."Is it full now?"he asks. Wising up,one answered,''Probably not."Sure enough. he takes out a bucket of sand,which he pours into the empty spaces."Is it full now?"he asks."N0 1"reply the students confidently.So he takes a glass of water and fills it in.Then he asks,"What is my point?'' One said,''No matter how full your schedule is,if you try really hard,you can always fit some more things into it!" "No,"the speaker replied,"It tells us if you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all.'' What are the big rocks? The things you should put in to your jar first. The rich don't get 25 hours and the poor don't get 23...we all get the same.Let's use them wisely! Invest your time wisely! How is the passage mainly developed? Answer: By giving facts. Fruit powered digital clock Fruit's not only good to eat, but it can also power this Fruit digital Clock. This clock uses the scientific principles on which modern electrical storage batteries are based. The acid from the fruit helps transmit an electrical flow between two metal poles. The clock is priced at US $ 15. Connecting any fresh fruit or vegetable to the clock will make it work. The fruit is a clean, renewable source of electrical power. USB vacuum Do you know the dirtiest parts of your desk are probably your keyboard and mouse? Get a USB Mini Vacuum with retractable cable and suck away all that _ . The US- made product is priced at US $14. SIM card reader Making useful USB 2.0 multi-card readers even handier, this card can also read and write data to phone SIM cards. It comes with SIM editing software. Download your phonebook to your computer. If you lose your cell phone, you can store missing phone numbers in your new one. The US-made IMOMO SIM card + Multi Card Reader is priced at US $ 19 (152yuan). Beer in your ear The beer barrel -shaped Naf Naf Hyp MP3 is a musical box that's capable of playing radio, CDs and cassettes. It's got all the standard features of the typical clock-radio, but with the relaxing look of a big beer barrel. The Danish product is priced at about US $ 130 (1,040yuan) SIM card reader can be used to _ . Answer: help restore your phone book in a new cell phone
What is the source of cooling that turns lava into land? A seawater B refrigerators C air conditioning D glaciers Answer: A. seawater Singles' Day ---- the Chinese opposite of Valentine's Day has turned into a massive online shopping event. It is a day when single people are supposed to buy themselves presents. But there are sociological reasons behind China's "celebration" of single life. And the imbalance could have big consequences for the country. There were 34 million more men than women in China in 2011. Part of that is natural - usually there are 105 boys born for every 100 girls. But the Chinese gender ratio at birth is much more obvious. It was 116 boys to 100 girls in 2012. The one child policy is largely to blame. Brought in to limit population expansion, the policy allows only one child per family. But because male children are seen as more valuable, as well as more likely to support their parents in old age, some parents choose to have a son over a daughter. The result is that large numbers of men will likely never get married. In fact, one study has predicted that by 2030, 1 in 5 Chinese men in their 30s will never have married, while another states that 94% of unmarried people in China are men. Traditionally, China has seen high levels of marriage, usually among the young. Besides, the increased education and career opportunities for women have meant that marriages are happening later. It is also traditional that women often marry men of a higher socioeconomic status than themselves. So women at the top and men at the bottom find themselves alone. One study has even suggested a link between an imbalanced gender ratio and growth in violent crime in the country. Singles' Day can't solve all the problems China's singles face. Indeed, it is possible that it is causing even more problems, as men resort to increasingly risky lines of work to increase their chances of gaining money and thus a wife. I am worried that as money starts to overcome romance, there is evidence that China's marriage market is increasingly materialistic. What made women in China get married late? A Their support of the government's late marriage policy. B Their higher education level and more work chances. C That they expect to enjoy their single time when young. D That there are too many excellent young men to choose from. Answer: B. Their higher education level and more work chances. 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." Why can businessmen make money in the emerging elder market? A The elderly possess an enormous purchasing power B They can employ more gerontologists C Retirees are more generous in spending money D There are more elderly people working than before Answer: A. The elderly possess an enormous purchasing power Christina is an American girl. She is a good student. Every morning she gets up at 6:00. She has her breakfast at home. Then she wears her uniform and goes to school. She studies hard every day. She eats in the dining room when she is in school. After school, she does her homework first, then she cleans the room and helps her mother with the dinner. Before she goes to bed, she usually reads some books. Then at 10:00 p. m. she goes to bed. She thinks she is happy every day. What do you think of her? After school, what does she do first? A She watches TV. B She does her homework. C She eats. D She helps her mother. Answer: B. She does her homework. The following facts concern a tract of land in a state which follows general United States law. Each instrument is in proper form and recorded, marital property rights were waived when necessary, and each person named was adult and competent at the time of the named transaction. 1. In 1940 Oleg, the owner, conveyed his interest in fee simple "to my brothers Bob and Bill, their heirs and assigns as joint tenants with right of survivorship." 2. In 1950 Bob died, devising his interest to his only child, "Charles, for life, and then to Charles' son, Sam, for life, and then to Sam's children, their heirs and assigns." 3. In 1970 Bill died, devising his interest "to my friend, Frank, his heirs and assigns." 4. In 1972 Frank conveyed by quitclaim deed "to Paul, his heirs and assigns whatever right, title, and interest I own." Paul has never married. Paul has contracted to convey marketable record title in the land to Patrick. Can Paul do so? A Yes, without joinder of any other person in the conveyance. B Yes, if Charles, Sam, and Sam's only child (Gene, aged 25) will join in the conveyance. C No, regardless of who joins in the conveyance, because Sam may have additional children whose interests cannot be defeated. D No, regardless of who joins in the conveyance, because a title acquired by quitclaim deed is impliedly unmerchantable. Answer: A. Yes, without joinder of any other person in the conveyance.
Question: Many of people like cooking but never have much time for it. Helen Fry's new book Quick Cookinghas been specially written for busy people. It has over 1,000 recipes, from the famous Spanish gazpacho to Swedish smorgasbord. The book is well written and the photographs and drawings are clear. (They are like those in the excellent littleQuick DressmakingandQuick Gardening.) The book has a strong plastic cover. It is easy to find your way around it too. And busy people, notice this, Mrs Fry tells you how much time you need in order to get each dish ready. Quick Cooking has four parts, one for each season. This helps you to use fresh fruit and vegetable when they are cheaper--and, of course, better. There are a lot of exciting ideas from foreign countries, and most of the recipes are easy to follow. You take something simple like a chicken or some cheese, and make an unusual dish out of it. For example, there are no fewer than 40 recipes for eggs! Mrs Fry does not plan complete meals for the "quick book". The beginners will have to find out a lot of things for himself or herself. But this ought to be difficult with such a good book. I wanted to try many of the recipes as soon as I read them. For people with little spare time, Helen Fry's Quick Cooking is excellent value. Busy people should notice that _ . A. all the recipes in the book are easy to follow B. there are clear photographs and drawings in the book C. the book has a strange cover D. they are told how long each dish takes to cook Answer: D. they are told how long each dish takes to cook Question: Many people today like exercise. Some like to run, and some like to walk. Others dance or play balls. They do different kinds of exercise. Why do people like exercising? It's good for their health. And exercise helps to make them tired, so they sleep better at night. You may like to run. If you do, take care of your feet. Make sure you have the right shoes. Some people like to run on roads, but they must watch out for cars. Walking is a good exercise. You may take a long walk in the park. It's more fun if you don't go alone. Go with a friend. Both of you may have a great time. Some people like to swim. But others don't like to go into the water. If you like this kind of exercise, make sure that someone is watching you. You must always take care when you are in the water. Jumping a rope or riding a bike is also good exercise. There are many other exercises. Find out what you like. You may need help at first. Some people often do exercise, and they can help you. Do exercise every day, and you will know what it makes you feel. In the passage there are _ kinds of exercise. A. 5 B. 6 C. 7 D. 8 Answer: C. 7 Question: All our food comes from the soil . Some of us eat meat, but animals live on plants. If there are no plants, we will have no animals and meat. So the soil is necessary for us to live. The top of ground is usually covered with grass or other plants. Plants grow in soil, which has a dark color. This dark soil is humus. Dead leaves, dead plants and animals' waste make it, but this takes a long time. When the humus has been made, plants can grow well in it. All soil needs food. If we don't give it any, the plants will be weak. Animals' waste is the best food for the soil, but chemical fertilizers are also very useful. The same crop should not be grown in the same place every year; it is better to have a different crop. A change of crop and the use of a good fertilizer will keep the land in good condition. When the soil is dry, the wind blows it away. Sometimes heavy rain carries the humus down to a river. People should grow more and more trees and grass to stop wind from carrying the humus away. It takes hundreds of years to make humus, and so we must save every bit of it. Without soil, where can we grow food? From the passage, we know that soil is _ to people. A. not helpful B. necessary C. not important D. harmful Answer: B. necessary Question: Need a solid excuse to dust off your running shoes? Joggers have been found to live an average of six years longer than those who don't jog. However, you'll have to run for at least one hour a week for benefit, according to a new study in Denmark. Researchers found that jogging was associated with a 44 per cent reduction in the risk of death for those over 35 years compared with deaths among those who did not run. The same benefit applied to both men and women. The 44 per cent reduction translates to an 'age-adjusted survival benefit' of 6.2 years in men and 5.6 years in women, according to Dr. Peter Schnohr, chief cardiologist from the Copenhagen City Heart study. Furthermore, the jogger's lives are not only longer but happier too as those who ran reported an overall sense of well-being, said Schnohr. The results of our research allow us to definitively answer the question of whether jogging is good for your health,' Schnohr said in a statement. 'We can say with certainty that regular jogging increases longevity. The good news is that you don't actually need to do that much to reap the benefits,' he continued. The study also found that the optimum benefit of jogging was for those who jogged at a slow-to-average pace for between an hour and two and a half hours spread over two or three weekly sessions. Researchers then compared deaths among the joggers among the non-joggers in the main study pool of almost 20,000. Over 35 years, 122 joggers died compared with 10,158 non-joggers. All the participants involved with the Copenhagen City Heart Study had their cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, and BMI, measured and they were questioned about smoking, alcohol consumption, education, and income. Why do joggers live more happily? A. Because they taste part sense of happiness. B. Because they taste overall sense of hardship. C. Because they taste whole sense of happiness. D. Because they taste part sense of success. Answer: C. Because they taste whole sense of happiness. Question: Employees are being flooded with too much information that has little to do with their work, according to a new survey. On average, white-collar workers spend 51 percent of their work time receiving and processing information. Only one third of it was relevant to their work, the survey found. Information overload for white collar workers has become a global issue. The huge amount of information has already affected their efficiency in management as well as their performance at work. Buried with e-mails Every morning, a secretary at the human resources department of an auto parts company opens her e-mail box, only to find it crammed with at least 50 unread mails. For her, even scanning through these e-mails every day takes at least half an hour. Some of her colleagues are not so lucky -- they have to read at least 100. Bothered with calls Telephone calls are also causing a problem. More than 40 percent white-collar workers chose mobile phones as the preferred way to communicate important and urgent business matters. Talking saves time and energy over the clicking, reading and replying to e-mails, but phone calls are also more distracting . While answering a call, a clerk is likely to put away a much more important task at hand and start the business being talked about on the phone. Solution? Not yet. Many companies start with providing staff with better computers, better Internet access and more advanced gadgets . For example, staff members above a certain level in one company will be provided with a blackberry phone for easier access to their e-mails. The company has also organized many lectures on efficient ways of e-mail management. Yet most white-collar workers think their companies can do more. Telephone calls cause a problem because _ . A. they take up the time to receive and send e-mails B. they are often not answered C. they are mostly not about business D. they may lead to the changing of work schedule Answer: D. they may lead to the changing of work schedule
I bought a jasmine plant for my office. When I bought it, I was told it would bloom and the sweet smell would fill my office. I had the plant for two months, and every day I looked at it, but there weren't any flowers or pleasant smell. I was not happy, so I gave the plant to my friend Linda. One day, another friend Mary called and invited me to her office. When I walked in, her jasmine flowers surprised me. I reached out to touch the flowers. Mary cut some and gave them to me. I couldn't help smelling them. Surrounded by the sweet smell of only a handful of these flowers, I suddenly understood something. Mary bought her plant the same time I did. It took a year for her jasmine to bloom. I was so impatient for mine to bloom; regretfully, I gave it away. In a way my life is like the jasmine plant. I need to be patient and let things happen. Last Sunday Linda told me that she was going abroad the next week. Before she left, she returned the plant to me. This time I am going to wait. I have learned that when we want something in our life, we have to be patient. I am slowly learning to have that patience to wait for my jasmine to bloom. Before she gave the jasmine away, the writer had it for. A one day B one year C two weeks D two months Answer: D Andy Steele lives just a few blocks from the campus of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D., so commuting to class isn't the problem. But he doesn't like lectures much, isn't a morning person, and wants time during the day to restore motorcycles. So Steele, a full-time senior business major, has been taking as many classes as he can from the South Dakota State system's online offerings. He gets better grades and learns more, he says, and insists he isn't missing out on the college experience. "I still know a lot of people from my first two years living on campus, and I still meet a lot of people," he says. But now, he sets his own schedule. At least 2.3 million people took some kind of online courses, according to a recent survey by The Sloan Consortium, an online education group, and two-thirds of colleges offering "face-to-face" courses also offer online ones. But what were once two different types of classes are looking more and more alike and often falling into the same pool of students. At some schools, online courses originally intended for non-traditional students living far from campus have proved surprisingly popular with on-campus students. A recent study found 42 percent of the students enrolled in its distance education courses were located on campus at the university that was hosting the online courses. Numbers vary depending on the policies of particular colleges, but other schools also have students mixing and matching online and "face-to-face" credits. Motives range from lifestyle to adapting a job schedule to getting into high--demand courses. Washington State had about 325 on-campus undergraduates taking one or more distance courses last year. As many as 9,000 students took both distance and in-person classes at Arizona State last year. "Business is really about providing choices to their customers, and that's really what we want to do," said Sheila Aaker, extended services coordinator at Black Hills State. Many schools, such as Washington State and Arizona State, let departments and academic units decide who can take an online course. They say students with legitimate academic needs a conflict with another class, a course they need to graduate that isfull--oftenget permission, though they still must take some key classes in person. What is the purpose of the passage? A To introduce Steele to us, who prefers online courses. B To tell us about the development of campus courses. C To show the differences between campus courses and online courses. D To show more on-campus students are taking online courses. Answer: D Research has shown that 85 percent of communication is nonverbal, so choosing what to wear to an interview is clearly an important part of your overall presentation. It won't make up for weak answers, but it can communicate some positive things about your personality and what you might be like to work with. * Blue: You can't go wrong with darker shades of blue, especially navy. Choosing from this powerful color1 will project an image of someone who is in control. From the interviewer's point of view, the color1 blue suggests calm, stability, trust, truth, confidence and security. These are all great messages to send without saying a word. * Gray: After blue, gray is the second most popular color to wear for an interview. Like darker blue, it's not a distracting color1 to the interviewer, which means they'll be focused more on what you're saying and how you're saying it. Gray means sophistication , so use it to your advantage. * Black: This is a commanding color1 and represents authority. Black also suggests excitement, so use it carefully when putting together your interview outfit. You may want to use it as an accent --like in a scarf or tie, for instance--rather than as the primary color. * Red: This is an extremely powerful color1. It's so strong that you should only use it as an accent color1. Reds are associated with energy, passion, desire, power and aggression. People think of intensity and passion when they see the color1 red, so use it carefully or it could send the wrong message to the interviewer. * White: White shirts and blouses are always appropriate. It sends the message of simplicity, cleanliness, precision and goodness. Why is it important to choose what to wear to an interview? A Because it will make up for your weak answers. B Because it suggests something about your personality. C Because it will make you feel better. D Because the interviewer judges a person by his appearance. Answer: B Ethiopia has greatly reduced its death rates for children under the age of five years during the last two decades, new UN statistics show. The report says Ethiopia has cut the number of child deaths, by two thirds or so, to 68 per 1,000 births compared to that in 1990. The government owed the improved figures to its growing economy. Despite the reduction, the UN Children's Fund said Ethiopia needed to do much more to improve health facilities for pregnant women. Ethiopia is one of Africa's poorest states, although it has experienced rapid economic growth in recent years and is one of the continent's leading coffee producers. Its economy centers around agriculture, which in turn relies on rainfall. The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza in the capital, Addis Ababa, says Ethiopia was once representative of poor nutrition in Africa. But the latest UNICEF figures show Ethiopia is one of the few African countries on the path to realizing the development goal of reducing child death rates, he says. Ethiopia's Health Minister Kesetebirhan Admasu said increasing family incomes had helped improve people's health. "This has also resulted in better nutrition for children and women; this has translated into better medical conditions ---- all these have a direct or indirect influence on the survival of children," he told BBC Africa. He said the government has also been "aggressively expanding its primary health care network". "We have now 93% coverage( ) of one health centre for 25,000 people, which basically means one health facility within a 7km area," he said. What Kesetebirhan Admasu said shows that _ . A agricultural incomes have helped improve all the people's health in Africa B now the health care network is perfect in Ethiopia C 93% of the 25,000 people enjoy health centers in Ethiopia D the government has been taking active measures to improve people's health Answer: D Brighton is in the county of East Sussex, on the South coast of England. Situated between the English Channel and the South Downs, Brighton is 90 km from London. Brighton's nearby neighbor, Hove, is seen by some as a more desirable location than Brighton and it is often referred to by locals as "Hove, actually". Brighton is a small city but there's probably as much going on here as anywhere in the country except London. Brighton has numerous entertainment facilities, which additionally serve a considerable business conference industry. There's a huge range of entertainment venues, including comedy at the Brighton Komedia, world music, opera and ballet at the Brighton Dome, jazz at the Joogleberry, top stars at the Brighton Centre and pre-West End shows at the Theatre Royal. The live music scene is also alive and well with several bands originating from the Brighton area going on to have commercial success in recent years. Every year in May, Brighton hosts the "Brighton Festival" ------ the largest arts festival in England. Brighton's theatres, concert halls, streets and some of the city's most extraordinary venues host an array of art, entertainment and extravaganza . The earliest feature of the festival, "Open Houses" ------ homes of artists and crafts people, opened up to the public as galleries and usually sell the works of the inhabitants and their friends. Students at the two universities in the area give the city a youthful vitality , and in the summer, thousands of young students from all over Europe gather in the city to attend language courses. In addition to the usual coastal attractions, vacationers are drawn to the city's Georgian architecture, trendy shops, and fine restaurants. Points of interest also include the Edwardian Preston Manor, the ornate Royal Pavilion, the engaging Sea Life Center, and a variety of museums and art galleries. What's the author's purpose of writing the passage? A To introduce Brighton to the readers. B To attract foreign students to study in Brighton. C To show his admiration for the city of Brighton. D To list entertainments in Brighton. Answer: A
Question: "It takes an entire village to raise a child." That's an old proverb that is being quoted more and more often these days. And I'm pleased about that. Today, more and more schools are reaching out to involve parents, community members and businesses to help shape a child's future. Parents need to be involved in their children's education in many ways. Helping children with homework and studying, going on a field trip, teaching a craft or coaching a child's sports team are all great ways to be involved with your child's education. And don't forget to communicate with teachers ---- they need and respect your input. Studies show that children learn more and schools function better when parents and schools work together. It's important to stay in touch with your child's education all through his or her school career. Communities can help children create and achieve new goals. Help with homework, read to a child, coach a children's team, or provide emotional support. Help solve problems and build self-esteem . Kids need role models and advisers can be role models by sharing their experiences and wisdom. Businesses can also help shape our children's future. Invite a class from your local school to visit your workplace. You may be providing a glimpse that opens a new world of possibilities. Show students what goes on during a typical day. Give a mini course for students: how to use a computer; how products are made; how machinery works. You may have a developing electrician, teacher, nurse, or even a newspaper reporter on your hands. It really does take an entire village to raise a child.So share the responsibility -- and the joy -- of bringing a child to his or her full potential . The text was written mainly for _ . A. parents and members in organizations B. teachers and students C. newspaper reporters and developing electricians D. education experts and government officials Answer: A Question: Hello, I'm a middle school student from Hainan. My Chinese name is Li Ying. My English name is Alice. I am Chinese. I'm in No. 26 Middle School. I am a good student. Now I am thirteen years old. Our school is very nice. Ms Smart is my English teacher. I like her and she loves us very much. There are three people in my family. This is my father. He is a teacher. This is my mother. Her name is Han Jing. I love them very much. Ms Smart is _ English teacher. A. Li Ying's B. Li Ping's C. Lingling's D. Daming's Answer: A Question: Getting too little sleep or not spending enough time in rapid eye movement(REM) sleep is connected with being overweight among children, according to a new study. For three nights, researchers studied the sleep patterns of 335 young people, aged 7 to 17. They looked at total sleep time, time spent in REM, time it took to fall asleep. Body-mass index was checked at the start of the study, and 45 persons in the research were overweight, while 49 were at risk of becoming overweight. Compared to normal-weight children, those who were overweight slept about 22 minutes less per night and didn't sleep as well as them, which means shorter REM sleep, less eye activity during REM sleep, and a longer wait before the first REM period. After more research, the researchers concluded that one hour less of total sleep was connected a double increased risk of being overweight. One hour less of REM sleep was connected with a three times increased risk. Although the reasons are still being researched, the relationship between short sleep duration and overweight may be the result of behavioral and biological changes, which are caused by sleep loss, wrote Dr. Xianchen Liu of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh and his colleagues. They explained that sleep loss causes changes in hormone levels that may have an effect on hunger, and less sleep also means a person has more waking hours in which to eat. Sleep loss also leads to tiredness the following day, which may lead to less physical activity and fewer calories burned. What is the best title for this passage? A. Researchers find why children become overweight. B. Kids who are overweight are in need of more sleep. C. Children who sleep poorly are at risk of being overweight. D. Researchers find ways to prevent children from becoming overweight. Answer: C Question: In America, street dancing is a great outdoor sport for young people to do with a group of friends. Many people bring their radios out onto the streets, and then wait for others to join in. Step 1 Wear comfortable clothes. Also wear comfortable running shoes that allow you to jump easily. Dancing needs a lot of _ so it is smart to take care of your feet. Step 2 Get some music that you can dance to and bring a radio or a CD player. Step 3 Invite some friends to street dance. Put some music on and start dancing to it. Use your feet as much as possible and make quick movements. Step4 Put your arms up to the right, and then move them quickly to the left while turning your body. This will make others start street dancing. Step5 Try different movements if possible. Street dancing is all about free-style dancing. You can enjoy yourself while getting exercise by street dancing. The best title for the passage may be _ . A. How to street dance B. Young people and street dancing C. How many steps for street dancing D. Street dancing in America Answer: A Question: Virginia is set to begin enforcing the toughest drunken-driving punishment, one that will require thousands of first-time offenders--whether they were highly drunk or slightly over the limit - to install in their cars blood-alcohol testing devices that can lock the ignition. The devices work like this-A driver must blow into a blood alcohol device linked to the car's ignition. If the result is higher than the legal limit, the car will not start. The device also requires random "rolling retests" once the driver is on the road. Virginia's current law requires only repeat drunken-driving offenders or those with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher to have an ignition interlock device in their car. The new law, which takes effect in July, will roughly increase the number of people required to use ignition interlock devices four times, and offenders will have to pay about $ 480 for a typical six-month installation. The measure has caused a debate between groups battling drunken driving and those representing offenders. Such groups as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program say that Virginia's 274 alcohol-related road deaths and more than 5,500 injuries in 2010 remained unacceptably high despite years of cracking down on drunken driving. Ignition interlock devices, they say, reduce repeat offenses. But some public defenders and lawyers argue that the devices are too severe a punishment for offenders at the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.08, and that the court system will be burdened by more cases going to trial and lower-income drivers will be affected by the fees. Del. Sal R. laquinto, who sponsored the bill, had a simple reply for concerns about the costs of the interlock devices: "How much does a life cost?" "Blowing into a tube for six months, you will remember that, " Iaquinto said, " and you are not likely to offend again. " The ignition probably refers to the part in a car where _ . A. the alarm goes off B. the car is fueled C. the key is placed D. the engine starts Answer: D
Which process causes the leaves of a plant to become larger? Answer: if a chemical reaction occurs, it might have been triggered by which of these? Answer: What makes a house a home? Not size, of course. I've been in some of the grandest houses in America, and it's readily apparent that no one lives there. Earlier this year, I had dinner in a mud hut in Ethiopia, where we sat on chairs next to the hostess's bed --- a home that had more warmth than any house I've been in since. Now John Edwards is exploring what makes a house a home in his just-released Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives. There Edwards writes, "This is a book about homes, the values they rest on, the dreams they are filled with, and the people they have shaped. The houses and circumstances are different, but much of what you find inside will be familiar." Whether you're sitting in an airport right now, waiting to fly to your childhood home for Thanksgiving, or in your own home waiting for the s to arrive, you know what he's talking about. We've lived in our townhouse for 21 years. The loose windows make noise in the wind. The fireplace is so shallow it holds only one log. The kitchen window offers a view of the world passing by. It's where friends sit on the kitchen counter drinking wine while dinner is being fixed. I lived there for only 18 years, but it will always be my true home. Even the lamp in the west living room window, which I could see far down the road when driving home late at night, still shines. While all this talk about childhood memories can be warm and comforting, home is whom you're with, not where you are. As Edwards writes, "Home is family. Home is safety. Home is faith." Happy homecoming! What would be the best title for the text? Answer: Once upon a time, there was a garden in the village. Its owner was an old man. He had been away for several years to visit his friends. It was a large lovely garden with soft green grass and beautiful flowers. While the old man was away, some children came to play in the garden every afternoon. The birds in the garden sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games to listen to them. For them, the time they spent there was the happiest they had ever had. One day the old man came back. When he saw the children playing in his garden, he was very angry. "What are you doing here?" he shouted. "Nobody except myself is allowed to play in my garden." The children were terrified and ran away. Then spring came, but it was still winter in the old man's garden. There were blossoms and birds all over the village, except in the garden. The birds didn't like singing in his garden, since there were no children." Why is spring arriving so late this year?" the old man thought. "How pretty it would be if it were spring now!" One morning, the old man was woken up by some sounds. He heard birds singing and children laughing. When he opened the window, he saw the birds sitting in the trees and the children running about happily. "I'm sure spring has come. What I'm seeing is the most _ scene I have ever seen, and the sounds which I'm hearing are the most beautiful in the world," said the old man. What did the children think the old man was like at first? Answer: Texting pedestrians aren' t just an annoyance to their fellow walkers, but something dangerous to themselves. "I was checking emails while walking to work this morning," said Wolbert van den Hoorn. "But it has a serious influence on the safety of people who type or read text while walking. " Anecdotes back him up. A tourist from Taiwan walked off a port near Melbourne last month while checking Facebook-bringing an abrupt, and icy end to a penguin-watching visit. Another shopper in the U.S. was too addicted to his mobile phone to notice the fountain ahead, walking straight into it. And as mobile-phone use has grown-to about 77% of the world's population, the study says-so has the number of phone-related accidents. The number of U. S. emergency-room visits linked to phone use on the move doubled to as many as l,500 between 2005 and 2010, an Ohio State University study recently showed. Authorities world-wide have taken note. Signs on Hong Kong's subway system advise passengers in three languages to keep their eyes off their phones. Police and transport authorities have also warned the danger in Singapore, where the Straits Times newspaper ranked it as "No.2 Bad Habit", due to the rising number of road deaths. Some U.S. states, including New York and Arkansas, are even considering bans on this act. The Australian study used 26 volunteers, a third of whom admitted having hit objects while texting. They were fitted with different equipment in different parts of their body, and asked to walk 8.5 meters three times-once without a phone, once while reading a text and once while writing a text-while eight cameras captured the action. Volunteers using the phone walked slower and with shorter steps (and slowest of all when typing), and, more seriously, they locked their arms and elbows in-like "robots", in the researchers' words. That forced their heads to move more, throwing them off balance. "In a pedestrian environment, inability to maintain a straight path would be likely to increase potential for hits, falls and traffic accidents," said Mr. van den Hoorn. "The best thing to do is to step aside and stop, or keep off the phone." What is the best title for the passage? Answer:
Cittaslow has discovered China, and it is awarding a little village in Jiangsu the title of "slow city" The bored teenagers of Gaochun are impatient with the leisurely pace of hometown life.For them there is no nightlife to speak of, no bright lights, no excitement and they cannot wait to grow up and leave for the urban attractions of the big cities.But it is this laid-back lifestyle that has attracted international attention.At least, a quiet village within Gaochun county has come under the spotlight.Yaxi village, population 20,000, is about to be designated China's first "slow city" by Cittaslow, the sustainable lifestyle movement that first surfaced in Italy 11 years ago. At home, the residents at Yaxi are unfazed and pretty much unimpressed by the honor.To them, life has been like this for as long as they can remember.Here, growing old gracefully is natural. Nobody living in this little county had heard of Cittaslow or the words "slow city" before this. "The first time I heard the term was last July, when the vice-president of Cittaslow, Angelo Vassallo, visited Yaxi village," says Zuo Niansheng, the chief editor of local newspaper Gaochun Today. "Vassallo was deeply impressed by this village's natural and cultural resources and said it perfectly fitted the requirements for a slow city," says Zuo."That was how Yaxi became connected with Cittaslow. The Slow City must also be committed to protect and maintain the natural environment as well as promote a sustainable way of development ?all of which are the current strategies adopted in Gaochun."We've been doing this for years," adds Zuo. Cittaslow was founded in Tuscany, Italy in 1999.It was a spin-off from the Slow Food movement which started, also in Italy, in 1986 as a protest against the first McDonald ' s opening near the Spanish Steps in Rome.The movement championed a return to healthy, nutritious home-grown, home -cooked food. Slow Food has since expanded globally to more than 130 countries.Its mission has also broadened to include the promotion of sustainable foods and local small businesses, and the localization as opposed to globalization of food production. Cittaslow is an expansion of the Slow Food movement, and it actively advocates a lifestyle that is sustainable, that will improve quality of life, and will preserve cultural and culinary heritage. It can be inferred from the passage that _ . Answer: the lifestyle of "slow city" will be good to environment and people "USA? Britain? Which country is better to study in?" We often hear such discussions. As China opens its doors, studying abroad has become a dream for many Chinese students. They want to learn about the world. It's true that studying abroad can help students develop themselves. Language skills will improve and it may be easier to find jobs. But there are problems that should be considered. Language is the first. Students must spend a lot of time learning another language and getting used to a different culture. Students must also learn to live without parents' care and deal with all kinds of things they haven't had to do before, like looking after themselves. There are reports about Chinese students abroad sinking into an ocean of difficulties and giving up easily. When they have to take care of themselves, it is hard for students to study well. Finally, studying abroad brings a heavy burden to the family. For most Chinese parents, the cost of studying abroad is very high. But is it worth it? We know that there are many famous people who succeed in great things through their hard work in China. Liu Xiang is a good example. Once an American teacher invited him there but he refused. He kept training hard with his Chinese teacher. He surprised the world when he won a gold medal at the Athens Olympics. So when you wonder which country is better to study in, consider whether studying abroad is the right choice. Which of the following is NOT true? Answer: Studying abroad will make it easy for students to learn well. Don't you think it interesting that there were strange coincidences in the deaths of President Kennedy and President Lincoln? For example, John Kennedy was elected president in 1960 while Abraham Lincoln in 1860, between which was a hundred years. Both men were killed from behind, on black Friday , and with their wives on the spot. The two men were born exactly one hundred years away, as were their murderers, Lee Oawald and John Booth. Perhaps the strangest coincidence is that President Kennedy's secretary , whose name was Lincoln, advised the president not to go to Dallas, where the president was shot. President Lincoln's secretary, named Kennedy, advised the president not to go to the Ford Theatre, where the president met his death. When President Lincoln and President Kennedy were killed, their wives were _ . Answer: with them The great Zen teacher, Benzei had many pupils. One day, one of them was caught because of stealing things by other students. And they reported him to Benzei, but he took no action against the boy. A few days later, the same boy stole another student's things and was again caught. And again Benzei did nothing. _ made the other students angry, and they wrote a petition to ask the teacher to send away the thief from school. They all threatened to leave if the boy was allowed to stay. The teacher called a meeting of the students. When they had arrived, he said to them, "You are good boys who know what is right and what is wrong. If you leave, you will have no trouble in joining any other school. But what about your brother who does not even know the difference between right and wrong? Who will teach him if I don't? No, I cannot ask him to go even if it means losing all of you. " Tears coursed down the cheeks of the boy who had stolen. From then on, he never stole again and became an honest man. From the passage we know _ . Answer: The boy realized he was wrong. Do you have a good memory? Maybe you remember better than all of your friends. But even if you have a short-term memory, it's better than a chimpanzee's , right? Well, you may be wrong. Tetsuro Matszawa, a scientist from Kyoto University, Japan has showed how chimps have far better memories than humans. "We learn that chimps have great memories by doing tests," he told The Guardian "You can do things to improve your memory." How do chimps have better memories than us? Scientists tested four chimps and human volunteers. They showed them five numbers on a computer screen. Chimps and human volunteers had to remember the numbers correctly. But to make it hard, the numbers disappeared after seven tenths of a second. Then they will reduce the time to two tenths of a second. While humans began to make mistake after mistake, the young chimps still did very well. Why do they have better memories? We share 98.8 percent of our DNA with chimps. But during evolution , we lost some of our shared abilities. As humans learned new skills, like language, we had to lose some of our memory skills to make room in our brains. "To get something, we had to lose something," said the scientist. Chimps need good memories to survive . When a chimp looks up at the big tree and pick a banana, he must remember where he saw it as he fights off competition from other animals. Which of the following is TRUE of the test? Answer: The chimps did a better job than humans.
The World Health Organization(WHO)planned to study the relationship between the eating habits of the people and the disease.Two doctors were chosen to make the study. They flew to Africa south of the Sahara and during the next two months visited ten countries.They found that serious diseases of poor eating, often mistaken for other diseases, existed in all parts of Africa.The diseases were similar and could therefore all be named kwashiorkor .The diseased children are usually from one to four years old.As the illness progresses, the child's stomach becomes swollen by liquid collecting in the body.The skin changes colour and may break out in open sores.The hair changes colour and starts to fall out.The patient loses all interest in his surroundings and even in food, and becomes so weak that he wants to lie down all the time.Stomach liquids are no longer produced. The doctors reasoned that kwashiorkor was found in the young children of this age in many parts of Africa because of lack of milk or meat.Their mothers gave them foods full of starches instead of greatly needed proteins.They found that the addition of milk to the food of children suffering from kwashiorkor saved many lives. What is mentioned as a simple but reasonable way of curing this disease? A Taking a special medicine. B Avoiding any food containing starch. C Having more meat or milk. D Taking medicines full of proteins. Answer: C. Having more meat or milk. Iron can be found on A rocky areas B ants C wizards D unicorns Answer: A. rocky areas I'm Tony. My best friends are Frank and Cindy. We often do many things together. Frank lives next to my home and we are in the same class. He is thirteen years old and tall and of medium build. He has curly hair and blue eyes. He's good-looking and very clever. He's good at math and often helps me with my homework. He likes wearing black pants and yellow T-shirts. Cindy doesn't go to my school. She's eleven years old. She is thin and of medium height. She has curly blonde hair and her eyes are brown. She is good-looking, too, but a little bit shy. She is good at playing the guitar. Her favorite subject at school is music. She often teaches Frank and me to play the guitar after class. The three of us have great fun together, and we help each other and sometimes play video games at my house. _ good at math. A Frank is B Cindy is C I am D Tony is Answer: A. Frank is Brazil has become one of the developing world's great successes in reducing population growth--but more by accident than design.While countries such as India have made joint efforts to reduce birth rates,Brazil has had better result without really trying,says George Martine at Harvard. Brazil's population growth rate has dropped from 2.99% a year between 1951 and 1960 to 1.93% a year between 1981 and 1990,and Brazilian women now have only 2.7 children on average.Martine says this figure may have fallen still further since 1990,an achievement that makes it the envy of many other Third World countries. Martine _ ,among other things,soap operas and installment plans introduced in the 1970s.Both played an important,although indirect,role in lowering the birth rate.Brazil is one of the world's biggest producers of soap operas.Globo,Brazil's most popular television network,shows three hours of soaps six nights a week,while three others show at least one hour a night.Most soaps are based on wealthy characters living the high life in big cities. "Although they have never really tried to work in a message towards the problems of reproduction ,they describe middle and upper class values--not many children,different attitudes towards sex,women working,"says Martine."They sent this message to all parts of Brazil and made people realise other patterns of family life and other values,which were put into a very attractive package." Meanwhile,the installment plans tried to encourage the poor to become consumers."This led to change in consumption patterns and consumption did not get along well with unlimited reproduction,"says Martine. Which is the best title of the passage? A Brazil:the developing world's success B Soap operas and installment plans C Brazil:reducing birth rate by accident D Learn from Brazil,one of the Third World Countries Answer: C. Brazil:reducing birth rate by accident There was a story many years ago of a school teacher----Mrs.Thompson. She told the children on the first day that she loved them all the same. But that was a lie. There in the front row was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. He didn't play well with the other children and he always needed a bath. She did not like him. Then Mrs. Thompson got to know that Teddy was actually a very good boy before the death of his mother. Mrs. Thompson was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when, like all her other students, Teddy brought her a Christmas present too. It was his mother's perfume . Teddy said, "Mrs.Thompson, today you smell just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she stopped teaching reading, writing and math. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs.Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.The boy's mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he improved. By the end of the sixth grade, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class. Six years went by before she got a note from Teddy. He wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. He went to college. Mrs.Thompson got two more letters from him with the last signed, Theodore F. Stoddar, M. D. . The story doesn't end there. On his wedding day, Dr.Stoddard whispered in Mrs.Thompson's ear," Thank you, Mrs. Thomson, for believing in me. You made me feel important and showed me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson , with tears in her eyes, whispered back,"Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you. In what way did Mrs. Thompson change? A She taught fewer school subjects. B She became stricter with her students. C She no longer liked her job as a teacher. D She cared more about educating students. Answer: D. She cared more about educating students.
Everyone knows that the Frenchmen are romantic, the Italians are fashionable and the Germans are serious. Are these just stereotypes or is there really such a thing as national character? And if there is, can it affect how a nation succeed or fail? At least one group of people is certain that it can. A recent survey of the top 500 entrepreneurs in the UK found that 70% felt that their efforts were not appreciated by the British public. Britain is hostile to success, they said. It has a culture of jealousy. As a result, the survey said, entrepreneurs were "unloved, unwanted and misunderstood." Jealousy is sometimes known as the "green - eyed monster" and the UK is its home. Scientists at Warwich University in the UK recently tested this idea. They gathered a group of people together and gave each an imaginary amount of money. Some were given a little, others a great deal. Those given a little were given the chance to destroy the large amount of money given to others - but at the cost of losing their own. Two thirds of the people tested agreed to do this. This seems to prove that the entrepreneurs were right to complain. But there is also conflicting evidence. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recently reported that the UK is now the world's fourth largest economy. That is not bad for people who are supposed to hate success. People in the UK also work longer hours than anyone else in Europe. So the British people are not lazy, either. "It is not really success that the British dislike," says Carey Cooper, a professor of management at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. "It's people using their success in a way that seems proud or unfair or which separates them from their roots." Perhaps it is the entrepreneurs who are the problem. They set out to do things in their way. They work long hours. By their own efforts they become millionaires. But instead of being happy they complain that nobody loves them. It hardly seems worth following their example. If they were more friendly, people would like them more. And more people want to be like them. Most entrepreneurs surveyed believe that _ . Answer: the British people hate success The news that China bans time-travel TV dramas and movies got a lot of attention on the internet. Yet, time travel in China is a bit different from time travel in common sense.It is anything but science fiction and always goes backwards in time.There is minimum imagination involved--no ever-ending circles that mess up present and future, no advanced technology, no new social orders or new human forms from the twenty--whatever century, everything is a known historical fact when you travel through in China. It is not even called time travel; rather the Chinese people refer it as time crossover.Time crossover has been an extremely popular theme for online novels for years(in fact , it is an indispensible part of China's online culture), and didn't get picked up by TV and the big screen until recent two years.Most of time-travel dramas and movies are adapted from popular online novels and like in other cases adaptations are never better than the original books. The main plot of time-travel novels or TV dramas can be very well summarized in one sentence: from nobody to somebody.Time travel in China is more about escaping from the reality than about realizing wild dreams. In China , there is no need of time machine either.People travel backwards in time via the possession of antiques presence at historical places of interest encounter of life-threatening accidents or simple a look into the mirror.Some time-travel novels even start with "I wanted to go back to history so much that one morning when I opened my eyes I was back." Technology is not relevant at all. Though China is not short of histories to go back to, people have their own preferences and it is pretty much a gender thing.If the main character is male then he usually goes back to special times in history when he is able to help build up or tear up a dynasty.A typical example is A Step Into the Past , the first time-travel TV drama in China, which tells the story of how a SWAT member helps to unite China and build up Qin Dynasty . On the other hand , female characters primarily go back to Qing Dynasty partly because Qing Dynasty has the most number of princes to fall in love with.Yongzheng Emperor is the favorite.As can be seen in Startling by Each Step , a Qing time crossover classic, a girl goes back to Qing Dynasty and falls in love with Yongzheng Emperor and his brothers. As for time travel in China, which of the following ideas does the writer agree to ? Answer: it sometimes messes up the times and social orders. When you don't know an English word, you may need a dictionary. A dictionary is a very useful tool when you learn English. It plays an important role in your study. Do you know the smallest English dictionary in the world? Let's have a look at what it looks like. It is 2.6 centimeters long. It is 1.9 centimeters wide. It is the smallest English dictionary in the world. The small dictionary has 384 pages. It has many thousands of words. When you open its case, you can also find a _ . The dictionary is so small that we need to use the lens to read it. The smallest English dictionary came out in Glasgow, UK in 1890. Graham is the owner of the dictionary. He found it in a bookstore. Altough it was very expensive, he still bought it. He paid lots of money for the dictionary. What's the main idea of the passage? Answer: It's about the smallest dictionary in the world One day Mrs. Perry said to her husband, Jack, there is a meeting of our ladies' club at Mrs. Young's house at lunch time today. And I want to go to it. I'll leave you some food for your lunch. Is that all right?" "Oh, yes," her husband answered, "that's quite all right. What are you going to leave for my lunch?" "This tin of fish." Mrs. Perry said. "And there are some cold boiled potatoes and some beans here, too." "Good," Mr. Perry answered. "I'll have a good lunch." So Mrs. Perry went to her meeting. All the ladies had lunch at Mrs. Young's house , and at three o'clock she came home. "Was your fish nice?" asked she. "Yes, but my feet are hurting," he answered. "Why are they hurting?" "Well, the words on the tin were Open the tin and stand in hot water for five minutes." Open the tin and stand in hot water for five minutes means _ . Answer: you should open the tin and let it stand in hot water for 5 minutes Many of us feel uneasy when someone stands too close to us, talks to us too loudly or makes eye contact with us for too long. But have you ever wondered why those things make you uncomfortable? It's all about personal peace, which means not only an imaginary space around the body, but also the space around all the senses. People feel that their space is being violated when they meet with an unwelcome sound, smell or look. This is probably why a man on a crowded bus shouting into his mobile phone or a woman next to you putting on strong perfume makes you feel angry. Whether people have had a stronger wish to protect their personal space in recent times is hard to say. Yet studies of airlines show that people have a strong desire to have space to themselves. In a survey by Trip Advisor, a travel website, people said that if they had to pay more for some extra service, they would rather have larger seats than extra food. Although people may need their personal space, some hardly realize it. For example, people on a bus who hold newspapers in front of their faces to read in fact keep a distance from strangers. Go and watch a library table. You will notice that one of the corner seats will usually be taken first, because they are the farthest way. What if someone sits opposite to you? Maybe you will pile up books as if to make a wall. Preference for personal space are different from culture to culture. Scientists have found that Americans generally prefer more personal space than people from other cultures. In Latin cultures, however, people are more comfortable standing close to each other. The writer mainly _ in this article. Answer: introduces some knowledge about personal space
It's important to learn about protecting our environment. Here is a 5R rule for us: 1. Reduce If you want to reduce waste, you should use things wisely. Millions of trees are being cut down to make paper. If everyone uses a little paper carelessly and throw it out, soon we would not have any trees left. Other things are also being wasted, and people don't know what to do with the waste in big cities. So it is necessary to reduce the waste 2. Reuse You should always think of reusing the usable things before throwing them out. Give your clothes you do not use or the ones which are too small to the poor. With a family, you may pass on such clothes to younger brothers or sisters. 3. Recycle Bottles, cans and paper can easily be recycled. By doing so, we save lots of time and money. For example, coke cans are sent to a factory, where they are smashed flat and melted and the melted things are made for new coke cans. 4. Recover When you buy a box of apples, there may be a few rotten apples. You have two choices: one is to throw the whole apple away, or you could cut off the rotten parts and eat the good parts. In this way, you are recovering the eatable parts of food. 5. Repair If one of the legs of your table is broken, you can repair it instead of throwing it away. If you want to change for better ones, It is better for you to sell the old things or give them to other people who can use them after doing some repair. It is true that North America is a "throw-away" society . But the time has come to change our way of life so that we can protect our environment. Every one of us should try our best. We can infer that the writer of this passage may live in _ . A China B Japan C Australia D America Answer: D. America If you're still of the belief thaJ mental health conditions aren,t as serious as physical ones,a new report will open your eyes. The United States spent about $201 billion on mental illness in 2013, according to the new analysis published in the journal Health Affairs. That makes it the costliest medical condition in the country. Heart conditions were the second costliest condition, falling far behind menial disorders at $147 billion. Trauma and injury was third at $143 billion. "One key finding of this study is the degree to which spending on mental health disorders in 2013 topped those on all other medical conditions, including heart conditions, trauma, and cancer. Researcher Charles Roehrig wrote in the study's conclusion. Just a decade ago, heart conditions outweighed mentd disorders. Health care costs on heart Problems were about $105 Million in 1996, with mental disordere coming in second at $79 billion. The findings are just another example of how important it is to recognize mental illness as a widespread public health issue. Nearly one in four people will experience a mental health condition at some point in his or her life. Despite this fact, though, there's still a lack of sensitivity and understanding in society--and even the medical community--when it comes to mental disorders. Research shows discrimination involved in mental health. Negative thoughts surrounding mental illness often prevent people from seeking treatment, which can have serious consequences. Data also suggests that not paying attention to mental illness can affeci a company 's bottom line. Serious mental illnesses result in about $193 billion in lost earnings per year. Lastly, the cost of mental health issues extends beyond a dollar sign, but perhaps the shocking figure in the report will finally serve as a wakeup call for those who believe psychological conditions aren't real issues. In other words, can we please take mental illness seriously now? What is the author5 s purpose in writing this passage? A To show harmful effects of mental disorders. B To raise people's awareness of mental health. C To prove the importance of public health issue. D To remind people to have mental examinations. Answer: B. To raise people's awareness of mental health. Not very long ago, the question would have seemed absurd. Now it is on the lips of respected scientists; MPs are beginning to talk of "a war on sugar", and even England's chief medical officer has said sugar may have to be, like the old enemy tobacco, taxed in order to protect the nation's health. There came a time in the evolution of public attitudes to smoking, when the doctors had been shouting for long enough that the public was broadly aware of the risks and the only question left,for Government was: what should we do about it? Some believe we are now at the same point in our attitudes to sugar. Others - largely but not only representatives of the food and drink industry - say the entire debate has been skewed, by those who spread stories deliberately to make people nervous. More or less everyone agrees that eating too much sugar is bad for you. There is also no doubt obesity is a growing problem which is putting a significant, avoidable burden on the NHS by increasing the rates of diabetes, heart disease and other long-term conditions. But to what extent is sugar - rather than saturated fats, or salt, carbohydrates or proteins, or any of the other devils of modem diets - the cause of obesity and how much should we worry about it? Yesterday, hopes of achieving anything resembling clarity from the World Health Organisation (WHO) were confused once again, which, widely expected to reduce the recommended sugar intake by a half in new draft guidance, instead said it would continue to recommend that sugar make up no more than 10 per cent of the energy we consume, while adding that cutting this to five per cent would have "additional benefits". The decision will now go out to public consultation. Simon Capewell, professor of the University of Liverpool, said that he suspected "dirty work" on the part of food and drinks companies might lie behind the WHO's less than resounding message. "The food industry say Govemment has no business interfering in families, we must protect personal choice," Professor Capewell said. "We say there is no personal choice. At the moment, a mother can walk into a supermarket with a choice of four tomato soups - with three, or four, or five teaspoons of sugar in them. She has a choice of thousands of ready meals - with five, or six, or even nine teaspoons of sugar in." When reporting the argument about sugar, the author seems to A remain objective B stand by those against it C believe it harmless D hold the view of "wait-and-see" Answer: B. stand by those against it When Dekalb Walcott III was just 8 years old, his father, a Chicago fire chief, let him _ on a call. Dekalb says a lot of kids idolized basketball player Michael Jordan when he was growing up in Chicago in the 1990s. Not him. "I wanted to be like Dekalb Walcott Jr.," he says of his father. So when his dad asked if he wanted to go on that call with him when he was 8, Dekalb was excited. "I'm jumping up and down, saying, "Mom, can I go? Can I go?' " The experience changed Dekalb's life, he tells his dad on a visit to StoryCorps. "My eyes got big from the moment the alarm went off." the younger Dekalb says. " This is the life that I want to live someday. " Now 27, the younger Dekalb is living that life. He became a firefighter at 21 and went to work alongside his dad at the Chicago Fire Department. Before his father retired, the pair even went out on a call together -- father supervising son. "You know, it's everything for me to watch you grow," his father says. But he also recalls worrying about one particular fire that his son faced. "I received a phone call that night. And they said, 'Well, your son was at this fire.' I said, 'OK, which way is this conversation going to go?' " Dekalb Walcott Jr. recalls. "And they said, 'But he's OK. And he put it out all by himself. Everybody here was proud of him.' "And the word went around, 'Who was out there managing that fire? Oh, that's Walcott! That's Walcott up there!' So, you know, moments like that, it's heaven on Earth for a dad." Dekalb Walcott Jr. retired in 2009. The younger Dekalb says he's proud of being a second-generation firefighter. "You know, it makes me look forward to fatherhood as well, because I'm definitely looking forward to passing that torch down to my son." Dekalb Walcott III determined to become a firefighter at the age of _ A 8 B 21 C 27 D 35 Answer: A. 8 In our old neighborhood, neighbors chatted over fences. Newcomers were welcomed with chocolate and bread. It had been easy to find friends there. Our new community was different. It seemed that family roots grew deep. Deep as the Mississippi river that flowed past the tiny river town. We'd moved to decrease my husband's commute to work. Only thirty miles. After living there for six months, I was ready to move back home. I was lonely for a friend. My three boys were lonely. My husband, Lonny, fared okay, but he spent his days at work. Lonny noticed my sinking disposition. "Shawnelle, you look unapproachable," he said. He and I were sitting in lawn chairs. Samuel, our three-year-old son sat in his own little chair. "What do you mean?" "Body language. You placed our chairs fifteen yards away from everyone else." "It doesn't matter. I'm not going to have friends here. " Just then Samuel looked up. "Mom's right, Dad. And we just want to go home. " That's when I knew that I needed an adjustment. I didn't want my boys to learn that the way to work through a tough time was to use a wounded and bitter attitude. Over the next few months I smiled when I didn't feel like it. We signed up for reading programs at the library and frequented parks and the bike path along the river. One afternoon Samuel and I clambered up the stairs to the library activity room. A woman who I hadn't seen before sat at an oblong table with a tiny boy. "Hi," she said. "I'm Tammy. Do you need a seat? There's one right here." I sat down next to Tammy. Soon class was over, and I still had a lot to say. "Why don't you come over later?" Tammy asked. "I live on a farm. There's plenty of room for the kids to run. " We went. And since that day, we've been back a million times. When I look back, I'm grateful for that tough time. I learned to persevere. I'm glad I didn't give up. And as for my boys, they learned a lesson too. "Keep moving forward," is what I tell them. "Your heart will follow." Shawnelle mentioned her friendship with Tammy to prove _ . A women seemed to have endless words to say B Tammy was rich to have room for kids C her family had finally fitted in the new place D Tammy's farm was suitable for kids to play on Answer: C. her family had finally fitted in the new place
All presentations should include the beginning, the middle, and the end. The first part of your presentation should always present the problem. The middle of the presentation should present your key findings. By the end of the presentation, your audience should have a better understanding of the solution. Less is more. There's a tendency to make a presentation slide excessively complicated with flashy images, strange transitions, and too much text. These features are often unnecessary, and tend to make the viewers get bored. Instead, keep each slide short and plain, using one image to sell your idea. Using bullets is a bit of a cliche , but if you must use them, never exceed more than one line of text per bullet. Branding is the key. Whether you're stating a new business idea to investors or describing a new product to customers, you'll want your presentation to reinforce your brand's image. Use the same color1 schemes, fonts , and logos that you use on your website or company literature. There's an assumption of what a Power Point is supposed to look like, and company standards falls through the floor. Give them a break. According to a recent research, the average adult attention span for a presentation is just 20 minutes. It's always best to keep your presentation short and to the point, but if you must exceed the recommended 20 minutes, try giving your audience a moment to relax. "You can extend attention spans by giving your audience a rest," the study says. This can be done by telling a story, giving a demo, or doing something else that gives the brain a break. Practice it again and again. In the end, a great presentation will come down to the speaker's ability to capture the audience's imagination and keep their attention. The presentation and the speaker should work together and they can be complementary to each other. The best presenters won't have to look down at the notes and will never be reading from a script. A good speaker can focus on the key points and convey information well. Why should you use the same color1 schemes, fonts, and logos in your presentation? A proverb says :"Time is money."But in my opinion, time is even more valuable than money. Why? Because when money is spent ,we can earn it back .However when time is gone ,it will never return .This is the reason why we must value time. There is no doubt that the time we have is unusually limited. So even an hour is extremely precious. We should make full use of our time to do useful things .As students we must not relax our efforts to engage in our studies so as to serve our society and our nation in the future. But it is pity that there are a lot of people who do not know the importance of time .They spend their valuable time smoking, drinking and so on. They do not realize that wasting time is equal to wasting a part of their valuable life. In a word, we should get into a good habit of saving time. Do not put off what can be done today until tomorrow. Laziness will not only bring us failure but also lead us to the road of poverty. Being students, we must _ . A waste product of human respiration A very old lady won a million dollars in a lottery . Her son and his wife heard the news on the radio."How are we going to tell your mother?" the wife asked. "The shock might kill her! "That's true." the son said. "Perhaps we'd better speak to her doctor about it. He'll know how to break the news to her gently." They explained the situation to the old lady's doctor. "I'm glad you told me." he said. "A shock, even a happy one,could give her a heart attack. Leave it to me. I 'll find a way of breaking the news to her." He thought about the problem for several days, and then decided what he would say. He called on the old lady and sat by her side. He took her hand in his."Let's play a game, my dear." he said. "A 'Let's Pretend' game." ks5u "Oh, yes." the old lady said. "I love 'Let's Pretend' games." "Good. I'll ask you a question first." the doctor said. "Then you can ask me one." He pretended to think for a few moments. Then he said, "Tell me, what would you do if you won a million dollars in the lottery?" "Oh, that's an easy one." the old lady said. "I'd give most of it to you, doctor, because you have been so good to me all these years. Doctor!" But the doctor was now lying on the floor. He had died of shock. Why didn't the son and his wife tell his mother the good news immediately? In 1980,Candy Lightner's 13-year-old daughter Cad was killed by a drunk driver as she walked down a suburban street in California. "I promised myself on the day of my daughter's death that I would fight to make this needless accident count for something positive in the years ahead," Candy Lightener later wrote. The drunk driver received a two-year prison sentence. However, he avoided prison by serving time in a work camp and a halfway house. Ms. Lightner was very angry about that and so organized Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), which later changed to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The aim of her organization was to raise public awareness of the serious nature of drunk driving and to promote tough legislation against the crime. Before Ms. Lightner's MADD, intoxication , including drunk driving, was not taken seriously. Intoxication was often used as an excuse for otherwise unacceptable behavior: "I didn't know what I was doing--I was drunk." Candy Lightner appeared on major television shows, spoke before the US Congress, addressed professional and business, groups, and worked tirelessly for years to change public attitudes, change judicial behaviour, and promote tough new legislation. Ms. Lightner left MADD because the organization that she herself created is changing its focus. "I didn't start MADD to deal with alcohol. I started MADD to deal with the issue of drunk driving." The President of the United States awarded her the President's Volunteer Action Award and she was the subject of the movie "Mothers Against Drunk Drivers: the Candy Lightner Story". What would be the best title for the passage?
Question: Jack gets to the bus station very early. The bus for Beijing is leaving at twelve. He sees many people at the station. Some are waiting in line, and others are walking around. Jack looks around but there is no room for him to sit in. He walks into a restaurant. He looks up at the clock there. It's only 11:30. Then he finds a seat and sits down. At that time, Tom, one of his friends, comes in and sits in front of him. They talk and drink. After a while, Jack looks up at the clock again. "Oh, my God. It's still 11:30. The clock doesn't work at all." Jack becomes very sad because he misses the bus. The clock is _ . A. good B. ugly C. broken D. fast Answer: C. broken Question: Many of Nalade Resorts' hotels have Kids Club with special facilities for young children, making holidays more relaxing for parents and undoubtedly more pleasant and interesting for youngsters! Kids Club in Beau Rivage (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.) The club has a lovely atmosphere, with a large room for activities and a fenced, grass play-area outside. The qualified hostesses really know how to get on with children, as they look after and entertain youngsters from 3 to 12. Activities are adapted according to children's ages and talents and include: Glass-bottom boat trips to see the brightly colored games Drawing and painting Making things and a whole host of indoor games Learning how to snorkel and water-ski A baby sitting service is also available on request, for a fee. Children's dinner is served in the main restaurant at 6:30 p.m. Kids Club in Legends (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Three qualified hostesses entertain youngsters from 3 to 11 years old. For children under 3, a baby sitting service is also available on request, for a fee. Children's lunch is served between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. in the main restaurant or in the Kids Club depending on the day. The children have dinner in the main restaurant between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Kids Club in Les Pavillons (9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) Friendly, experienced, well-trained staff keep youngsters from 3 to 11 happy and occupied throughout the day and evening. Activities include: Learning the local dance, the Sega Gathering crabs on the beach by torchlight Making things and a whole host of indoor games Learning to play a traditional musical instrument A special children's dinner is served from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Baby sitting service can also be provided, for a fee. Kids Club in Diva The ideal arrangement for both parents and their youngsters! Qualified staffs look after children aged from 3 to 11 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and organize a whole range of activities to keep them busy and happy. Children have dinner between 6 and 7 p.m. A baby sitting service is also available, for a fee. If you have a 12-year-old child, you can choose _ for your Family holidays. A. Diva B. Legends C. Beau Rivage D. Les Pavillons Answer: C. Beau Rivage Question: I am Zhang Qiang. On weekends I often watch TV with my friend, Guo Peng. My favourite movie star is Baotian Lee .He is a great actor. He has a movie, Magical Doctor Xilaile(<<>> ).It's a very successful comedy. I think it's great fun. Guo Peng likes Michele Yan best. He likes her famous movie , Sleepless Night. It's a thriller. I don't think it's great. In fact, it's boring. Guo Peng also likes comedies. He often tells me, "Comedies are really fun!" My father likes them, too. He even wants to be a comedy artist! The main actor in "Magical Doctor Xilaile" is _ . A. Zhang Qiang B. Guo Peng C. Baotian Lee D. Michele Yan Answer: C. Baotian Lee Question: If you live in America in the 21stcentury you'll probably have to listen to a lot of people tell you how busy they are. It's become the default response when you ask anyone how they are doing:"Busy!""Crazy busy!".It is,pretty obviously,a boast disguised as a complaint. And the common response is a kind of congratulation:"That's a good problem to have,"or"Better than the opposite." Notice it isn't generally people pulling back-to-back shifts in the ICU or commuting by bus to three minimum-wage jobs who tell you how busy they are.What those people are is not busy but tired.Exhausted!Dead on their feet.It's almost always people whose busyness is purely self-imposed:work and obligations they've taken on voluntarily,classes and activities they've "encouraged" their kids to participate in.They're busy because of their own ambition or drive or anxiety,because they're addicted to busyness and dread that they might have to face in _ absence. Almost everyone I know is busy. They feel anxious and guilty when they aren't either working or doing something to promote their work.It's something they have chosen.Busyness serves as a kind of existential reassurance ,a measure against emptiness,obviously your life cannot possibly be silly or tiny or meaningless if you are so busy,completely booked,in demand every hour of the day. Idleness is not just a vacation.It is as necessary to the brain as vitamin D is to the body,and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as ugly as rickets.The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole,for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration."Idle dreaming is often the essence of what we do,"wrote Thomas Pynchon.Archimedes' "Eureka"in the bath, Newton's apple :history is full of stories of inspirations that come in idle moments. When many Americans say"Crazy busy", they mean _ . A. they are really tired of their present situation B. they are really proud of their present life C. they are complaining about their current work D. their life are full of all kinds of problems Answer: B. they are really proud of their present life Question: For the past many centuries, people had been enjoying the benefits of green tea for the body. Many people would prefer drinking green tea than white tea and black tea, simply because of its _ aroma not found in other types of tea. Nowadays, keeping the natural greenish color1 of tea leaves remained just like before. This is done by preparing the green tea just like the way it was prepared before--by washing the leaves right after pulling off them from the bush, then boiling them. There have been many healthful claims saying that drinking green tea-based products help a lot in improving the general health of their body. For a long time, there has been many beliefs saying that green tea can help, cure beriberi disease , treat wounds, and even prevent tiredness. Now modern technology determines that there are even added healthful benefits that include reducing the possibility of having a heart disease and helping people to lose more weight easily. Besides, studies have found out that green tea has Polyphenols , a type of flaonoid that greatly reduces the amount of time of cell maturation. The flavonoid found in green tea is called EGCg- a stronger matter than Vitamin C and E. It is believed to be 20 times stronger than these mentioned vitamins. Having two cups of green tea daily is a good routine for your body. However, most doctors would suggest drinking at least 4 cups a day is the best. You can slowly increase the amount of drinking it to allow your body to get used to it. There is nothing to lose but everything to gain in drinking green tea. Which of the following might be the best title for the text? _ . A. Process of making green tea. B. Characteristic of green tea. C. Benefits of drinking green tea. D. History and types of green tea. Answer: C. Benefits of drinking green tea.
Question: Mitosis occurs in living things when a cell divides to produce two cells. Compared to the original cell, how many chromosomes are in each of the resulting cells? A. half as many B. the same number C. twice as many D. an unpredictable number Answer: B. the same number Question: While in Banff, make time for a walk around town. A special treat is to go up the mountainside on the Banff Gondola for a surprising view of the valley below. Here is The Pines, whose cook has developed a special way of mixing foreign food such as caribou, wild boar, and reindeer with surprising sauces. Best time to visit is during the off-season, from early May to mid-June, or in October. This way you can avoid sharing the highway with mobile homes which can be pulled by cars. But whatever the season, take some lunch with you from Banff, because there are only a few food stops on the road. Forty minutes north of Banff, side by side with the Banff National Park, sits world-famous Lake Louise. This surprisingly small body of water is attractive with towering mountains around it. Glaciers, huge masses of ice, moving very slowly against rocks, produce what is called glacier rock flour, making its water dark to see. It is worth taking a walk around the grounds of the Chateau Lake Louise, another beauty, proud of its early 20th century history. Back on the road, and it's time to continue north past the astonishing Columbia Icefield, then turn off the highway and take the short road to the base of the Athabaska Glacier. You can rent ice cleats and do some climbing or do a more pleasant snowmobile tour. Either way, you can enjoy endless beautiful sights. Finally you'll reach Jasper, the usual turning around the place for the Banff-Jasper loop . It's worth riding the Jasper Skytram, and be sure to visit the wonderful Jasper Park Lodge, also dating back to the 1920s. If you can have lunch there, do it. The restaurant has an adventurous menu and their wine list would put a smile on any visitor's face. What will probably happen when visitors come at the end of June? A. They may have trouble finding a restaurant. B. They may come across traffic jams. C. They may travel more easily with cars. D. They may do much more sightseeing. Answer: B. They may come across traffic jams. Question: Americans often plan social gatherings on short notice, so don't be surprised if you get invited to someone's home or to see a movie or baseball game without much warning. If the time is convenient for you, surely accept their invitation. But if you're busy, don't be afraid to _ the invitation, perhaps suggesting a time that would be better. Your host won't be shamed. Invitations are usually sent in person or over the telephone. The main exception is for some formal occasions, in which case a written invitation will be mailed. You would normally receive a written invitation to a wedding . For a casual dinner invitation, don't arrive more than 5 minutes early, because your host may still be preparing for your visit. Arriving more than 10 minutes late is considered rude if very few people were invited. If many people were invited, it's OK to arrive a little late, even as much as half an hour late. For example, it's OK to arrive late for a party, for a potluck dinner or for a social gathering inviting a large group of people. If you're invited for dinner, it's proper to bring the host a bottle of wine, a gift basket of fruit, a box of candy , or a bouquet of flowers. Don't bring roses, as men often give roses to women on a date . If you wish to thank the host for his or her hospitality , it's right to call or send a brief written thank-you note the next day. According to the passage, in American _ . A. if you're invited to a family as a guest, you can stay as long as you please. B. if you're invited for a party, you must always be on time. C. if you're invited for dinner, you'd better bring some presents. D. you must make a call to show your thanks after you get home from the dinner. Answer: C. if you're invited for dinner, you'd better bring some presents. Question: A guy with brown hair was named Josh. His daughter was Maggie and her favorite activity was riding her yellow bike. Sometimes she would put a card in the spokes of the wheel. This made her bike sound much faster than it was going. Once when she was riding down a hill, she went too fast and hit a trashcan. Other than having a bad smell, she was ok but was afraid to tell her father what had happened. So she told a lie. When she looked her father in the eye, he saw that there was more to the story. When he found out Maggie was not being truthful, he had to give her a spanking. He told her that telling lies is wrong, but he loves her. Why did Maggie lie to her father? A. He told her that he loved her B. She could not remember what happened C. She put a card in the spokes of her bike D. She was afraid to tell him the truth Answer: D. She was afraid to tell him the truth Question: A skinny young boy loved football with all his heart. But being half the size of the other boys, he got ly nowhere. This teenager lived alone with his father. Even though the boy was always standing on the bench , his father was always standing with cheering. He never missed a game. This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him. When the young man went to college, he always put his heart and soul to every practice. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in a game. It was the end of his last football season, and he entered the practice field, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and became silent. He said to the coach, "My father died this morning." the coach said, "Take the rest of the week off, son." The big game arrived and it was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent man said quietly to the coach. "Coach, please let me play," said the young man. Before long, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before, was doing everything right. His team finally won. He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well you know my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" the young man said, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!" Which is the reason why the boy never got to play in a football game? A. The boy was not good at football. B. The coach didn't like him. C. His father always watched him. D. The boy was shorter than other boys. Answer: D. The boy was shorter than other boys.
Question: Somepeoplethinkthatsingingcanliftourspirits ,whilesomeotherpeople don'tthinkso.Theydon'tlikesingingandtheythinksingingcannevermakethemhappy.Ido thinksingingcanmakeusfeelgood,anditcanliftourspirits.Letmetellyoumoreaboutthat. Someresearchers oncedidsomesurveysandprovedit.Thesurveysshow thatsingingcanbringalotofhealthbenefits .Ifyousingwithyourfriends,theeffectsmay be evenbetter. JohnLennonwasonceateacherofVocalPerformance atEmporiaState University.Hesays,"Singingisaninborn need.Babiessingtothemselvesandthey seemsohappy.Likebabies,whenwesing,wefeelsogoodandsingingmakesusfeelevenbetter.I likesingingandIamhappyeveryday." Musicisapartofhumannature.Andsingingisaformof _ thatcanbeunderstoodby everyone.Somepeoplesaythatmusicislikeakindoflanguage.Thelanguagecanshow people'sopinionsandattitudes totheirlife.Somesongscancheerpeopleupwhentheyarein trouble.Somesongscanmakepeoplehappyandexcited.That'swhytheTVshowTheVoiceof Chinaissopopularwithpeople. TheTVshowTheVoiceofChinaispopularbecause _ . A. allthesingersaregoodatsinginganddancing B. songsmakepeoplehappyandexcited C. allthesingerslookniceincoolclothes D. songsarewrittenbythesingersthemselves Answer: B Question: Do as the Romans Do The customs in different countries are rather different. If I have dinner with a Chinese host, he always puts more food onto my plates as soon as I have emptied it. That often discomforts me greatly. I have to eat the food even if I don't want to, because it is considered bad manners in the West to leave one's food on the plate. I have already noticed that when a Chinese sits at an American's dinner party, he very often refuses the offer of food or drink though he is in fact still hungry or thirsty. This might be good manners in China, but it is not in the West at all. In the United States, it is impolite to keep asking someone again and again or insist on his accepting something. Americans have a direct way of speaking. If they want something, they will ask for it. If not, they will say, "No, thanks." When an American is fed with beer by the host, for example, he might say, "No, thanks. I'll take some diet, Pepsi-Cola if you have it. "That is what an American will do. So when you go to the United States, you had better remember the famous saying: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When an American wants something to eat or drink at a dinner, he will _ . A. ask for it boldly B. refuse the offer C. ask for it directly D. express himself indirectly Answer: C Question: If you go to Brisbane, Australia, you can easily get a small book called Discover Brisbane free.Here is something about banks on page 49: ANZ Banking Group Cnr.Greek & Queen Sts ......................................................238 3228 Bank of New Zealand 410 Queen Street ............................................................ 221 0411 Bank of Queensland 229 Elizabeth Street ......................................................... 229 3122 Commonwealth Banking Group 240 Queen Street ............................................................ 237 3111 National Australia Bank Ltd 225 Adelaide Street ......................................................... 221 6422 Westpac Banking Corp 260 Queen Street ............................................................ 227 2666 Banking hours are Mon.-Thu.9:30 am to 4 pm.Fri.9:30 am to 5 pm.All banks close Sat.Sun.& Public Holidays. You can find ANZ Banking Group on _ . A. Queen Street B. Elizabeth Street C. the corner of Greek Street and Queen Street D. the corner of Queen Street and Elizabeth Street Answer: C Question: What does blood do for us? It brings food to all parts of our bodies and takes waste away from them. All parts of our bodies are made of cells. These cells are very small. They all need all the time. No one could make pictures of cells because no one could see them. What makes the blood move round the body? The heart is a pump. It pumps the blood and sends it round the body. The heart has rooms with doors between them. It pumps blood in and out through these doors by changing the size of the rooms so that the doors are opened and shut. The heart keeps a stream of blood going all around the body and back again to itself. The heart is a very important part of one's body. When it stops beating, one will die. According to the passage, a pump is used to _ A. open or shut doors B. send something up C. change the size of rooms D. make something in or out Answer: D Question: During winter, the white fur of an arctic fox blends in with the snow. This adaptation is called A. hibernation B. migration C. camouflage D. movement Answer: C
Everybody hates rats. But in the earthquake places 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 the 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, " 'Robot' 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 would 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.) In the earthquake places, rats will become man's best friends because they can _ . A. take the place of man in rescue jobs B. find the positions of people alive who are trapped in buildings C. serve as food for people alive who are trapped in buildings D. send signals for the coming earthquake Answer: B TV talk shows dominate daytime television. And anyone who watches them regularly knows that each one is different in style. But no two shows are more opposite in content, while at the same time standing out above the rest than the Jerry Springer and the Oprah Winfrey shows. Jerry Springer could easily be considered the king of "rubbish talk". The contents on his show are as surprising as possible. For example, the show takes the forever-common talk show titles of love, sex, cheating, and hate to a different level. Clearly, the Jerry Springer show is about the dark side of society, yet people are willing to eat up the troubles of other people's lives. Like Jerry Springer, Oprah Winfrey takes TV talk show to its top, but Oprah goes in the opposite direction. The show is mainly about the improvement of society and the quality of life. Contents are from teaching your children lessons, managing your work week, to getting to know your neighbors. Compared with Oprah, the Jerry Springer looks like poisonous waste being poured into society. Jerry ends every show with a "final word". He makes a small speech about the main idea of the show. Hopefully, this is the part where most people will learn something very valuable. Clear as it is, the Oprah show is not for everyone. The show's main viewers are middle-class Americans. Most of these people have the time, money, and ability to deal with life's tougher problems. The Jerry Springer show, on the other hand, has more of connection with the young adults of society. These are 18-to-21-year-olds whose main troubles in life include love, relationship, sex, money and drugs. They are the ones who see some value and lessons to be learned through the show's exploitation (,). From the passage we can learn that the two talk shows _ . A. are the only ones of their kind B. exploit weaknesses in human nature C. appear at different times of the day D. have their own specific viewers Answer: D Two travelling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was impolite and refused to let the angels stay in the guest room. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold underground room. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem." The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very kind farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their only income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was very angry and asked the older angel, "How could this happen? Why did you not watch out for the cow? The first man had everything, yet you watched over his house," she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you did not help." "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the underground room , I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so greedy and unwilling to share his good fortune, I asked God if I could seal the wall so he couldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I asked God if the angel could take the cow instead. You see, things aren't always what they seem. " Why did the older angel let the farmer's cow die? A. Because God wanted the older angel to take the cow. B. Because she wanted to teach the younger angel a lesson. C. Because she wanted to save the farmer's wife. D. Because she was sympathetic to the rich. Answer: C Hello! I'm an English girl.My first name is Lucy.My last name is White.I'm in No.3 Middle School.My father and mother are in No.3 Middle School, too.They are English teachers.My brother is in Nanchang University .His name is Tony.I have a Chinese teacher.Her name is Wang Yan.She can speak English well.She is a good teacher. There are _ people in my family. A. two B. three C. four D. five Answer: C Undoubtedly there are a few positive characters who are able to "rise above" their environment, who are able to impress the people with whom they come in contact in spite of their clothes. Sometimes we read of some learned woman, who has "made good in her profession," who says that she has not looked in a mirror for years; but such a woman is a rare exception, and one is not safe in gambling with one's chances of success by following her. It is not the positive characters with whom we are concerned, however, for they are few and somehow manage to take care of themselves. The vast majority of the race are not so blessed, and we need to observe but little to realize that with them the reaction of clothes is an important factor. School girls should know that clothes may make a career; happiness and leadership in all the years of high school and college life may be affected by the story a Freshman's clothes tell. Many a girl with a keen mind, who has a natural disregard for clothes, perhaps, or who has not been trained in the appreciation of beauty in clothes, has lost her opportunities for leadership and self-expression which by right her brain power should have given her. One of the mental capacities which we all exercise and yet exercise most unconsciously is that of passing judgment on the people we meet. In a majority of cases the judgment is superficial and inaccurate; but the estimate is made. Some people may not get their final judgment till they hear one talk and will judge one by the tone of voice and by what is said as the true index; but the vast majority will form an opinion based largely, if not entirely, on appearance. One tells the world daily of one's ideals, ambitions or good breeding through dress; and it is told so plainly that "he who runs may read" and, perhaps, he who reads may run. Who is the text intended for? A. Book writers B. Women C. Men D. Fashion designers Answer: B
Weighed down by study? Pushed to the limit by the fast pace of life ? Frightened by the possible war ? Well, you're not alone. Men and women in France are seeking relief using the world's best medicine-----laughter. In the past year, more than 15 laughter clubs have been set up across the country. People of all ages go to release their stress with an hour group laughs. "People telephoned me and said they have forgotten what it is to laugh. They want to find a place where they can escape all their problems for a while. So they come," said 40--year--old Jocelyne Le Moan. She usually takes a class of around 60 people through a series of laughter techniques. Her pupils range from teenagers to 70 years old, but most are middle---aged white collars seeking 60 minutes of relaxation at the end of a busy day. Le Moan takes them through the "Lion Laugh"and the "Laugh Contest", where participants "speak"to each other in different ways. And instead of talking, they break into fits of laughter. At the end there are 15 minutes of "meditation", when they lie on their backs and let the laughs burst out of their mouths. "I love it. It's an experience that has changed my life. Through it I rediscovered the child's laugh inside me,"Said Romain Jouffroy, 24. "US President George W. Bush should give it a try. He has lost his laugh,"she joked . Like Jouffroy, many laughter club members find themselves changed into children again, and why not ? The average preschooler laughs up to 400 times a day. The average adult only a day seven to 15. The physical benefits of laughter are already well--recognized. Doctors say the act of laughing releases good chemicals into the blood--stream, while the quick breathing that accompanies it helps massage the digestive organs and strengthens the heart. "A full hour is like having your inside go jogging!One finishes out of breath, but feels revitalized(. And on top of that , you've had a laugh,"said doctor Alexisd' Estaing.And many participants in Paris also emphasize the psychological benefits. They believe that laughter is a way of making oneself feel more confident. The writer suggested that you should _ . Answer: have a good laugh after a busy day. Susan entered a guilty plea to a charge of embezzlement. Her attorney hired a retired probation officer as a consultant to gather information for the preparation of a sentencing plan for Susan that would avoid jail. For that purpose, the consultant interviewed Susan for three hours. Thereafter, the prosecution undertook an investigation of Susan's possible involvement in other acts of embezzlement. The consultant was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury. The consultant refused to answer any questions concerning her conversation with Susan. The prosecution has moved for an order requiring her to answer those questions. The motion should be Answer: denied, on the basis of the attorney-client privilege. Sleep is a basic human need, as basic as the need for oxygen. Getting a good night's sleep is not only directly related to how we feel the next day, but to our long-term health as well. However, many of us suffer from insomnia . Even more odf us report at least one night of restless sleep per week. This is a serious problem. Well, how can we make sure that we rest well and stay healthy? Here are some suggestions. If you can't sleep in the middle of the night, don't get up. The bright light will affect your body clock and worsen your insomnia. Stay in bed! Avoid short sleep during the day, except for a brief ten to fifteen-minute sleep between 2:00 and 4:00 P.M. Limit your time in bed to the average number of hours you 've actually slept per night last week. Don't try to make up for lost sleep. It can't be done. Get regular exercise each day, but finish at least six hours before bedtime. Exercising in the evening can help keep you awake. Take a hot bath for thirty minutes within two hours of bedtime. The bath will warm you, relax you, and make you feel sleepy. Keep our bedroom dark, quiet, and well ventilated . Keep a regular schedule seven days a week. Avoid sleeping late on weekends. Although it may feel good while you're doing it, sleeping late on weekend can lead to insomnia during the week. Don't drink alcohol . Although, having a drink before bed makes you sleep, alcohol loses its effects after a while. The secondary effects of alcohol can wake you up during the second half of your night's sleep. Keep the face of the clock in your bedroom turned away, and don't find out what time it is when you awaken in the night. The text mainly about _ . Answer: some keys to a better night's sleep Mo Yan was born in 1955, in GaomiCounty inShandongprovince to a family of farmers. Mo was 11 years old when theCultural Revolutionwas launched, at which time he left school to work as a farmer. At the age of 18, he began to work at a cotton factory. During Mo's teenage years, with a series of political campaigns from theGreat Leap Forwardto theCultural Revolutiongoing on, his access to literature was limited to novels in thesocialist realiststyle under Mao Zedong, which centered largely on the themes of class struggle and conflict. At the close of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, Mo joined in the People's Liberation Army(PLA), and began writing while he was still a soldier. He began his career as a writer in thereform and opening upperiod, publishing dozens of short stories and novels in Chinese. His first novel was Falling Rain on a Spring Night, published in 1981. In 1984, he received a literary award from the PLA Magazine, and at the same year he began attending the Military Art Academy, where he first adopted the pen name of Mo Yan. He published his firstnovella , A Transparent Radish in 1984, and released Red Sorghum in 1986, launching his career as a nationally recognized novelist. In 1991, he obtained a master's degree in Literature from Beijing Normal University. "Mo Yan" -- meaning "don't speak" in Chinese -- is his pen name. In an interview, he explained the name came from a warning from his father and mother not to speak his mind while outside, because of China's revolutionary political situation from the 1950s, when he grew up. Mo Yan's Red Sorghum Clan is about the generations of a Shandong family between 1923 and 1976. The author deals with great changes in Chinese history such as the War of Resistance Against Japanese Invasion, theCommunist Revolution, and theCultural Revolution, but in an unusual way, for example from the point of view of the invading Japanese soldiers. His second novel, The Garlic Ballads, is based on a true story of the farmers of Gaomi Township fighting against a government that would not buy its crops. According to the passage, the name "Mo Yan" _ . Answer: might remind him "not to speak his mind" in public places Will you trust your friends if you can't see anything? If you are falling, do you believe they will catch you and help you stand up? Our teacher helped us to get the answer. One day, Mr. Morrie came into the classroom and said he had a game for us to try. He divided us into two groups. One student from the first group, stood in front of us with his eyes closed, and then fell backwards . The second group stood behind him. Before he fell on the floor, they should catch him and not let him get hurt. Most of us were uncomfortable with this. We were afraid that they wouldn't catch us and we would hit the floor. So we didn't move. We just stood there and laughed in embarrassment. Finally, one student, a thin, quiet, dark-haired girl called Sarah, decided to move. She crossed her arms in front of her body, closed her eyes, and slowly fell backwards. She looked quiet but brave. For a moment, I was sure that she was going to fall on the floor. But before she hit the floor, the other students caught her, held her and finally helped her stand up. "Whoa!!" We were all surprised, and also encouraged . The girl was happy, too. Seeing this, Morrie smiled and said to the girl, "When you close your eyes, you can't see anything. You won't feel safe. When you are falling, the feeling gets stronger. You are not sure whether you will hit the cold, hard floor or the warm, soft hands of your friends. But if you are brave enough to trust them, they will not let you down ." What did the writer think of the girl? Answer: Quiet but brave.
When you get up in the morning, do you find it hard to choose what clothes to wear? If so, you probably need help to make the bigger choices in your life, like what to do when you're older. Brave New Girls, by American author Jean Gade-berg, will help you make such choices. It says you must be a brave new girl. A brave new girl is one who is confident, healthy and happy. A brave new girl can realize her dreams. To be brave, you need to make a decision for yourself. Other people may tell you what to do, but you should not listen to them. You must only do what you want. If you always wear clothes like your favourite TV star, you must stop doing so. Instead, become your own star and wear the clothes you want. You have to like your body, it says. If you don't, you will not take good care of it, and it won't stay healthy. The book also says that girls must start becoming more confident. If you are confident, you'll succeed in life. A good way to become confident is to realize that you are as clever as boys. In fact you are. Just look at their grades! Only then can you realize your dreams and become who you want to be. Brave New Girls is a _ . Top 5 Must See Places in Beijing Beijing is an old capital city with a lot of tourists attractions. What is the most representative place in Beijing? The answers are various. Here are the Top 5 Must See Places in Beijing. 1. Forbidden City The Forbidden City is the ideal place for you to begin your exploration of Beijing. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as you have to walk a lot! A multilingual guide recorder is recommended, as it can tell you the stories behind the palace. Opening Hour: 8:30-17:00 Entrance Fee: RMB 60 2. Tian'anmen Square Lying in the heart of Beijing City, it is the place for massive parades and gathering. It boasts of the largest square of such kind in the world. At sunrise and sunset the raising and lowering ceremony of the Chinese National Flag is well worth seeing. Ticket fees: Free Opening Time: Whole Day 3. Great Wall Most of the sections of the Great Wall in Beijing are well-preserved, and the most famous section is Badaling. For the Great Wall hiking, get ready for strong footwear. For hot weather, please also prepare sunblock, sunglasses and water. Badaling Great Wall: Ticket Fees: RMB40 (Nov. 01 to Mar. 31); RMB 45 (Apr. 01 to Oct. 31) Open Hours: 6:40 to 18:30 4. Summer Palace Regarded as the largest imperial garden in China, the Summer Palace is in fact a park-styled royal retreat. With masterly design and artistic architecture integrating the highlight of Chinese garden arts, it has earned a title of "Royal Garden Museum". Open Time: 6:30-20:30 Ticket Fee: RMB 40 (low season) / RMB 50 (peak season during the holidays) 5. Temple of Heaven The Temple of Heaven worked as sacrificial compound buildings for the Ming and Qing emperors. What's the intriguing by-production of the temple is that if you enter the Temple of Heaven in the early morning, you can find many people doing all types of Kungfu, Taiji, dancing and other morning exercises. Open Time: 6:00-21:00 Ticket Fee: RMB 35 According to the passage, tourists are recommended to use a multilingual guide recorder when visiting _ . There are rolling hills and ivy-covered brick buildings. There are small classrooms, high-tech labs, and green fields. There's even a clock tower with a massive bell that rings for special events. Cushing Academy has all the characteristics of a New England school, with one exception. This year, after having had a collection of more than 20,000 books, officials have decided the 144-year-old school no longer needs a traditional library. They have decided to give away all their books. The future, they believe, is digital. "When I look at books, I see an outdated technology," said James Tracy, headmaster of Cushing. "We're not discouraging students from reading. We see this as a natural way to shape emerging trends and use technology. Instead of a traditional library, we're building a virtual library where students will have access to millions of books on the computer. We see this as a model for the 21st-century school." _ . Liz Vezina, a librarian at Cushing for 17 years, said she never imagined working as the director of a library without any books. "It makes me mad," said Vezina, who has made a career of introducing students to books. "I'm going to miss them, and there's something lost when they are done on a computer. There's sensual side to them -- the smell, the feel, the physicality of a book is something really special." Cushing is one of the first schools in the country to give up its books. William Powers, author of a book called the changes at Cushing "radical " and "a huge loss for students". "There are modes of learning and thinking that at the moment are only available from actual books," he said. "There is a kind of deep-dive reading that's almost impossible to do on a screen. Without books, students are more likely to do the quick reading that screens enable, rather than be by themselves with the author's ideas." What is special about Cushing Academy? After killing Osama Bin Laden and dropping his body into the ocean to avoid causing more hatred fro, the Muslims , the American government recently released a video of Osama Bin Laden living in his safe house watching TV , which has been viewed millions of times . The following are comments made by viewers . A. Yeah , Osama got what he deserved , Iraq got what they deserved , and Afghanistan got what they deserved . Saddam got what he deserved , Hitler got what he deserved . The list goes on & on . B. I hate saying this but is believe America deserved 9/11 ... They have screwed up so many governments .... C. I'm American and I and my brother suspected the whole story about dropping him into the ocean . We feel if they really killed him they would keep his body for proof . D. All you Islamic haters are ignorant fools . The terrorists don't have anything to do with the religion . They say they are part of the Islamic Religion but they are not . Nuking ( kill somebody with nuclear bombs ) Pakistan will do nothing by the way . E. Please give me the 2 minutes of my life back that I watched your pointless and fake video . F. Man ? Why is this video fake ? Rather than shouting about how it's obviously not Osama , why not provide the arguments for it instead of coming off as if you simply want to deny it for the sake of denial . G. What a load of nonsense , an _ to any intelligent person , Bin Laden dead for ages ... watch Benazir Bhutto say so on YouTube a week before she herself was murdered . The Muslims murdered her for being an American spy ! H. I honestly don't know what to believe , but ... why did the terrorists confirm his death if it didn't happen . . Which of the following is TRUE ? Everything has a name.All people,places,and things have names.For example,Jenny is the name of a student from England.England is the name of a country.Cities and towns have names,too.Schools and office buildings also have names.For example,tomato,potato and bean are names of vegetables.Apple,orange,and banana are names of fruit.Names are important.We use names every day.When we meet a new person,we usually ask,"What's your name?"It's important to learn a person's name.Most people have two names.Some people have more names.Names are different all over the world.In Jenny's class.Jenny must learn the names of the students from all over the world.This is very difficult because the names are very different. In the United States,most people have a first name,a middle name and a last name.Parents choose the first and middle names for their babies.There are names for boys and names for girls.The last name is the family name.Usually it is the father's family name.In a family,the mother, the father, and the children usually have the same last name. Sometimes a person has a _ ,too.A nickname is a special name.It's not a person's real name.Abraham Lincoln's nickname was"Honest Abe".An honest person always tells the truth,and Abe is short for Abraham.Because he was an honest person.his nickname was Honest Abe.Pele is a nickname,too.The football player's real name is Edison Aeraesde Nascimento,but everyone calls him Pele.Do you have a nickname? Names are different all over the world.They can be long or short.but they are always very important What is Jenny?
If you're into sports , you 've seen it happen -----tennis players jump over the net to shake hands after a hard match ;football players exchange jerseys after 90 minutes of knocking each other around ;even boxer touch gloves at the beginning of each round .Players in every event ,from spelling _ to golf ,act in this way .It's all parts of sportsmanship , A great tradition in sports and competition .It means playing and being calm all through the match . Everyone feels great when they win .In the last few years ,your may see some players celebrate a goal with a long dance .However , it's always hard for people to say in public that they made a bad play .Good sportsmanship is what they really need .It's the golden rule of sports . Good sportsmanship means that you play by the rules ,talk politely to every during games and stay cool even when you lose the game .At the school sports meet, for example , it's more important for you to know how to work as part of a team and cheer your team on .hey may help you enjoy more success at your future work .In competition---as us in life--you may not always win ,but believe me ,sportsmanship will help you get through , and there is always the next match . Why do you think good sportsmanship is really important ? A It's all part of sports . B It's all part of celebration . C It's the golden rule of sports . D It's how to stay cool . Answer: C. It's the golden rule of sports . Nuclear power's danger to health, safety, and even life itself can be summed up in one word: radiation. Nuclear radiation has a certain mystery about it, partly because it cannot be detected by human senses. It can't be seen or heard, or touched or tasted, even though it may be all around us. There are other things like that. For example, radio waves are all around us but we can't detect them, sense them, without a radio receiver. Similarly, we can't sense radioactivity without a radiation detector. But unlike common radio waves, nuclear radiation is not harmless to human beings and other living things. At very high levels, radiation can kill an animal or human being immediately by killing masses of cells in vital organs. But even the lowest levels can do serious damage. There is no levels of radiation that is completely safe. If the radiation does not hit anything important, the damage may not be serious. This is the case when only a few cells are hit, and if they are killed immediately. Your body will replace the dead cells with healthy ones. But if the few cells are only damaged, and if they reproduce themselves, you may be in trouble. They can grow into cancer. Sometimes this does not show up for many years. This is another reason for some of the mystery about nuclear radiation. Serious damage can be done without the victim being aware at the time that damage has occurred. A person can be irradiated and feel fine, then die for cancer five, ten, or twenty years later as a result. Or a child can be born weak as a result of radiation absorbed by its grandparents. Radiation can hurt us. We must know the truth. How can nuclear radiation kill an animal? A By damaging its heart. B By killing a few cells. C By killing many cells in important organs. D By hitting any place in its body. Answer: C. By killing many cells in important organs. Jack London was a famous American writer. He was born on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco, California. His family was very poor, and Jack had to leave school to make money.He worked hard in many different jobs. Later, Jack returned to school, but he didn't stay. He wrote," Life and pocketbook were both too short. " In 1897, he went to Alaska to find gold. Instead, he found ideas there for his books and stories. He returned home and started to write. His writings were successful, and he became rich and famous in his twenties. Jack London was not a happy man, however. In poor health, he took his own life in 1916. He was only 40 years old. Which of the following sentences is true? A Jack died in Alaska. B Jack was born in London. C Jack found gold in Alaska. D Jack was a successful writer, but he didn't live happily. Answer: D. Jack was a successful writer, but he didn't live happily. Once upon a time, there was a man who was so famous that everyone in his country knew him. One day, the famous man was sitting in a restaurant with his sister. "It must be great to be famous. Everyone tries to please you, and you can do whatever you want to," said his sister. "It's quite the opposite sometimes, in fact. Because I'm famous, I can't do what I want to," he denied. "But look, we're sitting at the best table and eating the best food. We couldn't sit here and eat this if you weren't famous," said his sister. "I'll show you what I mean," said he. The next day, the famous man picked up his sister and took her to another country. "I'm not at all famous here," he said. "Let's see how we get on." Soon they found a restaurant, but it was very busy, so they had to queue. "This wouldn't have happened if you were famous," said his sister, but the famous man just smiled. When they finally got a table, it took the waiter years to bring what they ordered. And the food supposed to be hot was cold, and the food supposed to be cold was hot! Eventually, the famous man couldn't stand any more and asked to see the manager. "This food is awful. We had to wait an hour for a seat, and the service is also very poor. Look, even my spoon is dirty!" Showing his horribly yellow teeth, the manager, smiling, said, "Well, that's just bad luck for you." "Don't you know who I am?" asked the famous man. "I've no idea," replied the manager. So the famous man and his sister ran away, without paying. The passage is written mainly _ . A to describe famous people's life B to explain the importance of being famous C to show how to deal with problems in a restaurant D to show that famous people are watched more Answer: D. to show that famous people are watched more Whether you're up for a Crocodile Dundee's adventure or you'd just like a taste of the Australian sun, the beaches in and around Sydney can offer you all that and more. Sydney Beach Sydney Beach is located at Sydney's northernmost tip on an extension of land ending at Palm Beach. Before checking out the golden sand, take a quick tour of the houses of millionaires from the art and film industries. Palm Beach Only about an hour from downtown Sydney, Palm Beach offers a long stretch of clean sand and water. With parking near the center of the beach, that leaves the rest of it as a peaceful location with a _ population, from which you can go surfing but take care -- without the huge crowds of other Sydney's beaches, Palm Beach doesn't afford quite the safety level to be found elsewhere. Volunteer lifesavers are on duty only on weekends and holidays. Bondi Beach For the famous beach, Bondi Beach has to be your choice. Parking is difficult to find even on slow days, so consider taking public transport to this world--known beach in the eastern Sydney suburbs. Easily reachable by taxi, bus, and rail, Bondi Beach offers sun bathing, swimming, snorkeling, and all sorts of water sports fun. If you're in the mood for a bit of exercise, two scenic coastal walks will afford you great views and sights along the shore. Take in views from Mackenzie's Point. It starts at Bondi and heads south to Bronte Beach. But don't try to swim in Mackenzie's Bay -- it holds dangers such as hidden rocks. Bronte Beach Your second choice for a scenic coastal walk covers a few miles and takes you from Bronte Beach to Waverly Cemetery, where many famous Australians are buried, including the poet Henry Lawson. What's the purpose of the text? A It aims to show the scenery of the beaches in and around Sydney. B It aims to introduce the culture and customs in and around Sydney. C It aims to show the activities on the beaches in and around Sydney. D It aims to attract the visitors to the beaches in and around Sydney. Answer: D. It aims to attract the visitors to the beaches in and around Sydney.
Many French teachers and parents complain that their kids are less bright than they were. They say young people visit museums less often and spend too much time on the Internet. They only read comics and listen to music, and like American culture more than their own. But is this true? A recent survey shows that many French kids spend their time as other kids always have. Most French teens love music, with 86% putting it as their top hobby, above the cinema, sport and television. French kids read a lot and like different things, from Japanese cartoons to American novels. Many French people worry that their children watch too many American films and listen to too much American music. But the results of this survey show that French young people like their own culture. As Silvia Berlin, a student from Paris, says, " _ " Most French teens' top hobby is _ . Answer: Editors/Designers Wanted China Daily,a national English newspaper,is looking for English language senior editors/designers. Senior Business Editor You must: * assist the Business editor in setting goals and working on achieving them; * be an excellent team person who can come up with ideas and think creatively,be able to rewrite totally if needed and advise junior workers; * be working or have worked in a leading position and understand what leadership means; * have had at least five years' editing experience and be familiar with industry software. Business Copy-editor You must: * work on shifts in the Business Desk and usually have the last word before the page is sent to print; * edit or rewrite copy and give brief headlines and captions ; * have had at least two years' editing experience and be familiar with industry software. Copy-editor You must: * be good at editing or rewriting copy and writing brief headlines and captions; * be able to work on shifts for different pages, and usually have the last word before the page is sent to print; * have two years of editing experience and be familiar with industry software. Senior Graphic Designer Yon must: * have excellent skills in information graphics; * be good with illustrations and freehand drawings; * be experienced in newspaper or magazine designs; * have a good sense of typography ; * have good news judgment. If hired,you will be offered a competitive salary package,a room with furniture paid for,90 percent medical reimbursement ,seven days of paid leave,11 public holidays and a return ticket to your native land. If you are employed by the China Daily newspaper group,you can _ . Answer: Elizabeth jumped right out of bed on Saturday morning. Today was the day her father was going to take her and her sister, Rebecca, to the zoo. Her mother made them biscuits and eggs for breakfast. The two girls were too excited to sit still. They didn't even watch any cartoons before they left for the zoo in the car. The first thing they saw was a zoo worker carrying a pail of fish. He was going to feed the penguins. The penguins looked funny walking on land but were very fast swimmers in the water. Next, the girls ran to where the pandas live. The pandas were playing by rolling down the hill. After watching the pandas, the girls and their father moved to where the lions were. One lion was asleep on his back but the others were in a circle eating some meat. It did not look tasty. The girls didn't want to watch this any more so they walked to where the zebras were eating grass. Rebecca thought it would be fun to ride one like a horse. Who made breakfast? Answer: There is a famous story about British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He was writing a poem when he was interrupted by a knock at the door. This was an age before telephones. Someone was delivering a message. When Coleridge got back to his poem, he had lost his inspiration. His poetic mood had been broken by the knock on his door. His unfinished poem, which could otherwise have been a masterpiece, would now never be more than a fragment. This story tells how unexpected communication can destroy an important thought, which bring us to the cellphone. The most common complaint about cellphones is that people talk on them to the annoyance of people around them. But more damaging may be the cellphone's interruption of our thoughts. We have already entered a golden age of little white lies about our cellphones, and this is by and large a healthy, protective development. "I didn't hear it ring" or "I didn't realize my phone had shut off" are among the lies we tell to give ourselves space where we're beyond reach. The notion of being unreachable is not a new concept--we have "Do Not Disturb" sign on the doors of hotel rooms. So why must we feel guilty when it comes to cellphones? Why must we apologize if we decide to shut off the phone for a while? Now time alone, or a conversation with someone next to us which cannot be interrupted by a phone, is something to be cherished. Even cellphone devotees , myself usually included, can't help at times wanting to throw their phone away, or curse the day they were invented. But we don't and won't, and there really is no need. All that's required to take back our private time is a general social recognition that we have the right to it. In other words, we have to develop a healthy contempt for the rings of our own phones. A cellphone call deserves no greater priority than a random word from the person next to us,though the call on my cellphone may be the one-in-a-million from Steven Spielberg--who has finally read my novel and wants to make it his next movie. But most likely it is not, and I'm better off thinking about the idea I just had for a new story, or the slice of pizza I'll eat for lunch. According to the author, what is the most annoying problem caused by cellphones? Answer: When a cold front moves over a land region that has warm, moist air, a transfer of energy occurs. Cold air sinks and pushes warmer air upward. As energy is removed from the air, which change will most likely take place? Answer:
Ridgewood is a small, quiet town 20 miles from Manhattan. It is a typical suburban town, perfect for raising children away from the fast pace of the city. However, some Ridgewood kids feel as upset as if they were on the city's busy streets. In addition to hours of homework, Ridgewood's children are occupied with afterschool activities -- from swimming to piano to religious classes. Out of desperation one day, the town decided to schedule another activity. This one was called "Ridgewood Family Night -- Ready, Set, Relax!" Instead of schedules filled with sports, music, or overtime at the office, some of the town's 25,000 residents decided to take the night off and stay home. For a few months before Family Night, a committee of volunteers worked hard to spread the word. Younger students took "Save the Date for Me" leaflets home to their parents. The mayor issued a statement, and schools and clubs agreed to cancel homework and meetings so families could relax and be together. The tension between a hope for a more relaxed lifestyle and the knowledge that the benchmark for success has been raised in recent years weighs heavily on the minds of the townspeople. Some parents like to recall a different kind of childhood, one without so many scheduled afterschool activities. However, these same parents feel obliged to make sure their children are prepared to survive in today's high-pressure work environment. They are afraid that any gap in their children's physical or intellectual development might mean they won't be admitted to the "right" universities and won't succeed in a more and more competitive world. Nevertheless, it seems that Family Night worked, at least to a point. Cars moved easily around Ridgewood's normally busy downtown streets, and stores and restaurants saw a drop in business. Some families ate supper together for the first time in months. Initially, there was great hope of taking back their lives. But sadly, few families believe that one night will change their lives. Many are sure that they will fall back into the habit of over-scheduling their children to be overachieving adults. We may get the conclusion from the passage that _ . Answer: The sun is shining when I get on No. 151 bus. We passengers sit jammed together in heavy clothes. No one speaks. That's one of the unwritten rules of Chicago _ . Although we see the same faces every day, we prefer to hide behind our newspapers. The phenomenon is striking: people who sit so close together are using those thin sheets of newsprint to keep their distance. As the bus approaches the Magnificent Mile, a voice suddenly rings out: "Attention! Attention!" Papers rattle . Necks crane . "This is your driver speaking." We look at the back of the driver's head. His voice has authority. "All of you put your papers down." The papers come down, an inch at a time. The driver waits. The papers are folded and placed on our laps. "Now, turn and face the person next to you. Go ahead." Amazingly, we all do it. Still, no one smiles. I face an older woman, her head wrapped tightly in a red scarf. I see her nearly every day. Our eyes meet. We wait, unblinking, for the next order from the driver. "Now, repeat after me..." It is a command, delivered in the tones of a drill sergeant . "Good morning, neighbor!" Our voices are weak and timid. For many of us, these are the first words we have spoken today. But we say them at the same time, like schoolchildren, to the strangers beside us. We smile and can't help it. We have said it; the barrier has been broken. Good morning, neighbor. It is not so hard after all. Some of us repeat it. Others shake hands. Many laugh. The bus driver says nothing more. He doesn't need to. Not a single newspaper goes back up. I hear laughter, a warm sound I have never heard before on bus No. 151. This day is starting off better than most. On hearing the sudden utterance of "Attention!", the passengers _ . Answer: Once upon a time all feelings went to an island for a vacation, and each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of a strong storm was announced ,so all rushed to their boats. Yet, Love did not wish to run away quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realized it was time to leave. But there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope. Just then Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love shouted, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you." Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful boat for help, But Vanity said with a cold voice, "No, I can't take you with me. My boat will get dirty with your mummy feet." Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was useless. "No, I can't take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself." When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it hardly concerned about anyone else. Love was growing restless and hopeless. Just then somebody called out, "Come, Love, I will take you with me." Love did not know who was being so kind, but jumped onto the boat happily. After getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Love asked, "Knowledge, do you know who was so kind to give me a lift when no one else wished to help?" Knowledge smiled, "Oh, that was Time," "Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is." What can we learn from the passage? Answer: A long time ago, my grandma and grandpa lived in a house with a big front yard. They planted lots of vegetables and flowers in the yard. They worked hard to keep the garden growing. All summer long, the family ate food from the garden and enjoyed the flowers. Years passed. It became harder for them to keep up the garden. So they made it a little smaller. Then one summer Grandpa died. It was a lonely winter for Grandma. It was hard for her to care for the garden alone. When spring came, she planted just a few vegetables and flowers. One day in the early summer, Grandma heard big noises in the yard. She looked out of the window and saw thousands of bees. What could she do? Should she _ someone to get rid of the bees? But that would cost more than she could afford. She decided to wait. Over the next few days, the bees were busy with their own business. Grandma decided the bees wouldn't bother anyone, so she didn't give them another thought. That summer, Grandma's little garden grew and grew. The neighbors would stop to admire the big crop of vegetables and the lovely flowers. One day, Grandma's brother visited. As Grandma made him delicious squash pan cakes , she told him about the bees. Frank said, "Farmers often hire beekeepers to set up beehives . The bees, pollinate the crops and help them to grow." "So that's why my garden is doing so well!" Grandma exclaimed . After that, she believed that Grandpa had sent the bees to take his place and make Grandma's little garden grow and grow... What did Grandma think of the bees at first? Answer: Tens of thousands of ancient pictures carved into the rocks at one of France's most important tourist sites are being gradually destroyed. Scientists and researchers fear that the 36,000 drawings on rocks in Mont Bego in the French Alps are being damaged so rapidly that they will not survive for future generations. The mountain, believed to have once been a site for prayer, is scattered with 4,000-year-old drawings cut into bare rock. They include pictures of cows with horns, cultivated fields and various gods and goddesses. But as the popularity of the site increases, the pictures are being ruined by thoughtless graffiti . Jean Clottes is the chairman of the International Committee on Rock Art. He says, "People think that because the pictures have been there so long they will always continue to be there. But if the damage continues at this rate there will be nothing left in 50 years." He describes seeing tourists stamping on the drawings, wearing away the rock and definition of the artwork as they do so. Some visitors, he says, even cut off parts to take home as souvenirs. "When people think they can't take a good enough photograph, they rub the drawings to get a clearer picture," he said. "The drawings are polished by the weather, and if the sun is shining and the visitors can't see them properly they simply rub them to make them look fresher." Other researchers describe how people arrive carrying long sticks with sharp ends to scratch their own drawings, or even their names, in the rocks. But experts are divided over the best way to preserve the drawings. Henry de Lumley, director of the Museum of Natural History in Paris, believes that the only way to save the site is to turn the whole mountain into a "no-go" area, preventing the public from going there except on guided tours. Otherwise, he says, not only will the site be completely destroyed but important research work will be reduced. Clottes disagrees, "The measure suggested by Henry de Lumley is the most severe, and while it is the most effective, it is also certain to bring about protests from people who live there," he said. "The site was classified as a historic monument years ago by the Ministry of Culture, and we must do as much as possible to save what is there." David Lavergne, the regional architect, also wants to avoid closing the site. "Henry de Lumley's idea isn't ideal," he said. "Our department feels that the best solution is to let people look at the site, but because the area is very big it is difficult to prevent visitors from damaging it. I would prefer that everyone was able to look at it, but the main problem is money. We do not have the funds to employ the necessary number of guards. We may have to consider charging a fee. It doesn't seem to be possible to get the government support." In Nice, Annie Echassoux, who also worked on researching the site, is alarmed that as the mountain becomes easier to reach -- tourists can now avoid the three-and-a-half-hour walk by hiring vehicles -- the damage will increase rapidly. She thinks that the only solution is to rope off the area and provide guides. "You can't say the plan can't go ahead because there is no money," she said. "That is not good enough. Money must be provided because the Ministry of Culture has classified this area as a historic site. If we don't take steps, we will be responsible for losing the drawings for the next generation." Jean Clottes says that people who visit the mountain _ . Answer:
About 21,000 young people in 17 American states do not attend classes in school buildings. Instead, they receive their elementary and high school education by working at home on computers.The Center for Education Reform says the United States has 67 public "cyberschools."and that is about twice as many as two years ago. The money for students to attend a cyberschool comes from the governments of the states where they live. Some educators say cyberschools receive money that should support traditional public schools. They also say it is difficult to know if students are learning well. Other educators praise this new form of education for letting students work at their own speed. These people say cyberschools help students who were unhappy or unsuccessful in traditional schools. They say learning at home by computer ends long bus rides for children who live far from school. Whatever the judgement of cyberschools,they are getting more and more popular. For example, a new cyberschool called Commonwealth Connections Academy will take in students this fall. It will serve children in the state of Pennsylvania from ages five through thirteen. Children get free equipment for their online education. This includes a computer,a printer,books and technical services. Parents and students talk with teachers by telephone or by sending emails through their computers when necessary. Students at cyberschools usually do not know one another. But 56 such students who finished studies at Western Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School recently met for the first time. They were guests of honor at their graduation. What do we know from the text about students of a cyberschool? A. They have to take long bus rides to school. B. They study at home rather than in classrooms. C. They receive money from traditional public schools. D. They do well in traditional school programs. Answer: B. They study at home rather than in classrooms. Wastrel, a notorious spendthrift who was usually broke for that reason, received the following letter from his Uncle Bullion, a wealthy and prudent man: "I understand you're in financial difficulties again. I promise to give you $5,000 on your birthday next month, but you'd better use it wisely or you'll never get another dime from me." Wastrel thereupon signed a contract with a car dealer to purchase a $40,000 automobile and to make a $5,000 down payment on the day after his birthday. If Wastrel sues Bullion for $5,000 after the latter learned of the car-purchase contract and then repudiated his promise, which of the following is Bullion's best defense? A. A promise to make a gift in the future is not enforceable. B. Reliance by the promisee on a promise to make a future gift does not make the promise enforceable unless the value of the promised gift is substantially equivalent to the promisee's loss by reliance. C. Reliance by the promisee on a promise to make a future gift does not make the promise enforceable unless that reliance also results in an economic benefit to the promisor. D. Reliance by the promisee on a promise to make a future gift does not make the promise enforceable unless injustice can be avoided only by such enforcement. Answer: D. Reliance by the promisee on a promise to make a future gift does not make the promise enforceable unless injustice can be avoided only by such enforcement. Surprisingly, no one knows how many children receive education in English hospitals, still less the content or quality of that education. Proper records are just not kept. We know that more than 850,000 children go through hospital each year, and that every child of school age has a legal right to continue to receive education while in hospital. We also know there is only one hospital teacher to every 1,000 children in hospital. Little wonder the latest survey concludes that the extent and type of hospital teaching available differ a great deal across the country. It is found that half the hospitals in England which admit children have no teacher. A further quarter have only a part-time teacher. The special children's hospitals in major cities do best; general hospitals in the country and holiday areas are worst off. From this survey, one can estimate that fewer than one in five children have some contact with a hospital teacher--and that contact may be as little as two hours a day. Most children interviewed were surprised to find a teacher in hospital at all. They had not been prepared for it by parents or their own school. If there was a teacher they were much more likely to read books and do math or number work; without a teacher they would only play games. Reasons for hospital teaching range from preventing a child falling behind and maintaining the habit of school to keeping a child occupied, and the latter is often all the teacher can do. The position and influence of many teachers was summed up when parents referred to them as "the library lady" or just "the helper". Children tend to rely on concerned school friends to keep in touch with school work. Several parents spoke of requests for work being ignored or refused by the school. Once back at school children rarely get extra teaching, and are told to catch up as best they can. Many short-stay child-patients catch up quickly. But schools do very little to ease the anxiety about falling behind expressed by many of the children interviewed. We can conclude from the passage that the author is _ . A. unfavorable towards children receiving education in hospitals B. in favor of the present state of teaching in hospitals C. unsatisfied with the present state of hospital teaching D. satisfied with the results of the latest survey Answer: C. unsatisfied with the present state of hospital teaching Jonathan places a pot of water on a stove. As the water boils, how does the state of the water change? A. from gas to liquid B. from liquid to gas C. from liquid to solid D. from solid to liquid Answer: B. from liquid to gas In which two parts of the water cycle does water absorb energy? A. condensation and evaporation B. precipitation and condensation C. melting and evaporation D. evaporation and precipitation Answer: C. melting and evaporation
Police today stepped up a murder probe after a father was killed by a gang. They attacked him with an axe. John Purcell, 40, suffered fatal injuries in the incident in Easterhouse,prefix = st1 /Glasgowon Saturday evening... moments after he had said goodbye to his children. His youngest son John, 11, was being comforted by his mum Elizabeth Malcolm after witnessing the street horror. The father-of-three was attacked around 10:30 inEasterhouse Road. Young John said, "My father was struck from behind with something that looked like a chopper." John, his sister Danielle, 15, and bother William, 19, have been left _ and placed a floral tribute at the attack scene in memory of their dad. Elizabeth Malcolm said, "We are all in shock about what had happened. When he left here he usually turned left down the road, but for some reason on Saturday he went in the opposite direction which is where the gang members always hang out." "We have been apart for a number of years, but John always remained close to his children and this has hit them hard," she said. Police officers initially sealed off the area for forensic examination but later allowed his s to lay flowers. Following a post-mortem , Mr. Purcell's death is being treated as murder. He had been taken by ambulance to GlasgowRoyalHospitalbut died from his severe injuries. Detective Chief Inspector John Riggans, who is leading the investigation, appealed for witnesses to come forward and said, "Inquiries are at an early stage and we are trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack scene for the moment." What can we infer from the passage? John, as well as his sister and brother, loved John Purcell deeply. Hello! My name is Mark Brown. I am in Shanghai, China now. I am a student in a middle school. I like green and blue. I have a blue cup. I have two friends. One is Liu Wei, a girl, and one is Fang Jun, a boy. Liu Wei's telephone number is 6523-4476. She has a black jacket and she likes it. Fang Jun has no phone. His QQ number is 80123354. He has a jacket, too. He likes yellow. He has a yellow ruler and a yellow pen. . Mark has _ friends. two We humans can play the piano . of course we play the piano with our ten fingers . But Teotronica can play with its 19 fingers . Teotronica is not a human . It is a robot . It is a special robot which can play the piano like humans . Nattei Suzzi is the inventor of Teotronica . Matteo Suzzi comes from Italy and he is more than thirty years old . He was interested in science when he was young . He always likes to use his head to create amazing things . He spent four years making the musical robot . He made the piano-playing robot at a cost of about 4,700 dollars . Teotronica is a special and great robot . It has more fingers than humans . It plays the piano faster than a human . Teotronica can sing as well when it plays the piano . It is the first robot to do so and many people feel excited to see it ,. Teotronica can even use its eyes to interact with humans because there are cameras in its eyes .Teotronica is amazing , isn't it ? How can Teotronica interact with humans ? By using its eyes . Have you ever had travel problems because your airplane was late? It is a common problem and it is getting worse. Airport delays make people angry and cost the country billions in lost work time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the government agency that oversees air travel. They studied the problem of airline delays. They found eleven major problems and suggested eleven ways to fix them. Some of the problems are caused because different regions of the country do things differently. The regions don't talk to each other enough. Some of them need new computers. Also, more planes are flying. A strong economy has more people using airplanes to get around. Airplanes are a form of mass transportation now, like trains and buses were in the past. More planes in the airport cause delays. The airport in San Francisco is a good example. It is growing fast. Many people go through San Francisco to get to other places around the world. Ron Wilson of the San Francisco International Airport says, "If you've got 18 flights that all want to take off at 8:00 am and you're on the 18thplane in line, you're going to be 40 minutes late." Weather is another main reason for delays. Weather causes about 70% of delays. Fog or freezing rain can cause delays. The first thing the FAA wants to do is take control away from the regions during heavy traffic times and bad weather. A national center would make decisions on things that affect the whole country. The FAA also wants to put more distance between planes in the sky when the weather is bad. This rule could cause even more delays. The FAA knows that their solutions will not solve the problems with airport delays. But, they hope to make things better. There are just too many planes, too few traffic controllers, and not enough new technology. From the passage we can infer that _ . safety rules during bad weather may cause more delays With both hands resting on top of the steering wheel, Oshima looks over at me: "That's where you will be living now, Kafka. In the room where Miss Saeki used to spend time with her boyfriend. As I said, there is some change to the library, but it's the very same room. " Silence on my part. "Miss Saeki's life stopped at age 20,when her lover died. No, maybe not age 20, maybe much earlier... I don't know the details, but you need to know of this. The hands of the clock inside her soul stopped then. Time outside, of course, flows on as always, but she isn't affected by it. For her, what we consider normal time is meaningless." "Meaningless?" Oshima nods. "Like it doesn't exist. " "What you're saying is Miss Saeki still lives in that frozen time?" "Exactly. When you get to know her better you'll understand." Oshima reaches out and lays a hand on my knee on a totally natural gesture. "Kafka,in everybody's life there's a point of no return. And in a very few cases, a point where you can't go forward any more. And when you reach that point, all we can do is quietly accept the fact. That's how we survive." We're about to get onto the main highway. "There's one other thing I'd like you to know of," he goes on. "Miss Saeki has a wounded heart. To some degree that's true of all of us. But Miss Saeki has a special wound that goes beyond the usual meaning of the term. Her soul moves in mysterious ways. I'm not saying she's dangerous-don't get me wrong. On a day-to-day level she's certainly got her act together, probably more than anyone else I know. She's attractive, deep, smart. But just don't let it worry you if you notice something strange about her sometimes." "Strange?" I can't help asking. Oshima shakes his head. "I really like Miss Saeki, and respect her. I'm sure you'll come to feel the same way." This doesn't really answer my question, but Oshima doesn't say anything. We can infer from the passage that_. Saeki carries only the memory of a childhood lover that death took away from her
Now, it may be difficult to predict the future, but many people believe that we will live on Mars by the year 2100. Our own planet, Earth, is becoming more and more crowed and polluted. Well, what problems will we need to solve before we prepare to go to Mars? First of all, transport should be much better. At present, humans need to spend months going to Mars by spaceship. However, by 2100, spaceship can travel at half the speed of light. It might take us two or three days to get there! Secondly, humans need food, water and air to live. Scientists should develop plants that can be grown on Mars. These plants will produce the food, water and air that we need. However, there is no answer for all the problems now. There is also a problem for us to live on Mars. Mars attracts us much less than the Earth does. This will be dangerous because we could easily jump too high and fly slowly away into space there. We will have to wear special shoes to make ourselves heavier. In some ways, life on Mars may not be better than that on the earth today. Food will not be the same --meals will probably be in the form of pills and will not be as delicious as they are today. Also, space travel will probably make many people feel very uncomfortable. According to the passage, which of the following is wrong? A A special plant which can produce water, air and food should be needed on Mars. B We may go to Mars when transport is much better and faster.. C We can jump higher than on the earth on Mars. D Food on Mars will be much better to eat. Answer: D. Food on Mars will be much better to eat. A statute of the state of Tuscarora made it a misdemeanor to construct any building of more than five stories without an automatic fire sprinkler system. A local construction company built a 10-story federal office building in Tuscarora. It constructed the building according to the precise specifications of a federal contract authorized by federal statutes. Because the building was built without the automatic fire sprinkler system required by state law, Tuscarora decided to prosecute the private contractor. Which of the following is the company's strongest defense to that prosecution? A The state sprinkler requirement denies the company property or liberty without due process. B The state sprinkler requirement denies the company equal protection of the laws C As applied, the state sprinkler requirement violates the supremacy clause. D As applied, the state sprinkler requirement violates the obligation of contracts clause. Answer: C. As applied, the state sprinkler requirement violates the supremacy clause. Mice, rabbits, bobcats, and squirrels all live in a brush ecosystem. Which animal would have the most difficult time surviving if the population of the other three animals continued to decrease? A mouse B squirrel C bobcat D rabbit Answer: C. bobcat Our company, Eastern Energy, is here to help and provide you with personal advice on any matters connected with your bill or any other questions about your gas and electricity supply. Moving Home Please give us as much notice as possible if you are moving home, but at least 48 hours required for us to make the necessary arrangements for your gas and electricity supply. Please telephone our 24-hour line at 0131 6753 219 with details of your move. In most cases we are happy to accept your meter reading on the day you move. Meter Reading Eastern Energy uses various types of meter ranging from the traditional dial meters to new technology digital display meters. Always read the meter from left to right, ignoring any red dials. If you require assistance, contact our 24-hour line at 0600 7310 310. Energy Efficiency Line If you would like advice on the efficient use of energy, please call our Energy Efficiency Line at 0995 7625 513. Please do not use this number for any other enquiries . Special Services Passwords-you can choose a password so that, whenever we visit you at home, you will know it is us. If you want more information, please ring our helpline at 0995 7290 290. If you need help or advice with any issues, please contact us at 0131 6440 188. Complaints We hope you will never have a problem or cause to complain, but, if you do, please contact our complaints handling team at PO Box, Stanfield, ST55 6GF or telephone us at 0131 6753 270. Supply Failure If you experience any problems with your electricity supply, please call free at 0600 7838 836, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. According to the passage, which of the following is true? A You are not expected to read your own gas or electricity meters. B It is now cheaper to use gas than electricity as a form of heating. C You are not charged for the call when you report supply failure. D You should inform Eastern Energy of a change of address on arrival at your new home. Answer: C. You are not charged for the call when you report supply failure. In the United States 84 colleges now accept just women. Most of them were established in the 19th century; they were designed to offer women the education they could not receive anywhere else. At that time major universities and colleges accepted only men. In the past 20 years many young women have chosen to study at colleges that accept both men and women. As a result some women's colleges decided to accept men students too. Others, however, refused to change. Now these schools are popular again The president of Trinity College in Washington, D. C. said that by the end of the 1980s women began to recognize that studying at the same school with men did not mean women were having an equal chance to learn. The president of Smith College in Massachusetts says a women's college permits women to choose classes and activities freely. For example, she says that in a women's college a higher percentage of students studies mathematics than in a college with both men and women. Educational experts say men students in the United States usually speak in class more than women students do. In a women's college, women feel free to say what they think. Women's schools also bring out leadership capabilities in many women. Women are represented everywhere. For example, at a women's college every governing office is held by a woman. Recent studies reportedly show this leadership continues after college. The studies show that American women who went to women's colleges are more likely to hold successful jobs later in life. Most of women's colleges were established _ . A to give women the education they could not receive anywhere else. B to separate women from men. C to offer women special chances for work. D to help women have more study opportunities. Answer: A. to give women the education they could not receive anywhere else.
Helen Keller was born in America in June, 1880. Everything was all right when she was born. But when she was 19 months old, an attack of fever left her blind and deaf for the rest of her life. She was so young when she became blind that as she grew older she did not remember being able to see; and she became deaf before she had any idea of the importance of human speech. She lived in darkness and silence. As she grew older, she, too, wanted to express her ideas and feelings. But she realized she was cut off from others. Her parents were greatly worried. How could anyone make touch with Helen's mind and intelligence in darkness and silence without speech? Helen was nearly seven before a teacher was found. Her name was Miss Sullivan. Miss Sullivan had a lot of difficulties in teaching Helen Keller. As the child could neither see nor hear, she had to use manual alphabet. But Helen's energy and intelligence and strong spirit as well as Miss Sullivan's skill and patience, overcame all the difficulties. As Helen grew up, she became an able student, passed examination and finally took a university degree in English literature. She then devoted all herself to helping the blind and the deaf. Her personal success, together with the work she had done for others, made her one of the greatest women in modern times. She wrote many books and "The Story of My Life"is a wonderful one. Which of the following statements is TRUE? She became blind and deaf sometime about January 1882. -American office workers spend an average of 52 hours a week at their desks, according to a statistic survey. Some might argue that not all that time is spent working,but still all those hours in windowless offices with artificial light can have an influence. A few green additions could have a large effect on worker happiness,according to the survey led by Tina Cade from Texas State University. "We pretty much found out that if you had windows and plants or even if you just had plants in your office, you were more satisfied with your job," Cade told LiveScience. "We thought it was important for offices because a lot of times people are looking for ways to keep employees happy and do all these expensive things like building a gym. Maybe for less investment they could put in a few plants in important places." The team surveyed 450 office workers in Texas and the Midwest,asking questions about job satisfaction and the work environments. When asked about their overall life quality,82 said they felt "content" or "very happy". Only 69 percent of those who work with plants but without windows,and 60 percent of those who have windows but no plants, said they felt this way. The group of people who work without plants or windows were the most dissatisfied,with only 58 percent of them saying that overall they were "content" or "very happy". While no one who works with plants,windows,or both reported they felt "miserable", 0.8 percent of those who work in offices without either said they were "miserable". "I was really surprised that having a plant in your office appeared to be more beneficial than having a window in your office," Cade said. "Everybody says, 'I need a window!' but actually it seemed like a plant could be a suitable alternative." Which of the following statement is true? Sometimes it doesn't need much to increase job happiness. For every woman who feels like she's had to scale back her personal ambitions since becoming a mother, gold medal cyclist Kristin Armstrong has a message: Don't give up on your dreams. She retired after winning gold in Beijing to start a family; son Lucas arrived in 2010, but then she decided to compete again in the London Olympics. She won a gold medal at last. The decision to start training again wasn't easy. "I struggled with that a lot," she told a newspaper. "At the beginning I felt selfish, I felt like, 'Well, I'm not supposed to be thinking of myself anymore. It's all supposed to be for my kid.'" She faced physical challenges of getting back into competition shape after giving birth, as well. When she started racing in the spring of 2011, she was still breast-feeding; she would nurse her son, then race, then breast-feed again after the race. Her days revolved around Lucas and training. "I feel like I'm able to do what I love to do and still manage a family and have that balance," Armstrong said. "That you have a family or a child doesn't mean that you have to stop going after what you dream of individually." Armstrong makes balance look easy, whether it's on her bike or as an athlete-mom. But she points out that you can't have it all without making some sacrifices. For example, don't expect a neat home--her husband, Joe Savola, who she describes as her support system and her "protector", says he's had to give up on trying to keep everything orderly at home and just accept that their living room has become Lucas's playroom. For Armstrong, she's sacrificed time with friends who had kids around the same age--there just wasn't time. Now, she says, "That sounds like fun to me." As she heads home to Boise, Idaho, she's ready to do regular mom stuff. It was difficult for Armstrong to make the decision to participate in the London Olympics because she _ . had to give her family much consideration Off the coast of Hawaii's Big Island swim masses of colorful tropical fish. Some of these fish will be caught and sold, ending up in aquariums around the world. Is the industry putting populations of the fish at risk? Scientists who have studied the Big Island fishery say it is well managed. Rules put in place more than 15 years ago have helped to protect the fish. Along 35% of the coastline, for example, fish collecting is banned. Two years ago, the state cut the number of fish species for the aquarium trade from hundreds to just 40. Conservationist Robert Wintner objects to the findings. Wintner, who owns snorkel shops across Hawaii, started the Snorkel Bob Foundation to protect the island's coral reefs . He says he simply doesn't see yellow tang in the protected areas. "There should be millions of them," he says. "Where are they?" Wintner says people believe the numbers in reports. But few people have actually dived into the coral reefs to see for themselves how many fish can be found there. According to Wintner, the coral reefs along the coast should be filled with yellow tang, but they are "virtually empty". Empty reefs are not good for tourism, Wintner points out, which brings out $800 million yearly. By contrast, the aquarium-fish trade brings out just $2 million yearly. According to Robert Wintner, _ . what the recent report says is wrong Japanese doctors have used thin sheets of tissue from people's cheeks repair damaged corneas . A team from Osaka University transplanted thin layers of cheek cells onto the eyes of four patients with a rare and painful eye condition,reports BBC online. Patients whose vision had been cloudy could see well afterwards,and the"new corneas"remained clear more than a year after the operation. Doctors can also take cells from a healthy eye and grow them in a dish to produce a new cornea,or they can transplant corneas from donors . But these techniques may not work when both eyes are too badly damaged by accident or disease. The team hope their work may help solve the problem and lead to other types of grow-your-own tissue transplants. The cornea is the clear layer of cells on the surface of the eye. It can be damaged by trauma or by a range of diseases. The team worked with four patients who had a painful condition that causes cloudy corneas and dry eyes. Often the eye can regenerate cornea cells but none of the four patients had this ability. The researchers took a 3 mm-wide square of tissue from inside the mouth(cheeks)and grew it into a thin layer in the lab. They used a special low temperature technique to separate a very thin sheet off each batch. They then laid that onto the patient's eye. The cell layers stuck onto the eye and developed into tissue that looked and acted like a healthy cornea. However,long-term follow-up and experience with a large series of patients is needed to assess the benefits and risks this method. Yet,"it does offer the potential of treating severe eye diseases that are resistant to standard approaches,"said the head of the research,Kohji Nishida. We can infer from the passage _ . the new technique needs to be further tested
Peter: Let's play computer games! Barry: Sorry, I don't like computer games, and I don't have a computer. Peter: Well, do you have a volleyball? Barry: Yes. Peter: Then let's play volleyball. Barry: Oh, volleyball is difficult. Peter: OK, let's watch TV. Barry: That sounds boring. Hmm, let's play soccer! Do you have a soccer ball? Peter: No, I don't. Barry: Oh, well, do you have a basketball? Peter: Yes, I do. Let's play basketball! Barry: That sounds fun! But where can we play basketball? Peter: In the school. Barry: OK, let's go. ,A, B, C, D,. (5,2,10) Why don't they watch TV? A Because it's fun. B Because it's difficult. C Because it's interesting. D Because it's boring. Answer: D. Because it's boring. Two weeks ago while my daughter and I were eating dinner I saw a police officer walking past my backyard with a worried looking woman following. I went out, opened my door and asked if everything was okay. The woman was the grandmother of an eight-year-old boy who had gone missing an hour before. She was so anxious that she looked pale. With fear she trembled all the time. They came to ask us about it. I said we hadn't seen the boy, but we would help to look for him. I asked my two-year-old daughter if she understood why we had to go looking for this boy and couldn't finish dinner right then. She replied, "Be kind people, Daddy." _ ! We hopped into our truck and went searching all over the town for about an hour and a half. Along the way, as we asked various strangers on the street if they had seen this little boy. A group of kids said they would help too. They hopped on their bikes and joined the search without any hesitation. I was surprised and very impressed. What a moving scene! The little boy was found safe and sound a few miles away in forest. He had just decided to go on a little adventure on his own as his story said. Finding him, his grandmother was moved to tear. I was just so happy to see so many people joined the search for a complete stranger. At least two dozen people from the neighborhood went looking for this boy just because being"kind people"was the right thing to do. Why did the writer feel surprised when he saw the kids joined the search? A Because he felt they were causing trouble. B Because they were so familiar with the town. C Because they got the boy hidden somewhere. D Because he found them helpful though young. Answer: D. Because he found them helpful though young. We were talking about engagement when my boyfriend, Jack, had to go to war. I was so afraid of losing him; the only way I could stay sane was to dance. I became very good and critics praised me, but I could feel was the ache in my heart, no knowing whether the love of my life would ever return. And then one day a letter from him came:"I have lost my leg. I am no longer a whole man and now give you back your freedom. It is best you forget me." I made my decision there and then I left the city. When I returned I had bought myself a cane and learned to limp convincingly. I told everyone I had been in a car crash and that my leg would never completely heal again. My dancing days were over. No one suspected the story. And I made sure the first person to hear of my accident was a reporter. Then I travelled to the hospital. They had pushed him outside in his wheelchair. I leaned on my cane and limped to him. I told him he was not the only one who had lost a leg, even if mine were still attached to me. I showed him newspaper clippings of my accident. " There is a whole life waiting for us out there! And I am not going to carry you--you are going to walk yourself." I limped a few steps towards him and showed him what I'd taken out of my pocket." Now show me you are still a man," I said. He bent to take his cane and struggled out of that wheelchair. I could see he had not done it before, because he almost fell on his face. But I was not going to help. Finally he managed it on his own and walked to me and never sat in a wheelchair again in his life. What I showed to him was engagement rings. And I would limp with him for the rest of life. The author felt ache in her heart though critics praised her dancing because _ . A She wasn't sure if Jack still loved her. B Jack became handicapped and couldn't walk C Jack asked her to forget about him D She was afraid that Jack might die in the war Answer: D. She was afraid that Jack might die in the war Here's How to Get Your 6 Movies for 1C/Each Just Write in the Numbers of the 6 movies you want for 1C/each, plus shipping. In exchange ,you agree to buy just six more movies in the next three years, at our regular Club prices (which currently start as low as $19.95 plus shipping) -- and you may cancel membership at any time after doing so. 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If not satisfied, return everything within 10 days, and then you'll get your money back and there will be no further obligation. How can you get 6 movies for 1 C/ each? A Buy six more movies at the Club prices in the next 3 years. B Buy two more movies at the low price of $6.95 later. C Buy six more movies at the price of $19.95 all the time. D Buy many more movies at lower prices anytime. Answer: A. Buy six more movies at the Club prices in the next 3 years. In the US, the most popular way to welcome the new year is with a big party. Some parties are at private homes. But in recent years, it has become more and more common for Americans to go to a hotel or eating-place on the night of December 31st. There, they can eat a big dinner, drink champagne, and dance to orchestra music. Most New Year's parties are usually noisy. People shout and sing. And often, guests blow on small noisemakers when the new year arrives at midnight. This tradition of noise making is believed to start centuries ago. People thought that loud sounds would drive away the bad spirits of the old year. The biggest, noisiest New Year's party in the US takes place in Times Square in New York. Thousands of people gather there. Some of them ring bells and set fireworks. Others blow whistles of car horns . And at twelve o'clock, they begin to cheer as an electric sign in the shape of a red apple lights up on top of a tall building. The Times Square celebration includes another well-known American tradition. Since 1929, the band of musician Guy Lombardo has given a concert on New Year's Eve. Guy Lombardo died in 1977. But, Bill Lombardo, has kept the tradition alive with a band concert at a New York city hotel. When the crowds in Times Square start cheering the arrival of the new year, television cameras show the band playing the song Auld Lang Syne. In the past, some American people made big noise when the new year arrived _ A to express their friendship B to drive away the bad spirits C to make others more excited D to give best wishes to each other Answer: B. to drive away the bad spirits
Food,football and fashion--Milan has it a11.The city is perhaps most famous for its annual Milan Fashion Week and its world-class soccer teams AC Milan and Inter Milan.And May will see it host the six-month Milan Expo,the theme of which is food and nutrition. Milan may not the first place tourists think of when they think of Italy.Rome is the most famous city in Italian history,Venice draws visitors who want to travel along its canals and Florence is popular with art lovers.Yet Milan can often be left off tourists'lists.But although some see Milan as the"ugly sister"of these cities,according to Lonely Planet,in 2015 the city is"suddenly back in fashion in a big way". The Milan Expo will look at the future of food,trying to answer the question of how Earth's fast-growing population can be fed in the future.According to Lonely Planet website."144 countries will set up shop northwest of central Milan,forming a mini city-within-a-city". Milan's famous opera house,La Scala,normally closed in the summer,will also host daily performances during the expo,reported Fox News. Not interested in opera?Don't worry.Visitors who prefer sports may want to visit the San Siro stadium,home of the soccer teams AC Milan and Inter Milan.Tile stadium is one of the most famous in Europe and has seen many important games over the years,both in Serie A and the European Champions League. So even if all of its fashion and beautiful people can make Milan seem"soulless",as Lonely Planet said.it still has"a serious sense of history and place".Many people will be discovering it this year,and eating great food from all over the world to help solve world problems.Will you? In the 2015 Milan Expo,you can _ . A enjoy food from all over the world B Watch great football games C Travel along the canals D Enjoy great art works Answer: A Tommy and his mother go shopping today. Tommy's father likes apples very much. They buy some red apples for him. Tommy's mother likes yellow bananas, but the bananas are green. "Look! The strawberries are very nice, Mom. Do you like them?" Tommy says to his mother. "Yes, I like strawberries very much." Tommy's mother buys some for herself . The oranges are very nice. Tommy's mother buys some for Tommy. He likes oranges very much. They need some vegetables. The vegetables in the supermarket are very good. They buy some tomatoes, cabbages and carrots. Tommy doesn't like carrots, but his parents like it. They like carrots very much. They buy lots of carrots. Tommy's mother buys oranges for _ . A herself B Tommy C Tommy's father D Tommy's sister Answer: B Nancy: I saw seven girls in one umbrella and none of them got wet. Taney: Oh, that must be a very big umbrella. Nancy: No, it wasn't raining. [ A good boy Little Robert asked his mother for two cents . "What did you do with the money I gave you yesterday?" "I gave it to a poor old woman," he answered. "You're a good boy," said the mother proudly. "Here are two more cents. But why are you so interested in the old woman?" "She is the one who sells candies. " Break a mirror "What are you so happy about, Jason?" Lisa asked the 98-year-old man. "I broke a mirror," he replied. "But that means seven years of bad luck. " "I know," he said happily. "Isn't it wonderful? I can live for another seven years. " Little Robert spent the money _ . A helping the poor old lady B buying candies for himself C helping his mom D buying gifts for his mom Answer: B Scores of people queued up to use a cash machine after it started giving out double the money requested. The cash machine, outside a Sainsbury's store in Barham Road, Hull, attracted a big crowd of people hoping to take advantage of the fault, on Tuesday night. Police officers were eventually sent in to guard the machine and prevent anymore money from being withdrawn. The fault is thought to have affected cash machines at supermarkets across the city. It is not yet known whether the customers will have to repay the cash or how much money was taken out. A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said, "Officers were sent to the cash machine to prevent anyone else from withdrawing anymore money. We have also tried to make contact with the owners of the machine." The spokeswoman said those who benefited from the fault could be traced and could face theft charges, but investigations would only take place if the operator made a complaint. The cash machine is owned by a company called Payzone, a spokesman later confirmed. He said the fault was due to the machine being filled with notes of the wrong denomination . An investigation is underway into the incident and the machine had been taken out of service, he added. The Payzone spokesman said, "The transit company which is contracted to service this ATM has filled it up with the wrong denomination of notes, meaning it is paying out double what it should have. " He could not say how much money had been taken out of the machine, or whether it would have to be paid back. It was understood that a number of cash machines in Hull owned by other companies had also been affected by this problem, he added. Who caused the cash machine not to work properly? A The people who withdrew money. B The transit company. C The operator of the cash machine. D The company Payzone. Answer: B Many studies have been carried out to discover the benefits of listening to and playing music. The growing field of "music treatment" is presenting increasing amounts of proof that point to the great powers of music. Emotional benefits The right song can put anybody in a better state. Most people turn to certain songs to make them feel better. The main reason behind this is that music can express our feelings better than any other medium. In addition, we have favorite songs for particular situations because we turn to the music which has the best effect on us. Music and exercise Have you ever noticed how out of breath you get when listening to an exciting song while doing exercises at the gym? It has been suggested that exciting music can actually increase muscle tension , while light music does the opposite. It has also been proved that music can improve motor skills. An experiment done on a group of pupils proved that children learning basic motor skills such as throwing ,catching and jumping while listening to music did better than those with no music. Chronic pain relief Music also has the ability to reduce chronic pain. In fact, according to a paper published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, music can reduce chronic pain by 21%. The paper reports that 60 patients in an experiment were divided into two groups--one group listened to music, and the other did not. The results showed that people who listened to music for an hour each day for a week improved physically and psychologically while those who did not listen to music did not. Why do people turn to songs to feel better? A Because songs have magic. B Because listening to music is their hobby. C Because they can find comfort in songs D Because some music has a good effect on them. Answer: D
Every year during the graduation famous people will talk to thousands of students and their parents. But this time something strange has happened. Each of the big-name speakers seems to speak of the same topic; they are all telling graduates to make the world a better place. So there was Arianna Huffington at Smith College saying "what I advise you to do is not just take your place at the top of the world, but to change the world." The actress Kerry Washington told students at George Washington University:"The world needs your voice, every one of you." And then this , from Jeff Immelt, head of General Electric, at the University of Connecticut: " Graduates should be optimistic; believe in better. The world waits for your power." Anyone can know what the famous speakers said is meaningless. The world has 7 billion voices to listen to already---it won't matter about one more or less. Neither is it clear why graduates should be especially optimistic, especially at the moment. The world doesn't wait for their power; only a small number of people will get the chance to lead anything. Only Barack Obama in his address at Morehouse College avoided encouraging anyone to change the world. That is because he alone knows how hard it is to change it ---- even if you happen to be President of the United States. Not only has he failed to change the world, he can't even get people to give up guns in his own country. Instead of aiming so impossibly high, the graduates of 2014 would do better to start a bit lower. When they leave their universities it will not "Hello world!" but "Hello again, Mum and Dad!" So what Ms Huffington, Mr. Obama and Mr. Immelt ought to have said was: change the world if you must, but it would be nice if you could help out by changing the bag in the rubbish basket first. They should then have followed up with the importance of hard work. Graduates need to change their employment attitude. They need jobs. Sadly on commencement addresses no one tells them that even a bad job is better tan none at all. What is the author's attitude towards what big-name speakers said? Answer: Anyone arriving in Shanghai at night from the airport for the first time is immediately attracted by the Oriental Pearl TV Tower , which stands out in the evening sky like an amazing space ship landing. Dramatic lighting effects make this unusual structure attractive. This ultra-modern tower combines ancient concepts such as the spherical pearls, with 21st century technology, commerce, recreation, educational and conference facilities. In 1995 it began broadcasting nine television channels and 10 FM radio channels. The construction began in 1991 and was completed in 1995. This 468-meter-high (1,536 feet) tower is the tallest tower in Asia, and the third tallest tower in the world. The viewing area offers a great view of the most recently developed Special Economic Zone of Pudong . Visitors travel up and down the tower in double-decker elevators that can hold up to fifty people at the rate of seven meters per second. At the base of the tower is Pudong Park, which was designed as a contrast to the massive commercial development of the Special Economic Zone of Pudong. There are wonderful views across the Huang-Pu River from the "New Bund " to the original. The tower has three observatory levels. The highest one (Space Module) is at 350m. The lower ones are at 263m (Sightseeing Floor) and at 90m (Space City). There is a revolving restaurant at the 267m level. The project also contains exhibition facilities, restaurants and a shopping mall. There is also a 20-room hotel called the Space Hotel between the two big balls. The Sightseeing Floor is _ meters from the top of the tower. Answer: An animal can do some essential things without being taught or ever seeing it done Answer: Donald Watson was a man who thought very much about the food he ate. He was born in yorkshire, England , in September 1910. And he died in November 2005, at the age of 95. That is a very great age. Watson explained that it was because he never ate any food from animals. When he was a boy , Watson stayed on a farm. .He loved to see the animals. He said that they gave so much to people. And all the animals were so friendly. Then , one day , he saw a man killing a pig . He was very sad. . From then on, Watson decided that he would never again eat meat . Twenty years later he decided that he wouldn't eat anything from animals, such as milk, cheese or eggs. He became vegan . Watson formed a group called "The Vegan Society". In its newspaper, The Vegan Society thought it was terrible and wrong to eat food from animals. At first, there were not many people who agreed with him . They thought it was crazy to do _ .Most people thought it was too difficult and unhealthy. However, over time , more and more people began to agree with Watson and The Vegan Society. People become vegans for many reasons. Watson and his friend stopped eating because they loved animals. They believed that it was wrong to hurt another living thing . Now, people also become vegans for environmental reasons. Keeping animals takes a lot of resources , including water and food. Also, in some places, people are cutting down trees to create more land for cows. By avoiding food from animals, vegans hope to protect these forest areas. Finally, just like Watson, some people believe that being a vegan is healthier. They believe that food from animals causes heart problems, a high body weight and many other health problems. Watson refused to eat meat _ . Answer: What's life like on a deserted island? Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona decided to find out. The adventurous senator took a vacation from Capitol Hill and went on a four-day Robinson Crusoe style holiday with his two teenage sons to a remote, uninhabited island in the North Pacific Ocean. The senator and his sons, 15-year-old Tanner and 13-year-old Dallin, traveled 5,200 miles from Phoenix, Arizona to the island of Biggarenn. They didn't carry any food or water. The island is part of the Marshall Islands. It offered no basic facilities, so the Flakes had to catch and cook their own food and purify their water. Their diet was made up of coconuts, crab and fish. They captured the crab and fish themselves and cooked the food over an open fire started with a magnifying glass . The Flakes brought along a lobster trap in hopes of having some delicious treats, but lost it within the first few hours after it was attacked by a shark. They also carried two pumps to remove salt from ocean water. It took them hours each night pumping for just a few gallons of fresh water. One of the most memorable moments of the trip, the father said, was when he and his 15-year-old son were chased by sharks after spearing a fish in the ocean. Still, it was quite an enjoyable holiday for the senator. "For a dad it was a wonderful thing. No video games around, no television, no distractions, no texting," Flake recalled. They might have had all the things EXCEPT _ . Answer:
The flag, the most common symbol of a nation in the modern world, is also one of the most ancient. With a clear symbolic meaning, the flag in the traditional form is still used today to mark buildings, ships and other vehicles related to a country. The national flag as we know it today is in no way a primitive artifact. It is, rather, the product of thousands of years' development. Historians believe that it had two major ancestors, of which the earlier served to show wind direction. Early human beings used very fragile houses and boats. Often strong winds would tear roofs from houses or cause high waves that endangered travelers. People's food supplies were similarly _ . Even after they had learned how to plant grains, they still needed help from nature to ensure good harvests. Therefore they feared and depended on the power of the wind, which could bring warmth from one direction and cold from another. Using a simple piece of cloth tied to the top of a post to tell the direction of the wind was more dependable than earlier methods, such as watching the rising of smoke from a fire. The connection of the flag with heavenly power was therefore reasonable. Early human societies began to fix long pieces of cloth to the tops of totems before carrying them into battle. They believed that the power of the wind would be added to the good wishes of the gods and ancestors represented by the totems themselves. These flags developed very slowly into modern flags. The first known flag of a nation or a ruler was unmarked. The king of China around 1000 B.C. was known to have a white flag carried ahead of him. This practice might have been learned from Egyptians even further in the past, but it was from China that it spread over trade routes through India, then across Arab lands, and finally to Europe, where it met up with the other ancestor of the national flag. The best title for the passage would be " _ ". A. Development of the National Flag B. Power of the National Flag C. Types of Flags D. Uses of Flags Answer: A. Development of the National Flag Jamie Oliver has been invited by Gordon Brown to prepare a banquet at No.10 for President Barack Obama and other leaders of the G20, offering a cut-price menu to reflect times when trade and industry are far from prosperous and the rate of employment is decreasing. Downing Street sources say Oliver, the well-known chef, will cook using "honest high-street products" and avoid expensive or "fancy" ingredients. The prime minister is trying to avoid a repeat of the embarrassment last year when he sat down to an 18-course banquet at a Japanese summit to discuss world food shortages. Obama, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and other leaders will be served by apprentices from Fifteen, the London restaurant Oliver founded to help train young people in poverty in order to make a living by mastering a skill. Brown wants the dinner to reflect the emphasis of the London summit, which he hopes will lead to an agreement to lift the world out of recession."To be invited to cook for such an important group of people, who are trying to solve some of the world's major problems, is really a privilege," said Oliver. "I'm hoping the menu I'm working on will show British food and produce is some of the best in the world, but also show we have pioneered a high-quality apprentice scheme at Fifteen London that is giving young people a skill to be proud of." The chef has not yet finalized me menu, but is expected to draw inspiration from his latest book, Jamie's Ministry of Food, which has budget recipes for beef and ale stew and "impressive" chocolate fudge cake. ( ) What is the Fifteen London? A. an apartment in London. B. a luxurious restaurant in London. C. a restaurant as well as a training center. D. a famous avenue. Answer: C. a restaurant as well as a training center. The Internet, mobile phones and iPads are parts of our lives now. Technology is greatly affecting all ways of our lives, from the ways we work to the ways we play. And it even causes a number of social problems such as cloning humans. We have had lots of technology and it has changed our lives a lot. We are sure that humans will continue to use more and more technology. Here are some examples of modern technology that will change our ideas and will affect our lives greatly. Global Positioning System (GPS) It's a system that uses radio signals from satellites to show exact information. It tells you where the user is on the earth in all weather conditions. It's made up of three parts: satellites, control equipments on land and receivers. Space Technology Russian and American scientists have worked together for the International Space Station, (ISS) for a long time. They hope the ISS will provide a long-lasting lab. Such a lab will bring humans limitless advantages. It's even hoped that one day space technology will take humans to their new houses in space. Underwater Robot Hercules is a kind of underwater robot with some high technology equipments. It will be used to search for ancient ships which were destroyed into the deep sea during their journey long ago. The world is changing so quickly that it's hard for us to catch up with all the new inventions because they seem to come out every month. It's important for us to learn about new technology and the role that it plays in our lives. So we should be willing to accept modem technology, or we will fall behind the times. According to the passage, which is NOT true about the ISS? A. It has carried people to other planets. B. It will provide a long-lasting lab for us. C. Russia and America are working for it. D. Humans will get a lot of advantages from it. Answer: A. It has carried people to other planets. I didn't think I had a passion . I would sit in front of the TV all day, thinking about nothing but the next show. It was not long ago that I first learned how important having a passion is to life. That day I went with my mum to drive my sister to the gym. I was bored. Then, as my mum stopped at a red light, someone on the side of the road caught my eye . It was a man dressed in rags . He was homeless. That didn't interest me, for I had seen many like him before. But in some ways he was different. This man was not sitting down with a sad expression . He had a radio in his hand and was dancing happily to the music. The radio seemed to be the most precious thing he had. "Mum, why does that man have a radio even thought he's homeless?" I asked. "He bought it," she replied. I was still unable to understand. "But if he's homeless, why doesn't he use the money to buy food or clothes? He wasted it on something he doesn't need." "Well, Sarah, sometimes food and clothes aren't the most important things. We need happiness, too." The man must care too much about music to buy a radio instead of food clothes. I soon realized that happiness is the key to life. Without it, there's nothing to look forward to. Since then I've never gone a day without thinking of what's truly important. A home, a meal, clothes--these things are only part of the picture. What's often forgotten is that we all need a pleasure, a light in a dark day. We all need a passion. What did Sarah do after she understood the fact? A. She thought all day without doing anything. B. She bought a radio just like the man's. C. She had a passion with everything from then on. D. She always danced to the music on the radio. Answer: C. She had a passion with everything from then on. Newer hybrid cars will have what effect on the gas usage in the world over time? A. less B. more C. more electric D. slower cars Answer: A. less
Which is an example of a group of cells with a common structure and function? A. stomach B. muscle tissue C. mitochondria D. digestive system Answer: B. muscle tissue I'm Dale.I'm a green and yellow pencil ease.What's this? Oh, it's Helen, a pen.And that's Frank, a ruler.Helen is black and Frank is blue.What's this in English? It's a jacket, a white jacket.Its name is Alice.What color is the key? Oh, it's black. ,. The _ and the _ are black. A. pen; jacket B. jacket; key C. key; pen D. pencil ease; ruler Answer: C. key; pen Dear Dr Jackson, My parents are never happy with me. They are always criticizing my clothes, my hair and the music I listen to. They hate my friends' looks and they keep complaining when I go with them. I'm not allowed to stay out as late as my friends do, so I can't have any fun, My parents only seem to care about my school marks. Although I love them, sometimes I feel we live in different worlds. If they love me, can't they understand me? How can I make them understand me? Dear Angel, Your problem is common to both teenagers and parents. Don't worry, bacause all this is natural.You see, your parents have grown up at a different time and they have different experiences. So, they think some things are strange, but you find the same things ordinary. For example, the music you like may sound like noise to them. Your parents love you, so they feel they must protect you from whatever they find strange.On the other hand, you don't want to be different from other teenagers, so you feel that your parents restrict you. I think you should talk about this problem with your parents. Try to explain to them what you want and make them know they can believe you. Sooner or later. they'll find you are a responsible person and they will give you more freedom . Angel has _ than her friends. A. more fun B. less freedom C. more freedom D. less clothes Answer: B. less freedom Mr. Grey was the manager of a small office in London. He lived in the country, and came up to work by train. He liked walking from the station to his office unless it was raining, because it gave him some exercise. One morning he was walking along the street when a stranger stopped him and said to him, "You may not remember me, sir, but seven years ago I came to London without a penny in my pockets, I stopped you in this street and asked you to lend me some money, and you lent me PS 5, because you said you were willing to _ so as to give a man a start on the way to success." Mr. Grey thought for a few minutes and then said, "Yes, I remember you. Go on with your story!" "Well," answered the stranger, "are you still willing to take a chance?" One morning the stranger recognized Mr. Grey, and _ A. wanted to return Mr. Grey the money B. again asked Mr. Grey for money C. would like to make friends with him D. told Mr. Grey that he had been successful since then Answer: B. again asked Mr. Grey for money Britain is a popular tourist place. But tours of the country have pros and cons. Good news Free museums. No charge for outstanding collections of art and antiquities. Pop music. Britain is the only country to match the US on this score. Black cabs. London taxi drivers know where they are going even if there are never enough of them at weekends or night. Choice of food. Visitors can find everything from Ethiopian to Swedish restaurants. Bad news Poor service. "It's part of the image of the place. People can dine out on the rudeness they have experienced," says Professor Tony Seaton, of London University's International Tourism Research Center. Poor public transport: Trains and buses are promised to defeat the keenest tourists, although the over-crowded London tube is inexplicably popular Lack of languages. Speaking slowly and clearly may not get many foreign visitors very far, even in the tourist traps . Rain. Still in the number one complaint . No air-conditioning. So that even splendidly hot summers become as unbearable as the downpours. Overpriced hotels. The only European country with a higher rate of tax on hotel rooms is Denmark. Which European county has the highest rate of hotel rooms? A. American B. Sweden C. British D. Denmark Answer: D. Denmark
When a microscope magnifies, it is enlarging When visiting New York City with your kids,there are many things to do with kids that will entertain their spirits and feed their minds. The Whispering Gallery Make your way to the Whispering Gallery. The Whispering Room's architecture allows for a phenomenon that usually makes people laugh. Once inside the gallery,place one person facing the corner at one end of the room and then place another person facing the corner at the opposite end. Ask one of the participants to whisper a phrase or a quick sentence or two and the person on the opposite end will be able to hear every word that was said. E. 42nd St. 2127715322 grandcentralterminal. com The American Museum of Natural History The American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869. In addition to its impressive exhibits,permanent attractions bring the cool factor home to kids. They can enter the Fossil Halls and see the impressive dinosaur skeletons .And the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life educates kids about the fragility of the Ocean Central Park West at 79th St. 2127695606 amnh. org the Scholastic Store Most parents want their children to read,and moreover,to enjoy reading. Scholastic helps to make that wish a reality by publishing interesting,well-written stories that are popular with children. With such classics as"Clifford the Big Red Dog","The Magic School Bus,"and"Harry Potter,"the Scholastic Store will delight your children. 557 Broadway 2123436100 scholastic. com Ellen's Stardust Diner The restaurant is a place where each person in your family can find something to eat. Arugula salads,grilled cheese,burgers and meatloaf are all on this varied menu. A hall of beauty queens,a drive-in theatre and wait staff that sing to you can add to this unique dining experience. 1650 Broadway,corner of 51st St. 2129565151 ellensstardustdiner. com Which of the following websites helps kids learn about animals? amnh. org. Brooke Martin's golden retriever Kayla hated being left alone or separated. She would howl, pace, and chew on things. Brooke learned that other people had the same problem with their pets. She wondered: --What if you could talk to your dog if you were gone? Working with her father in their garage, the 16-year-old came up with several ideas. Finally, she invented a device that allowed pet owners to video chat with their pets! She calls the device iCPooch. --The dog doesn't have to answer the call,explains Brooke. --It comes up immediately on the screen on their end. It's a two-way audio and video--you can see and hear each other.With a click of a button you can even send the dog a treat! Her invention has earned her a spot competing against nine other finalists in a young scientist competition for middle-school students. These finalists, selected based on their short video presentations, are working with mentors over the summer before heading to the final competition in St. Paul, Minn. After Martin's video put her among the 10 finalists in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, she was paired with Delony Langer-Anderson, a product development scientist in 3M's consumer health care division. --I just lead her down the product development path,Langer-Anderson told Live Science. This path includes guidance on how to test the potential product, which combines a video chat device that answers immediately on the dog's end with a dog treat device the owner can remotely activate. One thing I have thought about a lot is, what happens if while the device is on the floor, what if your dog knocks it over, or scratches the screen? Martin said. She and Langer-Anderson discussed this, and Martin is now testing materials at a local dog shelter by taping them to the dog house floors to see how well they withstand sharp teeth and claws. The finalists create models they can test, with the guidance from a mentor. Their projects include a fuel cell that transforms cut grass into electricity and an app that rewards drivers for not texting or calling. Langer-Anderson tries to help the students work through the scientific method, testing their hypothesis, in a determined way, --so the kids don't get buried in data.she said. What do the inventions of the finalists have in common? They are possible solutions to everyday problems. A bear in the arctic can go a long time without eating if it has excess chub Gills are used to breath water by what? salmon
What is "Dads Make a Difference"? A service-learning opportunity for teens that deals with fatherhood, parenting, and so on. Older teens, grades 10--12, teach younger teens, grades 6--9, about the importance of fathers in children's lives, the legal and financial responsibilities of parenting. Teen teacher training goals & objectives The goal of the teen teacher training is to better understand the complex problems surrounding legal fatherhood in our society. By discussing what makes healthy families, explaining the meaning of paternity , and examining the risks people take in their lives, teens will develop the skills needed to make informed decisions in their own relationships and, finally, teach this information to others. What's in it for me? An opportunity to: Learn life skills like communication, decision making, and problem solving. Get the chance to use knowledge in meaningful and effective ways. Develop leadership, planning, teamwork, time management, and organizational skills to help you in every aspect of your life. Forming lasting relationships with adult mentors . Comments from teen teachers " 'Dads Make a Difference' made me realize how permanent and expensive parenthood is." "Speaking in form of groups and directing people in activities, I feel, is a valuable skill to have that I will use throughout my life." "I wish I would have gone through this program when I was in Junior High. I know it would have helped me to really think about the future and to make good decisions." " 'Dads Make a Difference' has helped me to know the effects of my actions before I take them and I know what risks not to take to protect my future." Dads Make a Difference is a(n) _ . Answer: As hand-held devices such as smartphones are becoming more common, users are reporting some new physical problems. Florida chiropractor Dean Fishman began noticing an increased number of patients talking about neck and shoulder pain. He discovered these symptoms were due to the overuse of hand-held devices, particularly the action of bending the neck, and then _ the term "Text Neck." As if the painful symptoms weren't bad enough, Fishman warns that an untreated case of Text Neck could lead to permanent spinal damage. Other doctors have warned about "iPad Hand," a condition that occurs when people use tablets like the iPad for hours at a time. Most people use their left hand to support the tablet and their right hand to tap or scroll. Doing this for long periods without changing positions can result in severe joint pain. In order to avoid or reduce the possibility of getting Text Neck or iPad Hand, use the following basic ergonomic principles: Avoid awkward positioning. Don't strain your neck, and stay aware of how you are positioned in relation to the device. Make sure that both your neck and shoulders are relaxed and that you aren't leaning over for a long period of time. Take frequent breaks when using any kind of mobile device. Many doctors recommend that users change their position every 15 minutes. When using a tablet, use a case that can support the device on a table or your lap at a comfortable viewing angle. Along with a case, use a separate keyboard with your tablet. This will be more comfortable since you'll be resting both hands on the keyboard. And since you won't be holding the tablet, you'll be less likely to experience hand or arm pain. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? Answer: Which of the following best shows the basic three-step energy transformation for a battery-operated radio? Answer: Money Matters for Students GETTING A GRANT Who pays? The local education authority (LEA) for the area in which the student is living. Who can get this money? Anyone who gets a place on a first degree course,although a student who has already attended a course of advanced further education may not.Students must also have been resident in the UK for at least three years,which can exclude some students from overseas. SPECIAL CASES If a student has worked before going to college: A student who is 26 or more before the course starts and who has worked for at least three of the previous six years will get extra money--PS 155 a year if 26,increasing to a maximum of PS 615 at 29 or more. If a student is handicapped: LEAs will give up to PS 500 to help meet extra expenses--such as buying a tape recorder for a blind student,extra heating or special food. Banking: Most of the big banks offer special services to students who open accounts (in the hope that they will stay with the bank when they become rich officials).A student won't usually have to pay bank charges as long as the account stays in credit.Some banks allow students to overdraw by PS 100 or so,and still don't make charges (though they do charge interest). A student from Japan who has been staying in England for a year and intends to go to college in a few months will _ . Answer: Which of the following eras is known as the "Age of Mammals"? Answer:
Question: People who drink moderately , exercise, quit smoking and eat five servings of fruit and vegetables each day live on average 14 years longer than people who adopt none of these behaviors, researchers said on Tuesday. Much evidence has shown these things contribute to healthier and longer lives, but the new study actually quantified their combined effect, the British team said. "These results may provide further support for the idea that even small differences in lifestyle may make a big difference to health in the population," the researchers wrote in the journal PLoS Medicine. Between 1993 and 1997 the researchers questioned 20,000 healthy British men and women about their lifestyles. They also tested every participant's blood to measure vitamin C intake, which shows how much fruit and vegetables people ate. Then they assigned the participants aged 45-79 a score of between 0 and 4, giving one point for each of the healthy behaviours. After allowing for age and other factors that could affect the possibility of dying, the researchers determined people with a score of 0 were four times as likely to have died. Also a person with a health score of 0 had the same risk of dying as someone with a health score of 4 who was 14 years older. The lifestyle change with the biggest benefit was giving up smoking, which led to an 80 percent improvement in health, followed by eating fruits and vegetables. Moderate drinking and keeping active brought the same benefits. With this information, public-health officials should now be better encouraging behavior changes likely to improve the health of middle-aged and older people. Who is the most likely to benefit from behavior changes according to the passage? A. A 15-year-old student. B. A 25-year-old soldier. C. A 35-year-old teacher. D. A 45-year-old housewife. Answer: D. A 45-year-old housewife. Question: Sophia Wu, 25, is a young Chinese woman who does business with her family in Santiago, Chile . On February 27, she experienced a night that she will never forget. "I was asleep and was woken up by powerful shaking at around 3:30 in the morning. My whole room was moving and I couldn't stand still. I wanted to run downstairs and go outside, but suddenly the wall got broken and the lights in the room went out. The room became so shaky that I couldn't move at all." That night an 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Chile. Buildings and bridges fell down. Electricity and water services shut down. The Chilean Red Cross reported that about 500,000 homes were destroyed and more than 800 people died. The earthquake has been the fifth strongest since 1900. More than 90 aftershocks followed the earthquake. A tsunami was set off in the Pacific Ocean by the earthquake. Scientists say that there are about 500,000 earthquakes in the world each year. Of these, only 20% are felt, and 100 of them cause damage. So far, scientists haven't found a way to predict earthquakes. But you can learn to protect yourself during an earthquake. The most important thing to remember is to drop, cover and hold on. So remember to drop to the floor, get under something for cover and hold onto something strong during the shaking. ,. (10) What happened to Sophia Wu on February 27? A. Her house was burned in a fire. B. She dreamed a terrible dream. C. Her family died in a terrible accident. D. A serious earthquake hit the city she was in. Answer: D. A serious earthquake hit the city she was in. Question: Shopping is not as simple as you may think! There are all sorts of tricks at play each time we reach out for that particular brand of product on the shelf. Colouring, for example, varies according to what the producers are trying to sell. Health foods are packaged in greens, yellows or browns because we think of these as healthy colours. Ice cream packets are often blue and expensive goods, like chocolates, are gold or silver. When some kind of pain killer was brought out recently, researchers found that _ because they made the product look weak and ineffective. Eventually, it came on the market in a dark blue and white package--blue because we think of it as safe, and white as calm. The size of a product can attract a shopper. But quite often a bottle doesn't contain as much as it appears to. It is believed that the better-known companies spend, on average, 70 percent of the total cost of the product itself on packaging! The most successful producers know that it's not enough to have a good product. The founder of Pears soap, who for 25 years has used pretty little girls to promote their goods, came to the conclusion: "Any fool can make soap, but it takes a genius to sell it." Which of the following is the key to the success in product sales? A. The way to promote goods. B. The discovery of a genius. C. The team to produce a good product. D. The brand name used by successful producers. Answer: A. The way to promote goods. Question: At first glance the car seamed very small but just before it hits a person it will appear A. out of nowhere B. to be large C. on top D. and disappear Answer: B. to be large Question: Studies show farmland in Africa is often lacking in important nutrients. But researchers say combining different farming methods may help. Since the world food crisis several years ago, researchers have directed more of their attention to small farms. Most farms in areas south of the Sahara Desert are only about one or two hectares. One of the goals is to increase production without necessarily clearing more land to grow additional crops. American researchers say that can happen with greater use of an agricultural system called perennation. It mixes food crops with trees and perennial plants - those that return year after year. Mr. Reganold, who is with Washington State University, says poor soil may have resulted from years of weathering that washed away many nutrients. He says some farmers may have done more harm than good. He estimates that up to two billion dollars worth of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium is lost from African soil each year. The scientist says the word perennation defines three systems that are already used in Africa. The oldest of the three is called evergreen agriculture. This is where farmers plant trees with their crops. John Reganold says farmers in Africa have been doing this for sixty years, but it seems to be growing in popularity. The method is gaining widespread use in countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Zambia. The trees are planted among maize, millet or sorghum crops. They not only add nitrogen to the soil through their roots, but also through their leaves when they fall off and break down. At other times of the year, the trees can protect plants from strong sunlight. Mr. Reganold was one of three researchers who wrote a report about perennation. It was published in the journal Nature. We can infer from the passage that _ . A. perennation will be widely used by farmers in Africa B. American government will help African countries increase food production C. African countries is short of farmland D. some farmers are destroying their farmland in Africa on purpose Answer: A. perennation will be widely used by farmers in Africa
You can't remember who sings a certain song from the 90s. You Google it. You're arguing with a friend about who played Mickey in The Goonies. You solve the problem by Googling it. You don't know the way to that new restaurant. You Google Maps it. We hold the answers to about all of life's questions in our hands today. But that means our brains are feeling free to take some rest. According to the Daily Mail, our growing reliance on the Internet for fact checking is making our memories worse. Scientists at Harvard University found people now regard Google and other search engines as an outside part of their own brains, rather than a tool. Writing in the Journal Scientific American, Harvard psychologists Daniel Wegner and Adrian Ward warn that people who believe their memorable facts that are saved online are much worse at remembering them. "The Internet is also unlike a human memory partner; it knows more and can produce the information more quickly, You can find almost all information today easily through a quick Internet search. It may be that the Internet is taking the place of people's memory." In a series of tests, researchers found it was easy for people to remember information well if they believed it would be deleted. Those who thought it was stored on a computer were more forgetful, even if they were asked to keep the information in mind. According to the passage, if we depend on the Internet for fact checking, _ . Answer: In our life,we may meet people with different personalities .What is your personality type ?Read about the following and find out! A Dreamer thinks there is a"right"way to do things.This person wants to live in the"perfect world".Many are good listeners and like to help others.Many Dreamers work as teachers,and often lead others.Famous Dreamers:Mohandas Gandhi,Angelina Jolie. A Partner wants to be in a group.For this person,rules are important.They consider tradition to be of great value.Partners are often serious,careful people.Many do well as teachers,managers and police officers.Famous Partners:Queen Elizabeth II,Mother Teresa. For Thinkers,understanding things is very important.They like to deal with problems and make new things.Thinkers can also be active.They like to win.They have very strong opinions.Many Thinkers work as scientists,inventors and engineers.Famous Thinkers:Bill Gates,Stephen Hawking. Artists want to be free.They don't want to follow the rules all the time.They also like trying new things.Like Thinkers,many Artists have strong opinions.They are creative and do well as musicians and actors.Famous Artists:Cristiano Ronaldo,Madonna. According to the passage,when you need help, _ may give you a hand. Answer: The popular Disneyland has some deep, dark, and sometimes amusing secrets that you probably don't know. Read on to learn them. General Main Street By using a special method of construction , Disneyland created an effect that you don't notice until your tired family leaves the park. The next time you enter Disneyland, make note of the distance that it appears you have to travel to get to the "Partners" statue. Then look at the exit of the park from the statue. That's correct. The distance appears to be shorter entering the park than going out. The purpose was to keep guests from wanting to take the long walk out. Birthday fun If you visit Disneyland on your birthday, be sure to tell the person at the gate that it's your big day. You'll be sent to City Hall where you'll be presented with a special sticker by cast members, letting everyone know it's your birthday. You may also be able to score special items from other cast members throughout the park, so it's certainly worth a try! The music never stops. Visitors like the music and sounds in the park.. Did you know the music never stops at the park? Even when the park was closed, the music and sounds are kept on going. Some believe it cost too much for Disney to keep turning off the music and then restarting it each day. But the truth is that it helps some workers clean up after 2 a.m! Club 33 "Club 33" is the only place in Disneyland that provides guests with alcoholic beverages . Club 33 members and their guests get free entrance to Disneyland so long as they have a meal at Club 33 on the day of their visit. If you tell the staff it's your birthday, you will _ . Answer: My parents have certainly had their troubles, and as their child I'll never know how they made it to 38 years of marriage. They loved each other, but they didn't seem to like each other very much. Dad was too fond of his beer, and he talked down to Mom a lot. When she tried to stand up to him, a fight would unavoidably follow. It was my dad's disease that began to change things. The year 1998 was the beginning of a remarkable transformation for my family. My father, Jim Dineen, the always healthy, weightlifting, never-missed-a-day-of-work kind of dad, discovered he had kidney disease. The decision to go ahead with a transplant for my father was a long and tough one, mostly because he had liver damage too. One physician's assistant told him, "According to your file, you're supposed to be dead." And for a while, doctors mistakenly thought that he would need not just a kidney transplant, but a liver transplant too. _ When the donor testing process finally began in the spring of 2003, numerous people, including me, my uncle Tom, and my mom, came back as matches of varying degree. But Mom was the one who insisted on going further. She decided to donate a kidney to my father. She said she was not scared, and it was the right thing to do. We all stepped back in amazement. At last a date was chosen - November 11, 2003. All of a sudden, the only thing that seemed to matter Dad was telling the world what a wonderful thing Mom was doing for him. A month before the surgery, he sent her birthday flowers with a note that read, "I love you and I love your kidney! Thank you!" Financially, the disease was upsetting to them. So my sister and I were humbled and surprised when, shortly before his surgery day, Dad handed us a diamond jewelry that we were to give to Mom after the operation. He'd accumulated his spare dollars to buy it. At the hospital on the day of the transplant, all our relatives and friends gathered in the waiting room and became involved in a mean euchre tournament. My family has always handled things with a lot of laughter, and even though we were all tense, everybody was taking bets on how long this "change of conduct" would last in my parents. We would inform Dad that if he chose to act like a real pain on any particular day after the operation, he wasn't allowed to blame it on PMS just because he'd now have a female kidney. The surgeries went well, and not long afterward, my sister and I were allowed to go in to visit. Dad was in a great deal of pain but again, all he could talk about was Mom. Was she okay? How was she feeling? Then the nurses let us do something unconventional. As they were wheeling Mom out of recovery room, they rolled her into a separate position to visit Dad. It was strange to see both my parents hooked up to IVs and machines and trying to talk to each other through tears. The nurses allowed us to present the diamond jewelry to Mom so that Dad could watch her open it. Everyone was crying, even the nurses. As I stood with digital camera in hand, I tried to keep the presence of mind to document the moment. My dad was having a hard time fighting back emotion, and suddenly my parents unexpectedly reached out to hold each other's hands. In my nearly 35 years of existence, I'd never seen my parents do that, and I was spellbound. I snapped a picture and later rushed home to make sure I'd captured that enormous, life-defining moment. After so many years of disagreement, it was apparent to me that they finally understood how much each loved the other. What's the best title for the passage? Answer: I was giving the class when her giggling drew my attention. Walking over to the young trouble-maker, I asked for the note in her hands. It was a had-drawn picture of me, teeth blackened, nostrils upwards, and the words "I'm stupid" coming out of my mouth. I managed to fold up the picture calmly and continue the class. My mind, however, was working angrily. I knew the two most likely suspects for drawing the picture. Maybe it was high time that I taught them a lesson! Somehow, in the very moment of real hurt and anger, I asked myself very softly, "How can I ever bring good out of this?" When there were about six minutes left of the class, I showed the kids the picture. The whole class was silent. I told them there must be a reason behind such a picture and that now was their chance to tell me the reason. Then I let them write silently while I stood sadly in the back of the classroom. Most of them either blamed the artist or felt sorry. But two notes, from the girls I figured were behind the picture, had a list of issues. I was too mean and too strict. Reading those notes, I realized that where I thought I was driving them to success I was actually driving them away. I had some apologizing to do. When the kids walked into my classroom the next day, one boy and one girl each handed me a card. The one signed by all the boys expressed sincere regret for the ugly joke. The one from the girls asked for forgiveness. I was extremely surprised. And more than a little shameful. I had my little speech all ready to give to the kids, but they did it before me. Why did the teacher give up punishing the students who drew the picture? Answer:
Last year, my boyfriend suggested that I should run the London marathon, and I laughed. He laughed too, but he laughed too long and too loud. That made me think. I realized that he didn't believe that I could do it. That made me angry, and determined. Now he knows that I can! Training wasn't easy, but I kept going. I didn't need special training but I did need to buy very good shoes. Each day, I went a little further. By the end of three months, I was running five days a week. Sometimes in the evenings I ran 10 km; on Sunday mornings, I sometimes ran about 30 km. I used to come home, have a shower and eat my breakfast. I felt wonderful! On the day of the race in London, I lined up with about 30,000 other runners. The faster runners were at the front, while slower runners like me were placed further back. In that way, the professional runners and club runners were not slowed down by the amateurs. At first, there were so many runners close together that we were almost falling over each other. We could only run very slowly but that was a good thing because it meant that we didn't rush off too quickly. Gradually the runners spread out and there was more space. There were thousands of people watching us along the route and they cheered and clapped everyone, even the slowest runner. It was wonderful! For the first 10 km I felt very happy and my legs felt very comfortable. However, at 15 km I got a pain in my side and running became difficult, but I kept going and the pain disappeared. At the 30 km mark, I felt extremely tired, and wanted to stop, but I kept on going. I covered another 3 km and then I began to feel better again. By the time I reached the 35 km mark, I knew I was going to get to the end of the course. Somehow that confidence made me feel lighter and faster and it seemed as if my legs flew over the last few kilometers. I passed hundreds of slower runners, some of whom had passed me earlier, and I felt wonderful! As I came round the last bend and saw the finishing line, I could see three runners ahead of me. I raced past all of them to finish the race in just under four hours. The winner had completed the race in 2 hours and 10 minutes, but I didn't care! I had run 42 km and completed my first marathon! The writer's boyfriend laughed at her because _ . he didn't think she could run the marathon Announcements Bret Harte vs. Calaveras alumni boys The annual Bret Harte vs. CHS alumni boys 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 basketball team. Cost to play is $30. Admission for audience is $ 5 for adults and $ 2 for kids. 6-year-old kids and kids who are under 6 are admitted free. For more information, call Kraig Clifton at 743-0679 or Jeff Eltringham at 736-0162. CHS girls basketball Skills The Calaveras High School 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. Sign-ups are still being accepted for the second of the two five-week sessions, which will be held on five consecutive Sundays beginning on Jan. 12, 2016. Cost is $25 per session. Each participant receives a T-shirt at the end of each session. For more information or to sign up, call Jeremy Malamed at 217-4563 or email sports.calent@gmail.com. CHS swim/baseball coaching vacancies Calaveras High School(CHS) is looking for a head boys/girls swim coach and a baseball coach for the 2016 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 754-1811. Foothills Little League sign-ups Foothills Little League will hold sign-ups for the 2016 season from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Pizza Factory in Valley Springs. All players must provide proofs of residency and a birth certificate. For more information, call Shawn Threet at 304-7399 or leave a message at 772-1516. 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. Costs are a $5 instructor fee and $ 2 donation to The Friends of Rail Road Flat School. For more information, visit friendsofrrfschool.org. As an excellent baseball coach you will focus on _ . CHS swim/baseball coaching vacancies Stephen Hawking was born in Oxford, England, on January 8, 1942. At the age of 17, he entered University College, Oxford. He wanted to study mathematics, but took up the study of physics when math was unavailable. He received a Ph.D. in physics despite being diagnosed with Ameliotrophic Lateral Sclerosis while at Oxford in 1963. In 1985 he became ill with pneumonia , and since then has required 24-hour nursing. Dr. Hawking's determination, along with the help of his family and associates, has allowed him to continue to work. In 1970 he began studying black holes. His research led him to predict that black holes send out radiation in the X-ray to gamma-ray range of the spectrum . In the 1980s he returned to an earlier interest, the origins of the universe. He has co-authored many publications, such as 300 Years of Gravity and The Large Scale Structure of Space time. Dr. Hawking has also written books such as A Brief History of Time, Black Holes and Baby Universes and other Essays, The Universe in a Nutshell and others. He continues to give lectures, despite having been unable to speak since 1985, with the aid of a speech synthesizer and a portable computer. He currently holds Isaac Newton's chair as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University in England. When did Hawking enter University College, Oxford? in 1959 MAY 14 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel . Many Israelis, however, are not in the mood to celebrate. Looking at the damage to her neighbor's home from a Palestinian rocket, Batia Katar, a 17-year-old Israeli girl, was in tears. "We can't celebrate (Israel's) independence when things like this are happening," she said. What is clear is that Israel is not a normal country. The country has a dramatic history and ancient culture but has only officially existed for 60 years. Within hours after it was _ in 1948, Israel was at war with its Arab neighbors for land. It won that time, and in 1956, 1967 and 1973, acquiring the West Bank, the Golan Heights, Gaza and east Jerusalem. For good or ill, Israelis can take pride in victories with so many countries. However, it occupied much more land than the United Nations agreed, which left local Palestinians homeless. Different from all its neighbors in religion, Israel is also far more successful economically than its neighbors. Though, it gets a great amount of support from America and other Western countries. The country is now a world leader in many industries, such as IT and modern agriculture. However, conflict exists, just like 60 years ago. And the signal of peace is as weak as ever. Palestinian militants have fired more than 7,000 missiles from Gaza, mainly at Sedro, killing 13 people. In the same period hundreds of Palestinian civilians in Gaza have died in Israeli military action. In order to create peace, the world community hopes both sides accept and follow the Middle East peace plan. Optimists believe through Israeli-Palestinian negotiations there will finally be peace. Both Israelis and Palestinians want to live in peace without explosions that remind them that they are living in a special but dangerous place. Why are many Israelis not in the mood to celebrate the both anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel? Because _ . conflicts and fights still exist A Divine Plan At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learningdisabled children, the father of one student delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by those who attended. He began with a question. "Everything God does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn and understand things as other children do. Where is God's plan reflected in my son?" The audience was stilled by the question. The father continued,"I believe that when God brings a child like Shay into the world, an opportunity to realize the Divine Plan presents itself. And it comes in the way people treat that child." Then he told the following story: Shay and I walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,"Do you think they will let me play?" I knew that most boys would not want him on their team. Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. So I approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs . The game is in the eighth inning . He can be on our team and we will try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning." In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. At the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. They had the potential to win. Would the team actually let Shay bat at this _ and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. At last, understanding what the boy's intentions had been, the boys from both teams helped Shay win the game for the team and Shay was cheered as the hero. "That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face,"the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of the Divine Plan into this world." What can we infer from the passage? The opponent team let Shay score purposely.
Charles Darwin (1809 - 1882) was a great naturalist, famous for his theory of evolution . One day two boys decided to play a trick on the great man. They took the body of a centipede , the head of a beetle , the leg of a grasshopper , and the wings of a butterfly, and glued them together. Putting the strange creature into a box carefully, they took it to Darwin. "Please, sir," said one of the two boys, "can you tell us what sort of a bug this is?" The naturalist looked at the bug and then at the boys. "Did it hum ?" he asked. "Oh, yes. It did!" "In that case," declared Darwin, "I would say it's a humbug !" What did the two boys do in order to play a trick on Darwin? A. They caught a strange creature and took it to Darwin. B. They put several insects together and took them to Darwin. C. They made a strange bug by putting together different parts of different insects and took it to Darwin. D. They put a strange animal into a box and took it to Darwin. Answer: C. They made a strange bug by putting together different parts of different insects and took it to Darwin. From poor beginnings to most expensive player ZINEDINE Zidane,who dreams of leading France to its second World Cup title in a row next month,has always preferred to express himself with a football rather than with words. Last Wednesday Zidane scored the decisive goal when Real Madrid of Spain won the Champions League final against Germany's Leverkusen 21. He became one of the world's most expensive players when he joined Real Madrid from Italy's Juventus for US $ 66 million.And he has been a national hero since he scored twice in the 3-O defeat of Brazil in the 1998 World Cup Final. But despite his success,Zidane has always kept his feet on the ground.He leads a quite family life,there is hardly any gossip about him and he avoids putting his wife and two children in the spotlight. "Just because I'm a public figure it doesn't mean I have to express myself on everything.I don't like to discuss some personal matters publicly."he said. Even as a child playing football in the slum area of Marseille,France,where he was raised by his Algerian parents,Zidane was shy. He loved football even as a little kid."I realized football is a wonderful mixture of a sharp mind and hard training rather than just talking,"he said. Even when the match awards were just chocolate and bread,Zidane found that football made his poor childhood rich. Before he was 10 years old,it was obvious that he could become a great footballer.He was offered his first professional contract when he was just 20.Now,at the age of 29,he has already picked up two World Player of the year awards. This quiet striker has not yet spoken of his hopes for the coming World Cup.But his fans across the world will be eagerly watching him to see what he'll do this time. According to the article,what are Zidane's main characteristics? A. He is a shy but successful man. B. H e loves his wife and children. C. He doesn't like to speak in public. D. He is a quiet,down--to earth person of few words. Answer: D. He is a quiet,down--to earth person of few words. Which of the following prolongs combustion? A. fire extinguishers B. water C. smothering D. candle wax Answer: D. candle wax 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. _ is in the photo. A. His father B. Jim Green C. Li Lei D. Liu Yong Answer: D. Liu Yong Feeling good and having humor in our lives can do wonders for our position and productivity , which means that there is definitely a place for some humor on the job. Having a smiling face will help your coworkers and supervisors feel better being around you, and you may well end up harvesting the rewards by laughing more in the workplace. But you need to know how to apply humor in your work environment. One of the main rules with humor in the workplace is to avoid argument when you are joking. Stay well away from joking about political affairs , race and religion. Never make fun of other people within your organization, as you are trying to win friends with the people you work with, and not set against them. If you can't help yourself, please be extremely careful. Making jokes about the ups and downs of your trade is a safe way to add wit to the place of work. You will have the benefit of knowing precisely what your coworkers have to face each and every day, and it's much better as it helps to let go of tensions and lower stress levels by getting them to chuckle about the situations they come across frequently. The very best time for some humor is when you are not working, but still in the region of the people you work with, such as a coffee or lunch break. You can also make an effort to be funny on the job, but when you are working, it's a good idea to use jokes much more discreetly than you would normally do. In general, humor in the workplace can flex your creative muscles and be a great help to your job. What is a proper topic for you to joke about at work? A. A funny political leader. B. Another person's religious belief. C. A person in your group. D. A mistake you made at work. Answer: D. A mistake you made at work.
BUY A JOINT TICKET AND VISIT THE HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES THE TOWER OF LONDON 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 ( No: 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 minutes 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 Tearooms 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. If you want to take your disabled sister for a visit, you can _ . I have happy memories of trips to Europe, but my trip to Romania was unique. When I was there as recalled, it was like being in a "James Bond" movie. My husband was born there, but his family sent him to study in Italy. Before he left, his mother told him, "As long as I write in pencil, don't come back. When I write to you in pen, it's safe to return." But she never wrote in pen. My husband lived a poor life in Italy. He applied to go to America, but there was a limit in number and he was rejected. He was accepted by Canada, though, and from Calgary he jumped onto a train to San Francisco. There he stayed --illegally. He became a US citizen when we got married. By then he was a charming European with a Romanian accent and the manners of a prince. With seven years' experience in America, a US passport, and two children later, he felt it was safe to visit Romania. He hadn't seen his mother, two sisters, and two brothers since he was sixteen. We flew to Munich, Germany; picked up the German-made car we had purchased in the States; and drove to Romania via Austria and Hungary. When we reached Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, his family was waiting outside his sister's house to greet us. After a long time of hugging, kissing, and crying, his family also hugged me, the American wife with two young children. They had great interest in me. Few Americans visited Romania at that time, and most Romanians had little chance to travel. I had brought an English-Romanian dictionary with me and managed to communicate, using only nouns, with no verbs. My Romanian improved, and the family's stock of English words increased, but mostly I spoke in broken, New York-accented Romanian. The sisters loved their gifts of skirts and purses, the brothers loved the radios, and the children loved the candy. We made side trips to the Black Sea and enjoyed sightseeing in beautiful mountains. Dining at outdoor cafes to the music of violins was fantastic with fancy flavor, but nothing was as special as family dinners. Romania didn't have many dry cleaners. Most homes had old-fashioned washing machines but no dryers, and it was a hot summer. My husband's relatives didn't want to risk dirtying their clothes. Their solution was as simple as it was shocking: the women only wore their bras and slips at dinner table. The men were eating without shirts. They all had jobs, so time was precious. Having dinner without proper clothes was a small inconvenience compared with the effort of washing clothes --at least in my husband's home, perhaps all across Romania. I, of course, having just met them, ate fully clothed. I washed my clothes by hand and hung them outdoors to dry. On the last night of our three-week stay, we had a large family dinner. I was tired of washing my clothes. So I pulled my dress over my head and placed it on the chair behind me. All men and women applauded for my action. Even with my poor Romanian, I understood that they were saying, "She's part of our family now." My children were 4 and 5 at the time, but they still have memories of that trip. They know how to say, "Good morning." and "There are apricots on the tree." I can still say, "Do you speak Romanian?"and "I swim in the Black Sea." But most of all, I remember sitting at a long dining-room table in my bra, enjoying meatballs with fresh garlic . What made the writer feel special about the family dinner in Romania? Students often want to practice their English outside class. One of the best ways to practice your English is to speak to a foreigner. You may ask, "Is it okay to try to talk to foreigners I see in the street?" The answer is yes and no, but probably no! If you see a foreigner who looks lost, it is polite to ask him, "May I help you?" But, otherwise, you should probably let them get on with their business. Situations, however, do exist where it is quite all right to talk to foreigners. If a foreigner enters your school, classroom, office, shop or restaurant, for instance, feel free to ask him (for example): -- What is your name? -- Where do you come from? -- What do you think of Beijing? -- How long will you stay in Beijing? There are also situations where it's okay to talk to foreigners in public places. If you see a foreigner alone in a restaurant, bar or coffee shop, it may be appropriate to ask him or her: -- Is this seat free? -- Do you mind if I talk to you in English? You can probably help them if they are new in China and if they are alone, you may be able to make them feel more welcome. After a few such questions, you should know whether this person wants to talk to you or not. If they ask you similar questions, or if they give long, informative answers, you're in luck. If not, then give them their privacy. Talking to strangers is fun if you choose the right time and place. When you first meet a foreigner, you should say " _ " The city of Cannes _ in the southern part of France, in the Riviera region and has a population of nearly 70,000. Cannes is very famous around the world for its Film Festival and also for its Cannes Lions Festival. It is a comfortable city and has tourism as its main industry. Cannes offers some of France's finest hotels. You can surf the Internet for more information about hotels. _ is 905 km away from Paris, 164 km from Marseille and 26 km away from Nice. The coast is often visited. The Boulevard de la Croisette is one of the most important attractions for people who love the beach, sun and sand. La Croisette is a 12 km waterfront avenue with many trees, hotels, cafes, shops and restaurants around. Visiting the Musee de la Castre is also a good choice for seeing beautiful works of art, paintings and so on. And if you want to relax, you can visit the Iles de Lerins (Le rins Islands) with nice views and beautiful beaches. If you just take a walk in the streets of Cannes, you will discover a very friendly atmosphere . The main streets are d'Antibes and Meynardier. You will have a good time in the shops. Its restaurants are very good, although the prices are sometimes expensive. Depending on whether the restaurant is located on the waterfront or not, the price will be a bit more expensive. According to the passage we can know that the passage is about _ in France. Since the pre-historic times, man has had an urge to satisfy his needs.Whether it is hunger, shelter or search for a mate, he has always controlled the situations to his advantage.Probably this might be the reason why we humans are the most developed of all living species on the earth.As we climbed the steps of development, we somehow left behind common sense and logical thinking --we forgot that we have stopped thinking ahead of time. If you are hungry, what do you do? Get a piece of your favorite meal and stay quiet.Just like your stomach, even your mind is hungry.But it never lets you know, because you keep it busy thinking about your dream lover, favorite star and many such things.So it silently began to care about your needs and never let itself grow.When mind looses its freedom to grow, creativity gets a full stop.This might be the reason why we all sometimes think "What happens next?", "Why can't I think?" "Why am I always given the difficult, problems?" Well, this is the result of using our brain for thinking of not-so-worthy things. Hunger of the mind can be actually satisfied through reading.Now why reading and not watching TV? Because reading has been the most educative tool used by us right from the childhood.Just like that to develop other aspects of our life, we have to turn to reading.You have innumerable number of books in this world which will answer all your "How to?" questions.The interesting part of the book is stored in your mind as a seed.Now this seed is unknowingly used by you in your future to develop new ideas. The same seed, if used many times, can help you link and relate a lot of things, of which you would have never thought in your wildest dreams! This is nothing but creativity.If you read more books, your mind will open up like never before. What does the author mean by saying "When mind looses its freedom to grow, creativity gets a fall stop."
The formation of coal deposits occurred over millions of years. Which feature was most responsible for these deposits? Answer: swamps with dense vegetation Hi, I'm Liu Ying. This is my school. It's big and beautiful. There are twenty classes. There are nine hundred students in my school. There are four beautiful gardens in it. There is a building in my school. On the first floor, there are two offices and a hall. There are six classrooms on the first floor, too. On the second floor, there are fourteen classrooms. There are two toilets on the second floor. There is a big library and some reading rooms in my school, too. There are _ students in the school. Answer: nine hundred The Lies of George W. Bush By David Corn Imprint: Three Rivers Press Trade Paperback: 368 pages Pub Date: May 2004 Price: US $ 12.195 ISBN: 1400050677 All American presidents have lied, but George W. Bush has seriously abused the truth, this book tells us. It's full of sharp accusations against the prefix = st1 /USpresident and his inner circle. David Corn, theWashingtoneditor of "The Nation", details the many times the Bush administration knowingly and intentionally misled the American public to advance its own interests and plan. These include: Unclear reports and presenting misleading arguments to gain public support for the war againstIraq. Misleading explanations, instead of telling the full truth, about the 9/11 attacks. The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty By Kitty Kelley Imprint: Doubleday Hardcover: 736 Pages Pub Date: September 2004 Price: US $ 29.95 ISBN: 0385503245 They have got huge financial power and controlled world politics for more than half a century. They have been elected as governors, congressmen, senators and presidents. They have shaped America's past and, with the country at war under the leadership of their No. 1 son, they are, shapingAmerica's future. As the Bush family has risen to power, they have been masters of their own public image. They act and operate under the protection of privacy their money and status has afforded them. America's Secret War By George Friedman Imprint: Doubleday Hardcover: 368 pages Pub Date: October 2004 Price: US $ 25.95 ISBN: 0385512457 Friedman tells the surprising truth behind America's foreign policy and war in Afghanuistan andIraq. In "America's Secret War", George Friedman identifies the Untied States' most dangerous enemies. He also examines presidential strategies of the last quarter century, and reveals the real reasons behind the attack of 9/11 and the Bush administration's reasons for the war inIraq. He describes in detail America's secret and open efforts in the global war against terrorism. Which of the two books are published by the same publisher? Answer: The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty and America's Secret War. China's top labor official said the country is planning to push back the age at which workers can retire. Yin Weimin, minister of human resources and social security, demonstrated that we did not put a timetable on the move when he spoke about it during a forum at the weekend. "Delaying the retirement age is a very complicated issue and we will study it according to the situations of population and employment and consider different groups of people," Yin said. He noted that _ in the retirement age have been brought in by many countries and can be a good way to deal with an aging population and ensure the healthy and stable development of social security. The life expectancy of Chinese people is now 73 years and is expected to rise to 74 during the next five years, he said. Nearly three out of 10 Chinese people will be older than 60 by 2040, according to a United Nations forecast. The retirement age in China currently is 60 for men and 55 for female civil servants and 50 for female workers. The idea of delaying the retirement age is being widely supported by government officials, while many laborers and non-government employees were less enthusiastic about the prospect of working for longer. Currently, they have to pay into their pension plans for at least 15 years before they can retire. Chen Xianlian, a female worker at a motorcycle parts manufacturer in Chongqing municipality is among those who would like to see the retirement age left as it is. "I have to do lots of tough and repetitive work every day and I feel very tired after my working day," the 41-year-old said. "All my colleagues are discussing the government's possible move to lift the retirement age. None of us wants to work any extra years." University graduates also fear that any rise in the retirement age could limit their employment opportunities. It can be inferred from the text that _ . Answer: It may be harder for the university graduate to find a job in the future. Sports account for a growing amount of income made on the sales of commercial time by television companies. Many television companies have used sports to attract viewers from particular sections of the general public, and then they have sold audiences to advertisers. An attraction of sport programs for the major U. S. media companies is that events are often held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons--the slowest time periods of the week for general television viewing. Sport events are the most popular weekend programs, especially among male viewers who may not watch much television at other times during the week. This means the television networks are able to sell advertising time at relatively high prices during what normally would be dead time for programming. Media corporations also use sports to attract commercial sponsors that might take their advertising dollars elsewhere if television stations did not report certain sports. The people in the advertising departments of major corporations realize that sports attract made viewers. They also realize that most business travelers are men and that many men make family decisions on the purchases of computers, cars and life insurance. Golf and tennis are special cases for television programming. These sports attract few viewers, and the ratings are unusually low. However, the audience for these sports is attractive to certain advertisers. It is made up of people from the highest income groups in the United States, to certain advertisers. It is made up of people from the highest income groups in the United States, including many lawyers and business managers. This is why television reporting of golf and tennis is sponsored by companies selling high-priced cars, business and personal computer, and holiday trips. This is also why the networks continue to carry these programs regardless of low ratings. Advertisers are willing to pay high fees to reach high-income consumers and those managers who make decisions to buy thousands of "company cars" and computer, with such viewers, these programs don't need high ratings to stay on the air. What is the passage mainly about? Answer: Sports are gaining importance in advertising on television
Sydney Tower Address: 100 Market St, Sydney Phone: 02 93339222 Fax: 02 93339203 Open time: 9:00 am to 10:30 pm (Saturdays to 11:30 pm) Ticket: $ 60 (for an adult) $ 30 (for a child) Website: www. Sydneytower. com. au How to get there: train to Town Hall Station and a short walk along Market Street How to book tickets: by phone / fax or through the Web Attraction: Sydney's best views are just the beginning! Sydney Tower takes you to the highest point above Sydney for exciting 360deg views of our beautiful city. Frank wants to go to Sydney Tower with his two children, he will pay _ . A $ 60 B $ 90 C $ 150 D $120 Answer: C. $ 150 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'II 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: May 15,June 17,July 16,August 14. 7 days--$3500,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: E-mail:info@alaskamountainguides.com Call:800--766--3396 Write:Alaska Mountain Guides &Climbing School P.O.Box 1081,Haines AK 99827 According to the advertisement, the participants of the excursion _ . A will spend one day experiencing the local culture at Alaska Indian Arts B can contact Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School by email or fax C are able to experience some adventurous activities in Haines D can get lots of traditional native artworks free of charge Answer: C. are able to experience some adventurous activities in Haines Giant pandas are now extremely rare. Their number is less than 1,000 in the wild. The hunting of pandas has been banned for many years, so this is not the problem. Destruction of its habitat, when areas are cleared for growing crops, is one of the main reasons for panda's decline . Another reason is that the bamboo on which they mainly feed, is dying back. The pandas find it difficult to move to new feeding areas. As the bamboo disappears, the pandas simply starve to death. Bamboo is a poor source of food, and pandas have to eat up 45kg of it every day, a process that takes them up to 16 hours. The process goes on day and night, with the pandas in a constant cycle of eating for eight hours and sleeping for four. They can eat other foods, but will rather starve than change their diet when bamboo is scarce. Giant pandas are very good climbers, and use this skill to escape from the enemy. The giant panda lives alone for most of its life, only coming together with another of its species for long enough to mate. A newborn panda baby is born hairless and blind, is about 15cm long and weighs only 100g. The baby will stay with its mother for about 18 months, until it is able to set up its own territory Chinese and American scientists are studying giant pandas and their habits in order to put in place a major conservation programme. Zoos around the world are taking part in panda breeding programmes. There is still hope that with human's help, the giant panda can survive in the wild. How much bamboo does a panda eat every year? A Nearly 3 tons B Nearly 2 tons C Almost 1 ton D A half ton Answer: B. Nearly 2 tons I didn't feel well when I woke up yesterday morning. My throat hurt and _ . I also felt hot. My mother said I had a bad cold. I didn't want to get up, so she let me stay in bed all day. I don't usually like being in bed during the day, but I like it yesterday. I listened to the music and read a magazine. I slept a lot. I had all my meals in bed, though I didn't want to eat much. I had just soup and toast for lunch and some rice and chicken for dinner. By evening I was beginning to feel better. I asked my mother if I could get up and watch television but she said no. Today I feel much better, so I didn't stay in bed. I didn't go to school again, though. I'll go tomorrow if I feel well enough. He stayed in bed all day because he _ . A had a vacation B hurt his foot C needed to read D was sick Answer: D. was sick Six years ago, I walked into a local animal shelter on a cold, rainy day. Although my house was already full of cats and dogs, I still couldn't resist an occasional visit to the shelter. This time as I was walking down the row of pens full of barking dogs I noticed a small boy looking into one of them. He had a malnourished looking body and a bony face with a big nose sticking out of the middle of it. He was looking at a small, golden dog. Its bony ribs were showing and its thin tail was folded between its legs. It wasn't begging for attention like the other puppies but was hiding in the corner instead. The boy looked up at me with sad eyes and asked what was wrong with it. "It was probably abused and abandoned", I said. "That is why it is so scared." The boy immediately turned to an older lady and said, "Grandma, I want this one." The old woman smiled and walked to the front desk to fill out the adoption forms. I followed and asked about the boy. I found out that he'd had a rough start in life too. She had just gotten custody of him after the state had taken him from his parents. She had hoped getting a dog would make it easier on him. I looked back at him, holding his scared puppy, and said a prayer for them both. It was yesterday. I was driving down the road enjoying a gloriously sunny, spring day. Then in a green front yard I saw the boy. His teenage body was tall and strong. His nose no longer seemed big but fit well into his smiling face. He was throwing a ball to a healthy, happy dog with shining golden hair. His little act of love and kindness had indeed gone a long way. It had saved a dog's life, healed his own heart, and given this middle-aged man fresh hope for us all. The reason why the dog was so scared is that _ . A it was afraid of the cold B it had been ill-treated C it was frightened by the boy D it was frightened by the author Answer: B. it had been ill-treated
Google has kicked off Google Science Fair (GSF) _ , its annual online competition for bright, creative and ambitious teenagers who want to change the world with science. While the project is led by Google, it also has the backing of the Lego Group and world-famous publications National Geographic and Scientific American. The competition is open for students aged 13 to 18, who can sign-up now, form a team and begin working on a submission. The winner will be rewarded with a ten-day exploration to the Galapagos Islands aboard the National Geographic Endeavor, as well as a VIP tour of 'Spaceport America' in New Mexico. Google is also throwing in a $50,000 scholarship and $10,000 for the winner's school to purchase cutting-edge science lab equipment. Google suggests that each project should be "an in-depth investigation of a science question or engineering problem" but otherwise, it's up to students to pick and develop an idea that follows the competition rules. Completed projects need to be submitted by May 12, 2014 at 11:59 PDT. Google will announce the regional competitors in June, ahead of global finalists in August and the competition winners in September. Interested? Here are the _ . If you want to enter the competition as an individual , you should register first. Complete requested information about yourself and your project in the registration section before creating your project. You may edit this later. Click the box stating that you have read, accept, and agree to be bound by these Official Rules and Terms. Upon completion of registration you may begin working on your project. The project must follow the technical, creative, and legal entry requirements set out in these Official Rules and the Googlesciencefair.com Site. You will be required to complete all sections of the Project Site. You may begin working on your project after completing the registration process, however, you may not submit it for judging until you have requested and received parental consent . Once you have done this, your parent or guardian will receive an email from Google with instructions on how they can give their consent for you to participate. The project will not be judged unless this consent is received. If you plan to enter GSF alone, you _ . A should create your project first B you needn't follow the official rules C you should provide some personal information D your should start your project before registration Answer: C. you should provide some personal information Wanted,Someone for a Kiss We're looking for producers to join us on the sound of London Kiss 100 FM. You'll work on the station's music programs. Music production experience in radio is necessary,along with rich knowledge of modern dance music. Please apply in writing to Producer Vacancies,Kiss 100. Father Christmas We're looking for a very special person,preferably over 40,to fill our Father Christmas suit. Working days:Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December 17 to December 24 except Sundays, 10:30-16:00. Excellent pay. Please contact the Enterprise Shopping Centre,Station Parade,Eastbourne. Accountants Assistant When you join the team in our Revenue Administration Unit,you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division,dealing with post and other general duties. If you are educated to GCSE grade C level we would like to talk to you. This position is equally suitable for a school leaver or for somebody who has office experience. Wealden District Council Software Trainer If you are aged 24-45 and have experience in teaching and training,you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in program writing. You will be allowed to make your own decisions,and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards ofPS15,000 for the right person. Please apply by sending your CV to Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited. .What kind of person would probably apply to Palmlace Limited? A One with GCSE grade C level. B One with some office experience. C One having good computer knowledge. D One trained in producing music programs. Answer: C. One having good computer knowledge. I'm Leo. I'm 13 and I'm in Class Six. I have three good friends. They are Lily, Gina, and Ben. Lily and Gina are in Class Seven. Ben is in Class Six, too. We're all in Grade Seven. We like sports. My favorite sport is ping-pong. It is interesting. I have three ping-pong balls and four ping-pong bats. Lily and Gina are sisters. They don't like ping-pong. They think it is boring. Their favorite sport is tennis. They have five tennis balls and they play tennis with their parents and two brothers. Ben's favorite sport is soccer. He has two soccer balls and he plays soccer very well. ? A Ben can't play soccer. B Leo and Ben are classmates. C Seven people are in Lily's family. D Lily and Gina think ping-pong is difficult. Answer: B. Leo and Ben are classmates. The man traveling in the back of the ambulance which was running at a high speed along the streets of Baltimore that morning in2008 had no business to be alive. By everything that was reasonable, and there were plenty of such things before, he should have been very dead indeed. But he wasn't. As the people in the hospital pointed out after they had examined him, he was only slightly hurt. Yet he had just fallen 150 feet down a hotel lift shaft! Unknown to the man, two things had occurred which were to affect his life that day. On the thirteenth floor of the hotel, somebody had carelessly left the lift gate open. Down in the basement, a pipe had burst and it had flooded from the bottom of the lift shaft to a depth of two feet. Modern lifts have all sorts of fail-safe system to prevent accidents, but this was ancient equipment unreliable, slow, dangerous, and unsuitable material to recycle. The man had plenty of things to occupy his mind that morning. He had overslept. The hotel had forgotten to call him and now he was late for an important business appointment. He dressed quickly, shaved hurriedly, took hold of his briefcase and hurried off down the hotel corridor. Good! The lift gate was open. The lift must be there. He need not press the button and wait while the large, clumsy lift made its way upwards. Without looking or thinking, he stepped out into space, The lift cage was, in fact, one floor above him on the fourteenth. The lift shaft which he had walked was a narrow space of not very fresh air, ending150 feet below in two feet of dirty water. The man fell, making his journey to the ground at a speed he had never dreamed of. Confused patterns, a rush of air, time enough to be afraid, split-second thoughts of death, then crash! Perhaps this gave him the record for some sort of high-diving act. No doubt in future he always looked before he jumped. Certainly he learnt that this was no way to save time. The experts said that those two feet of water had saved his life. What do we learn about the man? A He fell from the 13th floor. B He was hit by an ambulance. C He got caught in a serious flood. D He made a record for high-diving Answer: A. He fell from the 13th floor. Astronomers recently found another ring around the planet Saturn -- and it's the biggest one yet. This newly discovered ring stretches about 15 million miles across, which makes a loop big enough to fit a billion Earths inside. It may be even bigger and reach 22 million miles across at its diameter . Saturn's new ring is now the biggest known ring in the solar system. This ring, like Saturn's other rings, is not one solid piece of rock. Instead, it is made up of millions or billions of tiny rocks that orbit the planet all together and give the appearance of a unified ring. Unlike the more visible rings, however, this big one is mysterious -- the pieces are far apart, and the ring cannot be seen from the surface of the Earth. If all the pieces were stuck together, they'd be slightly bigger than a rock a half-mile wide. Astronomers suspect that the newly discovered ring gets its material from Saturn's outermost moon, Phoebe. For example, the dust in the ring circles Saturn in the same path and the same direction as Phoebe. Plus, the surface of Phoebe is marked with holes and places where rock has been knocked away, the result of collisions between Phoebe and other moons and rocks. These collisions could have sent dust out into space to become part of the big ring. The discovery of the ring could help explain other mysteries surrounding Saturn and its dozens of moons. The moon called Iapetus, for example, is two-toned: one side is gray; the other more reddish. Iapetus is within the newly discovered ring, but it orbits in the opposite direction. As a result, some researchers say, debris from the ring may have coated and color1ed one side of Iapetus as it moved through space, and left the other side alone. "The cause of Iapetus' strange color1 distribution ... has been a puzzle that now seems solved," said Joseph Burns, a scientist. But not everyone agrees. Some think the ring alone may not be able to explain Iapetus' funny color1ing. Which of the following is NOT true about the newly found ring? A It is the biggest ring around Saturn. B It can contain a billion Earths. C Its diameter is about 22 million miles. D It can be seen from the Earth. Answer: D. It can be seen from the Earth.
Question: Nowadays more and more young athletes are taking part in the risky activities called "extreme sports" or "X-sports". In the past young athletes would play baseball. Today, they want risk and excitement -- the closer to the edge, the better. They snowboard over cliff and hike deep mountains. Extreme sports started as an alternative to more expensive sports such as golf. A city kid who couldn't afford expensive sports equipment could get a skateboard and have fun. But now it has become a whole new area of sports, with specialized equipment and high levels of skill. There is even an Olympics for extreme sports, called the winter x-game, which includes snow mountain hiking and ice climbing. What makes extreme sports so popular? Maybe it's because people love the risk. City people want to be outdoors on the weekends and do something challenging. The new equipment is so much better that people can take more risks without getting hurt. Sure there's a risk. Once you go mountain hiking or snowboarding, it's impossible to go back to have riding or skiing. It's just too boring. Now even the older crowd is starting to join in. Every weekend, groups of friends in their early 30s get together. On weekdays they work as computer programmers in the same office. On weekends they hike mountains together. Extreme sports are certainly not for everyone. Most people still prefer to play basketball or watch sports on TV. But it has been a fact that extreme sports are gaining popularity. To have extreme sports, you should _ . A. have specialized equipment and high levels of skill B. be very young at age C. do snow mountain hiking and ice climbing D. afford expensive sports equipment Answer: A. have specialized equipment and high levels of skill Question: Traveling is very interesting. Many people love traveling. There are many ways to travel: by plane, by train, by ship or by car. Everyone has their favorite way. Greg:My favorite way of traveling is by car. I can bring my pet dog along. I can travel three hundred miles or only fifty miles a day. I can stop at a good restaurant to enjoy a good meal or at a hotel to spend the night. Eliza:I love traveling by train best! It's very exciting. I traveled most of Europe in 5 months by train. It's the best way to talk with the local people and make new friends on the way. Trains make even the longest trip enjoyable. The train ride to me is just like a big moving party. I also like traveling by ship. It is a very great way to spend a vacation. I can go to parties and movies on the ship, and enjoy the blue sky and water. Danny:Planes are my favorite. It's the fastest way of traveling. I can quickly get to another country. Planes have very comfortable seats. I can have something to drink and to eat. I can also read some free magazines and newspapers. . Danny likes traveling by plane because _ . A. his home is near the airport B. he can make new friends C. he can quickly get to another country. D. he can sleep on the plane. Answer: C. he can quickly get to another country. Question: Retailer, a dry goods retailer, telephoned Manufacturer, a towel manufacturer, and offered to buy for $5 each a minimum of 500 and a maximum of 1,000 large bath towels, to be delivered in 30 days. Manufacturer orally accepted this offer and promptly sent the following letter to Retailer, which Retailer received two days later: "This confirms our agreement today by telephone to sell you 500 large bath towels for 30-day delivery. /s/ Manufacturer." Twenty-eight days later, Manufacturer tendered to Retailer 1,000 (not 500) conforming bath towels, all of which Retailer rejected because it had found a better price term from another supplier. Because of a glut in the towel market, Manufacturer cannot resell the towels except at a loss. In a suit by Manufacturer against Retailer, which of the following will be the probable decision? A. Manufacturer can enforce a contract for 1,000 towels, because Retailer ordered and Manufacturer tendered that quantity. B. Manufacturer can enforce a contract for 500 towels, because Manufacturer's letter of confirmation stated that quantity term. C. There is no enforceable agreement, because Retailer never signed a writing. D. There is no enforceable agreement, because Manufacturer's letter of confirmation did not state a price term. Answer: B. Manufacturer can enforce a contract for 500 towels, because Manufacturer's letter of confirmation stated that quantity term. Question: Although there are no state controlled survival courses in Britain or the United States, there are various independent organizations offering similar activities. Students can participate ( take part ) in outdoor training courses through university clubs and societies . Anyone can register ( ) with such groups , which then organize courses ,training and trips for all members . One of the most popular outdoor training programmes in both the US and Britain , is Outward Bound ( ) . It was founded in 1941 in Wales and attracts hundreds of thousands of adventurous types every year . The courses are to broaden minds through experiences that build confidence , self-esteem ( ) and character . As well as specialist courses such as canoeing , leadership skills and sailing , participants can take part in week long adventure training camps which include a host of sports and survival training education skills . Michael Williams , an American student , took part in an Outward Bound course last year . He said : "We learned lots of first aid skills , lots of natural history , lots of environmental facts , and participated in a wildlife preservation ( protecting ) programme . Beyond that , my favorite skills learned were sailing and rock climbing ." Courses can last up to 40 days and are open to anyone over the age of 14 . Students must be in general good health , but do not need to be experienced in outdoor-sports . There is no selection process ; everyone is welcome , although new participants are advised to pick a course matching their physical power . Most of the British courses take place in the Beacons in Wales . Another similar organization is the UK Survival School , which includes courses on learning to live with the environment , sailing and winter survival . On a basic survival weekend students will learn how to get water and food , how to make fire and cook with it , to find and build a shelter , control survival life support , how to cross rivers , send off an SOS signal , and to use compasses by day and night . According to the leaders , such adventures are "an awakening , an exploration into unknown." Outward Bound believes that participants will "use mind and body traveling some of the earth's roughest wildness areas ." In the Outward Bound course last year , the most exciting experience Michael Williams had was _ . A. learning first aid skills B. collecting facts of environment C. preserving wildlife D. rock climbing and sailing Answer: D. rock climbing and sailing Question: Once there was a king who never ate a meal unless there was a dish of fish with it, but one day there was a big storm and the fishermen were not able to go out to catch fish, so the king had no breakfast and no lunch. Then he ordered his servants to tell everybody in his capital that if anyone brought him a fish, he would give him anything that he asked for. At last, a fisherman caught a big fish late in the afternoon and hurried to the king's palace with it. But the king's Prime Minister would not let him in until he promised to give him half of whatever the king gave him for the fish. The king was very happy when he saw the fish. He asked the fisherman what he wanted for his fish. To his surprise, the fisherman said, "I want you to beat me two dozen times with a stick." When the king began to beat him a dozen times, the fisherman jumped away and said, "That is enough for me. I promised the other dozen to your Prime Minister." Then he told the king what had happened between the Prime Minister and himself. The king was very angry. He not only gave the Prime Minister the dozen hits, but also said, "Because you have been dishonest, you will not be my Prime Minister any more. The fisherman will take your place." . When the fisherman told the king what he wanted, the king _ . A. was very happy B. was very surprised C. was very angry D. gave him what he wanted at once Answer: B. was very surprised
On a BA flight from Johannesburg, a middle-aged South African lady found herself sitting next to a black man. She called the cabin crew attendant over to complain about her seating. "What seems to be the problem, Madam?" Asked the attendant. "Can't you see?" She said, "You've sat me next to a black. I can't possibly sit next to this dirty disgusting human. Find me another seat!" "Please calm down, Madam," the attendant replied, "The flight is very full today, but I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll go and check to see if we have any seats available in club or first class." A few minutes later, the attendant returned with the good news, which she delivered to the lady, who cannot help but look at the people around her with a smug and self-satisfied grin. "Madam, unfortunately, as I guessed, economy is full. I've spoken to the cabin services director, and club is also full. However, we do have one seat in first class." Before the lady had a chance to answer, the attendant continued. "It's most extraordinary to make this kind of upgrade, however, and I have had to get special permission from the captain. But, according to this _ , the captain felt that it was unbelievable that someone should be forced to sit next to such an obnoxious person." Having said that, the attendant turned to the black man sitting next to the lady, and said, "So if you'd like to get your things, sir, I have your seat ready for you." At that moment, the surrounding passengers stood and gave a long-lasting ovation while the black man walked up to the front of the plane... Who will fly in first class? Answer: The way to teach the kids to take good care of pets The best way to teach your child how to be responsible pet caregivers is to be on yourself. This should start before you even get a pet--make sure you have realistic expectations about pet ownership. And take steps to select the right animal at the right time. As soon as you bring a pet in, set up and enforce rules regarding proper pet care. For example, tell your child not to pull the animal's tail, ears, or other body parts, and insist they never tease(,), hit, or chase it. Teach the child how to properly pick up, hold, and pat the animal. These simple lessons are essential to helping the kid become a responsible caretaker. Although a certain pet-care activity must be handled by an adult, you can still include your child by explaining why and what you're doing. For example, when you take your pet to the veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, explain to your child how the operation not only reduces pet overpopulation but can also make it healthier, calmer, and more affectionate. Also involve your child in a pet-training activity, which not only make your pet a more well-mannered family member, but teach your child humane treatment and effective communication. Ultimately, your child will learn how to treat animals--and people--by watching how you treat the family pet. And they'll pay close attention to how you react when a pet scratches the furniture, barks excessively, or soils in the house. Frustrating as these problems are, "getting rid of" the pet isn't just unfair to the pet and your child, but it also sends the wrong message about commitment, trust, and responsibility. When faced with pet problems, get to the root of the problem. Often a veterinarian, animal shelter professional, or dog trainer can help you resolve pet issues so you can keep the whole family together. We can infer from the passage that the writer is probably an expert _ . Answer: An old man decided to write a letter to God: Dear God, I am nearing the end of my life. The doctors tell me I am dying of cancer and have a few months to live. In fact, as You know, throughout my entire life I've had nothing but bad luck. But no matter what You have inflicted on me, I have never lost my faith in You. In return for this loyalty , I ask just one thing of you. Please prove Your existence to me by sending me $100 in cash, and I will die a happy man. Yours insignificantly, An Old Man The letter arrived at the local post office where the employees noticed it was addressed To God: Heaven. They all knew the old man and, after reading the letter with tears in their eyes, took pity on him, ninety dollars was raised and posted to him. The old man was _ and immediately wrote a "thank you" letter to God. The post office received the letter and all gathered around to read it. Dear God, I thank You with all my heart for taking time from Your busy schedule and answering my request...I am now a happy man. Yours (in the very near future), An Old Man P.S. I only received $90 of the $100 I asked for. I bet those thieving bastards down at the post office pinched the rest. The old man believed that _ . Answer: Below is a housing guide for students going to London. University accommodation offices Many university accommodation offices have their own list of registered landlords . Others also provide information on accommodation agencies and other housing organizations. The advantage of using your university accommodation office is that you can get some support if you have a problem. The disadvantage is that they are unlikely to have enough registered landlords to houses all their students. Property papers: Loot and Renting Loot is an important source of information about private housing for co-renters. The offers are from private landlords, agencies and individuals looking for other co-renters. They also have a website: www.loot.com. The advantage of using Loot is that there are some excellent bargains. The disadvantage is that there is no quality control over the offers. Renting is another useful paper. The offers in this paper are mainly from accommodation agencies. Their website is at www.renting.co.uk. Accommodation agencies The majority of rented accommodation in London is probably advertised through accommodation agencies. The advantage of using accommodation agencies is that: you will have access to a large number of accommodations. A good agent will listen to your requirements and can save you time in looking for the right accommodation. The disadvantage is that they will make a range of charges to potential renters. Noticeboards Around the universities you will find a number of noticeboards where offers of accommodation will be posted. These will either be from landlords or from students. Some universities will also have online noticeboards where students can advertise to other students. Advertisements from students can be an excellent way to find accommodation. However, advertisements from landlords can be problematic. Word of mouth Some of the best housing in London is never advertised but is passed on from one group of students to another by word of mouth. It might be that you can find out about good offers from final year students. However, don't suppose that just because you have found out about housing from a friend it is necessarily going to be better than that found through any other source. Family Faced with the very high rents charged in London, some students and their parents will consider buying as an alternative. In some cases this might be a good choice. What is the advantage of using Loot? Answer: Most people want to be successful, but never stop to think what it will really take to get there in their chosen field. If it means going back to college for 2 years of night school, could you do it ? If it means reading a book a week for about 6 months in order to really master a new skill ? If you aren't prepared to do any of those things because they are outside of your comfort zone, then you can forget being succesful. I guarantee you will never reach your goals in life, unless your goals are to be ordinary. The biggest killer by far is the dreaded " comfort zone " where most people live in their entire life. And the funny thing is that people just can't wrap their heads around the fact that people who have reached some success get tons of time to just relax, but only because they've earned it ! If you haven't built a successful business, or in some way built a career that allow you so much freee time, then you are stuck in the grinding world of nine-to-five jobs everyone else. So how comfortable is that ? So what can you do about it ? Well, find a way to make something happen in your life--- build a business around your favourite hobby, write a book and publish it, or take a course in stock trading and become an expert at that, working on making enough money to retire. If you don't take massive action that puts your way of your comfort zone, you will never be successful at much of anything. I promise--- and I don't make many promises ! Finding real happiness in life can be a mystery for many. That's why I wrote The Road to Happiness for those who want real success and happiness in life, including spirituality and all the gifts life has to offer. Don't wander aimlessly through life. Get focused on your goals, start helping others in need, and live life to the fullest ! Life is too short to be anything but happy. Visit my website and find what you've been missing. Sign up for my newsletter and get seven free ebooks, too ! Read hundreds of articles while you're there in the article section, which is updated daily. This text must be taken from _ . Answer:
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We have developed a workout that targets all the right muscle groups, while at the same time burning unwanted fat. Our experienced trainers can help you with nutrition in between workouts to allow you to reach your goals faster. Nutrition is a big part of getting fit; don't overlook it! If working out on your own hasn't produced the type of results you want, that's why we're here. Join today! We charge $500 for each membership, but people who join our gym today can get a 20 percent discount. Those who join in the following week can get a 10 percent discount. For more information, please click here. How much do a couple have to pay if they join the gym today? $800. This is a photo of Mr. White's family. The man with glasses is Mr. White. The woman is Mr. White's wife. They have a son and a daughter. The son is behind (......) Mr. White. His name is Tom. He's 13. Kate is Tom's sister. She is 11. Tom and Kate are in the same school, but they are in different grades. Tom is in Grade Three and Kate's in Grade One. They are good students. ,.(2) White is the _ name. family Napoleon, as a character in Tolstoy's War and Peace, is more than once described as having "fat little hands". Nor does he "sit well or firmly on the horse". He is said to be "undersized", with "short legs" and a "round stomach". The issue here is not the accuracy of Tolstoy's description-it seems not that far off from historical accounts but his choice of facts: other things that could be said of the man are not said. We are meant to understand the difference of a warring commander in the body of a fat little Frenchman. Tolstoy's Napoleon could be any man wandering in the streets and putting a little of powdered tobacco up his nose-and that is the point. It is a way the novelist uses to show the moral nature of a character. And it turns out that, as Tolstoy has it, Napoleon is a crazy man. In a scene in Book Three of War and Peace, the wars having reached the critical year of 1812,Napoleon receives a representative from the Tsar ,who has come with peace terms. Napoleon is very angry: doesn't he have more army? He, not the Tsar, is the one to make the terms. He will destroy all of Europe if his army is stopped. "That is what you will have gained by engaging me in the war!" he shouts. And then, Tolstoy writes, Napoleon "walked silently several times up and down the room, his fat shoulders moving quickly". Still later, after reviewing his army amid cheering crowds, Napoleon invites the shaken Russian to dinner. "He raised his hand to the Russian's face," Tolstoy writes, and "taking him by the ear pulled it gently. . . ". To have one's ear pulled by the Emperor was considered the greatest honor and mark of favor at the French court. "Well, well, why don't you say anything?" said he, as if it was ridiculous in his presence to respect any one but himself, Napoleon. Tolstoy did his research, but the composition is his own. What does the last sentence of the passage imply? A writer doesn't have to be faithful to his findings. I've loved my mother's desk since I was just tall enough to sit above the top of it when mother sat writing letters. Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens, and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the most wonderful thing in the world. Years later, during her final illness, mother kept different things for my sister and brother. "But the desk," she said again " is for Elizabeth."[:Zxxk.Com] I never saw her angry, never saw her cry. I knew she loved me; she showed it action. But as a young girl. I wanted to have heart-to heart talks between mother and daughter. They never happened. And a _ opened between us. I was " too emotional ". But she lived "on the surface". As years passed and I had my own family. I loved my mother and thanked her for our happy family. I wrote to her in careful words and asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive me. My hope turned to disappointment, then little interest and, finally, peace-it seemed that nothing happened. I couldn't be sure that the letter had even got to mother. I only knew that I had written it, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not. But the present of her desk told me, as she'd never been able to, that she was pleased that writing was my chosen work. I cleaned the desk carefully and found some papers inside-a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded and refolded many times. It was my letter. " In any way you choose, mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words" The word "gulf" in the passage means _ . different ideas between mother and daughter . Smart job-seekers need to rid themselves of several standard myths about interviewing before they start looking for a job. What follows is a list of some of these untruths and some tips to help you do your best at your next interview. Myth 1: The aim of interviewing is to obtain (means "get") a job offer. Only half true. The real aim of an interview is to obtain the job you want. That often means rejecting job offers you don't want! So before you please an employer, be sure you want the job. Myth 2: Always please the interviewer Not true. Try to please yourself. Of course, don't be hostile--nobody wants to hire someone disagreeable. But there is plainly a muddle ground between being too ingratiating and being hostile. Myth 3: Try to control the interview Nobody "controls" an interview. When someone tries to control us, we resent it. When we try to control others, they resent us. Remember you can't control what an employer thinks of you, just as he can't control what you think of him. So he is ready to give and take when being interviewed; never control the interview. Myth 4: Never interrupt the interviewer Study the style of the effective conversationalists: they interrupt and are interrupted! An exciting conversation always makes us feel free--free to interrupt, to disagree, to agree enthusiastically. Just _ Try being yourself for a change. Employers will either like or dislike you, but at least you'll have made an impression. Leaving an employer indifferent is the worst impression you can make. The right attitude to a job interviewer is to be _ . agreeable
It is a bright morning in the Ethiopian countryside. Yohannes walks beside a pair of donkeys that are pulling a two-wheeled cart. They arrive at the agricultural town of Awassa where Yohannes opens the sides of the cart to display, not the usual vegetables or tools, but children's books. This is the Donkey Mobile Library, the first of its kind in Ethiopia and one of only a few in the world. Yohannes was born in Ethiopia, North Africa, but trained to be a librarian in the USA and returned to Ethiopia years ago. The cart is full of picture books donated by American libraries, teachers and school children. Yohannes arranges small painted benches in the shade of the trees, and suddenly Ethiopian children come shouting and racing down every road and path. It's mobile library day! They circle the bookshelves with great excitement. Until the Donkey Mobile Library began its regular two-monthly visits, many of these children had never seen a book. "Without books, education is very dull, like food without salt. You can survive but you can't really come alive," says Yohannes. "The ability to read is the basis for greater productivity, better health and longer life. Even though the children lack material goods, with books they can imagine a world of possibilities." Yohannes first worked in the children's section of the main library in America. Surrounded by books he had never seen before, he realized how joyful and imaginative children's literature is. He says, "I always thought of Ethiopia. But how could I bring children's books to my home country when it had almost no libraries to keep the books in?" He contacted Jane Kurtz, a writer born in America but brought up in Ethiopia, and together they created the Donkey Mobile Library. The children say that the Library has given them ideas about what they might do in the future. A child called Dareje wants to be a scientist and find a cure for life-threatening diseases. An eleven year-old girl, Fikerte, wants to do research about the moon and discover new facts about outer space. Tamrat, aged 10, comes every time. "What brings you back here time and time again?" the librarian asks him. "The stories," Tamrat replies instantly. How do the children feel when they see the Donkey Mobile Library? Answer: Organic foods are foods produced according to strict guidelines set forth by the government. These guidelines state that organic foods must be produced without modern man-made processes and materials, such as man-made pesticides and chemical fertilizers . For most of history, almost all foods were organic. However, during the 20th century, the principles of the Industrial Revolution were applied to agriculture. This led to the development of many man-made processes that were believed to improve farming techniques. In other words, small farms grew larger as the ideas that were used by factories and big business were put into action to grow more food. Over time, the organic movement started to get back to the old, traditional methods of farming. Those in favor of organic foods believe that man-made chemicals and pesticides used in modern farming can be harmful to your health. They also believe that organic foods are more nutritious . If you go to the store, you will notice that organic foods may be more expensive than non-organic foods. Are organic foods worth the extra cost? Some people believe they are. Despite the lack of scientific findings to support their thoughts, many people still prefer organic foods because they think they taste better, while others don't care much about that because they say they haven't found out the differences. If you wonder whether you should choose an organic food instead of a non-organic one, the best thing you can do is to try it by yourself and see which you prefer. Although organic foods were once only available in health food stores, you can find them today at most stores. According to this passage, we'd better _ . Answer: The following conversation is between Susan Russell-Robinson from the US Geological Survey and Barbara Reynolds from USA Today . Q: Why , after 600 years of no activity , did Mount Pinatubo in Philippines erupt in 1991 ? A: Volcanoes each have their own eruption styles . This volcano probably has a rule which makes it erupt in the order of every 500 to 1000 years , but a volcano in Hawaii seems to erupt every year , and some of the Alaskan volcanoes might erupt every 10 or 20 years . Q: So nothing caused it ? A: There's nothing out of the ordinary . If you were to take an ordinary calendar year , 50 to 75 or 80 volcanoes erupt around the world every year . There are 20 to 30 volcanoes every month that show signs of unrest . That might be a full-blown eruption or a whole host of activities like that . Q: What is "the ring of fire" ? A: If you look at where active volcanoes are placed around the world , there are somewhere between 500 and 600 of them . There is what appears to be almost a necklace that goes around the Pacific Ocean . It makes a ring where 60% of the world's volcanoes lie . Q: Why such a concentration there ? A: That's based on a theory that the oceans and the continents are like separate pieces . When continents and when that happens it seems to produce magma at depth and then you have volcanoes in the same ring . Which of the following can be considered as the best conclusion of the conversation? Answer: Paragraph 1 Scientists have learned a lot about the kinds of food people need. They say that there are several kinds of food that people should eat every day. They are: (1) green and yellow vegetables of all kinds. (2) citrus fruits and tomatoes; (3) potatoes and other fruits and vegetables; (4) meat of all kinds, fish and eggs; (5) milk and foods made from milk; (6) bread or cereal , rice is also in this kind of food; (7) butter, or something like butter. Paragraph 2 People in different countries and different places of the world eat different kinds of things. Foods are cooked and eaten in many different kinds of ways. People in different countries eat at different times of the day. In some places people eat once or twice a day; in other countries people eat three or four times a day. Scientists say that none of the differences is really important. It doesn't matter whether foods are eaten raw or cooked, canned or frozen. It doesn't matter if a person eats dinner at 4 o'clock in the afternoon or at eleven o'clock at night. The important thing is what you eat every day. Paragraph 3 There are two problems, then, in feeding the large number of people on earth. The first is to find some ways to feed the world's population so that no one is hungry. The second is to make sure that people everywhere have the right kinds of food to make them grow to be strong and healthy. Which of the following is NOT true? Answer: Dear Tim, Today is Saturday.It's 7:00 in the evening here.I'm writing to tell you something about my life.My father is watching CCTV news.That's his favorite program.My brother is playing computer games.My dog Dick is taking a hat to me.He wants me to put it on and go out for a walk with him.What a clever dog!My little sister is practicing playing the piano.It sounds beautiful today.Outside,I can hear cars and buses coming and going quickly .Also there are some boys playing ball games. It's really a noisy but happy evening.Do you think so? What are your family doing?I know the time here is thirteen hours ahead of that in New York.Are you getting up? Please write to me soon.Best wishes! Yours, Denial Denial's father is _ . Answer:
Audrey is a Chinese-American student. She has found many value differences between the Chinese and Americans. About money * The American children love to make money by themselves. Chinese children always ask their parents for money. * American parents don't think it is useful to send their children to an expensive university. Chinese parents would do anything to send their children to good universities even if it could make them very poor. About school * Many American girls take part in sports, dancing and singing groups. Many Chinese girls take part in academic groups. * American students usually feel happy when they get B in an exam. Chinese students feel sad when they get B. American parents and Chinese parents American parents allow their daughters or sons to go out with their friends if they come back home at the certain time. Chinese parents usually don't allow their children in middle school to go out with their friends at night. American teachers and Chinese teachers During parent-teacher meetings, American teachers will always find good things to say to The parents, even to those with the worst grades. But Chinese teachers often tell the parents the mistakes that their children made at school. _ send their children to expensive universities. Answer: One thing that British and Chinese cultures share is a love for fine tea. Today, when we think of Western tea culture, we often think of the English and beautiful china tea cups. Afternoon tea People believe that an English lady, Anna, first introduced the idea of afternoon tea. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the English ate only two main meals each day: breakfast and a heavy supper that would last for several hours in the evening. As a result, people often got very hungry during the long wait between these two meals. To solve this problem, Anna came up with the clever idea of inviting some friends to join her for an afternoon meal between four and five o'clock. This meal included cakes and sandwiches. And tea was served to wash down the food. In order to make this afternoon meal important, fine china cups and plates and silver teapots, knives, forks and spoons were used. Soon, afternoon tea parties became popular social occasions. Today, afternoon tea parties continue to play an important part in the social life in modern Britain. Will you come for coffee? Coffee also has an important role in British culture. People often use the words "Will you come for coffee" to mean "Would you like to come to my home for a chat?" Normally, several different drinks such as tea, hot chocolate or a soft drink like orange juice will be served as well as coffee, and you will be asked what you would like. However, you will not normally be offered wine at a "coffee" party. Coffeehouses and the London Stock Exchange In the 17th century London, coffeehouses were busy and noisy places. Businessmen and bankers went to coffeehouses to do their business, as well as to drink coffee. In fact, the London Stock Exchange is believed to have started from these coffeehouses. Which is the best title of the article? Answer: 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. When you were a little baby, you _ . Answer: Dickson Despommier, a public health professor at Columbia University in New York City developed an idea with his students nine years ago. They imagined people in cities growing crops inside a tall building. Tomatoes could grow on one floor of the skyscraper , potatoes on the next, small animals and fish on the floor above. This vertical farm, or "farmscraper", could have space for restaurants and other places that serve food, like schools or hospitals. They could serve foods that are truly locally grown. But why would anyone want to build a farm indoors in a city? Dickson Despommier believes it will become necessary. The world needs to find places to produce enough food to feed the growing population. Space, he says, is an all-important issue. The professor also points to the problems of traditional farms. They use a lot of freshwater. Their fertilizer and animal waste can pollute water resources. And their growing seasons can be limited. But inside the vertical farm, crops could grow all year. And there would be no wind to blow away soil. Farmers would not have to worry about too much or too little rain, or about hot summers, freezing winters or insects. And without insects there would be no need for chemicals to kill them. Farm machines that .use fossil fuels, like tractors, would not be needed either. And water could be recycled for drinking. "The vertical farm reuses everything, so there is no waste," says Professor Despommier. Even buildings could be saved. Old buildings could become new farms and provide jobs. The professor has been actively proposing the idea to cities as far away as Dubai and Canada. But so far it exists only in plans and drawings, and a model at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Critics say building a farmscraper would cost too much, especially considering the price of land in many cities. Dickson Despommier estimates the cost at about twenty to thirty million dollars. But he says the building would not have to be very tall. And his graduate students have found many empty lots and unused buildings in New York City that could provide space. Which is one of the advantages of a farm scraper? Answer: From the health point of view we are living in an amazing age. We are free from many of the most dangerous diseases. A large number of once deadly illnesses can now be cured by modern medicine. It is almost certain that one day medicines will be found for the most stubborn remaining diseases. The expectation of life has increased greatly. But though the possibility of living a long and happy life is greater than ever before, every day we witness the unbelievable killing of men, women and children on the roads. Man vs the motor-car. It is a never-ending battle which man is losing. Thousands of people the world over are killed or horribly killed each year and we are quietly sitting back and letting it happen. It has been rightly said that when a man is sitting behind a steering wheel , his car becomes the extension of his personality. There is no doubt that the motor-car often brings out a man's very worst qualities.People who are normally quiet and pleasant may become unrecognizable when they are behind a steering-wheel. They say, they are ill-mannered and aggressive, willful as two-year-olds and completely selfish.All their hidden angers and disappointments seem to be brought to the surface by the act of driving. The surprising thing is that society smiles so gently on the motorist and seems to forgive his behavior. Everything is done for his convenience. Cities are allowed to become almost uninhabitable because of heavy traffic; towns are made ugly by huge car parks; the countryside is ruined by road networks; and the deaths become nothing more than a number every year, to be easily forgotten. It is high time a world rule was created to reduce this senseless waste of human life. With regard to driving, the laws of some countries are unbelievably lax and even the strictest are not strict enough. A rule which was universally accepted could only have an obviously beneficial effect on the accident rate.Here are a few examples of some of the things that might be done. The driving test should be standardized and made far more difficult than it is; all the drivers should be made to take a test every three years or so; the age at which young people are allowed to drive any vehicle should be raised to at least 21; all vehicles should be put through strict tests for safety each year. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in the blood can damage a person's driving ability. Present drinking and driving laws (where they exist) should be made much stricter. Speed limits should be required on all roads. Governments should lay down safety specifications for car factories, as has been done in the USA. All advertising stressing power and performance should be banned. These measures may not sound good enough. But surely nothing should be considered as too severe if it results in reducing the number of deaths. After all, the world is for human beings, not motor-cars. What does the author think of society toward motorists? 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. A stampede always happens in _ places. Answer: crowded Three surfers rushed to save a man's life after he was left drifting on a notorious stretch of water. The men stayed with Greg Popple for 30 minutes and had to be rescued themselves by helicopter as the drama unfolded. The 45-year-old had floated out on a body board near Hutchwns Point at 8:30 am. He found himself in trouble about half-a-mile from the shore and dangerously close to rocks. Surfers Graig Evans, 31, Robert Miles, 19, and Owain Daviees, 23, were risking their own safety to keep him floating for 30 minutes. Luckily a passer-by noticed what was going on and raised the alarm. Porthcawl Coastguard, Porthcaw Lifeboat and an RAF helicopter all took part in the rescue. "The man who got into trouble was a body boarder-there was a big tide where he was," said Joe Missen. "Three other surfers spotted he was in difficulty and he was going down. They kept him afloat because he was in a state of shock and out of energy. If Mr. Popple was closer to the rocks, it could have been a lot worse, but they managed to keep him from harm". Mr. Missen's mum Alison, also part of the rescue team, said, "That part of the water is notorious for taking people out to nowhere". The three men had clocked off a night shift at Ford Motor Company shortly before the incident. "I headed straight down to the beach for a surf, when I saw him flailing . We just swam straight out to him and kept him calm while the help came". The four men were taken to the life boat house to recover, without injuries. What may the style of this passage be? Answer: A news report. Most of us know about the Nobel Prize, especially the Nobel Peace Prize, but few of us know anything about the man who set them up. His name was Alfred Nobel. He was a great scientist and inventor himself. Besides, he had a big business. His business may surprise you. He made and sold explosives . His companies even made and sold weapons. Isn't this something that surprises you? The man who made money from weapons should set up the Peace Prize? Though Alfred Nobel had a lot of money from weapons, he hated war. He hoped that there would be no war in the world. He was one of the richest in Europe. When he died in 1896, he left behind him a lot of money and his famous will. According to his will, most of his money was placed in a fund . He wanted the interest from the fund to be used as prizes every year. We know them as the Nobel Prizes. The Nobel Prizes are international. Alfred Nobel wanted the winners to be chosen for their work, not the country they came from. Alfred Nobel had given his whole life to his studies and work and to the benefits of mankind. He made money all by his own efforts, but he left the world share his wealth. His inventions and wealth stay with the world for ever. Nobel was a (an) _ person in the world. Answer: unselfish Paper cut can be seen in many parts of China during the Spring Festival. People put it on windows, doors and walls for the festival. A thousand years ago, paper cut was used for decoration . In Tang Dynasty women used paper cut as headdress. In Song Dynasty, it helped make gifts more beautiful. What's more, people would feel happier when they saw paper cut on windows, doors and walls. Now people use paper cut to express their wishes for welcoming the New Year. There are different kinds of paper cut in different parts of China. Pictures usually cover nearly all things, from flowers, birds to the famous people. Now, there are factories for paper cut in China. Paper cut has changed from decoration to a kind of art. At the same time, paper cut also appears in cartoons, magazines or TV programs. _ people like to use paper cut for their festivals. Answer: Chinese Michael and Dick are good friends, but they like to play jokes on each other. One holiday, they decided to go to London together. They went to the station and bought their tickets. Michael got on the train first. He dropped his ticket on the platform when he got into the carriage. Dick, who was close behind, saw the ticket fall and quickly picked it up. He put it in his pocket, but didn't tell Michael. After they had been in the train for a while, they heard the conductor coming down the corridor, shouting, "Tickets, please!" Michael looked for his ticket and of course couldn't find it. "Oh dear, I can't find my ticket, Dick," Michael said. "Look for it carefully, Michael; it must be somewhere." said Dick. "No, I can't find it anywhere. What shall I do?" said Michael. "Perhaps you'd better hide under the seat; then the conductor won't know you are here." So Michael hid under the seat. At this time, the conductor came in. "Tickets, please," he said. Dick handed him tow tickets and said, "This is mine. The other is my friend's. But he prefers to stay under the seat." From the last sentence we can know that when Michael heard Dick's words, he would feel _ . Answer: angry
Diana Jacobs thought her family had a workable plan to pay for college for her 21-year-old twin sons: a combination of savings, income, scholarships, and a modest amount of borrowing. Then her husband lost his job, and the plan fell apart. "I have two kids in college, and I want to say 'come home', but at the same time I want to provide them with a good education." says Jacobs. The Jacobs family did work out a solution. They asked and received more aid from the schools, and each son increased his borrowing to the maximum amount through the federal loan program. They will each graduate with $20,000 of debt, but at least they will be able to finish school. With unemployment rising, financial aid administrators expect to hear more families like the Jacobs. More students are applying for aid, and more families expect to need student loans. College administrators are concerned that they will not have enough aid money to go around. At the same time, tuition continues to rise. A report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education found that college tuition and fees increased 439% from 1982 to 2007, while average family income rose just 147%. Student borrowing has more than doubled in the last decade. "If we go on this way for another 25 years, we won't have an affordable system of higher education," says Patrick M. Callan, president of the center. "The middle class families have been financing it through debt. They will send kids to college whatever it takes, even if that means a huge amount of debt." Financial aid administrators have been having a hard time as many companies decide that student loans are not profitable enough and have stopped making them. The good news, however, is that federal loans account for about three quarters of student borrowing, and the government says that money will flow uninterrupted. What can we learn about the middle class families from the text? Answer: Tuvalu is located in the South Pacific. It is tiny and has only nine islands with a population of just 11,000. In 1999, it was the third- poorest country in the world. The islanders earned just $1,000 each year. But then something unusual happened. Tuvalu received an internet domain name--the letters "tv". These letters were very interesting for many companies around the world. A communication company from California offered to buy the domain name "tv" for $40 m. For the Tuvalans this was a very large amount of money. The islanders became very rich. Because of global warming, and because the islands are only 3m above sea level, Tuvalu will probably become the first country in the world that will disappear under the sea. You can already see signs of the rising sea on Tuvalu. Some beaches are disappearing and you can see tree roots by the ocean. Cyclones used to be very rare but they now appear a few times a year, and the rains that come with the cyclones cause flooding. Despite these problems, the Tuvalans had their new money. They could use it to buy themselves a future. Or at least they could use it to buy some time. Paul Lindsay, a documentary film-maker, took these questions with him all the way to Tuvalu, and came back with an incredible story. As the water rises, the Tuvalans are using the money to develop the land. They are building new houses, planning nightclubs, restaurants and hotels and new cars are driving around on new roads. The residents do not think this is strange: "Just because we are sinking, it doesn't mean we don't want to raise our standards of living." Sam Teo, Tuvalu's minister for natural resources told Lindsay. Which of the following information about Tuvalu is WRONG? Answer: Tabb doesn't look like a typical music teacher. But every weekday evening in the French Quarter New Orleans, he beats out the rhythm on his music stand as students play their chosen instruments. "I'm doing my best to take young people away from harmful things," said Tabb. His program, "The Roots of Music", offers free music education to more than 100 students. He struggles to _ in the city with the nation's highest murder rate . Tabb chose to target 9to14yearolds with his program. "That's a very important time in your life," he said. "If I catch them then, I can hold onto them for at least four or five years and guide them the way that will lead them to success." Students meet from 4 pm to 7 pm every weekday, all year round. They work with tutors on schoolwork, practice their music and eat a hot meal before heading home. With the money provided by some people, Tabb's group is able to provide bus transportation, instruments and food for free. He calls it his "no excuse" policy. "You have no excuse why you're not here," Tabb said. Tabb owes the success in part to the nature of music. "You're always learning something new,"he said. "That's what keeps the kids coming back every day." But the program isn't only about fun. "Music is about discipline ,"said Tabb. He insists on good behavior and keeps kids in order with threats of situps , pushups or tasks like picking up grains of rice -- but these measures aren't just punishment. Tabb wants young people to realize that music can help them build a better future. "I don't say that I'm saving lives," he said. "I say I'm giving life -- a whole different life of music." What attracts children to join in the program to learn music? Answer: Puerto Rico may be part of the USA but its music and dance is a mixture of both Spanish and African rhythms. The country, as a result, is a mixture of very new and very old. It exhibits the open American way of yet _ the more formal Spanish influences. This is reflected in the architecture, not just the contrast between the colonial and the modern in urban areas but also in the countryside, where older buildings sit side by side with concrete schools and buildings. However, if you do not wander beyond the tourist areas on the coast, you will not experience the real Puerto Rico. Old volcanic mountains, long inactive, occupy a large part of the interior , with the highest peak, Cerro de Punta, at 1,338m in the Cordillera Central. North of the Cordillera is the karst country where the limestone has been acted upon by water to produce a series of small steep hills and deep holes. The mountains are surrounded by a coastal plain with the Atlantic shore beaches cooled all the year round by trade winds. The population is 3.8 million, of which about 1.5 million live in _ although about another two million Puerto Ricans live in the USA Average life expectancy is 73.8 years and GDP per capita is US $12,212, the highest in Latin America, although not up to the level of mainland USA. Most Puerto Ricans do not speak English and less than 30% speak it fluently. Second generation Puerto Ricans who were born in New York but who have returned to the island, are called _ . The people are very friendly and hospitable but there is crime, liked to drugs and unemployment. What are the disadvantages of Puerto Rico? Answer: After a lot of weightlifting and 25 exhausting days training, a 52-year-old woman recently became the first female "gripman" on San Francisco's historic cable cars. Fannie Barnes passed her written test and completed a final run under the watchful eye of a supervisor, Municipal Railway spokesman Alan Siegel said. Deep calluses are already forming at the base of her fingers and there is a hole in her glove. Two other women quit after a single day with injured muscles. "Now they're going to have to change the word from gripman to grip person, just because of me," Barnes said earlier, "I'm so excited." After almost a year of serious workouts, Barns can pull more than 61 kilos, only 23 kilos less than her body weight. And she'll need the muscle, for this is no modern, push-button technology. Every time a car starts up again after making a stop, the gripman must haul back on a lever controlling a device that grips the cable, which runs continuously at 14 kilometers per hour. If the grip slips, so does the car. A second person operates the brakes. In addition to having to throw her weight around on the job, she's got to throw out some attitude to men who were hard to convince. The city employs 76 men in the job. "A lot of men said mean things to me and didn't want to help train me. But I would like to thank the guys who were against me because they gave me even more inspiration to do it." she said. Not all the men were against her. Many of the male colleagues yelled out support as she did her training runs. One of her biggest tests was drizzly December morning. She first went down the Hyde Street Hill, considered the most dangerous incline on the cable car routes. "I had to have the will and I had to believe I could do it," she said. "It was scary, but as I started going down full grip and felt that I was in control, I knew I was on my way," Barnes already is a pioneer of sorts. She started working as a cable car conductor six years ago, collecting fares and assisting on the back brake. She is one of only three women to have that job. But she said she always wanted the job up front on the car. (400) What did the 52-year-old woman do when she first began working on the city's cable car? Answer:
Many a young person tells me he wants to be a writer. I always encourage such people, but I also explain that there's a big difference between "being a writer" and writing. In most cases these people are dreaming of wealth and fame, not the long hours alone as a typewriter. "You've got to want to write," I say to them, "not want to be a writer." The reality is that writing is a lonely, private and poor-paying affair. For every writer kissed by fortune there are thousands more whose wish is never rewarded. When I left a 20-year career in the U.S, Coast Guard to become a freelance writer , I had no hope at all. What I did have was a friend who found me my room in a New York apartment building. It didn't even matter that it was cold and had no bathroom. I immediately bought a used typewriter and felt like a real writer. After a year or so, however, I still hadn't got a break and began to doubt myself. It was so hard to sell a story that barely made enough to eat. But I knew I wanted to write. I had dreamed about it for years. I wasn't going to be one of those _ ? I would keep putting my dream to the test even though it meant living with uncertainty and fear of failure. This is the shadow land of hope, and anyone with a dream must learn to live there. The writer wrote the passage to _ . warn young people of the hardships that a successful writer has to experience 'Student Voice' is a student-run education conference discussing education in the 21st century. This event aims to gather the views and opinions of students not only in Victoria and Australia, but around the globe. On Sunday 29 July 2012 students will discuss a series of questions regarding the role of education in the 21st century. By the end of the day they will hopefully have comprehensive answers to be shared with schools around the state and maybe even the world. Students from Preshill would like to invite a group of 5-10 students from your school to participate in this free forum . The event is being held on Sunday 29 July 2012 from 10am-2.30pm at the Hawthorn Town Hall, 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. They are inviting students who are enthusiastic on any of our topics of discussion to present a keynote speech on the day. If you can't make the day, they welcome your written or recorded thoughts on our questions, which will be on display at the event. The topics for discussion: Key Question: What is the ideal 21st century education? 1. Is it a school's place to teach ethics, values, morals, confidence, self-esteem? 2. What are the effects of a uniform national curriculum ? 3. How can we make education more engaging? 4. Should students be compared and ranked against each other? 5. What is the place of social networking and new media technology in education? 6. What is the best way to determine student knowledge? Visit their Facebook page (see below) for updates, to communicate with organizers and other participants, and to indicate your interest in making a keynote speech. The Student Voice Organizing Committee Facebook Page URL: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Student-Voice-The-Student-Education-Conference/101834233239391?sk=info Which of the following topics will be discussed in Student Voice conference? The effects of a uniform national curriculum. Anger is good for you, as lon g as you control it, according to new psychology research. A new study from Carnegie Mellon University shows anger may help people reduce the negative impacts of stress and help you become healthier. "Here getting emotional is not bad for you if you look at the case of anger," said Jennifer Lerner of Carnegie Mellon. "The more people display anger, the lower their stress responses." Lerner studied 92 UCLA students by asking them to count back from 6,200. They must say out loud every thirteenth number. Researchers disturbed them by asking them to count faster or ask them other questions. If they made any mistakes, they had to restart from the very beginning. Many students felt depressed about making so many mistakes or got angry because the researchers were interrupting them. Lerner used a hidden video camera and recorded all their facial expressions during the test. The researchers describe their reactions as fear, anger and disgust. Other researchers recorded the students' blood pressure, pulse and production of a high-stress hormone called cortisol. People whose faces showed more fear during th e experiment had higher blood pressure and higher levels of the hormone. Both can have lasting effects such as diabetes , heart disease, depression and extra weight gain. When people feel fear, negative impacts increase, but when they get angry, those negatives go down, according to the study. "Having that sense of anger leads people to actually feel some power in what otherwise is maddening situation," Lerner said. Lerner previously studied Americans' emotional response to the 911 terrorist attacks two months after the incident. She found people who reacted with anger were more optimistic. These people are healthier compared with those who were frightened during the event. So in maddening situations, anger is not a bad thing to have. It's a healthier response than fear. Which statement will Jennifer Lerner agree with? It's better to be angry than to be frightened. At Christmas,1871,Edison,the famous American scientist,got married to Mary. Lots of their friends came to their wedding ceremony . At about two in the afternoon,Edison suddenly thought out a good way to solve the problem on the automatic telegraph after the wedding. So he said to the bride ,"I'll have to go to the factory because I have something important to do. Then I'll come back to have dinner with you."The bride had no way but to agree. On the night of the festival, other families were full of joy while the bride stayed in the house alone,just looking out of the window. How lonely she was! A worker went into the lab and said as soon as he saw Edison, "My goodness! I have never seen a bride-groom like you. It's already twelve now!"Edison was greatly surprised. "Twelve? Too bad! I said I would have dinner with Mary." he said as he ran downstairs. That's how hard Edison worked.He gave all his life to the invention of lights, films and over two thousand other things. A new invention came into being every fifteen days. It took Edison about _ to work in his factory. ten hours Mosquitoes have an extraordinary ability to target humans far away and fly straight to their unprotected skin. Regrettably,mosquitoes can do more than cause an itchy wound. Some mosquitoes spread several serious diseases,including Dengue,yellow fever and malaria. Over one million people worldwide die from these diseases each year. New research now shows how mosquitoes choose who to bite. Mosquitoes need blood to survive. They are attracted to human skin and breath. They smell the carbon dioxide gas,which all mammals breathe out. This gas is the main way for mosquitoes to know that a warm-blooded creature is nearby. But mosquitoes also use their eyes and sense of touch. Michael Dickinson is a professor at the California Institute of Technology. His research shows how these small insects,with even smaller brains,use three senses to find a blood meal. Michael Dickinson's team used plumes--a material that rises into the air of carbon dioxide gas into a wind tunnel. They then used cameras to record the mosquitoes. The insects followed the plume. Then,the scientists placed dark objects on the lighter colored floor and walls of the tunnel. Mr. Dickinson said,at first,the mosquitoes showed no interest in the objects at all. "What was quite striking and quite surprising is that the mosquitoes fly back and forth for hours. These are hungry females and they completely ignore the objects on the floor and wall of the tunnel. But the moment they get a hit of CO2,they change their behavior quite obviously and now would become attracted to these little visual blobs ." This suggested to the researchers that a mosquito's sense of smell is more important in the search for food. Once mosquitoes catch a smell of a human or animal,they also follow visual signals. How can we avoid being attacked by mosquitoes according to the text ? Attract them to objects full of carbon dioxide gas.
Question: My uncle likes sports very much. He loves soccer ball, basketball, baseball, tennis and more. He plays baseball and basketball very well. He likes to watch the sports games on TV. He plays sports every day. He has a small sports collection. He has 12 tennis rackets, 10 baseballs, 3 basketballs and a soccer ball. He plays _ very well. A. soccer and baseball B. tennis C. baseball and basketball D. Ping-Pong Answer: C. baseball and basketball Question: In recent months, a catchy song, A Little Apple, has become such a hit that it has even inspired square-dancing troupes to mimic its music video. When Old Boys: The Way of the Dragon, an adventure comedy featuring the song, was released on July 10, the unusual publicity strategy was applauded. Ticket sales of Old Boys: The Way of the Dragon surpassed 150 million yuan in the first week of hitting the big screen. Interactive online campaigns involving fans have become a popular way to promote a movie. The first two episodes of Tiny Times, the directing debut of author, Guo Jingming, made 800 million yuan at the box office last year, in spite of criticism for its portrayal of lavish lifestyles. Before the third episode was shown, fans donated a small sum of money online as "investors" in the movie. Some of the people who donated received film souvenirs, or the chance to visit the film set. Han Han, Guo's major competitor, has just released his directorial debut, road-trip comedy, The Continent. Han has over 38 million followers on Sina Weibo, China's major micro-blogging platform. He has broadcast the filming process of the movie to his followers since he began shooting. The film's trailer was released online in May, only three days after shooting and it has been viewed 4.7 million times. "I don't care too much about the surprising numbers online, and what matters more is whether the movie is good or not," Han once said. However, when he invited popular singer, Pu Shu, to write the closing song for the movie, he must have had another idea in mind. Pu, who has been away from the public eye for some 11 years, also brings a new element for the movie claiming to be devoted to young people. The song became very popular as soon as it was released online. No one knows what other trump cards will be thrown on the table during the tense online campaign this summer. Why did Han invite Pu Shu to write the closing song for the movie? A. Pu Shu had the same experience as the hero in the film. B. Pu Shu could help increase the popularity of his film. C. Han is a big fan of Pu Shu. D. It was a good chance for Pu Shu's comeback. Answer: B. Pu Shu could help increase the popularity of his film. Question: The prefix = st1 /USgovernment has announced plans to list polar bears as a threatened species because of concerns that the ice where they live is melting. But as the BBC's Owen Clegg reports, theUSplans are also important for other reasons. It's estimated that there are no more than twenty-five thousand polar bears living in the wild, and this number could go down by a large amount as the floating ice upon which the bears survive melt away. Now, without admitting the cause of this melt, the US Fish and Wildlife Services are reviewing the bear's living conditions. That action is being taken at all, and marks an important change for the Bush administration; for the first time, it may be forced to acknowledge a link between global warming and its effect on a species. Such a conclusion by an unwilling Bush administration could force far wider changes inWashington's policy towards the environment. This review only came about after a union of environmental groups brought a legal case against the government to take action. Environmentalists, like David Doniger, believe that by calling on the protections of the Endangered Species Act, theUSgovernment may finally be forced to cut back on its sending out greenhouse gases: "It is a very important thing today to have the Bush administration notice that global warming is threatening the existence of the polar bear. Now, it's up to the administration to do something to stop the global warming that's threatening the polar bear." ( David Doniger) The United States is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases which are blamed for trapping heat from the sun and changing the earth's climate. Since taking office in 2001, President Bush has refused to make the link with global warming, but the bad, serious situation of the polar bear may force that position to change. Which country has been sending out the largest number of greenhouse gases according to the passage? A. China. B. Britain. C. TheUnited States. D. Not mentioned. Answer: C. TheUnited States. Question: More college graduates in China are seeking for work experience instead of advanced degrees, a survey shows. The practical approach, coupled with a record number of students graduating from college, is expected to strengthen competition in the job market, analysts said. More than 76 percent of university students said they wanted to work after earning their degrees this summer, up from 68.5 percent in 2012 and 73.6 percent last year, according to poll results from Zhaopin.com, a major online agency, Zhu Bo. The annual survey also shows that about 20 percent university graduates chose to further education after graduation, while about 3 percent wanted to start their own businesses. Zeng Hao ,a 25-year-old media major, managed to land a job in a publishing company in Zhongshan, Guangdong province, before he received his master's degree from the University of Macau in June. " Work experience really matters in the publishing industry" he said. Wei Guihong , a program administrator at Nanjing University, said about 60 percent of the school's graduates entered the labor market every year. "More and more students majoring in a foreign language choose to go abroad to continue their studies to improve their language skills," she said continuously, "That's perhaps a bright future." Liu Junsheng , a researcher at the Labor and Wage Institute of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, believes that economic conditions play a vital role in shaping college graduates' choices ."There were fewer job opportunities in the market. " he said. "Although academic degrees still matter, more and more employers value job seekers' work experience." he said. The Zhaopin.com survey shows that each of the graduates sent resumes on average to about 28 potential employers and received five interview opportunities. What would be the best title for the text? A. Graduates pick work instead of taking advanced degrees. B. Graduates take advanced degrees instead of picking work C. Few graduates can get their jobs they seek for D. Few Graduates receive the interview opportunities Answer: A. Graduates pick work instead of taking advanced degrees. Question: Mr. King lived with six hundred wild animals on the Greek Island of Kyklos. Ever since he left school, he had traveled all over the word collecting animals for his own zoo. He hoped to collect two examples of every kind of animal on his island. But he was afraid that people would find him someday. He wrote books about his travels and about his animals that he collected. The money from the books helped to pay for all the food that these animals ate. One day, when Mr. King was out looking for drinking water, he found oil. He needed money for his travels and for his zoo, and a little oil would buy enough water for what he needed all his life, but he knew that if he told anyone else about it, it would be the end of his zoo and his life's work. So he decided not to tell anyone else about what he had found, because oil and water couldn't mix. Mr. King was afraid that people would find him someday because _ . A. he hadn't got enough money for them B. that would be the end of his zoo C. he hadn't got enough water and oil D. they would buy his animals Answer: B. that would be the end of his zoo
A reason there is so much debris and damage during tornadoes is due to rocks that are getting A. broken apart B. eaten C. evaporated D. stolen Answer: A. broken apart Plants are very important. This is because plants can make food from air, water and sunlight. Animals and man cannot make food from air, water and sunlight. Animals can get their food by eating plants and other animals. Man gets his food by eating plants and animals, too. So animals and man need plants to live. This is why there are so many plants around us. There are two kinds of plants: flowering plants and non-flowering plants. Almost all the trees around us are flowers and fruit. Non-flowering plants don't grow flowers. You can't see many non-flowering plants around you. If you look carefully at the plants around you, you'll find that there are many kinds of plants. Some plants are very big and some very small. Most of them are green. We can live on the earth because of the plants around us. The best title for this passage may be _ . A. Food from Plants B. Plants Make Food C. Man and Animals D. Plants around us Answer: D. Plants around us Back those photos up The images were striking. Homes on the East Coast were washed away by Superstorm Sandy. People were in tears, picking up faded photographs, among their only remaining possessions. If that doesn't move you to get serious about safekeeping your lifetime of memories, what will? The digital age offers tools never imaginable before--including one-click access to a lifetime of family photos. Here is a brochure on how to back up your photos and save them online, where they can live forever and be accessible in good times and bad. Scanning The first step for those old photos is to scan them and save them to a digital format. Most printers come with scanners these days, so that's an easy but extremely time-consuming step. Storing the photos With your scans in place, import the photos into your computer, and back them up. You could make multiple copies of the disks and spread them to loved ones. Or you could choose external hard drives or USB thumb drive, and add your photo and video collection from your computer. Online backup If you need lots of space, look at a pure online backup service, Caronite. Caronite backs up 300 million files daily. Once you sign up, it starts to pick up everything you have on your hard drive. But photo collection on your computer's main hard drive charges for $59 a year. Cloud Storage For folks who don't need automatic backup, but instead want to take a more active approach, Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft's SkyDrive let you store files online by yourself, share and instantly access them. All offer free options--2GB of free storage for Dropbox, 5GB for Google and 7GB for SkyDrive. But if you want more, you need to pay. Bottom Line The hard drive or flash drive is the cheapest and easiest. But drives can fail. Online services are more expensive, but more secure. With more of us switching back and forth between our computers, such services are the best way to get access to our data from wherever we are. Which of the following allows storing files automatically? A. Caronite. B. Dropbox. C. SkyDrive. D. Flash drive. Answer: A. Caronite. In what way does society benefit from research on diseases? A. New illnesses will develop. B. Doctors will visit their patients at home. C. More families will move closer to hospitals. D. Many illnesses will be prevented or cured. Answer: D. Many illnesses will be prevented or cured. On Thursday afternoon Mrs. Clarke, dressed for going out, took her handbag with her money and her key in it, pulled the door behind her to lock it and went to the over 60s Club. She always went there on Thursdays. It was a nice outing for an old woman who lived alone. At six o'clock she came home, let herself in and at once smelt cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke in her house? How? How? Had someone got in? She checked the back door and the windows. All were locked or fastened, as usual. There was no sign of forced entry. Over a cup of tea she wondered whether someone might have a key that fitted her front door -- " _ " perhaps. So she stayed at home the following Thursday. Nothing happened. Was anyone watching her movements? On the Thursday after that she went out at her usual time, dressed as usual, but she didn't go to the club. Instead she took a short cut home again, letting herself in through her garden and the back door. She settled down to wait. It was just after four o'clock when the front door bell rang. Mrs. Clarke was making a cup of tea at the time. The bell rang again, and then she heard her letter-box being pushed open. With the kettle of boiling water in her hand, she moved quietly towards the front door. A long piece of wire appeared through the letter-box, and then a hand. The wire turned and caught around the handle on the door-lock. Mrs. Clarke raised the kettle and poured the water over the hand. There was a shout outside, and the skin seemed to drop off the fingers like a glove. The wire fell to the floor, the hand was pulled back, and Mrs. Clarke heard the sound of running feet. On the third Thursday Mrs. Clarke went out _ . A. because she didn't want to miss the club again B. to see if the thief was wandering outside C. to the club but then changed her mind D. in an attempt to trick the thief Answer: D. in an attempt to trick the thief
Ted lives in a big city .Today he's very happy .it's the first day of school .Ted to go back to school. He wants to see his friends. He is going to meet his new teachers. Ted gets up early in the morning .He washes and puts on his new clothes .Look !He is having breakfast with his parents .Now ,he is ready for school. He goes to school by bike .He meets his friends outside the school gate .They are talking about something .Then the bell rings . Everyone runs to his or her classroom. How does Ted go to school ? A He goes to school by bus B He goes to school by bike . C He goes to school by car D He goes to school on foot . Answer: B. He goes to school by bike . Venice is a city of the sea. It is built on islands which are in the middle of lagoon . Today, the city covers 118 islands. These islands are connected by bridges. There are about 400 bridges which cross 150 canals . It is difficult to forget the sea when you are in the city. Many people of Venice have always been fishermen, because the lagoon is full of fish. They also build ships, and travel to Dalmatia and Greece. Venice is the "Queen " of the Adriatic Sea. Every month thousands of people visit the city, which is very beautiful. But Venice is going down. It is going down and the water is going up. In 2040 Venice will be under water. The Adriatic will cover the city. The Venetians love their city and they want to stay there. They want to save Venice. They do not want to leave. How can they succeed ? They can put some big gates in the sea, which will close, so Venice will not go down. People call Venice the "Queen" of the Adriatic Sea because _ . A the queen of the country lives there B the Venetians love their city C it is a beautiful city D it is sinking Answer: C. it is a beautiful city People sometimes like to read stories of dogs very much. They think that dogs are much cleverer than cats, sheep, cows or other animals in their homes. One of my best friends, Bob, has a dog named Jack. Every Sunday afternoon, Bob and Jack have a walk in the park nearby. Jack likes these walks very much. One Sunday afternoon, I stayed in Bob's home for a long time and we talked happily. Soon it was time for them to take a walk in the park. Jack was worried about it. He walked around the room several times and then sat down in front of me and looked at me. But I still paid no attention to him. I went on talking with my friend. At last, Jack could not wait any longer. He went out of the room and came back a few minutes later. He sat down in front of me again. But this time, he held my hat in his mouth. Suddenly, I understood what Jack meant. Jack took my hat in his mouth to show that _ . A I should leave the house at once B he liked my hat very much C he was hungry and he tried to eat it D he wanted to have a rest Answer: A. I should leave the house at once When something goes wrong, it can be very satisfying to say, "Well, it's so-and-so's fault. "or "I know I'm late, but it's not my fault; the car broke down. " It is probably not your fault, but once you form the habit of blaming somebody or something else for a bad situation, you are a loser. You have no power and could do nothing that helps change the situation. However, you can have great power over what happens to you if you stop focusing on whom to blame and start focusing on how to _ the situation. This is the winner's key to success. Winners are great at overcoming problems. For example, if you were late because your car broke down, maybe you need to have your car examined more regularly. Or, you might start to carry along with you the useful phone numbers, so you could call for help when in need. For another example, if your colleague causes you problems on the job for lack of responsibility or ability, find ways of dealing with his irresponsibility or inability rather than simply blame the person. Ask to work with a different person, or don't rely on this person. You should accept that the person is not reliable and find creative ways to work successfully regardless of how your colleague fails to do his job well. This is what being a winner is all about -- creatively using your skills and talents so that you are successful no matter what happens. Winners don't have fewer problems in their lives; they have just as many difficult situation to face as anybody else. They are just better at seeing those problems as challenges and opportunities to develop their own talents. So, stop focusing on "whose fault it is. " Once you are confident about your power over bad situations, problems are just stepping stones for success. According to the passage, winners _ . A deal with problems rather than blame others B meet with fewer difficulties in their lives C have responsible and able colleagues D blame others rather than themselves Answer: A. deal with problems rather than blame others Recently, an Internet game has become a new fashion among young office workers and students. People can "farm" on a piece of "land" and "grow", "sell" or even "steal vegetables", "flowers" and "fruits" on the Net. They can earn some e-money and buy more "seeds", "pets" and even "houses". Joyce interviewed some young people. Here are their opinions: Harold: I don't quite understand why they are so mad about the childish game. Maybe they are just not confident enough to face the real world. Allan: I enjoy putting some "bugs" in my friends' gardens and we've become closer because of the game. Having fun together is the most exciting thing about it. Laura: You know, people in the city are longing for the life in the countryside. It reduces my work pressure . Besides, it gives me the exciting experience of being a "thief". Ivy: Well, it's just a waste of time. Teenagers playing the game spend so many hours on it that they can not focus on their study. Which is NOT the reason why people like the game? A They are longing for country life. B They can have fun with friends. C The game can relax people and give them a new experience. D They are confident enough to face the real world. Answer: D. They are confident enough to face the real world.
Sports City Bar Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, in Sports City Bar everyone can a " Buy one, get one free . At our Sunday Family Buffet , We have games for children. The buffet is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. And costs 98 yuan per adult . Children aged 12 to 16 eat for half price, and children under 12(two at most) eat for free. Happy hours at Sports City Bar are from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Buy one drink, get one free. Tel: 65158855--3349 Location :The third floor. The Sports City Bar is _ . on the third floor There are four people in my family. They're my grandfather, my parents and me. My grandfather exercises every day. He never uses the Internet. He eats vegetables three times a day, but he hardly ever drinks milk. And he watches TV every night. My father is a taxi driver. He's very busy. He never exercises, but he sometimes use the Internet. He watches TV on Saturday and Sunday evening. He often eats vegetables and drinks milk. My mother is a housewife . She watches TV every day. She never use the Internet. She sometimes eats vegetables, but she drinks milk three times a week. Exercise? Of course she does. She exercises every day by doing housework. I'm a middle school student. I go to school from Monday to Friday. I often exercise. But on Saturday and Sunday, I don't exercise because I have too much homework to do. I watch TV only on Sunday evening. But I use the Internet twice a week. I drink milk every day, but I don't like vegetables. My mother often says to me, "Why do you eat so much meat, Mike? It's not good for your health." But I like it very much. _ watch TV every day in his family. Mike's mother and grandfather (Natural News)Many parents have tried to gave their children a head start on education with get-smart videos and enrichment activities as early as infancy, but free play is often sacrificed, so the American Academy of Pediatrics says that the best medicine for busy children is an increase in traditional "playtime". A number of studies suggest that unstructured play can help children become creative, discover their own interests, develop problem-solving abilities, and relate to others socially, according to a report prepared by two academy committees for release Monday at the group's annual meting. On the contrary, a lack of such playtime can create stress for both children and parents, and it can also cause obesity when children spend too much time sitting in front of educational videos. The report notes lack of playtime could even lead to depression in many children. The report thinks the lack of playtime lies in the fact that parents want to have super-smart children and safe places for children to play is decreasing. A balance between free playtime and educational activities should be struck, the report states. "In the current environment, where so many parents feel pressure to be super parents, I believe this message is an important one," said Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, the report's lead author and a pediatrician at The Children's prefix = st1 /HospitalofPhiladelphia. Noted pediatrician, author, and presenter of cable TV's "What Every Baby Knows," Dr. T. Betty Brazelton agreed. "Children with structured activities" are missing the chance to dream, to make their own world work the way they want it. That to me is a very important part of childhood. According to the report, the balance between _ is important for a child. structured activities and unstructured activities EVERYONE is talking about bird flu . Yes it is a very dangerous disease that could make people very sick. It will be a few months before we have good medicine for bird flu.But that doesn't mean you can't do anything to prevent it now. So far, all the people who have caught bird flu have been those who touched sick chickens or their droppings . So it is a good idea for people to stay away from live chickens. "People used to go to the markets to buy live chickens to eat, but now they have to change that habit," said Peter, an expert from World Health Organization. But if you do touch a sick bird, remember to wash your hands carefully with soap right away. Experts also say having good habits and a healthy body will help keep you safe from bird flu. For example, don't buy or eat birds that have not been checked. Don't eat anything that has touched raw meat. Also don't forget to open your windows often and exercise regularly. Getting enough sleep is also very important for fighting illness .If you feel sick, see a doctor right away.At present, no one in Shanghai has bird flu. But WHO says children under 12 years old could easily get sick with bird flu. Try to stay away from people who have the flu, and always cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Which sentence is not true according to the passage? Bird flu is widely known to people. From a plane we can see the fields, cities, mountains or seas below. If we go into space, we see more and more of the earth. People and man-made satellites have been sent out into space to look at the earth carefully and people have learnt more about the earth in the last few years. The sea looks very beautiful when the sun is shining on it. But it can be very terrible when there is a strong wind. The sea is very big. It nearly covers three quarters of the earth. The sea is also very deep in some places. There is one place and at that place the sea is about 11 kilometers deep. The highest mountain in the world is about 9 kilometers high. If that mountain was put into the sea at that place, there would be still 2 kilometers of water above it! In most parts of the sea, there are many kinds of fishes and plants. Some live near the top of the sea. Others live deep down. There are also a lot of small living things, and lots of fishes live by eating them. The sea can be very cold. When people go down, the sea becomes colder and colder. Only some men can go down into the deep sea. But, in 1970, five women scientists lived in the deep sea for fourteen days. This passage is _ . for science reading
Throughout the world, boys and girls prefer to play with different types of toys. Boys typically like to play with cars and trucks, while girls typically choose to play with dolls. Why is this? A traditional sociological explanation is that boys and girls are socialized and encouraged to play with different types of toys by their parents, peers, and the "society". Growing scientific evidence suggests, however, that boys' and girls' toy preferences may have a biological origin. In 2002, Gerianne M. Alexander of Texas A&M University and Melissa Hines of City University in London surprised the scientific world by showing that monkeys showed the same sex typical toy preferences as humans. In the study, Alexander and Hines gave two masculine toys (a ball and a police car), two feminine toys (a soft doll and a cooking pot), and two neutral toys (a picture book and a stuffed dog) to 44 male and 44 female monkeys. They then assessed the monkeys' preference for each toy by measuring how much time they spent with each. Their data showed that male monkeys showed significantly greater interest in the masculine toys, and the female monkeys showed significantly greater interest in the feminine toys. The two sexes did not differ in their preference for the neutral toys. If children' s toy preferences were largely formed by gender socialization, as traditional sociologists' claim, in which their parents give "gender appropriate" toys to boys and girls, how can these male and female monkeys have the same preferences as boys and girls?They were never socialized by humans, and they had never seen these toys before in their lives. The study by Alexander and Hines shows that monkeys _ Answer: also have a sex typical toy preference Guide to Stockholm University Library Our library offers different types of studying places and provides a good studying environment. Zones The library is divided into different zones. The upper floor is a quiet zone with over a thousand places for silent reading, and places where you can sit and work with your own computer. The reading places consist mostly of tables and chairs. The ground floor is the zone where you can talk. Here you can find sofas and armchairs for group work. Computers You can use your own computer to connect to the wi-fi specially prepared for notebook computers; you can also use library computers, which contain the most commonly used applications, such as Microsoft Office. They are situated in the area known as the Experimental Field on the ground floor. Group-study Places If you want to discuss freely without disturbing others, you can book a study room or sit at a table on the ground floor. Some study rooms are for 2-3 people and others can hold up to 6-8 people. All rooms are marked on the library maps. There are 40 group-study rooms that must be booked via the website. To book, you need an active University account and a valid University card. You can use a room three hours per day, nine hours at most per week. Storage of study material The library has lockers for students to store course literature. When you have obtained at least 40 credits , you may rent a locker and pay 400 SEK for a year's rental period. Rules to be followed Mobile phone conversations are not permitted anywhere in the library. Keep your phone on silent as if you were in a lecture and exit the library if you need to receive calls. Please note that food and fruit are forbidden in the library, but you are allowed to have drinks and sweets with you. What condition should be met to book a group-study room? Answer: One should first register at the university. They wear the latest fashions with the most up-to-date accessories . Yet these are not girls in their teens or twenties but women in their sixties and seventies. A generation which would once only wear old-fashioned clothes is now favoring the same high street looks worn by those half their age. Professor Julia Twigg, a social policy expert, said, "Women over 75 are now shopping for clothes more frequently than they did when they were young in the 1960s. In the 1960s buying a coat for a woman was a serious matter. It was an expensive item that they would purchase only every three or four years -- now you can pick one up at the supermarket whenever you wish to. Fashion is a lot cheaper and people get tired of things more quickly." Professor Twigg analyzed family expending data and found that while the percentage of spending on clothes and shoes by women had stayed around the same -- about 5 or 6 percent of spending -- the amount of clothes bought had risen sharply. The professor said, "Clothes are now 70 percent cheaper than they were in the 1960s because of the huge expansion of production in the Far East. In the 1960s Leeds was the heart of the British fashion industry and that was where most of the clothes came from, but now almost all of our clothes are sourced elsewhere. Everyone is buying more clothes but in general we are not spending more money on them." Fashion designer Angela Barnard, who runs her own fashion business in London, said older women were much more affected by celebrity style than in previous years. She said, "When people see stars such as Judi Dench and Helen Mirren looking attractive and fashionable in their sixties, they want to follow them. Older women are much more aware of celebrities. There's also the boom in TV programmes showing people how they can change their look, and many of my older customers do yoga to stay in shape well in their fifties. When I started my business a few years ago, my older customers tended to be very rich, but now they are what I would call ordinary women. My own mother is 61 and she wears the latest fashions in a way she would never have done ten years ago. " It can be concluded that old women tend to wear the latest fashions today mainly because _ . Answer: clothes are much cheaper than before One day, my father and I were in line to buy tickets for the circus . And a family was standing in front of us. The family had eight children. Their clothes were not expensive but clean.The children talked about the clowns( ), elephants, monkeys and other things excitedly. It was their first time to go to the circus. The ticket lady asked the father how many tickets he wanted. He proudly answered, "I want eight children's tickets and two adults' tickets, so I can take my family to the circus." The ticket lady said the price. The man's wife lowered her head and there was no smile on th e man's face. He quietly asked, "How much did you say?" The ticket lady said the price again. The man didn't have enough money. How could he tell his eight kids the bad news? My dad put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a $20 bill and dropped it on the ground.(In fact, we were not rich!) Then my dad said, "Excuse me, sir, this dropped out of your pocket." The man knew what was going on. He looked into my dad's eyes, held my dad's hand in his, and took the $20 bill. "Thank you, sir, thank you. This really means a lot to me and my family." My father and I went back home. We didn't go to see the circus that night, but we didn't care. Who saw the circus that night? Answer: The man's family Where should an adventurous tourist go? After you've done sightseeing in London, shopping in New York tasted the local food in Paris, and danced to your heart's content at the Brazilian carnival, where else can you go? What exotic tourist destination awaits you? Well, Antarctica sounds like the holiday of a lifetime! It's considered the last great wildemess on Earth. Just a few scientists in research stations share the icy landscape with penguins and other animals which can cope with the low temperatures. Tourism began in Antarctica in the 1950s and it's still small scale. About 37,000 tourists are expected there this season, but many won't even leave the boat. The BBC's Juliet Rix visited the frozen continent and asked herself if she should be there at all, causing potential problems to such a sensitive environment. Her tour guide admitted that all visitors leave a footprint and they all go to the same places, the accessible coastline, which is also where the penguins and seals go to breed. But some people believe that if carefully controlled, tourism can be good for Antarctica. It has no native population and it needs advocates. 'Visitors to the icy continent might be ready to support and even to fund its preservation. And they're likely to engage in the discussion about global warming, which has led to the melting of glaciers. According to Rix, guidelines are followed when you're about to set foot in Antarctica and tourists have to disinfect their boots to make sure no alien species are introduced. And once on land, there's no eating or smoking. Rocks, bone fragments - nothing should be taken as a souvenir and nothing should be left behind. Tourists fortunate enough to visit the Antarctica must be aware that this is not their home and keep their fingers crossed that future generations will also be able to enjoy such breathtaking views. Which of the following statements is true according to Rix? Answer: Tourists can enjoy the beautiful scenery in Antarctica.
The truth was written all over her face. The eyes are the window to the soul. From those sayings, you would think that we could read faces. In fact, people tend to overestimate their ability to do it. Most of us can't distinguish between certain expressions without contextual clues. In one study, participants were unable to tell whether faces in photos were showing pain or pleasure about a quarter of the time. In another, when people watched silent videos of the same person experiencing pain and faking pain, they couldn't tell which was which. And yet, as bad as we are at reading expressions, we jump to all kinds of conclusions based on people's faces. We might scoff at the ancient physiognomy--assessing character on the basis of facial feature--but we unknowingly practice it daily. Recent research shows that while there's practically no evidence that faces reveal character, we nonetheless behave as if certain features signal certain traits. People with typically "female" facial features seem more trustworthy; those with lower eyebrows appear more controlling. In another study, people were ready to decide whether an unfamiliar face should be trusted after looking at it for just 200 milliseconds. Even when given a chance to look longer, they rarely changed their mind. Such judgments can defy logic. Subjects playing a trust game invested more money with a player who had a trustworthy face than with one who didn't--even when the two players had the same fame. Another study reported that judges needed less evidence to sentence a person with an untrustworthy face. And a researcher focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict found that a Palestinian peace offering was more likely to be accepted by Jewish Israeli if it was attributed to a politician with "babyfacedness". Which brings us to a contradiction. A person's face may not reflect her nature, and yet research finds that specific facial features do seem to influence futures. U.S. Army War College graduates with controlling-looking faces are more likely than their peers to become generals; people with obvious cheekbones, appearing strong and competent, are more likely to become CEOs of successful companies. This makes a certain sense. If everyone assumes strong-chinned Daniel is an ambitious person, he's more likely to become one. Perhaps by treating others as though their face reveals their character, we motivate them to become the people we assume them to be. Which of the following is TRUE according to the author? A People rush to judgments based on facial features. B People are better at telling "pain" than "delight" from faces. C People consider it instructive to study the ancient physiognomy. D People would change their first impression if given more chances. Answer: A. People rush to judgments based on facial features. Holmes rubbed his hands together excitedly. His eyes shone and he leant forward in his chair. "Tell us your story," he said. Miss Morstan began her story and we listened. "My father," she began," was a captain in the army. When I was very young, he was sent to India My mother was dead and I had no other relatives in England. So, while my father was away, I was sent to school." "When I was seventeen, I received a letter from my father. He said that he was leaving India and coming back to England. He gave me the address of a hotel in London. He asked me to meet him there." "I was very happy and excited about seeing my dear father again, I went to London and arrived at the hotel. I asked for Captain Morstan, my father. But I was told by the hotel manager that my father was not there. He had gone out the night before and not returned." "I waited all day and all night, but my father didn't come back to the hotel. Finally, I went to the police. They advertised for Captain Morstan in all the newspapers, but without success. I never saw my dear father again." ... "Four years after my father disappeared," continued Miss Morstan, "I saw an advertisement in the newspaper. The date was 4th May 1882. To my surprise, the advertisement asked for the address of Miss Mary Morstan, It said that ifl advertised my address, I would receive some very good news." "What did you do?" asked Holmes. "I advertised my address in the same newspaper. The next day, I received a small cardboard box. Inside the box was a lovely pearl . And I have received another five pearls since that day. They arrive every year on the same day. Look." She opened a flat box and showed us six beautiful pearls. " _ " asked Holmes. "Nothing at all," replied Miss Morstan. Then she continued. "But the strangest thing of all happened this morning. That is why I came to see you. This morning, I received a letter. Please read it." "Thank you," said Holmes. He took the letter and studied it carefully, (From THE SIGN OF FOUR) Which question is the most suitable here? A There was no letter with the pearls? B Did you meet anyone after that? C Who sent these beautiful pearls? D These pearls were your father's? Answer: A. There was no letter with the pearls? Stop wasting your time thinking of reasons for your failures. 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 always 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 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. In all areas of your life, whether they are financial, physical, or spiritual, you are responsible. Once you recognize this, accept it, and firmly believe it. You are on the road to success. Losers would think that _ . A they fail only because of bad luck B they don't make efforts to succeed C success is the result of hard work D working hard will lead to success Answer: A. they fail only because of bad luck Why did humans evolve to walk upright? Perhaps because it's just plain easier. Make that "energetically less costly", scientifically speaking. Bipedalism--walking on two feet, is one of the defining characteristics of being humans, and scientists have debated for years how it came about. In the latest attempt to find an explanation, researchers trained five chimps to walk on a treadmill while wearing masks that allowed measurement of their oxygen consumption. The chimps were measured both while walking upright and while moving on their legs and knuckles .That measurement of the energy needed to move around was compared with similar tests on humans and the results are published in this week's online edition of "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences". It turns out that humans walking on two legs use only one-quarter of the energy that chimps use while knucklewalking on four limbs .And the chimps, on average, use as much energy using two legs as they did when they used all four limbs. However, there were differences among chimps in how much energy they used, and this difference corresponded to their different manner of walking and anatomy .One of the chimps used less energy on two legs, one used about the same and the others used more, said David Raichlen, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona. "What we were surprised at was the variation ", he said in a telephone interview. Interview. "That was pretty exciting, because when you talk about how evolution works, variation is the bottom line, without variation there is no evolution." Walking on two legs freed our arms, opening the door to drive the world, said Raichlen. "We think about the evolution of _ as one of first events that led hominids down the path to being humans." The research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the L.S.B.Leakey Foundation. According to the passage, humans walk upright in order to _ . A conserve energy B differ from other animals C free their brains D strengthen their legs Answer: A. conserve energy A few years ago, a company called Space Marketing came up with a plan to send a mile-long advertisement into space. To advertising agencies , it would have been "a dream come true". However, advertising standards agencies finally decided not to allow Space Marketing to go ahead with their plans and they were forced to give them up. Space may indeed be the final place for advertisers, because on Earth we are already surrounded by advertising wherever we are and whatever we are doing. Apart from the obvious adverts that we see every day on TV, and in newspapers and magazines, there is a whole ' _ ' of advertising messages for our attention. There are ads that we see on the side of the bus we catch to work, for example. And what about the logos we see on the clothing of the people we walk past in the streets? Most of the time, we are probably not even aware of these less obvious advertising methods, but that doesn't mean that they don't work. Take 'product placement', for example. You are in a cinema, watching the latest Hollywood movie. Look carefully at the make of car your favorite actor is driving. And what about his watch? Can you see what brand it is? Chances are, you can, and the company that owns the brand is likely to have paid thousands for it to appear in the film. So, whether Space Marketing finally succeeds in sending ads into space or not is perhaps less important than it might seem. This would not change a thing. Our everyday lives are already strongly influenced by advertising whether we realize it or not. What does the author suggest at the end of the text? A We live in a world of advertising. B We've changed a lot because of advertising. C Space Marketing leads in the advertising industry. D Space ads will mark the beginning of a new world. Answer: A. We live in a world of advertising.
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 . What color is Mike's quilt? A. white. B. green. C. yellow. D. blue. Answer: D My name is Paul Miller. Sometimes I am too fat, but lately I do not have this problem. My doctor tells me to jog. So early every morning I run for two miles. I do not run fast, but I do not stop to rest. I jog before breakfast. People call me a jogger. There are many joggers on my street. We often run together in the park or along the road. Jogging helps to keep us strong and healthy. Jogging is very popular in the United States. People like to feel well and look nice. When my neighbors and I jog, we help to keep our hearts and legs strong. Many people do not jog, but they do not get fat. They work hard on their jobs and they do not need to run before they go to work. Diets are also popular. People on diets do not eat many foods that will make them fat. They learn to eat fruits and vegetables instead of candy or cakes. My doctor tells me to eat only three meals a day. A diet is not necessary if I do not eat between meals. Some people like to eat many times a day. This is called snacking. I feel healthy and my doctor is happy because I jog every day and I do not snack in the evening or after breakfast. If you snack, you will surely eat something _ . A. full of meat B. with fruits and vegetables C. quickly D. in the evening or after breakfast Answer: B Q: My daughter is a junior in high school and has been on an individualized education program since fourth grade. She plans to go to college and intends to finish with a master's degree. Her performance in general is fairly good, but test scores are very low. She has held many leadership and volunteer positions. We have been advised to have her write an essay about how her learning disability is a barrier that she has to get over. Will that help or hurt her chances for admission? ---- Deborah A: First let me answer the question on low standardized test scores (ACT/SAT). There are hundreds of colleges that are "test optional" which means students can choose not to release their test scores in the application process. Admission decisions at these colleges for students who do not submit their test scores are made based on other factors. A list of test optional colleges can be found at fairtest.org. It is important, however, to make sure that the college is the right fit academically regardless of the test optional policy. You also asked if your daughter should write about her disability and if this would hurt her chances of being admitted. Please know that colleges do not deny admission based on disability. "Disclosing" a learning disability in a personal statement within the college application can certainly help. By writing a personal statement, students can potentially _ , for example, their understanding of the challenge they face. They might also prove an improved grade trend in that subject area, and show interest in more complex courses in spite of this disability. More importantly, a student disclosure can show self-confidence, motivation and an understanding of the disability. ---- Ms. Kravis According to the passage, Mr. Kravis is probably _ . A. an editor B. a school leader C. a psychological doctor D. an educational expert Answer: D Seven tips to good table manners Whether it's a dinner at a friend's house or a business meeting over lunch, we judge people based on their table manners. But what can you do if your kids do not behave themselves at the dinner tables? The following are seven tips to set your children on the road to good table manners: Look for the good. Instead of pointing out all the things your children do wrong, point out what they do right. Please say, for example, "I am so proud of you. It was wonderful the way you served yourself." Don't turn dinner into an unpleasant "lecture time". That will turn kids off not only manners, but dinner, and you, too. Check your own example. Don't show up for dinner in just your underwear unless you want your kids to do the same. Don't always consider your kids lazy and dirty ones. Instead, point out the behavior in a tender way. For example: " It' s a good idea to unfold your napkin, so if food falls you won't dirty your clothes." Teach your kids good manners in the form of a game. One night a week, try to have a formal dinner. Try dressing up, serve a special meal, and expect more formal manners. That will help improve their sense of manners. Make kids understand part of the tradition. Invite guests over and let kids help serve them. This helps them indirectly learn about table manners. *Try dining out once in a while. Fast food restaurants aren't counted. Try a nice restaurant and let kids order their own food, pay the bill and give the tip. Which of the following should parents do to help their kids learn good table manners? A. Try dining out in fast food restaurants once in a while. B. Point out what's wrong with the kids' behavior at dinner. C. Keep telling the kids how to behave themselves at dinner. D. Improve kids' sense of manners by having a formal dinner at times. Answer: D Mike is a factory worker. He is often very tired after a day's work. His wife, Jenny, has no job, so she stays at home to cook the meals. Every day he can have his dinner when he gets home from his factory. One day, Mike came home very late because he was very busy in the factory. He was very hungry when he got home. He was not happy when he found his dinner was not ready. He was very angry with his wife. He shouted at her, "I'm going out to eat in a restaurant." "Wait for five minutes," said his wife. "Why? Do you think that dinner will be ready in five minutes?" asked Mike. "Of course not," she answered. "But I can be ready to go with you in five minutes." Mike works in _ . A. a factory B. an office C. a school D. a hospital Answer: A
Living in the wild can be hard. Finding food and staying safe aren't easy. Each day, animals struggle to survive in their habitats. Not all animals get by on their own. Some animals form a close partnership with other kinds of animals. These pairings are called symbiotic relationships. In a symbiotic relationship, the animals depend on each other. One animal helps the other meet its needs. Sounds good, right? Not always. Some animals are not very kind to their partners. In some cases, one animal meets its needs but hurts its partner. Take ticks, for example. These insects suck blood to live. To get blood, they attach themselves to other kinds of animals. Ticks can pass germs that cause disease instead of helping their hosts. In other relationships, animals don't treat their partners so poorly. Both animals benefit from living with the other animal. Small animals called cleaner shrimps have found a way of helping fish at coral reefs. As their name suggests, the shrimps clean the fish. They hang out at what scientists call a cleaning station. A fish stops by. Then a shrimp climbs onto the fish and even steps into the fish's mouth. The shrimp uses its tiny claws to pick stuff off the fish's body. That can include dead skin, tiny pieces of food, and wee creatures that can hurt the fish. The fish gets a nice cleaning. The shrimp enjoys a tasty meal of fish trash. Small birds called plovers are also in the cleaning business. They have big customers-crocodiles. Crocs have long snouts filled with sharp teeth. Cleaning them is tricky. When a croc opens its mouth, the plover hops right in. The croc does not snap its snout shut.Instead, it lets the plover eat small, harmful animals attached to the crocodile's teeth. The plover gets an easy meal while the croc gets clean teeth. When plovers hop into crocodiles' mouths, they _ . A. are really to clean crocodiles' teeth B. are to make crocodiles happy C. aren't afraid of being eaten D. aren't happy to clean the crocodiles' teeth Answer: C What will man be like in the future --- in 5,000 or even 50,000 years from now? We can only make guesses, of course, but we can be sure that he will be different from what he is today, because man is slowly changing all the time. Let us take an example. Man, even five hundred years ago, was shorter than he is today. Now, on average , men are about three inches taller. 500 years is relatively a short period of time, so we may suppose that man will continue to grow taller. Again, in the modern world we use our brains a great deal. Even so, we still use only about 20% of the brain's capacity . As time goes on, however, we shall have to use our brains more and more, and finally we shall need our brains more and more, and finally we shall need larger ones! This is likely to bring a physical change too. The head, especially the forehead , will grow larger. Nowadays our eyes are used too much. In fact, we use them so much that very often they become weaker and we have to wear glasses. But over a long time it is possible that man's eyes will grow stronger. On the other hand, we make use of our arms and legs less. These, as a result, are likely to grow weaker. At the same time, however, our fingers will grow more sensitive because they are used a lot in modern life. But what about hair? This will probably disappear from the body because it does not serve a useful purpose any longer. In the future, then, both men and women are likely to be hairless. Perhaps all this gives the impression that future man will not be a very attractive person to look at! This may be true.However, future man will still have a lot in common with us. He will still be a person, with thoughts and feelings similar to our own. Which of the following is TRUE about man in the future? A. He is hairless because hair is no longer useful. B. He has smaller eyes and wears better glasses. C. His fingers grow weaker because he doesn't need to use them. D. He thinks and feels in a different way. Answer: A The arts, especially music, should be part of every school's lessons at every grade level. Students would be much smarter if they had some musical experience. They could improve their classroom skills, like paying attention and following directions. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Making music also lets children use their imagination. It provides students with a chance to try out their own ideas. Music not only makes children better students, but also gives them something positive to do. In a music program, children can be part of a band instead of joining a gang . Parents can enjoy listening to their children's music instead of seeing them _ a computer or TV screen. In a school band, students get to be part of a team. They can get along well with old friends and make new friends through music. Music builds self-confidence, too. It gives children a sense of achievement and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practice performing in front of an audience. Music gives children an opportunity for self-expression, and that helps develop their self-confidence. Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their character. That is why music should be offered in every single grade in every school. What's the best title of this passage? A. Music is a must as a course at school B. Music builds children's self-confidence C. Music makes students much smarter D. Learning music and making music Answer: A Is your TV connected to the Internet? What about your chair, or your fridge? Probably they are not. But in the future, most things in your home may be connected, thanks to the so-called "Internet of things". The Internet of things may be coming sooner than you think. Earlier this year, Samsung CEO spent a lot of time talking about the Internet things. He said that four years from now, every Samsung product will be part of the Internet of things, no matter whether it's a remote control or a washing machine. So, how do household objects that are part of the Internet of things work? Well, think of a common chair. When connected to the Internet, the chair warms up when it knows the user has just walked into the room and is feeling cold. An Internet-connected camera could help people feel safer in their homes. It can know people's faces and has an infrared sensor , so even if it's dark it can see when someone passes by and send you a message on your smartphone to let you know who's there. If the person is someone you don't know, it can tell you that, too. But according to MIT Technology Review, whether companies are connecting dog food bowls or security systems to the Internet, there may be some problems. For example, many early connected-home objects don't have much built-in security, which means they could be hacked. Moreover, it could be difficult to get these new machines to work together especially when they are made by different companies. To fight this, many companies have joined the Open Interconnect Consortium, which had 45 members by late 2015. So, picture this: you enter your home.The temperature changes to make you feel comfortable. Your favorite music starts playing for you. Do you think that this would be a good thing? It may happen sooner than you think.[:] Which of the following words best describes the writer's tone in the article? A. Doubtful B. Hopeful C. Humorous D. Worried Answer: B When visiting New York City with your kids,there are many things to do with kids that will entertain their spirits and feed their minds. The Whispering Gallery Make your way to the Whispering Gallery. The Whispering Room's architecture allows for a phenomenon that usually makes people laugh. Once inside the gallery,place one person facing the corner at one end of the room and then place another person facing the corner at the opposite end. Ask one of the participants to whisper a phrase or a quick sentence or two and the person on the opposite end will be able to hear every word that was said. E. 42nd St. 2127715322 grandcentralterminal. com The American Museum of Natural History The American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869. In addition to its impressive exhibits,permanent attractions bring the cool factor home to kids. They can enter the Fossil Halls and see the impressive dinosaur skeletons .And the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life educates kids about the fragility of the Ocean Central Park West at 79th St. 2127695606 amnh. org the Scholastic Store Most parents want their children to read,and moreover,to enjoy reading. Scholastic helps to make that wish a reality by publishing interesting,well-written stories that are popular with children. With such classics as"Clifford the Big Red Dog","The Magic School Bus,"and"Harry Potter,"the Scholastic Store will delight your children. 557 Broadway 2123436100 scholastic. com Ellen's Stardust Diner The restaurant is a place where each person in your family can find something to eat. Arugula salads,grilled cheese,burgers and meatloaf are all on this varied menu. A hall of beauty queens,a drive-in theatre and wait staff that sing to you can add to this unique dining experience. 1650 Broadway,corner of 51st St. 2129565151 ellensstardustdiner. com To develop your kids' interest in reading,you can bring them to _ . A. the Whispering Gallery B. the Scholastic Store C. Ellen's Stardust Diner D. the American Museum of Natural History Answer: B
Cassandra Feeley finds it hard to manage on her husband's income. So this year she did something more than a hobby :She planted vegetables in her yard. For her first garden, Ms. Feeley has put in 15 tomato plants, and five rows of a variety of vegetables. The family's old farm house has become a chicken house, its residents arriving next month. Last year, Ms. Rita Gartin kept a small garden. This year she has made it much larger because, she said, "The cost of everything is going up and I was looking to lose a few pounds, too;so it's a win-win situation all around." They are among the growing number of Americans who, driven by higher living costs and a falling economy , have taken up vegetable gardening for the first time. Others have increased the size of their existing gardens. Seed companies and garden shops say that not since the 1970s there has been such an increase in interest in growing food at home. Now many gardens across the country have been sold out for several months. In Austin, Tex, some of the gardens have a three-year waiting list. George C.Ball Jr., owner of a company, said sales of vegetable seeds and plants are up by 40% over last year, double the average growth of the last five years. Mr. Ball argues that some of the reasons have been building for the last few years. The big one is the striking rise in the cost of food like bread and milk, together with the increases in the price of fruits and vegetables. Food prices have increased because of higher oil prices. People are now driving less, taking fewer vacations, so there is more time to garden. By saying "a win-win situation all around", Ms. Gartin means that _ . Have you ever wondered what a Degree might be worth to you in your job or career ? It means a lot of Americans with an Associate Degree average nearly $10 000 more in yearly earnings than those with just a High School Diploma . Harcourt Learning Direct offers you a way to get a Specialized Associate Degree in all of today's growing fidds--without having to go to college full time. With Harcourt, you study at home, in your spare time, so you don't have to give up your present job while you train for a better one. Choose from exciting majors like Business Management, Accounting, Dressmaking & Design, Bookkeeping, Photography, Computer Science, Engineering and more! Your training includes everything you need! Books, lessons and learning aids are all included in the low tuition price you pay. Your education is nationally recognized! Nearly 2 000 American companies--including General Electric, IBM, Mobile, General Motors, Ford, and many others--have used our training for their employees. If companies like these recognize the value of our training, you can be sure that employees in your area will, too! Earn your degree in as little as two years! Get a career diploma in just six months! The career of your dreams is closer than you think! Even if you have no experience before, you can get valuable job skills in today's hottest fields! Prepare for promotions , pay raises, even start a business of your own! Send today for FREE information about Harcourt at home training! Simply fill in your name and address on the coupon above. Then write in the name and number of the one program you're most interested in, and mail it today. We'll rush your free information about how you can take advantage of the opportunities in the field you've chosen. Act today! Mail coupon today! Or call the number below 1-800-372-1589. Call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Website: www. Harcourt-learning. com. E-mail: Harcourt@learning.com. Which of the following is NOT clearly mentioned in this advertisement? A scientist combines oxygen and hydrogen to form water. This combination illustrates that water is The Global Heritage Fund organization recently released a list of cultural treasures in the developing world that are in danger of disappearing. These"On the Verge" places face many threats. They included war, development pressures, stealing and misuse by visitors. The Global Heritage Fund says these places are important because they are records of our human civilization. And the group says countries can learn to use these treasures to help support responsible development in the future. One such place is the town of Lamu. Lamu was once a very important trading center in East Africa. This ancient city became part of the United Nations Heritage list in 2001. But it still faces threats. For example, a modern port might be built nearby. Other endangered places include Ani, a city in Turkey, the town of Maluti in India, the ancient city of Ninevah in northern Iraq, the Sans-Souci palace in Haiti, and the former capital of Ayutthaya in Thailand. The Global Heritage Fund is nonprofit organization based in California. The group says it only focuses on developing countries which often have few resources to protect places of cultural importance. And, other major cultural organizations often pay more attention to protecting places in the developed world. For example, the fund points out the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has forty-five World Heritage places in Italy. UNESCO has forty-two in Spain. But Peru, famous for its ancient Incan buildings, has only nine World Heritage places. Guatemala has only three. The Global Heritage Fund says its new report tries to place a value on cultural places so that they can also be considered as economic resources. It estimates that by 2025 these places of cultural importance could produce one hundred billion dollars a year in income for developing countries. Which of the following countries has the fewest World Heritage places? Have you ever wondered why the roots of the plants always know which way to grow--into the soil but not above it? Some British scientists have recently solved this mystery. It turns out that roots have special hairs that tie them into the soil and help them grow their way past obstacles, a team at the John Inners Center in Norwich reports in the February 29 issue of Journal Science. "The key is in the fuzzy coat of hairs on the roots of plants," says professor Liam Dolan. "We have found a growth control system that enables these hairs to find their way and to become longer when their path is clear." Root hairs explore the soil in much the same way a person would feel their way in the dark. If they come across an obstacle, they make their way around until they can continue growing in an opening. In the meantime, the plant is held in place as the hairs grip the soil. The hairs are guided by a clever chemical trick. A protein at the tip of the root hairs called RHD2 helps them to take calcium from the soil. Calcium makes the hairs grow, and produce more RHD2, and take more calcium. But when an obstacle blocks the hair's path, or the hair reaches the surface of the soil, the cycle is broken and growth starts in another direction. This system gives plants the flexibility to explore a complex environment and to live in even the most unpromising soils, says Dolan. In poor soils such as in parts of Australia and Africa, native plants have adapted by producing enormous numbers of root hairs. A better understanding of this adaptation will allow scientists to develop hairy rooted crops that can grow in unfriendly environments. According to Dolan, "Research in the John Inners Center is taking a breeding approach to increase hair length in wheat but it will be some time before new cultivars are developed." How does the circle work?
If you are not happy with China's high Internet fees and slow speed, you are not alone.So is Premier Li Keqiang.On April 14, he said in a meeting that the government should speed up the Internet and lower the fees. "The first question people ask at a new place is 'Is there WI-FI' because Internet service fees are so high," said Premier Li.According to a recent survey by CCTV, the average cost of 1GB mobile Internet data per month in China is 100 Yuan, while it is only 60 Yuan in the US and 40 in Japan. However, high prices don't necessarily mean good service.The average Internet speed in China was 4.25Mbps in late 2014.South Korea had the fastest average Internet speed-25.3 Mbps.People can download a 1 GB movie within 6 minutes in South Koreas, but in China it would take half an hour. To improve Internet services, the key is to build more fiber networks.Through them we can send text, pictures and videos globally in less than a second, which offer high speed Internet.Besides, the lack of market competition is another problems. _ ,. (2,10) What is the best title for the passage? Answer: As a flower becomes more aromatic it will bring in a growing crowd of Answer: On November 15th, 2014, children aged 8 to 12 got together in five cities around the world to participate in the first Global Children's Designation. The event that was organized by a Dutch company called Unexpect, challenged kids to come up with solutions for some of the world's most pressing problems in a day! The day began with the kids listening to the various challenges that were related to their particular cities and towns. The teams were then asked to brainstorm about which problem they were going to handle and how. There were so many amazing ideas produced on that day. While some of the ideas were far from perfect, there were many that could be practical like the smart cars which can ease traffic pressure by telling traffic lights of its arrival and also guiding the drivers to the best possible route . Emer Beamer, the founder of Unexpect, says the purpose of the project is to introduce children to skills they probably never learn in class. She says that for most part, schools focus on teaching things that they will most likely never need to know again. She believes that for kids to be successful in the world, they should be learning how to be creative, handle new technologies and deal with unexpected situations. Though the first global design challenge was relatively small, involving only a few hundred of the two billion youngsters that are bursting with ideas, the next one will be much bigger. That's because in 2015, Unexpect plans to distribute free tool kits to any school that is interested in hosting their own Children's Designation Challenge. We can't wait to see what ideas kids will come up with next. What does the project of Unexpect aim to do? Answer: Mark Twain left school when he was twelve. Though he had little school education, he became the most famous writer of his time. He made millions of dollars by writing. His real name was Samuel Langhorne Clements, but he is better known all over the world as Mark Twain, his penname. Mark Twain was born in 1835 and he was not a healthy baby. In fact, he was not expected to live through the first winter. But with his mother's tender care, he managed to survive. As a boy, he caused much trouble to his parents. He used to play jokes on all his friends and neighbors. He didn't like to go to school, and he ran away from home from time to time. He always went in the direction of the nearby Mississippi. He was nearly drowned nine times. After his father's death in 1847, Mark Twain began to work for a printer, who only provided him with food and clothing. Then, he worked as a river-boat pilot and later joined the army. But shortly after that he became a miner, during this period, he started to write short stories. Afterwards he became a full-time writer. In 1870, Mark Twain got married. In the years that followed he wrote many books including in 1876, and in 1884, which made him famous, and brought him a great fortune .Unfortunately, Mark Twain got into debts in bad investments and he had to write large numbers of stories to pay these debts. In 1904, his wife died and then three of their children passed away. He died on April 21, 1910 at the age of 70. Before he became a full time writer Mark Twain had not been _ Answer: My father died when I was 5. It was hard on us all. My brother is 8 years older than me, he began to look after my mother and me. My mother had to do a full-time job. My brother would get me up for school, and cook breakfast for me .When I was eating he would get my clothes and school bags ready and make my bed. As we waited for the school bus, he would play the games my father used to play with me. He did his best to make me happy . When we arrived home from school , he would help solve the problems in my homework and help Mom to cook . It was a Saturday in June a few years later. My mother and I were at the store .They were selling Father's Day cards. I stared at them. "My dear, I know this is a hard time for you." Mom said. "No, Mom, that's not it. Why don't they have 'brother's day' cards?" She smiled and said, "You're right, your brother has certainly been a father to you. Go ahead and choose a card. " So I did. On Father's Day, my mother and I sat my brother down and gave him the card .As he read it, I saw his eyes watering. I heard the cracking in Mom's voice as she said, "Son , your father is proud of you. You do your best to _ . We love you, and thank you." The writer's brother started taking care of his younger brother and mother at the age of _ . Answer:
Nobody knows who invented the pencil or when it was invented. A Swiss described a pencil in a book in 1565. He said it was a piece of wood with lead inside it . Pencils weren't popular, and people continued to write with pens. In 1795,someone started making pencils from graphite and they became very popular. Today, people make pencils in the same way. They make the graphite into the shape of a stick, and then they put it inside a piece of wood. One pencil can make a line as long as 55 kilometers. When people first wrote with pens , they had to put the penpoint into ink after every few letters. Later someone invented a fountain pen and this kind of pen could hold ink inside. A fountain pen can write several pages before you have to fill it again. Two brothers, Ladislao and Georg Biro, invented the ballpoint pen that we use today. They left their country Hungary and started producing ballpoint pens in England in 1943 during World War II. Later, a French company called Bic bought the Biro's company. Someone calls ballpoint pens bics. Australians call them biros. Whatever we call them, we use them every day. What do people use to make pencils today? Answer: Graphite. It was a bright Saturday morning. I stopped at a cafe to enjoy a cup of coffee and read the morning newspaper. Suddenly, I felt a hand on the back of my jacket and heard someone say, "Hey Steve! How are you doing?" Looking back, I saw a man. He looked familiar, but I couldn't remember where we had met. The young man also held a cup of coffee, so I asked him to join me. Very soon, his story began to _ my memory. Five years earlier, Johnson was traveling home late on a February night. A heavy snow had arrived that afternoon, and by midnight, the snowdrifts were getting deep. His car was stuck in a snowdrift just down the road from my house. He walked to my house for help. I helped him pull his car out of the snowdrift and up to the street where the snow had been cleaned away. This was a normal happening here during the winter. I couldn't count the times someone has helped me to pull my car from a snowdrift. However, it was an unforgettable experience for him. He was only eighteen at that time, and he said he was very afraid. No one wants to be stuck in a snowdrift at night. Sometimes, one simple kindness at the right moment can change the direction of a life. So, be kind and helpful. The writer's purpose of writing the passage is to tell us _ . Answer: even a simple kindness matters Dever drove his car into an intersection and collided with a fire engine that had entered the intersection from Dever's right. The accident was caused by negligence on Dever's part. As a result of the accident, the fire engine was delayed in reaching Peters' house, which was entirely consumed by fire. Peters' house was located about ten blocks from the scene of the accident. If Peters asserts a claim against Dever, Peters will recover Answer: the part of his loss that would have been prevented if the collision had not occurred. A fire started in a forest but it wasn't started by people. What could have been the cause? Answer: electricity Giant sunflowers? Maybe you like potatoes, tomatoes, or carrots.Or maybe you prefer green leafy house plants, tiny plants in a container, wildflowers that you can dry to save, or a butterfly garden. Whatever you hope to grow, knowing some gardening basics will give you a much better chance of success. First you will need to choose a good location for your garden.A sunny location usually works best, since all plants need some sunlight and most plants like lots of it.However, there are some plants that need only indirect sunlight, and these plants will do best in shady spots. Check soil too.The best kind of plant soil is called loam ; it is loose soil that crumbles easily.Water drains through it well, and it has lots of nutrients to feed your plants.Soil that sticks together might have too much clay in it.Very loose, dry soil might have too much sand.You can improve the soil in your garden by adding organic materials such as compost, or leaves.ks5u Climate--Check a map of planting zones to choose plants that are right for your area. Mulch --After you have planted your plants, add a layer of mulch on top of the soil.Mulch keeps the soil damp, keeps out pests, and adds more nutrients to the soil. Water - Water your plants early in the day.Plants need about 1 inch of water each week on average. Fertilizer - If you are planting a big garden, use about 1/2 pounds per 100 square feet.If you are just planting a few plants, get a little container of plant food and follow the directions on the label.Plant fertilizer contains the chemicals that make up a plant's diet. Which of the following statements is TRUE? Answer: Good soil is easy to break up with many nutrients.
Question: The Hawaiian Islands are in the Pacific Ocean almost 4,000, kilometres west of California. Tourism is very important to Hawaii. The tropical weather and beaches bring people from all over the world. But Hawaii is also experiencing problems from the downturn . Last year was the first year since 2004 that Hawaii has had fewer than seven million visitors. The state had 6,800,000 arrivals in 2008. That was a decrease of 10% from the year before. State officials expect a decrease this year of another 2%. And they expect no growth in the economy through most of the year. The Hawaiian Islands were formed millions of years ago by hot liquid rock flowing from undersea volcanoes. Visitors can still watch the process take place on the largest island, which like the state is named Hawaii. People usually just call it the Big Island. Experts say Polynesian people first sailed to Hawaii about 2,000 years ago. A king ruled the islands when the 18th century British explorer James Cook arrived. At first, Hawaiians treated Captain Cook like a god. But in the end, he was killed on the Big Island in 1779. Britain gave the islands their independence in 1843. Then, fifty years later, a group of American businessmen ousted the ruler and founded the Republic of Hawaii. It became an American territory in 1900. That was three years after the United States set up a naval base at Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, which served as the command base for American operations in the Pacific during World War Two. After the war, most Hawaiians required that Hawaii should be an independent state. In Congress , though, there was resistance from southern states because of Hawaii's non-white native population. But Congress passed the Hawaii Statehood Bill in 1959. Hawaiians accepted it, and on August 21st, President Eisenhower declared Hawaii the fiftieth state. When did the US set up a naval base at Pearl Harbor? A. In 1893. B. In 1897. C. In 1900. D. In 1959. Answer: B Question: All natural resources on Earth are either renewable or nonrenewable. Whether a resource is renewable or nonrenewable depends on how fast or slow the resource is replaced. If the resource is used faster than it is replaced, then the resource will, in time, disappear. Which statement describes the use of a renewable natural resource? A. A home burns natural gas for heat. B. A city burns coal to generate electricity. C. A farmer plants different types of crops to protect the soil. D. A construction crew builds a road from rock, sand, and gravel. Answer: C Question: Many people believe that all ice cubes are created equal, but they are not. At least that's what the folks at California's Glace Luxury Ice Company would like us to believe. The Davisbased company says that the ice cubes they make are healthier and last longer than the ones that we throw into our drinks on a daily basis. What's more, the company also says that their ice cubes do mot leave behind an aftertaste in drinks, like regular ones do. In order to create these unique ice cubes, Glace Luxury begins with water that has been rid of the _ impurities that the company says can lead to cancer and exist in regular ice. They then freeze it in large blocks. Once ready, the ice is carved into perfect cubes and each cube measures 2.5 inches across. Besides being healthier, these ice cubes apparently also take longer to melt. The company says that each ice cube can last up to 30 minutes. Of course, those ice cubes do not come cheap. Those that wish to have a taste of this "tasteless" frozen perfection will have to pay $325USD for a bag of 50 ice cubes. That comes to $6.50USD for a single cube of ice! The unique product is the brainchild of Robert Sequeira, a former business school lecturer who said that he wanted to establish a profitable business that could be easily scaled. Given that he can make as mush Glace Luxury ice as he needs for as little as $0.12USD per cube, he thinks that the idea certainly meets the standard. Now, if he can find that the few people can afford to buy this Glace Luxury ice, life would be great! Compared with regular ice cubes, the ice cubes created by Glace Luxury Ice Company _ . A. taste much bette B. look much more beautiful C. have more different shapes D. are healthier and melt more slowly Answer: D Question: Once there was a piano player in a bar . People came just to hear him play. But one night, a lady asked him to sing a song. "I don't sing," said the man. But the lady told the waiter, "I'm tired of listening to the piano. I want the player to sing!" The waiter shouted across the room, "Hey, friend! If you want to get paid, sing a song!" So he did. He had never sung in public before. Now he was singing for the very first time! Nobody had ever heard the song Mona Lisa sung so beautifully! He had talent he was sitting on! He may have lived the rest of his life as a no-name piano player in a no-name bar. But once he found, by accident, that he could sing well, he went on working hard and became one of the best-known singers in the US. His name was Nat King Cole. You, too, have skills and abilities. You may not feel that your talent is great, but it may be better than you think. With hard work, most skills can be improved. Besides, you may have no success at all if you just your talent. The lady asked the player to sing a song because _ . A. she had paid him for this B. she knew him very well C. she was tired of listening to the piano. D. she enjoyed his singing Answer: C Question: "The Lord of the Rings", one of the best sellers in the new millennium , was made up of three parts--"The Fellow Ship of the Ring", "Two Towers", and "The Return of the King". Millions upon millions of people have read it in over 25 different languages, but fewer know about the author and the history of the composition of the creative masterwork. John Ronald Refuel Tolkien was born in South Africa in 1892. His parents died when he was a child. Living in England with his aunt, Tolkien and his cousins made up play languages, a hobby that led to Tolkien's becoming skilled in Welsh, Greek, Gothic, Old Norse and Anglo--Saxon. After graduating from Oxford, Tolkien served in World War I. In 1917, while recovering from trench fever he began composing the mythology for The Rings. As a professor of Anglo-Saxon in the 1930s at Oxford, Tolkien was part of an informal discussion group called the Inklings, which included several writers. The group was soon 1istening to chapters of Tolkien's imaginative work "The Hobbit". Hobbit was a name Tolkien created for people that could best be described as half-sized members of the English rural class. Hobbits live in hillside holes. One of them,Bilbo Baggins, looks for treasures with a group of dwarves . On the way, he meets the twisted, pitiful creature Gollum, from whom he sees a golden ring that makes the holder invisible. One of Tolkien's students persuaded her employer, publisher Allen & Unwind, to look at a draft . The chairman of the firm, Stanley Unwind, thought that the best judge for a Children's book would be his ten-year-old son. The boy earned a shilling for reporting back that the adventure was exciting, and "The Hobbit" was published in 1937. It sold so well that Unwind asked for a continuation. Over a dozen years later, in 1954, Tolkien produced "The Lord of the Rings", a series of books so creative that they hold readers both new and old -- after their publication. What can we learn about "Hobbit" that Tolkien created in his works? A. Hobbit was a race living in English downtown areas. B. Hobbit was a local people who were very tall and strong. C. Hobbit was a social group of people who lived in old castles. D. Hobbit was a group of people who were mostly dwarves. Answer: D
One of the best-known women in the world is a small doll . This famous doll, called Barbie, was created by Ruth Handler in 1959. Now Barbie is known everywhere. Before Barbie, all dolls were made to look like babies. People thought that this was a way to teach young girls how to become a good mother. Barbie was the first doll made to look like an adult instead of baby. From the beginning, Barbie was a modern career girl. There was a different Barbie for each job: nurse, teacher, police officer, race car driver, professional basketball player, pilot, as well as the very first female to fly in space. Barbie made it possible for young girls to dream about a future other than being a mother and a housewife. It showed girls that they had choices and could become anything they wanted to be. At the time, these ideas were very new and positive. The movement for equal opportunity for women had just begun and women wanted to have the same chance as men to do important work. However, Barbie's approval as a role model has not lasted. Today, many people criticize Barbie for making young girls too concerned about their appearance . These people complain that the beautiful, well-dressed Barbie seems to tell girls that while they can hope to have different career, it is more important for them to be beautiful and thin. The female figure that Barbie represents has also been criticized for being unrealistic . Young girls might think that Barbie's figure is beautiful and desirable . However, if Barbie were a real person, she would be six feet tall and wear a size three shoe! What does the passage mainly discuss? A. The roles of a modern woman. B. The image of Barbie dolls C. What is role models? D. What is beauty? Answer: B. The image of Barbie dolls Songs that make our hearts soar can make them stronger too, US researchers reported on Tuesday. They found that when people listened to their favorite music, their blood vessels dilated in much the same way as when they are laughing, or taking blood medications. "We have a pretty impressive effect," said Dr Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. "Blood vessel diameter improved," he said. "The vessel opened up pretty significantly. You can see the vessels opening up with other activities such as exercise." A similar effect is seen with drugs such as statins and ACE inhibitors. When blood vessels open up more, blood flows more smoothly and is less likely to form the clots that cause heart attacks and strokes. Elastic vessels also resist the hardening activity of atherosclerosis . "We are not saying to stop your statins or not to exercise but rather to add this to an overall program of heart health," said Miller, who presented his findings to a meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans. Miller's team tested 10 healthy, non-smoking men and women, who were told to bring their favorite music. They spent half an hour listening to the recordings and half an hour listening to music they said made them feel anxious while the researchers did ultrasound tests designed to show blood vessel function. Compared to their normal baseline measurements, blood vessel diameter increased 26 percent on average when the volunteers heard their joyful music. Listening to music they disliked - in most cases in this group heavy metal - blood vessels narrowed by six percent, Miller said. Miller said he came up with the idea after discovering the laughter caused blood to literally flow more smoothly." I asked myself what other things make us feel real good, besides calories from dark chocolate of course. Music came to mind. ... It makes me feel real good," he said. Most of the volunteers chose country music but Miller said the style is not so important rather what pleases each individual. The following things can make the blood vessel open up EXCEPT _ . A. laughing B. taking some exercise C. drinking some wine D. listening to favorite music Answer: C. drinking some wine In America, people change jobs ten times during their lives. They change their homes eleven times. Americans like change because they think it _ their lives. In China, some people, of course, don't like change. They want life to be predictable . They want to do the same things every day and to see the same people every day. When something changes, it makes them feel uncomfortable, like a child who can't go to sleep unless all his toys are in their proper places. But can't you see there are many changes in China? People are healthier and they are living longer. People have more money, more food and they are better educated . Without change, our lives would be very boring. It would be like listening to the same song over and over again. Change is a big part of life and we all change in small ways every day --the young get stronger, the old get weaker; we meet new friends; we find new interests. Change is good for China and it will be good for you, too. What is NOT China's change? A. People are healthier and they are living longer. B. People have more money and more food C. People are better educated D. People change their homes eleven times Answer: D. People change their homes eleven times My sister has a nice room, There is a bed near (......) the desk. A bookcase is between (......) the bed and the desk. There is a jacket and a ring on the bed. A baseball is under the bed. There is a chair under the desk. There is a computer on the desk. Her hat and keys are under the chair. Her schoolbag is on the chair. Some books and CDs are in the bookcase. She has a photo on the wall. You can see some plants in the photo. Our family photo is on the wall , too. You can see my father, my mother, my sister and me in the photo. It is a nice photo. What are on the wall? A. Some plants. B. Some photos. C. Some people. D. Some CDs. Answer: B. Some photos. Ripping a paper in half A. alters the shape of the paper B. leaves the paper unchanged C. enlarges the piece of paper D. makes the paper into its gas form Answer: A. alters the shape of the paper
Question: People fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor in 1944, when she starred inNational Velvet-the story of Velvet Brown, a young girl who wins first place in a famous horse race, At first, the producers of the movie told Taylor that she was too small to play the part of Velvet. However, they waited for her for a few months as she exercised and trained--and added three inches to her height in four months! Her acting inNational Velvetis still considered the best by a child actress. Elizabeth Taylor was born in London in 1932. Her parents, both Americans, had moved there for business reasons. When World War II started, the Taylor moved to Beverly Hills, California, and there Elizabeth started acting in movies. After her success as a child star, Taylor had no trouble moving into adult roles and won twice for Best Actress:Butterfield8 (1960) andWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf ? (1966) Taylor's fame and popularity gave her a lot of power with the movie industry, so she was able to demand very high pay for her movies. In 1963, she received $1 million for her part inCleopatra--the highest pay received by any star up to that time. Elizabeth Taylor is a legend of our time. Like Velvet Brown inNational Velvet, she has been lucky, she has beauty, fame and wealth. But she is also a hard worker. Taylor seldom acts in movies any more. Instead, she puts her time and efforts into her businesses, and into helping others--several years ago, she founded an organization that has raised more than $40 million for research and education. What Elizabeth Taylor and Velvet Brown had in common was that they were both _ . A. popular all their lives B. famous actresses C. successful when very young D. rich and kind-hearted Answer: C. successful when very young Question: Scientists have long had it in their mind to make a robot lizard . They began with finding out why a lizard can hang on a wall. They noticed the lizard's toes were unique: They have suckers , which enable it to hang on walls. They, therefore, made a robot with suckers on its hands and feet. The robot could hang on the wall but fell off when crawling. So, they went on researching. 6 years ago, scientists discovered that suckers only were not enough. It is the bristles on each foot that adds friction and static adsorption that makes a lizard move on the smooth wall easily without falling down. Then scientists made great efforts to fix thick bristles to the robot's hands and feet. However, the effect was not satisfactory. The robot still couldn't attach itself firmly to the wall. Scientists got puzzled: How on earth can the lizard crawl on an extremely smooth wall or even on a ceiling without dropping off? An accidental finding inspired them: One day a scientist happened to see an animal attack a lizard and bite off its tail. The lizard broke away from the animal's teeth and threw itself on a wall to escape, only to fall off heavily on the ground. The scientist wondered: Is it the tail that plays an important role in its travelling on the wall? He caught some lizards for an experiment. The result proved his assumption: A tailless lizard has no trouble walking on an ordinary wall but can't on a smooth one. A further study showed the lizard's tail can prevent it falling over backward and, what's more, that the tail acts as an additional leg while one of the lizard's legs leaves the wall, which is always the case while it is walking on the wall. Thus, Tailbot, a super tailed robot, is born. The bristles function as something _ . A. to protect the lizard's toes from injury B. to produce friction and static adsorption C. to prevent a lizard falling over backward D. to help a lizard move about without falling Answer: B. to produce friction and static adsorption Question: Hearing live music is one of the most pleasurable experiences available to human beings. The music sounds great, but it sounds greater when you get to watch the musicians as they create it. No matter what kind of music you love, try listening to it live. This guide focuses on classical music, a tradition that _ before recordings, radio, and the Internet, back when all music was live music. In those days live human beings performed for other live human beings, with everybody together in the same room. When heard in this way, classical music can have a special excitement. Hearing classical music in a concert can leave you feeling refreshed and energized. It can be fun. It can be romantic. It can be spiritual. Classical music concerts can seem like snobby affairs full of foreign terms and unusual behavior. It can be hard to understand what's going on. It can be hard to know how to act. But don't worry. Concerts are no stranger than any other amusement, and the rules of behavior are much simpler and easier to understand than the stock market, football, or system software upgrades. If you haven't been to a live concert before, or if you've been confused by concerts, this guide will explain, so you can relax and enjoy the music. The passage is _ which focuses on live classical music. A. a review B. a conclusion C. a summary D. an introduction Answer: D. an introduction Question: Lights Out at Bedtime There are plenty of good reasons to power up a personal desktop or laptop computer in the evening -- writing e-mails,chatting on social networks or making purchases over the Internet,for instance.But various studies indicate that people who stare at a PC's bright monitor shortly before going to bed probably sleep less soundly than they would otherwise because the light seriously affects their natural wake-sleep cycle."They haven't proved it though," says Dieter Kunz,the team's director at Charite's Psychiatric Clinic in St.Hedwig's Hospital in Berlin. Similarly,exposure to just 10 minutes of normal bathroom lighting is enough to free the sleep hormone melatonin,which regulates people's natural wake-sleep cycle and makes them sleepy at nightfall. Ten years ago,a team of British and American researchers detected a photo-pigment in the human eye that signals to the body whether it is day or night,summer or winter.The photo-pigment is especially sensitive to blue light. "The blue light more or less tells the body,'It's daytime,be awake,'" Kunz says.Monitors have a mostly cold white light content and scientists suspect the photo-pigment may react similarly to it.So the longer people look into the bright light,the more awake they become - and then sleep poorly. A lot of people have difficulty "switching off" in the evening.About half of the women in Germany and a quarter of the men sleep poorly. Environmental factors are only one of the possible causes.Job stress as well as personal and health concerns are also the main reasons for their sleep problems. In addition,electronic objects' standby lights and indicator lamps can be annoying in the dark and affect sleep."Sound scientific evidence is still lacking on this matter," Kunz notes. According to Kunz,those who cannot go without their computer in the evening should turn down the blue content if possible and lower the brightness somewhat."But nobody does that because,after all,you want to concentrate while working at the computer and the light helps the brain." The passage is mainly about _ . A. natural wake-up cycles B. the effect of light on sleep C. personal and health concerns D. functions of computer monitors Answer: B. the effect of light on sleep Question: Li Qiang and Li Gang are brothers. But their living habits are different. Now let's go to Li Qiang's room. Li Qiang cleans his bedroom every day and puts his things away. Look! There is a computer on the desk. There are two balls under the bed. A guitar and a kite are on the wall. Some books are on the shelf. So he must be a careful boy. Now let's go to Li Gang's room. The room is not clean. Can we see his clothes on the desk? Oh, yes. We can see a football and a knife on the desk, too. Li Gang never does any cleaning on weekends. So his room is in a mess. What do you think of Li Qiang and Li Gang? Li Qiang is a good boy. Li Gang must learn from his brother. ,. What can we see on Li Gang's desk? A. His clothes and a computer. B. A kite, a football and a knife. C. His clothes, a football and a knife. D. Some books, a football and a computer. Answer: C. His clothes, a football and a knife.
Time out, extra chores and taking away privileges are more useful forms of disciplining naughty children than spanking or hitting, according to a study on Wednesday. About 94 percent of parents use some form of physical punishment to teach their two-year-olds right from wrong, according to research studies. But psychologists say it could lead to later emotional and behavioral problems. Even children who were only spanked some of time are more likely to show signs of sadness or have less confidence. "The key is to be fair and do the same thing each time. Doing something like hitting a child that seems cruel at best doesn't help and can put a child at risk for problems," said Dr Paul Frick, of theprefix = st1 /UniversityofNew Orleansin Louisians. "It is better to use other punishments," he added. The use of physical punishment to teach children has long been debated. In countries such asAustria,Finland,GermanyandSweden, it is illegal to use physical punishment at home or in schools. Frick and his team, who studied the effects of physical punishment on 98 children, said they couldn't find any positive effects. Some children learned more from the hitting than what the parent was trying to teach them. "The key is to have a lot of different forms of punishment depending on the age of the child," said Frick, who reported his findings in the Journal of Applied Child Psychology. He recommended time out for younger children and taking away television and electronic toys for older children. Giving extra chores can also get the message across. Other measures are at least as effective as physical punishment and have less harmful potential consequences. The researchers kept children whom they thought were at risk of later conduct problems out of the test and an equal number of other children who acted as a control group, to study what measures would be most helpful. They questioned the parents and the children about positive and negative parenting behavior including the use of physical punishment. "We got it from both viewpoints," said Frick. He added that children on the receiving end of a hit can learn that when they are upset and angry they hit, rather than understanding their behavior was wrong and that they need to do better. Which of the following statements would Dr Frick agree to? Spanking often fails to get the message of the parents across. I am Bill.I am an English teacher.My wife is Linda.She is a nurse. We have a daughter and a son. Look! These are my friends.This is Mr Black.He's a worker.He works in a shoe factory .He makes shoes.That's Mrs Black.She works in a supermarket .The girl is their daughter.She's a student.She's thirteen.The boy is their son.He is only seven years old.His name is Carl. We are good friends. How many people are there in Bill's family? Four. Mr. Lee was in bed and was trying to go to sleep when he heard the bell ring. He turned on the light and looked at his clock. It was twelve o'clock. "Who can it be at this time of night?" He thought. He decided to go and find out. So he got of bed, put on his dressing gown and went to the door. When he opened the door, there was nobody there. "That is very strange." Then he went back to his bedroom, took off his dressing gown, got back into bed, turned off the light and tried to go to sleep. A few minutes later he heard the bell again. Mr. Lee jumped out of bed very quickly and rushed to the door. He opened it, but again he found no one there. He closed the door and tried not to feel angry. Then he saw a piece of paper on the floor. He picked it up. There were some words on it: "It is now after midnight, so it is April Fool's Day. April Fool to you!" "Oh, it was the English boy next door!" Mr. Lee exclaimed and almost smiled. He went back to bed and felt asleep at once. The bell did not ring again. From this passage, we learn that people can _ on April Fool's Day. play jokes on each other Bernstein had been appointed Assistant Conductor for the New York philharmonic only a few months before that night. Just 25 years old, he was ly inexperienced. At the last minute, Bernstein was told he was to take Walter's place, so he didn't have any time to rehearse . The music he was going to conduct was very difficult. Plus, the concert was going to be broadcast nationally on the radio. Despite all these pressures, Bernstein rose to the occasion and received a standing ovation at the end of the concert. The event made national headlines, and Bernstein became famous overnight. Some people feel they do their best under the most stressful circumstances. What was it about Leonard Bernstein that made him do so well in such a difficult situation? Perhaps Leonard Bernstein did so well because music was his devotion. The son of a man who supplied hairdressing products, Bernstein became interested in music at the age of 10. By the time he was a teenager, he was performing in public. He became a soloist of the Boston Public School Orchestra, and for 13 weeks in 1934, he played classics on the radio. Leonard Bernstein was successful at the concert because of _ . his devotion to music A few years ago, pop poets such as Murray Lachlan Young began to set poetry to rock music with some surprising results. People thought that poetry was the new rock 'n' roll. However, despite the brief popularity of a few pop poets, poetry and pop music didn't seem to mix. But are they really so different? If you look back at the origins of poetry, there is a strong connection between poems and popular music. In Greek mythology, for example, the muse Erato is pictured with a lyre in her hand, and looks just like the ancestor of the modern rock star with his electric guitar. In addition, the poets Shelley and Byron were as famous in the nineteenth century as the pop stars of today. But despite their common origins, there are many differences between poetry and pop music. Pop songs are always written for a public performance, whereas poetry often isn't. And the lyrics in pop songs sometimes have less rhythm than those in poetry. This is because the music provides the rhythm rather than the words. Pop lyrics are also simpler and often keep on saying the same thing. This repetition works well in a performance and means that pop songs are easier for people to sing and learn by heart. Both songs and poems tell a story or talk about feelings. Songs in particular deal with the different stages in a relationship, such as falling in love or breaking up. The words and ideas in songs are usually easier to understand than those in "serious" poetry. However, talented performers like Paul McCartney, or newer stars like Robbe Williams, often give simple songs more expression when they perform them. And some of the best lines from pop lyrics are as beautiful as poetry. So although pop music and poetry have many differences, they do have one important thing in common: the power to make us think about how we feel. What does the writer say about talented performers today? They give songs more meaning when they sing them.
every four seasons a cedar expands it's A lung capacity B sight C vocal range D outer covering Answer: D One cold morning in winter, I went alone to a hillside to do some hunting. I sat there waiting for about an hour. Suddenly, a big beautiful deer appeared less than 20 feet away from me. There was no cover near him. Surely I could shoot him. To my surprise, he came toward me! He was curious, I suppose, or maybe he was stupid. For this was not a youngster, but a fully grown-up one. He must have known about men and their guns. But this deer came closer, and I still waited. His big eyes never moved away from my face. His wonderful head with a set of antlers was clear in sight. I was getting a bit nervous as he walked closer. A big deer can do a lot of damage. Well, he walked right up to where I was sitting. Then he stopped and looked at me. What happened next was hard to believe. But it all seemed quite natural. I held out my hands and scratched his head right between the antlers. And he liked it. The big, wild, beautiful deer bent his head. I scratched and touched his head and body. His nose touched my shoulder. I fed him with my last sandwich. Well, he finally went his way, down the hill. Shoot him? Not me. You wouldn't, either. Not after that. I just watched him go, a strong deer carrying a proud head. I picked up my gun, and started walking back. Suddenly, I heard two shots, one after another. If you have hunted much, you will know what two shots mean. They mean a kill. I had forgotten that there were other hunters around. You will now understand why I gave up hunting from that day on. You can infer from the passage that _ . A a grown-up deer usually will not get close to men with guns B the writer was a little nervous at first as he had been attacked by a big deer before C the writer felt afraid to kill the deer the moment the deer walked up to him D the writer had waited for more than an hour before the deer appeared Answer: A Many children act in TV shows. They work several hours every day, so they cannot go to a regular school. How do they get an education? In Hollywood, where many TV shows are made, about forty teachers give lessons for the children in the shows. They teach wherever their pupils are working. They teacher's job is very important. She is responsible for making sure that the child works only the permitted hours each week. She is also responsible for making sure that the child learns the required subjects. She makes sure, too, that the child gets enough rest and play, along with his education. Child actors are required to attend classes twenty hours each week. California law says that they must be taught from September to the middle of June. If they do not get good marks in school, they are not permitted to continue working in TV shows. TV children are usually good pupils, and most of their teachers like this special kind of work. Their classes are held in many interesting places. Sometimes the"classroom"is a Mississippi riverboat. Sometimes it is the inside of a spaceship. Often the pupils become famous stars. Which of the following statements expresses one of the main ideas given in this selection? A We must realize that television is the most powerful force in the education of children today. B Unfortunately children who act in TV shows cannot be educated because their work does not permit them to attend school. C Special arrangements are made for giving a good education to children during the weeks of their employment as TV actors. D Most of the teachers like their work. Answer: C Henry is from the USA. He is on holiday in London. One day he is not feeling very well. So he asks a waiter in the hotel, "I want to see a doctor. Can you give me the name of a good one?" The waiter looks in a book, and says, "Dr. Green." "Is he expensive?" "Well," the waiter answers, "Usually, you need to pay 20 pounds for the first time, and 15 pounds for later visit." Henry wants to save 5 pounds. When he goes to see the doctor, he says, "I've come again, doctor." For a few seconds, the doctor looks at his face carefully without say anything. Then he says, "Oh, yes." He examines Henry and says, "Everything's going fine. Just don't stop the medicine I gave you last time." The first visit to the doctor costs _ later visit. A as much as B 5 more pounds than C much less than D less than Answer: B Only if you don't have a fear of heights do you want to visit the CN Tower. And if you can take a trip to the top of it will surely be worth it. The CN tower is Canada's most famous symbol and the centre of tourism in Toronto. Over 550 meters, it is one of the tallest building in the world; on a clear day the view is wonderful. Each year, around 2 million people take the elevator ride to the top of the tower to take in the breath-taking view at the top of the world. Once you are at the top, see if you have the courage to walk across the see-through glass floor . If you are hungry, plan to eat at the revolving restaurant at the top of the tower. The floor in the 360-degree restaurant rotates once every 72 minutes allowing everyone a complete view of the city below. The CN tower has broken record many times, winning such titles as World's Longest Metal staircase ,World's Tallest building and , most recently , World's Highest Wine Cellar. In 1995, the CN tower was considered as one of the seven wonders of the Modern World. Today, the top of the tower, more than 333m in the air, serves as the year-round workplace for more than 550 people. The tower's workers help to make the world-class attractions and food there. While at the CN tower, you'll also have the chance to visit gift shops. You will find the CN Tower in the heart of downtown, on Front Street. On the north shore of Lake Ontario, the CN Tower is open 364 days a year(closed on Christmas Day). What can we infer from the passage? A You can go to visit the tower any day you like. B You can buy some gifts and eat as well while you are at the tower. C You have to climb the stairs to the top of the tower to enjoy the view. D The floor of the revolving restaurant is made of glass. Answer: C
Tea bag drinking is most Westerners' favorite way of drinking tea. Do you know how it came about? The tea bag was invented in 1908 by Thomas Sullivan, an American tea seller. He was sending out free tea in silk bags for people to try. People put the bags together with the tea leaves into the cup and added hot water. The tea tasted good, and people thought it was easy to clean the cup. They were not happy when Sullivan started sending them loose tea again. Sullivan realized that he had a hot new thing in his hands, and he built a machine to pack the bags. As tea bags became popular, they were changed from silk to gauze and later paper. In 1952, Lipton Tea made the tea bag even more popular with its invention of the four-sided tea bag. Tea bags were soon a hit in the UK, and today 85%of the tea in the UK is packed in paper bags. However, many people still prefer loose-leaf tea. This is because some tea companies put not very good tea in their tea bags. But for most drinkers, tea bags are still the easy and tasly way to go. The material of the tea bags is usually _ now. A. silk B. gauze C. paper D. plastic Answer: C. paper Everyone likes living in a clean and comfortable environment. If the environment are bad, it will affect our body, and make us not feel well. Sometimes we may be terribly ill. At that time we don't want to work, and we have to stay in bed and rest at home. So the environment is very important to us. It's germs that makes us ill. There are germs everywhere, They are very small and you can't find them with your own eyes, but you can see them with a microscope They are very small and there may be hundreds of them on a very small thing, Germs can always be found in dirty water. When we look at dirty water under the microscope, we shall see them in it. Germs can also be found in air and dust . If you cut your finger, some of the dust from the floor may go into it, and you will have much pain in it. Sometimes the germs will go into all of your bodies, and you will have pain everywhere. To keep us healthy, we should try our best to make our environment cleaner and tidier. This needs us to work together. How will you feel if germs go into the finger that is cut? A. I will feel nothing. B. I won't mind. C. I will feel tense. D. I will feel painful. Answer: D. I will feel painful. 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. Many people can't control their weight after the holidays mainly because they _ . A. take part in too many parties B. can't help being tempted to eat constantly C. enjoy delicious foods D. can't help turning away from the foods Answer: B. can't help being tempted to eat constantly Switches can be used to cease electronic energy flow, such as when A. a button is pushed and a fan stops spinning B. a fridge is running loudly C. a freezer turns off in a power outage D. a light is turned on Answer: A. a button is pushed and a fan stops spinning If a wolf wants to grow big and strong, what must he have? A. a car to drive B. a house to live in C. a bus to sell D. good eyes to see with Answer: D. good eyes to see with
When I was 23 years old I was in a dangerous relationship with the man who was my fiance at the time. I was being physically and verbally abused on a daily basis. I was financially tied to him after he spent all my savings to pay his debts but I wanted to be free! For the longest time I was too embarrassed to tell my mother about the situation. She had warned me about him. But, eventually, I worked up the courage to tell her and she sent me the money I needed to leave. Before the money arrived, he found out what I planned to do. I was so scared of what he might do that I decided to leave without taking all my belongings and just get out of there. Then, on my way to safety, my car died! I had automobile insurance (thanks to my mom) so I called the AAA and had them pull the car to a garage. It turned out the repair was going to cost $800 and the money my mom sent hadn't arrived by that point. The owner of the garage must have known something was up because he asked what was wrong. I told him a brief version of my story and promised him I could pay him in two days. He never told me his name but I will never forget him or what he did for me that day! He fixed the car immediately and told me he would not accept any payment ---- ever! He said he had a daughter almost my age and hoped that if she ever needed help in the future then some stranger might do the same for her. Since then I have tried to help people in my own way. Now I have a beautiful 12-year-old daughter and I hope throughout her life she can help others and be helped when she needs it, like I was! Which of the following is TRUE according to the text? A After the author received the money she hurried back home. B The police helped the author take her broken car to the garage. C The author's car broke down on her way home. D The author had no money to pay the garage keeper for the repair. Answer: D. The author had no money to pay the garage keeper for the repair. A situation in which a student is troubled by his parents asking him to go into a job area that makes good money but he doesn't want to go into, is a bad situation. The question is whether he should go into this job or not. To start with, you need to go for what is best for YOU, even if there would be some negative results. You can't be happy if you don't make decisions that are right for you. If you do not make your own decisions and make decisions that will be good for you, your life would be a big lie to yourself, which is not a sign that you have done something you wanted to do. Living a lie would not be a very good life. The truth is much better than living a lie. If your whole life is a lie, then it is not a very beautiful life at all. In the song Lyin' Eyes, the woman is living a lie by pretending she loves the old man, while in reality she was just in it for money. As a result, her life is miserable and a big lie. And finally, money cannot buy happiness. A good example of this is also from the song Lyin' Eyes. The only reason why the woman married the old man was for the money and gifts she would receive. This results in her life are not happy at all. This just goes to show that no matter how much money you have, your life still might not be happy. It takes a lot more than _ to make your life a good one. In conclusion, doing what you want is best. If you don't do what you want to, you won't be happy with your life. Which of the following arguments is NOT used to support the writer's conclusion? A It's best to do what you want. B You need to make your own decisions. C Money doesn't mean happiness. D Living a lie would not be good. Answer: B. You need to make your own decisions. Imagine the following scenario : A woman buys her lunch every day from a fast food outlet near her job. After some years, she finds herself 30 pounds overweight, and feeling unhealthy. So what does she do? She chooses to bring a lawsuit against the fast food outlet, claiming that the food served there was the cause of her being overweight and in poor health. Sounds ridiculous, doesn't? The only thing more absurd than the story itself is the fact that is not fiction. There are people who have sued fast food chains for causing their weight problems. This is an example of one of the ways in which many of us spend enormous amounts of energy trying to deny the undeniable and universal fact that we are all ultimately responsible for our own choices and our own lives. How much easier would we make it for ourselves if we could accept this fact rather than resist it? But how can we embrace the truth, that we are living the lives we choose to live, that we are enjoying or suffering the consequences of our own choices, and that blaming others for our problems and shortcomings is nothing more than a comfortable fantasy? We must acknowledge the truth of our lives, however unpleasant this may be. If we are overweight, in a bad relationship, in a dead end, we need to accept that this is where we are, at this moment in time. Imagine that woman decided that she was unhappy with the extra pounds she'd gained after many years of eating fast food on a regular basis. Imagine that this woman took the time to really understand and accept that she and no one else was responsible for her eating choices. Having acknowledged this fact, she then decides to make the changes in her lifestyle to become the healthier, slimmer person she wants to be. Why is the woman mentioned twice in the passage? A To show the right way of dealing with weight problems. B To describe a familiar scenario in life. C To give support to the author's viewpoint. D To compare the consequences of different choices. Answer: C. To give support to the author's viewpoint. On sunny days we can see the sun in the sky. It looks like a hot and bright plate. But it is a ball. It is much bigger and hotter than any fire. And it is much brighter than all the lights in the world. The sun is a star but it looks much bigger and brighter than any other star. Many stars are much bigger than the sun. The sun is much nearer to us, so it looks much bigger. At night we can see the moon and many stars. The moon is a round ball. It is much smaller than the stars. The stars are much farther away from us; so thy look much smaller than the moon. The moon has no light of its own. When the sun shines on it, it looks bright. When the moon is full. It looks very beautiful. Why do the stars look smaller than the moon? A Because the stars are smaller than the moon. B Because the stars are nearer to us. C Because the stars are farther away from us. D Because the stars are bigger than the moon. Answer: C. Because the stars are farther away from us. A boy woke up super excited for this special day. He could not contain his excitement knowing that the soccer final was today! He had been working all year long to get to this day. He quickly hopped off his bed and went to eat his breakfast. His mom had made pancakes, waffles, and eggs, but the boy felt like eating cereal. His mom had laid out his soccer clothes and after he was done with his breakfast, he couldn't wait to put them on. He quickly changed into the clothes, and ran to the car where his mom was waiting for him to get in. The ride seemed to take a long time as he was super excited to play. The team was there and they started a small practice before the big game! The game started and the boy was very nervous since the other team looked really good. His team was as good too and they were tied at the end! Everyone either got a trophy or a medal for playing in the game, and the boy got a trophy. It was one of the best times the boy had ever had. The day was starting to get dark and he could feel sprinkles on his hands. His parents asked the boy if he wanted to eat ice cream and pizza after the game. The boy said he was tired and went home with his parents and he could not stop talking about how super fun the game was. He talked and talked and talked and his parents were very proud of him. He talked so much that he fell asleep in the car! His dad carried him into the house and put him in his bed. The boy had such a great day that he dreamed of soccer all night long. The trophy he had been given would let him remember about the fun day he had. Who won the game and what did the boy win? A The team the boy was on won and they all got free pizza and ice cream B It was a tie game so the boy won a trophy C The team the boy was on won and they each got a trophy D The team the boy was not on won and they each won a medal Answer: B. It was a tie game so the boy won a trophy
Question: Bringing a giraffe into the world is a tall order. A baby giraffe is born 10 feet high and usually lands on its back. Within seconds it rolls over its legs under its body. Then the mother giraffe rudely introduces its children to the reality of life. In his book, A View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond describes how a new-born giraffe learns its first lesson. The mother giraffe lowers her head long enough to take a quick look. Then she puts herself directly over her child. She waits for about a minute, and then she does the most unreasonable thing. She throws her long leg and kicks her baby, so that it's sent sprawling . When it doesn't get up, the process is repeated again and again. The struggle to rise is important. As the baby giraffe grows tired, the mother kicks it again. Finally, it stands for the first time on its shaky legs. Then the mother giraffe kicks it off its feet again. Why? She wants it to remember how it got up. In the wild, a baby giraffe must be able to get up as quickly as possible to stay with its group, where there's safety. Another writer named Irving Stone understood this. He spent a lifetime studying greatness, writing stories about such men as Michelangelo, Vincent van Gogh, Sigmund Freud, and Charles Darwin. Stone was once asked if he had found something that runs through the lives of all these great people. He said, "I write about people who sometime in their life have a dream of something. They're beaten over the head, knocked down and for years they get nowhere. But every time they stand up again. And at the end of their lives they've realized some small parts of what they set out to do ." What would be the best title for the passage? A. How to keep a baby giraffe. B. Learning to Get Back Up. C. Stories about the great people. D. A mother giraffe and its baby giraffe. Answer: B. Learning to Get Back Up. Question: Tim Richter and his wife, Linda, had taught for over 30 years near Buffalo, New York--he in computers, she in special education."Teaching means everything to us," Tim would say. In April 1998, he learned he would need a heart operation. It was the kind of news that leads to some serious thinking about life's purpose. Not long after the surgery, Tim saw a brochure describing Imagination Library, a program started by Dolly Parton's foundation that mailed a book every month to children from birth to age five in the singer's home town of Sevier, Tennessee. "I thought, maybe Linda and I could do something like this when we retire,"Tim recalls. He placed the brochure on his desk,"as a reminder." Five years later, now retired and with that brochure still on the desk, Tim clicked on imagination library .com. The program had been opened up to partners who could take advantage of book and postage discounts. The quality of the books was of great concern to the Richters. Rather than sign up online, they went to Dollywood for a looksee. "We didn't want to give the children rubbish," says Linda. The books reviewed each year by teachers, literacy specialists and Dollywood board members included classics such as Ezra Jack Keats's The Snowy Day and newer books like Anna Dewdney's Llama Llama series. Satisfied, the couple set up the Richter Family Foundation and got to work. Since 2004, they have shipped more than 12,200 books to preschoolers in their area. Megan Williams, a mother of four, is more than appreciative: "This program introduces us to books I've never heard of ." The Richters spend about $400 a month sending books to 200 children. "Some people sit there and wait to die," says Tim. "Others get as busy as they can in the time they have left." According to the text,Dolly Parton is _ . A. a wellknown surgeon B. a mother of a fouryearold C. a singer born in Tennessee D. a computer programmer Answer: C. a singer born in Tennessee Question: Hello,everyone.Because of the high rate of school violence in some areas,teenagers'safety becomes a serious problem.We are planning to set up an organization named School Watch to make sure that students have a safe school environment.Please be part of our plan! What is School Watch? School Watch is a volunteer project in our school.It helps us stop violence and improve the quality of school life.It will keep yourself and your schoolmates safe.The other members of School Watch care for you and your classroom and you do the same for them. Is it for everyone? Anybody can become a member of School Watch because everyone has something to offer. What else can it do? School Watch makes it possible for us not only to help each other but also to make friends with each other.Some members may offer to help schoolmates who have problems with their homework. Who is the Best School Watcher? Our school will look for the Best School Watcher and give him or her lots of prizes.You could be the one! How do you start? To be part of this plan,the only thing you need to do is to talk to the director of the plan in your grade.If you want to get more information, check the official website at www.schoolwatch. com. Anyone can become a member of School Watch because _ . A. everyone may have problems B. everyone can give help to others C. everyone needs to make some friends D. everyone wants to have good marks Answer: B. everyone can give help to others Question: Lake Forest High School Clubs Environmental Club Club members are provided opportunities to realize their goals of environmental service. The majority of projects are student-initiated. Last year's activities included: the LFHS Courtyard Garden upkeep, Bike to School Day with free cocoa and snacks, an "eat local" 100-mile dinner, recycling solutions for LFHS, beach cleanup through the Great Lakes Alliance, and Earth Week celebrations. Meetings: First Friday of the month in Room 5 at 7:00 a.m. Advisor: Ms Mary Beth Nawor, _ Peer Tutoring Students volunteer to help fellow students in improving their academic and organizational skills. Students tutor LFHS and middle school students on an individually scheduled basis. LFHS tutors must have proficiency in the academic area in which they wish to tutor, but middle school tutors only need general academic proficiency. Meetings: All tutoring is done on an individually scheduled basis. Advisor: Ms Kathy O'Hara, _ Young Idea Young Idea is LFHS's art and literary magazine. Students of all ages who love writing and art are encouraged to become part of the staff of this award-winning magazine. Young Idea encourages all students to submit art and literature works to the magazine, whether they are a part of the staff or not. From September to February, Young Idea meets on Thursdays after school in the Public Room to discuss the pieces that have been submitted to the magazine and provide feedback for the authors. Meetings: See above explanation. Advisor: Ms Debbie Zare, _ Scout Buddies Scout Buddies is a friendship club which helps build friendship among individuals with and without disabilities. Club members participate in a variety of social activities both within the school and in the community. Activities include organizing holiday parties in the school, bowling, going to the movies, and eating out in local restaurants. Meetings: Monthly meeting dates vary, but in Room 134. Advisor: Ms Donna Lovitsch, _ Which club provides help for students poor in study? A. Peer Tutoring. B. Environmental Club. C. Young Idea. D. Scout Buddies. Answer: A. Peer Tutoring. Question: After spending a year in Brazil on a student exchange program, her mother recalled, Marie Colvin returned home to find that her classmates had narrowed down their college choices. "Everyone else was already admitted to college," her mother, Rosemarie Colvin, said from the family home. "So she took our car and drove up to Yale and said, ` _ "' Impressed-she was a National Merit finalist who had picked up Portuguese in Brazil-Yale did, admitting her to the class of 1978, where she started writing for The Yale Daily News "and decided to be a journalist," her mother said. On Wednesday, Marie Colvin, 56, an experienced journalist for The Sunday Times of London, was killed as Syrian forces attacked the city of Homs. She was working in a temporary media center that was destroyed in the attack. "She was supposed to leave Syria on Wednesday", Ms. Colvin said. "Her editor told me he called her yesterday and said it was getting too dangerous and they wanted to take her out. She said she was doing a story and she wanted to finish it." Ms. Colvin said it was pointless to try to prevent her daughter from going to conflict zones. "If you knew my daughter," she said; "it would have been such a waste of words. She was determined, she was enthusiastic about what she did, it was her life. There was no saying `Don't do this.'This is who she was, ly who she was and what she believed in: cover the story, not just have pictures of it, but bring it to life in the deepest way you could." So it was not a surprise when she took an interest in journalism, her mother said. Marie Colvin's story in the passage indicates that she was a _ journalist. A. honest and curious B. patient and confident C. cautious and creative D. strong-minded and courageous Answer: D. strong-minded and courageous
Growing up, I remember my father as a silent, serious man--not the sort of person around whom one could laugh. As a teenager arriving in America, knowing nothing, I wanted a father who could explain the human journey. In college, when friends called home for advice, I would sink into deep depression for what I did not have. Today, at twenty-seven, I have come to rediscover them in ways that my teenage mind would not allow--as adults and as friends with their own faults and weaknesses. One night after my move back home, I overheard my father on the telephone. There was some trouble. Later, Dad shared the problem with me. Apparently my legal training had earned me some privileges in his eyes. I talked through the problem with Dad, analyzing the purposes of the people involved and offering several negotiation strategies .He listened patiently before finally admitting, "I can't think like that. I am a simple man." Dad is a brilliant scientist who can deconstruct the building blocks of nature. Yet human nature is a mystery to him. That night I realized that he was simply not skilled at dealing with people, much less the trouble of a conflicted teenager. It's not in his nature to understand human desires. And so, there it was--it was no one's fault that my father held no interest in human lives while I placed great importance in them. We are at times born more sensitive, wide-eyed, and dreamy than our parents and become more curious and idealistic than them. Dad perhaps never expected me for a child. And I, who knew Dad as an intelligent man, had never understood that his intelligence did not cover all of my feelings. It has saved me years of questioning and confusion. I now see my parents as people who have other relationships than just Father and Mother. I now overlook their many faults and weaknesses, which once annoyed me. I now know my parents as friends: people who ask me for advice; people who need my support and understanding. And I have come to see my past clearer. After the author overheard her father on the telephone, _ . he consulted with her about his problem. My name is Becky Smith. I'm eleven years old. I have one brother. His name's Jason and he's fourteen. I don't have any sister. We live with grandma in a small house in Chesterfield, in the north of England. My friends and I often go to the cinema on Saturday. Do you like games? I like football. My favourite team is Manchester Unite . I sometimes play football with my brother. I have seven pets: two birds and five goldfish. I want a dog and a cat, but my parents don't like them. Do you want to be my penfriend? Please write to me soon. The girl wants to find _ . a penfriend Findings from a new study were presented at a recent meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society. Researchers in the United States studied 100,000 women during an eight-year period, beginning in 1994. All of the women were fifty or older. The study was part of the Women's Health Initiative organized by the National Institutes of Health. The women were asked questions measuring their beliefs or ideas about the future. The researchers attempted to identify each woman's personality eight years after gathering the information. The study found that hopeful individuals were 14% less likely than other woman to have died from any cause. The hopeful women were also 30 less likely to have died from heart disease after the eight years, Hilary Tinkle from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania was the lead author of the report. She said the study confirmed earlier research that linked optimistic feelings to longer life. The researchers also gathered information about people's education, financial earnings, physical activity and use of alcohol or cigarettes. Independent of those things, the findings still showed that optimists had less of a chance of dying during the eight-year period. Some women who answered the questions were found to be hostile , or highly untrusting of others. These women were 16% more likely to die than the others. They also were 23% more likely to die of cancer. The study also found women who were not optimistic were more likely to smoke and have high blood pressure or diabetes. They were also more likely mot to exercise. Tindle says the study did not confirm whether optimism leads to healthier choices, or if it actually affects a person's physical health. She also says the study does not prove that negative emotions or distrust lead to bad health effects and shorter life. Yet there does appear to be a link that calls for more research. What's Hilary Tindle's opinion of the study? Necessary. Do you know the following expressions? Faustian bargain According to most stories, Faust was a German scholar who was rather unhappy with his life.The devil , Mephistopheles, promises him that in return for his soul.he will give Faust unlimited power and knowledge.Faust agrees and experiences all kinds of pleasures, but, in the end, his soul goes to the hell.A "Faustian bargain" therefore is a deal that finally results in one's ruin.It means a bargain made for temporary gain without taking future consequences into consideration. A three-ring circus When you refer to a situation as being a three-ring circus, you are saying that it is a situation of complete confusion.There are so many activities taking place all together that they leave you confused or annoyed.The expression comes from the world of entertainment--the circus.The area where the artists perform their acts is called the "ring".In the past, some of the circuses were so large that they had three acts taking place meanwhile in three different "rings".The audience had to decide which "ring" they wanted to focus on. In the swim(of things) When someone is in the swim of things, he is actively participating in the things happening around him, as in "I've been ill, but soon I'll be back in the swim of things." In the world of fishing, fishermen use the word "swim" to refer to the section of the lake/river where fish can be found in plenty.So, if you are a fish man and wish to catch a lot of fish, where would you be? You would be "in the swim"! If a person makes a Faustian bargain, _ . he might come to a bad end Many trees in the Brackham area were brought down in the terrible storms that March. The town itself lost two great lime trees from the former market square. The disappearance of such striking features had changed the appearance of the town center entirely, to the annoyance of its more conservative inhabitants . Among the annoyed, under more normal circumstances, would have been Chief Inspector Douglas Pelham, head of the local police force. But at the height of that week's storm, when the wind brought down even the mature walnut tree in his garden, Pelham had in fact been in no fit state to notice. A large and healthy man, he had for the first time in his life been seriously ill with an attack of bronchitis. When he first complained of an aching head and tightness in his chest, his wife, Molly, had tried to persuade him to go to the doctor. Convinced that the police force could not do without him, he had, as usual, ignored her and attempted to carry on working. Predictably, though he wouldn't have listened to anyone who tried to tell him so, this had the effect of fogging his memory and shortening his temper. It was only when his colleague, Sergeant Lloyd, took the initiative and drove him to the doctor's door that he finally gave in. By that time, he didn't have the strength left to argue with her. In no time at all, she was taking him along to the chemist's to get his medicine and then home to his unsurprised wife who sent him straight to bed. When Molly told him, on the Thursday morning, that the walnut tree had been brought down during the night, Pelham hadn't been able to take it in. On Thursday evening, he had asked weakly about damage to the house, groaned thankfully when he heard there was none, and pulled the sheets over his head. It wasn't until Saturday, when the medicine took effect, his temperature dropped and he got up, that he realized with a shock that the loss of the walnut tree had made a permanent difference to the appearance of the living-room. The Pelhams' large house stood in a sizable garden. It had not come cheap, but even so Pelham had no regrets about buying it. The leafy garden had created an impression of privacy. Now, though, the storm had changed his outlook. Previously, the view from the living-room had featured the handsome walnut tree. This had not darkened the room because there was also a window on the opposite wall, but it had provided interesting patterns of light and shade that hid the true state of the worn furniture that the family had brought with them from their previous house. With the tree gone, the room seemed cruelly bright, its worn furnishings exposed in all their shabbiness. And the view from the window didn't bear looking at. The tall house next door, previously hidden by the tree, was now there, dominating the outlook with its unattractive purple bricks and external pipes. It seemed to have a great many upstairs windows, all of them watching the Pelhams' every movement. "Doesn't it look terrible?" Pelham whispered to his wife. But Molly, standing in the doorway, sounded more pleased than dismayed. "That's what I've been telling you ever since we came here. We have to buy a new sofa, whatever it costs." As a result of the storm, the Pelhams' living-room _ . felt less private
Hitting the brakes hard leaves rubber on the road due to A the sun B abrasion C plastic tires D metal roadways Answer: B Franz Schubert was a well-known musician in the world. But he lived a very hard life and often went hungry. One day, being very hungry, he went into a small restaurant in Vienna, hoping he might meet some friends there. He looked around and saw nobody he could borrow any money from. Then his eyes fell on a paper on one of the tables. In it was a little poem. He took the paper with the poem. After he composed a piece of music for the poem, he took his work to the owner of the restaurant. He only received a dish of beef and potato for it. thirty years after his death, this manuscript by Schubert was sold for 40 00c francs. it was his famous berceuse . Schubert often A had his meal in restaurants B looked for his friends there C ate beef and potato there D had not enough food to eat Answer: D Bringing Art into Hospitals The medical world is gradually realizing that the quality of the environment in hospitals may play an important role in helping patients to get better. As part of nationwide effort in Britain to bring art out of the museums and into public places, some of the country's best artists have been called in to change older hospitals and to soften the hard edges of modern buildings. Of the 2500 national health service hospitals in Britain, almost 100 now have very valuable collections of present art in passages, waiting areas and treatment rooms. These recent movements first started by one artist, Peter Senior, who set up his studio at a Manchester hospital in northeastern England during the early 1970s.He felt the artist had lost his place in modern society, and that art should be enjoyed by a wider audience . A common hospital waiting room might have as many as 5 000 visitors each week. What a better place to hold regular exhibitions of art! Senior held the first exhibition of his own paintings in the out--patient's waiting area of the Manchester Royal Hospital in 1975.Believed to be Britain's first hospital artist. Senior was so much in demand that he was soon joined by a team of six young art school graduates. The effect is striking. Now in the passages and waiting rooms the visitor experiences a full view of fresh colours, playful images and restful courtyards. The quality of the environment may reduce the need for expensive drugs when a patient is recovering from an illness. A study has shown that patients who had a view onto gardens needed half the number of strong pain killers compared with patients who had no view at all or only a brick wall to look at. Some best artists of Britain have been called in to _ . A set up new hospitals B make the corners of the hospital collect paintings C bring art into hospitals D help patients recover from serious illnesses Answer: C James lives in the mountains with his parents.There are not any schools near the farm.He has to study in the _ from Monday to Friday.His father often takes him there in his car on Sunday afternoon.And he meets him on Friday afternoon. The boy likes animals.He can see some near his house and school.But he never visits a zoo.Some of his classmates have been to the zoo and they often talk about the elephants,dolphins,lions,tigers and pandas.He sees them on TV.So he can only listen to them. It's Friday today.James' father will go to the city tomorrow.There's a big zoo there.The boy asks him to take him there.He agrees.James is so happy that he can't sleep at night.He gets up early this morning and puts some food in his bag.Can you guess what he does that for? James is very happy because _ . A he will stay at home tomorrow B he can go to the city tomorrow C he can take his father's jeep again D he will visit the zoo Answer: D China is starting to blacklist poorly-behaved tourists as it seeks to rescue the image of its citizens as holidaymakers. According to a regulation by the China National Tourism Administration (NTA) that entered effect this week, tourists will be blacklisted for offences including acting antisocially on public transport, damaging private or public property, disrespecting local customs, damaging historical exhibits on purpose or engaging in gambling or pornographic activities. Records will be kept in a two-tired system: provincial-level tourism authorities are responsible for cases under their jurisdiction while the NTA will be in charge of a nationwide register. People will be.blacklisted for two years after they offend, according to the regulation. The NTA said tourism authorities will inform blacklisted tourists and "propose correction measures in order to _ the negative impact". It also said that tourism authorities reserve the right to report such violations to public security, customs and transport authorities as well as the central bank's individual credit department. The regulation comes amid (......) growing concern about the ill manners of Chinese tourists both at home and abroad. In 2013, a Chinese tourist wrote his name on a relief carving in Luxor, Egypt. In December, a Chinese passenger threw a cup of hot instant noodles at a flight attendant on an international flight. Chinese tourists have been fined or put into prison for carrying prohibited items or purchasing wild animal products. The text is most likely to appear in _ . A a newspaper B a tourist guide C a travel brochure D a geography textbook Answer: A
Have you ever been bitten? Of course you have. You are surrounded by living things which might, or do, bite. Even when you rest your head on your pillow, bedbugs are probably nibbling away at you. They live happily inside most pillows. Take a walk outside and you are a target for "man's best friend. " Hundreds of dog-bite victims visit US emergency rooms daily. Many bites are terrible. To avoid the dogs in your neighborhood, you might want to hike into the desert or the woods. There, you run the risk of bites from rattlesnakes, scorpions, and blood-sucking ticks. Not to mention bears, wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. Speaking of housing, watch out when you touch the corner of your house or garage. Shy but deadly, the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider make themselves comfortable in quiet areas of your closets or garage. One bite from either of them can make you very sick; occasionally, people die from such bites. Unfortunately, many people fear all spiders, not just the few dangerous ones. They squash them or run from them at first sight, not realizing that most spiders are actually beneficial to man. If you're concerned about bites, don't forget about rabid animal bites. Any warm-blooded animal can get infected with rabies. Although humans in the US rarely get attacked by rabid animals, the disease is painful and dangerous. You will most likely die if you are not treated properly within 48 hours of being bitten. In the author's opinion, _ . A. No matter what kind of animal bites you, there is no danger at all. B. One should treat rabid animal bites properly within 2 days. C. Humans in the US can be bitten by rabid animals frequently. D. Hundreds of rabid animal-bite people visit emergency room daily in the US. Answer: B. One should treat rabid animal bites properly within 2 days. There is an old English saying.It tells us that we must go to bed early and get up early in the morning.Then we shall be healthy.We shall also be rich and clever.This is true.The body must have enough sleep to be healthy.Children of young age should have ten hours' sleep every night.Children who do not have enough sleep cannot do their work well and they may not be healthy.The body also needs exercise.Walking, running, jumping and playing games are all exercise.Exercise keeps the body strong.Exercise also helps the blood to move around inside the body.It is very important.Our blood moves to all parts of our body.The head also needs blood.Exercise helps us to think better. If we want to be healthy, we must _ . A. eat more B. sleep more C. play more D. go to bed early and get up early Answer: D. go to bed early and get up early Though fossil fuels and their byproducts will eventually be used up completely, we'll still have A. gasoline B. coal C. plastics D. light from stars Answer: D. light from stars We know that many animals do not stay in one place.Birds,fish and other animals move from one place to another at a certain time.They move for different reasons:most of them move to find food more easily,but others move to get away from places that are too crowded. When cold weather comes,many birds move to warmer places to find food.Some fishes give birth in warm water and move to cold water to feed.The most famous migration is probably the migration of fish,which is called "Salmon".This fish is born in fresh water but it travels many miles to salt water.There it spends its life.When it is old,it returns to its birthplace in fresh water.Then it gives birth and dies there.In northern Europe,there is a kind of mouse.They leave their mountain homes when they become too crowded.They move down to the low land.Sometimes they move all the way to the seaside,and many of them are killed when they fall into the sea. Recently,scientists have studied the migration of a kind of lobster .Every year,when the season of bad weather arrives,the lobsters get into a long time and start to walk across the floor of the ocean.Nobody knows why they do this,and nobody knows where they go. So,sometimes we know why humans and animals move from one place to another,but at other times we don't.Maybe living things just like to travel. Most animals move from one place to another at a certain time to _ . A. give birth B. enjoy warmer water C. find food more easily D. find beautiful places Answer: C. find food more easily the moon 's surface contains many A. trees B. oceans C. smoothies D. ground bumps Answer: D. ground bumps
Harriet Tubman lived a life filled with adventure.Tubman worked with the Underground Railroad. She helped many slaves reach freedom in the North. She was a scout in the Civil War. She also worked as a nurse during the war. Life in the Old South was very hard for slaves. Most slaves lived in small houses.They had large families, and even the children had to work in the fields.Most slaves dreamed of getting to the north.They wanted to be free. One day Harriet saw a slave trying to run away. Then she saw the keeper running after him with a whip.Harriet stood in the keeper's way.The keeper took a weight and threw it at the slave.He hit Harriet above her eyes.It almost killed her. The scar on Harriet's head was an emblem of her will to fight for what she believed in. The Fugitive Slave Law made Harriet's job harder.The law said that slaves could be caught even in the North. Harriet began leading slaves all the way into Canada.There they were safe.The law couldn't hurt them there. When Harriet came for her mother and father,they were very old.Harriet was afraid they might not be able to make the trip.She got a horse.She and a friend made a wagon.She helped her mother and father ride to freedom. According to the story,which of the following statements is NOT TRUE? _ . A. Harriet Tubman used to work as a nurse during the Civil War. B. The weight hit Harriet in the head and left a scar on her head. C. Harriet led slaves to Canada where the law couldn't hurt them. D. The Fugitive Slave Law protected running slaves in the North. Answer: D. The Fugitive Slave Law protected running slaves in the North. Have you ever looked toward the sky on a fall day and witnessed a group of migrating birds? If so, you probably noted the V-shaped formation of the birds or the birds flying in a ball-like formation. Why do birds fly this way? Many theories have been developed to explain the formation patterns of different types of birds. One theory is that birds fly in certain formations to take advantage of the laws of nature. The birds know that flying in a V-shaped pattern will save energy. Like the lead cyclist in a race who decreases wind force for the cyclists who follow, the lead bird cuts wind force for the birds that follow. This decrease in wind force means that the birds use up to 70 percent less energy during their flight. When the lead bird becomes tired, a more rested bird takes over that position. But saving energy is important for more than one reason. Sometimes food is short during migration flights. Keeping energy enables the birds to fly longer distances between meals. When food is sighted, the birds guide one another in a different way. When a bird identifies a familiar feeding area, it might turn around in order to signal the group to change direction. Then, this bird becomes the new leader. It helps guarantee that other birds will know exactly where it is going. Then the whole group makes a change in direction, gently streaming from the sky down to the ground. This formation is like an arrow pointing to the location of food. Scientists have also studied the birds that sometimes fly in a ball-like formation. Researchers believe that the birds come together if a predator is spotted. The predator may then become impatient waiting for a single bird to fly away from the group. The birds will often dip and dive as a group, frustrating even the most persistent enemy. Scientists report that this is a very effective method of defense against an attack. The birds care for their fellow fliers through teamwork. As transportation expert Henry Ford once said, "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." When it comes to teamwork, these feathered fliers are a soaring success! Which is the best title for the passage? A. A Bird's-Eye View of Teamwork. B. Success Takes Care of Itself. C. The Strongest Will Survive. D. A Science Behind Flying. Answer: A. A Bird's-Eye View of Teamwork. Every twenty-four hours and fifty minutes, the moon can have an effect on bodies of water causing them to A. swell B. float C. die D. burn Answer: A. swell If you're finding it tough to land a job, try expanding your job-hunting plan to include the following: Set your target. While you should always keep your options open to changing your mind , you should also be sure to target exactly what you want in a job. A job-hunt with a clear target will surely help you achieve better results than an aimless one. Schedule plenty of interviews. Use every possible method to get interviews-answering ads, using search firms , getting in touch with companies directly , surfing the Web, and networking( ). Even if a job is not perfect for you, every interview can become one of your positive experiences. Follow up Even if someone does not hire you ,write them a thank -you note for the interview. Then, some weeks later, send another brief letter to explain that you still have not found the perfect position and that you will be available to interview again if the original position you applied for--or any other position , for that matter -is open. Do this with every position you interview for, and you may just catch a break! Make it your full-time job You can't find a job by looking sporadically( ) . You have to make time for it. If you're unemployed and looking , devote as much time as you would to a full -time job. If you have a job while you're looking, figure out an organized schedule to maximize your searching time. Network vertically( ) In the search stage of your job hunt , talk to people who are on a level above you in your desired industry. They'll have an accurate and deep understanding that people at your level won't have , and will be in a good position to hire you or recommend you to be hired . Keep your spirits up Looking for a job is one of the toughest things you will ever have to do, keep up your confidence , continue your efforts, and think positively, and eventually you will get a job you want. According to the passage , it can better help job hunters get hired by _ . A. consulting higher level people in their desired industries in advance B. working out a well organized timetable for their job interviews C. recommending themselves to the company they desire to work for D. taking a positive attitude toward their future job-hunt success Answer: D. taking a positive attitude toward their future job-hunt success We walked in so quietly that the nurse at the desk didn't even lift her eyes from the book.Mum pointed at a big chair by the door and I knew she wanted me to sit down.While I watched mouth open in surprise, Mum took off her hat and coat and gave them to me to hold.She walked quietly to the small room by the lift and took out a wet mop .She pushed the mop past the desk and as the nurse looked up, Mum nodded and said, "Very dirty floors." "Yes, I'm glad they've finally decided to clean them," the nurse answered.She looked at Mum strangely and said, "But aren't you working late?" Mum just pushed harder, each swipe of the mop taking her farther and farther down the hall.I watched until she was out of sight and the nurse had turned back to writing in the big book.After a long time Mum came back.Her eyes were shining. She quickly put the mop back and took my hand.As we turned to go out of the door, Mum bowed politely to the nurse and said, "Thank you." Outside, Mum told me "Grandma is fine.No fever." "You saw her, Mum?" "Of course.I told her about the hospital rules, and she will not expect us until tomorrow.Dad will stop worrying as well.It's a fine hospital.But such floors! A mop is not good.You need a brush." Which of the following words best describes Mum? _ . A. Clever B. Warm-hearted C. Strange D. Hardworking Answer: A. Clever
The sharing economy, represented by companies like Airbnb or Uber, is the latest fashion craze. But many supporters have overlooked the reality that this new business model is largely based on escaping regulations and breaking the law. Airbnb is an Internet-based service that allows people to rent out spare rooms to strangers for short stays. Uber is an Internet taxi service that allows thousands of people to answer ride requests with their own cars. There are hundreds of other such services. The good thing about the sharing economy is that it promotes the use of underused resources. Millions of people have houses or apartments with empty rooms, and Airbnb allows them to profit from these rooms while allowing guests a place to stay at prices that are often far less than those charged by hotels. Uber offers prices that are competitive with standard taxi prices and their drivers are often much quicker and more trustworthy. But the downside of the sharing economy has gotten much less attention. Most cities and states both tax and regulate hotels, and the tourists who stay in hotels are usually an important source of tax income. But many of Airbnb's customers are not paying the taxes required under the law. Airbnb can also raise issues of safety for its customers and trouble for hosts' neighbors. Hotels are regularly inspected to ensure that they are not fire traps and that they don't form other risks for visitors. Airbnb hosts face no such inspections. Since Airbnb is allowing people to escape taxes and regulations, the company is simply promoting thefts. Others in the economy will lose by bearing an additional tax burden or being forced to live next to an apartment unit with a never-ending series of noisy visitors. The same story may apply with Uber. Uber is currently in disputes over whether its cars meet the safety and insurance requirements imposed on standard taxis. Also, if Uber and related services flood the market, they could harm all taxi drivers' ability to earn a minimum wage. This downside of the sharing needs to be taken seriously, but that doesn't mean the current tax and regulatory structure is perfect. What is the problem with Airbnb customers according to the passage? Which of these substances conducts electricity the best? A few days ago I got a call from my old college friend whom I haven't seen for a very long time. The topic, which was about all the good old times that we had changed to a touching story when he started talking about his father. His father's declining health made him stay at the hospital. Because of his illness, his father suffered from insomnia and often talked to himself. My friend, who had not been able to sleep for a few days as he had to keep watching his father's condition, became irritated and told his father to keep silent and try to get some sleep. His father said that he really wanted to sleep well because he was very tired and told my friend to leave him alone in the hospital if he did not want to keep him company. After his father finished talking, he fell unconscious . My friend was very sorry for speaking the ill words towards his father. My friend, whom I knew as a tough person, cried as a baby on the other end of the telephone. He said that from that moment on, he prayed every day, asking God to let his father wake up from his coma. He promised himself that whatever words came out from his father's mouth after he regained his consciousness, he would gladly take them. His only hope for God was to give him a chance to _ his past mistake. Often, we complain when we have to accompany or watch over our parents for years, months, days, hours or even minutes. But do we realize that our parents keep us company and watch over us for as long as we (or they) live? From the day we were born to our adulthood, and even when deaths come to us, they are always at our side. Imagine how sad our parents will be when they hear a seemingly innocent word of "no" come out from our mouths. We can make promises to ourselves that from now on there will be no more complaints that come out from our mouths when we have to watch over or accompany our parents. No more complaints come out from our mouths when we feel that our parents have treated us like little children. There are so many unlucky ones who have neither fathers nor mothers. They long to have the things that we most complain about, but never have them. Actually, it takes only a second to think and light the lamp that will bring us to a place where peace is dwelling. Which of the following word can be used to describe the writer's friend? Glastonbury Festival, one of the pioneer festivals, is famous not only for its amazing bands, but also for its wonderful performances in many fields surrounding the stages. It attracts over 130,000 people every year, who join in the three-day party to celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Glastonbury Festival has been held on Worthy Farm in Somerset since 1970. This year, all sorts of singers and bands were there, from the likes of Beyonce, Jessie J, to my favorite -- Paolo Nutini, who I really wish I could have met! We drove straight in to one of the muddiest Glastonbury Festivals ever! We came to our camp site, carrying enough clothes for a weekend of extreme weather conditions, and spent an hour or so putting up the tent. On the second day it began to rain and didn't stop for the rest of the day. We sat in the tent waiting for it to stop, and after several hours we realized that it wouldn't. When the need for food became too strong we put on boots and raincoats and made our way across many muddy fields. There is something for everyone at the festival -- my favourite place is the Circus Field, which is full of interactive performances. Also, I love the Kidz Field, where famous CBBC stars perform, and where you can get your face painted then run around on a climbing frame with dragons. According to the text, Glastonbury Festival is actually a _ . American boys and girls love watching television. Some children spend six hours a day in school and four to six hours a day in front of the television set. Some even watch television for eight hours or more on the weekend. Televisions are like books or films. A child can learn both bad things and good things from them. Some programs help children to understand the news, and others show people and places from other countries or other time in history. With television, a child does not have to go to the zoo to see animals or to the ocean to see a ship. Boys and girls can see a play, a concert or a game at home. Television brings many places and events into our homes. Some programs show crime and other things that are bad for children, so parents sometimes help them find other interesting things to do. Some children spend eight hours or more _ on the weekend.
Question: Every year on my birthday, from the time I turned 12, a white gardenia was delivered _ to me at my house. No card or note came with it. Calls to the florist were always in vain ---- it was a cash purchase. After a while I stopped trying to discover the sender's identity. But I never stopped imagining who the anonymous sender might be. My mother often contributed to these imaginings. She'd ask me if there was someone for whom I had done a special kindness who might be showing appreciation. Perhaps the neighbor I'd help when she was unloading a car full of groceries. Or maybe it was the old man across the street whose mail I retrieved during the winter so he wouldn't have to venture down his icy steps. When I was 17, a boy broke my heart. The night he called for me the last time, I cried myself to sleep. When I awoke in the morning, there was a message scribbled on my mirror in red lipstick: "Heartily know, when half-gods go, the gods arrive." I thought about that quotation from Emerson for a long time, and I left it where my mother had written it. When I finally went to get the glass cleaner, my mother knew everything was all right again. I don't remember ever slamming my door in anger at her and shouting, "You just don't understand!" because she did understand. One month before my high-school graduation, my father died suddenly of a heart attack. My feelings ranged from grief to abandonment, fear and over-whelming anger that my dad was missing some of the most important events in my life. I became completely uninterested in my upcoming graduation, the senior-class play and the prom-events that I had worked on and looked forward to. But my mother, in the midst of her own grief, would not hear of my missing out any of those things. The day before my father died, she and I had gone shopping for a prom dress and found a spectacular one. Wearing it made me feel like a princess, but it was the wrong size, and when my father died the next day, I forgot all about the dress. My mother didn't. The day before the prom, I found that dress-in the right size, draped over the living room sofa, presented to me -- beautifully, artistically and lovingly. I didn't care about having a new dress, but my mother did. She wanted her children to feel loved and lovable, creative and imaginative. My mother died when I was 22, only ten days after I was married. That was the year the gardenias stopped coming. The best title for this passage would be " _ ". A. A romantic mother B. The mystery of the white gardenia C. My anecdote D. Mother and I Answer: B. The mystery of the white gardenia Question: Hi!I'm Lucy. I am a student in Class 5,Grade 7.I have a big schoolbag. It is blue and red. The price is Y=88.1.have a nice pencil box in it. It is Y=10.Its color is white. I bought it in a store. There are four pencils and one pen. Each pencil is Y=1 and the pen is Y=12.My eraser is yellow. The price is Y=2.My ruler is orange and very long. I like them very much. I study very hard. What color is my pencil box?It's _ . A. red B. blue C. white D. blue and red Answer: C. white Question: What is the frequency of ocean waves that have a speed of 18 m/s and a wavelength of 50 m? A. 0.18 Hz B. 0.36 Hz C. 2.8 Hz D. 9.0 Hz Answer: B. 0.36 Hz Question: How do people traditionally manufacture things? They usually start with a sheet of metal, wood or other material and cut, drill and shave it to create a desired shape. Sometimes, they use a mold made of metal or sand, pour liquid plastic or metal into it and let it cool to create a solid part. Now, a completely different method is gaining popularity. On Oct. 9, 2013, London Science Museum kicked off its new exhibition, 3-D: Printing the Future, with over 600 3-D printed objects on display, including space probes , toy dolls and even human organs - basically any product you can think of, reported Live Science. You might find it hard to believe that an object can actually be "printed out" like a picture. But it is not that hard to understand how it works. 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. And objects always come out in one piece, sparing you the trouble of putting different parts together afterward. For example, 10 years ago a desktop 3-D printer might have cost PS20,000 (200,000 yuan), while now it costs only about PS1,000, according to the BBC. In fact, 3-D printers have been around for some time, but until recently they hadn't been very popular since few people could afford them. Last year, though, saw a big decrease in the price of 3-D printers. However, as 3-D printing technology becomes more commonplace, it may trigger certain problems. One of them is 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 on 3-D printing told Forbes News. Even more frightening, the world's first 3-D printed gun was successfully fired in the US in May of this year, which means that 3-D printing could potentially give more people access to weapons. What was the big event that happened in the 3-D printing industry last year? A. Over 600 3-D printed objects were on display in an exhibition. B. 3-D printing technology came to be used in various fields. C. The world's first 3-D printed gun was successfully made. D. The 3-D printer became more affordable for consumers. Answer: D. The 3-D printer became more affordable for consumers. Question: Every Sunday morning, as most people line up outside neighborhood breakfast spots, watch TV news shows, or head for church, Chloris Noelke-Olson is tuning up her fiddle . She is preparing to enjoy bluegrass music the old-fashioned way: with friends, at home, for free. " To be able to play with other people face to face and have that sort of connection, it is spiritual," Ms Noelke-Olson said of the weekly house concerts in Chicago she participates in. " It's like a good conversation with instruments---something that doesn't seem to happen much any more because everyone is chatting on their cellphones." She is among a growing group of Americans who are finding it pleasant to get away from the digital grid , at least temporarily. While there is no exact data to track how many people are forming knitting groups, hosting house concerts, or organizing family game nights, it is possible to connect the dots between the rising price of entertainment and the rising sales of board games and craft supplies. In the past two years, the prices for restaurant meals, concert tickets, and movie tickets all increased. At the same time, board games sales rose 6 percent, while total toy sales decreased 3 percent. These trends are expected to continue because of the struggling economy. Instead of equipping their homes with expensive home entertainment systems, consumers are more likely to pick up the old-fashioned way: eye-to-eye. Families are rediscovering ways to come together that have nothing to do with high technology. "People are turning inward to build an enjoyment time for family and home," said Linda Bettencourt, an interior designer in San Francisco whose customers typically live in million-dollar homes. Over the past six months, Ms Bettencourt has been hired to redesign living space to promote the kind of connectivity that doesn't involve wires. " The big game table is back," she says. "People want to sit around and see each other's face rather than facing a flat-screen TV." Linda Bettencourt has been hired to _ . A. design expensive homes for the rich people B. give people advice on connectivity C. design living space for people D. help people to save money Answer: C. design living space for people
Question: Cellular respiration releases A. blood B. waste C. snot D. feces Answer: B Question: Mrs. Smith is an unusual teacher. Once she told each student to bring along a few potatoes in plastic bag. On each potato the students had to write a name of a person that they hated And the next day, every child brought some potatoes. Some had two potatoes;some three;some up to five. Mrs. Smith then told the children to carry the bags everywhere they went, even to the toilet, for two weeks. As day after day passed, the children started to complain about the awful smell of the rotten potatoes. Those children who brought five potatoes began to feel the weight trouble of the bags. After two weeks, the children were happy to hear that the game was finally ended. Mrs. Smith asked,"How did you feel while carrying the potatoes for two weeks?" The children started complaining about the trouble loudly. Then Mrs. Smith told them why she asked them to play the game. She said,"This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The terrible smell of the hatred will pollute your heart and you will carry something unnecessary with you all the time. If you cannot stand the smell of the rotten potatoes for just two weeks, can you imagine how heavy it would be to have the hatred in your heart for your lifetime? So throw away any hatred from your heart, and you'll be really happy. ,. We can learn from the passage that we should _ . A. forget the names of those we hate B. complain about the names of those we hate C. throw away the rotten potatoes D. throw away the hatred inside Answer: D Question: I met him first in 1936. I rushed into his ugly little shop to have the heels of my shoes repaired. I waited when he did it. He greeted me with a cheerful smile. "You're new in this neighborbood, aren't you?" I said I was. I had moved into a house at the end of the street only a week before. "This is a fine neighborhood," he said. "You'll be happy here." He looked at the leather covering the heel sadly. It was worn through because I had failed to have the repair done a month before. I grew impatient, for I was rushing to meet a friend. "Please hurry," I begged. He looked at me over his spectacles. "Now, lady, we won't be long. I want to do a good job. You see, I have a tradition to live up to." A tradition? In this ugly little shop that was no different from so many other shoe repair shops on the side streets of New York? He must have felt my surprise, for he smiled as he went on. "Yes, lady, I _ a tradition. My father and my grandfather were shoemakers in Italy, and they were the best. My father always told me, 'Son, do the best job on every shoe that comes into the shop, and be proud of your fine work. Do that always, and you'll have both happiness and money enough to live on.'" As he handed me the finished shoes, he said: "These will last a long time. I've used good leather." I left in a hurry. But I had a warm and grateful feeling. On my way home I passed the little shop again. There he was, still working. He saw me, and to my surprise he waved and smiled. This was the beginning of our friendship. It was a friendship that came to mean more and more to me as time passed. Every day I passed his shop, we waved to each other in friendly greeting. At first I went in only when I had repair work to be done. Then I found myself going in every few days just to talk with him. He was the happiest man I've ever known. Often, as he stood in his shopwindow, working at a pair of shoes, he sang in a high, clear Italian voice. The Italians in our neighborhood called him la luce alla finestra--"the light in the window". One day I was disappointed and angry because of poor jobs some painters had done for me. I went into his shop for comfort. He let me go on talking angrily about the poor work and carelessness of present-day workmen. "They had no pride in their work," I said. "They just wanted to collect their money for doing nothing." He agreed. "There's a lot of that kind around, but maybe we should not blame them. Maybe their fathers had no pride in their work. That's hard on a boy. It keeps him from learning something important." He waited a minute and said "Every man or woman who hasn't inherited a prideful tradition must start building one." "In this country, our freedom lets each of us make his own contribution. We must make it a good contribution. No matter what sort of work a man does, if he gives it his best each day, he's starting a tradition for his children to live up to. And he is making lots of happiness for himself." I went to Europe for a few months. When I returned, there was no "light in the window". The door was closed. There was a little sign: "Call for shoes at shop next door." I learned the old man had suddenly got sick and died two weeks before I went away with a heavy heart. I would miss him. But he had left me something--an important piece of wisdom I shall always remember: "If you inherited a prideful tradition, you must carry it on; if you haven't, start building one now." What's the best title of this passage? A. A Proud Shoemaker B. A Prideful Tradition C. The Light in the Window D. Treasure Your Shoes Answer: C Question: In the famous fairy tale, Snow White eats the Queen's apple and falls victim to a curse; in Shakespeare's novel, Romeo drinks the poison and dies; some ancient Chinese kings took pills that contained mercury, believing that it would make them _ , but they died afterwards. Poison has long been an important part in literature and history, and it seems to always be about evil, danger and death. But how much do you really know about poison? An exhibition, The Power of Poison, opened last month at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, intended to give the audience a more vivid understanding of poison. The exhibition will continue until Feb. 2016, reported The New York Times. The museum tour starts in a rainforest setting, where you can see live examples of some of the most poisonous animals: caterpillars, frogs and spiders. Golden poison frogs, for instance, aren't much bigger than a coin, but their skin is covered in a poison that can cut off the signaling power of your nerves, and a single frog has enough venom to kill 10 grown humans. The exhibition also features interactive activities. In an iPad-based game, visitors are presented with three puzzling illnesses and asked to identify the poisons based on symptoms. In one case, for example, a pet dog is found sick in a backyard and visitors have to figure out whether it was the toad , the leaky batteries in the trash or the dirty pond water that did it. "Poisons can be bad for some things," Michael Novacek, senior vice president of the museum, told NBC News. "Yet they can also be good for others." This is what visitors learn from the last part of the exhibition, which displays how poisons can be used favorably by humans, including for medical treatment. The blood toxins of vampire bats, for example, can prevent blood from clotting , which may protect against strokes. A poisonous chemical found in the yew tree is effective against cancer, which is what led to the invention of a cancer-fighting drug called Taxol. One chemical in the venom of Gila monsters can lower the blood sugar of its victims, so it has been used to treat diabetes. Which of the following statements about the exhibition is TRUE according to the article? A. The exhibition will lead visitors to a real rainforest. B. Golden poison frogs are the most poisonous animals on display. C. Those who visit the exhibition can join in some iPad-based interactive games. D. Visitors can listen to lectures on recent studies of poisonous animals. Answer: C Question: Rainy days may ruin some cheerful plans for outdoor activities, but it doesn't have to be boring inside. On the next rainy day, try some of these ideas for a day full of fun: Tell stories. You might tell old stories you heard when you were growing up, or you might make up some really fascinating stories just for the kids. Let them all have a turn at making up stories of their own. Play in the kitchen. Let the kids help you cook a pizza or maybe some cookies. Give them a chance to help you in the kitchen and make something delicious. Just make sure they remember that part of cooking is cleaning up. Write a story together. Let the kids come up with a story of their own. They might want to write stories individually and then read them aloud to others, or they might want to get together and write a story together. Play "let's pretend" games. Let the kids pretend to be teachers, doctors, nurses or policemen. Let them dress up in whatever you may have. Then let them play the roles. You might even volunteer to be the student or the patient. Have a party. Let the kids pick out some music and dance around the room. Then, let them fall all over themselves with laughter, when you show them how it was done when you were a kid. Use these ideas to get you started, and the kids may actually start wishing for more rainy days. From the text we can know _ . A. what we can do to make rainy days interesting B. why rainy days are boring C. the children never like rainy days D. the ways to play games with children Answer: A
Question: There are a lot of products out there that make your life easier. Some, however, are a little sillier than others -- so much that they seem like joke products. Here are a few products that sound crazy, but actually rule. Sleep Phones It's hard to imagine something sillier than a music-playing headband you wear while you sleep, but they exist -- and are quite popular. Sleep Phones won't give you the highest quality sound in the world, but if you prefer to fall asleep to music, they're far more comfortable than normal headphones. While they're a bit expensive, they might be perfect for you. There's also a wireless version if you prefer. Onion Goggles If cutting onion _ no matter what you try, it's time for desperate measures. We tested a bunch of methods for avoiding onion tears, and found the best solutions came down to cutting the onion under a vent , or wearing these stylish and awesome goggles. Lock Laces There're some great ways to tie your shoes better, but if you long for the laceless shoes of your childhood days, Lock Laces are a pretty good choice. They're basically elastic laces that remove the need to tie your shoes. Sure, people will make fun of you, but you can make fun of them after they trip over their own untied laces. Or you can make your own slip-on shoes with elastic tubing. 2D-Glasses Hate 3D-movies, but have to go to one? The difference between 2D-glasses and 3D-glasses lies in their lenses . Each lens of 2D-glasses blocks the same picture, so each eye gets the same picture, while each lens of 3D-glasses blocks a different picture, so each eye gets a different picture which the brain interprets as 3D. Now you have a pair of glasses that can save you from the headache caused by wearing 3D-glasses which are popular in our movie theaters. You can buy them or make a pair for yourself. What do we know about Sleep Phones? A. There are two versions. B. They're comfortable but unhealthy. C. They give you the best quality sound. D. They're cheaper than other headphones. Answer: A Question: Many people do not like to stay at home on holidays.They want to go out to see something different or do something interesting.So people from the country come to the city and people from the city go to the country for holidays.During the holidays trains,buses and planes are all very busy.It is very hard to buy train tickets or air tickets.Many people take cars or buses for traveling. Last May Day my family went to the country by car for our holiday.There was too much traffic on the road,so we had to move very slowly.It took us about an hour to get out of the town.After some time,we came to a hill.It was green and beautiful.We thought this was a good place for a picnic,so we stopped and took the food,fruit and drinks out of the car.We sat down and began to eat.Suddenly a strong wind blew and soon it started to rain.We had to run back to our car and have our picnic in the car.Then we drove back home.What a sad holiday! Why did they go to the country? A. To take some pictures. B. To cook dinner. C. To have a picnic. D. To go sightseeing. Answer: C Question: When first entered, Vanak Restaurant does not look like much of a restaurant, but once the pleasant smells of kabob hit the senses, you are incapable of calling it anything else. Owned by a local couple, this Persian restaurant has an inviting, homelike atmosphere that many restaurants lack. The space is small with only a few dining tables and nearly no decoration, but the environment is truly charming. Lying in a hardly noticeable street corner, the restaurant still attracts all customers, especially those experienced in the delights of Middle Eastern cooking. A common sight is that of old Persian men sitting in the corner talking loudly about world topics, watching news events on TV, drinking a black tea known as Persian chai, and reading local Persian newspapers all the while trying to finish off their plate piled with food. The variety of food at the restaurant is limited, but the amount of each dish is fairly large.Most of the meals can serve two people and are under $10, so not only is it affordable but practical as well. The food especially appeals to health-conscious eaters because each dish is very healthy, made with limited fat and oil and served straight off the grill . The main dish that the restaurant is popular for is its kabobs, which are different style of grilled meat. One delicious and extremely healthy dish is the Joojeh Kabob, which is made of grilled chicken pieces served with either rice or bread.Another great kabob is the Chelo Kabob, a kabob consisting of grilled beef. Although the restaurant is small, the atmosphere and the food is delicious.It is a place that should not be overlooked. What is the dish Joojeh Kabob mainly made of? A. Rice B. Chicken C. Bread D. Beef Answer: B Question: Jeff Corwin is a scientist and writer. He does these jobs with one life goal help save animals and their habitats. His latest book, 100 Heartbeats: The Race to Save Earth's Most Endangered Species. Is a collection of stories about animals on the edge of _ . Corwin recently talked to a reporter. Reporter: How would you describe your job? Corwin: My job is to travel around, look at animals and tell their stories. Reporter : When did you know this is what your wanted to do? Corwin: I knew that when I was 6 years old. My dad was a police officer, and we lived in the city. I really enjoyed the time when I could go to the quiet countryside. One day I saw my very first wild snake and I knew that's what I would do for the rest of my life. I didn't know if I would be a teacher or a zookeeper, but I knew I would have a life connected with nature. Reporter: Why did you write the book? Corwin: We are losing species very fast. _ If we make big changes, we may have the chance to save what remains. Reporter: Is it true that humans are the reason that many of these animals are in danger? Corwin: Human beings have a powerful effect on every other living thing. It's important to make that effect a positive one. ,. Jeff's life goal is to _ . A. protect the environment B. do some scientific research C. save animals and their habitats. D. Let more people know about nature. Answer: C Question: I had always had fun playing in the dirt growing up, digging, throwing, building, smashing, everything, so this year for my birthday my mom and dad had bought me a gardening kit to grow my own vegetables. It came with a watering pot, a shovel, a rake and seeds! The next morning we all went out to the backyard to start our garden. We dug a bunch of small holes with my new shovel, put a seed or two in each hole, and covered them up with dirt and raked over them. Our dog was very confused because he's the one that digs the holes. Every day I would get so excited to water them and see how big they'd gotten. Every day they would get even bigger. That was the most exciting part! Then they started making little tomatoes, and they sort of looked like grapes. And those too got bigger and bigger and started turning red. This was all very exciting and finally by Christmas my dad and I picked our fresh tomatoes and washed them to be eaten in a salad with dinner. what did he get the seeds for? A. Christmas B. for eating his dinner C. his birthday D. Mother's Day Answer: C
Question: During science class, students combined 1 kg of iron filings with 1 kg of sand to create a mixture. Which of the following methods would be best for separating the iron filings from the sand? A. Stir the mixture into hot water to dissolve the sand. B. Strain the mixture through a paper filter to collect the sand. C. Drag a magnet through the mixture to attract the iron filings. D. Shake the mixture to cause the iron filings to settle to the bottom. Answer: C Question: Growth and repair in multicellular organisms are the result of A. excretion B. locomotion C. cell division D. decomposition Answer: C Question: On Friday, Japanese researchers announced a population clock that showed a dangerous situation that the Japanese nation would disappear in 1,000 years if the falling birth rate kept the present level. Researchers in the northern city of Sendai said that Japan's population of children aged up to 14, which now stands at 16.6 million, was falling at the rate of one child per 100 seconds. It would lead to a terrible result that there would be no children left in Japan in 1,000 years. "If the rate keeps falling at that rate in our country, there will only be one child who is able to enjoy the following Children's Day left on May 5th, 3011," said Hiroshi Yoshida, a professor at Toholu University. "But 100 seconds later, a national disaster that there are no children left in Japan will happen," he added, "The nation's people will disappear for the birth rate has fallen to the level that every woman has no more than two children, which started in 1975." Yoshida said they created the population clock to make Japanese people pay close attention to that problem for their nation's future. Another study showed that Japan's population was expected to fall to one third of the present population amount: 127.7 million in the next century. The Japanese government predicted that the birth rate would just become 1.35 children per parents within 50 years. At the same time, Japanese life expectancy which is expected to ascend from 86.93 years in 2010 to 90.93 years in 2060 for women and from 79.64 years to 84.19 years for men has already been one of the highest in the world. More than 20 percent of the Japanese are aged 65 or over. It means that Japan has become one of the countries with aging populations in the world. The problem of aging populations is a headache for the government and the Japanese economy because there are fewer and fewer workers who can make money for the country. However, the government has to face the terrible situation that it needs to offer a growing number of pensions. Japanese researchers created the population clock in order to _ . A. let the Japanese give special importance to the population problems B. show the change of the Japanese population since 1975 C. explain the reason why there is a low birth rate in Japan D. tell people that the Japanese life expectancy is the highest Answer: A Question: There was a cat. Her name was Maggie. Maggie was a large cat. She was not tall but rather round. She was happy most of the time. Maggie lived with a family that loved her very much. They all lived in the city together downtown. They were no other animals that lived with them. They lived in an apartment. Maggie was lucky because she and her family lived on the ground floor and they had a big back yard that had a fence. This meant she got to go outside and play! Maggie's family loved her very much. She knew this because they took such good care of her. She had her very own purple cat bed. She loved her bed, and purple. This was her favorite color and her favorite place to sleep. If she did not sleep on the lap of one of her family this was her favorite place to sleep. She also knew that they loved her because they made sure to feed her every day. In fact, they fed many times a day. This is why she was so large. One day when she was in the yard a group of street cats came up to her. "Oink, oink" they said in mean voices. They were teasing her because she was so big. She did not know that other cats thought that being big was a bad thing. She knew they were upset because they did not have a family to feed them. Maggie went in and meowed to the family to come feed these new cats. They did, and from then on, every day, they came to Maggie's to eat, and Maggie became the most popular girl in the neighborhood. Why was Maggie lucky? A. She was alone. B. She had a backyard to play in C. She had a lot of money. D. She was free to go where ever she wanted. Answer: B Question: Once there was a man traveling in a faraway village. As he was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped. He found that these huge elephants were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains , no cages. It was clear that the elephants could, at any time, break away from their ropes but for some reason, they did not. He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and didn't try to get away. "Well," the trainer said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they still believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can hold them, so they never try to break free." How could it be? These animals could at any time break free from their ropes. But because they always stuck right where they were, they believed they couldn't. Just like the elephants, how many of us go through life believing that we cannot do something, just because we failed at it once before? We should never give up the struggle in life. What did the writer see in the village? A. Chains B. Elephants C. Cages D. Farmers Answer: B
When the world was very young, people lived in hot places .They didn't live in cold places because they could not keep warm there. At first men didn't know how to make a fire. Sometimes trees were hit by lightning .Then a fire was started .People took some of the fire near their homes. A fire was very important for three reasons. It kept them warm. Wild animals were frightened when they saw it. And when food was cooked, it tasted much better. But men didn't know how to make a fire. When they had a fire, they didn't let it stop burning. If it went out, they couldn't start it again. They had to wait for lightning to start another fire. Sometimes they had to wait for years. Later, they learned how to make a fire. But it was not easy to make something burn . Now we have matches. We can carry them in our pockets and make a fire when we want to. People found that _ . Answer: 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 shou 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 gathesed yourfriends 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." The second letter suggests that Mr Expert_. Answer: Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503.He was working on a special painting for a church at the time, but the church painting was not going well. An Italian businessman asked da Vinci to paint a picture of the businessman's second wife. This is the woman who can be seen in the Mona Lisa. All in all, the Mona Lisa is a very good example of da Vinci's work. Da Vinci uses darkness and light in a clever way in the painting. Da Vinci loved science and maths. Right away a person can see that there is a lot of geometry in the Mona Lisa. The face of the Mona Lisa is made of many circles and round shapes like balls. Even her smile can be seen as a small part of a large circle. The woman in the painting is sitting on a balcony , and mountains can be seen behind her. Da Vinci loved to study rocks and mountains, so these can be seen over and over in his other paintings. The woman is sitting with her knees to the side. Her head is turned to look out of the painting. Her hands are held together in front of her. This way of sitting is now used by many artists when they are painting a picture of a man or woman today. What can a person see in the painting? Answer: Register in person Register by phone Register by mail 1781 N. Winchester ST. Call 264 8833 Use form given Chicago Basic Photography This is an eight-hour course for beginners who want to learn how to use a 35mm camera. The teacher will cover such areas as kinds of film, light, and lenses . Bring your own 35mm camera to the class. Course Charge: $150 Jan. 10, 12, 17, 19, Tues. & Thurs. 6-8p.m. Marianne Adams is a _ photographer whose photographs appear in many magazines. Understanding Computers This twelve-hour course is for people who don't know very much about computers, but who need to learn about them. You will learn what computers are, what they can and can't do, and how to use them. Course Charge: $75 Equipment Charge: $10 Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Sat. 9-12 a.m. Joseph Saimders is a professor of computer science at New Urban University. He has over twelve years of experience in the computer field. Stop Smoking Do you want to stop smoking? Have you already tried to stop and failed? Now it is the time to stop smoking using the latest methods. You can stop smoking, and this twelve-hour course will help you do it. Course Charge: $30 Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25 Mon. 4-7 p.m. Dr. John Goode is a practicing psychologist who has helped hundreds of people stop smoking. Typing This course on weekdays is for those who want to type as well as those who want to improve their typing. You are tested in the first class and practice at one of eight different skill levels. This allows you to learn at your own speed. Each program lasts 20 hours. Bring your own paper. Course Charge: $125 Materials Charge: $25 Two hours each evening for two weeks. This course is taught by a number of business education teachers who have successfully taught typing courses before. If you can have free time only on weekends, you should take the course _ . Answer: Dickens & London Exhibition Date: 9 December, 2013---10 June, 2014 Location: Museum of London Celebrate the 202th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens in the first major UK exhibition for over 40 years. By recreating the atmosphere of Victorian London through sound and projections . You'll be taken ton an unforgettable journey to discover the city that inspired his writings. Paintings, photographs, costumes and objects will show different themes that Dickens wrote into his works, while rarely seen manuscripts including Bleak House and David Copperfield--written in the author's own hand--will offer clues to his creative genius. During your visit you'll discover how Dickens' childhood experiences of London were introduced into the stories he wrote. The great social questions of the19th century will also be examined, all of which set the scene for Dickens' greatest works. Highlights of the exhibition will include an exciting audio-visual experience bringing to life the desk and chair where Dickens worked on his novels, and a special film shot by one of the UK's leading documentary filmmakers. Packages include afternoon entry (1:00 pm--4:00 pm) to the exhibition plus overnight accommodation at a nearby hotel. If you wish to visit the exhibition the day after your hotel stay, please call us. Call: 08712212717. Book a trip online with us, with tickets to Dickens & London Exhibition--afternoon entry and hotel accommodation included in the price. All taxes included. No credit card fees. No booking fees. No discount. Price Information: a package costs an adult PS180 and a child PS90 (4--15) ; an afternoon entry costs an adult PS28 and a child PS14 ( 4--15 ). If we book a trip online, we have the following benefits except that _ . Answer:
Has a doctor ever given you a note to take to the chemist for some medicine? Are you able to read the note easily? Some doctors write clearly , but most doctors do not. Chemists have more chances to read doctors' notes, but sometimes doctors write so badly that even the chemist can't read them. One day a lady wrote to a doctor inviting him to have dinner at her house. The doctor wrote an answer, but he didn't write clearly and the lady couldn't read it. "What shall I do?" she said to her husband, "I don't know whether he is coming or not. I don't want to give him a telephone call and say that I can't read his writing." Her husband thought a moment, then he had an idea. "Thank you," said his wife. "That's a very good idea." She went to the chemist's shop and gave the doctor's note to the chemist. The chemist looked at it very carefully. Then he said politely, "Could you wait a moment, madam?" He went to the back of the shop. After a few minutes he returned carrying a large bottle. He gave the bottle to the lady and said, "Three times a day and one spoonful at a time." . The husband thought _ . Answer: the chemist could give them answer Are there Harry Porter books in your schooI library? Many kids all over the world are reading J. K. Rowling's books in school. But some parents think their children shouldn't be able to find those and other books in schooI libraries. Should schooI Iibraries keep books that some parents don't _ ? Should they take those books off the shelves? All over the country, schools are trying to find solutions to this problem. Read these arguments. Then decide for yourself. Yes! Some Books Sould Be Banned from School Libraries! "We need certain limits ,"said one student. He said some books have no place in school Iibraries. Books should meet certain standards before they are put in schooIs. Is this a good book for kids to read? Is it fuII of violence ? Does it include bad words or ideas kids shouId not learn about? If a book is not good for all kids, it should not be in a schooI Iibrary. Most parents know what's good for kids. They have a right to decide which books should or should not be in schooI Iibraries. If parents don't have time to find out everything their kids read, they should trust schooIs to do that for them. No! Books Should Not Be Banned from School Libraries! "Parents should decide what their own kids read, "said Natalie Nicol, a student. "But other parents shouldn't make that choice for them. " Many experts say that it's the parents' job, not the schooI's job, to check out what their kids are reading. If they don't Iike a book, they should not let their kids read it. Why should a few parents stop kids from reading stories like the Harry Potter series? Kids should be able to check out books their parents think are OK to read it. Many schooIs Iet kids borrow certain books if they have a signed paper from a parent. That works fine. A parent doesn't sign the paper if he or she doesn't want the child to read the book. Other kids can read the books if they have permission. Some books are not OK for all kids to read. But if more adults were careful about what their own kids read, they wouldn't have to ban books from the library. What is the passage mainly about? Answer: Whether some books should be in schooI libraries or not. The China Daily newspaper group is looking for English-language senior business editors, senior copy editors, copy editors and graphic designers to strengthen its international team. We offer a competitive salary package, accommodation with utilities paid for 90 percent, medical reimbursement, a seven-day paid leave, eleven-day public holidays and a return ticket to the country of residence. Senior Business Editor You must: assist the business editor in setting goals and working on achieving them; be an excellent team person who can generate ideas and think creatively and be able to rewrite totally if needed and mentor junior staff; ideally have been working or have worked in a position of responsibility and understand what leadership entails; have had at least five years' editing experience working on editing the Business Desk and be familiar with industry software. Senior Copy Editor You must: work on shifts in the Business Desk and usually have the last word before the page is sent to print; edit or rewrite copy and give snappy headlines and captions; have had at least two years' editing experience working on editing desks and be familiar with industry software. Copy Editor You must: be good at editing or rewriting copy and writing snappy headlines and captions; be able to work on shifts for different pages, and usually have the last word before the page is sent to print; have two years of editing experience working on copy desks, and be familiar with industry software. Graphic Designer You must: have excellent skills in information graphics; be good at illustrations and freehand drawings; be experienced in newspaper or magazine layouts; have a good sense of typography; have good news judgment; be well versed in Macintosh software, including In Design , Illustrator and Photoshop; be fluent in English. For enquiries or to apply, write to job @ chinadaily.com.net. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? Answer: The employees have the right to enjoy eleven-day public holidays. His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to eke out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog . He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life." "No, " the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel . "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of." And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia . What saved him? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill. Why did the nobleman take the farmer's son and give him a good education? Answer: The nobleman wanted to pay back the farmer for saving his son. Most people, when they travel to space, would like to stay in orbit for a few days of more. And this stands to reason, if you' re paying $20,000 for your trip to orbit! Strain order for tourism to reach its full potential there' s going to be a need for orbital accommodation--or space hotels. What would a space hotel actually be like to visit? Hotels in orbit will offer the services you expect from a hotel--private rooms, meals, bars. But they' ll also offer two unique experiences: impressive views--of Earth and space--and the endless entertainment of living in zero gravity--including sports and other activities that make use of this. The hotels themselves will vary greatly--from being quite simple in the early days to huge luxury structure at a later date. It s actually surprising that as later as 1997, very few designs for space hotels were published. This is mainly because those who might be expected to design them haven' t expected launch costs to come down far enough to make them possible. Lots of people who' ve been to space have described vividly what it' s like to live in zero gravity. There are obviously all sort of possibilities for dancing, gymnastics, and zero-G sports. Luckily, you don' t need to sleep much living in zero gravity, so you' ll have plenty of time for relaxing by hanging out in a bar with a window looking down at the turning Earth below. Of course all good things have come to an end. Unfortunately, and so after a few days you' ll find yourself heading back enough you' ll be much more expert at exercising in zero gravity than you were when you arrived. You' ll be thinking how soon you can save up enough to get back up again--or maybe you should change jobs to get to work in an orbiting hotel. What is the main idea of the stext? Answer: The description of space hotels.
Most young people like to go to rock concerts these days. They like the loud and exciting sound of the music and they enjoy the excitement of a big concert. Rock stars usually have a different style. Their music is exciting and different, and the way they dance and dress makes them popular with young people. The words of rock songs are usually quite simple, but the music itself is complex . But some rock stars have problems after they become famous. They don't know what to do when they suddenly succeed, and often they start to drink or to take drugs . Then their health becomes bad. Some like Elvis Presley , died very young because of drugs. What is NOT true about Elvis Presley? A. He was a pop star B. He died when he was old C. He took drugs. D. He had some problems after he became famous. Answer: B. He died when he was old Almost every day we come across situations in which we have to make decisions one way or another. Choice, we are given to believe, is a right. But for a good many people in the world, in rich and poor countries, choice is a luxury, something wonderful but hard to get, not a right. And for those who think they are exercising their right to make choices, the whole system is merely an illusion, a false idea created by companies and advertisers hoping to sell their products. The endless choice gives birth to anxiety in people's life. Buying something as basic as a coffee pot is not exactly simple. Easy access to a wide range of everyday goods leads to a sense of powerlessness in many people, ending in the shopper giving up and walking away, or just buying an unsuitable item that is not really wanted. Recent studies in England have shown that many electrical goods bought in almost every family are not really needed. More difficult decision-making is then either avoided or trusted into the hands of the professionals, lifestyle instructors, or advisors. It is not just the availability of the goods that is the problem, but the speed with which new types of products come on the market. Advances in design and production help quicken the process. Products also need to have a short lifespan so that the public can be persuaded to replace them within a short time. The typical example is computers, which are almost out-of-date once they are bought. This indeed makes selection a problem. Gone are the days when one could just walk with ease into a shop and buy one thing: no choice, no anxiety. What is the passage mainly about? A. The variety of choices in modern society. B. The opinions on people's right in different countries. C. The problem about the availability of everyday goods. D. The helplessness in purchasing decisions. Answer: D. The helplessness in purchasing decisions. Although credit cards are becoming a more acceptable part of the financial scene, they are still regarded with doubts by many as being a major part of the "live now pay later" syndrome .Along with hire-purchase, rental and leasing schemes , they provide encouragement to spend more money.Of course, it is only the hotheaded who give way to the temptation to live, temporarily at least, beyond their means, and such people would no doubt manage to do so even without credit cards. Advertising campaigns have, however, promoted a growing realization of the advantages of these small pieces of plastic. They prevent need to carry large amounts of cash and are always useful in emergencies. All the credit card organizations charge interest on a monthly basis which may work out as high as 25 per cent a year, yet sensible purchasing using a card can mean that you obtain up to seven weeks, interest-free credit.Using the card abroad, where items frequently take a long time to be included on your account, can extend this period even further. It is worthwhile shopping around before deciding on a particular credit card. It is necessary to consider the amount of credit granted; interest rates, which may vary slightly; the number and range of outlets , though most cards cover major garages, hotels, restaurants and department stores; and of course, what happens if your card is lost or stolen.A credit card thief may be sitting on a potential goldmine particularly if there is a delay in reporting the loss of the card. However, if used wisely, a credit card can cost nothing, or at least help to _ financial difficulty. The hotheaded are people who _ . A. spend more money than they have B. spend less money than other people C. save money D. make money Answer: A. spend more money than they have TV talk shows dominate daytime television. And anyone who watches them regularly knows that each one is different in style. But no two shows are more opposite in content, while at the same time standing out above the rest than the Jerry Springer and the Oprah Winfrey shows. Jerry Springer could easily be considered the king of "rubbish talk". The contents on his show are as surprising as possible. For example, the show takes the forever-common talk show titles of love, sex, cheating, and hate to a different level. Clearly, the Jerry Springer show is about the dark side of society, yet people are willing to eat up the troubles of other people's lives. Like Jerry Springer, Oprah Winfrey takes TV talk show to its top, but Oprah goes in the opposite direction. The show is mainly about the improvement of society and the quality of life. Contents are from teaching your children lessons, managing your work week, to getting to know your neighbors. Compared with Oprah, the Jerry Springer looks like poisonous waste being poured into society. Jerry ends every show with a "final word". He makes a small speech about the main idea of the show. Hopefully, this is the part where most people will learn something very valuable. Clear as it is, the Oprah show is not for everyone. The show's main viewers are middle-class Americans. Most of these people have the time, money, and ability to deal with life's tougher problems. The Jerry Springer show, on the other hand, has more of connection with the young adults of society. These are 18-to-21-year-olds whose main troubles in life include love, relationship, sex, money and drugs. They are the ones who see some value and lessons to be learned through the show's exploitation (,). What is the audience's reaction to the social problems that Jerry Springer talks about? A. They are interested in them. B. They are not ready to face them. C. They are cold to them. D. They want to get away from them. Answer: A. They are interested in them. Rocks that contain fragments of bones, shells, and plant remains are most likely A. crystals. B. igneous. C. sedimentary. D. metamorphic. Answer: C. sedimentary.
Juno was a very playful dog but she was also very disobedient. One afternoon Juno was out in the front yard playing tag with Sasha the kitten, when Billy came to fetch her for her bath. Juno did not like baths very much and she ran away every time Billy got close to her. Billy soon got tired of Juno's game, so he left her in the garden hoping she would keep running around and tire herself out. Sasha the kitten followed Billy and Juno was surprised to find herself alone, she had hoped Billy would keep on playing this fun game. To pass the time she watched some birds building a nest in a tree, Juno was so bored she even tried to play hide and seek with George, the parrot. Finally, since there was nobody to play with Juno laid down to take a nap. A little later Billy came back out into the yard to fetch Juno. What Billy didn't know was, Juno had been sleeping since he left and she was ready for another game of catch me if you can, her favorite game. Juno took off running as soon as she saw Billy. Billy sat down on the grass to wait. Billy found a ball and started to throw it for Juno to fetch. Billy kept on throwing the ball and Juno kept on bringing it back until Juno dropped the ball and lay down on the grass, panting, tired out. Billy quickly slipped the collar and leash on her. Billy got Juno on her feet and the two of them walked round to the back yard where the family were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. Billy's father called him to come and enjoy some ice cream with them but Billy said no, he'd rather get Juno's bath time over with and then he could enjoy his ice cream. Billy knew he had to hurry or his brothers Allen and Greg would finish the Rocky Road ice cream which was Billy's favorite. Billy tied Juno's leash to the fence and then he brought the hose over and switched it on. Juno immediately tried to run away but she had no choice but to stay there and let Billy soak her. Billy quickly added soap to Juno's coat and soon she was covered in soapy suds. Soon Billy once again turned the hose on Juno to rinse all the soap out of her coat. The last thing to be done was to rub Juno down with a towel and dry her off Once Billy had finished he took the collar and leash off and Juno lay down in the sun happy that bath time was over once again. Billy went to join the rest of the family and his father said he could choose between Chocolate Chip, Caramel Delight, Cookies and Cream or Rocky Road ice cream. Billy quickly said he wanted the Rocky Road and his father put down a large dish of the ice cream and said 'good job son' What was Juno's favorite game? A. Hide and Seek B. Tag C. Catch me if you can D. Fetch Answer: C Fish and chips, and Chinese take-away food are very popular in England. But they are _ in the USA. In the USA, they eat take-away food, too, like chicken. But the most popular kind of take-away food is the hamburger. It looks like bread with meat in it. Ham is a kind of pork---- but the hamburger does not have any pork in it. It has beef in it. The beef is inside a kind of cake. Hamburgers are delicious. They are very popular in the USA. They are also popular in England and Australia. Hamburger is a kind of _ . A. drink B. food C. meat D. pork Answer: B A new study says that birds living in big cities sing shorter, faster songs that are higher-pitched than those sung by their brothers in the forests. The researchers think that the birds adjust their songs to allow themselves to be heard over the noises of the city, especially the low traffic noise. To study how urban birds song, Hans Slabbekoorn and Ardie den Bore, biologists at the University of Leiden in Netherlands, travelled around Europe and recorded bird songs in ten major cities and in nearby forests. The species they focused on, the great tit , is widespread across Eurasia and one of the few types of birds that _ in big cities. Singing is crucial for males, which use their songs to attract mates and mark out their territory. The changing songs could play a role in eventually causing the city birds and the forest dwellers to evolve into separate species. The findings could also help explain why usually only a few bird species thrive in cities. By contrast, many more bird species tend to be found in forests and other undeveloped habitats. Studies like this could eventually help researchers predict how urbanization will affect birds, using this knowledge could help urban planners design more pleasant city environments, study co-author Slabbe-koorn said. "You can make a city much more livable if you pay attention to where the noise goes and where the people go," he said. "It would be easy to fit the birds into those models." Then cities wouldn't be strictly for the people, but also for the birds. What is NOT the effect that studies of birds' songs have? A. Predicting how course of the city's expanding will affect birds. B. Helping the city planners design more pleasant city environments. C. Making cities more livable for both the birds and people. D. Driving the urban birds back to the forest. Answer: D As the richest country in the world, you'd expect that Qatar would also be the happiest. And you'd also expect Japanese people to be extremely positive, seeing as though they have the highest life expectancy. But clearly wealth and good health do not guarantee happiness after both countries failed to make the top ten most positive countries. The poll ( ) of nearly 150,000 people around the world found that seven of the world's 10 countries with the most upbeat attitudes are in Latin America. _ asked about 1,000 people in each of 148 countries if they were wellrested, had been treated with respect, smiled or laughed a lot, learned or did something interesting and felt feelings of enjoyment the previous day. In Panama and Paraguay, 85 percent of those polled said yes to all five, putting those countries at the top of the list. They were followed closely by El Salvador, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Guatemala, the Philippines, Ecuador and Costa Rica. The people least likely to report positive emotions lived in Singapore, the wealthy and orderly citystate that ranks among the most developed in the world. Other wealthy countries also sat surprisingly low on the list. Germany and France tied with the poor African state of Somaliland for 47th place. Many of the seven countries which were most positive do poorly in traditional measures of wellbeing, like Guatemala, a country torn by decades of civil war followed by waves of gangdriven criminality that give it one of the highest killing rates in the world. Guatemala sits just above Iraq on the United Nations' Human Development Index, a composite of life expectancy, education and per capital income. But it ranks seventh in positive emotions. In Guatemala, it's a culture of friendly people who are always smiling, said Luz Castillo, a 30yearold surfing instructor. Despite all the problems that we're facing, we're surrounded by natural beauty that lets us get away from it all. The poll shows that prosperous nations can also be deeply unhappy ones. And povertystricken ones are often positive, or at least a close approximation of it. What's the best title of the text? A. Happiness does not depend on wealth B. How to live happily? C. Health leads to happiness D. What are the standards to be happy men? Answer: A Riding School: You can start horse-riding at any age. Go riding any day except weekends. But at 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays, there are 10 kilometers of rides across farmland and open countryside. You will need a riding hat. Opening Hours: Any weekday: 9:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Phone: (412) 396-6754 Fax : (412)396-6752 Sailing Club: Our Young Sailor's Course leads to the Stage 1 Sailing qualification . You'll learn how to sail safely. Have fun with other course members. Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Phone: (412)396-6644 Fax: (412)396-6644 Watersports Club: We have a two-kilometer-long river for boat racing and water-skiing. You will learn to drive boats safely and confidently, but must be able to swim. The club is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lessons all through the day. Opening Hours: From Monday to Friday: 9:00a.m.-4:00 p.m. Phone: (412)396-6899 Fax: (412)396-6890 Diving Centre: Our experienced coaches offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners. There are two evening lessons a week. Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Phone: (412)396-6312 Fax: (412)396-6706 Which of the following should you join if you are able to swim and want to enjoy activities that are fast and a bit dangerous? A. Watersports Club B. Driving Centre C. Sailing Club D. Riding School Answer: A
Question: 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 What does Sally's mother think about her? A. She thinks Sally is very lazy. B. She feels frustrated about her. C. She thinks Sally studies very hard. D. She thinks Sally is a bad girl. Answer: B. She feels frustrated about her. Question: "There's no point in talking with you: you don't understand me. You don't even know me." A teen spits these words at a parent, who is hurt and annoyed. How can her own child say these things? She's worked hard getting to know him, learning to read his feelings from his voice and gestures. How can her own child now say to her, "You don't know who I really am"? Nothing shakes a parent's confidence as much as the starting of a child's adolescence. The communication that has flowed easily through words, glance and touch becomes a minefield Recent discoveries that the human brain undergoes specific and dramatic development during adolescence offer new "explanations" of teen behavior, particularly of the impulsiveness of teenagers. During this development, there may be too many synapses for the brain to work efficiently, the mental capacities of decision-making, judgment and control are not mature until the age of twenty-four. An old explanation is that anger hormones account for the apparently unreasonable moodiness of teens. Though hormones do play a role in human feelings, the real task of adolescence, and the real cause of the unrest, is the uncertainty of teenagers about who they are, alongside their eagerness to establish a sense of identity. This involves self-questioning, self-discovery and self-development across a range of issues, including sex, faith, intellect and relationships. A sense of who we are is not a mere luxury; without it we feel worthless. A teen often looks upon his or her friends sa models: " I don't know who I am, but I know who he is, I'll be like him," is the underlying thought. Parents also become such mirrors: teens want that mirror to reflect back to them the vividness and clarity they themselves do not feel. Arguments with parents can often be understood in this context. While those common teenager-parent quarrels, which explode every few days, are often over small things such as homework, housework, and respect; a teenager's real focus is on a parent's recognition of his maturity and capability and human value. " No, you can't go out tonight," implies that a parent you got your keys?" or "Do you have enough money for the bus?" are questions that can be easily accepted if asked by a concerned friend, but awaken a teen's own doubts if asked by a parent. Feeling the need to distinguish himself from the kid who can't remember to take his lunch, his keys or his money, he blames the parent for reminding him of the child-self still living within him. What my research shows is that quarreling witj your teen doesn't necessarily mean you have a bad relationship. The quality of teenager-parent relationship has several measures. According to the text, teenagers _ . A. can fully understand their parents' feelings B. need guidance in every aspect of their life C. may experience a huge mental change D. know themselves better than their parents do Answer: C. may experience a huge mental change Question: Scientists have measured the rate of growth of the Atlantic Ocean basin to be about 2 to 3 cm per year. This type of activity coincides with the formation of ridges on the ocean floor. What is the most likely cause of this activity? A. erosion from tidal action B. the deposition of sediment C. the flow of continental basalt D. movement from tectonic plates Answer: D. movement from tectonic plates Question: His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to eke out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog . He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life." "No, " the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel . "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of." And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia . What saved him? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill. What kind of person could the farmer Fleming probably be? A. Kind, brave and generous. B. Kind, shy and merciful. C. Kind, innocent and passive. D. Kind, brave and honest. Answer: D. Kind, brave and honest. Question: It is hardly surprising that clothing manufacturers follow certain uniform standards for various features of clothes. What seems strange, however, is that the standard adopted for women is the opposite of the one for men. Take a look at the way your clothes button. Men's clothes tend to button from the right, and women's from the left. Considering most of the world's population--men and women--are right-handed, the men's standard would appear to make more sense for women. So why do women's clothes button from the left? History really seems to matter here. Buttons first appeared only on the clothes of the rich in the 17thcentury, when rich women were dressed by servants. For the mostly right-handed servants, having women's shirts button from the left would be easier. On the other hand, having men's shirt button from the right made sense, too. Most men dressed themselves, and a sword drawn from the left with the right hand would be less likely to get caught in the shirt. Today women are seldom dressed by servants, but buttoning from the left is still the standard for them. Is it interesting? Actually, a standard, once set, resists change. At a time when all women's shirts buttoned from the left, it would have been risky for any single manufacturer to offer women's shirts that buttoned from the right. After all, women had grown so used to shirts which buttoned from the left and would have to develop new habits and skills to switch. Besides, some women might have found it socially awkward to appear in public wearing shirts that buttoned from the right, since any one who noticed that would believe they were wearing men's shirts. What is surprising about the standard of the clothing industry? A. It has been followed by the industry for over 400 years. B. It is different for men's clothing and women's. C. It works better with men than with women. D. It fails to consider right-handed people. Answer: B. It is different for men's clothing and women's.
The forest in Senegal, a country in western Africa, is full of the chimps' usual noises. Suddenly dogs bark. Larger male chimps drop from the trees to face the threat while the others climb to safety. Then the dogs' young human masters appear. One mother chimp with a tiny baby tries to run. The dogs attack and separate them. The two teenage boys quickly catch the baby chimp. But they don't act out of sympathy --- they save the baby so they can sell it. After the teenagers return to their hometown, they visit a man who is said to be very interested in chimps. When they ask the man, Johnny Kante, if he wants to buy the baby, he replies, "That's not what we do." Kante is a member of a scientific team. Although Kante is angry with the teens for capturing the chimp, he hides his anger and persuades them to take him to the baby chimp. Unsure of what to do next upon seeing the chimp, Kante calls Jill Pruetz, the head of the chimp research team. "I'm really worried," says Pruetz, doubtful that the mother is still alive. But knowing that wild chimps sometimes adopt orphans , Kante and pruetz decide they must try to return the baby chimp to its wild community. Kante pays another visit to the teenagers. After he explains how much trouble they are in, because chimps are an endangered species, he requests they should give him the frightened baby without payment. They agree. Kante takes the baby chimp to his home and feeds her milk from a bottle whenever she cries. The next morning, Pruetz and Kante leave the baby with another team member and begin their search for the wild chimps. Pruetz quickly finds the group in the woods. She recognizes the female that is without her child. Pruetz is so excited that she runs the entire mile back to bring the baby chimp to the tree where the chimps are hanging out. The researchers place the baby on the ground near the tree and back away. Almost immediately, a male chimp drops to the ground and stares at the baby curiously. He carries her back to where the mother is waiting. Pruetz still can't believe how fortunate they were to have reunited the mother and child. "Surprising is the only word I can think of," she says. What is the main idea of the passage? _ Mr. Lang worked in a factory. As a driver he was busy but he was paid much. His wife was an able woman and did all the housework. When he came back, she took good care of him and he never did anything at home. So he had enough time when he had a holiday. A few friends of his liked gambling and he learned it soon. So he was interested in it and hardly forgot anything except gambling. He lost all his money and later he began to sell the television, watches and so on. His wife told him not to do it but he didn't listen to her. She had to tell the police. He and his friends were punished for it. And he was nearly sent away. After he came out of lock-up , he hated her very much and the woman had to leave him. It was New Year's Day. Mr. Lang didn't go to work. He felt lonely and wanted to gamble again. He called his friends and they came soon. But they were afraid the police would come. He told his five-year-old son to go to find out if there were the policemen outside. They waited for a long time and didn't think the police would come and began to gamble. Suddenly a few policemen opened the door and came in. "I saw there weren't any policemen outside, Daddy" said the boy "So I went to the crossing and asked some to come." Mrs. Lang did all housework because _ . Great speakers are not born but made. You too can become a good orator by taking up the public speaking courses. Those who are incapable of speaking in front of the public can' t come up in their life. The art of public speaking must be practiced by everybody who wants to reach great heights in their career. A lot of public speaking courses are available on the Internet. Choosing the best course that is right for you may be difficult but not impossible. The basic motive of public speaking courses should be to train you to become a public speaker and improve your skills of _ a public speech. The course should first educate you with the principles of public speaking and tell you how to overcome stress and anxiety. By overcoming fear, you will be able to deliver your presentation clearly to your audience. A speaker can have a great influence on the audience with his body language and your public speaking course should tell you the gestures on stage that can attract the audience. Non-verbal communication also has a major role to play in delivering a speech effectively to a group. Though body language is important, the content and the natural use of words are what the audience are closely caring about. Public speaking courses should give tips in using the right words at the right time. Even though you have prepared well, the real success of public speaking lies in the way your speech is delivered. Public speaking courses will train you to present the contents in a lively manner impressing the audience. Your presentation should be professional and stylish. You can add humor or interactive sessions to your presentation to gain the audience attraction. You can draw the audience's attention to your speech by _ . JOLIN Tsai , a famous singer, has become an English teacher! But she is not staying in a classroom to give you talks in English.Instead, she has published a new book, "Jolin's English Diary Book".It came out in Taiwan in March.Jolin is helping you learn English in a _ way and give you useful words for life outside your textbooks. "I hope it's a happy English book," she said, "When you learn English in a fun way, you will keep on doing it." This certainly doesn't mean just reciting words.Jolin has a lot of clever ways of learning.She likes to listen to English songs or find friends to talk to in English.She has been good at English since Grade 3 in primary school .Because of this, she hosted news programme on the radio herself. Jolin knows it's important to put English to good use.So, in her English diaries, she wrote something about her everyday life, like study, fashion , travel and family.After each diary, she gives you lots of notes.You can use them often, too! Jolin also asks you to keep diaries like hers. When did Jolin Tsai publish "Jolin's English Diary Book" ? Today, we'll visit a place of strange and silent beauty. As beautiful as this place is, its name provides evidence of very real danger. We are exploring Death Valley National Park . Death Valley is a huge place. It extends more than 225 kilometers across the southern part of California into the neighboring state of Nevada. Death Valley is a land of beautiful yet dangerous desert and mountains. There are mountains that reach more than 3,000 meters into the sky. Much of Death Valley is flat and dry. In some areas the ground is nothing but salt. Nothing is able to grow in this salty ground. However, it would be wrong to think that nothing lives in Death Valley. The valley is full of life. Wildflowers grow very quickly after even a small amount of rain. Several kinds of birds live in Death Valley, as do mammals and reptiles. Many different snakes live there too. The area got its name in 1849. That was the year after gold was discovered in California. Thousands of people from around the country traveled to the gold mining areas of the state. 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. But there was a lack of water and there were too 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 to 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, a woman in the group looked back and said, "Goodbye, death valley." The name has never been changed. Death Valley became a national park in 1994. More than one million people visit the park each year. Why did the woman call the area death valley?
"I usually put my mobile phone in my bag, and I often feel like it is ringing when there actually is no phone call. Now I always want to keep it in my hand, being afraid that I might miss important calls or messages," Miss Liu tells her doctor. Miss Gu, a news worker, has to take her mobile phone with her all the time so as not to miss any calls from her office or readers. Gradually, she started to experience a great "panic" about her mobile phone. "Every night when I'm about to fall asleep, I often wake up with a start, feeling that my phone is ringing. Although I'm sure that I have turned it off, I still feel that it is ringing, clearly." The above phenomenon is what we call "mobile-phone acouasm ". The mobile phone has now become a "new organ" in a white collar's daily life, and "mobile-phone acouasm" has become a common phenomenon among office workers. According to a report of China Youth Daily, "mobile-phone acouasm " most likely results from people's dependency on hi-tech products. It is associated with certain professions, such as salesmen, consultants and journalists. They use mobile phones almost continuously. Constantly being in the "stand-by" mode, the strong psychological tension gives them acouasm. Meanwhile, a large number of this year's graduates are joining the family of acouasm suffers due to the hard job-hunting experience. "You know that the rings are not from your phone, but you always take it out and have a look. This is subconscious from your body sending you a signal, telling you that you must take a break to reduce your pressure," Professor Sun Li from Huadong Normal University explains. There are many ways to solve the problem. The professor says that the key is to deal with pressure from work. "This is just a kind of self-protection"; the most important thing is to find out the source of your pressure. And then take part in some activities that are not related to your work. You can do anything that can relax your body and mind. According to the passage the phrase "mobile-phone acouasm" refers to _ . Answer: people's feeling the unreal phone rings According to the US government, wind farms off the Pacific coast could produce 900 gigawatts of electricity every year.Unfortunately, the water there is far too deep for even the tallest windmills to touch bottom.An experiment under way off the coast of Norway, however, could help put them anywhere. The project, called Hywind, is the world's first large-scale deepwater wind turbine .Although it uses a fairly standard 152-ton, 2.3-megawatt turbine, Hywind represents totally new technology.The turbine will be fixed 213 feet above the water on a floating spar, a technology Hywind's creator, the Norwegian company StatoilHydro, has developed recently.The steel spar, which is filled with stones and goes 328 feet below the sea surface, will be tied to the ocean floor by three cables ; these will keep the spar stable and prevent the turbine from moving up and down in the waves.Hywind's stability in the cold and rough sea would prove that even the deepest corners of the ocean are suitable for wind power.If all goes according to the plan, the turbine will start producing electricity six miles off the coast of southwestern Norway as early as September. To produce electricity on a large scale, a commercial wind farm will have to use bigger turbines than Hywind does, but it's difficult enough to balance such a large turbine so high on a floating spar in the middle of the ocean.To make that turbine heavier, the whole spar's center of gravity must be moved much closer to the ocean's surface.To do that, the company plans to design a new kind of wind turbine, one whose gearbox sits at sea level rather than behind the blades. Hywind is a test run, but the benefits for perfecting floating wind-farm technology could be extremely large.Out at sea, the wind is often stronger and steadier than close to shore, where all existing offshore windmills are planted.Deep-sea farms are invisible from land, which helps overcome the windmill-as-eyesore objection.If the technology catches on, it will open up vast areas of the planet's surface to one of the best low-carbon power sources available. To balance a bigger turbine high on a floating spar, a new type of turbine is to be designed with its gearbox sitting _ . Answer: at sea level Early in the 16thcentury men were trying to reach Asia by travelling west from Europe. In order to find Asia they had to find a way past South Africa. The man who finally found the way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific was Ferdinand Magellan. Magellan sailed from Seville in August 1519 with five ships and about 280 men. Fourteen months later, after spending the severe winter on the coast of Patagonia, he discovered the channel which is now called Magellan Straits. In November 1520, after many months of dangers from rocks and storms, the three remaining ships entered the ocean on the other side of South America. They then continued, hoping to reach Asia. But they didn't see any land until they reached the islands off the coast of Asia. Before they arrived at these islands, later known as Philippines, men were dying of starvation. While they were in the Philippines., Magellan was killed in battle. The remaining officers then had to get back to Spain. They decided to sail around Africa. After many difficulties, one ship with eighteen men sailed into Seville after leaving. They were all that remained of Magellan's expedition . The number of the ships lost on the whole expedition was _ . Answer: four When you are in England, you must be very careful in the streets because the traffic drives on the left. Before you cross a street, you must look to the right first and then left. If the traffic lights are red, the traffic must stop. Then the people on foot can cross the road. If the traffic lights are green, the traffic can go. People on foot mustn't cross. In the morning and in the evening when people go to or come from work, the streets are very busy. Traffic is most dangerous then. When you go by bus in England, you have to be careful, too. Always remember the traffic moves on the left. So you must be careful. Have a look first or you will go the wrong way. In many English cities, there are big buses with two floors. You can sit on the second floor. From there you can see the city very clearly. It's very interesting. In England, it is very interesting to _ . Answer: sit on the second floor of a big bus and see the beautiful city Summer cools down in August when the city features a lot of jazz to send excitement to any music fan. Beginning August 28, the city hosts a week of jazz performances in a variety of places. This year's annual Jazz Festival in Grant Park will offer a "tribute to New Orleans" with performers from the city, honoring the birthplace of Jazz. Jazz fans who want to be part of the week-long celebration can start with a free concert at Millennium Park's famous Pritzker Pavilion on Monday, August 28 at 6:30 pm. * Other events will include: Tuesday, August 29 -- the Jazz Institute of Chicago presents the Fourth Annual Gala Concert. Wednesday, August 30 -- Heat up Wednesday night with a ride to the best jazz hot spots and learn a bit of history of the genre with the Jazz Institute's Jazz Club Tour, which starts at 6 pm until midnight. For one low price, visit more than a dozen Jazz Clubs. The tour covers nearly every inch of Chicago. The Chicago Jazz Festival Officially opens with a ticketed performance at the Symphony Center on Thursday, August 31. Then, the festival moves to Grant Park on Friday, September 1, for three days of free music on three stages. The event opens daily at 11 am. Performance hours are: Jazz on Jackson Stage 12 pm -- 4:30 pm. Jazz & Heritage Family Stage 12:30 pm -- 4:30 pm. Petrillo Music Shell 5 pm -- 9:30 pm. * In addition to the music, the Chicago Jazz Festival features an art fair lying in the rose garden just south of Jackson. The fair offers all kinds of handmade crafts and artwork. What is special for the Chicago Jazz Festival this year? Answer: Tribute to New Orleans.
As we all know, animals are our good friends. Many kids love animals very much. They like to go to the zoo every Saturday, Sunday or even every day on weekdays. But do you want to go to the zoo at night? Usually, the zoos aren't open at night. But if you are in Singapore, you may have a chance to visit a zoo at night. There is a night zoo in Singapore. Its name is Night Safari. It is open at night. Why? That's because many animals only wake up in the evening, like tigers and wolves. During the day, they like to sleep, so it's the best time to watch them at night. Is that interesting? Welcome to the Night Safari! Where can you see tigers and wolves at night? A. Every zoo in China B. Every zoo in the world C. Every zoo in Singapore D. Only in Night Safari in Singapore Answer: D. Only in Night Safari in Singapore An 18-year-old high school student who had just learned to swim in the last summer vacation saved the life of a drowning Ohio boy on Friday afternoon. Tom Erickson was credited with (......)saving the life of Jason Pryor,10, in Mill Creek Park. Young Jason Pryor, from Chillicothe, was visiting s from Anchor Point when he fell into the Mill Creek. The Pryor boy had no business playing nea k*s5&u r the edge of the river, but he had no idea of the danger. The Creek, with much more water than usual for the recent spring rains, flowed fast and carried the boy around a bend and out of sight from his parents, who took Jason out there and said they had not even witnessed the incident. Luckily for Jason, one of the most unselfish students from Brentwood's Central High School was taking a walk alone through the park. As soon as he found the boy struggling in the water, Erickson jumped into the Creek and managed to pull the drowning boy out of the water. And it was reported that Erickson had never received any life-saving instruction before. "I wasn't sure I could do it," Erickson said. "I didn't know if I could swim through the river by myself, not to mention getting another person out with me." This incident should be a lesson to young children who do not know how to swim. Stay away from dangerous bodies of water. Which of the following sentences is true according to the passage? A. Life-saving instruction helped a lot in the incident. B. Jason's parents saw him fall into the creek but couldn't help. C. The creek flowed fast because it was very straight without any bends. D. Erickson was not sure if he could save the boy when jumping into the Creek. Answer: D. Erickson was not sure if he could save the boy when jumping into the Creek. A person can be punched in the chest without the heart stopping because A. muscles crumple B. ribs guard it C. hearts are stone D. hearts are hollow Answer: B. ribs guard it The crowd cheered as the young man walked across the stage to receive his award as the company's top producer. He looked over the audience and trembled, and there was a clear pause that brought a silence to the room. It took him a moment to control himself. "The last three months hit me pretty hard," he began. "And I feel the need to share a piece of my story though I'm not sure why. A friend called me about his new marketing system, an outbound fax service that could reach thousands of potential customers at very little cost. I checked it out, got excited and accepted it. After thousands of faxes, it seemed that what I did was illegal . I was punished a dollar for every one sent out. The crowd was surprised. "I failed to do proper research, and didn't pay attention to the details. Now I am heavily in debt. As some of you know, I recently move up here from down south. I stored my stuff in my old office, which I closed down. When I drove back to pick it all up, I found that everything except my computer and the clothes I brought with me was gone." He continued, "I drive a sports car. I love that car. One day while driving it, I stepped on the accelerator , lost control at 85 miles an hour, and hit the guard rail. I damaged my car very badly." "In three months, I got charged, lost everything I owned, and damaged my car. We all face challenges," he smiled. "I guess I wanted to share mine with you. Thanks for listening. " He left to a standing ovation . Standing in the back of the room, I realized how much respect that young man earned. He faced his fear, publicly admitted his mistakes and never gave up, in spite of the difficulties. That day, he won much more than a trophy . Why was the young man punished? A. He made a serious mistake in his research. B. He illegally sent faxes to customers. C. He stole a computer from an office. D. He drove his car at a high speed. Answer: B. He illegally sent faxes to customers. BEIJING -- After a night of wining and dining with 50 of China's richest people, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates told the journalists on Thursday that the biggest difference between eating with Chinese tycoons and Western ones was the food. "I was amazed last night, really, at how similar the questions and discussions and all that were to those in the dinners we had in the U.S.," said Mr. Buffett. Mr. Buffett and Mr. Gates, two of the best known Westerners here, announced in September, 2010 that they planned to invite 50 wealthy Chinese tycoons to dinner in Beijing to encourage philanthropy among China's new rich. On Thursday, the two men pronounced the dinner a great success, saying that two-thirds of those invited had shown up, and that more than half of them had offered their own ideas on how Chinese philanthropy should work. The guest list wasn't made public, but the Chinese news media reported that it included Jet Li, the movie star; Niu Gensheng, the founder of a Chinese dairy business; and Pan Shiyi and Zhang Xin, who control the SOHO China real estate empire. As with four earlier dinners held in the United States, Mr. Buffett and Mr. Gates said, no one at the Beijing event was asked to donate money or to promise to engage in charity. "Bill and I won't be calling anybody. What happens in China will depend on what the Chinese people feel about a project of this sort," said Mr. Buffett. China is widely reported to be second only to the United States in the number of dollar billionaires. Mr. Gates and Mr. Buffett said the nation was unique because its wealthy class had arisen almost wholly in the past 30 years, so the philanthropic practices established among European and American dynasties are new here, and open to change. The two said the dinner wasn't a long planned matter, but _ of a trip that Mr. Buffett had already scheduled to Guangdong and Hunan Provinces, where BYD Company, a maker of clean-energy automobiles, has factories. Mr. Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, holds a 10% stake in the company. But Mr. Gates suggested that their philanthropic trip wasn't yet over. "We may do an event in India," he said. What is the text mainly about? A. A brief analysis of future philanthropy. B. The development of Chinese philanthropy. C. An introduction on Mr. Buffett and Mr. Gates' trip in China. D. A charity dinner held in Beijing by Mr. Buffett and Mr. Gates. Answer: D. A charity dinner held in Beijing by Mr. Buffett and Mr. Gates.
Learning to drive is important to the independence of teenagers, but it is also a great responsibility.Although having a law that keeps 16-year-old drivers from having more than one teenager in the car with them at first seems unfair, there are convincing reasons for this requirement. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that teens are four times more likely than older drivers to be involved in an automobile accident.It also reports that 16-and 17-year-old drivers are twice as likely to have an accident if they have two teenage friends in the car and four times as likely to have one if they have three or more teenage friends in the car with them.Fatal ( ) crashes of 16-year-old drivers involve the highest percentage of speeding, driver error, and number of passengers.This information is enough to cause any reasonable person to wonder about the wisdom of allowing new teen drivers to take a carload of friends anywhere, even if the law permits it. A study at the National Institutes of Health indicates that the part of the human brain that controls judgment and evaluates the consequences of our actions might not be fully formed until the age of 25.Until this study, researchers had placed the age at 18.If this is true, it could explain the reckless behavior of many teens, behavior that often extends into their twenties.It also could be a strong reason for being cautious about the driving circumstances of young people. This is not the only study that indicates such caution is necessary.One study at Temple University in Philadelphia examines the results of peer pressure in risky driving situations.The study, which uses a driving game, has an individual guide a car through a course, both alone and in the presence of friends.Three different age groups participated in the study: 13-16, 18-22, and 24 and older.Members of the oldest group showed caution whether driving alone or with friends present, but the two younger groups took more chances when they were with their friends.Furthermore, because these drivers were accustomed to the noise and distraction of many passengers, they were unable to see their own mistakes.Once again, this is a good indication that a law restricting the number of teenagers in the car with a young driver is a good idea. From the two studies, the author probably suggests that _ . Answer: driving circumstances are bound up with(...) the risk of accidents Kewen Lichadson is thirty two years old now. He works in the Lasailian Park in the South Africa, where many wild animals such as lions, tigers, leopards and wolves are living. When you get there you may have a chance to see him playing with these wild animals without anything to protect himself except a small bag of pepper . Sometimes he would go swimming with them side by side. It is reported that nearly all the wild animals are brought up by him even from the time they were six months old. For so many years he has cared for them day and night that they have made great friendship between them. "Sometimes if I could not get home at night I would stay with these animals throughout the night. It's quite warm and safe." He often says to the reporter. "Compared with animals, the human beings are less trusted." he may go on. "You needn't have to worry about whether these wild animals could make a secret attack from the back, but for the human beings I can't give you a good answer because, I believe, they are more cunning ." When asked why, he would tell you, "I'm not a talented animal tamer, you know. But I believe, like any of us they have their own feelings. Instead of sticks, whips or iron chains , I treat them with as much patience and respect as possible. Perhaps this might be dangerous but for me this is not a kind of job but love." If you are lucky enough you can see Kewen Lichadson _ . Answer: swimming with the wild animals side by side When John Milton, writer of "Paradise Lost", entered Cambridge University, in 1625, he was already skilled in Latin after seven years of studying it as his second language at St. Paul's School, prefix = st1 /London. Like all English boys who prepared for college in grammar schools, he had learned not only to read Latin but also to speak and write it smoothly and correctly. His pronunciation of Latin was English, however, and seemed to have sounded strange to his friends when he later visitedItaly. Schoolboys gained their skill in Latin in a bitter way. They kept in mind the rules to make learning by heart easier. They first made a word-for-word translation and then an idiomatic translation into English. As they increased their skill, they translated their English back into Latin without referring to the book and then compared their translation with the original. The schoolmaster was always at hand to encourage them. All schoolmasters believed _ . After several years of study, the boys began to write compositions in imitation of the Latin writers they read. And as they began to read Latin poems, they began to write poems in Latin. Because Miltonwas already a poet at ten, his poems were much better than those painfully put together by the other boys. During the seven yearsMiltonspent at university, he made regular use of his command of Latin. He wrote some excellent Latin poems, which he published among his works in 1645. What does the passage mainly tell about? Answer: How John Milton studied Latin. A South African farmer is receiving phone calls from his sheep after equipping them with cell phones to keep tabs on the flock amid recent livestock thefts, according to local press Wednesday. When the sheep call, it is always bad news for farmer Erard Louw of the Cape Town suburbs, as the phones around their necks are only set to switch on when the sheep start running, a sign that thieves have cut through the fences. "As they run it gives me a phone call and says 'Sheep One' or 'Sheep Two' and so on, so at least I know where to start looking because the farm is 750 hectares (1,850 acres)," Louw told the Cape Times daily. Louw attached the phone-like security device to the collars of four sheep in separate flocks after thieves sneaked in and stole 27 sheep and 13 lambs a couple of weeks ago, driving Louw to _ for ways to protect his animals. He said there was no use calling nearby police, as they were stationed too far away and in his experience they either lacked an available car or the vehicle was out of fuel or missing tyres -- also the work of thieves. According to Louw, the cell phones have already proved their worth, with one sheep-snatcher caught thanks to the device. Still, with theft attempts currently at their peak, given long winter nights and early nightfall, a few sheep-robbers managed to get away in spite of the device. "The phone did start ringing that night and I went out," he said, but added that he was too late. Why did Erard Louw attach the phone-like device to the sheep he raises? Answer: Because he wanted to protect them against thieves. invites applications for the following posts: HOUSEKEEPING Housekeeping Supervisor Salary: $1,200 per month At least 2 years similar experience Female only Housemaids Salary: $700 per month No experience required Part-time posts for Housemaids only LAUNDRY Laundry Valet Salary: $700 per month Duties - to collect and deliver laundry parcels Shift work require Laundry Attendant Salary: $700 per month Male applicants only Shift work required Preference will be given to people with some experience. FOOD AND DRINKS (for new 24-hour restaurant) Head waiter Salary: $1,200 per month Experienced waiters can apply Waiter/ Waiters Salary: $800 per month No experience needed (Willing to work shifts) Part-timers needed for permanent night shift 6 pm to 11 pm. GENERAL Car Driver Salary: $800 per month Clean driving record At least 1 year of experience Willing to work irregular hours Pool Attendant Salary: $700 per month Must know life-saving technique Some related experience Both posts for male only. Interviews will be conducted at the Royal Hotel, East Room, 2nd Level on the 25th and 26th Nov. from 10:00 to 4:00 pm. Which posts can fresh school-leavers apply for? Answer: Housemaid and waiter.
My mother was a household servant. Through her work, she observed that successful people spent a lot more time reading than they did watching television. She announced that my brother and I could only watch two to three pre-selected TV programs during the week. With our free time, we had to read two books each from the Detroit Public Library and write book reports. She would mark them up with check marks. Years later we realized her marks were a _ My mother had only received a third-grade education. Although we had no money, between the covers of those books, I could go anywhere, do anything and be anybody. When I entered high school, I was an A-student, but not for long. I wanted the fancy clothes. I wanted to hang out with the guys. I went form being an A- student to a B- student to a C-student, but I didn't care. One night my mother came home and I complained about not having enough shirts. She said, "Okay, I'll give you all the money I make this week cleaning floors and bathrooms, and you can buy the family food and pay the bills. With everything left over, you can have all the shirts you want." I was very pleased with that arrangement but once I got through allocating money, there was nothing left. I realized my mother was a financial genius to be able to keep a roof over our heads and any kind of food on the table, much less buy clothes. I also realized that immediate satisfaction wasn't going to get me anywhere. Success required intellectual preparation. I went back to my studies and became an A-student again. I dreamed of becoming a doctor when I was just a kid. And now I have achieved my dream. Over the years my mother's changeless faith in God has inspired me, particularly when I found myself faced with my own medical illness. A few years ago I discovered I had a very serious cancer; I was told it might have spread to my spine . My mother believed in God very much. She never worried. She said that God would never throw me away forever; there was no way that _ was going to be a major problem. The abnormality in spine turned out to be not bad; I was able to have surgery and am cured. My story is really my mother's story -a woman little formal education or worldly goods who used her position as a parent to change the lives of her children. What do we learn about the author? A. He now works as a doctor. B. He disliked watching TV as a kid. C. He received little formal education. D. He often did housework when young. Answer: A. He now works as a doctor. Yesterday, Dad and I made a big snowman. I was very cold, so Dad made some delicious soup and bread. When I got sleepy, Dad carried me to my bedroom and said, "Good night, Pumpkin ." This morning, there was a truck in front of our house. A truck is not a bad thing unless it' s carrying your dad's things to the other side of town. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Jzzie," Dad said, giving me a kiss, I said "bye" and ran to my bedroom. I got a stomachache again. I' ve had lots of stomachaches since Mom and Dad told me about the divorce because I can't get used to _ . When Mom told me it was time for dinner, I told her. I was not leaving my room. Mom led me downstairs anyway. Dad's chair was empty. We didn't talk. We didn't eat. The phone rang. "Hi, Izzie. My new apartment building has an indoor pool, so bring your swimsuit tomorrow, OK?" "I don 't want to go swimming, Daddy. " "Well, think about it," he said. "It could be fun." But I didn't want to have fun. In fact, I thought I would probably never have fun again. I waited for him to say "Good night, Pumpkin." But all he said was "See you tomorrow." When. I lay in bed, I found something under my pillow . It was an envelope. I opened it and pulled out a picture of a pumpkin. It was not even close to Halloween. I turned the picture over and saw the words "Good night". I held the picture to my face and thought of Dad. Then I opened my top drawer, pulled out my favorite swimsuit and put it on my desk. . Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? A. The writer didn't like swimming at all. B. The writer' s father bought a new truck this morning. C. The writer's father lived in another town. D. The writer had a good time with her father yesterday. Answer: D. The writer had a good time with her father yesterday. Bobbi Kristina Brown's family has been gathered around her since she was hospitalized on Saturday after being found unconscious in the bathtub of her suburban Atlanta townhome. Whitney Houston's only child is now at Emory University Hospital and is still fighting for her life, as a family statement said on Monday. Nothing has changed, despite reports that are popping up and painting a more serious picture. Fox News reported Wednesday that the situation is horrific. "It's now a matter of when the family wants to let go and accept that she's pretty much not going to make it," a source told FOX411. "They've left it up to the family as to how long they want to keep her alive." People Magazine is also reporting that a doctor told Brown's family on Wednesday that nothing more could be done. "Everyone is coming to the hospital to say goodbye," said a family member. And the Daily Mail says Brown has been taken off life support. But Bobby Brown issued a statement late Thursday denying these reports. "If we issued a statement every time the media published a false report regarding this matter, that's all we would be doing 24 hours a day. This is false, just as is the vast majority of the other reporting that is currently taking place," he said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. A source close to the family tells USA TODAY that it's wrong to say the family is gathering to say goodbye, because the family has been there since the beginning, so nothing is any different today for them. Also, Brown is "not brain dead," as has been reported. And, as for other stories saying that the Houston family is feuding with Bobbi Kristina's dad, Bobby Brown? Those aren't true either. They "are NOT fighting," says our source. Bobby Brown holds the opinion that _ . A. they are busy issuing statements all day B. the family is saying goodbye to Kristina C. he is getting along well with the Houston family D. most journalists are getting the wrong end of the stick. Answer: D. most journalists are getting the wrong end of the stick. If practicing an attitude of gratitude during the storms of life is too much for you right now, that's OK. When things are tough, most people have a hard time being thankful. They're so caught up in what's wrong in the present moment that they simply can't see some things are still right. If that's true for you, then accept it. You're going through a particularly difficult or unhappy period of time, and you don't like it one bit. Very normal, very human. But remember this: there is always something to be grateful for. It maybe only a small comfort right now, but it is a start. Make a list of some of the terrible things that didn't happen. For example: You're in debt...but you're not homeless. You lost your job...but you didn't lose your health. You broke your leg...but you didn't break your neck. Your mother has Alzheimer's disease...but your father doesn't. No matter how bad things are, they could always be worse. Start finding gratitude for what might have happened, but didn't. It does help a lot. Of course, you may not be thankful for everything-- but you can always be thankful for something. The passage is intended for those who _ . A. have done a lot for others B. have met with difficulties in life C. have something to do in return D. don't know how to be thankful Answer: B. have met with difficulties in life A thermal insulator slows the transfer of what? A. warmness B. light C. energy D. liquid Answer: A. warmness
Joe,31,has spent nearly three years in a prison in Douglas, South Africa, counting the days in prison for house breaking. Joe made bad friends, who were always talking about stealing. Later, Joe did things bad. "I want to be a bright, bright star. I want people, when they hear me, to see the darkness a little less." The first seven months in prison he thought about "everything".Then he started to write songs." I started to put my feelings into words," said Joe. Aron Turest-Swartz, Freshly Ground's founder, noticed Joe's music." I was really shocked because I hadn't heard a voice like that before,"he said. Turest-Swartz visited Joe and listened to some of the 40 songs he had written in prison, and came up with the idea of recording an album there. When Joe was 13, his family was very poor: his sister would tell him that she had a headache because of no enough food, but there was nothing to give her. Joe made bad friends, who were always talking about stealing. Later, Joe did things bad. Finally, he was put behind bars. Prison could have broken him: he couldn't even see his family members buried. His father died when he was in prison. So did Joe's 18-month-old daughter. Before prison, he'd seen her in the hospital. Joe felt broken when she died. But he marked the time of his rebirth--his decision to be a better man--from that moment." I decided to be myself. So I started behaving like a gentleman,"he said. On December 13,2010,the album he recorded in prison was timed for release ( ).He was set free for good behavior after two years and 10 months. That afternoon, Joe gave a concert at the prison to celebrate his freedom and his CD, Crazy Life. Joe got into a crowd favorite. Joe's songs are very attractive because . Answer: "The Heart of the Matter," the newly-released report by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS), deserves praise for attaching the importance of the humanities and social sciences to the prosperity and security of liberal democracy in America. Regrettably, however, the report's failure to address the true nature of the crisis facing liberal education may cause more harm than good. In 2010, leading congressional Democrats and Republicans sent letters to the AAAS asking that it identify actions that could be taken by federal states and local governments, universities, foundations, educators, individual benefactors and others to maintain national excellence in humanities and social scientific scholarship and education. In response, the AAAS formed the Committee on the Humanities and Social Sciences. Among the Committee's 51 members are top-university presidents, scholars, lawyers, judges, and business executives, as well as distinguished figures from diplomacy, filmmaking, music and journalism. The goals identified in the report are generally admirable. Because the government supports full literacy of citizens, the report stresses the study of history and government, particularly American history and American government; and encourages the use of new digital technologies. To encourage innovation and competition, the report calls for increased investment in research, the introduction of a series of curricula that improve students' ability to solve problems and communicate effectively in the 21st century, increased funding for teachers and the encouragement of scholars to bring their learning into practice on the great challenges of the day. The report also advocates greater study of foreign languages, international affairs and the expansion of study abroad programs. Unfortunately, despite 2 years in the making, "The Heart of the Matter" never gets to the heart of the matter: the illiberal nature of liberal education at our leading colleges and universities. The committee ignores that for several decades America's colleges and universities have produced graduates who don't know the content and character of liberal education and are thus deprived of its benefits. Sadly, the spirit of inquiry once at home on campus has been replaced by the use of the humanities and social sciences as vehicles for publicizing "progressive". Today, professors routinely treat the progressive interpretation of history and progressive public policy as the proper subject of study while portraying conservative or classical liberal ideas--such as free markets and self-reliance--as falling outside the boundaries of routine, and sometimes legal intellectual investigation. The AAAS displays great enthusiasm for liberal education. Yet its report may well hold back reform by obscuring the depth and breadth of the challenge that Congress asked it to clarify. Which one of the following statements about what the AAAS plan suggests is true ? Answer: Prescott sued Doxie for fraud. After verdict for Prescott, Doxie talked with juror Wall about the trial. Doxie's motion for a new trial would be most likely granted if Wall is willing to testify that he voted for Prescott because he Answer: I'm a Chinese student studying in Canada. I have been a boarder with the Carsons for more than a year and a half. The Carsons live in their own house, which has four bedrooms including the one in the basement which I live in. Judy does all the work in the house and Andrew is responsible for the work in the garden. When they go out in they evening, they often ask me to look after their children. Judy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Morris, lived in another city. Judy was their only child and naturally they doted on Judy's children. They often sent the children presents. Last April Mr. Morris died. Now that Mrs. Morris was quite alone, I expected that Judy would want her to come and live with them. One day, Margaret, Judy's daughter, told me grandma was coming to live with them and her daddy and mummy would want my room back. The news didn't surprise me and the next day I went to Judy and asked her about it. I said I couldn't think of living in their basement room any longer if it was needed for Mrs. Morris. Judy seemed surprised at first. Then she told me there was no deed for me to move, for they hadn't yet come to any decision about her mother coming to live with them. "Naturally I'm worried about my mother. She has been in poor health." She smiled sadly and added. "To be honest, Andrew and my mother have never got on well. We'll wait a bit and see what happens. Perhaps Mohter will be all right living herself, or perhaps they will both change their minds." That was six months ago. During this time I've heard that Mrs. Morris has had two illnesses and that her health has got worse. A nursing home was mentioned once but Mrs. Morris refused to go there. So up to now she's still living alone and I'm still living in the basement room. What is the relationship between the speaker and the Carsons? Answer: Beijing (Xinhua): When she appeared on stage, singing a Japanese song, hundreds of excited teenagers crowded around shouting, "Curarpikt !Its Curarpikt!" At the Beijing Comic and Animation Expo last week, that's exactly who Shi Jia was. The Senior 1 girl was cosplaying "Curarpikt", a character from the popular Japanese comic book Hunter X Hunter (<<>> ) by Yoshihiro Togashi. "I cosplay Curarpikt because I like him," said the pretty 15-year-old girl. "I'm moved by his sad story and I'm attracted by his courage and personality." In the adventure comic story, Curarpikt, a handsome and kind-hearted boy, struggles to become a hunter so he can capture the people who killed his tribe. Shi has read all the comic books and is a big fan of the animated series of Hunter X Hunter. Then last year she saw a real "Curarpikt" in a cosplay show. "I had watched cosplay shows before but only for fun," she explained. "It's really exciting to see young people wearing the make up and costumes of characters that you've read about and are familiar with." "But that time I just fell in love with cosplaying, probably because I like Curarpikt so much. I thought I could play the character better, so I decided to have a go." Shi bought some cloth and asked a tailor to make a Curarpikt costume for her. She was delighted to find out there was a cosplay show in Beijing in October. "It's a great way to spend the national holiday. Posing on the stage for all the comic book fans, I knew I was doing something I had always wanted to do," she said. But she never talks about her hobby with her parents. "They think it will distract me from my studies. I don't want to upset them, that's my secret hobby," she said. "It's also why I don't dye my hair for cosplaying like all the others." What's cosplay according to the passage? Answer:
A circuit is parallel when more than one pathway has flowing what? Answer: zapping energy With the Indian economy predicted to grow by 7.5 percent this year, experts say it could be time for Western CEOs to learn some lessons from Indian CEOs.The key differences between Indian and Western bosses are: Social purpose One of the most important things is that Indian leaders lead with a sense of social purpose.Every leader in India gave a specific social purpose as being the goal of their business.Those purposes ranged from improving healthcare to getting cell phones to people who didn't have access to communication tools.Having a social purpose motivates workers. Invest in employees Indian firms invest an enormous amount in their employees' training and development.IT firms typically offer 60 days of formal training for newly hired workers and they even spend months training experienced workers.A study said that Western firms have largely abandoned investing in employees, seeing it as a waste if they quit.But Indian bosses believe that investing in employees ensures the quality of those who stay at the company. Take the long view Indian bosses stress far less on shareholders than it is typical at Western business.As a result they're more able to take a long-term view.Western companies can't just ignore their shareholders, but their CEOs can do more to protect their -employees from short-term financial pressures, letting them get on with their jobs. Work fromtheir strengths Western companies often think about strategy in terms of chasing customers or pursuing market opportunities, but Indian firms will more often start by identifying their strengths and customers' needs, and then try to meet those needs. Act as a role model Being a personal role model for their employees is an amazing thing for a CEO.If Western bosses could think of themselves as role models, it would have a real impact on their workers. Indian CEOs use their sense of social purpose to _ . Answer: motivate and encourage their employees On June 11th, 2013, China sent up her tenth spaceship Shenzhou X into space successfully. And three astronauts went together with it. They were Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping. Here is some information about the three astronauts. Nie Haisheng was born in September, 1964. He is from Xiangyang, Hubei. After graduating from high school, he joined the PLA Air Force, and became a fighter pilot. In 1998, he was chosen for the astronaut program. He carried out Shenzhou VI with Fei Junlong in 2005. In 2013, he flew into space for his second time with Shenzhou X. He is the commander of this mission. Zhang Xiaoguang is from Jinzhou, Liaoning Province. He was born in May, 1966. Zhang joined the army in June 1985. In January 1998, Zhang was trained as one of China's first batch of astronauts. Before he was trained as an astronaut, Zhang was a senior pilot. It's reported that Zhang Xiaoguang is very humor and likes playing jokes very much. After Liu Yang, Wang Yaping is the second woman astronaut in China. She was born in 1980 in Yantai, Shangdong. Wang Yaping joined the PLA in 1997. In 2010, Wang became a member of the second batch of Chinese astronauts and was chosen to the crew of the Shenzhou X space mission in April, 2013. Wang is China's first astronaut to give lectures to middle and elementary school students while in space. How old is Zhang Xiaoguang in 2013? Answer: 47 A study now lends support to the idea that meal-time distractions can mask the clues that we really have eaten quite enough. Moreover, it finds, the caloric fallout of not paying attention to what we're eating doesn't necessarily end when a meal is over. Rose Cooperfrom England, and her colleagues gathered 22 men and an equal number of women for an experiment. Each person dined alone, continuously receiving nine small shares of food items. These ranged from cheese twists and potato chips to carrots, cherry tomatoes and sandwiches or sausage rolls. Because the goal was to test the potential impacts of distraction on fullness, the researchers randomly assigned half of the participants to eat in front of a computer--and to gain as many wins as possible at the "card" game. Everyone else was told to focus on the sensory qualities of their meal. According to their instructions, the participants ate all of the food given to them. Yet people who played a computer game during lunch found their meal less filling than the mindful eaters had. Game players also swallow down twice as many cookies, almost an hour later, when they were allowed all the dessert they wanted (in the name of a taste test). The British scientists present their findings in the February American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The real question is why distracted eating should impact snacking. It appears, the scientists say, that memory plays some tricky role in how we register what we eat and the degree to which it satisfies. Interestingly, eight years ago, Britta Barkeling of Huddinge University in Stockholm and her colleaguesreportedsomewhat related findings. Their 18 overweight subjects had no choice other than to get rid of everything but lunch, on one day--because they were blindfolded. Compared to a day when they could view what they were dining on, these people consumed only three quarters as many calories. Yet even hours afterward, they reported being no less full than on the day they had been able to see their plates. Of course dining in the dark isn't practical. And sometimes what we eat doesn't really invite our attention. But there is certainly a growing mountain of data indicating that mindless eating is a waste of resources, a risk to our waistlines--and a costly threat to health. Rose Cooper and her colleagues did the experiment in order to _ . Answer: find possible effects of distraction on fullness 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 did the police and the doctors get into the house? _ Answer: They broke the door open.

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