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It's that time of year again. The lead-up to everyone's favorite holiday -- Christmas! Usually Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day all the stores open early and offer the best discounts to their customers. Interestingly, people push to buy the cheapest products, just a few hours after giving thanks for the things they have. Usually televisions and laptops are the most popular products on Black Friday. People are willing to wait for hours for their favorite stores to open because they want very much to get the items they need. This year I decided to go out and grab a bargain at one of these sales, just to see what it is like. After a delicious Thanksgiving meal, I drove to the mall around half an hour before the stores opened. Already there were people lining up and waiting outside. Some had even prepared themselves with tents and hot chocolate to stay warm in the cold weather. I entered the store, but I wasn't looking for anything specific. I just walked around the store checking out the prices. I bought some cheap clothes, while other people were _ their shopping carts with tons of different items. Some people come to the Black Friday sales for the products, and others come to enjoy the experience. However, some stores can be a little dangerous during Black Friday. Every year there are always some cases of people fighting over the small number of goods. This year Wal-Mart learned its lesson and made the sales last longer. They made sure customers came for the first hour, got what they wanted and then left quickly. What products sell best on Black Friday? Nowadays, with the busy working hours, parents have no time left to spend with their children. However, spending time with children is of extreme importance. Giving some time for children will play an important role in their development. Therefore, it is a must for parents to spend time with children. Here are some tips for parents which will help them spend time with their little wonder. Having Dinner with Children Even if you are not there at home for a whole day, you should make sure that you have dinner with your children. Moreover, you should make it a point that you are having dinner with your entire family. Also, you should avoid watching TV when you are having dinner with your family. Helping Child Comlete Homework Helping your child complete homework will help you know how he/she is at studies. It is not that you have to spend hours regularly helping your child with homework. But, sometimes you can help your child solve some questions. In this way, you will get to spend time with your child as well as get to know about his or her studies. Fun Activities During weekends you can _ your child in fun activities like gardening, painting etc. However, do not force your child to do so. You can also spend some time in teaching your child finger painting, vegetable painting and craft work. You may even help your child complete his or her art and craft assignments. These activities will help you improve creativity of your child as well as the interaction between you and your child. The passage is mainly about _ . I have nothing to say about whether or not "A Day Without Immigrants " had a positive or negative effect on the question of how the federal government should deal with the huge population of undocumented illegal immigrants in this country. I'll leave that question to others. Regardless of how you feel about the event, one conclusion is obvious. Using the theme of "A Day Without" as a way to focus national attention on a particular subject is a great idea, and could serve as a method for increasing public consciousness about other issues that affect daily life in America. Here are my top three examples: "A Day Without Speeding." How hard could this be? If all drivers would strictly obey every posted speed limit on highways, downtown, on neighborhood streets, and in parking lots for one 24-hour cycle, the benefits would be huge. "A Day Without Losing Your Temper." A higher degree of difficulty here, and I know that from personal experience. When something goes wrong at home or on the job, there may be brief satisfaction in yelling or kicking the furniture, but bursting into anger usually has nothing to do with the approach to the heart of the matter. "A Day Without Having All The Answers." I would like to get a break from hearing anyone speak the phrase, "Here's what you're doing wrong." Right now the US is packed with citizens who believe they can point out the cause of every single problem in existence and then solve it in a moment. I believe they need to be quiet sometimes and use their ears instead of their voices. I wonder how would average Americans react to such a national pause? Would it be a day of reaction against anger, or joyful celebrations? According to the author, losing one's temper is _ . You cannot find a better way to enjoy Scottish traditions than going fishing and tasting a little bit of whisky at a quiet place like the Inverlochy Castle. When Queen Victoria visited the castle in 1873, she wrote in her diary, "I never saw a lovelier spot ," And she didn't even go fishing. Scotland is not easily defined. In certain moments, this quiet land of lakes and grasses and mountains changes before your very eyes. When evening gently sweeps the hillside into orange light ,the rivers, teeming with fish, can turn into streams of gold . As you settle down with just a fishing pole and a basket on the bank of River Orchy, near the Inverlochy castle , any frustration will float away as gently as the circling water. It's just you and purple , pink ,white flowers, seeking a perfect harmony . If you are a new comer to fishing, learning the basics from a fishing guide may leave you with a lifetime's fun. For many, fishing is more than a sport, it is an art. Scotland offers interesting place where you can rest after a long day's fishing. Set against a wild mountain and hidden behind woodland , the beautiful Inverlochy Castle Hotel below the Nevis is a perfect place to see the beauty of Scotland's mountains . Ben Nevis is the highest of all British mountains , and reaching its 1342-metre top is a challenge . But it's not just what goes up that matters; what comes down is unique . More than 900 metres high, on the mountain's north face, lies an all-important source of pure water. Its name comes form the Gaelic language "usqueb" or "water of life", and it is the single most important ingredient in Scotland's best-known drink: whisky. Queen Victoria's story wants to tell us that _ . Dear sir, I read your story (of the 4thFebruary) about the cost of living in the country rather than in the town, and I agree with most of your opinions.My husband and I lived in the middle of Horlton until two years ago a seaside town of nearly five hundred thousand people.When my husband stopped working, we moved to our present house in a small village at the foot of Roland Hill, and there is no doubt that our costs are higher now. I have to do my shopping in small shops, where the food is more expensive than in city supermarkets; it costs more to travel by bus; and because the men who come to mend the television or the washing-machine, have to come further, we have to pay them more. But it does not cost us much to enjoy what is beautiful in the country; and peace and quiet are cheap.It takes many people a lot of time and money to drive into the country to enjoy the simple things of life; yet we can enjoy them just by going out of the front door.It costs more to live here than it did in Horlton, but now life really is worth living. Yours faithfully, Edith Randall (Mrs) Horlton was _ .
Question: On October 12, 1987, some Chinese scientists were working at the computers to look for information they needed. Suddenly they saw a lot of very bright spots( )crossing the computers' screens. At the same time the computers were working much slower. To find out what was happening they stopped their work to check some parts of the computers. To their horror , they found out that most of their stored information was got rid of( ) by computer viruses! Obviously all these computers had been infected( ) by computer viruses. It is said that the computer viruses were made by a group of young man fond of playing tricks. They all had excellent education. They created the viruses just to show their intelligence. These kinds of computer viruses are named Jerusalem( )Viruses. These viruses can stay in computers for a long time. When the time comes they will attack the computers by lowering the function , damaging their normal programs or even getting rid of all the information. We now come to know that Jerusalem Viruses often attack computers on Fridays and that they are spreading to a list of computers. Among the countries that suffering computer viruses are Britain, Australia, Switzerland and the U.S. But till now, how to get rid of the terrible remains a problem. According to the passage, which of the following is true? A. Four countries found their computers were infected by viruses. B. The viruses will come to a new computer after staying in the old one for some time C. The Jerusalem Viruses are a great harm to human health. D. Scientists are trying to find a way to get rid of the viruses Answer: D. Scientists are trying to find a way to get rid of the viruses Question: Which of the following is true? A. lemonade can be heated to form water B. lemonade can be cooled to form steam C. lemonade can be heated to form steam D. water can be cooled to form steam Answer: C. lemonade can be heated to form steam Question: Dear Mr. Plant, I am an enthusiastic camper and longtime X-Ports customer, but after being offended for the third time at your Sierra Vista location, I am writing to complain about your impolite employees. Several months ago ,I bought a tent that leaked the first time I used it and wanted it replaced . When I took it back, your employees accused me of tearing it myself. I left not only withm1, torn tent, but no refund and no satisfaction. A couple of weeks ago , I bought a sleeping bag that was supposed to sleep two people comfort-ably. It didn't. Your employees refused to give me my money back even though I had the receipt. I was asked to leave the store, again with no satisfaction. To my misfortune, my latest purchase , of a piece of camping equipment at your store proyed to be another disappointment. The propane camp stove I bought didn't work properly. When I returned to exchange it, the rude clerk refused to help me because I did not have my sales receipt. It was an even exchange! He said that I was a problem and even asked if I had seen what products I-could purchase at one of your competitor's stores at comparable prices. Was he accusing me of something? Why would I have brought a receipt for an even exchange? Why would I know the price at other stores? Furthermore, the clerk called security and forced me to leave your store-without my camp stove! How can I go camping now? The tent leaks, the sleeping bag is just wrong, and I don't have a stove to keep warm ! Who is going to refund my money for my stove? Who is going to help me get over the abuse I suffered in your store? You, as the area manager must clear these matters up for me immediately! I am sending copies of this letter to your main office and the Sierra Vista Store. Sincerely , Ima Kumpanee The letter was written to _ . A. apply for a job in the store B. complain about poor service C. introduce some camping equipment D. provide someone with information Answer: B. complain about poor service Question: A proverb says "Time is money." But in my opinion , time is even more precious 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. The time we can use is limited . Therefore, even an hour is extremely precious. We should _ our time to do useful things. As students we must put more efforts into our lessons so as to serve society and our nation in the future. But it is a pity that there are a lot of people who do not know the importance of time. They spend their precious time smoking, drinking and chatting. They do not realize that wasting time is equal , we should form the good habit of saving time. Do not put off what can be done today until tomorrow. Which is the best example to make full use of time? A. Putting off what can be done today for next day. B. Putting some precious time away. C. Devoting our efforts into our work at the moment. D. Putting some time into our work. Answer: C. Devoting our efforts into our work at the moment. Question: Have you ever seen snow? Many people in the world have not. Some countries never have snow; some have only a little on the tops of very high mountains. In the north of England, there is quite a lot of snow every winter, but in the south of England, there is usually little. When a student from a warm country comes to England in autumn for the first time, he feels cold at first. There are often dark clouds, grey sky and cold rain in England in autumn, and most students from warm countries do not like this. But snow is different. Though it is cold, it is also beautiful. Perhaps, after several dark mornings, the student wakes up one day, and there is a lot of light in his room. He thinks "Is it so late?" and jumps out of bed. But no, it is not very late. He looks out of the window and there is the snow on the ground and on the houses and everywhere. The light of his room comes from clean, beautiful snow. Which of the following statements is true? A. Every country in the world has snow in winter. B. Foreign students like the weather in England. C. It is often very warm in the autumn of England. D. Many people in the world haven't seen snow. Answer: D. Many people in the world haven't seen snow.
Lee's mother Sun became unexpectedly pregnant while married to a disabled man. Doctors told her that because of a medication she had been taking her child would not be normal. She chose to continue with the pregnancy and in 1985 in Seoul, South Korea, little Hee Ah Lee was born with only two fingers on each hand, disfigurement of her legs, and slight brain injury. The hospital told Sun that she could not care for the child at home and her relatives wanted her to place the child for adoption in a foreign country. Sun, however, thought her baby would live a successful life. When Lee was a pre-schooler, Sun wanted her daughter to take piano lessons for two reasons. One was that she felt it would help her strengthen her hands so she could hold a pencil. The other was that she felt that if she could master the piano, she could master anything. For six months piano schools turned them down and then the one teacher who did accept the task got discouraged and wanted to quit. It was a three-month contest of wills between mother and daughter that led to a conflict in which Sun actually threw her daughter on the floor in frustration. But Lee got back up on the piano bench and for the first time played a children's song. That was the turning point and one year later Lee won the grand prize in a piano concert for Kindergartners. It was at the age of 7 that Lee won Korea's 19th National Handicap Conquest Contest and was presented with her award by the President of Korea. Lee has won numerous awards, and is a widely traveled concert pianist with more than 200 appearances. Her first album titled "Hee-ah, a Pianist with Four Fingers" was released in June, 2008. Lee speaks highly of her mother for challenging her to master the piano and said that although her training was difficult, "As time went by, the piano became my source of inspiration and my best friend." Which of the following can best describe Sun? Please come to meet a family from Canada. The girl's name is Wendy. Her family are in China now. Her father and mother work in Shanghai. Wendy's father is an office worker and her mother teaches English in a school. Wendy has two brothers but no sisters. They are all students but they are in different school. She is in Grade Eight and her brothers are in Grade Six. They love their schools. Wendy usually goes to school with her brothers _ . Sometimes their father takes them in his car. In the afternoon, they have lunch at school.They like to play with their classmates. And they often help each other. Wendy's family lives in _ now. One year, a college in the Unites States announced that it would offer a lot of money for the pure white marigold . The high reward attracted so many people, but in the nature, besides golden, the marigold is brown, and it is not easy to get the white one. So after they were excited for a time, many people had forgotten the announcement. One normal day after 20 years, the college received a letter and 100 seeds of pure white marigold. It turned out to be an old woman of over 70 years old. Some experts in the college doubted it , but in order not to let her down, those seeds finally took root in the earth. The miracle appeared after one year: the field was covered by pure white marigold. Therefore, the old woman who was always unknown to the public became a new _ . The old woman was a flower-lover. When she read the announcement 20 years ago, she got very excited like others. But her right children were totally against her decision. After all, a woman who never knew the seed genetics couldn't complete what the experts could never do, so her thought was only a day dream. Still, the old woman didn't change her mind and went on working. She planted some of the most common seeds and took good care of them. A year later, when the marigold came out, she chose one faintest from those golden and brown flowers and get the best seed. The next year, she again grew them and chose.... Day after day, year after year, through many seasons, the old woman's husband died, her children flew far and high, a lot of things happened in her life, but only the desire to grow the pure white marigold took root in her heart. Finally, after 20 years on the day we all know, in the garden she saw a marigold which was not nearly white, but as white as sliver or snow. A problem even experts couldn't deal with was solved by an old woman who didn't understand genetics. Wasn't it a miracle? To take root in the heart, even the most common seed can grow into a miracle! The passage mainly talks about _ . At 21,Ricardo Semler became boss of his father's business in Brazil,Semco,which sold parts for ships. Semler Junior worked like a mad man,from 7:30 am,until midnight every day. One afternoon,while touring a factory in New York,he broke down. The doctor who treated him said,"There's nothing wrong with you. But if you continue like this, you'll find a new home in our hospital. "Semler got the message. He changed the way he worked. In fact,he changed the ways his employees worked too. He let his workers take more responsibility so that they would be the ones worrying when things went wrong. He allowed them to set their own salaries,and he cut all the jobs he thought were unnecessary,like receptionists and secretaries. This saved money and brought more equality to the company. "Everyone at Semco,even top managers,meets guests in reception,does the photocopying,sends faxes,types letters and dials the phone." He completely reorganized the office:instead of walls,they have plants at Semco,so bosses can't shut themselves away from everyone else. And the workers are free to decorate their workspace as they want. As for uniforms,some people wear suits and others wear T-shirts. Semco has flexible working hours:the employees decide when they need to arrive at work. Also,Semco lets its workers use the company's machines for their own projects,and makes them take holidays for at least thirty days a year. It sounds perfect,but does it work? The answer is in the numbers:in the last six years,Semco's revenues have gone from $35 million to $212 million. The company has grown from eight hundred employees to 3,000. Why? Semler says it's because of "peer pressure". Peer pressure makes employees work hard for everyone else. If someone isn't doing his job well,the other workers will not allow the situation to continue. In other words,Ricardo Semler treats his workers like adults rather than children, and expects them to act like responsible adults. And they do. Why did Semler change the way he and his employees worked? Which example shows a new substance being formed?
The 87thAcademy Award nominations were announced on Jan 15, and The Grand Budapest Hotel stood out as a favorite with nine nominations, including Best Picture. Check out some other Best Picture nominees to see if you missed any of last year's top Hollywood films. The Imitation Game This historical thriller is about British computer scientist, Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), the father of artificial intelligence. At the start of World War II, Turing was asked to join a select team of mathematical geniuses to decode the system the Nazis used to send military messages. Besides the actual breaking of the code, Cumberbatch's portrayal of Turing's personality, a mixture of decency and shyness, is also a highlight of the movie. Birdman This dark comedy film is about how Riggan Thomson, a faded star once famous for his superhero roles, struggles to regain fame. American actor Michael Keaton, 63, who has a similar experience to Thomson's, plays the leading role. Selma A stellar cast including talk show queen Oprah Winfrey may be one reason to see Selma. But that the film focuses on Martin Luther King Jr.'s struggle for civil rights also makes it worth viewing. Based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches, the film is a chronicle of King's (David Oyelowo) campaign for political rights for African-American people. The Theory of Everything We know English theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking for his significant scientific discoveries, especially his black hole theories. This biographical film reveals the scientist's (played by Eddie Redmayne) secret romantic relationship with Jane Hawking (Felicity Jones), whom he meets and falls in love with at Cambridge and who later becomes his first wife. Boyhood American Director Richard Linklater did an experiment in this film, using the same cast for 12 years to record a boy's growth. In two and a half hours, we see Mason, a Texas boy from a divorced family, grow from 6-year-old boy to a freshman in college. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text? A Michael Keaton became famous overnight after starring in the movie Birdman. B Alan Turing is a talented and outgoing man in The Imitation Game. C Selma is the story of Martin Luther King Jr.'s fight for voting rights for African-Americans. D The Theory of Everything is about how Stephen Hawking discovered his black hole theories. Answer: C As the use of alt bio fuels increases, the use of what will decrease? A wind power B solar heat C hydro-electric power D non regenerating fuels Answer: D When you are visiting New York City with kids,there are numerous things to do which 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 sparks a lot of giggles. 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 at the opposite end will be able to hear every word that was said. E.42nd St. New York,NY 10017 2127715322 grandcentralterminal.com 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 feeling to kids. They can enter the Fossil Halls and take in the impressive dinosaur skeletons. And the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life educates kids on the fragility of the ocean. Central Park West at 79th St. New York,NY,10024 212--769--5606 amnh.org The Scholastic Store Most parents want their children to read,and moreover,to enjoy reading. The Scholastic Store helps to make that wish a reality by publishing engaging,well written stories that appeal to children. With classics such as Clifford the Big Red Dog,The Magic School Bus,and Harry Potter,the Scholastic Store will delight your children. 557 Broadway New York,10012 212--343--6100 scholastic.com Ellen's Stardust Diner The restaurant is a place where each person in your family can find something to eat .At Ellen's Stardust Diner,a diverse menu will whet everyone's appetite. Arugula salads,grilled cheese,burgers and meatloaf are all on this varied menu. The hall of beauty queens,a drive-in theatre and wait staff that sing to you can add to the unique dining experience. 1650 Broadway,corner of 51st St. New York,NY 10019 *2129565151 ellensstardustdiner.com You would like to get your children interested in reading so you can bring them to visit _ . A the Whispering Gallery B the Scholastic Store C Ellen's Stardust Diner D American Museum of Natural History Answer: B If you are lucky enough, you may find the hummingbird , the smallest bird of the animal world, in a south American forest. Though the hummingbird is no bigger than a bee and weighs only 2 to 3 grams, it can fly as fast as 50 meters in a second. It can fly forwards as most birds do, and it can fly backwards as well. The strangest thing about it, however, is that it can stay still in the air, just like a _ . Whenever a hummingbird needs food, it will fly slowly towards a flower. It won't stand on the flower, as bees do, but just hangs to the flower and then begins to sunk the honey from inside the flower with its needle-like beak. The hummingbird is very particular in building its nest . It takes great trouble to choose materials. It likes soft ones better than hard ones. Its eggs are so small that a common match box can hold as many as one hundred of them. Most of the hummingbirds live in a(n) _ forest. A north American B south Asian C north Asian D south American Answer: D I stood outside New York's Madison Square Garden and just stared, almost speechless. I was a farm boy from County Kilkenny, a child who some thought would never walk, let alone go as far as I had in the world. From the day I was born, there was a problem. The doctors at the Dublin hospital told my parents I had phocomelia, a _ that affected both legs below the knee, which were outward and shorter than normal and each foot had just three toes. Life was tough. I couldn't stand, much less walk. I rarely, left the farmhouse---and then only in someone's arms. Mam bundled me up whenever she took me to town, no matter the season. "The world will see him when he can walk," she told Dad. "And he will walk." Mam devoted herself to helping me. She tried everything to get me on my feet. When I was three, she and Dad took me to a clinic in Dublin. A few weeks later we returned to Dublin with my artificial limbs . Back home I practiced walking with my new limbs. "There's nothing anyone can do but you can't," Mam said. "You and I are going to walk through town." The next day Mam dressed me in my finest clothes. She wore a summer dress and fixed her hair and makeup. Dad drove us to the church. We stepped out of the car. Mam took my hand. "Hold your head up high, now, Ronan," she said. We walked 300 meters to the post office. It was the farthest I'd walked, and I was sweating from the effort. Then we left the post office and continued down the street, Mam's eyes shining with a mother's pride. That night, back on our farm, I lay exhausted on my bed. It meant nothing, though, compared to what I'd done on my walk. Then I began to pursue my dream of singing. And at every step Mam's words came back to me--Ronan, you can do anything anyone else can do--and the faith she had in God, who would help me do it. I've sung from the grandest stages in Europe, to music played by the world's finest musicians. That night, I stood at the Madison Square Garden, with Mam's words chiming in my ears. Then I began singing. I couldn't feel the pulse of the music in my feet, but I felt it deep in my heart, the same place where Mam's promise lived. From the story we may conclude that his mother was _ . A determined B stubborn C generous D distinguished Answer: A
Everyone has got two personalities --the one that is shown to the world and the other that is secret and real . You don't show your secret personality when you're awake because you can control your behavior , but when you're asleep , your sleeping position shows the real you . In a normal night , of course , people frequently change their position . The important position is the one that you go to sleep in . If you go to sleep in your back , you're a very open person ,. You normally trust people and you are easily influenced by fashion or new ideas . You don't like to upset people , so you never express your real feeling . If you sleep on your stomach , you are a rather secretive person . You worry a lot and you're always easily upset . You're very stubborn , but you aren't very ambitious . You usually live for today not for tomorrow . This means that you enjoy having a good time . If you sleep curled up , you are probably a very nervous person . You have a low opinion of yourself so you're often defensive . You're shy and you don't normally like meeting people. You prefer to be on your own . you're easily hurt . If you sleep on your side , you have usually got a well-balanced personality . You know your strengths and weakness . You're usually careful . You have a confident personality . You sometimes feel anxious, but you don't often get depressed . You always say what you think even if it makes people angry . According to the writer, you naturally show your secret and real personality only when you _ . Different people use different languages. We Chinese speak Chinese, and, most of us are learning a foreign language. But there is another kind of language we need to know --- the language of the body. All over the world, people "talk with their hand, with their heads and with their eyes." When Japanese people meet, they bow. When Indians meet, they put their hands together. What do American and British do? Americans are more imformal than the British. They like to be friendly. They use first names, they ask questions and they talk easily about themselves. When they sit down, they like to relax in their chairs and make themselves comfortable. British people are more reserved . They take more time to make friends. They like to know you before they ask your name. When British or American people meet someone for the first time, they shake hands. They do not usually shake hands with people they know well. Women sometimes kiss their women friends, and men kiss women friends (on one cheek only). When a man meets a man, he just smiles, and says, "Hello." Men do not kiss each other, or hold hands. Even fathers and sons do not often kiss each other. Generally speaking, _ kiss more often. 1826, a Frenchman named Niepce needed pictures for his business .But he was not a good artist.So he invented a very simple camera .He put it in a window of his house and took a picture of his garden .That was the first photo. The next important date in the history of photography was 1837. That year, Daguerre, another Frenchman, took a picture of his studio. He used a new kind of camera and a different processs. In his pictures, you could see everything very clearly, even the smallest details. This kind of photograph was called a daguerreotype. Soon, other people began to use Daguerre's process. Travellers brought back daguerreotypes from all around the world. People photographed famous buildings, cities and mountains. In about 1840, the process was improved. Now photographers could take pictures of people and moving things. The process was not simple. The photographers had to carry lots of film and processing equipment. But this did not stop the photographers, especially in the United States, where from the 1840s daguerreotype artists were popular in most cities. Mathew Brady was a well-known American photographer. He took many pictures of famous people. The pictures were unusual because they were very life-like and full of personality. Brady was also the first person to take pictures of war. His 1862 Civil War pictures showed dead soldiers and ruined cities. They made the war seem more real and more terrible In the 1880s, new inventions began to change photography. Photographers could buy film readymade in rolls. So they did not have to make the film immediately. They could bring it back to their studios and develop it later, meaning that they did not have to carry lots of equipment. And finally, the invention of the small handheld camera made photography less expensive. With the small camera, anyone could be a photographer. People began to use cameras just for fun. They took pictures of their families, friends and favourite places. They called these pictures "snapshots". Photographs became very popular in newspapers in the 1890s. Soon magazines and books also used documentary photographs. These pictures showed true events and people. They were much more real than drawings. Photography had turned into a form of art by the beginning of the 20th century. Some photographs were not just copies of the real world. They showed ideas and feelings, like other art forms. The passage is mainly about _ . You may complain that there are too many tests on the way to college entrance, but an increasing number of students want to take one more. That is the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, an American test for students who intend to apply for college admission. Chen Huanlu, aged 18, from Shandong Province took part in the SAT subject tests (SAT 2) in Hong Kong on June 2. She has also been scheduled to take the SAT reasoning test (SAT 1) in October. "I hope to study environmental engineering at an American university, where I may have more opportunities to get cutting-edge knowledge in this area," said Chen. However, not all SAT test takers want to apply to American universities. "I wanted to see how I would do when faced with plenty of stress and also to evaluate my scholastic level by an American standard. The SATs made my school life more diverse," said Senior 2 student Zhou Yuxiang from Sichuan Province. Zhou, aged 17, a top student in his school, was inspired by some of his friends. They have taken this test and been admitted to American universities, including Harvard and Yale. Last winter vacation he took a 20-day SAT course at Chengdu New Oriental School. "As I prepared for the test in the following months, I was forced to balance my everyday schedule better. Fortunately I was optimistic enough to have undergone the most difficult time," he said. In May and June, Zhou flew alone to Hong Kong to sit for the SAT1 and SAT2. "They are both the standards which have been set for us to reach. What we should do more sensibly is to try harder to prepare for them. Survival of the fittest is true both in America and in China. That is something I have learnt beyond the SAT itself," he said. What can we learn about Chen Huanlu according to this passage? Whenever my dog, Barney, comes into the house after having been for a ride in the car, he runs to the pen we have set up for him by the back door. It's not something we intentionally trained him to do. The habit came simply because my husband tended to put him in his pen whenever they came in. After doing it a few times, Barney just figures that's what you do when you come inside after a car ride. It's the same with your thinking. You get into the habit of thinking a certain way and then you'll rarely question it after that. This is especially true when you were growing up. You developed habits that just made things easier for you. You probably didn't even think about them. That's just the way it was and that's what you did. Just like Barney thinks he has to go into his pen, you do things automatically as well. For example, when you were a kid, you may have been told not to "talk back" and to just keep quiet about things that were bothering you. These are habits that might have worked to keep you safe and out of trouble when you were young. Now that you're grown up, you may be finding that these previous strategies are actually causing you problems. In a relationship, not communicating isn't going to work as your partner can't read your mind. What works when you're a child may not work when you become an adult. When you decide you need to change your thoughts, your brain may at first feel that it's not a safe thing to do. Lots of practice and years of experience says it's not. Also, you don't know to question the thought. It's a truth for you. The trick is to look at your results and see if your thoughts are the cause. Be willing to question your thinking and ask yourself if there are thoughts that are hindering you. As you are now in a different phase of your life, different strategies may be needed. It can be concluded from the passage that _ .
Question: A Hard-working Student This story is about a young student. She worked very hard at her lessons. She was too busy to have a rest. At last, she became ill, and couldn't go to sleep. Every night, when she went to bed, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep. But the more she tried, the more she stayed _ . After a while she went to see a doctor, "I just can't go to sleep at night. What should I do?" "I have a suggestion ," said the doctor, "Try counting numbers. By the time you reach one thousand, you will be asleep. I'm sure of it." The next day the student returned to the doctor's office. "Well," said the doctor, "How are you today? Did you try my suggestion?" The student still looked tired. "Yes," she said, "I tried counting one, two, three...up to one thousand. But when I reached five hundred and sixty-nine, I began to feel sleepy. I had to get up and drink some coffee so that I could go on counting up to one thousand. But then I still couldn't fall asleep." ,. What did she do after she felt sleepy? A. She fell asleep. B. She stopping counting. C. She got up and drank some tea. D. She got up to have some coffee. Answer: D. She got up to have some coffee. Question: Since the beginning of time, man has been interested in the moon. The Romans designed a special day to show admiration and respect to the moon. They called it "Moonday", or "Monday", as we know it today. Later, the great mind of Leonardo da Vinci studied the moon and designed a machine to carry a human to the moon. Leonardo said that one day a great machine bird would take a person to the moon and bring great honour to the home where it was born. Four and a half centuries later, Leonardo's idea was realized. Apollo II took three Americans--Collins, Aldrin, and Armstrong--to the moon. The mission did fill the whole world with great surprise, as Leonardo had said it would. A lot of essays, articles, and books were written about man's first moon mission. But perhaps the most interesting story was one written before the event----over 100 years before. In 1865, French author Jules Verne wrote a story about the first journey to the moon. His story was very similar to the 1969 Apollo II mission. Verne's spacecraft also contained three men--two Americans and a Frenchman. The spacecraft was described as being almost the same size as Apollo II. The launch site in Verne's story was also in prefix = st1 /Florida. The spacecraft in Verne's story was named the "Columbiad". The Apollo II command ship was called "Columbia". His account of sending the spacecraft into the space could easily have been written about how Apollo II was sent into the space. Verne's story was the same as the actual event in several other respects. The speed of Verne's spacecraft was 36,000 feet per second; Apollo's was 35,533 feet per second. Verne's spacecraft took 97 hours to reach the moon; Apollo's time was 103 hours. Like Apollo's spacemen, Verne's spacemen took pictures of the moon's surface, relaxed on their seats, cooked with gas, and experienced weightlessness. They too came down in the Pacific and were picked up by an American warship. What were the reasons for Jules Verne's extreme accuracy in describing an event 100 years or more before it actually occurred? He based his writings on the law of physics and astronomy . Nineteenth-century science and the vivid Verne's imagination gave people an unbelievably accurate preview of one of the greatest events of the 20thcentury. Jules Verne wrote his story of a man's visit to the moon about _ . A. 100 years before the Apollo II mission B. 10 years before the Apollo II mission C. four and a half centuries ago D. 100 years ago Answer: A. 100 years before the Apollo II mission Question: Thousands of taxi drivers in Shenyang, Liaoning province, reportedly blocked streets with their vehicles on Sunday in protest against unlicensed vehicles using taxi-hiring apps and apps-based car rental companies providing passenger services, including high-end cars. Although the drivers also complained about the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy by the government, their main complaint was the loss of business because of the rising number of Internet-based car services companies. On Wednesday, news reports came that Beijing transport authorities will take measures to stop the illegal "taxi business" of private cars through the newly rising Internet apps, following the footsteps of Shenyang and Nanjing.[:Z#xx#k.Com] It is not yet clear how the Shenyang city government will handle the issue and whether it will declare the services offered by market leaders such as Didi Dache, a taxi-hiring app provider backed by Tencent Holdings, and Kuaidi Dache illegal. But Shanghai transport regulators have set a rule, by banning Didi Zhuanche, or car services offered by Didi Dache in December. Such regulations will cause a setback to the car-hiring companies and investors that are waiting to cash in on the potentially booming business. Just last month, Didi Dache got $700 million in funding from global investors, including Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings, Russian investment company DST Global and Tencent. Besides, the market is uncertain that Kuaidi Dache is about to finalize its latest round of funding after getting $800 million from global investors. Regulatory uncertainties, however, could cast a shadow on the future of the Internet-based car-hiring services, which have become popular in most of China's big cities. To be fair, these companies' business model is anything but bad. For example, Didi Zhuanche works side by side with established car rental companies to provide high-end car service mainly for businesspeople through the Internet and mobile phone apps. Every link in this business model chain has legal companies and services. Hence, it is hard to define it as illegal and ban it. From the passage we learn _ . A. Shenyang banned apps-based car rental companies B. Shanghai is the second city banning Didi Zhuanche C. some international investment companies have faith in the future of apps-based car rental companies D. it is easy to describe the apps-based car rental companies illegal Answer: C. some international investment companies have faith in the future of apps-based car rental companies Question: A child who has once been pleased with a tale likes, as a rule, to have it retold in almost the same words, but this should not lead parents to treat printed fairy stories as formal texts. It is always much better to tell a story than read it out of a book, and, if a parent can produce what , in the actual situation of the time and the child, is an improvement on the printed text, so much the better. A change made against fairy tales is that they harm the child by frightening him or making him sad thinking. To prove the latter, one would have to show in a controlled experiment that children who have read fairy stories were more often sorry for cruelty than those who had not. As to fears, there are, I think, some cases of children being dangerously terrified by some fairy story. Often, however, this arises from the child having heard the story once. Familiarity with the story by repetition turns the pain of fear into the pleasure of a fear faced and mastered. There also people who object to fairy stories on the grounds that they are not objectively true, that giants, witches, two-headed dragons, magic carpets, etc. do not exist; and that, instead of being fond of the strange side in fairy tales, the child should be taught to learn the reality by studying history. I find such people, I must say so peculiar that I don't know how to argue with them. If their case were sound, the world should be full of mad men attempting to fly from New York to Philadelphia on a stick or covering a telephone with kisses in the belief that it was their beloved girl-friend. No fairy story ever declared to be a description of the real world and no clever child has ever believed that it was. According to the passage, great fear can take place in a child when the story is _ . A. heard for the first time B. in a realistic setting C. repeated too often D. told in a different way Answer: A. heard for the first time Question: Hiking If you like to hike during the warm months, you'll probably like to hike in the winter. The landscape changes completely from summer to fall to winter, and the snow can make for some really beautiful photos. Be sure to bring your camera with you to capture all the awesome scenery. Because it's cold out, you also have the added benefit of not sweating too much through your clothes, and it's a great excuse to grab some hot chocolate when you finish your hike. Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing is great exercise and a great way to see the winter scenery at the same time. If you've never done cross-country skiing before, be sure to check with an expert before trying it yourself. Knowing what to expect can keep you safe and prevent an injury. Snowball fighting Everyone remembers going outside, building a snow fort ,and having snowball fights when they were kids. The fun doesn't have to stop when you're an adult! Go outside with your friends, build a fort and start throwing snowballs at each other. If you have kids, get them in on the action. Throwing snowballs is a great way to use some extra energy and can be really fun for the whole family. Bird-watching Lots of birds migrate during the winter months, and these quiet, cold hours can be a great time to see them like never before. Eagles, for example, migrate through central Illinois in February, and watching them fly through Starved Rock State Park is a breathtaking sight. Check your local parks to find out what birds you can see in your area and get out there to see them. What does the passage mainly talk about? A. Outdoor winter activities B. Popular winter sports around the world C. Fun winter activities for children D. Best ways to enjoy winter scenery. Answer: A. Outdoor winter activities
if a person used a knife to repeatedly scrape an object, what will happen? Answer: A new report says sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is melting more quickly than expected. American scientists say the ice is melting even faster than computer programs had estimated. Scientists know that climate change has a major effect on the Arctic Ocean partly because sea ice is disappearing. They also know that areas of open seawater are expanding. Such areas are known to take in sunlight and increase temperatures. Scientists say this has helped to cause the loss of the Arctic's ice cover. For the study, the American scientists compared eighteen computer programs with observations made by satellites and other instruments. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change used the computer programs to prepare its 2007 estimates of climate change. The computer programs gave estimates of the amount of ice in the Arctic Ocean in the month of September. September is when the Arctic has the least ice, after the warm, summer months. The computer estimates suggested an ice loss of two and a half percent for every ten-year period between 1953 and 2006. Newer studies of the Arctic have used information gathered by aircraft, satellites and ships. This information showed a loss of September ice cover of almost eight percent for every ten-year period between 1953 and last year. This means the ice is disappearing about thirty years faster than the computer programs estimated. The scientists say the programs might not have recognized the full effect of increased carbon dioxide and other gases in Earth's atmosphere. They say their study suggests the gases may have more of an effect than had been thought. This report mainly warns human to _ . Answer: A few years ago I asked my children's governess, Julia Vassilyevna, to come into my study. " Sit down, Julia Vassilyevna," I said."Let's settle our accounts. Although you most likely need some money, you stand on ceremony and won't ask for it yourself. Now then, we agree on thirty rubles a month..." " Forty." " No, thirty. I made a note of it. I always pay the governess thirty. Now then, you've been here two months, so..." " Two months and five days." " Exactly two months. I made a specific note of it. That means you have sixty rubles coming to you. Subtract nine Sundays... you know you didn't work with Kolya on Sundays, you only took walks. And three holidays..." Julia Vassilyevna flushed a deep red and picked at the flounce of her dress, but--- not a word. " Three holidays, therefore take off twelve rubles. Four days Kolya was sick and there were no lessons, as you were occupied only with Vanya. Three days you had a toothache and my wife gave you permission not to work after lunch. Twelve and seven---nineteen. Subtract...that leaves...hmm...forty-one rubles. Correct?" Julia Vassilyena's left eye reddened and filled with moisture. Her chin trembled; she coughed nervously and blew her nose, but---not a word. " Around New Year's you broke a teacup and saucer: take off two rubles. The cup cost more, it was an heirloom, but---let it go. When didn't I take a loss? Then, due to your neglect, Kolya climbed a tree and tore his jacket: take off ten. Also due to your heedlessness the maid stole Vanya's shoes. You ought to watch everything! You get paid for it. So, that means five more rubles off. The tenth of January I gave you ten rubles..." " You didn't " whispered Julia Vassilyevna. " But I made a note of it." " Well...all right." " Take twenty-seven from forty-one ---that leaves fourteen." Both eyes filled with tears. Perspiration appeared on the thin, pretty little nose. Poor girl! " Only once was I given any money," she said in a trembling voice, " and that was by your wife. Three rubles, nothing more." " Really? You see now, and I didn't make a note of it! Take three from fourteen... leaves eleven. Here's your money, my dear. Three , three, three, one and one. Here it is!" I handed her eleven rubles. She took them and with trembling fingers stuffed them into her pocket. " Merci," she whispered. I jumped up and started pacing the room. I was overcome with anger. " For what, this ---'merci'?" I asked. " For the money." " But you know I've cheated you, God's sake---robbed you! I have actually stolen from you! Why this 'merci'?" " In my other places they didn't give me anything at all." " They didn't give you anything? No wonder! I played a little joke on you, a cruel lesson, just to teach you ... I'm going to give you the entire eighty rubles! Here they are in an envelope all ready for you... Is it really possible to be so spineless? Why don't you protest? Why be silent? Is it possible in this world to be without teeth and claws--- to be such a nincompoop?" She smiled crookedly and I read in her expression: " It is possible." I asked her pardon for the cruel lesson and , to her great surprise, gave her the eighty rubles. She murmured her litter "merci" several times and went out. I looked after her and thought: "How easy it is to crush the weak in this world!" The employer became very angry when Julia Vassilyevna said " Merci" because _ Answer: Polluted airborne particles kill 7 million people a year, reports the World Health Organization. That news may not come as a surprise to anyone who has seen images of chimneys in Beijing, Delhi or Mexico. But those factories-or even the jammed roadways of modern cities-are not the biggest killer. Each year, some 4.3 million people die earlier than they should because of polluted air inside their homes, says the WHO. What's causing the air inside people's homes to be so poisonous that it kills around 11,000 people a day? Stoves. "Having an open fire in your kitchen is like burning 400 cigarettes an hour." says Kirk Smith, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, whose research suggests that household air pollution from cooking killed between 3.5 million and 4 million people in 2013. Not all stoves cause this kind of harm. The ones Smith's talking about are those that the 3 billion people in the developing world use for heat and cooking, which burn solid fuels such as wood, coal, or crop waste instead of gas. The smoke from those fires produces harmful fine particles and carbon monoxide into homes. Poor _ then prevents that smoke from escaping, raising fine particle levels 100 times higher than the limits that the WHO considers acceptable. Breathing this air day in day out eventually causes a lot of diseases: more than a third of the 4.3 million die of a stroke, while a quarter die of heart disease. And around one-third of annual lung disease deaths worldwide are due to waste from coal stoves. Exposure tends to be extremely harmful for the people who spend the most time around the fire-usually women and young children. In fact, the WHO reports that household air pollution almost doubles the risk for childhood lung disease. According to Kirk Smith's research, _ . Answer: There is a growing problem of what to do with electronic waste such as old televisions, computers, radios, cellular telephones and other electronic equipment. Electronic trash, or e-waste, is piling up faster than ever in American homes and businesses. People do not know what to do with old televisions or computers, so they throw them in the trash. National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) state programs director Chaz Miller says the large amount of electronic waste Americans produce is not unexpected. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates more than 400 million consumer electronic items are dumped each year, and there is a push by more states to ban the waste from landfills and create recycling programs. They can be torn apart and sorted for useable parts. Mike Fannon who runs the plant in Baltimore, says, "There are a lot of valuable metals that can be recovered and reused instead of just putting them in the landfill, and in certain components, there are some materials that should not really be in the landfill," Fannon explains. Fannon says nearly 20 percent of electronic waste is recycled nationwide. Thirteen years ago, it was only about 6 percent. Recycling rates continue to rise as more communities have banned electronics from landfills in an effort to keep e-waste poisons like lead and mercury out of garbage dumps. This year, several states like Vermont imposed a ban on electronic waste in landfills. More than 25 other states have also adopted landfill bans, e-waste recycling programs or both. Chaz Miller says more can be done to boost electronic waste recycling. "We can do much better," noted Miller. "I think clearly our goal should be to do as well as we do recycling newspapers." Which of the following does NOT belong to e-waste? Answer:
Throughout the history of the arts, the nature of creativity has remained constant to artists. No matter what objects they select, artists are to bring forth new forces and forms that cause change-to find _ where no one has ever seen or experienced it before. Landscape is another unchanging element of art. It can be found from ancient times through the 17th-century Dutch painters to the 19th-century romanticists and impressionists. In the 1970s, Alfred Leslie, one of the new American realists, continued this practice. Leslie sought out the same place where Thomas Cole, a romanticist, had produced paintings of the same scene a century and a half before. Unlike Cole who insists on a feeling of loneliness and the idea of finding peace in nature, Leslie paints what he actually sees. In his paintings, there is no particular change in emotion, and he includes ordinary things like the highway in the background. He also takes advantage of the latest developments of color photography to help both the eye and the memory when he improves his painting back in his workroom. Besides, all art begs the age-old question: What is real? Each generation of artists has shown their understanding of reality in one form or another. The impressionists saw reality in brief emotional effects, the realists in everyday subjects and in forest scenes, and the Cro-Magnon cave people in their naturalistic drawings of the animals in the ancient forests. To sum up, understanding reality is a necessary struggle for artists of all periods. Over thousands of years the function of the arts has remained relatively constant. Past or present, Eastern or Western, the arts are a basic part of our immediate experience. Many and different are the faces of art, and together they express the basic need and hope of human beings. Leslie's paintings are extraordinary because _ . Answer: Two friends were eating at the table, there was a cup of chili oil . It looked nice. The two men hadn't seen it before. One of them thought it was sweet and drank some of it. Tears ran down from his eyes. But he hoped that his friend felt the same as him. He said nothing. When the other man saw that his friend was crying, he asked, "Why are you crying, my dear friend?" "I was thinking of my father. Two years ago, when he drove out on a wet day, another car hit his car and he died. How poor he was!" Soon after that the other man took some of the chili oil. When tears started down from his eyes, his friend asked the same question, "Why are you crying, then?" "To think that you were not in the same car as your father was." Why didn't the first man tell the fact ? Answer: In a surprising result, the No. 69 Middle School girls' football team yesterday beat their school's boys' team. The boys' team often helped the girls with their training . They had never lost to the girls before, but this time the girls beat them 4 -- 3. After the game, Wu Nai, head of the boys' team, was very unhappy. "We all thought this would be an easy game," he said. "We never thought a team of girls could beat us. This is the saddest day of my life. " But Mr Hu, the boys' PE teacher, said he thought the girls should win. "The boys were too confident ," he said. "I told them before the match that they needed to play well. They all thought that girls' football was a joke. Now they know better. They didn't play carefully, and they lost." The match had started well for the boys. After 30 minutes, they were winning 2 - 0. Their best player, Lu Ming, scored in the thirtieth minute. Earlier, the mid-field player, Ma Zhengquan, had scored the first goal in only the second minute of the match. After the first half hour, the boys seemed to become too confident. At first, the girls had felt a bit nervous , but then they became more and more confident. Just before half time, Li Xiaolin made the score 2 - 1. In the second half, the boys were the first to score. It was from Lu Ming. After that the boys became lazy, but the girls kept on working hard. Hao Meiling scored in the 68th minute, to make the score 3 -- 2. Then Li Xiaolin scored twice in the last six minutes to make the last score 4-3. It was a surprising finish. The girls' PE teacher, Miss Wang, was very pleased with their work. "They were great!" She said. "I told them they could win. I told them that the most important thing was teamwork. The boys' team had some good players, but my girls were a better team!" Which of the following is right? Answer: On May 23,1989, Stefania Follini came out from a cave at Carlsbad, New Mexico. She hadn't seen the sun for eighteen and a half weeks. Stefania was in a research program, and the scientists in the program were studying body rhythms . In this experiment Stefania had spent 130 days in a cave, 30 feet in depth. During her time in the cave, Stefania had been completely alone except for two white mice. Her living place had been very comfortable, but there had been nothing to fell her the time. She'd had no clock or watches, no television or radio. There had been no natural light and the temperature had always been kept at 21degC. The results were very interesting. Stefania had been in the cave for over four months, but she thought she had been there for only two. Her body clock had changed. She hadn't kept to a 24-hour day. She had stayed awake for 20-25 hours and then had slept for 10 hours. She had eaten fewer meals and had lost 17lbs in weight as a result! She had also become rather depressed . How had she spent her time in the cave? As part of the experiment she'd done some physical and mental tests. She'd recorded her daily activities and the results of the tests on a computer. This computer had been specially programmed for the project. Whenever she was free, she'd played cards, read books and listened to music. She'd also learned French from tapes. The experiment showed that our body clocks are affected by light and temperature, For example, the pattern of day and night makes us wake up and go to sleep. However, People are affected in different ways. Some people wake up naturally at 5:00 am, but others don't start to wake up till 9:00 or 10;00 am. This affects the whole daily rhythm. As a result, the early risers are at their best in the late morning. The late risers, on the other hand, are tired during the day and only come to life in the afternoon or evening! Stefania stayed in the cave for a long time because _ . Answer: Hi, I am a Chinese boy. My name is Chen Haonan. My first name is Haonan. My last name is Chen. My English name is Dale. I like red. My telephone number is 178-267. I have a good friend. He is English. His name is Jim Smith. Jim is his first name and Smith is his last name. His Chinese name is Huang Qiang. His phone number is 362-597. What's my first name? Answer:
We went into a secondhand shop to get out of the rain. I took my 6-year-old daughter's hand and we started to walk around. Suddenly she reached out her hand to touch a pair of shiny black shoes. "Buy for me?" she asked. "Oh, Sweetie, they are tap dancing shoes. You aren't taking tap dance." "Buy for me?" she repeated. "Well, let's try them on." She sat on the floor and took off her bright pink rain boots. When she stood up we heard "click". She took a step, "click, click, click." The sun came out and we went on our way. Our next stop was the grocery store. "Click, click, click..." people turned to look as we entered the store. People would never allow their daughter to wear tap dancing shoes to the grocery store. "Excuse me, dear. Why would you allow your daughter to wear tap dancing shoes here? They make such a noise." "Isn't it wonderful?" "Wonderful? My dear, this is not the place to wear those shoes." "You don't understand. When she was a baby, doctors told us that she would never walk or talk. It has taken a lot of hard work and patience, but she asked for the shoes and the 'click, click, click' says that she can walk," I said. My daughter is 18 now and will graduate from grade 12 in June. It has not always been easy, but it has all been worthwhile . She has taught me that it doesn't matter what others think. _ The story tells us _ . Answer: sometimes you shouldn't care about what others say People are always talking about "the problem of youth". If there is one--which I take leave to doubt--then it is older people who create it, not the young themselves. Let us get down to something basic and agree that the young are after all human beings--people just like their elders. There is only one difference between an old man and a young one: the young man has a beautiful future before him and the old one has a splendid future behind him and maybe that is where the _ is. When I was a teenager, I felt that I was just young and unknown--that I was a new boy in a huge school, and I would have been very pleased to be regarded as something so interesting as a problem. For one thing, being a problem gives you a certain identity, and that is one of the things the young are busily engaged in seeking. I find young people exciting. They have an air of freedom, and they have not a dull promise to mean ambitions or love of comfort. They are not anxious social climbers, and they have no devotion to important things. All these seem to me to link them with life, and the origins of things. It is as if they were in some sense from outside space and lovely contrast with us suburban people. All that is in my mind when I meet a young person. He may be ill-mannered, self-confident, but I do not turn for protection to boring cliches about respect for elders as if the age is a reason for respect. I accept that we are equals, and I will argue with him, as an equal, if I think he is wrong. From the text we can see the writer's attitude towards the young is _ . Answer: considerate and understanding Through the following four cultural relics, the world has known about Korea's cultural treasures. _ Pulguksa Temple plays an important part in the history of Korean temples. The building of Pulguksa Temple began in 751. In the year 774 the large temple was finished, becoming an important center for Korean national-protection Buddhism . The way used to create the store structure gave the temple a look of beauty. The building thus represents the excellent Korean sculpting . _ Sokkuram Cave is a man-made cave, which has been sculpted from white stone in special sculpting ways. In the cave, a seated Buddha is the main statue. On the walls around him are found 38 other statues and the Four Heavenly Kings. This stone cave is one of Korea's greatest places, built when Shilla's religion, science and sculpture were at the height. It shows Shilla's knowledge of math, physics and art. _ Haeinsa Temple's Changgyong Panjon is a world-class cultural treasure. It has 81,340 wooden blocks. Millions of Chinese characters were caved on the blocks. In addition to its artistic value, it is famous as the oldest Buddhist canon in the world today. The building is beautiful. What's more important is that its design allows for natural wind as well as temperature control. Each book is 69.5cm in width and 23.9cm in height. There are 23 lines on each of the blocks and each line contains fourteen characters. _ Changdokkung palace, one of the five places of the Chosen Dynasty, was built in 1405. The oldest structure is Tonhwammun Gate. Other ancient buildings include Injongjon hall, Sonjongjon Hall and Taejojon Hall. The back garden for kings remains a great example of the ancient Korean scenery. What can we learn from the text? Answer: Tourists can learn about ancient king' lives in Changdokkung palace. What can help you make a fortune in the future? Graduating from a top university might not be enough. A new study from the University of Essex in Britain has shown that the more friends you have in school, the more money you'll earn later. The idea that popularity could have a serious impact on one's earning potential shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. The researchers noted that if you want to get ahead in life, social skills and networking are easily as powerful as talent and hard work. "If a person has lots of friends, it means that he or she has the ability to get along with others in all kinds of different situations," said Xu Yanchun, 17, from Nantou High School in Shenzhen, who totally agreed with the recent finding. "Also, friends always help each other. They not only create wider social circles for you but lift your mood when you occasionally feel depressed," said Xu. She believed that all this helps you "earn a higher salary". Maybe that's why some people think the younger generations are in the age of Friendalholism . A woman even complained that the networking website Facebook's 5,000-friend limit was too low for her large reserve of social contacts. But what does a friend mean? Should friends be regarded as a form of currency? "Call me uncool, but I think of a friend as an actual person with whom I have an actual history and whom I enjoy actually seeing. It seems, however, that this is no longer the definition of 'friend'," said Meghan Daum, who works with the Los Angeles Times in the US. The new study from the University of Essex in Britain shows that _ . Answer: the more friends you have in school, the more money you'll earn in your late life Music lessons may improve memory and learning ability in your children by promoting different patterns of brain development, a study shows. After a year of musical training, children aged between 4 and 6 performed better at a standard memory test than did children who were not taught music.The findings suggest that music could be useful for building the learning capacity of your minds. Earlier studies have shown that older children given music lessons become better at IQ tests than those who are musically untrained, but this is the first to show such a benefit in children so young. Professor Laurek Trainor, of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, also found clear differences in the ways in which children's brains responded to sound after a year of musical training.'This is the first study to show that brain responses in young, musically trained and untrained children change differently over the course of a year," she said."These changes are likely to be related to the cognitive( )benefit that is seen with musical training." Professor Trainer's team looked at 12 children, 6 of whom had just started extra-curricular music lessons and 6 of whom were not being taught any music except that included as a standard part of their school curriculum . During the year all 12 children had their brains examined four times using magneto-encephalography (MEG), and each child was played two types of sound --white noise and a violin tone.The MEG measurements showed that all children responded more to violin sounds than to white noise, reflecting a preferable for meaningful tones, and their response times fell over the course of the year as their brains matured. What do we know about the twelve children tested in the study? Answer: All of them were required to learn some music in school.
What material is an example of an electrical insulator? Answer: William Butler Yeats, a most famous Irish writer, was born in Dublin on June 13, 1865. His childhood lacked the harmony that was typical of a happy family. Later, Yeats shocked his family by saying that he remembered "little of childhood but its pain". In fact, he inherited excellent taste in art from his family--both his father and his brother were painters. But he finally settled on literature, particularly drama and poetry. Yeats had strong faith in the coming of new artistic movements. He set himself the fresh task in founding an Irish national theatre in the late 1890s. His early theatrical experiments, however, were not received favorably at beginning. He didn't lose heart, and finally enjoyed success in his poetical drama. Compared with his dramatic works, Yeats's poems attract much admiring notice. The subject matter includes love, nature, history, time and aging. Though Yeats generally relied on very traditional forms, he brought modern sensibility to them. As his literary life progressed, his poetry grew finer and richer, which led him to worldwide recognition. He had not enjoyed a major public life since winning the Nobel Price in 1923. Yet, he continued writing almost to the end of his life. Had Yeats stopped writing at age 40, he would probably now be valued as a minor poet, for there is no other example in literary history of a poet who produces his greatest works between the ages of 50 and 75. After Yeats' death in 1939, W. H. Auden wrote, among others, the following lines: Earth, receive an honored guest: William Yeats is laid to rest. Let the Irish vessel lie Emptied of its poetry. What kind of feeling is expressed in W. H. Auden's lines? Answer: "The only thing holding you back is yourself. Never say never", said a rising 17-year-old singer, Justin Bieber, who was just an ordinary boy in Canada a few years ago. After the accident of falling from the 18th floor and lying in the snow for three hours, my hands were frozen and my spinal cord was seriously injured. All the doctors and professors in the famous hospitals in Beijing told me that there was little chance for my hands and my body to recover . After half a year of medical treatments and recovering exercises , I could not make any more progress for over a year . What was worse , I suffered a lot from depression ( ).On top of this , I suffered from insomnia , I couldn't fall asleep the whole night. Hopelessly , mom and I came back to my hometown, which is small town in Guangdong. At that time , I thought that I would never be able to walk again. I would never love and be loved. I would never be able to earn even a penny. I would never be able to repay the kindness I got from my parents and many nice people . Life was meaningless. Now two years has passed.My hands are 80% recovered.I can even type faster than a healthy person ! Up to now, I have worked for a company as an interpreter for half a year already. Although I don't earn as much as before, I am able to pay for the food and clothes I need. What's more , I even have extra money to buy thanksgiving presents for my parents and my boyfriend. Through my blogs( ) , many people get to know me and like me.I can bring happiness to them. I can help those who are still suffering from depression and the pain of illnesses by chatting with them....You see, I am living a meaningful life and I am happier than ever I could have dreamed. So, my friends, never say never. As long as you are alive , there is always hope and possibilities. It is never too late to take action to realize your dreams. All of the following words can be used to describe the writer's present life EXCEPT _ . Answer: I have returned to my hometown after I was away ten years ago. So many things have changed around here. It has become better and better. When I left here, there was a small pool on the right of my house. Now the pool has gone and people have built a large shopping mall there. The biggest changes have taken place in the center of the city. There are sidewalks on both sides of the street. You can see a street center with so many tall buildings around. You can't drive there any more because no vehicle is allowed to pass there. A European-style fountain has been built in the street center garden. There used to be an old school near my house. I spent my five years studying there. There was a small payground in front of the school. But now what I can see are five tall buildings standing there. There are two big classroom buildings and a library. A new post office has also been built just across from the new school. What's the best title for the passage? Answer: Bill Gates was born on October 28th, 1955. He and his two sisters grew up inprefix = st1 /Seattle. Their father, William H. Gates II, was aSeattleattorney . Mary Gates, their late mother, was a school teacher. Gates attended public elementary school before moving on to the private Lakeside School in North Seattle. It was at Lakeside that Gates began his career in personal computer soft- ware, programming computers at age 13. In 1973, Gates enteredHarvardUniversityas a freshman, where he lived down the hall from Steve Ballmer, who is now Microsoft's president. While at Harvard, Gates developed a version of the programming language BASIC for the first microcomputer---the MITS Astair. In his junior year, Gates dropped out of Harvard to devote his energies full-time to Microsoft, a company he had started in 1975 with his boyhood friend Paul Allen. Guided by a belief that the personal computer would be a valuable tool on every office desk-top and in every home, they began developing software for personal computers. Gates' foresight and vision have led to the success of Microsoft and the software industry. He plays an important role in the technical development of new products. Much of his time is devoted to meeting with customers and staying in contact with Microsoft employees around the world through e-mail. In the dozen years since Microsoft went public, Gates has donated more than $ 800 mil- lion to charities , including $ 200 million to the Gates Library Foundation to help libraries in North America take advantage of new technologies and the Information Age. How does Gates spend much of his time? Answer:
Why do 33% of the households in the USA have cats? And how do you explain why there are 16 million more pet cats than dogs? Yes, kittens are adorable .Yes, they can grow up to be good mousers and are very entertaining to watch.And yes, cats are independent and don't require as much care as dogs.But research shows cats can also be caretakers for us and our families, improve our health and teach us and our children to be kinder, gentler souls. Theodora Wesselman is 94 and has lived the past two years with her elderly cat, Cleo, at TigerPlace, a retirement community in Columbia, Mo.Their enduring friendship is a classic example of how humans and animals can become family and look out for each other. Wesselman visits other residents, and her children stop by, but Cleo is her best friend, she says.They've been together nearly 21 years. "She sleeps on her own pillow right beside mine," Wesselman says."In the morning, she pecks on my cheek to wake me up.It's really sweet.I pet her, tell her I love her and take her to the kitchen to prepare her food." Research shows that being able to care for a pet improves our morale (;), helps validate us and encourages us to take care of ourselves, says Rebecca Johnson, director of the University of Missouri's Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction.The body of research is leading more retirement communities and universities _ . Why does the author take 94-year-old Theodora Wesselman as an example in the passage? Answer: Children are often far more gifted than what their parents or teachers can realize.IQ tests do not measure creative talents.By depending on them to measure intelligence,therefore,we miss out on the talents of many of our most gifted youngsters.Most children start life with valuable creative potential.Unfortunately,many of them have it knocked out of them,so to speak,by the time they reach the 4th grade.It is not that parents and teachers deliberately squelch creativity;or rather,they fail to recognize it.By simply observing the child at work or at play,you may detect creativity,if you look for the following key signs: Curiosity.The child's questioning is persistent and purposeful.He is not content with given explanations,and he would rather dig under the surface. Flexibility.If one approach doesn't work,the child quickly thinks of another. Sensitivity to Problem.He is quick to see gaps in information.He is sensitive to contradictions between prior rules and what he hears or reads. Selffeeling.He has a feeling of being somebody in particular.He is selfmotivated,selfdirected,and can work alone for long periods provided it's on his own project. Originality.He has surprising,uncommon,interesting ideas.His drawings and stories have a style that marks them as his own. Insight.He has easy access to realms of the mind that noncreative people visit only in their dreams.He toys with ideas that easily come to him. Qualities like these count very little in IQ tests,which measure memory,vocabulary,mathematical ability and general reasoning.These abilities are valuable,and the creative child does usually have them.However,the child with a socalled genius IQ of 180 is in reality no more likely to be a genius than the child with a slightly aboveaverage IQ of 120.In fact,evidence suggests that some children with high IQs may develop memory and logical reasoning powers at the expense of insight,imagination,and adventurous qualities that are essential to geniuses. The main purpose of the passage is to tell us _ . Answer: A month after Hurricane Katrina,I returned home in New Orleans.There lay my house,reduced to waist-high rains,smelly and dirty.Before the trip,I'd had my car fixed.When the office employee of the garage was writing up the bill.she noticed my Louisiana license plate."You from New Orleans?"she asked.I said l was, "No charge."She said,and firmly shook her head when I reached for my wallet.The next day I went for a haircut,and the same thing happened. As my wife was studying in Florid,we decided to move there and tried to find a rental house that we could afford while also paying off a mortgage on our ruined house.We looked at many places,but none was satisfactory.We'd begun to accept that we'd have to live in extremely reduced circumstances for a while,when I got a very curious e-mail from a James Kennedy in California.He'd read some pieces I'd written about our sufferings forState,an online magazine and wanted to give us("noconditions attached")a new house across the lake from New Orleans.It sounded too good to be true,but I replied,thanking him for his exceptional generosity,that we had no plans to go back.Then a poet of the University of Florida offered to let his house to me while he went to England on his one-year-paid leave.The rent was rather reasonable.Imentioned the poet's offer to James Kennedy,and the next day he sent a check covering our entire rent for eight months. Throughout this painful experience,the kindness of strangers backs my faith in humanity.It's almostworthlosing you worldly possessions to be reminded that people really want to be kind when given a channel. How is the passage developed? Answer: My wife and I used to feel that it was impossible to be a true friend to someone whose name we didn't know. How wrong we were! Years of Sunday-morning bus trips through the city with the same group of "nameless" people have changed our thinking. Before the bus takes off, we all join in a conversation: where's the silent woman who sits up front and never responds to our cheery greetings? Here she comes. Her worn clothing suggests she doesn't have much money to spare, but she always takes an extra cup of coffee for the driver. We get smiles from a Mexican couple as they get on the bus hand in hand. When they get off, they're still holding hands. The woman was pregnant late last year, and one day her change of shape confirmed that she'd delivered the child. We even felt a little pride at the thought of our extended family. For many months, our only sadness lay in our inability to _ the same friendship with the silent woman at the front of the bus. Then, one evening, we went to a fish restaurant. We were shown to a table alongside someone sitting alone. It was the woman from the bus. We greeted her with friendly familiarity we'd shown all year, but this time her face softened, then a shy smile. When she spoke, the words escaped awkwardly from her lips. All at once we realized why she hadn't spoken to us before. Talking was hard for her. Over dinner; we learned the stay of a single mother with a disabled son who was receiving special care away from home. She missed him desperately, she explained. "I love him... and he loves me, even though he doesn't express it very well," she murmured. "Lots of us have that problem, don't we? We don't say what we want to say, what we should be saying. And that's not good enough."The candles flared on our tables. Our fish had never tasted better. But the atmosphere grew pleasant, and when we parted as friends--we shared names. The woman had the same problem with her son in the way that _ . Answer: Ellen and prefix = st1 /BillCountyare both teachers. They met in college and became good friends because of their shared love for children. Two years after the couple got married; Ellen saw a huge change in the life of one of her students, a 9-year-old girl. Three years earlier both of the little girl's parents had died and there was no one to take care of her. She was taken away to live in a government office. But finally she was taken in and adopted by a family and became their daughter. Ellen said that she noticed the difference in the child's life after she was placed in a permanent home and thought that maybe she and her husband could help a child in a similar way. They decided to become temporary parents and to take a child into their home on the weekends when the real parents could not take care of him or her. The pair planned to have their own children in a few years, but decided that this would be a way to give to the community in the meantime. The couple quickly grew to love one of the children they looked after. When he became legally available, Billy became the first child they took in permanently. Six months after adopting Billy, Ellen was told by her doctor that she was unable to have children naturally. Ellen says she knew then that adoption was the way she was meant to have a family. Since adopting Billy, now 17, Ellen and Bill have adopted five more children --Rose, 16; Albert, 11; Joshua, 5 and in June 2003, they added biological brother and sister Tyler and Rylee to the County family. The County family has been recognized for their work on adoption, and has received many awards for their efforts. Last June, the family was even interviewed on the television show, "Adoption Stories". Ellen says she would like to encourage other families to adopt children. She adds that the best part of being a mother of six is: "Giving Josh a bath, putting a braid-aid on a cut knee or just the everyday Mom things, which makes motherhood such an honor and a privilege." What is the passage mainly about? Answer:
Bob is a young child who eats potatoes. He normally wakes up around 7 in the morning. He has a dog named Gob. Gob is a very smart dog. Bob also owns a farm. He grows potatoes on it. One day he went out with his dog to go check on the farm. There they found a wild duck, a cat, and a pumpkin. Gob started to chase the duck. The duck flew away. Gob started to get hungry. Gob then ate the pumpkin. Bob got mad at Gob for eating the pumpkin. Bob then threw Gob into the house. Bob then grabbed a bucket. He started to collect as many potatoes as he could find. Bob loved potatoes. He collected around 600 potatoes! Bob started to run out of room for all the potatoes he found. He then started to eat as many as he could. In 1 hour he ate 100 potatoes! He got so full he took a nap. When he awoke he found the cat eating all the potatoes! The cat ate 200 potatoes before Bob awoke. However, Bob was too full and fat to move. The cat laughed and wanted to eat the potatoes again. Just then, Gob comes running out to chase the cat away! The cat was too fat to run away. It had eaten too many potatoes! Gob grabbed the cat with his teeth and tossed the cat down a well. Gob became a hero for saving the potatoes! Bob now lets Gob eat whatever he wants, including pumpkins! Gob is a very happy dog now! Why did Bob throw Gob into the house? A. He chased the duck. B. Gob ate a pumpkin. C. He ate a potato. D. He got hungry. Answer: B Which is likeliest to decay? A. rock B. radio waves C. steel D. a rhinoceros Answer: D If I see one more article about how wonderful alternative energy is compared to oil, I will flip . Alternative energy sources can be good---- very good in fact. And it's pretty obvious that we're going to need them, and that our dependence on oil is a Bad Thing. But accepting that does not mean accepting that any kind of alternative energy is a good thing. To be a good thing, it has to have three properties: 1) It has to help reduce our dependence on oil, 2) It has to be no worse for the environment, and 3) It has to be economically practical. Many of the things praised meet one or even two of those properties. Solar panels, for example. They can reduce our need for oil, at least in certain regions, and they're certainly not bad for the environment. But they're expensive. If you spend the money to make your home solar-powered, you probably won't get back your costs for at least 15 years, which approaches the lifespan of the panels. Certainly we need to clean up our act big time and find workable sources of alternative energy. But we also have to keep in mind that every one of these alternative-energy sources comes at a cost, which is something people seem to forget. They hear the phrase "alternative energy" and automatically assume it's got to be good. But green isn't always good, and oil isn't always bad. One seemingly "green" technology that pops up again and again is electric cars. It is praised by well-meaning people as good for the environment and a way to reduce our oil dependence, especially as oil prices continue to rise. Electric cars are dirty. In fact, not only are they dirty, they might even be more dirty than their gasoline-powered cousins. People in California love to talk about " zero-emissions vehicles", but people in California seem to be clueless about where electricity comes from. Power plants mostly use fire to make it. Aside from the new folks who have their roofs covered with solar cells, we get our electricity from generators. Generators are fueled by something---- usually coal, oil, but also by heat generated in nuclear power plants. There are a few wind farms and geothermal plants as well, but by far we get electricity mainly by burning something. In other words, those "zero-emissions" cars are likely coal-burning cars. It's just because the coal is burned somewhere else that it looks clean. It is not. It's as if the California Greens are covering their eyes ---- " If I can't see it, it's not happening. " Gasoline is an incredibly efficient way to power a vehicle; a gallon of gas has a lot of energy in it. But when you take that gas ( or another fue) and first use it to make electricity, you waste a nice part of that energy, mostly in the form of wasted heat ---- at the generator, through the transmission lines, etc. A gallon of gas may propel your car 25 miles. But the electricity you get from that gallon of gas won't get you nearly as far ---- so electric cars burn more fuel than gas- powered ones. If our electricity came mostly from nukes; or geothermal, or hydro, or solar, or wind, then an electric car truly would be clean. But for political, technical, and economic reasons, we don't use much of those energy sources. In addition, electric cars' batteries which are poisonous for a long time will eventually end up in a landfill. And finally, when cars are the polluters, the pollution is spread across all the roads. When it's a power plant, though, all the junk is in one lace. Nature is very good at cleaning up when things are too concentrated, but it takes a lot longer when all the garbage is in one spot. It can be inferred from the text that _ . A. being green is good and should be encouraged in communication B. electric cars are not clean in that we get electricity mainly by burning something C. zero-emissions vehicles should be chosen to protect our environment D. electric cars are now the dominant vehicle compared with gasoline-powered cousins Answer: B For four lonely years, Evelyn Jones of Rockford, Illinois, lived friendless and forgotten in one room of a cheap hotel. "I wasn't sick, but I was acting sick," the 78-year-old widow says, "Every day was the same. I would just lie on my bed and maybe cook up some soup." Then, six months ago, she was invited to The Brighter Side -- Rockford's day care center for the elderly. Every weekday morning since then, she has left her home to meet nine other old people in a church for a rich program of charity work, trips, games, and -- most important of all -- friendly companionship. Just a few years ago, there were few choices for the elderly between a normal life in their own homes and being totally confined in nursing homes. Many of them were sent to rest homes long before they needed full-time care. Others like Mrs. Jones were left to take care of themselves. But in 1971, the White House Conference on Aging called for the development of alternatives to care in nursing homes for old people, and since then, government-supported day-care programs like The Brighter Side have been developed in most big American cities. "This represents a real alternative to the feared institution and makes old people believe they have not left the world of living", says Alice Brophy, 64, director of New York City's Office for the Aging, "They do well at the centers, and I hate it when people describe us as elderly playpens ." New York's 138 centers encourage continuing contact for the aged with the community's life. The centers serve more than 15,000 members, and volunteer workers are always looking for new ones. If someone doesn't show up at the center for several days in a row, a worker at the center calls to make sure all is well. And although participation in the center is free, those who want to can pay for their lunches. No normal studies have been made of these centers for the elderly, but government officials are enthusiastic. In the future, the Public Health Service will do a study to decide if the programs can receive federal Medicare money. And the old people themselves are very happy with the programs. "There is no way", says Evelyn Jones, smiling at her new companions at the Brighter Side, "that I will ever go back to spending my day with all those loses at the hotel." We can conclude from the statements of Alice Brophy that _ . A. the centers are like elderly playpens. B. the old people do well at the day care centers. C. old people like nursing institutions. D. outside the Brighter side they don't work for the old. Answer: B Compared to Iron Man 1, which I really like, Iron Man 2 has more action, better special effects and is funnier. In Iron Man 2, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces two enemies--a weapon producer named Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) and Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), a horrible-looking Russian who wants revenge for something related to Tony's father. Besides the two enemies, Tony is also facing his own death. His man-made heart, which gives his Iron Man suit its power, is also harming his body. My favourite part of the movie was when Iron Man uses his laser against an army of Hammer's Iron Man robots. Everyone in the theater was cheering. My favourite special effects scene was the fight scene at a car race. Ivan tore Tony's car apart piece by piece. A funny part in the movie is when Natalie Rushman (Scarlett Johansson) is inside a boxing ring with Happy Hogan (played by director Jon Favreau). Happy Hogan tries to hit Natalie Rushman. However, he is the one who ends up on the floor. The only problem I had with the movie was that I didn't understand why Ivan had so much hate toward Tony. I loved Iron Man 1 very much, and I expected Iron Man 2 to be much better. And after watching the movie, I'd like to say it is even better than I expected. In the writer's opinion, in Iron Man 2, which of the following scenes is a funny part ? A. When Iron Man is fighting robots. B. When there is a fight during a car race. C. When Iron Man is fighting Ivan Vanko. D. When Happy Hogan fights Natalie Rushman. Answer: D
Fed up with constantly having to recharge or replace batteries in your ever-expanding electronic devices? The solution may be just a few steps away. "Energy harvesting" promises to power countless consumer devices, often with nothing more than your body's movement or heat. Dozens of companies around the world already offer such products, but many experts believe the market for the technology could explode due to electronic devices being developed for the Internet of Things. "It's huge," said Graham Martin, CEO of the EnOcean Alliance, a San Ramon-based group of businesses that promotes wireless energy-harvesting technologies. With the Internet of Things expected to combine billions of devices, "if they are all battery-powered, we'll have a problem because there's not enough lithium in the world," he added. "So a lot of them will have to use energy harvesting." Among the most basic forms of the technology is body power. When certain materials are squeezed or stretched, the movement of their atoms creates an electrical charge. Automatic watches have employed the concept for decades, for example, by winding themselves when their user moves their arm. Now, the concept is being considered for a number of other devices. In a contest seeking visionary ideas for wearable technologies, Intel awarded $5,000 for a concept to change the temperature difference between a person's body and a special piece of clothing they'd wear into electricity for mobile devices. Using sound to power devices is another energy-harvesting variation. Stanford University engineers are testing smart microchips that create electricity from ultrasound to power implantable devices that can analyze a person's nervous system or treat their diseases. A textile research association in Spain is proposing to obtain electricity from radio waves that flow around everyone to power sensors sewn into clothes, which can monitor a person's heartbeat or other vital signs. Research firm IDTechEx has estimated that annual global sales of energy-harvesting products could hit $2.6 billion by 2024, while WinterGreen Research predicts sales of $4.2 billion by 2019. Obtaining stable energy from devices can be complex, however. For one thing, the motion that generates the electricity has to be constant to be useful. Moreover, the amount of power the devices produce depends on the person using them, according to a Columbia University study. It determined that taller people on average provide about 20 percent more power than shorter ones when walking, running or cycling. It's also unclear how eagerly consumers might welcome energy-harvesting products. While such devices are expected to cost less than battery-powered alternatives when compared over many years, experts say, people may continue buying ones with batteries merely because those would be cheaper in the short term. What makes "energy harvesting" necessary according to the passage? The increasing number of electronic devices. Structo contracted with Bailey to construct for $500,000 a warehouse and an access driveway at highway level. Shortly after commencing work on the driveway, which required for the specified level some excavation and removal of surface material, Structo unexpectedly encountered a large mass of solid rock. For this question only, assume the following facts. Structo informed Bailey (accurately) that because of the rock the driveway as specified would cost at least $20,000 more than figured, and demanded for that reason a total contract price of $520,000. Since Bailey was expecting price of $520,000. Since Bailey was expecting warehousing customers immediately after the agreed completion date, he signed a writing promising to pay the additional $20,000. Following timely completion of the warehouse and driveway, which conformed to the contract in all respects, Bailey refused to pay Structo more than $500,000. What is the maximum amount to which Structo is entitled? $520,000, because the modification was fair and was made in the light of circumstances not anticipated by the parties when the original contract was made. If a sand grain is in a tree house unexpectedly, a likely culprit responsible for its movement is gales Can you swim? Swimming is one of the most popular activities in summer. It can be learned early in life. Little children can learn to swim as soon as they walk. In fact, you need the same skills in walking as in swimming. However, I believe that five is the best age to learn it. By five or six, a child knows fear of water, a very important thing to know. It's wise to be afraid. The young understand that the water can sometimes be very dangerous. When you swim, you should follow certain rules: Never swim alone! No matter how good you are in the water, don't risk drowning by swimming alone. If you swim by yourself, you may get into trouble. Don't go beyond your abilities. Most swimmers know it clearly not to swim too far from the bank or the beach. Don't show off your skills by doing dangerous tricks. Don't smoke. Swimming depends on a healthy body. Work at any activity that builds muscles . The writer believes it's very _ for a child to know the fear of water. important Which is the correct relationship? the moon orbits the Earth which orbits the sun
Teachers of Physics Needed for (be Middle School in Kent Start date: Sept. 1st,2014 Hours; Full Time Are you skilled in teaching physics? If yes, come and join us! This school follows the idea that learning is joyful. It offers a friendly and supportive environment for its teachers and students. The primary concern is to train students' creative ability. Students enjoy benefit from positive relationships with the staff. Requirements: Patience with students. --Ability to inspire students. --Experience in teaching physics. Excellent knowledge of physics. Please Note: What is basic for this post is a teacher's certificate ! To apply or find more information, please consult our secretary Helen Brown. Office Tel. 0800-22-829. If you are interested in this job,you may . call the secretary's office My father was born on a farm in Tipperary, Ireland. He was the fourth child out of eight children. My father was the oldest boy so the majority of the responsibility fell upon his shoulders to complete the farm work. He attended school until the fourth grade; his father pulled him out of school to work on the farm permanently , though he hated it. Though supposed to _ the farm, my father had other plans. At sixteen he left home for England. He left without telling his parents anything. He eventually became very homesick and missed his mother greatly. He came back to Ireland and worked on the farm until he was eighteen. He got tired of the farm and left home for England again. He worked as a construction worker for five years, and then a part-time actor. But he couldn't get a decent job because he was Irish. Many times he would walk into an interview and read a sign saying, "The Irish need not apply." He was twenty years old with no family and limited friends in a foreign country that didn't want him. Once he was able to work again my father decided to save money to move to Australia. He lived in a house with a fellow Irishman, a Swede, an Englishman, and an Austrian for five years becoming a successful salesman. He bought a beach house for himself in Sydney. He then traveled through Europe visiting his family in Ireland. In 1975 my father came to America as an illegal immigrant . My father with a friend of his drove across the country to Los Angeles with the dream of becoming Hollywood stars. My father lived in his car for the first few months in Los Angeles, and worked as a used car salesman. After two years of living in Los Angeles, he became documented. He met my mother and started a family. My parents have kept the family in Los Angeles, and just three years ago my father became a U.S. citizen. The father dropped out of school mainly because _ . he had to learn to keep the farm 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, 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 situations 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 the stepping stone for success. According to the passage, winners _ . deal with problems rather than blame others Dear Dad , Today I was at the shopping mall and I spent a lot of time reading the Father's Day cards . They all had a special message that in some way or another reflected how I feel about you . Yet as I selected and read , it occurred to me that not a single card said what I really want to say to you. You'll soon be 84 years old , Dad , and you and I will have had 55 Father's Days together . I haven't always been with you on Father's Day but I've always been with you in my heart. You know , Dad , there was a time when we were separated by the generation gap . You stood on one side of the Great Divide and I on the other. The Father-Daughter Duel shifted into high gear when you taught me to drive the old Dodge and I decided I would drive the 54 Chevy whether you liked it or not . The police officer who sent me home after you reported the Chevy stolen didn't have much tolerance for a stubborn 16 year old , while you were so tolerant about it , Dad , and I think that was probably what made it the worst night of my life. Our relationship picked up when I married a man you liked , and things really _ when we began making babies right and left . Somewhere along the line , the generation gap disappeared . I suppose I saw us and our relationship as aging together , rather like a fine wine. But the strangest thing happened last week . I was at a stop sign and I watched as you turned the corner in your car . It didn't immediately occur to me that it was you because the man driving looked so elderly and fragile behind the wheel of that huge car . It was rather like a slap in the face delivered from out of nowhere. Perhaps I saw your age for the first time that day. I guess what I'm trying to say , Dad , is what every son and daughter wants to say to their Dad today . Honoring a father on Father's Day is about respect and sharing and acceptance and tolerance and giving and taking . It's about loving someone more than words can say , and it's wishing that it never had to end. I love you , Dad. Love, Jenny What caused Jenny to write the letter ? Failing to find a satisfactory card . Jane always goes to school early. She likes to talk to her friends before class. After school she does not go home early. She is always late. Jane stops to see the animals in the pet shop. She likes to see the dogs. One of them is a little white dog. She watches the little dog play in the window of the shop. She watches for a long time, so she comes home late. One day her father and mother ask why she is late, and she tells them about the little dog in the pet shop. Jane is not late the next day. She stops to look in the window of the shop. But she doesn't see the dog, and she is very sad. She is also very happy, today is her birthday. Mother shows her a big birthday cake and Father gives her a birthday surprise . He gives her the little white dog from the shop. Jane is very happy. The next day Jane does not come home late. She runs home to play with the white dog. The little dog is not there because it _ . is sold out by the shop
Everyone needs safe drinking water, but about 1.1 billion people have no access to clean water. Most of the world's water is salty ocean water or frozen polar ice. By 2050, the world's population could grow from 6.7 billion to more than 9 billion. All of those people will need water to drink. But the bad news is that some areas of the world are growing drier because of climate change. The total area of the Earth's surface classified as very dry has doubled since the 1970s. Sadly, the precious resource is still misused in industry, in farming and at homes. Therefore, the world is facing a crisis over water. "You do the math, and it gets a little scary," says Stuart Minchin, a water expert in Australia. "We're waking up," he says. "But not fast enough." In southern Australia, farmers have been hit hard. They can't irrigate their fields well enough. The Australian government has launched a $1.3 billion project to improve Australia's irrigation system to stop the crop production dropping further. Australians have serious water worries, but it could be worse. They don't have to fear that when they turn on the tap, nothing will come out. That's the case in India. Many people in New Delhi, the capital, go without clean water for days. City leaders have taken stricter measures to save water. Users pay a very high but affordable price for it. Homeowners who waste water are given large fines. There are 1.9 million people who live in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now it has grown by more than 300,000 people since 2002. But it uses less water today than it did seven years ago. What would be the best title for the passage? Whenever the word "hero" comes to me, I immediately think of three Hs: honorable, hardworking, and happy. When I think more about this word, I picture someone who has accomplished good things for people and tries to do the right thing Hattie Elizabeth Alexander is one person whom I find to be very heroic. Hattie was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 5, 1901. During her time at College she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Bacteriology and Physiology. These were just the first steps towards what she was finally going to be remembered for. After college Hattie attended Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and received her medical degree. After her education, she pursued her career, and after much time and hard work, she _ reduced the number of infants dying from meningitis . Hattie was very dedicated to her work and helped at as many locations as she could. Spending substantial time in the laboratory, Hattie successfully developed a cure against the disease, which decreased the death rate to 20 percent. At the same time, she was also a teacher working with Columbia University. She was a caring lady interested in other people's lives. When she was teaching at Columbia University, other members would talk to her about students that were failing their classes, and somehow Hattie could always find convincing reasons as to why they should not be driven away. Later, Hattie became an instructor in Pediatrics at New York City's Babies Hospital. After many honors, she became the first woman president of the American Pediatric Society in 1965. This was her last major achievement, for soon after, Hattie died of cancer on June 24, 1968. Hattie is my hero because her positive attitude and strength helped her accomplish great things for others. She gave them her strength by developing medicines against diseased, which, by doing so, made them stronger. This is what makes Hattie Elizabeth Alexander my hero. Which of the following would be the most proper title for the text? Last year, the management set up new rules to encourage employees to cut down on unnecessary printing fees. However, there has been a rash of abuses of the printing policy. Therefore, in order to control the cost, the management has decided to put forward more stringent regulations that are required to be followed by everyone, including the management. Starting today, the management staff will meet to discuss and begin drafting up the new policy. We will post new rules outlining the new printing policy as soon as it becomes available. Once it is completed, please read it carefully. Anyone in violation of the new rules will be considered behaving in a disorderly manner and will be punished accordingly. Your cooperation and self-discipline is highly requested. Thank you. The Management Team 2014.8.14 NEW PRINTING POLICY Effective as of 08/18/2014 Due to the fact that our costs have far exceeded our budget, we had to get to the root of the problem. Shockingly, most of our costs came from printing. A further, detailed look made us realize that too many of our 1,000 employees were wasting paper by making unnecessary copies. This, of course, has increased our paper usage, but it has also resulted in our using more of the very expensive ink cartridges as well as the repair work that has followed. Over the past month, this has occurred at a rate that is not acceptable. Therefore, the following rules will go into effect immediately starting tomorrow for everyone in all departments. This problem is serious, so anyone caught in violation of the rules below will be punished, suspended, or even dismissed. Your full cooperation is requested. (1)All departments will be assigned an access card. It will record the date and time to keep track of the number of copies your department staff makes. Managers in each department are responsible for keeping track of who uses the card by keeping a record book. (2)For bulk copies over 100, you must get advance approval from your department head. (3)Any department believed to be making unnecessary copies will be approached. Upon investigation, a warning may result in the person being accused. (4)A second warning may result in suspension without pay or, in this worst case, being dismissed from your position. (5)Each department may pick up an access card from the reception desk after filling out a form. *With second warning, your manager and the general manager will meet to discuss the proper handling of the situation. What would be the worst outcome of a meeting between the manager and the general manager? One morning, Becca was putting on her shoes when she heard a knock at the door. When she opened it, she saw her friend Faith standing on the porch. "Bill is going to build a fort in my backyard today, and I get to help," Faith said. "Would you like to come over and help too?" Becca thought about what she had to do that day. Her mother had told her she needed to get her chores done before she could play at Faith's house. "First, I have to clean my room," Becca told Faith. "Maybe I can help you," Faith said. "I helped Sam clean his room once." "Sure!" Becca answered. The girls went to Becca's room and started to pick up toys and clothes. "Maybe I need to clean under the bed," Becca said. Under the bed, she found a library book she had been missing. Faith finished putting all of the clothes into the hamper. "Thanks for the help!" Becca said. "Now I can go with you." "I hope we don't have to clean my room, too!" said Faith. What is Faith going to build? One night when my wife was preparing dinner, our little son took a piece of paper to her which read: For washing the car .........................................................$5.00 For making my own bed this week ....................................... $1.00 Going to the provision shop ................................................$0.50 Playing with little sister......................................................$0.25 Taking out the rubbish....................................................... $1.00 Getting a good report card................................................ ..$5.00 And for sweeping the common corridor................................... $2.00 Total........................................................................... $14.75 His mother looked at him standing there expecting payment. I could see a thousand memories flashed through her mind. So she picked up the pen and turning the paper over, this is what she wrote : For nine months I carried you, growing inside me .................. No Charge For the nights I sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you......No Charge For the toys, food and clothes and wiping your nose ................No Charge When you add it all up, the full cost of my love.......................No Charge Well, when he finished reading, he had big tears in his eyes. He looked at his mother and said, "Mummy, I love you." Then he took the pen and in great big letters wrote on the "bill" "All paid." What's the best title for this passage?
Blind imitation is destroying yourself. To common people, imitation appears attractive; to creative people ,imitation is misleading. In the early stages of skill or character development, imitation is helpful, When I first learned to cook, I used recipes and really cooked some tasty dishes. But soon I grew bored. Why did I have to follow someone else's way of cooking when I could create my own? Imitating role models is like using training wheels on a child's bicycle. They help you get going, but once you find your own balance, you fly faster and farther without depending on them. In daily life, imitation can hurt us if we hold poor role models. As a child, if you watched people whose lives pain as normal and gone on to follow what they did. If you do not make strong choices for yourself, you'll get the results of the weak choices of others. In the field of entertainment, our culture appreciates famous people. Those stars look great on screen. But when they step off screen, their personal lives may be awful. If you are going to follow someone, concentrate on their talent, not their bad character or behaviors. People like the person who is willing to act on their sudden inspiration to create something particular. Think of the things and people that have affected you most deeply. They moved you because their creations were caused by inspiration, not desperation . The world is changed not by those who do similar work before them but by those who do creative work. Creative people are full of new ideas. The problem a creator faces is not running out of material; It is what to do with the material to knock at the door of imagination. Study your role models, accept the gifts they have given and leave behind what does not serve you. Then you can say, "If I have announced my success, it's by learning lessons from my ancestors' failure." The trouble a creator faces is A. what to learn from other people B. how to affect other people deeply C. how to search for more materials D. how to use imagination creatively Answer: D. how to use imagination creatively The water level of oceans rises and falls alternately twice a day. This movement of water is called the tide. Tides are causer by the pull of the sun and the moon on the earth' s surface; since the moon is closer, it affects the tides more than the sun. When the moon is directly overhead, it actually pulls on the water that is below it. This causes the water level to rise because the water is pulled away from the earth. As the moon disappears over the horizon, the pull lessens and the water level settles back towards the ocean bottom. When the water reaches its highest level, we have high tide. And when the water comes to its lowest level, we have low tide from its lowest point, the water rises gradually for about six hours until it reaches high tide. Then it begins to fall continuously for about six hours until it reaches low tide. Then the cycle begins again. The pull of the moon on the earth' s surface is stronger than that of the sun because _ . A. The moon is directly over the earth B. The moon pulls the water away from the earth C. The moon is closer to the earth D. The moon moves around the earth Answer: C. The moon is closer to the earth Iceland is a popular European tourist destination. Before you go there, it is good to learn some of the basic Iceland customs first. Just like other countries in Europe, it is one of the customs in Iceland to shake hands and say "Hello". Kissing each other's cheeks is acceptable along with wishing each other a happy day. Another custom is to take off your shoes in the hallway when you enter someone's home. Also, don't be surprised if someone invites you to their house, since Icelanders love to have guests. Just make sure you take flowers or a similar token of thanks to give them. If you have been invited to eat, keep in mind that you don't need to express thanks before meals like the French or the Japanese. Rather, eat heartily and then thank your host afterwards by shaking his hand. Keep in mind that believing in mysterious beings is part of the tradition in Iceland. Indeed, most of the unique and sometimes strange rock formations in Iceland are due to elves , according to the people of Iceland. Are you planning to spend Christmas in Iceland? If so, make sure you practice saying "Gleileg jol got tog fars!" first, which is the local Christmas greeting. It is part of the tradition in Iceland to have long Christmas holidays--26 days--longer than in any other European country. There are 13 Santa Clauses in Iceland, too! There may not be a law requiring you to follow the customs, but there is no harm in doing so. Following them, you might be rewarded with a rich cultural experience and a more meaningful trip. Which of the following is one of the differences in customs between Iceland and France? A. Shaking hands when greeting. B. A 26-day-long Christmas holiday. C. Saying hello when meeting each other. D. Kissing each other's cheeks when greeting. Answer: B. A 26-day-long Christmas holiday. There are many differences between America and China. The biggest difference is traffic rules. In America there are too much more cars than in China. But there are much fewer traffic jams and accidents in America than in China. We hardly see traffic police in the street, but all cars obey strictly traffic rules, and people hardly find that a car does not obey traffic rules in the street. About American traffic rules, there are many better terms, such as: 1. Stop line: There are stop lines in all crossing without traffic light (some have two stop lines and others have four stop lines). All cars must stop while meeting the stop line. 2. Traffic light: There is traffic light in the crossing of the road. Cars may almost turn every direction. The traffic light can give signal step by step including u-turn. There is a kind of middle lane of turning left. When a car wants to turn left in the road, he may enter into the middle lane of turning left and give a signal of turning left. When he thinks being safe, he may turn left. In many conditions the order of passing is also given very specifically. If people want to change lane or turn, they must look behind and think being safe. Only so, they may do it. 3. Specific item: Such as parking, there are three kinds of lines (their colors are white, blue or red) in the roadside. Every line may park different kinds of cars. There are many streets in some residential areas , and there is a kind of rule that any car cannot park at any time or any period time. In every parking, there are some special positions for invalid people. 4. About the priority of passenger and car: At any case, passengers have the priority to cars. And only after passengers have passed the road and got the top of sidestep, cars may go ahead. In general, traffic rules of America are very specific, convenient, safe and humanizing. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage? A. In America, all cars in the crossing must stop when they meet the stop line. B. In America, any car cannot park in the streets in some residential areas. C. If people want to turn, they can obey the guide of the traffic police. D. There are more traffic jams in China. Answer: D. There are more traffic jams in China. Today there are 6.4 billion people on the earth. By the year 2050 there may be 12.5 billion . There are a lot of people to feed. We need more and more food. One way to produce more food is growing stronger plants. For thousands of years, farmers have made plants better. Every season, they pick the best plants for the next season. It works very slowly. Since 1983, scientists have been able to change plants more quickly by changing their genetic material. Foods from plants grown in this way are called genetically modified foods, or GM foods By changing the genetic material of a plant, it is possible to make new plants. They make plants which are strong against plant diseases. They can also help in our diseases; a kind of rice is being prepared , for example , which stops people becoming blind. Rich countries produce GM foods because they are easy to grow and bring in more money. Poor countries are interested in them because they help produce more food. GM plants are not natural. No one knows how good or bad they are,. Making GM foods is only one way of feeding people in 2050. There are strong feelings against them, because they are unnatural. They may feed people , then hurt them or their children later. But both rich and poor countries are interested in their use, and they are not going to go away. In 2050, we may think differently about them. Why do some people not like GM foods? A. They are not useful. B. They are not helpful. C. They are not natural. D. They are not cheap. Answer: C. They are not natural.
There are four people in Jim 's family. They are Kate, Jim, their father and mother. Jim is Kate's brother. He is fourteen. Kate is Jim's sister. She is twelve. They are in the same middle school. Jim is in Class One, Grade Three. Kate is in Class Two, Grade One. They are good students. Their father Mr. Green is a teacher. He is thirty-nine. He teaches English in a school near his home. Their mother is a teacher, too. But she teaches Chinese in a different school. Now they are all at home. How many people are there in Jim's family? Answer: 4 When we hear the words "college students", we usually think of a young person between 18 and 22 years old. But in the U.S.A today, a college student often is much older. In fact, educators say in the next few years colleges and universities may have more older part-time students than traditional full-time younger students. Educators report a big increase in the number of Americans who attend college and university classes in the evening or at night or weekends. Most of them are older than 25 years old and more have full-time or part-time jobs. Many are in their thirties or forties. Why are so many people deciding to spend their time and money in order to continue their education? Most are doing it because they believe more education will help them to get a better job. Some are industrial workers whose factories have closed. They are learning new skills to prepare for other kinds of work. Some of the part-time students are not pleased with the jobs they have. They are studying for new ones. Some have retired and are looking for new kinds of work. Two of every three of the students older than 35 are women. Many of them are returning to school after years of staying at home to care for children. Are older students good students? Most teachers say yes. They say older students really want to learn. They ask difficult questions and are not pleased with simple answers. They often get high grades. What does the whole passage mainly tell us? Answer: Why does so many older students go to college in America. In a cab, a woman seemed in such a hurry. She constantly rushed the cab driver to drive quickly. She was so absorbed in her own thoughts of getting to the airport as soon as possible that she was not aware they were going by a different route. All of a sudden, a young man got inside the cab. He took her handbag in which she had put her visa, passport, and all the money for the trip. The cab driver, who was _ the robber, left her in the exactly middle of a dark street. She thought that she was rather unfortunate in the very situation. During the very night, she was told a piece of shocking news. Tears came down her cheek. Flight 360, the plane that she should have got on board, had crashed. Had she not lost her important belongings, she could surely have lost the thing far more precious----her life. Sometimes bad things really happen. There are times when nothing seems to go our way. So what should we do about it? We must get rid of all these frustrations and start all over again in the faith that we will get what we deserve. Don't waste your time and energy on things that can't be changed. Continuous worrying will only affect your health and you'll be doing much more damage than what was previously done. What if it was the other way round? What if we never ran out of good luck? There was a man who won the lottery. He became greedy and wasted all his money on everything he could get his hands on. But when he one day made it to the front page of the newspaper again, it was a different story. He had been killed because of his riches. If you attain good luck, you can never be too secure about it. Life is so unpredictable. You never know what will happen next. Live one day at a time. We sometimes subject ourselves to unnecessary emotional trouble. But please don't forget: sometimes misfortune can be the source of happiness. Live for the moment. Do what must be done for the present and the future will turn out just fine. Believe me. And believe in yourself. As Captain Planet always says, "The power is yours!" The passage above is intended to tell us _ . Answer: misfortune sometimes is a blessing "You know, these cups bring to mind a tea quote I heard." Mary's aunt said. She poured tea. There were four of them and there were four totally different cups on the table. They took their tea cups. "What quote?" Mary asked. "Well, maybe I should rather say it is a story," aunt said, "I heard that there was a wise teacher who took all his students for tea. They were surprised that all the cups on the table were different. Each of them took a cup and started drinking their tea, each looking at the cups of others. The teacher let them do that for a while and then said,' Do you notice your behavior? You are all looking at each other's tea cup and I can see some of you with the broken ones are even envious of the finer cups of others. Is this not so?' " The students agreed, amused by their own behavior. "You may have wondered why you all had different cups, but I put them here on purpose. You see they represent life itself. Life is like that tea and the cups are like the physical circumstances of your life. You all got the same thing in your cups -- tea. And yet you can not truly enjoy it in your envy of another's cup. It's just the same with life. You forget to enjoy your own life when you concentrate on envying the circumstances of someone else's life. So now, close your eyes, and taste your own tea. Really taste it. And tell me -- did it matter from which cup it came from?" Aunt finished telling her short tea story and they all sat in silence for a while, tasting their tea. A sleepy fly buzzed past, a bird sang in the tree. And it really did not matter one bit from which tea cup they drank. From the text, we know that _ . Answer: the teacher prepared different tea cups for each student If it's freezing in New Zealand than it's the what month Answer: August
Oceans have many layers of sediments. These layers become compacted when they are buried under other layers of sediments. Which is most likely to happen to the deepest layers? A They will be squeezed out onto deltas. B They will recrystallize into new rock. C They will become part of Earth's outer core. D They will melt in magma chambers. Answer: B. They will recrystallize into new rock. Growing strawberries in pots The best way to start growing strawberries is to buy pot-grown strawberry plants m spring:5 plants are plenty for a hanging basket and 10 for the average 13 inch-sized pot. Plant them immediately in soil-based compost and they will produce a modest crop in their first year.The second year should see a bumper crop,followed by a slightly lower yield the third summer .Then start again with fresh stock . Careful watering and feeding are essential If you are to harvest a good crop,you must never let the compost dry out, particularly when the fruit is forming and ripening;if you do.most of your crop will drop offe bush almost immediately. Water well then leave the pots for up to 3 weeks,until they reach the point of drying out be careful not to overwater them during the winter months. Pruning apple trees A one-year-old tree is known as a "maiden".It has a single stem when purchased.Immediately after planting, cut it back by about half to leave 4 good buds at the base of the stem..This will force growth from the base or the plant during the summer. In the second year ,prune in winter by cutting all side branches back by about one-third, Make sure each cut is made cleanly just above an outward-facing bud.In the third and fourth years, new side branches will have emerged from the previous year's growth.Cut back all these new side branches by a third, pruning to an outward-facing bud. *By the fifth year the tree should have a well-balanced shape.From then on ,cut back all new branches by one-third in winter.Remove any diseased wood and broken branches, and ensure the centre is open to air circulation A good crop of strawberries mainly depends on _ A the size of a pot B the season of harvesting C the number of plants in a pot D careful watering and feeding Answer: D. careful watering and feeding 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. The passage tells us about _ . A running B swimming C walking D exercise Answer: D. exercise It snowed heavily last winter in northern China.Big snows came to Beijing,Hebei,Shanxi,Ningxia and Xinjiang.For many cities,it was the biggest snowfall in 50 years.The snow made traveling hard.Many schools had to close for days. Jia Aizhen,14,lives in Taiyuan,Shanxi.Her math teacher asked them to have a test on Wednesday.Because of the snow,they had the test later on Sunday. "It was good because we had more time to study for the test,"said Jia.She enjoyed the snow from the window at home. "I felt quiet and relaxed to see the white snowy world." Kang Xinyi,13,and Wang Doing,13,are classmates at Shijiazhuang No.43 Middle School in Hebei.Their school stopped on Wednesday.Kang said the snow outside was 40em deep . "It was so good we didn't have to go to school!"said Kang. Kang,Wang and another friend had a snowball fight and made a snowman .They also helped clear snow off the streets. "I never saw such a big snow,"said Wang."Last year we only made a small snow panda,but this year our snowman is 1 meter tall!" "If the snow didn't _ for traveling,we would hope it would never stop!"said the girls. Last winter,there were heavy snows in the _ of China. A west B south C north D east Answer: C. north Mr. and Mrs. Smith come from London, England. They work in China now. They teach English in a middle school. They like their work very much. They have two children, Sam and Sue. They are both in Shanghai with their parents. Mr. Smith can't speak Chinese, but his wife can speak it very well. Mr. Smith likes swimming and reading, and Mrs. Smith likes swimming and reading, too. They often go swimming in the afternoon and read in the evening. Sam and Sue like playing games with Chinese boys and girls. Sam's uncle works on a farm near London. He likes swimming, too. He wants to work in Shanghai, but he can' t speak Chinese. So he is still there and goes to Chinese classes every day. Where are Sam and Sue from? A Canada B America C England D Australia Answer: C. England
Have you ever seen snow? Many people in the world have not. Some countries never have snow; some have only a little on the tops of very high mountains. In the north of England, there is quite a lot of snow every winter, but in the south of England, there is usually little. When a student from a warm country comes to England in autumn for the first time, he feels cold at first. There are often dark clouds, grey sky and cold rain in England in autumn, and most students from warm countries do not like this. But snow is different. Though it is cold, it is also beautiful. Perhaps, after several dark mornings, the student wakes up one day, and there is a lot of light in his room. He thinks "Is it so late?" and jumps out of bed. But no, it is not very late. He looks out of the window and there is the snow on the ground and on the houses and everywhere. The light of his room comes from clean, beautiful snow. In England both snow and autumn rain are _ . A. cold B. clean C. beautiful D. heavy Answer: A A beer bottle thrown from the stands landed near Usain Bolt in the moments before the 100-meter final Sunday night in London. As Bolt and seven other competitors ducked into their starting crouches, a bottle sailed from the first row of the stands at Olympic Stadium. It harmlessly bounced in the lane belonging to Yohan Blake and didn't appear to cause a distraction to the runners, who started a moment later. The thrower's lack of distance was a blessing. Had he gathered tips from the competitors of the hammer throw competition, which was taking place in the infield at the same time as the 100 final, the bottle could have hit one of the competitors. It ended up landing a few feet from Blake (lane5). Edith Bosch, a female Dutch judoka who won a bronze medal earlier during the Olympics, claimed that the man who threw the bottle was sitting near her and that she "beat" him. Whether that's true or the hyperbole of an aggravated athlete was unclear in the minutes after the incident. Pictures show a group of Dutch athletes sitting behind the starting area. Police took the man into custody . He will appear in court on Monday morning. Neither Bolt nor Blake said they knew of the incident until they were informed by reporters. "I don't know who would have done that," Bolt said. Gatlin was aware of it but implied it was only a slight distraction. "I didn't know what it was," he said, according to the BBC, "but when you're in those blocks, the whole stadium is so quiet that you can hear a pin drop." How many exact athletes are mentioned in the text? A. Two B. Four C. Seven D. Eleven Answer: B The global population is living longer,and getting older,which presents new challenges. "The question becomes:who will take care of everyone? While people will always be the best caregivers for people,there just aren't enough people. That's where robotic technology can really make a difference," says Professor Maja Mataric at the University of Southern California. Her group is developing robots to work with stroke patients and elderly people. The research team has found that people react well to a robot gym instructor,and seem to get less frustrated with it than with instructions given on a computer screen. The robot can act as a perfect trainer,with infinite patience. "People say things like 'I prefer this robot to my husband!Can I take it home?'" according to Professor Mataric. "In fact there's a really important point here. As we create these care giving technologies,we're helping not only the people that need the care,but also the people caring for them. We can give them a break,and help them avoid _ ." People are going to have to like,and importantly trust robots before they welcome them into their homes,and several groups around the world are working on making it easier to communicate with them. Much of human communication takes place through body language. Gestures, eye contact , and concepts of personal space are all things that robots are being taught. In learning about how people interact with machines,researchers are also discovering new roles for robots in our lives. Robots can communicate with humans in ways that other technologies can not. "If someone finds the robot to be more persuasive and more reliable,that's going to affect how they interact with it," says Dr Cynthia Breazeal, director of the Personal Robots Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "We can now start to think about fields where it's the social interaction,which is the main means by which a robot helps someone." Dr Breazeal says that means robots could be used in education,learning,and health care,where social support is important. Why can robots be wonderful trainers in the gym? A. Because they are more clever. B. Because they give correct instructions. C. Because they cost less money. D. Because they are more patient. Answer: D Squawk! Polly wants a cracker! Pretty bird! Pretty bird! These are just a few of the things you might hear coming out of a parrot's mouth. Although parrots seem to be able to talk, they're not really talking like humans. They're not choosing and saying words with specific meanings. Instead, they're simply imitating sounds they've heard. Repeating sounds they've heard before-often many times-is called mimicry. The "talking" we hear from parrots can consist of imitations of all sorts of sounds, from spoken words to creaking doors to barking dogs. They're not really "talking", but it doesn't mean that parrots' mimicry isn't impressive. Did you know that parrots don't have vocal cords like humans? It's true! Instead, parrots use muscles in their throat to direct airflow through their mouths to mimic the sounds they hear around them. Parrots, such as African Greys and Amazons, aren't the only birds that can learn to imitate sounds, including human voices. Some other birds known for their ability to "talk" include Indian Ringneck Parakeets, Budgies and Cockatiels. If you're wondering why some birds imitate sounds they hear, it's because they're social animals. They feel a need to be able to interact with those around them. When kept as pets, these birds see their owners as their family and want to communicate with them. Since a human owner usually can't learn a bird's "language", the bird instead tries to learn the language of its owner. Although these birds are often quite intelligent, imitation is still the best that they can manage. Mimicry becomes a way for them to get attention and interact with their owners. If you want to have a bird that talks as a pet, the best thing to do is to find a bird that already knows how to imitate sounds. Even if a bird knows how to imitate a few sounds, though, you'll still need to spend lots of time training it and providing positive interactions to encourage more "talking ". You can get a bird to talk more by -. A. showing your kindness to it B. training it in a certain way C. directing airflow through its mouth D. making it imitate another bird Answer: B Booking opens for Beckett Shorts on September . BY TELEPHONE For credit card booking. Calls are answered . BOX OFFICE 01789 295623 9 a.m.~ 8 p.m. (Mon.~ Sat) 0541 541051 (24 hours , 7 days , no booking charge ) BY FAX For credit card booking . Please allow at least 48 hours for reply , if required. BOX OFFICE 01789 261974 or 01862 387765 BY POST Please enclose a cheque or credit card details together with an SAE or add 50 p to the total amount to cover postage. Please send to the Box Office , RST, Stratford-upon-Avon , CV37 6BB. One has to wait for 2 days or longer for a reply if he / she pays _ . A. in person B. by telephone C. by fax D. by post Answer: C
To save yourself from embarrassment , it's good to read a few books or research online about the culture and customs of the country you plan to visit. Clothing: Wearing shorts in public is generally not acceptable in most parts of the world, including some European countries. Greetings: Handshake is a usually accepted form of greeting, although in some countries, like Japan, a traditional bow is preferred. Be careful how you talk with someone; don't use first names unless you are invited to do something. Language/Gestures: learn some polite expressions (hello-goodbye-thank you) and relax. English is pretty common worldwide, especially in tourist areas and you can always use body language to get your message across. However, some Americans gestures have different meanings in other countries. For example, in Bulgaria, shaking your head usually means "yes"; shaking it "vertically" means " no". Food/Drink: you may find yourself looking down at a local delicious snake soup in china, sheep's eyes in Saudi Arabia... and wonder what to do; especially you are guests in someone's home. Be brave, take small bites, and pretend it tastes like something you like. Remember that some Buddhists don't eat beef, and Muslims don't eat pork. If you are eating with Muslims, never touch food with left hand (the left hand is for bathroom use). Conversations: if you know the history and culture of the country, you will be confident. The French are angry at the classic American question: "What do you do for a living?" and so on. You should learn about _ of the country if you want to go to another country. A. the people and the food B. the culture and customs C. the language and people D. the behavior and conversations Answer: B What might I be doing during the day cycle on earth? A. using magic B. having a picnic C. time traveling D. driving flying cars Answer: B 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. . Jolin thinks that _ is important for us to learn English. A. just reciting words B. hosting a programme on the radio C. studying in the classroom D. putting English to good use Answer: D A butcher watching over his shop was really surprised when he saw a dog coming inside the shop. He went over to the dog and noticed it had a note in its mouth. He took the note and it read "Can I have 12 sausages and a leg of lamb, please. The dog has money in his mouth, as well." The butcher looked carefully and was surprised to find that there was really a ten-dollar note there. So he took the money and put the sausages and lamb in a bag, placing it in the dog's mouth. The butcher was so impressed, and since it was about closing time, he decided to shut up shop and follow the dog. So off he went. He followed the dog to a bus stop. The dog stopped and started looking at the timetable. The dog checked out the time, and then sat on one of the seats provided. Along came a bus. The dog walked around to the front, looked at the number, and went back to its seat. Another bus came. Again the dog went around to the front, looked at the number and climbed on. The butcher, by now, open-mouthed, followed it onto the bus. The bus traveled through the town and out into the suburbs. Eventually the dog got up, and moved to the front of the bus. It stood on two back paws and pushed the button to stop the bus. Then it got off with groceries still in its mouth. Well, the dog and the butcher were walking along the road, and then the dog turned into a house. It walked up the path, and dropped the groceries on the step. Then it walked back down the path, took a big run, and threw itself against the door. Then again, it threw himself against it. There's no answer at the house. so the dog waited at the door. The butcher watched as a big guy opened the door, and started shouting at it. The butcher ran up, and stopped the guy. "Why do you shout at the dog? It is really a genius." The guy responded, "You call this clever? This is the second time this week that this stupid dog's forgotten its key." The passage implies that _ . A. dogs are cleverer than man B. dogs are our best friend C. the butcher is a cruel person D. some people are never satisfied with what they have got Answer: D In 1963, Hobson was appointed to a tribunal established pursuant to a congressional act. The tribunal's duties were to review claims made by veterans and to make recommendations to the Veterans Administration on their merits. Congress later abolished the tribunal and established a different format for review of such claims. Hobson was offered a federal administrative position in the same bureau at a lesser salary. He thereupon sued the government on the ground that Congress may not remove a federal judge from office during good behavior nor diminish his compensation during continuance in office. Government attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the action. The court should A. deny the motion, because of the independence of the federal judiciary constitutionally guaranteed by Article III. B. deny the motion, because Hobson has established a property right to his federal employment on the tribunal. C. grant the motion, because Hobson lacks standing to raise the question. D. grant the motion, because Hobson was not a judge under Article III and is not entitled to life tenure Answer: D
The State Council submitted a bill which aims to allow couples to have two children if either parent is an only child. It focuses on adjusting and improving the family planning policy. The State Council argues adjustment to the policy in the face of a steadily declining birth rate. The birth rate has remained relatively low and shows a tendency to fall further. The rate has dropped to between 1.5 and 1.6 since the 1990s, which means each Chinese woman of child-bearing age gives birth to 1.5 to 1.6 children on average. The working population began to drop in 2012 by 3.45 million every year, and it is likely to fall by 8 million each year after 2023. The population aged 60 and above will reach 400 million and account for one-fourth of the total population in the early 2030s, up from one-seventh now. "If the current family planning policy continues, the birth rate will continue to fall and lead to a sharp drop of the total population after reaching a peak," said Li Bin, minister in charge of the National Health and Family Planning Commission. "It is the right time to make changes: The low birth rate is stable, the working population is still large and the burden of supporting the elderly remains relatively light," he added. An increase in birth is expected if the policy changes but will not seriously affect the food supply, public education, health care or employment. China's food safety and public service plans are designed to meet the needs of 1.43 billion population in 2020 and 1.5 billion in 2033. Even with the policy change, the total population will reach no more than 1.38 billion in 2015, Li said. The new policy may have an effect on the following expect _ . Answer: the divorce rate BELT FAJAR, West Bank - of Khalil Taqataqah's nine children, 20-year-old Andaleeb was his favorite. She was up early on Friday, made him tea and then slipped unnoticed out of the modest family home in this West Bank village. In centralprefix = st1 /Jerusalemlater in the day, Andaleeb ended her life the way dozens of other Palestinians did before: She blew herself up, killing herself and six Israelis and injured scores more. Andaleeb's parents, sisters, best friends and close s painted a picture of a quiet and soft-spoken woman who had not given a hint of her intentions. But Andaleeb spoke of her plan in a video taken before Friday's bombing and shown on Saturday on the Qatar-based Arab satellite TV channel AI-Jazeera. "I've chosen to say with my body what Arab's leaders have failed to say." Said Andaleeb, repeating a frequent complaint by Palestinians that Arab nations are not doing enough againstIsrael. "My body is a barrel of gunpowder that burns the enemy." she said, reading from a piece of paper. "She was like any other girl of her age. She spoke about love and marriage. I am so sad she's gone. It's the shock of my life." said her best friend and coworker Laila Mahmoud. A school dropout, Andaleeb had supported her family from a job at a Palestinian-owned textile factory in the nearby town ofBelt Jala. She had not reported for work for nearly three weeks because of repeated closures of West Bank roads by the Israeli army, according to her s. "Anyone in her place would have been out of control. It's her destiny and it's a source of pride and glory for us that she did what she could." said her aunt, Jameela Taqataqah as she held back tears. Andaleeb, the third Palestinian woman to commit a suicide murder this year, wore blue jeans and a matching checkered shirt when she had a photograph taken two months ago. Andaleeb, her parents' fourth child, looked more than 20 in the photograph. Andaleeb's parents said they learned of their daughter's death early this morning when Israeli troops arrived and asked everyone to step out while they searched the house. "They arrested one of her brothers and a male cousin who lives next door." said the parents. All the following are true EXCEPT that _ . Answer: Andaleeb was a student before she died The panda is one of the animals most in danger. Three are about 1,000 pandas living in nature reserves today. Zoos and research centers look after about 160 pandas. Scientists are studying how they live and more baby pandas are born in the zoos. Pandas live in the forests and mountains of Southern China. They mainly live on bamboo, and each pandas needs to eat a lot of bamboo every day. The area of bamboo is becoming smaller for many different reasons, so pandas have less and less land to live on. Pandas don't have many babies, and baby panda often dies. The situation is becoming very serious. Our government is working hard to save pandas. There are more than 30 nature reserves to protect pandas but these are not enough. The government has made a new plan to help pandas. The nature reserves will be bigger and the bamboo will grow better. Then the pandas will have enough food and enough places to live in. Pandas born in the zoos may go back to live in the nature reserves. Most people love pandas. The panda is one of the best-known animals in the world. It is the symbol for the World Wide Fund for Nature. The WWF works to protect all animals in danger, so the panda has become the symbol of all animals in danger. There is still a long way to save the panda. Think of other animals in danger. There is still a long way to go to save the panda. Think of other animals in danger such as tigers, whales, turtles and elephants--and we need to save them, too. There are about _ pandas living in the nature reserves today. Answer: 1,000 One day three Frenchmen who did not know English very well were talking about the English language. The first Frenchman said, 'I heard someone shout 'look out' ,I put my head out of a window and a basin of water fell on me. It seems that 'look out' may mean 'don't look out!' The second one followed, ' I was once on a ship and heard the captain shout, 'All hands on the deck ' I put my hands on the deck and someone trod on them.' The third one told his friends his experience too, 'One early morning I called on my English friend and the maid said, 'He is not up yet, come back in half an hour.' When I went again for him, she said, 'He's not down yet.'I said, 'If he's not up and he is not down, where is he then? What a strange language it is!' What is the possible meaning of "look out" in this passage? Answer: Be careful Owning a smart phone may not be as smart as you think. They may let you surf the Internet, listen to music and snap photos wherever you are... but they also turn you into a workaholic . A study suggests that, by giving you access to emails at all times, the all-singing, all-dancing mobile phone adds as much as two hours to your working day. Researchers found that Britons work an additional 460 hours a year on average as they are able to respond to emails on their mobiles. The study by technology retailer Pixmania, shows the average UK working day is between nine and ten hours, but a further two hours is spent responding to or sending work emails, or making work calls. Almost one in ten admits spending up to three hours outside their normal working day checking work emails. Some workers confess they are on call almost 24 hours a day, with nine out of ten saying they take work emails and calls outside their normal working hours. Nearly two-thirds say they often check work emails just before they go to bed and as soon as they wake up, while over a third have replied to one in the middle of the night. Ghadi Hobeika, marketing director of Pixmania, said, "The ability to access millions of apps, keep in contact via social networks and take photos and video as well as text and call has made smart phones valuable for many people. However, there are _ . Many companies expect their employees to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and smart phones mean that people cannot get away from work. The more constantly in contact we become, the more is expected of us in a work capacity ." What is the main idea of this passage? Answer: Smart phones are lengthening working hours.
Maybe it is true that we do not know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we do not know what we have been missing until it arrives. It takes an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Do not expect love in return; but if it does not, be content it has grown in yours. Do not rely on one's appearance; it can trick you. Do not rely on wealth; even that fades away. Rely on someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You cannot go on well in life until you let your past failures and heartaches go off. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people do not necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Happiness waits for those who cry, those appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too. When you were born , you were crying and everyone around you was smiling . Live your life so that when you die , you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying . If you put yourself in another person's position,_. A. you shouldn't do what will hurt other people B. you should put on other people's shoes C. you should believe in other people D. you should depend on your imagination Answer: A. you shouldn't do what will hurt other people Old Bear Kevin Henkes(2008), under 40 pages Target Audience: Preschoolers Price: $3.8 Content: It is snowing really hard and Old Bear is getting ready for his long nap. As he sleeps, he dreams of being a cub again and enjoying the wonders of nature. He dreams about summer, fall, winter and spring and how each season brings him so much joy! The illustrations show the beauty of the seasons that Old Bear dreams about. Great book! Half-Minute Horrors Susan Rich(2009), 120~160 pages Target Audience: Intermediates (4th~6th grade) Price: $9.6 Content: Looking for a scary book that is also quick to read? How about a one-paragraph tale of terror or a simple drawing that will make your skin crawl? This book is a collection of very short stories, pictures and cartoons from an impressive group of authors and illustrators. Leaves David Ezra Stein(2007), under 40 pages Illustrated by David Ezra Stein Target Audience: Toddlers, Preschoolers Price: $3.4 Content: It's Little Bear's first year. Fall has come to his island. When the leaves begin to fall, he wonders what to do. However, after following his instinct and sleeping through the winter, he awakens in spring to find everything blooming once again. Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' Eileen Spinelli (2003) , under 40 pages Illustrated by Megan Lloyd Target Audience: Preschoolers Price: $3.5 Content: The Tappletons (bears) are gathered together for their big Thanksgiving feast. However, all is not going well during the preparations. The turkey slides out of the house, down a hill and into a pond. There are no pies at the bakery and the lettuce for the salad has been given to the rabbits. As they sit down for the feast, Grandmother Tappleton reminds them that although they have nothing to eat, they can still be thankful that they have each other. Which book has the most pages? A. Old Bear B. Half-Minute Horrors C. Leaves D. Thanksgiving at the Tappletons'. Answer: B. Half-Minute Horrors 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. How many positions need editing experience? A. 2. B. 1. C. 3. D. 4. Answer: C. 3. After several months, a cardboard box left outside is all misshapen and has holes in it A. the elements broke it down B. radiation completely destroyed it C. an elf messed with the box D. bees ate holes in it Answer: A. the elements broke it down President Bush this week announced his support for a proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.Details published Friday said Israel would remove troops and all settlements from the Gaza Strip by the end of next year.About seven-thousand settlers live there. Israel would also remove four settlements in the West Bank.But six large settlements would remain.The ruling Likud party of Minister Sharon is expected to vote on the proposal on May second. Minister Sharon visited the White House on Wednesday.President Bush praised what he called " historic and courageous actions." Mr.Bush said the plan gives the Palestinians, in his words, " a chance to create a reformed, just and free government." Palestinian leaders have denounced the president.Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia said Bush is the first president to accept Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories. British Prime Minister Tony Blair was at the White House Friday.He said he welcomed the plan.Blair urged other countries to get involved. At least for now, Israel would continue to control airspace, waters and land passages.Minister Sharon says the plan is necessary because the Palestinian Authority has failed to stop attacks against Israelis.Diplomatic efforts also have not succeeded. A Bush administration official said the president supports the plan because Israel is taking steps to remove existing settlements.Mr.Bush said removing all Jewish settlements in the West Bank would be unrealistic. Palestinian officials called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations, the United States, Russia and the European Union.Palestinian President Yasser Arafat says the plan is hurting Palestinians and they will never stop seeking an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. Israel captured Gaza and the West Bank in the nineteen-sixty-seven Middle East War.It soon began to build settlements.Palestinians want their own state in all of the West Bank and Gaza.They also demand the right of return to lands that are now part of Israel. On Friday, several thousand Palestinians protested against President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon. In which part does the passage appear? A. Sports news B. Science fiction C. High technology D. Home and abroad Answer: D. Home and abroad
Animals are a favorite subject of many photographers. Cats, dogs, and other pets top the list, followed by zoo animals. However, because it's hard to get them to sit still and "perform on command," some professional photographers refuse to photograph pets. One way to get an appealing portrait of a cat or dog is to hold a biscuit or treat above the camera. The animal's longing look toward the food will be captured by the camera, but the treat won't appear in the picture because it's out of the camera's range. When you show the picture to your friends afterwards, they'll be impressed by your pet's loving expression. If you are using fast film, you can take some good, quick shots of a pet by simply snapping a picture right after calling its name. You'll get a different expression from your pet using this technique. Depending on your pet's mood, the picture will capture an interested, curious expression or possibly a look of annoyance, especially if you've awakened it from a nap. Taking pictures of zoo animals requires a little more patience. After all, you can't wake up a lion! You may have to wait for a while until the animal does something interesting or moves into a position for you to get a good shot. When photographing zoo animals, don't get too close to the cages, and never tap on the glass or throw things between the bars of a cage. Concentrate on shooting some good pictures, and always respect the animals you are photographing. In what way is photographing zoo animals different from photographing pets? You need more time to watch and wait. You Are What You Eat Genetic engineering is the scientific change of the genetic material in a living organism. It allows scientists to identify specific genes, to remove them from an organism's chromosomes , improve them, analyze them, and possibly clone them, and to then reinsert the changed gene into the original organism, or a completely different organism.Unlike traditional breeding , where a desired quality would be bred within the same species, genetic engineering can insert desired ones into organisms of different species.Wow...Did you catch that? Genetic engineering creates many positive contributions to agriculture. For example, by genetically engineered(GE) foods, anti-cancer agents, minerals and vitamins can be increased.Improved taste, shelf life, and better transport are all possible.Also, GE plants can increase pest and bacterial resistance, therefore, making the food safe for consumers. But some argue that the possible negative effects outweigh the positives, and critics are starting to voice their concerns. Unlike Europe, in the United States labeling is not required on genetically engineered foods or on foods that contain genetically engineered products. Most Americans do not realize that they are, in fact, eating GE foods. The public is also concerned about the unknown health risks.With limited understanding of genes, scientists cannot predict possible effects.Because most genes introduced into GE plants come from sources not introduced into the human body, it is impossible to know if they will cause reactions. Moreover, due to _ if allergies develop, it will be extremely difficult to find the origin of them. There is also a major moral question in many minds.For many, the conflict is not if it is safe or not, but it disturbs them because it is unnatural and unnecessary.We are currently producing one and a half times the amount of food needed to feed the world, yet one in seven people are starving.GE food is unnecessary, and fails to address the root of hunger. Many believe that the only people who will benefit are the corporations that produce it. Scientists cannot foresee t.he possible effects of GE foods, yet we eat them every day without even knowing it.We already have enough food, so why create more that could be potentially harmful to us, to the Earth and to all wildlife? I think that the benefits are amazing, but until we know for sure how these foods will affect us, they are not worth the risk. What is the author's attitude towards genetic engineering? Disapproving. Security guard, truck driver, salesperson--year after year, these jobs appear on lists of the unhappiest careers. Although many factors can make a job unhappy, unusual hours, low pay, nochance for advancement -- these three gigs stand out for another reason: a lack of small talk. Psychologists have long said that connecting with others is central to well-being, but just how much conversation we require is under investigation. In one study, researchers eavesdropped on undergraduates for four days, then cataloged each overheard conversation as either small talk (What do you have there? Popcorn?(Yummy!) or serious (So did they get divorced soon after?). They found that the second type related with happiness--the happiest students had roughly twice as many serious talks as the unhappiest ones. Small talk, meanwhile, made up only 10 percent of their conversation, versus almost 30 percent of conversation among the least content students. However, don't just consider chat worthless yet. Scientists believe that small talk could promote linking. Chatting with strangers could brighten your morning. In a series of experiments, psychologists gave Chicago travelers varying directions about whether to talk with fellow train passengers something they typically avoided. Those told to chat with others reported a more pleasant journey than those told to enjoy your being alone or to do whatever they normally would. None of the chatters reported being rejected. And the results held for introverts and extroverts alike which makes sense, since acting extroverted has a positive effect on introverts. Small talk can also help us feel connected to our surroundings. People who smiled at, made eye contact with, and briefly spoke with their Starbucks reported a greater sense of belonging than those who rushed through the business. Similarly, one not yet published paper found that when volunteers broke the silence of the Tate Modern to chat with gallery goers, the visitors felt happier and more connected to the exhibit than those who were not approached. So go ahead, pry. Chitchat needn't be idle. And nosiness isn't all bad. The author attributes the unhappiness felt by security guards, truck drivers and sales people to _ . a lack of small talk Many people have never heard of Mesothelioma and are unaware of its symptoms. Although considered a rare form of cancer, each year the number of cases grows. With the prevalence of this disease on the rise, it is critical to understand why and how Mesothelioma develops and what courses of action can be taken in the event of diagnosis. The following is a list of frequently asked questions and answers that will provide you with some information on Mesothelioma, and the legal issues surrounding it. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor found in the mesothelial cells of an organ. The organs where this form of cancer is most commonly found are the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. Pleural Mesothelioma is cancer of the lung lining(,)and is the most common form of Mesothelioma. What causes Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos . Asbestos is often found in building materials used before the mid 1970's. In addition, materials such as pipes, boiler insulation, floor, ceiling and roof tiles may contain asbestos. How much asbestos exposure will cause Mesothelioma? Generally, the probability of developing this form of cancer is in accordance with the length of time you are exposed to asbestos. Also, your health is at risk if your exposure to asbestos is intense. It should be noted that Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. This means that you may develop the disease long after your exposure to asbestos. On average, people tend to develop Mesothelioma somewhere between 35 and 40 years after exposure. How quickly does Mesothelioma progress? The onset of Mesothelioma is quite slow. Patients will begin to experience symptoms such as lower back pain and chest pain. These symptoms may also be accompanied by weight loss, fever and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, once Mesothelioma develops, it quickly becomes aggressive and treatment must be sought immediately. Can Mesothelioma be treated? Doctors are able to use several traditional methods of cancer treatment for Mesothelioma, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Like all forms of cancer, detecting the disease at the earliest stage possible greatly increases the patient's chances for survival. If you have worked in an industry such as construction or suspect that you may have been exposed to asbestos, be alert for symptoms and contact your doctor immediately. What legal courses of action can be taken? Anyone suffering from Mesothelioma is entitled to compensation from asbestos manufacturers. Additionally, if you are the spouse or child of someone who has died from Mesothelioma, you are entitled to file a claim and seek compensation. The authors intends to _ . provide more information about Mesothelioma The human body is a living machine, and, like all machines, it needs "fuel" to supply it with energy. This is provided by the food we eat. But how much do we need to stay healthy? The energy value of food is usually measured in calories . A calorie is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1degC. The number of calories people need per day is different, as the picture shows. Also, the number of calories you use at any one moment normally depends on the activity you are in. For example, you need more calories for standing than for sitting, more for running than for walking, and so on. The energy in food is in the form of three kinds of chemical materials--carbohydrate , protein and fat. Carbohydrate provides 3.8 Cal /gm of the energy, protein 4.0 Cal/gm, and fat 8.8 Cal/gm. Each food contains different amounts of these materials, as the round pictures show. (P= protein C= carbohydrate F=fat) This passage mainly tells us _ . the number of calories depends on your activity
I liked most of my teachers in college. They were, for the most part, friendly and competent, willing to help students. I liked them--but I don't remember them very well, except for Mr. Jones, my senior English teacher. He was an enthusiastic, sensitive man, who knew his subject and was determined that we would learn it and love it, too. Mr. Jones was a tall, slim man in his midforties. Put precariously on his nose, his glasses gave him a serious look. But they didn't remain there long, for he was always taking them off and polishing them and putting them in his mouth when he thought over a response to a student's question. When he walked into class, he was always carrying two or three books with strips of paper sticking out of them, marking passages he planned to read. I remember, too, the cardigan sweaters--he must have had a dozen of them. On rainy days he substituted a blue raincoat for the sweater. But what I remember best was his smile. When he smiled, his whole face lit up. His smile made you feel good, at ease. Yet though he was friendly with people, he was a bit formal in class, and he could be firm on occasion. He never called us by our first names. He obviously loved his work and liked his students, but he kept his distance. He never deliberately embarrassed a student in front of the class with an ironic remark, but he could communicate his displeasure all right. He'd look steadily at the offending student for a few seconds. That was usually enough, but if it didn't work, he'd say something to the student in a lowered tone of voice. He didn't do this often, though. Mr. Jones' personality and passion made him popular, but what I liked most about him was that he was a fine teacher. Yes, he cared about students, but he cared more about teaching them his subject. And that meant homework, lots of it, and pop quizzes now and then to keep them reading. He lectured occasionally to provide background information whenever we moved on to a new literary period. After a brief glance at his notes, he'd begin to move around as he talked--to the blackboard, to the window, back to the platform. But he preferred discussions. He'd write several questions on the board for the next day's discussion, and he'd expect you to be prepared to discuss them. He directed the discussion, but he didn't control it; he was a good listener and made sure we all had a chance to respond, whether we wanted to or not. If he was pleased with a response, he'd nod his head and smile. Occasionally he'd read a student's essay, praising its good points. But he was toughminded, too, as I suggested before. He really nailed you for careless work or inattention. When you got an A from him, you really felt good, for he wasn't an easy grader. We used to complain about his grading standards, usually in vain, though he would change a grade if he thought the had been unfair. We had many interesting discussions about Twain, Crane, and Dreiser, as I recall, but his favorite period was the 1920's. He loved the expatriates : Anderson, Cummings, Hemingway, Fitzgerald. He was always bringing in books for us to read, but when he got to this period, he was a walking library, I think he'd read every book ever written by or about Hemingway and Fitzgerald in the twenties. Yes, Mr. Jones was a fine teacher all right: he knew his subject. But more than that, he made us want to continue to read it and study it on our own. How did Mr. Jones deal with naughty students? A He didn't criticize them in public. B He drove them out of his class angrily. C He communicated with them patiently and regularly. D He called them by their first names to answer questions. Answer: A. He didn't criticize them in public. For six hours we shot through the landscape of the Karoo desert in South Africa. Just rocks and sand and baking sun. Knowing our journey was ending, Daniel and I just wanted to remember all we had seen and done. He used a camera. I used words. I had already finished three notebooks and was into the fourth, a beautiful leather notebook I'd bought in a market in Mozambique. Southern Africa was full of stories. And visions. We were almost drunk on sensations. The roaring of the water at Victoria Falls, the impossible silence of the Okavango Delta in Botswana . And then the other things: dogs in the streets, whole families in Soweto living in one room, a kilometre from clean water. As we drove towards the setting sun, a quietness fell over us. The road was empty -- we hadn't seen another car for hours. And as I drove, something caught my eye, something moving next to me. I glanced in the mirror of the car; I glanced sideways to the right, and that was when I saw them. Next to us, by the side of the road, thirty, forty wild horses were racing the car, a cloud of dust rising behind them -- brown, muscular horses almost close enough to touch them, to smell their hot breath. I didn't know how long they had been there next to us. I shouted to Dan: "Look!", but he was in a deep sleep, his camera lying useless by his feet. They raced the car for a few seconds, then disappeared far behind us, a memory of heroic forms in the red landscape. When Daniel woke up an hour later I told him what had happened. "Wild horses?" he said. "Why didn't you wake me up?" "I tried. But they were gone after a few seconds." "Are you sure you didn't dream it?" "You were the one who was sleeping!" Typical, he said. "The best photos are the ones we never take." We checked into a dusty hotel and slept the sleep of the dead. During their journey in Africa, the two travelers _ . A made friends with local residents B complained about the poor living conditions C enjoyed the sunset in the Karoo desert most D recorded their experiences in different ways Answer: D. recorded their experiences in different ways Even bird brains can get to know an entire continent ----- but it takes them a year of migration to do so, suggests a Princeton research team. The scientists have shown that migration adult sparrows can find their way to their winter nesting grounds even after being thrown off course by thousands of miles. The team first brought 30 sparrows to Princeton from northern Washington State, where the birds had been in the process of migrating southward from their summer breeding grounds inprefix = st1 /Alaska. Half the birds were juveniles of about three months in age that had never migrated before, while the other half were adults that had made the round trip to their wintering site in the south-western United States at least once. After the birds were released, they attempted to resume their migration, but both age group grew disoriented quickly. "All the birds scattered at first," Wikelski said. "It was clear that they were turned around for a couple of days. But while the adults eventually realized they had to head southwest, the younger birds resumed flying straight southward as though they were still in Washington." "The adults," said team member Richard Holland, "recovered their bearings because they possess something the younger birds do not, which is an internal map." "These birds need two things to know where they are and migrate effectively: a 'map' and a 'compass'," saidHolland, a postdoctoral research associate in Wikelski's lab. "What we've found is that juveniles use their compass, but the adults also use their map." Hollandsaid, "The birds do not lose the compass as they age, but somehow develop the map, eventually applying both tools to keep on track during migratory flights. Scientists already have determined that the compass is based on the sun or the magnetic field, but where the map comes from remains a mystery----one that the team will be exploring in coming years." Where did the 30 sparrows spend their summer? A Princeton B Washington C Alaska D In the southwesternUnited States Answer: C. Alaska Ma Yun was born on October 15,1964 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. He is the founder of Alibaba Group. At the age of 10, Ma Yun took an interest in English. Each morning, he rode his bike to Hangzhou Hotel to talk with foreigners. In 1988, he became an English teacher. Then Ma Yun met Bill Aho, an American businessman, in Hangzhou. In 1995, he visited the United States for the first time. He stayed with Mr. Aho's family. There, he was introduced to the World Wide Web. Then he returned home and set up one of China's first web companies , China Yellowpages in the same year. On February 21,1999, he _ Alibaba. He chose Alibaba as the name because everyone knew the story of Alibaba. Ma Yun had problems along the way. But his hard work made Alibaba an online success. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT TRUE? A Ma Yun was born on the 15th of October, 1964. B He set up Alibaba Group. C In 1995, he was introduced to the World Wide Web. D Ma Yun chose Alibaba as the name because he liked the story of Alibaba. Answer: D. Ma Yun chose Alibaba as the name because he liked the story of Alibaba. Researchers at the University of Kansas say that people can accurately judge 90 percent of a stranger's personality simply by looking at the person's shoes. "Shoes convey a thin but useful slice of information about their wearers," the authors wrote in the new study published in the Journal of Research in Personality."Shoes serve a practical purpose, and also serve as nonverbal cues with symbolic messages.People tend to pay attention to the shoes they and others wear." Medical Daily notes that the number of detailed personality traits detected in the study include a person's general age, their gender, income, political affiliation, and other personality traits, including someone's emotional stability. Lead researcher Omri Gillath said the judgments were based on the style, cost, color and condition of someone's shoes.In the study, 63 University of Kansas students looked at pictures showing 208 different pairs of shoes worn by the study's participants.Volunteers in the study were photographed in their most commonly worn shoes, and then filled out a personality questionnaire. So, what do your shoes say about your personality? Some of the results were expected: People with higher incomes most commonly wore expensive shoes, and flashier footwear was typically worn by extroverts . However, some of the more specific results are intriguing.For example, "practical and functional" shoes were generally worn by more "agreeable" people, while ankle boots were more closely aligned with "aggressive" personalities. The strangest of all may be that those who wore "uncomfortable looking" shoes tend to have "calm" personalities. And if you have several pairs of new shoes or take exceptional care of them, you may suffer from "attachment _ " spending an inordinate amount of time worrying about what other people think of your appearance. There was even a political calculation in the mix with more liberal types wearing "shabbier and less expensive" shoes. The researchers noted that some people will choose shoe styles to mask their actual personality traits, but researchers noted that volunteers were also likely to be unaware that their footwear choices were revealing deep insights into their personalities. Which of the following is not true according to the text? A People who wear practical and functional shoes may be hard to deal with. B People with high incomes probably wear expensive shoes. C Ankle boots are closely aligned with "aggressive" personalities. D People wearing "uncomfortable looking" shoes tend to be calm. Answer: A. People who wear practical and functional shoes may be hard to deal with.
Question: A traveler lost his way and got off the highway to see where he was. As he drove by, he saw rows and rows of pigpens and pigs running in fields. Suddenly, his eyes caught something really strange. It looked like a pig with a wooden leg. He drove up into the arm, where he met the farmer. " Excuse me, " the traveler said. " I was just driving by and looking at all your pigs, and I just had to stop and ask about it. Tell me, is there really a pig out there with a wooden leg?" The farmer smiled. " Oh, that would be old Caesar you saw. He's the finest pig I've ever had ---and smart! Well, let me tell you a little about that pig." " One night a couple of years ago I got to drinking and I guess I had more than I should have. I fell down and knocked over a lamp. That started a fire in the house and old Caesar smelled the smoke. He came in the back door, got the wife and kid out, roused me up and got me out. There is no question about it ---- that night old Caesar saved all our lives. You know that I'm not going to forget it too easily." " Why," the traveler said, " this is amazing! I have never heard of a pig like this before! This is fantastic! But tell me, how did he get that wooden leg?" The farmer laughed and said, " Well, when you have a pig so smart, you don't want to eat him all at one time!" The author wants to _ . A. report a piece of news B. tell us a moving story C. tell us a humorous story D. have a joke with us Answer: C. tell us a humorous story Question: A good way to pass an examination is to work hard everyday in the year. You may fail in the examination if you are lazy for most of the year and then work hard only a few days before the examination. If you are taking an English examination, you shouldn't only learn the rules of grammar. Try to read stories in English and speak in English whenever you can. Several days before examination you should start going to bed early. Do not stay up late at night studying and learning things. Before you start the examination, read carefully over the examination paper. Try to understand the exact meaning ofeach question before you pick up your pen to write. When you have finished your examination At last ,read your answers, correct any mistakes that you see and make sure that you have not _ anything _ ,. When we are taking the exam, we should _ A. Pick up your pen and write at once. B. After you finish the examination, hand in at once. C. Try to understand every word while you are reading. D. Go over your paper before you hand it in. Answer: D. Go over your paper before you hand it in. Question: * Membership Hostelling International (HI) is a membership organization, and HI membership gives you much more than a comfy bed! It puts you at the heart of a huge international family, where you can share experiences, travel and friendship with people of all nations. * Membership Savings Program Your National Association or Hostelling International Membership card not only opens the door to the world's largest network of safe, clean and welcoming hostels, but in many HI hostels, being a member now gives you at least a 10 percent saving on the cost of your accommodation - just one of the great reasons to become a member! In some countries, membership is compulsory if you wish to stay in HI hostels listed on this site. To find out what is applicable in the country you wish to visit, please check the Membership Savings Program. Apart from cheaper accommodation in many of our 4,000 hostels worldwide, membership also gives you access to thousands of travel-related savings at home and abroad. Please check locally with your HI hostel on arrival for details of these great benefits which can include: reduced-price admission to attractions and museums, discounts on meals, transportation and lots more. Whatever your budget, membership helps you to explore and "Say HI to the world", backpack across Europe, discover Down Under, dance to Latin rhythms, chill out on an idyllic Asian beach or simply "Discover the real hostel experience" in one of our unique hostels worldwide. * How to become a member Purchase a membership from your nearest HI Youth Hostel Association office or membership selling outlet before you start your journey. Purchase an international membership when you arrive at an HI hostel outside your country of residence. To check the price and availability of membership on arrival, please contact the hostel directly. Alternatively, you can purchase a 12-month e-Membership during the booking process with your hostel stay. The e-Membership entitles you to stay in any HI hostel and receive at least 10 percent discount on accommodation charges compared to a non-member. Please note: when you select your country from the list below you will be given full contact details plus a link to the national HI Youth Hostel Association website. Please select the Membership section on the site. Which of the following is TRUE about the HI hostels? A. Accommodation discounts for members are not available at every HI hostel. B. For some HI hostels, you have to be a member to find accommodation. C. You will enjoy high quality services at the cheapest possible price. D. Free public transportation to your destination is ensured. Answer: C. You will enjoy high quality services at the cheapest possible price. Question: An example of migration is A. when flocks relocate B. when deer breed C. when geese honk D. when mice scurry Answer: A. when flocks relocate Question: It had been a long time since I had been to Jacksonville, Florida. I had driven to town hoping to see the old barber shop where my hair had been cut as a child. I parked my truck and decided to try and locate a telephone to see if the Florida Barber College had moved to a new location. After walking about a block I saw an open shoe store. I walked inside and asked if I could use their telephone book. Unable to find a listing for the Barber College, I picked out the number of a local beauty salon, hoping they might tell me if the barber college was still in business. The number was busy, so I decided to wait and try again in a few minutes. As the salesman and I stood talking the front door opened and a young man about twenty came into the store pushing himself in a wheelchair. "I need a new pair of shoes," said the customer. As he turned the corner, there was a blanket across his lap. I was shocked to see that the young man had no legs. "A gift for a friend?" I asked the boy. "No," he replied. They are for me," he continued, with a smile on his face. I just smiled back and watched to see what would happen next. "What type of shoe would you like?" asked the clerk. "How about a pair of cowboy boots?" The man pointed to the back wall where three or four pairs of boots were displayed. The salesman, sharply turning, headed off to the backroom. "Isn't this fun?" the boy asked me. I moved my hand to let him know that I did not understand his question. "When I was a kid, my parents used to buy me a new pair of shoes every year. That was such a wonderful feeling. Something I have never forgotten. The smell of the leather and the pride I felt when I walked around the store showing off my new shoes." The salesman came walking down the aisle with a large box. He sat it down on the floor, took out one boot and handed it to the young man. The boy closed his eyes. He placed the boot against his nose, and drew in a large breath. I did not know what to say as tears began to fall on the young man's cheeks. "What type of accident did you have?" I asked him. "Farm accident," he said, as he tried to clear his voice. "Do you want the cowboy boots?" the salesman asked him. "Oh, yes!" he answered. "I see buying a new pair of shoes still gives you that good feeling you talked about," I told the young man, as I smiled. "Yes it does." he said "And I may have someone, and his feet to share it with some day." What can you conclude from the passage? A. The young man was a stubborn person. B. The author was a man of understanding. C. The cowboy boots were fashionable then. D. The disabled envied much those healthy. Answer: B. The author was a man of understanding.
Packaging is an important form of advertising.A package can sometimes _ someone to buy a product.For example, a small child might ask for a breakfast food that comes in a box with a picture of a TV character.The child is more interested in the picture than in breakfast food.Pictures for children to color or cut out, games printed on a package, or a small gift inside a box also motivate many children to buy products or to ask their parents to buy for them. Some packages suggest that a buyer will get something for nothing.Food products sold in reusable containers are examples of this.Although a similar product in a plain container might cost less, people often prefer to buy the product in a reusable glass or dish, because they believe the container is free.However, the cost of the container is added to the cost of the product.The size of a package also motivates a buyer.Maybe the package had "Economy Size" or "Family Size" printed on it.This suggests that the larger size has the most product for the least money.But that is not always true.To find it out, a buyer has to know how the product is sold and the price of the basic unit. The information on the package should provide some answers.But the important thing for any buyer to remember is that a package is often an advertisement.The words and pictures do not tell the whole story.Only the product inside can do that. What suggestion does the author give in the passage? Answer: If I was blind I could use my hands to tell what Answer: Sam wanted a phone, so he asked his Mom if he could have one because phones are very expensive. Sam told his Mom that he could do extra chores for money to buy one. Sam's Mom told him that a phone is very expensive, much more expensive than the toys he normally buys with his chore money. But Sam still really wanted a phone. Sam's Mom came up with an idea and told Sam to pray for one. Since she could not help him, maybe God could help him. That night Sam prayed before bed and asked if he could somehow have a phone. The next day Sam was playing bat and ball with his brother John and sister Lucy. He saw something shine from the ground. He found a phone lying there. He ran and took it to his Mom who checked the phone, and after a quick clean found the phone worked. She told Sam that someone must have lost the phone and she'll call them to tell them they have found the phone. Sam sat in the kitchen as Sam's Mom called the number in the phone. A lady called Pat answered. After telling the lady the story of Sam and his praying, the lady was so touched that she told Sam's Mom to give the phone to Sam. Who did Sam first ask for his phone? Answer: It's our hope that the calculator will promote action, awareness and empowerment by showing you that one person can make a difference and help stop global warming. There are many simple things you can do in your daily life--what you eat, what you drive, how you build your home--that can have an effect on your immediate surroundings, and on places as far away as Antarctica. Here is a list of things that you can do to make a difference. Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Replace 3 frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Save 300lbs (pounds) of carbon dioxide and $60 per year. Use Recycled Paper Make sure your printer paper is 100% post consumer recycled paper. Save 5lbs of carbon dioxide per ream of paper. Take Shorter Showers Showers account for 2/3 of all water heating costs. Save 350 lbs of carbon dioxide and $99 per year. Buy Products Locally Buy locally and reduce the amount of energy required to drive your products to your home. Carpool When You Can Own a big vehicle? _ with friends and co-workers saves fuel. Save 790 lbs of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year. Don't Idle in Your Car Idling wastes money and gas, and generates pollution and global warming causing emissions. Except when in traffic, turn your engine off in you must wait for more than 30 seconds. Buy Organic food The chemicals used in modern agriculture pollute the water supply, and require energy to produce. Turn Off Your Computer Shut off your computer when not in use, and save 200 lbs of carbon dioxide. Conserve energy by using your computer's "sleep mode" instead of a screensaver. With a Stop Global Warming calculator which costs you only $50 in hand, you will find what you do does count. How many tips are related to cars? _ . Answer: Mr Black works in an office. He's very busy and he has no time to rest. Every evening, When he comes back from his office, he always feels tired and wants to go to bed early, but his wife often has something interesting to tell him after supper. She keeps talking until it's too late. But Mr Black has to get up early in the morning. One day Mr Black felt terrible and couldn't go to work. He went to see a doctor with Mrs Black. Before he said what the matter was him, his wife told the doctor all. The doctor got the reason and said to Mrs Black, "Here is a bottle of medicine for your husband and some pills for you." "For me?" the woman said in surprise, "I'm fine. I don't need any medicine!" "I don't think, madam," said the doctor, "They're sleeping pills . Your husband will soon be all right if you take them!" What did Mr Black do when he was ill? Answer:
Which of the following is a true statement? When did you last see a polar bear? On a trip to a zoo, perhaps? If you had attended a winter activity in New York a few years ago, you would have seen a whole polar bear club. These "Polar Bears" are people who meet frequently in winter to swim in freezing cold water. That day, air temperature was 3degC, and the water temperature was a bit higher. The members of the Polar Bear Club at Coney Island , New York are usually about the age of 60. Members must satisfy two requirements. First, they must get along well with everyone else in the group, this is very important because there are so many different kinds of people in the club. Polar Bears must also agree to swim outdoors at least twice a month from November through February. Doctors do not agree about the medical effects of cold-water swimming. Some are worried about the dangers of a condition in which the body's temperature drops so low that finally the heart stops. Other doctors, however, point out that there is more danger of a heart attack during summer swimming because the difference between the air temperature and water temperature is much greater in summer than in winter. The Polar Bears themselves are satisfied with the benefits(or advantages) of cold-water swimming. They say that their favorite form of exercise is very good for the circulatory system because it forces the blood to move fast to keep the body warm. Cold-water swimmers usually turn bright red after a few minutes in the water. A person who turns blue probably has a very poor circulatory system and should not try cold-water swimming. The main benefits(or advantages) of cold-water swimming are probably mental . The Polar Bears love to swim year-round; they find it fun and relaxing. As one 70-year-old woman says,"When I go into the water, I pour my troubles into the ocean and let them float away ." Doctors _ . Early scientists most likely saw a discharge of electricity for the first time when observing a Every year thousands of people get hurt or die when they are crossing the road. Most of these people are old people and children. Old people often get hurt or die because they can't see or hear very well. Children usually meet with accidents because of their carelessness. They forgot to look and listen before they cross the road. How can we lessen traffic accidents? All of us must obey the traffic rules. For the drivers, they shouldn't drive too fast. If they drive too fast, it will be very difficult to stop the cars in a very short time. For the pedestrians , it's very important to be careful when they are walking on the road. Therefore, when we walk across the road, we must try to walk along the pavements. We must stop and look both ways before crossing the road. Look left first, next look right, then look left again. Only when we are sure that the road is clear, we can cross it. The right way to cross the road is to walk quickly. It's not safe to run. If people run across the road, they may fall down. Teenagers should try to help children, old people or blind people to cross the road, and never play in the street. ,,. As a teenager, you can _ to try to lessen traffic accidents. Bicycle sharing systems are also known as yellow bicycle programs, white bicycle programs, public bikes, or free bikes. They are increasingly popular in Europe now. Paris has the world's largest urban cycle rental system. This is a bike rental station in Paris. The worker is showing how to use a new self-service bike. They say that Paris will become "a green capital of bikes" and they plan to park 20,000 bicycles at 1,600 stations. Paris created this plan to improve the city traffic environment and reduce the waste gas displacement . At a rental station, you only have to put your credit card into the machine to rent a bike. It provides French, German, English and Chinese services. If you ride the bike for only 30 minutes to relax, you needn't pay for it. A two-hour bike rent only costs you 4 euros. These stations work for 24 hours every day, so a bike is rented for 10 to 14 times a day. In this way there are 200,000 people using bikes a day, In the past few years, Paris has encouraged its people to ride bikes, but something unhappy has happened now and then. Some people break the traffic rules during rush hours. Some park their bikes everywhere. So how to park bikes is a problem that Paris will face. But this project is still a helpful way to improve its traffic environment. Don't you think so? The machine at a bicycle rental system offers _ language services.
A man called his son in New York the day before Christmas and said, "I have to tell you your Mom and I are going to divorce ! Thirty years is quite a long time." "Dad, what are you talking about?" the son cried. The father said:"We are sick of each other. I don't want to talk about it anymore. You call your sister in Chicago and tell her about the news." When the daughter got the news, she is very surprised at it. "What? They are getting divorced." She shouted, "I'll stop them." She called her father immediately, and cried to her father," Don't do anything until I get home. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Wait for us, please." The old man hung up his phone and turned to his wife. "OK" he said, "they're coming for Christmas and paying their own way." The son and daughter would go back home on Christmas because _ . Answer: they wanted to stop their parents divorcing 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. The families of other ALD patients thought that _ . Answer: the efforts of Lorenzo's parents were a waste of time Is been a dream for 30 years but now the world's first flying car is set to hit the roads this year. Ever since the"Back to the Future"movies lit up our screens in the 1980s,designers have dreamt of cars that could take to the sky at the push of a button. And now pilots can order their own "roadable"plane for just PS 127,000. The plane,which has fold-out wings that span 17. 5 ft,has a range of flying distance of 460 miles and can be up to 115 mph. Back on the land,it can also travel at"highway speeds" in car mode . Fuelling the 19 ft long plane couldn't be simpler--you just drive it into a petrol station and fill it up. A spokeswoman said,"You can keep you 'light-sport airplane'in your garage. But because _ needs a short runway to take to the air,you will have to drive to your local airport,fly up to 460 miles,land,and drive directly to your destination. You will always be ready to drive or fly. " The spokeswoman added,"Never let bad weather change your trip. You call simply divert and continue on the ground until the weather clears. " There's no risk to you--This is only the chance for you to be the first at your home field to unfold your wings and fly into the future. The last sentence of the text aims to_. Answer: call for people to buy the"roadable"plane Have you ever heard anyone say "It's raining cats and dogs"? It means "It's raining hard!" But sometimes cats and dogs do drop from the sky! Here's how _ happens. Not so long ago, a country far away had many large rats. The people there said, " We need cats!" So cats were sent to them by airplane. But the country had many mountains. It was hard for an airplane to land. So the cats came down by parachute . Did the cats like the ride? They didn't say they didn't! And today they are still catching rats! In another country far away, there is snow the year around. People sometimes got lost in it. "We need big dogs!" the people said, "The dogs could find people lost in the snow. The dogs could help bring them home. Where can we get big dogs?" A man across the sea had big dogs to sell. "I will send dogs to you," he said. " I have some very big ones. They can find people lost in the snow."He sent the dogs by airplane. But the airplane did not land in the snow. The dogs came down by parachute ---- you guessed it !Did the dogs like the ride? They didn't say they didn't! And today they are well and happy.They find anyone who gets lost in the snow. Then they help him get home. Good dogs!Remember it, so you can say, " Yes, it does rain cats and dogs sometimes. They came down by parachute!" Cats and dogs drop from the sky because _ . Answer: was hard for a plane to land in the two countries. Tears are nature's way of making us feel more comfortable. When our eyes is made uncomfortable by some small pieces of pollution, or when we are cutting onions, or when we are exhausted and "red-eyes" from over work and late hours, tears form in our eyes to clean and refresh them. Tears are also a sign of strong emotion . We cry when we are sad and we cry when we are happy. And tears seem to be uniquely human. We know that animals also experience emotion fear, pleasure, loneliness, but they do not shed tears. Biologically speaking, tears are actually drops of saline fluid, which is a little bit salty, produced by a gland in the body. Because salt is an important component, tears may actually constitute the most conclusive evidence that the human animal is the end product of a long evolutionary process that began in the sea. And it is clear that, in addition to the emotional benefits, the shedding of tears has a specific biological function as well. Through tears, we can eliminate from our body certain chemicals which build up in response to stress and create a chemical imbalance in the body. Crying actually makes us feel better by correcting that imbalance and making us feel good again. And thus the emotional and the biological functions of tears merge into one and make us even more "human" than we would otherwise be. According to the passage, human beings may have originated in _ . Answer: the sea
Question: Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands but never made it because most people were afraid of the awful storms. Finally, a short, thin man, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farmhand?" the farmer asked him. "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer still hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy all day, and the farmer felt pleased with the man's work. Then one night the wind blew strongly. Jumping out of the bed, the farmer carried a lantern and rushed next door to the hired man's sleeping quarters. Farmer shook the little man and shouted, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!" But the little man said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows." The farmer had no time to lose his temper. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his surprise, he found everything had been prepared. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired man meant. When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally and physically , you have nothing to worry about. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired man in the story was able to sleep because he had protected the farm against the storm. What did the little man mean when he said" I can sleep when the wind blows'? A. He had prepared everything ready for the storm. B. He liked to sleep with the wind blowing. C. He was able to sleep though the wind blew hard. D. He hated to get up at night when wind blew. Answer: A. He had prepared everything ready for the storm. Question: What is art? According to one definition, it is the creation of something that appeals to our sense of beauty. This definition may include painting, drawing, sculpture, and architecture, or performing arts such as music and drama. Cultural and historical influences, as well as one's own consciousness of what is aesthetically( )pleasing, play a role in what one believes to be art. To some people, art is the description of an object--- a painting or sculpture of a person, for example. For others, art may be a blank canvas, or a piece of chalk. In order to talk about the different artistic styles that have existed over time, art historians have classified these styles into different periods and organized them in chronological order. The works of art produced within each period mirror the culture and events of that time. The earliest forms of art, from the prehistoric era , include simple cave paintings and figures made from stone. There were followed by the sculptures and carvings of Ancient Civilizations era. Styles of the later Classical era (800 B.C. to 200 A.D.), reflect the culture of the time--- one that favored simplicity and balance. The period of the Middle Ages followed, and was succeeded by a revival of classical styles in the Renaissance era, beginning around 1400. Well-known artists of this time include Michelangelo and da Vinci. One hundred years of Baroque style, and then fifty years of Rococo followed the 200-year Renaissance. The start of the nineteenth century saw the rise of the Premodern era, followed by the Modern era, a period that lasted until 1945. This was followed by Postmodern era that characterizes the present day. In addition to differences in artistic styles between eras, there are also differences within each era. The Postmodern era, for example, has featured innovative artistic styles such as Pop Art ( which includes work by Andy Warhol), Minimalism, and Conceptualism. Since the 1960s, Conceptualism has grown in popularity. This style focuses more on the idea or 'concept' of art using realistic objects, rather than on art that is created using traditional materials such as paint, canvas, stone, or clay. Whereas Warhol used a can of beans as the basis for a painting, for example, a conceptual artist might say that the can itself is a work of art. Conceptualism has become an increasingly controversial art style, particularly as result of numerous conceptual artists winning the Turner Prize. This PS20,000 award is presented annually to a British artist under the age of fifty, in recognition of an outstanding work. Sponsored by the Tate Gallery of Britain, it is recognized as one of Europe's most prestigious awards for visual arts. Its aim is to promote discussion about contemporary British art. In 2002, pop music icon Madonna presented the Turner Prize to conceptual artist Martin Creed. ...... One of the artistic styles that many people today discuss and arguing about is _ . A. classic style B. Conceptualism C. Pop art D. Baroque style Answer: B. Conceptualism Question: Jenny found her old bicycle at the back of the garage.It was a lot smaller than she remembered.When she sat on it and put her feet on the pedals,her knees nearly touched her chin. She then asked her dad for a new bicycle. "Well,I'm sorry,but I can't afford a bicycle now,"said Dad."Why don't you work and earn some money? You can save up for a bicycle yourself." Jenny began to work.That day she earned five dollars for cutting the grass and ten dollars for mowing the lawn for her dad. That night Jenny went on the computer.She wrote"Gardening and Housework--Ten dollars an hour.Call Jenny at 23 Roseville Lane."She decorated the page with pictures of cleaning and gardening equipment.She printed it fifty times.Then she posted the pages through all the doors on her street. That week,Jenny was very busy! Lots of people had jobs to do,but they didn't have time to do them.So they called Jenny.Every day,Jenny rushed home from schoo1.She did her homework quickly,and then she went out to work. At the end of the week.she had$65! She told her father. "That's enough for a second hand bicycle."he said. "Yes,but if I work for one more week,I might have enough money for a new bike,"said Jenny."In two more weeks,I could buy a really good bicycle! I think that's what I'll do. I want to have the best bicycle in the class,because I earn it myself!" Jenny's dad hugged her."I think you learned something important.We appreciate things a lot more when we earn them.When we get something without earning it,we do not realize its true value." How much money did Jenny earn on the first day? A. $10. B. $5. C. $65. D. $15. Answer: D. $15. Question: One day Mrs Wilson took Trudy and Ben to go shopping. They went to the supermarket in the new shopping mall . "Why do you buy things here, Mum?" Trudy asked. "Because they are cheaper than those at the corner store," Mrs Wilson said. "Help me check the prices." The Wilsons were not wealthy and Mrs Wilson was always careful with her money. She looked carefully at the prices of things. She bought some groceries in the supermarket. When they got home, the children said, "We don't think you saved money by going to the supermarket there." "Of course I did," said Mrs Wilson, "everything was cheap there." "We know," said the children, "but we came home by taxi because we had too much to carry. The cost of the taxi was more than the money you saved!" Mrs Wilson added everything up and found her children were right. "Well done,"she said, "next time we will do shopping near our home." Mrs Wilson took Trudy and Ben _ . A. to the supermarket B. to the zoo C. to the park D. to the museum Answer: A. to the supermarket Question: If a bird is moving through the sky, someone wanting to know the speed would A. speedily enjoy viewing B. observe quickness C. watch slowly D. look away Answer: B. observe quickness
Question: Life in the 2100s will be very different from life today. Between then and now many changes will take place. What will the changes be? The population is growing fast. There will be more people in the world and most of them will live longer than people do now. Computers will be much smaller and more useful, and there will be at least one in every home. And computer studies will be one of the important subjects in schools then. People will work fewer hours than they do now and they will have more free time for sports, watching TV and traveling. Traveling will be much easier and cheaper. More people will go to other countries on holiday. There will be changes in our food, too. Maybe no one will eat meat every day. Instead, they eat more fruit and vegetables. Maybe people will be healthier. Work in the future will be different, too. Dangerous and hard work canl be done by robots, because of this, many people will not have work to do. This will be a problem. In the future more people _ A. will go to other countries for holidays B. will study at school C. will go to work earlier D. will work for many hours Answer: A Question: As we all know, bikes are mainly made of steel . But can you imagine that they can be made of bamboo? Do you want to know how a bamboo bike is produced? Do you want to make your own bike with bamboo? You can do it at the Bamboo Bike Studio in New York. People there can teach you how to make your own bamboo bike. The studio is also helping build factories in Ghana , which is a country in western Africa. The factories will make cheap bamboo bikes. Bamboo is as good as steel for building a good bike. Marty Odlin works at the studio. He says a bamboo bike is the wonderful everyday bike. In Ghana, bikes are very popular. Few people have money to buy a car. And people like to use bikes to carry most of the country's food and other goods. The people of Ghana are also too poor and they can't build factories to make traditional steel bikes. But making bamboo bikes is cheap. Odlin is planning to show the Ghanaian workers how to quickly make bamboo bikes now. He hopes that more and more Ghanaian people can have bamboo bikes. Why are bikes very popular in Ghana? A. Because Ghanaian people don't like cars. B. Because most Ghanaian people are very rich. C. Because Ghanaian people have to use bikes to carry food and goods. D. Because a bike is cheaper and people like to use bikes to carry things. Answer: D Question: Mike and his father are sitting at the table . They are having their lunch. " I don't like this soup . I don't want to have it" , says Mike . After lunch , Mike and his father work on the farm . They work hard. In the evening , Mike's father gives him a bowl of soup . "Oh, this soup is nice ", says Mike. His mother says: "It's the same soup." After lunch , they work _ . A. in the factory B. in the school C. on the farm D. in the hospital Answer: C Question: Kate, Jack and Sam are good friends. They are in the same school.Kate and Jack are classmates. But Sam is in a different grade-Grade Three. They often do sports or play games after school. This evening Jack is going to Sam's birthday party and he is going to give him a new book for his birthday because he likes reading very much. Kate wants to go to the party, too. But she has to stay at home because her mother isn't feeling well. She asks Jack to take a present to Sam for his birthday. She wants to give Sam a different present, so she gives him a very mice new pen. Who is Sam? A. Kate's brother. B. Jack's cousin. C. Kate's classmate. D. Jack's friend. Answer: D Question: I had in my hand a sheet of paper with handwritten instructions on it for some sort of editorial task.It occurred at first that I did not recognize the handwriting,and then I realized whose it must be.I finally became aware of the fact that I had been working with this colleague for at least a year,maybe two,and yet I did not recognize her handwriting at that point. It was a very important event in the computerization of life--a sign that the informal.friendly communication of people working together in an office had changed from notes in pen to instant messages and emails.There was a time when our workdays were filled with little letters,and we recognized one another's handwriting the way we knew voices or faces. As a child visiting my father's office,I was pleased to recognize,in little notes on the desks of his staff,the same handwriting I would see at home in the notes he would leave on the fridge-- except that those notes were signed"dad"instead of"RFW". All this has been on my mind because of the talk aboutThe Rise and Fall of Handwriting,a book by Florey.She shows in her book a deep concern about the fall of handwriting and the failure of schools to teach children to write well,but many others argue that people in a digital age can't be expected to learn to hold a pen. I don't buy it. I don't want to see anyone cut off from the expressive,personal associations that a pen still promotes better than a digital keyboard does.For many a biographer,part of really getting to know their subjects is learning to read their handwriting. What some people advocate is teaching one of the many attractive handwritings based on the handwriting of 16th--century Italy.That may sound impossibly grand--as if they want kids to learn to draw by copying classical paintings.However,they have worked in many school systems. Why was the author surprised at not recognizing his colleague's handwriting? A. He had worked with his colleague long enough. B. His colleague's handwriting was so beautiful. C. His colleague's handwriting was so terrible. D. He still had a lot of work to do. Answer: A
Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando in Florida People say that it is the home of the "Harry Potter Theme Park". The Wizarding World is the most popular part of the park. Other popular rides include the Adventures of Spider-Man, Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges and the Jurassic Park River Adventure. It is open from Monday to Saturday. $15.95 for children, 3 to 13 years old; $29.95 for ages 14 and over. PI-O Indoor Theme Park in Longueuil The PI-O Indoor Theme Park features(......) 16 rides, a small sea train, a kid-sized bowling alley , a mirror maze , theme rooms which include the Christmas room on-the-sea, and a private reception room. "I wanted to create a safe environment for kids aged 1 to 10," explains owner Jocelyne Pinard. She noted how many competing amusement parks have sections that can be unsafe for young kids -- such as the "ball rooms" full of loose plastic balls. So this is how it is different from other amusement parks. Open seven days a week. The admission fees are $16.99 for individuals and $64 for families. Legoland Windsor Theme Park in London Legoland Windsor is the best choice for young families. The park is designed for children from 3 to 12. There are over 50 rides as well as live shows, workshops, and other attractions aimed at younger children, and especially those who are already fond of building-block toys. The park is open every single day. Adults: $35; Ages 3-15 and 60+: $26. Buy online and save $3 per person. Wonder La Theme Park in India Wonder La is a world-class amusement park. It's modern, clean and green, and has all kinds of attractions. There are over 50 rides, 12 of which are water based and 9 especially for small children. If you love getting wet, don't miss the Rain Disco -- an indoor dance floor with a rain system that provides showers of warm water to the music. Monday to Friday 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Holiday and Festival seasons 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Single adult / child -- $13.50; Family ticket (for any four people) -- $50.00; Children 3 and under -- Free. Which of the following about Wonder La Theme Park is NOT true? A It is located in India. B It is free for children of 3 and under. C There are nine rides especially for small children. D The Rain Disco lets children enjoy cool showers while dancing. Answer: D. The Rain Disco lets children enjoy cool showers while dancing. Life can be difficult, particularly for adolescents. Many young people get through the troubled years of adolescence and emerge into adulthood reasonably safe and sound. Too many youngsters, however, feel confused and ignored. Unable to climb out of the dilemma, these youngsters are socially and emotionally "at-risk". They may suffer from such painful symptoms as anxiety, depression or anger. Many parents, in an honest attempt to help their adolescent from emotionally drowning, seek professional treatment. They put a great deal of faith in professional clinicians to find a way out for their child. However, many of these parents begin to recognize that solving the problem is more complex than they had initially realized. It has been my clinical experience that some parents who bring their resistant youngster for treatment see their child as being solely responsible for the problem. In many cases, the adolescent feels angry and defective for being pushed into treatment. We can gain some insight if we look at things through the eyes of the adolescent. The child is usually reluctantly brought by the parents to clinicians as what I call the "identified patient". The youngster waits anxiously as the parents lay out the problem with the clinicians with remarks such as, "I don't know what's happening to my child lately, but he's not his old self. He doesn't listen to me anymore, has been getting failing grades, acts out at school, and stays in his room all the time.'' Such descriptions at the beginning of treatment by the parents may strengthen feelings of incompetence on the part of the child. Such a pattern at the beginning sets up an intention of resistance and leaves the potential for a positive outcome at risk. What many parents fail to realize is that the adolescent's problem serves as a symbol for what is happening within the family system. Unknowingly, a youngster may become rebellious or depressed as a way of attempting to calm the psychic pain experienced by his family. To some degree, the child's behavioral problems represent an effort to distract attention away from the unstable state within his family. In such cases it represents a courageous attempt by the teen to minimize home-related problems. Eventually the problems become too troublesome for the child and he continues to sacrifice himself for the sake of the family. Many times youngsters go to clinicians in the hope that treatment will aid in healing the entire family system. In my clinical experience, I have found that the troubled adolescent is more likely to find emotional healing if the parents are actively involved in the treatment process. In such cases where family members are involved in treatment, the adolescent's expectation for change tends to improve. With parental involvement, the teen begins to feel more competent, as other family members take the risk to explore difficult family issues. Young people will feel competent when_. A recognizing their problems B finding short cuts to treat their problems C brought to a more experienced clinician D supported by their parents in treatment Answer: D. supported by their parents in treatment Get a FREE YEAR! Order NOW and get a FREE YEAR of Parents(r) magazine! That's 2 full years (24 issues) for the regular 1-year rate - just $12. But HURRY, this offer won't last! (U.S. orders only, please.) Every issue of PARENTS is filled with practical advice from leading doctors and child experts ... toys and games that develop reader-tested products and more! 100% Money-Back Guarantee: You must be pleased, or you may cancel any time during the life of your subscription and get all your money back - no questions asked. Parents(r) Magazine is published 12 times per year. Savings are based on $12.00 annual subscription rate. State taxes may apply to your order. E-mail address required to access your account and member benefits online. We will not share your e-mail address with anyone. Click here: www.parents.com/privacy to view our privacy policy. A reader subscribed PARENTS 3 months ago, but now he finds the magazine dissatisfying. What can he do? A He can cancel without getting your money back. B He can cancel after answering a series of questions. C He can e-mail them to access your bank account to get all your money back. D He can cancel and get all money back without answering any questions. Answer: D. He can cancel and get all money back without answering any questions. Birds could use their beaks to A swim B run C tidy up D shop Answer: C. tidy up It was Mother's Day. John was so busy with his work that he couldn't go back home. When he passed by a flower shop in the evening, an idea came to his mind. "I'll send Mum some roses . " While John was picking his flowers, a young man went inside. "How many roses can I get for only five dollars, Madam?" he asked. The assistant was trying to tell him roses were as expensive as forty dollars a dozen . Maybe he would be happy with carnations . "No, I have to have red roses. " He said, "My mum was badly ill last year and I didn't get to spend much time with her. Now I want to get something special, it has to be roses as rose is her favourite. " After hearing it, John said he would pay the rest of the money for the young man. Moved by both of them, the assistant said, "Well, lovely young men, thirty dollars a dozen, only for you. "Taking the roses, the young man almost jumped into the air and ran out of the shop. It was well worth twenty-five dollars John paid to see the exciting moment. Then John paid for his dozen of roses and told the assistant to send them to his mother. As he walked out, he felt nice. Suddenly he saw the young man crossing the street and going into a park. But soon he realized it was not a park but a cemetery . Crying, the young man carefully laid the roses," Mum, oh, Mum, why didn't I tell you how much I loved you ? God, please help me find my mum and tell her I love her. " Seeing this, John turned and quickly walked to the shop. He would take the flowers home himself. The assistant tried to ask the young man to buy carnations instead of roses because _ . A carnations were nicer than roses B roses were saved for John C roses were more expensive than carnations D carnations were special flowers for Mother's Day Answer: C. roses were more expensive than carnations
Sam, an unemployed piano tuner, said it was only the second thing he had ever won in his life. The first thing was an Afghan blanket at a church raffle when he was 25 years old. But this was much bigger: it was $120,000! He had won the Big Cube, a state lottery game. To win, a contestant must first guess which number a spinning cube will stop on. The cube has six numbers on it: 1X, 10X, 50X, 100X, 500X, and 1000X. If he is correct, the contestant must then guess which of two selected variables is going to be greater. So, just guessing which number appears on the cube does not guarantee that you will win any money. Sam correctly guessed 1000X, but he still had to choose between two variables. One variable was the number of cars that would run the stop sign at Hill Street and Lake Avenue in six hours. The other variable was the number of times that a teenage boy would change TV channels in a three-hour period. This was a tough decision. Finally, Sam flipped a coin. It came up heads, so Sam picked the teenager. He picked right. The stop sign was run only 76 times, but the teen clicked 120 times. Sixty-year-old Sam jumped for joy, for he had just won 1000 times 120, or $120,000. Sam dreamily left the lottery studio. Talking excitedly on his cell phone while crossing the street, he got hit by a little sports car. Sam is slowly getting better. He was in the hospital for a month. His hospital bill was $110,000. And the insurance company for the little sports car's owner sued Sam for $9,000 worth of repairs. Also, Sam still has to pay federal taxes on his winnings. Sam doesn't play the state lottery any more. He says it's better to be unlucky. When Sam won the second thing that he'd won in his life, he was _ . A 25 years old B six years old C 76 years old D sixty years old Answer: D China's government has issued a severe weather warning after the heaviest snowfalls in decades. The country is experiencing transport delays and power cuts as millions of people prepare to make long journeys home for the Chinese New Year. This report from Quentin Summerville: China hasn't experienced weather this bad in decades. And as the country prepares for Chinese New Year, the disruption couldn't come at a worse time. Over 100,000 people are stranded in Guangzhou railway station in the south. It may climb to as many as 600,000 as more people arrive to make their journeys home for the Spring Festival. Travellers have been evacuated to nearby sports stadiums and exhibition centres. Across China around nineteen airports have shut because of the weather. Around half the provinces in the country have had to start rationing power , according to the state media. The government has suspended coal exports in favour of home consumption. At least a dozen people died over the weekend because of heavy rains and the snowfall. The Spring Festival is China's most important holiday when people journey home to be with their families. For millions of the country's migrant workers it's their only holiday. Some two billion journeys were made during the festival last year, making it the largest migration of people on the planet. And even without the severe weather, conditions on overcrowded trains and buses are terrible. The holiday stretches China's transport system to its very limits Which is not true according to the passage? A The heavy snow is the worst disaster in decades in China. B No other cities in the world have more travellers in festivals than in China. C The government doesn't care for people's life in disaster areas. D The country's migrant workers have more than one holidays to celebrate, according to the passage Answer: C If there's a child in your house who likes pixies , nature, or magic, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is sure to be a hit. This beautifully animated film is a first class production in every way, and features the familiar voices of Kristin Chenoweth, Anjelica Huston, Jane Horrocks, Lucy Liu, and Raven Symone.The movie offers up an adventure that's easy enough to follow, but complex enough to hold one's attention, and even throws in a nice little moral about friendship.What can I say? I'm pleasantly surprised. The promising Mae Whitman voices Tinker Bell herself, a far more dynamic character than we met in Peter Pan.Though Tinker still possesses her fiery temper, it doesn't _ itself immediately, and takes a backseat to this pixie's many good qualities. As it turns out, Tinker Bell is extremely skilled at tinkering ( ), so she is a natural choice to build a special scepter ,for Pixie Hollow's Autumn Celebration.The scepter will hold the moonstone through which the light of the Blue Moon will pass, supplying Pixie Hollow with enough pixie dust for the year ahead. For days, Tinkers works hard on the perfect scepter design while her good friend Terrence does his best to assist. When Terrence accidentally breaks the Moon Stone, Tinker Bell "explodes and sends him away.One of Tinker's more literal friends finds this extremely concerning, as she doesn't' quite understand that the outburst was emotional rather than physical - very funny indeed. After hearing the legend of the lost treasure, Tinker Bell strikes out on her own to find a new Moon Stone.She faces many difficulties and meets new friends along the way, but when Terrence comes to the rescue at Tinker's darkest hour, she realizes the value of a truly loyal friend. Though the film offers a positive message to young viewers, it's the animation that makes Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure stand out.Pixie Hollow is a charming, visually stunning world basked in lush colors.It's so lovely, so detailed, so three - dimensional that you almost want to step inside. The article picked from a website is a(n) _ . A movie poster B movie review C introduction to a book D person introduction Answer: B Sixteen, sweet sixteen! Sweet sixteen? What 's so sweet about this birthday? Perhaps because sixteen marks out coming of age, which is the interim period between childhood and adulthood. It is a very brief and unique stage in our lives. A time when we are becoming an adult, yet still haven't lost our childhood innocence. The best of both words. Actually Sweet Sixteen applies more often to girl's 16th birthday than to boys. At that age, a girl is on the verge of becoming a woman. Picture a flower bud about to bloom, opening its face to the world for the first time. There's a sense of beauty and sweetness to this transition. Our 16th birthday is the first day we can get our driver's license. It is the official step towards becoming an adult. From this day forward, we no longer need our parents to drive us around, take us everywhere. Instead, we just borrow their car. Maybe that's what makes sixteen so sweet to the boys as they eagerly celebrate this newfound autonomy . Now they can drive without adult supervision! Haa, haa! Girls are usually compared to _ at the age of sixteen. A Flower buds B Pictures C Boys D Innocent children Answer: A The nation's largest group of pediatricians on Monday urged its members to "firmly oppose boxing for any child or adolescent." In a statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said thousands of boys and girls take part in the sport in North America, despite risks of serious brain and facial injuries. The group's position was approved by some experts. "There is very little one can do in order to increase the chance of having a healthy brain when you get old," said Dr. Hans Forstl, who has studied boxing injuries. " One of the best things you can do is avoid boxing." He said. According to the new statement, published in the journal Pediatrics, information from Canada shows a rise in boxing injuries over the past decade. Pat Russo, a retired police officer who runs a boxing gym in Brooklyn, New York, said injuries are rare in amateur boxing. After 26 years and training thousands of kids, he has seen just one split lip among his students. " If the gym is run properly, injuries are at an absolute minimum," Russo said. "Football is ten times more dangerous. While tennis or football might also help kids gain confidence, boxing holds a special attraction for children in poor neighborhoods, because it allows them to act tough while in trouble." Dr. Robert Cantu, a surgeon at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts, said AAP's attitude makes sense for upper-class and middle-class kids. " Clearly boxing is safer today than it was 20 or 30 years ago, but it is still a very risky activity," he said. "For kids in poor areas, however, the situation is different," said Cantu. " The most dangerous thing for the majority of people in boxing is just where they live. They are far safer in the ring , even taking blows to the head, than they are out in the neighborhood." What is Dr. Hans Forstl's attitude towards boxing for children? A Unconcerned B Supportive C Opposed D Neutral Answer: C
Decision-thinking is not unlike poker --it often matters not only what you think, but also what others think you think and what you think they think you think.The mental process is similar.Naturally,this card game has often been of considerable interest to people who are,by any standards,good thinkers. The great mathematician John von Neumann was one of the founders of game theory.In particular,he showed that all games fall into two classes:there are what he called games of 'perfect information', games like chess where the players can't hide anything or play tricks:they don't win by chance,but by means of logic and skills.Then there are games of 'imperfect information', 1ike poker,in which it is impossible to know in advance that one course of action is better than another. One mistaken idea about business is that it can be treated as a game of perfect information.Quite the reverse.Business,politics,life itself are games which we must normally play with very imperfect information.Business decisions are often made with many unknown and unknowable factors which would even puzzle best poker players.But few business people find it comfortable to admit that they are taking a chance,and many still prefer to believe that they are playing chess,not poker. The subject discussed in this text is _ A the process of reaching decisions B the difference between poker and chess C the secret of making good business plans D the value of information in winning games Answer: A There are 55 students in my class. They come from different places, so they go to school in different ways. Twenty students go to school on foot because they live near the school. Ten students ride the bikes to school because they live not far from the school. Ten students go to school by bus because they live far from the school. Ten students go to school in their parents' car. The other five students go to school by boat, because there is a river between their houses and the school. Twenty students _ to school because they live near the school. A walk B by bus C ride a bike D on foot Answer: A I'm a school girl. My brother and I are twins. We are both at school. We like school. My parents are both teachers. They work hard. My brother and I study at No. 1 Middle School. There are twenty-five boys and eighteen girls in our class. We go to school from Monday to Friday. We have no classes on Saturdays and Sundays. We usually get up at six o'clock, and have breakfast at half past six. We come to school at seven o'clock. Classes begin at eight. We have four lessons in the morning and two in the afternoon. We have lunch a fifteen past twelve. At three fifty we have sports. We study Chinese, math, English, geography, physics, history, politics and other lessons. We like Chinese. We like English, too. Some of us are good at it. We go home at five o'clock. We have supper at six o'clock. We do our homework at seven every evening and go to bed at half past nine, but sometimes we go to sleep at about ten. We work hard, we study for the people. We begin to do our homework from _ to _ every evening. A Monday; Friday B seven; nine C school; home D six; eight Answer: B What's the most important thing for you to have in your life? Somebody mentions hard-work, others suggest knowledge, love and luck. If you arrange the 26 English letters alphabetically and use numbers to represent each of them, for example, 1 for a, 2 for b, 3 for c..., you can change an English word into a number. So hard-work becomes 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11="98," meaning 98 is its mark; knowledge: 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5="96," while love: 12+15+22+5="54," and luck: 12+21+3+11="47," a small mark. None of these words can give one a full mark. What about money? It can't , either. Then what else? Don't be worried. You can always find an answer to a problem in your life, when you change your way of looking at things or doing things, or your attitude. Yes, attitude is the word. See for yourself: attitude:1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5=100,a full mark. Most times people hope for a better life. It is possible if you will have a change for the better after you have changed your attitude. When you change your manner and become friendly to others, you'll meet more smiling faces towards you. From the passage, we can learn that _ A Failure sometimes can bring you good if you take a positive attitude. B Nothing is more important than love. C Hard-work has a full mark. D Our math teacher can solve the problems easily. Answer: A Dear Mr. Smith, I am seeking an opportunity to work with World Destiny as a Computer Systems Manager. My professional experience and my awareness of your high reputation and great achievements have led me to want to work for World Destiny. Since 1998 I have focused on computer-system design and training. As Systems Administrator for Newport Museum for the past two years, I have directed accounting, capital campaign and publication production. We designed the system from scratch, developing all applications, policies, procedures, and training programs. I was well prepared for such a challenge by my previous positions as a Systems Support Specialist and MicroComputer Assistant for the Imperial Corporation of America. Over the years, I have worked with Novell, using programs including dBase, Wordstar and Microsoft Word. This familiarity with a variety of hardware and software has helped me to get up to speed on nearly any computer with a minimum training period. Additional experience in other fields also adds my value to World Destiny. As a Market Research Coordinator for Cushman & Wakefield of California, I not only researched and maintained a comprehensive database of Silicon Valley, but also produced statistical and written reports that support Cushman & Wakefield's reputation. Previously, I organized companywide annual sales meetings for Qualogy, Inc. Mr. Smith, while this experience more than qualifies me to join any number of successful companies, it is my personal goals that lead to my interest in being part of the World Destiny team. I believe my computer, promotional, and organizational skills, fueled by my beliefs, make World Destiny and me right for each other. Can we arrange an interview at your earliest convenience? I will call within the next week to arrange a meeting. Sincerely, Beth Henning While working with Cushman & Wakefield of California, Beth's work involved _ . A training new workers B maintaining a database C organizing sales meetings D developing company policies Answer: B
Question: A little stream flowed down from a high mountain far, far away through many villages and forests, until it reached a desert. The stream then thought, "I've been through countless obstacles. I should have no problem crossing this desert!" But when she decided to start her journey, she found herself gradually disappearing into the mud and sand. After numerous tries, she found it was all in vain and was very upset. "Maybe it's my destiny ! I'm not destined to reach the vast ocean in the legend, " she murmured sadly to herself. At this time, a deep voice came, saying, "If a breeze can cross the desert, so can a river." It was the voice of the desert. Unconvinced, the little stream replied, "That's because a breeze can fly, but I can't." "That's because you stick to what you are. If you're willing to give it up, and let yourself evaporate into the breeze, it can take you across, and you can reach your destination," said the desert in its deep voice. The little stream had never heard of such a thing. "Give up what I am now and disappear into the breeze? No! No!" She could not accept this idea. After all, she had never experienced anything like it before. Wouldn't it be self-destruction to give up what she was now? "How do I know if this is true?" asked the little stream. "The breeze can carry the vapor across the desert and release it as rain at an appropriate site. The rain will form a river again to continue its course," answered the desert very patiently. "Will I still be what I am now?" asked the little stream. "Yes, and no. Whether you're a river or invisible vapor, your inner nature never changes. You stick to the fact that you're a river because you don't know your inner nature," answered the desert. Deep down, the stream vaguely remembered that before she became a river, it was perhaps also the breeze that carried her halfway up a high mountain, where she turned into rain and fell onto the ground and became what she was now. Finally the little stream gathered her courage and rushed into the open arms of the breeze, which carried her to the next stage of her life. Perhaps you can try asking yourself these questions: What is my inner nature? What is it that I cling to? And what is it that I really want? The desert suggests that the stream _ in order to cross the desert. A. change its form B. disappear into the desert C. stick to what it is D. turn to another stream for help Answer: A. change its form Question: They spend more than ten hours a day cooking, cleaning the house, getting children ready for school and helping with homework. Cooking takes up about one hour and nine minutes a day. Doing the laundry takes about 61 minutes. Mothers also spend about 55 minutes getting children ready for school, about 53 minutes putting them to bed and about 47 minutes helping with homework. However, 30% of those mothers with children under 16 get less than six hours' sleep at night. 83% are not happy because they have less than an hour of their own time every day. Only 17% are happy with this kind of life. From the survey, we know that _ . A. no mothers like this kind of life B. a few mothers are hard-working C. most mothers want to have more time to do their own things D. all mothers would like to work harder Answer: C. most mothers want to have more time to do their own things Question: As a group of young African immigrants struggle to adapt to life in the United States, an after-school drama program at White Oak Middle School aims to make their lives easier by first making them a little harder. Project X is a program that uses drama, dance, poetry and other creative outlets to help students discuss the tough and sometimes painful problems they face as pre-teen immigrants with language barriers. A final unveiling of their creation will be performed for friends and family at the end of the year at Imagination Stage. Wanjiru Kamau, coordinator of White Oak's African Club said it's important to give troubles to group members to help them find their place at the school. "It comforts those who are uncomfortable, and it discomforts those who are comfortable," Kamau said of Project X. Kamau teamed up with Imagination Stage after she noticed that many African students seemed uncomfortable talking about problems, such as being laughed at by their fellow students about how they look and talk. When most of the kids join the club, they speak little or no English, Kamau said. Each week, the club typically draws five to ten students who are originally from Africa for discussion sessions and the Project X programme. "We are going to express ourselves through our words and our actions, and that's powerful," said teaching artist Meg Green as she introduced fill-in-the-blank poems the students wrote about their identities. One student, Frank Ketchouang, 13, wrote, "I am from the world; I am love," which drew oohs and aahs from the group. Ketchouang has been in the United States for less than a year, said Program Coordinator Chad Dike. When Ketchouang started attending Project X, he had been in the United States for two months and spoke no English. Now he's one of the group's most outgoing members and helps translate instructions from English to Creole for the group's newest member, who is from Haiti. Many people will give up when there's a language barrier, "but these students prove them wrong". Kamau said. "You do have something to give. You are important. When TV, media, etc. are bringing them down, this program is bringing them up." The passage is written mainly to _ . A. introduce the Project X program B. inspire immigrants to never give up C. advocate White Oak'S African Club D. call for more attention to immigrants Answer: A. introduce the Project X program Question: Which property of air does a barometer measure? A. speed B. pressure C. humidity D. temperature Answer: B. pressure Question: Solar radiation is a combination of light with different wavelengths. Which type of ray can harm human skin the most? A. infrared B. microwave C. ultraviolet D. visible Answer: C. ultraviolet
The Voice of China Many Chinese like watching The Voice of China, because the songs sound really good. My daughter, my wife and I like it, too. We watch the programme every Friday. Some famous singers like Wang Feng, Zhang Huimei, Na Ying, Harlem Yu are the _ . The coaches listen to the songs, and find their favorite singers. They can listen to the singers , but they can't watch the singers sing . Then they teach their favorite singers. The singers sing songs again. The Voice of China is to find the best voice. The coaches can _ the singers, but they can't watch the singers sing. A. talk to B. dance to C. listen to D. walk to Answer: C A mother of a cheerful five-year-old just returned from a meeting of the National Organization for Women. Inspired by exciting dreams for the possibilities of womanhood, she asked her daughter what she wanted to be when she grew up. Little Lisa quickly answered, "A nurse." There was a time when nursing was thought of as a woman's job and the answer somehow seemed not to be satisfied. She had, after all, just returned from a new meeting. "You can be anything you want to be," she reminded her daughter. "You can be a lawyer, a doctor, a banker, president of the country -- you can be anything." "Anything?" Lisa asked. "Anything!" her mother smiled. "I know," Lisa said. "I want to be a horse!" Lisa's dream may need some improvement, but there is plenty of time for that. When do we give up dreaming about the future? When do we resign ourselves to simply replaying dreams from the past? Maybe her dream needs to mature a bit, but would you rather have the optimism of a five-year-old girl who wants to be a horse, or the pessimism of an adult who says in despair, "I can't be anything at all"? Teddy Roosevelt said, _ believe that is the way to make those dreams come true. It begins with looking up and dreaming of something beautiful. What did the girl really want to be when she grew up? A. A nurse. B. A horse. C. A banker. D. A lawyer. Answer: B The level of atom activity where it reaches a moment where the solid state becomes more loose overall is referred to? A. smoothness B. water fluid C. liquidity D. fluid transport Answer: C To most people, noise pollution is a jet flying over their head. For one Spanish woman, it is a neighbor playing the piano. The woman has taken her neighbor to court. Now she wants to send her neighbor to prison for over seven years on the charges of psychological damage and noise pollution. In a country known for its noisiness, the case has raised eyebrows. Neighbors often complain about street noise in Spain, but people seeking prison time for someone practicing the piano is unheard of. At the trial, Sonia Bosom says she has been suffering noise pollution up to now due to the practice sessions of Laia Martin, who lives below her. Martin, 27, didn't admit that she played at home that often, saying she took regular classes in other towns and mostly practiced at home on the weekends. On the first day of the trial, the newspaper reported that Bosom told the court she now hated pianos so much that she couldn't even stand seeing them in a film. Bosom says years of hearing constant playing has caused her "psychological injury". Medical reports show she has suffered from a variety of problems, including insomnia , anxiety, and panic attacks. She says tests by local authorities have found that the sound levels made by the piano are up to 10 decibels higher than the limit. City authorities have asked the family several times to either stop the piano playing or soundproof the room. The family told the court they carried out soundproofing work twice but the complaints continued. The court hasn't made a final decision. A spokeswoman says the trial will end before May. How did Laia Martin respond to the complaints? A. She stopped playing the piano. B. She soundproofed the room. C. She didn't admit she played at home. D. She took her neighbor to court. Answer: B My name is Tom Black. This is my cousin, Jack Smith. That is his dog. That computer is my cousin's. The orange notebook is his, too. I have a good friend. Her name is Mary Smith. Is this her watch? No, it isn't. It is black, It is mine. Hers is white. The dog is _ . A. Jack's B. Mary's C. Tom's D. Smith's Answer: A
Which is competition? A. a giraffe eats the highest leaves B. a bear takes a salmon from the stream C. a shark eats a tuna that an orca was hunting D. a slug eats a blade of grass Answer: C Coal mines claim (...) more lives A COAL mine blast in Jixi, Helongjiang, left more than 100 miners dead on Thursday .Ten mines in Jixi were ordered to stop production. The government has tried to shut down thousands of small, illegal mines in the country that do not meet safety standards. MIDDLE EAST Bombers continues to kill PALESTINIANS killed 32 Israelis in three major attacks between Tuesday and Thursday. There were two suicide bombing and a militant attack on Jewish settlement . They yielded one of the highest Israeli death tolls ( ) in such a short period over the last two years. CHINA Young people stand tall THE average height of Chinese young people has risen by 6 centimeters compared to that of 20 years ago. This year far exceeds the word's average growth speed. A survey on health conducted by a panel of Chinese students found the results. According to the world average level, youths get taller by 1 cm every 10 years. CANADA Talking about world issue The Group of Eight (G8)--the US, Japan , Germany, Britain, France, Italy , Canada and Russia ---- will hold a summit on June26 and 27 in Kananaskis , Canada. The G8 are the richest and most powerful countries in the world. G8 leaders and some African presidents will discuss strengthening global economic growth and helping Africa. Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General, will also attend. This passage may probably taken from _ . A. a story book B. a text book C. a newspaper D. a novel Answer: C There was simply too much news and too much information freely available on the net.But was it accurate? Whose opinion should we trust? A survey found that 60% of UK adults think it is worth paying for a "good newspaper", and most of those said they believed more of what they read in the paid-for newspapers. Here was something newspapers understood--here was what they could offer: news plus comment and opinion. And the Internet now offered opportunities.A newspaper was just that: news printed on paper.But the Internet now offered newspapers different places to print, and in different media. This may explain why the readership of newspapers online in the UK is very different from people who read printed newspapers. The most popular newspaper in the UK is The Sun and is also the most popular newspaper in the world.The "mid--market" audience mainly reads The Daily Mail.Of the "quality" newspapers, the most popular is the Daily Telegraph. Online, it's a different story.The most popular site is The Mail, which has 2.3 million "browsers" every day.And the next most popular site is The Guardian. What is the main idea of the passage? A. The UK has the most popular printed newspapers in the world. B. The condition of British newspapers in the information age. C. Printed newspapers face a sever challenge. D. The latest developments in online news sites. Answer: B In the September of my gap year, I left school to take a semester-long outdoor leadership course run by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in the region of South America called Patagonia. The concept of the course is to give students a chance to really develop both outdoor skills and life skills. The NOLS does an amazing job in designing their courses so that students get a full range of experiences from which they can learn many new things. We spent the first part of our semester obtaining our Wilderness First Responder certificates. This involved a 10-day, 80-hour, EMT taught course at the NOLS base camp in Patagonia. We learned many medical skills that all could be applied to everyday environments as well as the wilderness we were about to enter. After the first part of the semester, we set off on a 30-day sea expedition along the coast of the southern tip of Chile. During this expedition we learned a lot of useful skills for our future life. What excited me most was to see a large glacier pouring right out into the sea. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, and the satisfaction of reaching such a remote place all with my own power was amazing. The next part of our semester was another 30-day expedition traveling through the Andes mountain range of southern Chile and Argentina. Again we learned many technical outdoor skills and some great life skills, such as how to be effective leaders and how to function as a single group. The highlight of this part was being able to ice climb on a glacier using anchors and ropes that we set up ourselves. The final part of the NOLS semester was a 10-day small group expedition. This was an opportunity for us to get into small groups of 4 or 5 and put all the skills we had developed over the course. We planned our own routes, prepared our own clothes and equipment, and _ our plans without the help of instructors. It was a great sense of achievement to be out there on our own and ensure safety with our own knowledge. I really enjoyed my first experience of my gap year! We can learn from the next that the whole NOLS semester lasted _ . A. 40 days B. 60 days C. 70 days D. 80 days Answer: D 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!" We can know from the passage that _ . A. the father never showed his love to his son. B. the coach didn't like the boy. C. the boy proved to be a good player. D. the boy disappointed his father. Answer: C
In ancient Japan, if you saved someone's life, they would make it their duty to spend the rest of their life serving you. Nowadays, if you rescue someone's story, he or she will feel the same kind of gratitude . It happens all the time. Someone in a group is telling a story and, just before their big point, BOOM! There's an interruption. Someone new joins the group, a waiter with a plate of biscuits comes over, or a baby starts crying. Suddenly everyone's attention turns to the new arrival, the food on the plate, or the "charming" little child. Nobody is aware of the interruption -- except the speaker. They forget all about the fact that the speaker hasn't made his or her point. Or you're all sitting around the living room and someone is telling a joke. Suddenly, just before his big punch line , little Johnny drops a dish or the phone rings. After the crash, everyone talks about little Johnny's carelessness. After the call, the subject turns to the upcoming marriage or medical operation of the caller. Nobody remembers the great punch line got unfinished -- except the joke teller. When it's you entertaining everyone at a restaurant, have you ever noticed how you can almost set your clock by the waiter coming to take everyone's order just before your funny punch line? Most joke and story tellers are too shy to say, after the interruption, "Now, as I was saying..." Instead, they'll spend the rest of the evening feeling bad they didn't get to finish. Here's where you come in. Rescue them with the technique I call "Lend a Helping Tongue." Watch the gratitude in the storyteller's eyes as he stabilizes where his story sunk and he sails off again toward the center of attention. His expression and the appreciation of your consideration by the rest of the group are often reward enough. You are even more fortunate if you can rescue the story of someone who can hire you, promote you, buy from you, or otherwise lift your life. Big winners have excellent memories. When you do them subtle favors like Lend a Helping Tongue, they find a way to pay you back. How can we "Lend a Helping Tongue" to the story tellers, according to the writer? A Comfort them to make them happy. B Give them a chance to finish. C Go on telling the story for them. D Teach them some useful techniques. Answer: B Which statement describes the location of our Sun in the universe? A Our Sun orbits Earth in the Andromeda galaxy. B Our Sun orbits Earth in the Milky Way galaxy. C Our Sun is the center of a solar system in the Milky Way galaxy. D Our Sun is the center of a solar system in the Andromeda galaxy. Answer: C A year ago, at the annual pre-Grammy party, Whitney Houston, the great star, walked on stage and closed the evening with a brilliant performance. Last Saturday, Houston was once again the focus before the Grammy, but her presence was a regrettable one.Earlier that day, the pop music's former queen was found dead in her hotel room.She was 48.This, no doubt, is sad news to the whole music industry and her fans all over the world. At her peak , Houston was the golden girl of the music world.From the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists.She impressed audiences with her effortless, powerful and _ performance. Besides multi-million record sales, Houston made countless hits such as The Greatest Love of All, I Have Nothing, and the mostly famous I Will Always Love You.She also influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey. But by the end of her career, there was a shocking fall for this superstar.Houston had been addicted to drugs.Her album sales declined and the hits stopped coming and her once beautiful voice became hoarse , unable to hit the high notes as she used to. In 2009, Houston staged a successful comeback with the albumI Look To You, which fell on top of the charts.But hoarse voice, canceled concerts, and continuous illness-Houston's comeback trail wasn't smooth at all.In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2009, Houston admitted: "It (show business) is too much for me and I wanted out." Now that Houston has finally taken a break from all the chaos , may she rest in peace. The cause of the fall of Whitney Houston was that _ . A her album sales declined B show business was too much for her C her fans no longer love her D she had been addicted to drugs Answer: D Over thirty thousand years ago,people from northern Asia went to America.Today, we call these people Indians . The Indians went to America because the weather began to change.Northern Asia became very cold. Everything froze. They had to move or die. How did the first Indians go to America? They walked! Later Columbus found the New World in 1492.At first,only a few Europeans followed .They travelled to America in boats. For the next three hundred years, about 500,000 people went there. Then the number grew very quickly. From 1815 to 1915,over thirty-two million Europeans left their countries and went to the United States. The biggest groups were from Germany and Italy .These Europeans spoke many different languages.Most of them took almost no money.They went to America so that they could find a better life. Why did the Indians go to America? Because _ . A northern Asia became very hot B northern Asia became very cold C they were interested in America D they liked travelling Answer: B On the first day of the new term, I met my new headmaster at the school gate. "Follow me, please!" he said. He had a quiet, kind voice. He took me into my new classroom and left. In front of me, thirty pairs of eyes looked at me. I knew he had told the students that I was blind. I could almost feel the question behind their eyes: Blind? I felt the answer too: If she's blind, this should be good! I heard quiet voices in a corner of the classroom. For a moment, I felt afraid. I knew at once that I had to be strong. "Class," I said as loudly as I could. "I may be blind. But I am not foolish. Take those naughty smiles off your faces, and stop talking, please!" Of course, I could not see their faces; I just guessed that some of them were smiling. The class were quiet. They were very surprised. I knew that I had done the right thing. As the days went by, the students had more surprises. I could smell when the children were eating sweets. I could easily hear combs going through hair, students passing messages, and so on. Once I found a girl passing a message to a friend. I took the message to the teachers' room. A teacher read it to me. On one side it said, "Do you think she can see?" on the other it said, "I think so. She always knows what we're doing." Soon the students stopped being naughty, and started to work hard. Before long, they brought in photos of their families for me to look at; I knew then they were my friends. I also knew they had forgotten that I could not see. The students were surprised for the first time because _ . A the teacher seemed to know everything B the teacher caught them smiling C the teacher caught them talking D the teacher was not foolish Answer: B
Question: Most of people watch the weather report on TV to get their newest weather information. So the weather report becomes one of the most popular TV programs. Now, most TV stations play soft music pieces to relax their audience . The weather report words are getting close to our real life. And there are some warm reminds for people to travel. They are really great pros . So most people think they are fantastic improvements. "In the old days, there were lots of advertisements during the weather report. It seemed advertisements are the most important part." an old man said. "And we could see no people but advertisements. " added another old woman. "When I listened to the weather report, I was afraid to see the advertisements. Those colorful advertisements always made me crazy. So I never watched weather report on TV." said a young man. Now the audience enjoy their favorite songs and enjoy the warm reminds while listening to the weather report. Audience can have more fun with weather report and at the same time with the advertisements, too. That's a wonderful idea. The passage talk about _ on the weather report. A. advertisements B. the soft music pieces C. new changes D. the weather report words Answer: C. new changes Question: 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. According to the text, most probably Pritzker Pavilion is _ . A. a place to hold the concert B. a well-known jazz band C. a famous jazz performer D. a jazz fan Answer: A. a place to hold the concert Question: Several years ago, I taught teenagers with feeling troubles in a group home. These very tough kids often came directly from prison to my classroom. They often wanted to escape from the group home. They were society's "throwaway" kids--youngsters without families to love and care for them. They desperately needed to receive love. Then I found one thing more important for them. So, when a friend suggested an idea, I thought it would be a great program for my students. The plan was simple. We arranged that every Wednesday morning, I'd bring over my little crew, and they were supposed to clean the runs, wash dog and cat bowls, and feed the animals at our local animal shelter. Then came the risky part of the program. After doing their chores, the youngsters would earn the freedom to walk one of the dogs in the wooded area behind the shelter, where I couldn't even see them. We began the project. Each week, I carefully went over the list of students who had met the requirements. All that week, students worked hard to control their tempers and be cooperative. I emphasized how much the animals needed their love and care. As they served the animals, the youngsters were transforming before our eyes. Never before had they been considered contributing members of society. Yet now these kids begged to volunteer at the shelter. As we had planned, my students walked the dogs, unwatched, in the woods for up to half an hour. I impressed on each of them my trust and respect that they'd bring back the animal in their care safely and on time. Remarkably, I never lost a student or an animal. The world might not have needed or might have forgotten about my kids, but the animals didn't. these shining animals showed some very needy kids the way back home from heartbreak and abuse. What made walking dogs in the wooded area risky? A. That the kids might not bring back animals on time. B. That the kids could escape without being watched by the teacher. C. That the writer couldn't accompany the kids to the forest. D. That dogs might not follow the kids' instructions. Answer: B. That the kids could escape without being watched by the teacher. Question: "Mom, you should put some of your things away. The house should be safe for the baby," said my son Mark as he walked upstairs with his wife and fifteen-month-old Hannah. They visited us for the Thanksgiving holiday. After driving all day from Salt Lake to Ft. Collins, his temper showed. "That one finger rule may work with other kids, but never Hannah," he insisted. When my three granddaughters first moved into our house three years ago, my friend offered me her secret to behave grandchildren. "Teach them the 'one finger rule'." All of her five grandchildren learned it at a young age and it proved to also work well with mine. I picked up my granddaughter and said, "Well, Mark, just watch." I hugged her and walked all around the great room. "Hannah, you may touch anything in this room you want, but, you can only use one finger." I showed the technique by touching my forefinger to the sculpture. Hannah followed my example. "Good girl. Now what else would you like to touch?" She stretched her finger toward the lamp. I allowed her to touch everything in sight, plants, glass objects, TV, VCR, speakers, etc. If she started to grab , I gently reminded her to use one finger. She always obeyed. However, Hannah, an only child, possessed a more adventurous personality. Her father predicted it would prevent her from accepting the "one finger rule". During their four-day stay, we aided Hannah in remembering "one finger rule". She learned quickly. Months later, my husband and I drove to Salt Lake. I watched Mark continue to practice the one finger rule. I smiled happily each time he asked Hannah to touch with "one finger". How many grandchildren mentioned in the passage have mastered the "one finger rule"? A. 3. B. 5. C. 8. D. 9. Answer: D. 9. Question: The younger generation , according to a new survey, can hardly remember the last time of climbing trees or flying kites, as they are kept indoors and short of outdoor experiences. The survey of 1,000 people found that the current generation of 15- to 34-year-olds have fewer memories of 12 key countryside activities such as swimming in rivers or going fishing. The research found that three quarters of the older generation remembered playing games or climbing trees, compared with two thirds of younger adults. The 55+generation also had more memories of collecting stones, visiting a farm or pond dipping. Altogether, two thirds of older people had more memories of playing outdoors compared to just over half of the younger generation. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) carried out the study at the start of the school term to stress the growing worry that children are not getting outdoors enough. The study has found that 82 per cent of people think that schools should provide more outdoor education and most believe nature is still important to children today. Dr. Mike Clarke, head of the RSPB, said children who are usually kept indoors are easier to get " _ ". He said public money should be used to take children on day trips to nature and to build wildlife gardens, especially in poor areas. "To many people, it would seem clear and unquestionable that an important part of childhood is exploring the world around you. Unfortunately, this is far from the fact and the children are having less time and fewer chances to get close to nature," he said. "The RSPB has more than a 40-year history in getting children outdoors and is still continuing to play our role. We now need the government and the schools to realize that they should play the most important role in making it possible for all the children to experience, enjoy and benefit from the outdoor environment." Compared with the current generation, the older generation had _ . A. more homework and exercises when they were children B. more memories of wonderful life in the countryside C. fewer memories of taking part in outdoor activities D. fewer chances of going on a visit to the big cities Answer: B. more memories of wonderful life in the countryside
Twelve years ago, I arrived in Central Florida from Puerto Rico. I had heard of a job opportunity and decided to pursue it. But it never became a reality. I quickly learned that being alone without resources in an unfamiliar city was not a comfortable situation to be in. Once my limited funds ran out I became homeless and spent a year and a half living on the streets of Orlando. Apart from feeling not being noticed and missing my family, I had to face another challenge--hunger. For the first time in my life, I, as a foreign man, who had lived my life in the relative comfort of the middle class, understood the desperation someone feels when they don't get enough to eat. I clearly remembered having run a distance of more than 7 miles on many occasions just to make it to a local feeding program before they closed at 7 pm. Once the need for food was met, the next challenge would arise--where to find a place to sleep for the night. Fortunately, local programs like the Coalition for the Homeless, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Wayne Densch Center were an important part of my ability to survive my painful experience. With the assistance of these programs, I was accepted by a college scholarship program through the Coalition and obtained two degrees from Valencia. My experience has helped me understand that devoting my life to helping others offers lasting rewards. Today, I am employed as Childhood Hunger Programs Manager at Second Harvest Food Bank and oversee the summer feeding, Hi-Five Kids Pack, and Kids Cafe programs. I am so proud to be able to distribute food resources to those wonderful programs and help hundreds more like me. Before being accepted by a college scholarship program, the author _ . Answer: had been struggling financially. Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, made his first public appearance since going on medical leave six weeks ago, taking the stage at a San Francisco media event to introduce the iPad 2, the second generation of the company's tablet computer. Thin but energetic, Mr. Jobs showed off a thinner iPad. " We've been working on this product for a while and I just didn't want to miss this day," he said. His absence has concerned investors, especially since the group has given no details of his condition. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and had a liver transplant during almost six moths of medical leave in 2009. People close to him said last month his health had been changing. Apple's stock rose more than 2 percent in the minutes after Mr. Jobs began speaking, then gave up some of its gain as he detailed the iPad 2. The iPad 2 will go on sale in black and white versions in the US on March 11 and in 26 other countries, including the UK and Germany, on March 25. The table is Apple's biggest product launch since the iPhone three years ago, and is comparable to the iPhone as the most expected in Apple's history. Most of the improvements in the latest version had been expected, including front and rear-facing video, which allows video conferencing between iPads, Mac computers and the most recent iPhones and iPods, a larger speaker, a faster processor and other upgrades. The iPad 2 is one-third thinner than the original tablet and slightly lighter, with a 9.7-inch touchscreen. It can run movies, books, games and a complete range of applications. In the US it will work with AT&T and Verizon, the top two mobile carriers. The pricing will be the same to the 2010 iPad at its introduction, ranging from $499 to $829 in six models. But Apple dropped prices on the older iPad on Wednesday by $100 across the board. Apple has made the most of its year-long head start in tablets, selling 15,000,000 units of the older iPad last year and taking about 85 percent of the market. Forrester predicted that the iPad 2 would clain 80 percent of the US market this year, or 20,000,000 out of 24,000,000 total shipped. This prediction was based on both the technical improvements to the iPad 2, and the distribution difficulties and higher prices for Apple's rivals. Motorola, BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, Samsung and others have brought out competing tablets, many based on Google's Android software. Mr. Jobs said the rest of the field was still catching up with the first iPad and their markets for applications designed for tablets had, at best, 100 small programs. This compares with 65,000 on Apple's applications store. Why are the investors of Apple worried according to the text? Answer: Steve Jobs' health condition is not stable Dear Cassy, Thanks for reminding me by e-mail that you want to baby-sit our children. Although you are only 12 years old, my wife and I would be willing to consider your application if you can meet a few requirements: 1)Send us three letters from teachers who will prove that you have never failed to follow instructions perfectly in class and never failed to hand in your homework on time. 2)Send us a note from two doctors who will prove that you are in perfect health, have never been sick, and never will be sick. 3)Send us a document from your physical education teacher or team coach that proves that you can do each of the following: Run two miles in less than four minutes, climb an oiled rope to a height of twenty feet in thirty seconds while balancing a glass of water on your nose, and walk in bare feet over hot coals and broken glass without injury. 4)Send us notarized letters from at least two mental health experts saying that you have never had an envious thought towards other people. 5)Play and defeat five expert chess players while blindfolded after going without sleep for 48 hours. 6)Wait patiently for two years while we have investigators certify that all your documents are real. Your loving and trusting friends, The Smiths The Smiths send their message to Cassy by _ . Answer: e-mail Tuesday, 1stSeptember I had mixed feelings today, nervous, worried, happy, excited... My heart went down when Miss Chan, our head teacher, said that Matthew and Beth, two students from England, would spend three months with us! I was worried that I had to speak English so much! But at the end of the school day, I was happier than I thought: the morning with them today was more enjoyable than I expected. Today is the most unforgettable first day I have had! Matthew is fantastic! His English is clearer and easier to listen to than I thought. The other English student, Beth, is the most helpful girl I've ever met. There were lots of things to do on the first day. Beth offered to help Miss Chan put up all the notices. Of course, some of the credit should also go to ME because I translated some of the notices for her. Miss Chan praised us! We finished all the preparations 10 minutes earlier than expected, then Beth and I talked for a while, Matthew sang several English songs and did some stand-up comedy at the party. We all praised him. When the bell rang to end the first school day, none of us wanted to leave. When I went back home, I had a little headache. I have probably spoken more English today than the whole of last year. It was really a happy day! I hope our friendship can continue, even after they gone back to England! The writer felt _ when he heard the news from Miss Chan. Answer: worried Dear Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Mostpeopledon'treallyknowwhatpressuresatypicalteenager has to go through.Sure, our parents and grandparents were once teens, but things are so different now.It has never been tougher to a teenager. It had never been more important to be in the "right group" or to have the "right brand" of shoes.And those are the easy things to deal with.We also face problems with family, friends, relationships and school pressures. When it gets to be too much, I turn to my friends.One friend I could not live without is Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul.Your books have been so inspiring to me and have helped me to deal with and understand the problems I go through. For example, I went through aconfusing time with my friends when we got to junior high.I had known these friends since kindergarten, and when we began junior high it seemed like some of them began to change.We started hanging out with different groups, and we slowly grew so far apart that it seemed as if we had never been friends.I felt confused and hurt. Sometime during this period I read the story Friends Forever in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II.I felt so much better after reading it.It was like aweight had been lifted from me when I realized that many friendships went through changes and that we weren'tthe only friends to experience _ . Peoplechange, but that doesn'tmean we have to lose the friendships we once shared.My friends and I still spend time together when we can and care about each other alot.That things are different doesn'tmean I have to forget about all the good times we had.I will always keep the memories in asafe place in my heart. Sincerely, Peter According to the author, parents and grandparents _ . Answer: don't fully understand the pressures of being a teenager now
People faint when the normal blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut down. This can happen if they are surprised or shocked by sudden news or by something they see suddenly. Some people faint if they see others hurt .Some people faint in crowds. Others faint if they are in a room that is hot and stuffy. If a person faints while standing, lay him down. If his face is pale, lift his feet .If he is sitting down when he faints, place his head between his knees, loosen any tight clothing that might keep him from breathing easily .If possible, place a wet cloth on his forehead. People may faint if they _ . Answer: If a thing is seen, then Answer: London--- A mother has criticised "selfish" passers-by for failing to help her teenage son after he fainted on a packed tram platform. Oliver Tiplady was on his way to school when he fainted at the tram stop. But instead of helping the 14-year-old, who was in school uniform,those nearby simply walked around him. Her mother, Susan Tiplady , said, "How can people leave a child for that matter, on the floor like that? How could they all have ignored him? They must have lacked any basic humanity and had no piry on a child." She said her son regained consciousness about ten minutes after fainting at the tram stop last week. "He managed to get up and sit down before his friends turned up, but by then he was too embarrassed to tell them what had happened. It wasn't until he got to school that he told a teacher." she added. BEIJING - At least 15 pupils were confirmed dead after a school bus rolled over in Xuzhou, East China's Jiangsu province. The accident occurred around 6 pm on Monday .There were 29 pupils on the bus .The bus was traveling on the road when two electric bikes suddenly cut in and the driver was trying to avoid them.. The bus was produced by Shaolin Auto Co Ltd in Henan province and had a full capacity of 52 passengers. South Korea ---South Korea's largest mobile phone operator said Thursday that it will offer cell phone users a new noise service that it says will drive away mosquitoes . SK Telecom Co. said consumers can pay 3,000 won ( ) ($2.50) to download a sound wave that can't be heard by human ears but annoys mosquitoes within a range of three feet. Customers can then play the sound just by hitting a few buttons on their mobile phones. The company claimed that the service worked during tests .The service, which begins Monday, has one drawback: it consumes as much battery power as normal cell phone rings. The best word to describe the passers-by is _ . Answer: Today there are 7 billion people on the earth.By the year 2050 there may be 9.0 billion.We will have a lot more people to feed.We need more food. One way to produce more food is by growing stronger plants.For thousands of years,farmers have made plants better.Every season,they pick the best plants for the next season.It works very slowly.Since1983 scientists have been able to change plants more quickly by changing their genetic material. Foods from plants grown in this way are called genetically modified foods ,or GM foods. By changing the genetic material of a plant,it is possible to make new plants. They make plants which are strong against plant diseases. They can also help in our diseases:a kind of rice is being prepared,for example,which stops people from becoming blind.Rich countries produce GM foods because they are easy to grow and they bring in more money.Poor countries are interested in them because they help produce more food. GM plants are not natural.No one knows how good or bad they are.Making GM foods is only one way of feeding people in 2050.But there are strong feelings against them,because they are unnatural. They may feed people,then hurt them or their children later.But both rich and poor countries are very interested in their use,and they are not going to die.In 2050 we may think differently about them. Why do some people dislike the GM plants? Answer: Henry was from the United States and he had come to London for a holiday. One day he was not feeling well. So he was to the clerk at the desk of his hotel and said, "I want to see a doctor. Can you give me the name of a good one?" The clerk looked in a book, and said, "Dr. Grey." "Is he expensive?" "Well," the clerk answered, "he always asks for his patients two pounds for their first visit to him, and 1.5 pounds for later visit." Henry decided to save 50 pence. When he went to see the doctor he said, "I've come again, doctor." For a few seconds the doctor looked at his face carefully without saying anything. Then he nodded and said, "Oh, yes." He examined him and then said, "Everything's going as it should do. Just continue with the medicine I gave you last time." He wanted to see a good doctor because _ . Answer:
Making friend is a skill. Like most skills, it improves with practice. If you want to meet people and make friends, you must be willing to take some action. You must first go where there are people. You won't make friends staying home alone. Join a club or group, talking with those who like the same things you do is much easier. Or join someone in some activity. Many people are nervous when talking to new people. After all, meeting strangers means facing the unknown. And it's human nature to feel a bit uncomfortable about the unknown. Most of our fears about dealing with new people come from doubts about ourselves. We imagine other people are giving an opinion about us-finding us too tall or too short, too this or too that. But don't forget that they must be feeling the same away. Try to accept yourself as you are, and try to put the other person at ease . You'll both feel more comfortable. Try to keep self-confident even when you don't feel that way when you enter a room full of strangers, such as a new classroom, walk tall and straight, look directly at other people and smile. If you see someone you'd like to speak to, say something. Don't wait for the other person to start a conversation. Just meeting someone new does not mean that you will make friends with that person-friendship is based on each other's liking and "give and take". They take time and efforts to develop. And there are things that keep a new friendship from growing. Friendship is based on _ Answer: each other's liking and "give and take" There are also two big elephants and a baby. Children like to ride on one of them. The elephants are very kind and friendly. They eat much grass and bananas. In the zoo, we can see different kinds of bears, brown bears, black bears and white bears. They are all slow and clumsy . They stand on their back legs and lift their front legs to ask for food . They like cakes very much. Do you like pandas? There's only one in the zoo . Her name is LIngling. She is very cute. She likes eating bamboo a lot . She is kind of shy. She's very interesting. Tigers and lions like eating _ . Answer: meat For some minutes, all was quiet in the street. Then from across the street someone came walking. It looked like a man of middle height, dressed in a big raincoat, a soft hat and rubber-soled boots or shoes, and making little sound while walking. No one was in sight. It was a street with two rows of about fifty small houses and there were three lamps on either side. The lamp nearest to the child's house could be seen clearly, but the others were almost hidden by the smoky air. A car passed the end of the street and its lights showed faintly,but clearly enough to show the smooth skin of a woman's face. The car disappeared as the woman, wrapped up in her coat, reached the doorway of the child's house. She put a key in the lock quickly, pushed the door open and stepped inside, then closed the door without looking round. She began to breathe hard. She leaned against the door for a moment, then straightened up as if with an effort, and walked towards the door of the front room, the passage leading to the kitchen, and the narrow staircase. She hesitated outside the door, then went up the stairs quickly but with hardly a sound. There was enough light from the narrow hall to show the four doors leading off a small landing . She pushed each door open in turn and shone a torch inside, and the light fell upon beds, walls, furniture, a bathroom hand-basin, a mirror which flashed brightness back; but this was not what the woman was looking for. She turned away and went downstairs, and hesitated again at the foot of the stairs, then turned towards the kitchen. Clearly there was nothing there, or in the small washroom that she wanted. Two rooms remained; the front room and a smaller one next to it. She opened the front room door. After a moment, she saw the child's bed and the child. Once she was in the house, the woman behaved as if what she was looking for _ Answer: was more likely to be upstairs On a cloudy day Answer: the sun is less visible If there's one thing I' ve learned from my years of being a kid, it' s that you have ZERO control over your own life. Ever since school ended, I haven' t had anything I' ve needed to do or anywhere I' ve needed to be. As long as the air-conditioning was working and the TV remote had batteries in it, I was ready for a relaxing summer holiday. But then, out of the blue, this happened - " Pack your bags. We' re going on a road trip ! " Mom said excitedly. This isn't the first time Mom has sprung a trip on us without any warming. Last year on the first day of summer, she said we were going .to visit Aunt Loretta at the nursing home. It wasn't exactly my idea of a fun way to kick off the summer. One time when we visited Aunt Loretta, her roommate grasped me and wouldn't let me go until someone gave her a chocolate cookie ! Mom kept talking about going to the nursing home for a whole day, which made me worry a lot. But at breakfast the next morning, she told us where we were really going - Disney World. I was very happy, because I was really worried about spending the whole week at the nursing home. So was Dad. But when my little brother, Danny, heard about the change he became very angry. Mom had talked up the Aunt Loretta trip so much that Danny was actually excited about going there. We ended up putting off our trip to Disney so we could visit Aunt Loretta. I tried to talk Mom into letting us do something normal, like going to a water park for the day, but she didn't want to hear it. She said that spending a lot of time together in the car would be a " bonding" experience for the whole family. The author wrote the passage to _ Answer: share with readers his childhood experiences
I always felt sorry for the people in wheelchairs. Some people, old and weak, cannot get around by themselves. Others seem perfectly healthy, dressed in business suits. But whenever I saw someone in a wheelchair, I only saw a disability, not a person. Then I fainted at Euro Disney due to low blood pressure. This was the first time I had ever fainted, and my parents insisted that I rest for a while after first aid. They said to me, " _ !" I agreed to take it easy, but as I stepped toward the door, I saw my dad pushing a wheelchair in my direction! Feeling the color burn my cheeks, I asked him to wheel that thing right back to where he found it. I could not believe this was happening to me. Wheelchairs were fine for other people but not for me, as my father wheeled me out into the main street, people immediately began to treat me differently. Little kids ran in front of me, forcing my father to stop the wheelchair suddenly. Bitterness set in as I was thrown back and forth. "Stupid kids! They have perfectly good legs. Why can't they watch where they are going?" I thought. People stared down at me, pity in their eyes. Then they would look away, maybe because they thought the sooner they forgot me the better. "I'm just like you!" I wanted to scream." The only difference is you've got legs, and I have wheels." People in wheelchairs are not stupid. They see every look and hear each word. Looking out at the faces, I finally understood: I was once just like them. I treated people in wheelchairs exactly the way they did not want to be treated. I realized it is some of us with two healthy legs who are truly disabled. The experience of the author tells us that _ . Answer: one should not do to others what he would not like others to do to him what causes deposition Answer: earth displacement Rain and cold weather this summer saw honey yields from hives fall by almost three-quarters, the British Beekeepers Association(BBKA)said today. The average crop per hive was down 72% compared to last year, with just 3.6kg (81b) of honey produced compared to an annual average, the annual honey survey by the BBKA revealed. The survey of 2,712 beekeepers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales found that 88% said this summer's bad weather caused the _ in honey yields. The bad weather made it difficult for bees to excrete ,which led to disease easily, and the bad weather also increased the risk of keeping bees for heavy rain caused the places which bees regularly visited to meet natural disasters. The bad weather also influenced the plants flowering which increased the cost of keeping bees. The BBKA issued a midsummer warning to feed bees if necessary to avoid dying from hunger. But in London, which recorded the worst results with just 2.5kg (5.61b)of honey harvested on average, beekeeping experts said that in addition to the bad weather there was a lack of food for bees in the city. Angela Woods, secretary of the London Beekeepers Association, said, "Rather than putting beehives on office roofs, we encourage companies in London that want to help to look at different ways of supporting bees and beekeepers. We need more food for the bees and better-educated beekeepers." Elsewhere, the weather was the main problem. Peter Hutton, a beekeeper in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, said, "It has been the most difficult year I have known in my 53 years of beekeeping. Bad weather in spring prevented bees in many areas from collecting nectar from early-flowering crops such as oilseed rape ,and the rain continued in many places throughout June and July, preventing honeybees from searching for food on later crops." The BBKA warned that as well as reducing the honey harvest, the bad weather is likely to have a longer-term influence as it will have affected the normal process of breeding for the queens, which mate on the wing on fine, still summer days. As a result they may have mated poorly and be unable to produce enough new babies to see groups through the winter. According to the passage, last year the average crop per hive might be _ . Answer: 13 kg A teacher mixes a small amount of salt in a glass of warm water and asks the students to observe physical changes that occur as the salt dissolves. Which physical change will they most likely observe? Answer: The solution will become clear. This is an interview between the reporter and Sarah, a girl who created a website for her school. Reporter: Why did you start this new website for Alcott Middle School? Sarah: Three months ago, my mom was complaining about how she never hears about the days our school ends early until after the fact. She works late and sometimes she has to ask our neighbor at the last minute to pick me up after school. It happened several times, and she was frustrated that there wasn't better notification from the school. Reporter: Didn't your school already have a website with that information? Sarah: We had a website. But there wasn't much information on it, and nobody was _ keeping it up-to-date . I asked my teacher if our class could update the school calendar. That seemed pretty easy. Reporter: Was it? Sarah: Yeah, and it was kind of fun. So then we asked the principal if we could redo the whole site. He said okay, so we went to work. We discovered websites that taught us how to make our site look better and added more hot links that people could click to get more information about a subject. We posted photos from basketball games. Our class even started a blog about what's going on at school. Then we persuaded the teachers to create their own pages. Reporter: So what's next? Sarah: A few friends and I started a small Web design business. We're asking other schools if they'll employ us to set up a site like the one we created. Reporter: Wow! That's pretty enterprising for a 13-year-old. Sarah: I guess so. But it doesn't seem like work when you're doing something you enjoy. What can we learn about Sarah? Answer: She enjoys what she does now.
Wang Bing's father began smoking when he was a freshman ( )in college. His friend passed him his first cigarette. He has now been smoking for more than 30 years. It's a classic example of how young people are introduced to cigarettes, except that nowadays smokers develop their habit at an even younger age. It has become a major concern in China that many teenagers begin to smoke. A survey showed that 22.5% of the middle school students questioned had tried smoking and 15.8% of them smoked regularly. For many teenagers, smoking is a symbol of being an adult, independence, maturity and attractiveness because the images who they love best often smoke on screen. The social environment also plays an important role in attracting teenagers to smoking. They are used to seeing their elders, especially male family members, smoking at home. Many of them _ adult behavior and become new smokers. To increase the price of cigarettes is an effective way to reduce the number of young smokers, as teenagers have limited money to spend on them. Another way is to educate the teenagers to voluntarily refuse cigarettes. A survey shows that 92.5% of the students know smoking will be bad for their health. If we persuade them in a proper way, most of them may give up smoking. All in all, the society, the government, the school and the family should join together to take the responsibility for an anti-smoking campaign aimed at teenagers, _ What's the main idea of this passage? A The teenagers think smoking is a symbol of being an adult and independence. B The social environment encourages the teenagers to smoke. C The teenagers should be educated to refuse to smoke. D The teenage smoking has become a serious problem in China. Answer: D. The teenage smoking has become a serious problem in China. Since 2004,Time magazine has six times made a survey to name the l00 most influential people in the world.Only one person has appeared on it for six times, Oprah Winfrey. Born in l954 in Mississippi,Oprah Winfrey spent her early years living in poverty with her grandmother and later her absent mother, followed by unfair treatment by her unfriendly relatives.Worse still,she was addicted to drugs and at the young age of l4,she gave birth to a baby, who died after a few months.Finally she was sent to live with her strict father in Tennessee. Amazingly though,her father's rules did make sure she received a good education and finally overcame her problems. Oprah's media career began at age l7.She became the co-author of local news in Baltimore in her early 20's.Her first local talk show, People Are Talking, was first performed in l978,when she was 24. In l986,Oprah moved to Chicago to host a low-rated half-hour morning talk show, AM Chicago.Oprah talks like a family member in your and my house.Within months she took over,the show became the highest-rated talk show in Chicago.It was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show. Only two years after hosting the show, she was able to set up her own production company Harpo, and buy the full rights to The Oprah Winfery Show.She is also involved in magazine publishing,books,education and a lifestyle channel for women with the aim of improving people's lives, inspiring and praising good honest values,making the world a better place for present and future generations. As her business grew, so did her wealth and power, and she became the first ever black billionaire in 2003 and the most powerful woman in media broadcasting.The amazing influence she has over a large part of the American public means that anything she promotes on her shows is guaranteed to succeed. What do we know about Oprah's childhood? A She lived with her mother for 14 years. B She married young and brought up a baby. C she lacked concern and care. D She couldn't stand her father's rules. Answer: C. she lacked concern and care. Being bored can encourage people's creativity-partly to escape the horrible, frustrated. And meaningless feeling of boredom-recent studies find. It could even be true at work. Psychologists at the University of Central Lancashire had participants copy numbers out of the telephone book for 15 minutes,while others went straight into a standard creativity task. Both groups were asked to come up with as many different uses as they could for a plastic cup. The group that felt more bored came up with more uses. Dr. Sandi Mann, one of the study's authors said. " Boredom at work has always been seen as something to he removed. hut perhaps we should be welcoming it in order to encourage our creativity. What we want LO do next is to see what the practical implications of this finding are. Do people who are bored at work become more creative in other areas of their work-or do they go homeand write novels?" In a later study, Dr. Sandi Mann found that creativity was reduced when people were still bored but didn't have the chance to daydream. While we tend to think of boredom as something; that certainly leads to trouble-drinking, gambling. and antisocial behavior, this research suggests differer possibilities. More than anything, the feeling of boredom is a 8trong signal that we are stuck in some kind of rut and we need to seek out new goals. In the study above, this research led participants to new ideas. Usually people will do anything to avoid being bored. as it's such an _ experience. But creative people, like writers, sometimes talk ahout seeking out boredom. Here is the comedy writer Graham Linehan talking about boredom Lo The Cuardian. "I have to use all these programs that cut off the Internet,force me to be bored, because being bored is an essential part of writing, and the Internet has made it very hard to be bored. The creative process requires a period of boredom ,of being stuck. That's actually a very uncomfortable period that a lot of people mistake for writer's block, but it's actually just part of a long process. " So, when you start to feel bored , instead of g7ancing at your smartphone.,try being bored for a bit. Who knows what creative thought might come of it? According to Craham Linehan. _ . A glancing at a smartphone is a solulion. B he is forced to feel bored by the Internet C the boredom period is a block for writers D being stuck for a period benefits him a lot Answer: D. being stuck for a period benefits him a lot ?Allen! 5/7 Monday I'm busy this week. The following Sunday is Mother's Day and there are many activities at school. One of them is PTA Day. It's on Friday. Mum and Dad are both coming. I'm a little nervous . What will Mr. Chang tell them? 5/8 Tuesday Mr. Wu is our new music teacher. He teaches us Mother, a beautiful song about our love for mothers. 5/9 Wednesday We practice Mother today. This is the special present for our parents on Friday. 5/10 Thursday It takes us two hours to decorate our classroom for PTA Day. I'm tired. Mum is nervous. It's the first time for her to meet our teachers. She is always nervous about talking to teachers from her childhood . That's funny. Why does Allen's mother feel nervous? A Allen does not do well at school. B She is afraid of talking to teachers. C Allen's f ather is going to school, too. D She has to sing a song in front of the class. Answer: B. She is afraid of talking to teachers. Thousands of teenagers will be able to move to a new wave of "studio schools" at the age of 14 to improve their chances of finding a job in UK. Twelve new-style schools are open to act as a bridge to the workplace and cut the number of NEETs. Under plans, schools will operate longer days and work outside standard school terms. Each teenager will be expected to spend between four hours and two days a week on work placements with business related to the school and a personal coach will be sent to the teenagers to act as a school "line manager". The reforms are put forward because of the fears that too many teenagers are finishing full-time education at present but they are short of the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. According to a recent report, more than two thirds of employers believe school and college leavers have less important employability skills, while 55% say they are unable to manage their time or daily routine. And the number of NEETs who are not in education has hit a record high, with almost one-in-five young people being left without a job or a training place. The Department for Education will tell the public the building of 12 studio schools - providing for around 3,600 teenagers - in areas such as Liverpool, Stevenage, Stock-on-Trent and Fulham, west London. Each one will be connected to the local employers. Under plans, teenagers will be able to move out of ordinary schools to attend them between the ages of 14 and 19. The government said all subjects would be taught "through projects, often prepared with employers" - with rules such as science being connected directly to local engineering companies or hospitals. Schools will operate a longer day to give teenagers a better understanding of the needs of the workplace. Along with their studies, students will carry out work placements for four hours a week, rising to two days a week of paid work for those aged 16 to 19. They will also get the chance to take professional qualifications connected directly to the needs of local employers. According to the passage, NEETs refer to those who _ . A often miss classes from studio school B prefer studio schools to ordinary schools C refuse to take any part-time job after school D are not in education, employment or training Answer: D. are not in education, employment or training
Climbers at the top of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, will now be able to make video calls and surf the Internet on their mobile phones, a Nepalese telecom group claims. Ncell, a branch company of Swedish phone giant TeliaSonera, said on Thursday it had set up a high-speed third-generation (3G) phone base station at an altitude of 5,200 metres in the Everest region. "Today we made the world's highest video call from Mount Everest base camp successfully. The coverage of the network will reach up to the peak of Mount Everest," Ncell Nepal chief Pasi Koistinen told reporters in Kathmandu. The installation will also help tens of thousands of tourists and hikers who visit the world's highest mountain every year. Climbers who reached its 8,848-metre peak previously depended on expensive satellite phones and a voice-only network set up by China Mobile in 2007 on the Chinese side of the mountain. "This is a great milestone for mobile communications as the 3G high speed Internet will bring faster, more affordable telecommunication services from the world's tallest mountain," said Lars Nyberg, chief executive of TeliaSonera, which owns 80 percent of Ncell. The 3G services will be fast enough to make video calls and use the Internet, said the company, which also claimed the world's lowest 3G base at 1,400 metres below sea level in a mine in Europe. Despite the installation in Mount Everest, telecom services cover less than one-third of the 28 million people of Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world. TeliaSonera said it planned to invest $ 100 million in the next year to ensure that mobile coverage increases to more than 90 per cent of the Himalayan nation's population. The 3G network on Mount Everest puts TeliaSonera ahead of state-controlled Nepal Telecom, Indian-owned United Telecom and China Mobile. Around 3,000 people have climbed to the Everest summit since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people to conquer the peak in 1953. Who are most likely to benefit from the 3G services at Mount Everest? A. The telecom firm. B. The local residents. C. Travelers to Nepal. D. Mount Everest explorers. Answer: D Lester, the owner in fee simple of a small farm consisting of 30 acres of land improved with a house and several outbuildings, leased the same to Tanner for a 10-year period. After two years had expired, the government condemned 20 acres of the property and allocated the compensation award to Lester and Tanner according to their respective interest so taken. It so happened, however, that the 20 acres taken embraced all of the farm's tillable land, leaving only the house, outbuildings, and a small woodlot. There is no applicable statute in the jurisdiction where the property is located nor any provision in the lease relating to condemnation. Tanner quit possession, and Lester brought suit against him to recover rent. Lester will A. lose, because there has been a frustration of purpose which excuses Tanner from further performance of his contract to pay rent. B. lose, because there has been a breach of the implied covenant of quiet enjoyment by Lester's inability to provide Tanner with possession of the whole of the property for the entire term. C. win, because of the implied warranty on the part of the tenant to return the demised premises in the same condition at the end of the term as they were at the beginning. D. win, because the relationship of landlord and tenant was unaffected by the condemnation, thus leaving Tanner still obligated to pay rent. Answer: D Who would be healthier? A. a sleeper B. an party animal C. insomniac D. a workaholic Answer: A Skin-diving is a new sport today. This sport takes you into a wonderful new world . It is like a visit to the moon! When you are under water, it is easy for you to climb big rocks , because you are no longer heavy . Here, under water, everything is blue and green. During the day ,there is enough light .When fish swim nearby , you can catch them with your hands . When you have tanks of air on your back, you can stay in keep water for a long time. But you must be careful when you dive in deep water. To catch fish is one of the most interesting parts of this sport. Besides ,there are many other uses of skin-diving. You can clean ships without taking them out of the water. You can also get many things from the deep sea. ,. Under water , a skin-diver _ in the daytime . A. can see everything clear B. can't see anything clearly C. can see nothing D. can see only fish Answer: A One windy spring day, I observed young people having fun using the wind to fly their kites. Multicolored creations of varying shapes and sizes filled the skies like beautiful birds dashing and dancing in the exciting atmosphere above the earth. As the strong winds gusted against the kites, a string kept them in check. Instead of blowing away with the wind, they arose against it to achieve great heights. They shook and pulled, but the controlling string and the clumsy tail kept them in tow , facing upward and against the wind. As the kites struggled and trembled against the string, they seemed to say, "Let me go! Let me go! I want to be free!" They flew beautifully even as they fought the forced restriction of the string. Finally, one of the kites succeeded in breaking loose. "Free at last," it seemed to say. "Free to fly with the wind." Yet freedom from control simply put it at the mercy of an unsympathetic gentle wind. It flew ungracefully to the ground and landed in a twisted mass of weeds and string against a dead bush. "Free at last". Free to lie powerless in the dirt, to be blown helplessly along the ground, and to settle down lifeless against the first roadblock. How much like kites we sometimes are. There always exist misfortunes and restrictions, rules to follow from which we can grow and gain strength. Prohibition is a necessary counterpart to the winds of opposition. Some of us pulled at the rules so hard that we never fly fast to reach the heights we might have obtained. If we keep all the commandment , we will never rise high enough to get our tails off the ground. Let us each rise to the great heights, recognizing that some of the prohibitions are actually the steady force that helps us climb and achieve. What enables a kite fly gracefully in the sky according to the story? A. The kite itself and strange shapes. B. A long string and blowing wind. C. A windy spring day and blue sky. D. The size and a long string. Answer: B
Museums in Germany Germany is one of the most important countries in Europe. You can visit many museums in Germany and learn about the country, its culture and people. If you are interested in learning about the history of the country, then you can have a look at the displays in the wonderful museum in the Roman Open Air Museum in Hechingen Stein. This museum, with its large numbers of artifacts like paintings, pieces of pottery, tools, jewelry and other items, provides a complete picture of Roman history in Germany. The museum is built inside an ancient Roman house called "Villa Rustica". Apart from this, another German museum that is worth visiting is the DB Museum, or the German Railway Museum. It is the oldest railway museum in the country, and it offers a comprehensive insight into the history of the railways in Germany. Here, you can see models of trains and engines from an ancient era. If this interests you, you can also visit the Museum of Communication, where you can learn a lot about the transport in Germany. It is a great place to visit with your family. Another famous museum in Germany, where you can learn a lot about the culture, is the Gutenberg Museum. This museum is filled with ancient memorabilia and artifacts that deal with the history of printing, not only of Germany, but of the whole world. This, in fact, is the oldest printing museum in the world. Amongst the many displays of interesting objects, the most famous is the second Gutenberg Bible. Apart from the museums mentioned above, other museums that are worth visiting include the German Leather Museum, Kingspor Museum, Optical Museum Jena, Deutsches Museums and others. Each of the museums in Germany deals with a different theme. You can visit the museums in Germany with your family and have a good time looking at the displays. If you want to learn about the history of Germany, you can go to the _ . Answer: Roman Open Air Museum What kind of pets do people have in your country? Dogs? Cats? How about a duck, hippo or lion? Here are two cases of animal owners with unusual pets. Barrie Hayman has a pet duck called Star. Barrie adopted him after his brothers and sisters stayed away from him at birth. Barrie, a duck breeder, realized the little duck needed special attention. So he began taking Star with him everywhere he went. "I would put him in my pocket while I did my shopping," said Barrie. Now, at five months, Star is too big for Barrie's pocket, but the two are still _ . They watch sports together and even share a drink together. Barrie said, "He is one fantastic duck. I've never known any like him." Star even has his own Facebook page, with more than 2,000 Facebook friends. Then there's the case of Tonie and Shirley Joubert in South Africa. They live with their pet hippo, Jessica. Tonie saved Jessica from floodwaters when she was only a day old. Jessica lives outside their riverside house, but she knows how to open the kitchen door, and often goes there for a snack. Tonie recently said, "I don't know whether Jessica sees me as a hippo or whether she sees herself as a human." Shirley is more certain, "Jessica sees herself as our child and I see Jessica as my daughter. I can't imagine my life without Jessica." Jessica is free to leave, and often visits wild hippos that live nearby. But she always returns home at night. Jessica's website notes that she has three hippo boyfriends, but one in particular, Fred, is her favorite. They often go grazing together and Fred has recently moved onto the Jouberts' house as well. Barrie took Star everywhere he went because _ . Answer: he wanted to care more about Star If a rub two rocks together after awhile they will start to Answer: Get smooth Why do satellites and spacecraft launched from Earth need to reach a specific speed to escape Earth's surface? Answer: to overcome Earth's gravitational force Japan's youth are losing interest in science and as a result, threatening the nation's industrial progress. According to Japan Science and Technology Agency, young Japanese are surrounded by high-tech devices , but are not interested in how they work. Japanese businesses have succeeded partly because they've a great many engineers. A drop in interest could lead to a decline in _ numbers and quality. "In the past, the young had a big interest in science and technology," said Hirano, director of the agency's policy department. There are two main reasons for the problem. The first is known as "black box syndrome" of modern technology. Electronic devices depend on tiny silicon chips , which can only be made in big factories, whose workings can't be seen by the eyes. The devices, unlike machines of the past driven by gears and wheels, are simply boxes. Young Japanese, brought up on video games and at home with computers, enjoy using modern technology, but this is a passive interest and different from the interest in how things work. "You need an active interest to get interested in science. This is declining in the young," said Hirano. About two-thirds of Japanese in their 20s use PCs, twice the number of those in their 50s. But only 40% of those in their 20s say they are interested in news about science and technology, compared to 60% of the 50 to 60 year olds. "Another reason for it is that life in modern Japan is too comfortable," he said. "A wealthy society reduces people's desire to modernize and develop their country. To a degree, you can't avoid this when the fruits of science and technology are fully developed." Similarly, science in Europe and the US has also suffered a lack of interest. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? Answer: Electronic devices are made of parts that can not be seen at all.
People who traveled in the past had to put up with many discomforts which we do not have nowadays, and of course they traveled far more slowly. Roads were bad indeed and you often found you could not get along at all because of the mud. In dry weather many places were thick in dust and when it was stormy, trees might fall across the road and it was nobody's business to clear _ away. Ordinary people traveled on foot or on horseback, but everyone who could afford it kept a private coach. There were public coaches too. called "stage coaches" because long journeys took several days and were done in stages, with stops over night at inns. Some stage, coaches ran only in the summer months. Others all the year around. They were very slow and crowded and passengers often became in on the way because of the swaying . Break downs were frequent, since many roads were not smooth. So a coach might very easily turn right over. Early in the century coach and wagon builders were encouraged to put very wide wheels on their vehicles. So that these might level the roads a little. But many people complained of this since it slowed travel down a good deal. Most travelers during the 18th century wrote bitterly about the state of the roads. One visitor to Sussex took six hours to travel nine miles in his coach; another wrote to a friend that on time of his journeys "almost every mile was marked by the overturn of a carriage". Which of the following mainly prevented people from travelling fast in the past? A. Falling trees B. Thick dust C. Muddy road D. Many discomforts Answer: C According to a survey, which was based on the responses of over 188,000 students, today's traditional age college freshmen are "more materialistic and less altruistic " than at any time in the 17 years of the poll. Not surprising in these hard times, the student's major objective "is to be financially well off. Less important than ever is developing a meaningful philosophy of life." It follows then that today the most popular course is not literature or history but accounting. Interest in teaching, social service and the "altruistic" fields is at a low. On the other hand, enrollment in business programs, engineering and computer science is way up. While it's true that we all need a career, it is equally true that our civilization has accumulated an incredible amount of knowledge in scientific or artistic fields. It is equally true that, in studying the diverse wisdom of others, we learn how to think. More important, perhaps, education teaches us to see the connections between things, as well as to see beyond our immediate needs. The most important argument for a broad education is that in studying the accumulated wisdom of the ages, we improve our moral sense. I saw a cartoon recently which shows a group of businessmen looking puzzled as they sit around a conference table; one of them is talking on the intercom :"Miss Baxter," he says, "could you please send in someone who can distinguish right from wrong?" From the long term point of view, that's what education really ought to be about. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? A. Businessmen absorbed in their career are narrow-minded. B. Managers often find it hard to tell right from wrong. C. People engaged in technical jobs lead a more rewarding life. D. Career seekers should not focus on immediate interests only. Answer: D Frank Smithson woke up and leaned over to turn off the alarm clock. "Oh,no!"he thought to himself."Another day at that office;a boss who shouts at me all the time." As Frank went downstairs his eyes fell on a large brown envelope by the door. He was overjoyed when he opened it and read the letter inside. "Bigwoods Football Pools would like to congratulate you. You have won half a million pounds." Frank suddenly came to life. The cigarette fell from his lips as he let out a shout that could be heard halfway down the street. At 11:30 Frank arrived at work."Please explain why you're so late,"his boss said." _ ," replied Frank. "I've just come into a little money so this is goodbye.Find yourself someone else to shout at." That evening Frank was smoking a very expensive Havana cigar when a knock was heard on the door. He rushed to the door. Outside were two men,neatly dressed in grey suits. "Mr Smithson," one of them said,"We're from Bigwoods Football Pools. I'm afraid there's been a terrible mistake......" The story tells us the truth that _ . A. good luck is always against a lazy fellow. B. don't count your chickens before they are hatched C. never quarrel with your boss until you find a new job D. the chances of getting rich quickly always lie in the Football Pools Answer: B Welcome to Our Clubs in Masonic Village Art Club The Art Club provides a place for aged people to paint, improve their artistic talents and show their works of art. Members can also sell items that they painted. The money raised goes toward providing painting supplies for club members. Anyone may join the Art Club, whether you already know how to paint or you want to learn how to better express your creativity. Painting supplies are provided by the club for free. Time: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Freemasons Cultural Center Art Studio. Cost: $12 per year Computer Club This club is meant for aged people with little knowledge of computers. Various topics are discussed at each meeting about computers (such as the Internet, software and email) as well as related technologies. The club has a computer lab with high-speed Internet connection. Members of the club have free access to the computer lab. Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Computer Resource Room on Level 2 of Smith North. Open general lab sessions are available for free. Cost: $35 per year Tai Chi for Arthritis Arthritis is a common disease for old people. The joints in the patients' body often hurt badly. Tai Chi for Arthritis is designed to improve the quality of life of those people who are suffering from arthritis using Sun-style Tai Chi. This style includes quick-moving steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. The movements don't require deep bending. Time: Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Irem Clubhouse. Cost: $65 per year If a member of Computer Club attends an open general lab session, he or she _ . A. is required to buy a laptop B. has to pay $35 for a session C. has to take an iPad with him/her D. needn't pay for the session Answer: D Hello, I'm Jack. I live in Sydney, Australia. And I want an e-friend in China. I think China is a very interesting place. I am 14 years old and my birthday is in October. I can speak English and some French. I have a brother, Paul, and a sister, Sarah. They have e-friends in England and America. I like going shopping with my friends and doing exercises. My favorite subject is Art. It's funny. But I don't like Maths. It's too difficult. Jack is from _ . A. England B. America C. London D. Australia Answer: D
Online purchases have soared during the Chinese New Year holiday. It's the dead of winter in Shanghai. Delivery man Liu Jia and his colleagues start the day when most of people are still asleep. Working at a distribution point of a shopping website in Shanghai, they promise to deliver products within three hours of an order being placed. "I buy most of my grocery online, especially the heavy items. It's convenient and cheap compared to the supermarket in my neighborhood," Customer Chen Hong said. Orders such as these have increased for the New Year, forcing Liu Jia to work around the clock. "The orders are usually rice, laundry detergent , tissue paper and snacks, mostly food and articles for everyday use," Liu Jia said. According to an industry report, China's B2C (Business to Customer) online sales are growing at an annual rate of 25 percent. Competition between online giants like Taobao and Jingdong is now fiercer than ever. "The _ of online shopping is that customers can buy products easily. So the competition is about: firstly, the range of products; secondly, the depth under each category of products; third, the price and user experience," Pan Biao, vice president of YHD. com, said. E-commerce is one of China's fastest growing sectors. It's changed people's buying habits, and even their living habits. And it's had a huge impact on the retail industry. To make online shopping more convenient, major sites are investing heavily to build payment systems and logistics networks. On average, a retailer now can deliver goods to the majority of cities within 3 days, and to towns and more remote areas in the country within a week. "Competition will produce a number of good companies, making better products and services that customers need. In the field of E-commerce, we are leading the world in terms of products, services and industry development," Liu Yinbin, associate professor with Dept of Information Management, Shanghai University, said. Experts also say customers are increasingly making their online purchases from mobile devices, opening up vast new opportunities and competition for retailers. All of the following about Liu Jia are true EXCEPT that _ . A. he works as an online store owner in Shanghai B. he has to work around the clock to deliver so many products C. he starts working when most of people are still asleep D. he must deliver products within three hours of an order being placed Answer: A. he works as an online store owner in Shanghai Smith had a small garden, and in spring she planted some vegetables in it. She looked after them very carefully, and when summer came, they looked very nice. One evening Mrs. Smith looked at her vegetables and said: " Tomorrow I am going to pick them, and then we can eat them." But early the next morning, her daughter ran into the kitchen and shouted , "Come quickly! Our neighbor's ducks are in the garden and they are eating our vegetables." Mrs. Smith ran out, but it was too late! All the vegetables were finished! Mrs. Smith cried and made her neighbor very sorry, but that was the end of the vegetables. Then several days before Christmas, the neighbor gave Mrs. Smith a parcel . In it was a beautiful, fat duck, and on it was a piece of paper with the words, " Enjoy your vegetables." , What did Mrs. Smith receive several days before Christmas? A. duck B. Some vegetables C. A card D. A person Answer: A. duck Americans think a great deal about time. From childhood they learn to value time. As children, they are taught to be on time to go to school, to do work and to do everything. When they are having a good time, they say that time flies. When a person is dying, they say he is living on borrowed time. Time is money. Time is knowledge. Time is everything in America. A working America has to work hard for 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. This is the working time. In his free time, he also works hard for more money. Even Saturday and Sunday are filled with activities. In the street you can hardly see a man who walks slowly. They walk very fast. In fact, they are running. They love time because time brings them money, comforts and progress. But sometimes they also hate time, for they feel they have become servants of the clock. A working American has to work _ days a week in his working time. A. seven B. six C. five D. four Answer: C. five Sonoma County, California is famous for its natural beauty. The area is also known for its fruits, vegetables, eggs, and seafood. When I first moved to the area years ago, I had no idea I would be living in such a rich area! After the summer, local festivals practically celebrate the richness of the county every weekend. From Egg Days, Tomato Festival to Seafood Festival, Sonoma County has something for everyone. An event held every year is one of the most special in the area, which celebrates the harvest of tomatoes, showing over 170 kinds of this tasty fruit. Cooks prepare the most favorite tomato-inspired dishes. You can enjoy all kinds of food while listening to live music, and taste the world famous Kendall Jackson wine. Another great feature of this event is the opportunity to take part in the yearly competition with your own tomatoes. Tomatoes are judged on looks, taste, and weight and winners will be awarded . If you're planning on visiting and want to attend this event, get your ticket early as it sells out quickly. This year, to celebrate Tomato Festival, I decided to plant a few tomatoes in a wine barrel that had kept a lemon tree before. The tree, after about 6 years, finally did not produce fruits anymore, so I changed to plant 3 tomato plants instead. The three wine barrel plants stand over six feet tall and that's above the top of the barrel! They have lots of flowers and some have started to produce fruits. As usual, harvest may be late this year, but the quality of my tomatoes will be excellent. I believe I'll realize my dream of being the best tomato gardener. If you are the best tomato gardener you will _ . A. be given prizes as a winner B. eat tomato dishes for free C. be respected by the local people D. drink Kendall Jackson wine free Answer: A. be given prizes as a winner FU Yuan has been left at home with his grandparents since he was one month old. His mom and dad left to work in Fujian Province. For the past eight years, Fu has only seen his parents three times although they send home 500 yuan every two or three months. Fu Xiaoyu, 16, has had to live alone since her grandmother passed away three years ago. Her parents do not want to renounce their jobs at a clothing factory in Guangdong Province. Nor can they afford the cost of sending her to a school in the city where they work. These are just two of the 29 kids that 16-year-olds Huang Ruoqing and Zhang Linna at Beijing No 4 High School talked with this summer in Guixiang Village in Sichuan Province. What Huang and Zhang learned from their three-day visit shocked them. They wrote down all the kids' stories in a moving 40-page essay filled with statistical charts. In the poor village with a population of 2,118 people, 582 adults have left to find work, leaving 156 children without parents. Among these so-called left-behind kids, 88 percent of them live with their grandparents, five percent live with uncles or aunts and seven percent have to live on their own. To Huang and Zhang's surprise, 80 percent of the children said they love going to school. Even though, some children have to walk along the hilly roads for two hours to get there. However, for this village's students studying is not their first task. Housework, such as helping feed pigs or buffalos and taking care of old grandparents, younger sisters or brothers, takes up a considerable amount of their time. Despite having to work hard at home, over 65 percent of the young interviewees would prefer their parents' stay away working rather than returning to live with them. "These kids are understanding and considerate and know how important money is for their families. Their little wishes like having dinner with their parents inspire us never to take what we have had for granted," Zhang said. It is implied but not directly stated that _ A. Fu Yuan's parents send him 500 yuan every 2 or 3 months B. Huang Ruoqing and Zhang Linna wrote an essay according to the left-behind kids' stories C. Many left-behind kids love studying and going to school in spite of many hardships D. The time that the left-behind kids spend on housework is more than that on study Answer: D. The time that the left-behind kids spend on housework is more than that on study
I was the typical"I can't"child-whatever my mother told or asked me to do was immediately followed by my cry,"I can't."As a result,very few tasks or goals that I set out to achieve were ever completed. One evening,my mother called me into the family room."I want you to read this article,"Mother began."It's about Marlo Thomas.She tells how a simple poem that she was forced to learn by her father changed her lifeShe went from saying'I can't'to'I can'According to this article,she was able to reorganize her life and her career by learning the principles in the poem." I took the small magazine from Mother and looked down at the pages.There was Marlo-my idol. Beside her photo was the poem my mother had spoken of,a simple poem entitled,"I Can"."I want you to memorize that poem,"Mother said firmly."Mama," _ ."I can't learn that poem.It's too long." "It's not too long and you can learn it.1 want you to know it perfectly by this time tomorrow,"said my mother. Unwillingly,I went back to my bedroom with the magazine.With a heavy heart,I threw myself into the bed and began my task. "Can't is a word that is the enemy to ambition,"I began.I repeated the line.I repeated it again and again."An enemy ambush to shatter your will..."I continued the process until I proudly recited the poem the following evening. It has now become my principle.Marlo 1 homas did not know me,but her story forever changed my life. Saying "I can" helped me to get through the worst moments of my life: Saying "I can" encouraged me to complete things I would have otherwise seen as out of my reach. A simple poem learned at seven is a poem that will support me to seventy-seven,maybe even longer. What can we learn from the passage'? A Marlo is very popular among teenagers. B I become interested in poems all my life. C Marlo always encourages me to work hard. D Saying"I can"has helped me get over difficulties. Answer: D. Saying"I can"has helped me get over difficulties. My name is Lin Hui. I like to tell stories about people who work together. What is even better is when countries help each other and build a good friendship. An excellent example of this happened when Britain and China worked together to bring the Milu deer back to China. Milu deer, a kind of animal with large horns , used to be common in China long ago. Like other deer they lived together and ate grass and the soft parts of trees. Milu deer were often killed for food or sport. The Ming and Qing dynasties did not protect them and many were killed. That is how the Milu deer disappeared from China. Luckily before all of them were killed, some were taken to Britain to improve the environment of the beautiful park which belonged to the Duke of Bedford. He liked them so much that he took them from China to Britain. Milu deer liked the cool, wet weather in England and their number increased year by year. As a result, when in 1985 the government of China wanted to bring back the Milu deer, the Duke of Bedford was able to help. The first deer came back to China to the Nanhaizi Milu Park 20 kilometers south of Beijing and the centre in Dafeng, Jiangsu province. The deer certainly seem happy to be back in China because their number has grown quickly. There are now so many of them that a new park has been opened for them in Hubei Province. At the moment the Milu deer live in centres where they are being well protected and cared for. It is hoped that one day there will be enough animals to let them live in the wild again. 294words What's the best title of the passage? A The number of the Mulu deer. B The life of the Milu deer. C The return of the Milu deer. D The importance of the Milu deer. Answer: C. The return of the Milu deer. Which gas is given off by plants? A Hydrogen B Nitrogen C Oxygen D Helium Answer: C. Oxygen E-book is short for electronic( ) book. It is usually read on personal computers. Some mobile phones can also be used to read e-books. Earlier e-books were written for a specific group of readers and were about only a few subjects. With the development of the internet, knowledge and answers to a lot of questions mainly come from e-books. This is why the e-book business is increasing quickly E-books have many advantages. First, they save time. We don't need to go to a bookstore to buy books, besides, we can find the topic we want to know about on the Internet, and then we can quickly get many e-books on similar topics. Second, e-books save money. Some e-books cost a little money, and there are millions of e-books on the Internet that we can get for free. Third, more trees are saved because e-books don't need to be printed on paper. Fourth, e-books make reading more convenient. You can carry a whole library of hundreds of books with you in a small computer or any e-book reader without worrying about their weight. But e-books have certain disadvantages. They need a personal computer or an e-book reader and the information can be lost if its file format is not supported or changed in the reader's computer. However, e-books provide us with a new way of reading. That is good. ,. How many advantages do e-books have according to this article? A Three B Four C Five D Six Answer: B. Four I think it's really very good to be a doctor. On the one hand, you can save people; on the other hand, they share their experiences of life with you. I've been a doctor in Los Angeles. To be frank, my work is terribly busy but interesting. I can always meet patients in different conditions. One 'of my patients is a successful businessman. Cancer has changed his _ on life. " Happiness is like a cookie in a boy's hand, " he said. "If a young kid gets the cookie, everything will be good. With no cookie, life loses its color. When a boy becomes a man, the cookie may turn into money, a new car, or a beautiful house. " "It took me many years to understand that the cookie never makes you happy for long. If the cookie is in front of you, you may care for it. But sometimes you may not get a chance to eat it, and then you are busy trying not to lose it. Having the cookie is not what life is about. After having cancer, for me, the cookie starts to lose its meaning. It is the most important that you can live a happy life with or without the cookie, " he said. ,. Where does the writer possibly work? A In a bank B In a hospital C In a bookstore D In a supermarket Answer: B. In a hospital
Since 1984, Philadelphia has been cleaning up its act. One by one, graffiti-covered walls are being changed into outdoor art. So far, more than 1,800 murals have been painted. Philadelphia now has more murals than any other American city. The walls that were once ugly with graffiti are now covered with beautiful pictures of historical heroes and modern art, thanks to the Mural Arts Program (MAP). Its work makes schools and public places attractive, and its citizens very proud. The program began as part of Philadelphia's Anti-Graffiti Network. Jane Golden is the MAP's artistic director. "When people ask me what our program is about," she says, "I answer them with one word: hope." Each year, the MAP offers youth art programs and workshops. Some one-time graffiti writers even help paint MAP murals. The MAP's work, says Golden, is all about developing a sense of community . When a neighborhood requests a mural, the MAP works with the people there to develop a message. Some messages have been "Safe Streets," "Love and Care," and "Peace Walk." The MAP receives up to 50 requests for murals each week. Last year, the workers painted 140 murals. "The making of a mural enters people's collective memory as an extraordinary, pleasant moment in neighborhood history" says Golden, who began as a muralist in Los Angeles. What is the Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia aimed at? Answer: Fighting against graffiti. SAN FRANCISCO--A phone app in San Francisco gives information about open parking spots. City officials in San Francisco introduced the app to try to reduce traffic jams in the city, but some say it raises safety concerns. In this city, drivers searching for parking spots lead to 30 percent of all downtown jams, city officials think. Now San Francisco has found a solution--a phone app for spot-seekers that displays information about areas with available spaces. The system, introduced last month, relies on wireless sensors fixed in streets and city garages that can tell within seconds if a spot has opened up. Monique Soltani, a TV reporter, said she and her sister spent 25 minutes on Friday trying to park. "We were praying to the parking god that we'd find a spot," she said. "If we had the app, we would not have to pray to the parking god." But the system could come with serious consequences. Some people say that drivers searching for parking could end up focusing on their phones, not the road. "It could be really distracting ," said Daniel Simons, a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois. City officials acknowledge the potential problem. They are urging drivers to pull over before they use the city's iPhone app, or to do so before they leave home. Nathaniel Ford, executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, said safety could actually improve if drivers quickly found a spot instead of circling and getting frustrated. San Francisco has put sensors into 7,000 parking spots and 12,250 spots in city garages. If spaces in an area open up, the sensors communicate wirelessly with computers that in turn make the information available to app users within a minute, said Mr. Ford, of the transportation agency. On the app, a map shows which blocks have lots of places (blue) and which are full (red). More than 12,000 people have downloaded San Francisco's app, which is available now only for the iPhone but which city officials say they hope to bring to all similar devices. When it is started up, the city's parking app warns drivers not to use the system while in motion. But safety advocates said that might not be sufficient. After all, they say, texting while driving is illegal in California and in many states, but a number of surveys, including one by the Pew Research Center, show that many Americans do it anyway. Elizabeth Stampe, executive director of Walk San Francisco, a pedestrian advocacy group, said she hoped the new parking app would lead to fewer accidents. "It's an innovative idea," she said. "The safe way for people to use the device is for them to pull over, which they know they should do. The question is whether they will." But Ms. Soltani, the TV reporter, said using the app would probably join the group of activities already performed by drivers. "We're already looking at Google Maps and Facebook on the phone while we drive," she said. "Aren't we always looking at something on our phone, or changing the radio, or drinking coffee? You're always slightly distracted when you're driving." The phone app mentioned in the text _ . Answer: can't be downloaded to all phones People who breathe infected air from a TB patient can become infected with the tuberculosis bacteria . However, most people with active tuberculosis do not expel (,)very many TB bacteria. So, the spread of the disease usually does not happen unless a person spends a large amount of time with a TB patient. Those most at risk are family members, friends and people who live or work closely with a patient. Tuberculosis can attack any part of the body. However, the lungs are the most common targets of the bacteria. People with the disease show several signs. They may expel air from the lungs suddenly with an explosive noise. This kind of cough continues for a long period of time. People with a more severe case of tuberculosis also may cough up blood. People with the disease often have high body temperatures. They suffer what are called night sweats, during which their bodies release large amounts of water through the skin. TB victims also are tired all the time. They are not interested in eating. So their bodies lose weight. One thing that is especially dangerous about TB is that people with moderate signs of the disease may not know they have had it. They may spread the disease to others without even knowing it. So, it is very important for people to get tested for tuberculosis. The common signs of TB are _ . Answer: cough, fever, feeling tired, night sweat, losing weight Birthday Traditions in Different Countrles[ England Certain symbolic objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it's being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it,then you will be rich. Also, when it's your birthday,your friends give you the"bumps".They lift you in the air by your hands and feet and raise you up and down to the floor;one for each year you lived,then another one or two for luck. Denmark A flag is flown outside a window to show that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child's bed while he/she is sleeping,so he/she will see them at once upon awakening. Holland Special year birthdays such as 5,10,15,20,21 are called"crown"years.The birthday child receives an especially large gift on a crown year birthday.The family also decorates the birthday child's chair at the dining room table with flowers,paper streamers and balloons. Canada The birthday child's nose is greased with butter for good luck.The greased nose makes the child too slippery for bad luck to catch him/her.In some parts of Canada,the birthday person even receives a punch for each year he/she is alive and then one for good luck. Brazil The birthday child receives a pull on the ear for each year he/she has been alive.The birthday person also gives the first plece of cake to his/her most special friend or relative,usually mom or dad. Korea There is a big family party on the first birthday.The table is set with food,and four items:a pencil,a ruler,thread,and money. The item that the baby chooses is said to forecast his/her future:excellent student,good with hands,long life or riches. South Africa On the twenty-first birthday,a key made of anything from paper to silver to gold is presented by the parents as a sign that the child is ready to unlock the door to their future. In which countries do people celebrate their 21st birthday specially? Answer: Holland and South Africa. The rise in smartphones among young people may be having a direct effect on how successful they become as adults. Research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has discovered the average university student checks their phones 11 times per lesson, and more than 80 percent believe this tech addiction is interfering with their learning. A quarter of students across five U.S states also blamed poor grades in exams specifically on the fact they used mobile devices when they should have been concentrating and revising - and these grades could determine the jobs they end up going into. Barney McCoy, an associate professor of broadcasting at the university, surveyed 777 students at six universities across five states about how they used digital devices in the classroom. The students were from UNL and the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Nebraska, Morningside College in Iowa, the University of North Carolina, the University of Kansas and the University of Mississippi. Around two thirds said they used phones, tablets and laptops for "non-classroom purposes" up to ten times during a typical university day, while 15 percent admitted this figure was closer to 30 times. Among the top reasons why students checked their devices so regularly were staying connected and fighting boredom, at 55 percent. Less than half said the devices were used for classwork. Texting was the most popular distraction technique at 86 percent, while 68 percent said they used their phones to check personal emails. Two thirds used social networks, 38 percent surfed the web and eight percent admitted to playing games when they should have been studying. Despite eight out of ten students admitting their devices were distracting, fewer than five percent considered it to be a "very big" distraction. "I don't think students necessarily think it's a big problem," said McCoy said. "They think it's part of their lives." "It's become automatic behavior on the part of so many people - they do it without even thinking about it." He continued, "They've got their laptops open, but they're not always taking notes. Some might have two screens open -- Facebook and their notes." The text is most likely to be found in a section about _ . Answer: science and technology
World's Wonderful Libraries How cool can libraries be in an era of iPads and Kindles More than you think.Only if you know where to go. Central Library The Central Library in Seattle,United States is modern and sophisticated. The building is an impressive work of art, which has has tourists from around the world paying visits and taking tours. The library offers free self-guided cell phone tours, along with group tours. The library holds various art exhibitions, book signings and other events throughout the year. Open: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m-8 p.m, Friday-Saturday 10 a.m-6 p.m, Sunday noon-6 p.m Trinity College Library The Trinity College Library in Dublin is the oldest library in Ireland, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Not only is the exterior impressive, it boasts the largest single chamber library in the world, also known as the Long Room, which contains more than 200,000 of the library's oldest books. Various exhibitions and tour are available; admission 9(US 12) Open: Monday-Wednesday 9:30 a.m -5 p.m, Tuesday 9:30 a.m -9 p.m, Saturday 9:30 a.m -1 p.m, Sunday closed. Bibliotheca Alexamdrina The Bibliotheca Alexamdrina is the revival of the ancient Royal Library of Alexandria, which was the largest and most influential library in the Greek world. It was built by Alexander the Great some 2, 300 years ago. The new library was reborn in 2002 on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea after 10 years of designing, planning and construction. Along with the standard libraries, there are four museums covering science, Arabic Calligraphy, the history of printing and the Greek art. Open: Saturday-Thursday 9 a.m- 4 p.m. Stuttgart City Library The Stuttgart City Library is controversial. Some say it's innovative, while others say it doesn't match its environment. Nevertheless, the library is one of the most interesting buildings in Germany. The design of the cubic facility was influenced by the ancient Pantheon in Rome. It serves as a multi-story meeting space that draws natural sunlight through the roof. Open: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m--9 p.m Suppose you are visiting Trinity College Library, you can enjoy _ there. Answer: Most of the people who appear most often and most gloriously in the history books are great conquerors and generals and soldiers, whereas the people who really helped civilization forward are often never mentioned at all. We do not know who first set a broken leg, or launched a seaworthy boat, or calculated the length of the year, or manured a field; but we know all about the killers and destroyers. People think a great deal of them, so much so that on all the highest pillars in the great cities of the world you will find the figure of a conqueror or a general or a soldier. And I think most people believe that the greatest countries are those that have beaten in battle the greatest number of other countries and ruled over them as conquerors. It is just possible they are, but they are not the most civilized. Animals fight; so do savages ; hence to be good at fighting is to be good in the way in which an animal or a savage is good, but it is not to be civilized. Even being good at getting other people to fight for you and telling them how to do it most efficiently -this, after all, is what conquerors and generals have done -is not being civilized. People fight to settle quarrels. Fighting means killing, and civilized peoples ought to be able to find some way of settling their disputes other than by seeing which side can kill off the greater number of the other side, and then saying that that side which has killed most has won. And it not only has won, but, because it has won, has been in the right. For that is what going to war means; it means saying that might is right. That is what the story of mankind has on the whole been like. Even our own age has fought the two greatest wars in history, in which millions of people were killed or disabled. And while today it is true that people do not fight and kill each other in the streets -while, that is to say, we have got to the stage of keeping the rules and behaving properly to each other in daily life - nations and countries have not learnt to do this yet, and still behave like savages. This passage is most likely taken from an article entitled _ . Answer: You have heard of Webster Toys. Webster has made good, safe, interesting toys for more than 100 years. Now we sell them, and children play with them, in countries from New Zealand to Norway, and from Japan to Brazil. We are looking for someone to sell our toys in the Far East. He will be between thirty and forty. He will already have some years of selling in world markets behind him. He will speak good English, and at least one other language of the Far East. The person we are looking for will live in Singapore, and work in our office there, but he will travel for up to six months in any one year. He will know the Far East quite well already. He will know how to sell in old markets and where to find new ones. He will understand money and make more than ever before, for himself, and for Webster Toys. Webster wants someone who can stand on his own feet. If you think you are the person we are looking for, write to Mr J. Sloman at our head office in London. He will already have some years of selling in world markets behind him means he has _ . Answer: More than 30,000 people went to the White House on Monday for the 136th Easter Egg Roll . President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama held the event by inviting thousands of kids to color and look for eggs. The theme of the day was "Hop Into Healthy, Swing Into Shape." It was part of the First Lady's "Let's Move!" program to reduce obesity rates among American kids. Mrs. Obama spoke to young reporters about her goal to get children to eat right and keep moving. "We are working to make sure that kids born today grow up healthy, learn how to have balanced meals, and get more physical activity into their lives," she said. Mrs. Obama said she wants children across the nation to understand that "exercise isn't just hard work, it's play. If you're running around with your dog, you're getting exercise. If you walk up the stairs, that's exercise, But if you're sitting in front of the TV or on a computer game, you're not exercising." The First Lady said that for kids who have balanced meals most of the time, having a special snack, like chocolate, will not hurt." And if you are active, you can splurge a little more," she said. Mrs. Obama's favorite "splurge food" is French fries. But she balances her splurging by exercising almost every day. She loves to play tennis and she practices yoga. "A lot of kids look up to athletes, and I think it's important for athletes to share their good habits," Mrs. Obama said. "Kids aren't just going to wake up and be LeBron James. He's practicing and eating right and working out and training. Our athletes can be really good messengers to kids who look up to them--they can say to kids, 'If you really want to be like me, then you really do need to eat your vegetables.'" In which part of a newspaper will the text most probably appear? Answer: The moon's surface Answer:
Millions years ago much of our earth was covered with blocks of ice. These ice blocks were as tall as high buildings in modern cities. Most of the ice was in the northern part of the world. Then the ice blocks started to move south. Cold and rain came with the ice. Animals and people had to move. At last, the ice began to melt . After half a million years, most of it had melted. More than half of the earth became covered with water. The _ became much warmer. Things began to grow. The earth began to look the way it looks today. The melting ice maybe helped to form _ . A mountains and valleys B the sun, the moon and the earth C cities and countries D seas, lakes and rivers Answer: D. seas, lakes and rivers WHY do we sometimes struggle with moral dilemmas? Why is it a crime to take certain drugs but it's acceptable to take others? Why is it wrong to create human embryos to cure diseases suffered by millions? Often, we follow rules that bring little benefit and can even be positively harmful. But the rules are not set in stone, so there is nothing to stop us getting rid of those that don't work and putting better ones in their place. Now an experiment suggests that morality isn't entirely about benefits to individuals. We also tend to make and obey arbitrary moral rules, probably as a way of promoting social consolidation . A classic psychology experiment called "trolley experiment" suggests that our minds have two moral systems, and they don't always agree. In the trolley experiment, participants are told that an out-of-control trolley could kill five people on the tracks. They must decide whether to turn it onto a second track with only one person on it. Almost everyone does it, sacrificing one to save five. But if instead you have to push one person off a bridge onto the track to stop the trolley, most people say no. That suggests most of us have a strict rule against killing people directly, even for the greater good. How are such rules formed? Although people with morality appear to _ the act of killing in the bridge experiment, most moral behavior in animals appears focused on outcomes--the death of an individual, say--rather than the death of the majority. When an animal experiences harm to help a , biologists view this as increasing the chances that the animal's genes will survive. Many psychologists think that human moral rules are an extension of this "kin selection". Kurzban of the University of Pennsylvania did the experiment further. Kurzban's team gave volunteers changes of the bridge situation. Volunteers were asked what they would do and whether their actions were morally right. 85% of them said it would be morally wrong to push one person off to save five, whether these people are brothers or strangers, confirming the idea that there is a rule against killing. However, despite thinking it wrong, 28% said they would still push a stranger off to save five, while 47% said they would push a brother off to save five brothers. "They're more likely to do this 'less moral1thing if it's to save a ," Kurzban says, suggesting kin selection is at work as well as the basic "moral rule" against killing. The experiment shows we have at least two parallel systems for deciding right and wrong: one that says some actions, like killing, are bad, and another that tells us to protect kin. So how is this helpful? Science has made great steps in explaining morality. No longer is it seen as something handed down from on high. Sacrificing yourself so as to protect your kin, for example, can benefit your family genes. Social consolidation demands we have rules, regardless of what they are, to help settle disputes quickly and peacefully. According to the passage, the rules of morality are, under some circumstances, _ . A scientific B reasonable C harmful D flexible Answer: D. flexible All living things need energy to survive. What is the primary source of energy for all living things? A plants B the sun C water D the wind Answer: B. the sun As Artificial Intelligence(AI) becomes increasingly sophisticated, there are growing concerns that robots could become a threat. This danger can be avoided, according to computer science professor Stuart Russell, if we figure out how to turn human values into a programmable code. Russell argues that as robots take on more complicated tasks, it's necessary to translate our morals into AI language. For example, if a robot does chores around the house, you wouldn't want it to put the pet cat in the oven to make dinner for the hungry children. "You would want that robot preloaded with a good set of values," said Russell. Some robots are already programmed with basic human values. For example, mobile robots have been programmed to keep a comfortable distance from humans. Obviously there are cultural differences, but if you were talking to another person and they came up close in your personal space, you wouldn't think that's the kind of thing a properly brought-up person would do. It will be possible to create more sophisticated moral machines, if only we can find a way to set out human values as clear rules. Robots could also learn values from drawing patterns from large sets of data on human behavior. They are dangerous only if programmers are careless. The biggest concern with robots going against human values is that human beings fail to so sufficient testing and they've produced a system that will break some kind of taboo . One simple check would be to program a robot to check the correct course of action with a human when presented with an unusual situation. If the robot is unsure whether an animal is suitable for the microwave, it has the opportunity to stop, send out beeps , and ask for directions from a human. If we humans aren't quite sure about a decision, we go and ask somebody else. The most difficult step in programming values will be deciding exactly what we believe in moral, and how to create a set of ethical rules. But if we come up with an answer, robots could be good for humanity. What will a well-programmed robot do when facing an unusual situation? A keep a distance from possible dangers. B Stop to seek advice from a human being. C Trigger its built-in alarm system at once. D Do sufficient testing before taking action. Answer: D. Do sufficient testing before taking action. MALE Participants Needed for Social Communication Study The Neuropragmatics and Emotion Lab is looking for healthy male volunteers to participate in an EEG experiment on social communication. You will hear stimuli and make decisions about stimuli that appear on a screen. With the EEG set-up, the entire participation will take about 4.5 hours and is conducted at 2001 McGill College Avenue. The compensation will be $10 per hour for your time and inconvenience. You are expected to be a MALE native Canadian English speaker, between 18-30 years old, right-handed and have normal hearing. If interested, please contact pell.lab.study@gmail.com. Pell Lab: 514-398-4400 MALE Undergraduate Participants Needed The CASC Lab in the Department of Psychology at McGill University (supervisor: Dr. Melanie Dirks) is looking for male McGill undergraduate students between the ages of 18-25 who are willing to complete an interview and a questionnaire about challenging friendship experiences. The interview will last approximately 2 hours. Participants will also be asked to complete a brief online questionnaire and to reach out to three of their friends who might also be willing to complete the same questionnaire. Participants will be compensated for their time ($20). If you are interested, please contact _ Thomas. Khullar: 514-398-3725 Participants Needed for Social Communication Study The Pell Lab is seeking North American English speakers for a study on social communication. You will judge audio and video clips showing social interactions while wearing an EEG cap measuring brain activity. The session is about 2 hours and compensation is $30 for the experiment. If you are interested and meet all the following criteria, please email pellabtest.eeg@gmail.com. Please provide your name, email and telephone number. Age between 18-35 years old Native North American English speakers Normal hearing and no history of mental and neurological disorder Right-handedness Kelly Hennegan: 514-398-4400 Ext.:00010 To meet the requirements for the EEG experiment, you should be _ . A between the ages of 18-25 B left-handed with normal hearing C healthy and able to work about 4--5 hours D a female native Canadian English speaker Answer: C. healthy and able to work about 4--5 hours
Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a _ .From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money.There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered.This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times". " I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't.He came and sat on the edge of the pavement in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was in rags but he had an air of dignity around him.His badly-grown blond beard kept more than his face warm. I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.He sat there quietly as I worked.The expected plea for money never came.As the silence between us widened, something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple words that I shall never forget.We often look for wisdom in great men and women.We expect it from those of higher learning and achievements.I expected nothing but an outstretched dirty hand.He spoke the three words that shook me. "Don't we all?" he said. Which is the best title for this text? Don't we all? The Parthenon in Athens is a building with a long and complex history. Built nearly 2,500 years ago as a temple celebrating the Greek goddess Athena, it was for thousands of years the church of the Virgin Mary of the Athenians, then a mosque , and finally a ruin. The building was changed and the sculptures much damaged over the centuries. By 1800 only about half of the original sculptural decoration remained. Between 1801 and 1805, Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire , which controlled Athens, acting with the full knowledge and permission of the Ottoman authorities,removed about half of the remaining sculptures from the fallen ruins and from the building itself. Lord Elgin loved Greek history and transported the sculptures back to Britain. The arrival of the sculptures in London had a huge effect on the European public, greatly increasing interest in ancient Greek culture and influencing contemporary artistic trends. These sculptures were gained from Lord Elgin by the British Museum in 1816 and since then they have all been on show to the public, free of charge. Since the early 1980s, however, the Greek government has argued for the return of all the Parthenon sculptures in the British Museum. They have also challenged the British Museum Board of Trustees' legal title to the sculptures. The British Museum, however, insists that it exists to tell the story of cultural achievement throughout the world, from the dawn of human history over two million years ago until the present day. The museum considers itself an important resource for the world: the breadth and depth of its collection allows the world public to re-examine cultural identities and explore the complex network of interconnected world cultures. It also says that, within the context of this unparalleled collection, the Parthenon sculptures are an important representation of ancient Athenian civilization. Each year millions of visitors admire the artistry of the sculptures and gain insights on how ancient Greece influenced -- and was influenced by -- the other civilizations that it came across. What can we infer from the passage? Ancient Greek culture has greatly influenced world culture. After eleven years of marriage, a couple had a boy. They were a loving couple and the boy was a gem of their eyes. When the boy was around two years old, one morning the husband saw a medicine bottle open. He was late for work, so he asked his wife to cap the bottle and keep it in the cupboard. His wife who was busy in the kitchen forgot the matter. The boy saw the bottle, playfully went to it, was fascinated by its color and drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous medicine. When the child fell to the ground, the mother took him to the hospital in a hurry, where he died. The mother was stunned. She was terrified at how to face her husband. When the father came to the hospital and saw the dead child, he looked at his wife and just said, "I'm with you, darling." The child is dead. He can never be brought back to life. There is no point in finding fault with the mother. Besides, if only he had taken time to keep the bottle away, this would not have happened. No one is to blame . She had also lost her only child. What she needed at that moment was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is exactly what he gave her. When the father knew his son died, _ . he was very sad, but he comforted his wife I went to bed at 11pm, it was snowing. I slept deep and my clock didn't work. It was so cold that I didn't want to get up again. I called my mother "Mom, my alarm clock is dead, but tomorrow morning I need to get up at six o'clock to catch an early bus . Can you give me a wakeup call?" My mother's voice was a little dull, "Fine, dear." Phone rings pulled me out of my dreams. Mom said from the other end of the line,"It is time to get up, and you need to catch the early bus." I looked at my watch-5:40."Didn't I ask you to wake me up at SIX?" I complained."Let me have some more sleep, please!" I got up and ready for the trip. It was a dark, cold morning, and everywhere was filled with snow. As I reached the bus stop, I found a white-haired couple had already been waiting. "You see, you didn't sleep at all night and got here so early," the man murmured( ) to his wife. The bus finally came. The driver was a very young man. He waited just long enough for me to get on before he started the bus again. "Please wait," I said to the driver. "There are two older people that need to get on, too. It is so cold, and they have waited for a long time. How could you leave them behind?" Without stopping the bus, the young driver said"That's OK, they are my parents. This is my first day on the job, so they came to make sure I was all right." I couldn't hold back my tears. My mobile phone rang, incoming was my father's message, "Sweetie, your mom is not feeling well, she was awake most of the night so that she wouldn't miss your wakeup call." The wakeup call, the older couple, the young driver...reminded me of a Jewish proverb: "When a father gives something to his son, the son smiles; when a son gives something to his father, the father cries." According to the passage, the writer's mother _ . kept up most of the night in order not to miss the wakeup call. On September 22, 1986, Jay Brunkella, a police-officer in the Rogers Park district in Chicago, was shot during a drug arrest and died. Shortly afterwards, fellow officer Ken Knapcik, a 20-year veteran of the force, returned home after work to find a note from his 15-year-old daughter on the dining table. Dad---This poem came directly from my heart. I love you so much! It scares and amazes me that you go out every day and risk everything to provide us with all that we have. I wrote this to express how much I love you and how much lost I'd be without you-Laura. P.S.: Hey, let's be careful out there. Titled "The Ultimate Cop", Laura's poem was dedicated "To all the cops in the world who have daughters who love them with all their hearts. And especially to my dad." It was about a police-officer's daughter who sees on the night time news that her father has been shot. Part of poem: "Daddy, my Daddy, can you hear me cry? Oh, God, I need my Daddy, please don't let him die." Ken Knapcik stood alone as he read the poem. "It took me several minutes," he said. "I'd get through part of it and have to stop before I could go on. I was weeping. She had never told me she was scared." He took the poem to work the next day and showed it to his fellow officers. "I've never seen so many grown men cry. Some couldn't finish it." Knapcik keeps Laura's poem in the pocket of his police jacket. He takes it with him every time he leaves the house for a new shift. "I don't want to be out there without it." he said, "I'll probably carry it with me forever." Laura wrote the poem _ . to tell Officer Ken Knapcik how much she loved him
A reflex can protect the body from harm. Which organ systems work together to produce a reflex? nervous and muscular systems Have you ever felt so anxious during an examination that you couldn't even put down the answers you knew? If so, you were suffering from what is known as test anxiety. According to psychologist Ralph Trimble, test anxiety is a very real problem for many people. When you're worried over your performance on an exam, your heart beats faster and your pulse speeds up. These reactions start others: You may sweat more than normal or suffer from a stomachache or headache. Your field of vision narrows and becomes tunnel-like. Before you know it, you're having difficulty focusing. "What I hear students say over and over again," says Dr. Trimble, who is working at the Psychological and Counseling Center at the University of Illinois, "is, 'My mind went blank.'" For a number of years, Dr. Trimble helped many students learn how to perform better during exams and to bring up their grades. Some of these students were interested in sharing what they learned and, with Trimble's help, began holding workshops on overcoming test anxiety. For many students, just being in a workshop(,) with other sufferers made them feel better. They realized that they were not the only ones who had done poorly on tests because of tension. The workshops were so successful that they are still given. In the workshops, students are taught that anxiety is normal. You just have to prevent it from getting the best of you. The first step is to learn to relax. If before or during an examination you start to panic, stretch as hard as you can, tensing the muscles in your arms and legs; then suddenly relax all of them. This will help relieve tension. But keep in mind that you don't want to be too relaxed. Being completely relaxed is no better than being too tense. "If you are so calm you don't care how you do on an examination, you won't do well," Trimble says. "There is an optimum level of concern when you perform at your best. Some stress helps. There are people who can't take even slight stress. They have to learn that in a challenging situation, being anxiously excited is good and will help them to do better. But if they call it anxiety and say, 'It's going to hit me again,' that will make them nervous and worried." As a student you must also realize that if you leave too much studying until a day or two before the examination, you can't do the impossible and learn it all. Instead, concentrate on what you can do and try to think what questions are likely to be asked and what you can do in the time left for studying. When you sit down to study, set a moderate pace and vary it by reading, writing notes, and going over any papers you have already written for the course, as well as the textbooks and notes you took in class. Review what you know. Take breaks and go to sleep early enough to get a good night's rest before the exam. You should also eat a moderate breakfast or lunch, avoid drinks like coffee and stay away from fellow students who get tense. Panic spreads easily. Get to the exam room a few minutes early so that you will have a chance to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and get out your supplies. When the examination is handed out, read the directions twice and underline the significant instructions, making sure you understand them. Ask the teacher to explain if you don't. First answer the easiest questions, then go back to the more difficult. On essay questions, instead of starting right away, take a few minutes to organize your thoughts, make a brief outline, and then start off with a summary sentence. Keep working steadily, and even when time starts to run out, don't speed up. According to the passage, being completely relaxed before a test _ . can also be harmful to a person's performance in the test When one loves one's Art, no service seems too hard. Joe was a man with a genius for art. Delia did things in six octaves promisingly. Joe and Delia became in love with one of the other, or each of the other, as you please, and in a short time were married - for (see above), when one loves one's Art no service seems too hard. They began housekeeping in a flat. It was a lonesome flat, but they were happy; for they had their Art, and they had each other. Joe was learning painting in the class of the great Magister - you know his fame. His fees are high; his lessons are light - his high-lights have brought him fame. Delia was studying under Rosenstock - you know his reputation as a disturber of the piano keys. They were mighty happy as long as their money lasted. After a while, Art flagged . Everything going out and nothing coming in, money was lacking to pay Mr. Magister and Rosenstock their prices. When one loves one's Art, no service seems too hard. So, Delia said she must give music lessons to make the ends meet. For two or three days she went out looking for pupils. One evening she came home overjoyed. "Joe, dear," she said, cheerfully, "I've a pupil. And, oh, the loveliest people! General - General Pinkney's daughter Clementina - on Seventy-first street." "That's all right for you, Dele," said Joe, "but how about me? Do you think I'm going to let you work while I play in the regions of high art? " Delia came and hung about his neck. "Joe, dear, you are silly. You must keep on at your studies. It is not as if I had quit my music and gone to work at something else. While I teach I learn. I am always with my music." "All right," said Joe. "But I may sell some of my pictures as well." The next few weeks, they both busied themselves with their own business and brought back a ten, a five, a two and a one - all legal tender notes - and laid them beside each others' earnings. One Saturday evening Joe reached home first. He spread his $18 on the table and washed what seemed to be a great deal of dark paint from his hands. Half an hour later Delia arrived, her right hand tied up in a shapeless bundle of wraps and bandages . "How is this?" asked Joe. Delia laughed, but not very joyously. "Clementina," she explained, "insisted upon a Welsh rabbit after her lesson. In serving the rabbit she spilled a great lot of it, boiling hot, over my wrist. Nothing serious, dear." "What time this afternoon did you burn your hand, Dele?" "Five o'clock, I think," said Dele. "The iron - I mean the rabbit came off the fire about that time." "Sit down here a moment, Dele," said Joe. "What have you been doing for the last few weeks, Dele?" he asked. She braved it for a moment or two with an eye full of love and stubbornness, but at last down went her head and out came the truth and tears. "I couldn't get any pupils," she wept. "I got a place ironing shirts in that big Twenty-fourth street laundry . A girl in the laundry set down a hot iron on my hand this afternoon. I think I did very well to make up both General Pinkney and Clementina. What made you ever suspect that I wasn't giving music lessons?" "I didn't," said Joe, "until tonight. And I wouldn't have then, only I sent up this cotton waste and oil from the engine-room this afternoon for a girl upstairs who had her hand burned with a smoothing-iron. I've been firing the engine in that laundry for the last few weeks." "And then you didn't ..." said Delia And then they both looked at each other and laughed, and Joe began: "When one loves one's Art no service seems ..." But Delia stopped him with her hand on his lips. "No," she said - "just 'When one loves.'" Why does the author repeat "When one loves one's Art no service seems too hard."? To assist with the development of the story. A 1. 6-meter tall robot may soon become the best friend for lonely elderly people,as Chinese scientists are making the final sprint toward its market launch ,said a senior researcher on the robot project on Saturday. "We are working on testing the exact functions and ways to reduce the cost in preparations for an expected market launch of the robot in two to three years,"said Li Ruifeng,a member of the project. He said the team hoped to reduce the cost so that the robot can be priced at 30,000 to 50,000 yuan,which is expected to be an affordable price for most of China's better-off families. The robot has been developed with the functions of fetching food,medicine,sounding alarms in case of water or gas leakage,sending texts or video images via wireless communications,and even singing a song or playing chess to entertain its masters. Li said that the robot,developed independently in China, has technology at the same level as those in western labs. China set about the research of the robot in 2007,when it was listed as a national key project. It is _ by government funding . China has the world's largest elderly population with 159 million people over 60,accounting for 12 percent of its total population. According to a survey by the Ministry of Civil Affairs,more than 10 million caregivers and nurses are needed to attend the elderly population,as most of Chinese elderly prefer to live their retired lives at home. The passage mainly talked about_. robot caregivers for the elderly to lilt market A Child's History of the World Our Price: $28.00 Item #: 010821 ISBN: 978-8-8828-7028-7 Grades: 4--Adult Product Description V. M. Hillyer, the first headmaster of Calvert School, spent many of his school years studying only American history. Believing that studying world history would broaden children's horizons and give them a better understanding of the world and history in general, he set out to write an understandable and comprehensive world history children could enjoy. A Child's History of the World functions to familiarize young children with some historical events and people of significance while reading like a good story. The subjects are covered in chronological order, from the beginning of the world through the end of the Cold War. This gives the child a linear view of world history that allows the details to be filled in later. A Child's History of the World is a basic reader and is not intended to be used as a supplementary reader. Customer Reviews This is a must-have book. It is a complete and engaging curriculum that is easy to use and understand. My girls are so close in age I was able to use it with all three at once and they loved it. And it's inexpensive! Love the way it is written. Katrena R. from Shingle Springs, CA This is a great book. Everyone (elementary/primary aged) should have this book in their homeschooling library. My kids (ages 4-9) have all enjoyed this book. It is engaging and well written for young ones. There is a lot of information packed into this book and it is presented in a way that is not boring for kids. It is kind of like The Story of the World. Patrice T. from Seattle According to Katrena R, her children _ . learned A Child's History of the World together
A person, like a commodity, needs packaging. But going too far is absolutely undesirable. A little exaggeration will do no harm when it shows the person's unique qualities to their advantages. To show personal attractiveness in a casual and natural way, it is important for one to have a clear knowledge of oneself. A skilled packager knows how to add art to nature without any signs of _ so that the person so packaged is not a commodity, but a human being, lively and lovely. A young person, especially a female, shining with beauty and full of life, has all the favor granted. Youth however, comes and goes in a flash. Packaging for the middle-aged is primarily to hide the marks made by years. If you still enjoy life enough to keep self-confidence and work at pioneering work, you are unique in your natural qualities, and your attractiveness and grace will remain. Elderly people are beautiful if their river of life has been, through plains, mountains and jungles, running its course as it should. You have really lived your life, which now arrives at a self - satisfied stage of quietness and calmness with no interest in fame or wealth. There is no need to make use of hair dyeing. The snow-capped mountain itself is a beautiful scene of fairyland. Let your looks change from young to old in step with the natural ageing process so as to keep in harmony with nature, for harmony itself is beauty, while the other way round will only end in unpleasantness. _ As long as one finds where one stands, one knows how to package oneself, just as a commodity sets up its brand by the right packaging. It can be concluded from the text that _ . Answer: proper packaging makes people attractive California has a new program called the Digital Textbook Initiative. "Starting this fall with high school math and science, we will be the first state in the nation to provide schools with a state-approved list of digital textbooks." That was Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in June, talking about his effort to get schools to use materials available free online. He listed reasons why he thinks digital textbooks make sense. California approves traditional textbooks in six-year cycles. Digital ones can offer the latest information. They lighten the load of school bags. They save paper and trees, and make learning more fun and interactive. And above all, he said, they help schools with their finances. The state has had to make severe cuts in school spending because of deep financial problems. More than six million students attend California public schools. Earlier this year, California invited content developers to offer digital math and science materials for high schools. These had to meet at least 90% of the state's learning requirements. Specially trained teachers examined 16 textbooks and approved ten of them. Six of the ten were published by the CK 12 Foundation, a nonprofit group that had been developing digital science and math books for about two years. The foundation paid teachers and other education professionals to write and edit them. The money came from a group financed by the Khosla Family. California cannot require schools to use the digital textbooks. Individual school districts will have to decide for themselves. Susan Martimo, a California Department of Education official, says she does not expect widespread use right away. Her best guess is that some schools with a lot of technology will be the first to use them, but only in addition to their traditional books. School administrators point out that the texts may be free online, but students need a way to access them. Not everyone has a computer or electronic reader. Schools could print out copies, but that would not help the environment. Also, there is the cost to train teachers to use digital textbooks effectively. Which of the following is TRUE of the CK 12 Foundation? Answer: It offers digital math and science materials for high schools 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. _ aren't allowed to go out with their friends at night. Answer: Chinese children Ellen Parker was worried about her health. She couldn't walk very quickly and it was difficult for her to climb stairs,she was soon out of breath. "I suppose I had better go to the doctor," she thought. She went to the doctor and told him her problem. "I'm not at all surprised," he said. "It's clear what your problem is." He examined her and then gave her some advice. "If you don't do what I say,Mrs Parker," he said,"then you will have a heart attack. It could kill you. " Ellen was very worried as she left the doctor's. She knew that she had to take his advice but that it would not be easy and that it would take time. The next day she went shopping.The first shop she went into was a butcher's shop. "I'd like ten pounds of steak,please," she said. "Certainly,madam," the butcher replied and went into the cold storage room and found a large piece of steak. He brought the huge piece of meat back into the shop and placed it on the scale . "That's just under ten pounds," he said. The butcher worked out the price. "At $4.99 a pound that will be $45.50 please. Shall I cut it up into small pieces for you?" "Oh,I don't want to buy the meat," Mrs Parker said. "If you don't want to buy it," the butcher replied,"why did you ask me to get it for you?" "I just wanted to see what 10 pounds of meat looked like. " Mrs Ellen Parker visited her doctor because _ . Answer: she had a problem with her health Donna is 19 years old and loves animals, which is why I'm always happy to leave my dog with her when I go on holiday. Donna also helps to train hunting dogs, but recently, her boyfriend told me, she returned home from a farm in tears after being told to hit some dogs. "She wasn't being asked to hit them because they didn't behave well," he said. "She was told to _ these puppies with a closed fist simply to let them know who is the boss," Donna refused. Good for Donna. In my view, you hit an animal for only two reasons: as a way to teach it an important lesson to protect it from danger, such as not into the road; or because you like hurting animals. Last summer, I attended a horse race. I don't know much about horses, but I was alarmed when I saw a horse with a huge ulcer on its legs. "Surely this horse won't race?" I asked. I was very surprised that nobody in the crowd seemed concerned. The horse began the race, but later it fell heavily. It had broken its leg. The next thing I saw was its dead body in a bag, being driven past. No one seemed to care, except those who had bet on it. I know people care for horse racing, but do they really care for horses? I doubt it. Oh, but it's a tradition, I hear you say. Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we didn't occasionally hit, shoot and chase animals? Traditions are made by man and can be unmade. It was once acceptable to kill servants when their master died, to visit the mental hospitals to laugh at the patients or to watch public execution . Nor should it be forgotten that in our progress to a more civilized world, animals have played an important role: they have fed us, carried us, worked for us, rescued us, died for us and sometimes just saved us from loneliness. Surely by now they deserve our kindness. At the very least, they deserve our respect. What is the author's purpose in telling the readers the story about the horse? Answer: To show that animals are treated unfairly by humans.
Assistant Professor, Musical Theatre Dance Wichita State University seeks to hire a full-time, 9-month, assistant professor, beginning August, 2016. Applicants are required to have a degree in dance, teaching experience at the professional or college level, ability to direct and ability to teach stage movement. Salary depends on qualifications and experience. For complete information see http://finearts.wichita.edu. Associate/Full Professor in Theatre and Dance The Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of California at San Diego (http://www-theatre.ucsd.edu/) is seeking an experienced theatre artist in lighting design. Significant professional experience is required. A review of applications will start on June 1, 2016. Application deadline: September 1, 2016. Technical Director in Performing and Fine Arts DeSales University's Performing and Fine Arts Department seeks a highly skilled, professional technical director. The position is a 10-month, staff position with the possibility for summer employment with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. BA degree or equivalent professional experience is required; MFA is preferred. Please email materials to john.bell@desales.edu. Screening of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Assistant Director of Media Resources Center Maryland Institute College of Art is seeking an Assistant Director of Media Resources Center in the Academic Affairs Division. Position qualifications include a degree in Art History or related field with knowledge of art and design history, library experience, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and familiarity with Photoshop and scanning. A review of applications will begin immediately. Applicants may email a letter of interest to jobs@mica.edu. Salary differs depending on your experience. Please include desired salary in your letter of interest. Application Interested persons should electronically submit a cover letter highlighting their experience and qualifications, and names of three professional references with phone and email contact information using the Apply Now link above. Wichita State University offers _ . Answer: a flexible pay to the future assistant professor Barditch High School decided to an All-School Reunion. Over 450 people came to the event. There were tours of the old school building and a picnic at Confederate Park. Several former teachers were on hand to tell stories about the old days. Ms. Mabel Yates, the English teacher for fifty years, was wheeled to the Park. Some eyes rolled and there were a few low groans when Ms.Yates was about to speak. Many started looking at their watches and coming up with excuses to be anywhere instead of preparing to listen to a lecture from an old woman who had few kind words for her students and made them work harder than all the other teachers combined. Then Ms. Yates started to speak: "I can't tell you how pleased I am to be here. I haven't seen many of you since your graduation, but I have followed your careers and enjoyed your victories as well as crying for your tragedies. I have a large collection of newspaper photographs of my students. Although I haven't appeared in person, I have attended your college graduations, weddings and even the birth your children, in my imagination." Ms. Yates paused and started crying a bit. Then she continued: "It was my belief that if I pushed you as hard as I could, some of you would succeed to please me and others would succeed to annoy me. Regardless of our motives, I can see that you have all been successful in you chosen path." "There is no greater comfort for an educator than to see the end result of his or her years of work. You have all been a great source of pleasure and pride for me and I want you to know I love you all from the bottom of my heart." There was a silence over the crowd for a few seconds and then someone started clapping. Tee clapping turned into cheering, then into a deafening roar . Lawyers, truck drivers, bankers and models were rubbing their eyes or crying openly with no shame all because of the words from a long forgotten English teacher from their hometown. Which of the following can best describe Ms. Yates? Answer: Strict but caring. Every vehicle needs tires, but eventually they wear out. Roads wear out too, and they often need repairing. But new research by a pair of teens suggests the rubber from worn-out tires could lengthen the lifetime of asphalt pavement. Also roads made with this material might need fewer patches . The young researchers presented their findings in May, 2014, as finalists at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The 64th annual Intel ISEF shows some of the best high school science projects from around the globe. Many roads are made with asphalt, which requires much petroleum. But Jordan is a country that has very few oil wells or other sources of petroleum, notes Mohammad Salameh, who is a 10th-grader at the International School in Amman, Jordan. For Jordan, having to import most of the country's petroleum adds greatly to its cost, the teen notes. The extra expense means that there's less money to build and maintain roads. That has resulted in poorer quality roads. As a result, those roads need to be patched almost constantly. Therefore, 16-year-old Mohammad and his research partner, 15-year-old classmate Adam Belaid, came up with the idea of adding rubber to asphalt. But that rubber can come from old tires. Even a worn-out tire contains much rubber, which means the material should be plentiful, says Mohammad. Drivers in Jordan replaced 9 million tons of tires between 2006 and 2010, and only 0.3% of that rubber was recycled. That leaves much rubber that could possibly go into road construction. But first the teens had to show adding rubber to asphalt resulted in better roads. To test their idea, they created several different asphalt-rubber recipes. They also tried out different temperatures at which the mix was heated. And their tests suggested that when the surfacing material includes 8% rubber, it should hold up for 10 to 15 years of traffic instead of the normal 5 years. And their recipe should reduce the need for patching worn areas from once a year, to maybe once every 5~7 years in the future. The purpose of the passage is to . Answer: introduce a recent study by two teenagers from Jordan Dear Editor, Recent reports have indicated an additional 1, 400 Marines are being sent to Afghanistan in the coming weeks. This means it costs over $1 million annually on the ground over there. I do place a higher level of blame on the policymakers who send soldiers off to kill and be killed in the field. I think the human race needs to think more about killing. One needs to do the _ : "Are these wars JUST?" I believe that all of our wars since 1945 have been illegal, under international law as well. I suggest that all your readers examine their conscience as it relates to the matter of making war. The fact that many soldiers are motivated by a strong sense of duty does not give them some unqualified moral right to support these wars or any other. It's responsible for all the troops, and the entire population, to determine whether the Afghan or Iraq wars are in accordance with the development of the state. I wish someone would give me one or more logical reasons why we are still fighting in Afghanistan and what our goals are. I certainly don't understand it and neither do many who are more knowledgeable than I. Outsiders have tried unsuccessfully for centuries to conquer Afghanistan, and we seem to be no more successful. We are trying to develop a stable central government, but the country is badly divided into ethnic and tribal groups, and the current government is corrupt . Moreover, we are apparently regarded as undesirable occupiers by many of its people, most notably the Taliban. If we are to continue spending billions every year in Afghanistan and killing hundreds of our people and many of theirs, our government must provide us with a reasonable explanation of why we are doing so and what we can expect to accomplish. George Myers What caused the author to write the letter? Answer: Reports about sending soldiers to Afghanistan. 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." When the nurse talked to Mum she thought Mum was a _ . Answer: cleaner
As the barometer reading goes lower there is a greater chance of A. winning a prize B. sunshine C. a full moon D. getting wet Answer: D. getting wet According to a report , more than a million workers will fail to take their full annul leave this year in UK. That's to say, totally, those workers will give up 6.2 million days of vacation, with an average of five days for each worker. For their employers, they feel happy because that is equal to a potential $500 million of 'free' work, which, according to an economist will boost the output of the economy by about two percent. The report also showed that the main reasons employees give up their remaining annul leave are due to pressures at work and their failing to appreciate that taking a break could make them more productive and, in turn, boost the economy in the long term. The research, done by price comparison website Travel Supermarket, found that more than one in four of those who will give up their remaining holidays (28 percent) will do so due to pressures at work. Bob Atkinson, travel expert for Travel Supermarket said: "As the economy is not so satisfying, it's no surprise that people are cautious to take all their leave, especially if they feel stressed and uncertainty at work." Nine percent of the 2,020 people surveyed also said they would feel guilty about taking the leave because their work would have to be taken care of by their colleagues. A further three percent said they would be concerned about how taking time off would look to their employer, while the same percentage said they did not want to miss anything interesting or beneficial at work in the time they would be away. Vicky Redwood, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said: "Suppose that there are about 250 working days in a year, getting an extra five 'free' days of work from their employees could in theory boost the output of the economy by about two percent. On the other hand, if workers are less productive as a result of not getting enough breaks from work, taking all the annual leave, in fact, will perhaps increase the economy." Which of the following is NOT a reason why employees don't take all their holiday leave? A. They have a lot of pressures at work. B. They don't realize that they will be more productive after taking a break. C. They are busy and have no time because they have a lot of work to do. D. They don't think it proper to have their work taken care of by their colleagues. Answer: C. They are busy and have no time because they have a lot of work to do. The TV science-fiction seriesStar Trekno longer looked far-fetched as four men and four women in black space-suits locked themselves into a giant hi-tech greenhouse, known as a 'biosphere', in the Arizona desert yesterday for a two-year study of the environment. As dawn broke over the Santa Catalina mountains, the eight waved goodbye to television cameras. Edward Ross, their multibillionaire sponsor from a Texas oil family, closed the door of the $150 million structure, with its mini-ocean, marsh, desert, savanna, rain-forest and 3,800 plant and animal species designed to allow the team to recreate Earth and its ecosystems. The so-called Biosphere 2 is the latest of a dozen environmental projects started by the self-titled 'ecopreneur'. The project's main aim is to set up a self-sustaining community for possible use in a spaceship or on another planet. The crew members must plant, harvest and process their food on a half-acre farm in the seven-storey glass and metal structure, while conducting a series of experiments. 'We will be custodians of our new little world,' said Abigail Mayer, aged 31, a US marine biologist on the team, her voice choking with emotion. 'It is a brave new step.' Many scientists, however, are more than skeptical. They point out that the largest closed ecosystem which survived more than a few days was smaller than a football. It was developed at the University of Miami and contained only shrimp, algae and other micro-organisms. Critics have also accused Mr. Ross of being more interested in producing a profitable theme park than in carrying out serious scientific research. Hundreds of tourists visited the site daily in the summer before it was occupied by the team. They paid $9.95 to enter and all stopped at the souvenir shop. What's the location of the project? A. Texas. B. University of Miami. C. Arizona desert. D. The space. Answer: C. Arizona desert. My teenage son Karl became withdrawn after his father died. As a single parent, I tried to do my best to talk to him. But the more I tried , the more he pulled away. When his report card arrived during his junior year, it said that he had been absent 95 times from classes. In this way he would never graduate. I sent him to the school adviser, and I even begged him. Nothing worked. * One night I was at work when I got a phone call. A man introduced himself as a head teacher. " I want to talk to you about Karl's absences ." Before he could say another word I choked up . And said sadly, " I love my son. I've tried everything to get Karl to go back to school and nothing has worked. It's out of my hands." For a moment there was silence on the other end of the line. The head teacher seriously said, " Thank you for your time." * Karl's next report card showed a marked improvement in his grades. He was even on the list of the best students at school. In his fourth year, I took part in a parent-teacher meeting.I noticed that his teachers were surprised at the way he had turened himself around. On our way home, he said, " Mum, remember that call from the head teacher last year?" I nodded. "That was me. I thought I'd play a joke but I heard what you said, It really hit me how much I was hurting you.That's when I knew I had to make you proud." , . (5) According to the first report card, Karl _ . A. often went to school late B. did well at school C. did a good job at school D. failed in the exams Answer: D. failed in the exams Presents For Children's Day Charles M. Schulz was born in 1922 in Minneapolis, the only child of a housewife and a barber. His interest in comics was encouraged by his father, who loved the funny pages. Charles M. Schulz sold seventeen cartoons to the Saturday Evening Post from 1948 to 1950 and Li'l Folks to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Peanuts debuted on October 2, 1950, and ran without interruption for the next fifty years. Charles M. Schulz died in 2000. IT'S A DOG'S LIFE SNOOPY It's a Dog's Life, Snoopy brings all your familiar friends together for great times and fun. IT'S A BIG WORLD CHARLIE BROWN Charlie Brown faces some of life's little challenges with the help of Snoopy, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Linus, and the rest of the gang in It's a Big World, Charlie Brown. *PEANUTS 2000 The last one is the special edition Peanuts 2000, which includes all the last year's Peanuts comic strip and Charles M. Schulz's famous farewell strip. Come and visit our website at www.ballantinebooks.com or come to Ballantine Bookshop, you'll have a big surprise. What do you think the passage is? A. A novel B. A menu C. A diary D. An advertisement Answer: D. An advertisement
Electricity to play your radio can be made using renewable or nonrenewable resources. Which of the following resources are renewable? A. wind and oil B. wind and sunlight C. natural gas and oil D. natural gas and coal Answer: B. wind and sunlight Chinese writer Mo Yan's Noble Prize for Literature on Thunday might set off an explosion of global interest in Chinese literature and lead to more titles being translated into English. Chinese literature has alyeady attracted international attention, but experts say translation remains a barrier. "Many very good Chinese writers have been accepted globally for a long time already."says Michel Hockx, professor of University of London. " It's mainly because there are many more opportunities for Chinese writers to visit other countries, to publish their work outside China and to interact with readerships abroad. At the same time, more and more people globally are learning Chinese and taking an interest in Chinese language and Chinese culture." Hockx adds: "We need more good translators, especially foreign translators, who know good Chinese and can translate the work into their own languages in a way that foreign readers will appreciate and understand." London's independent literary agent Toby Eady, who represents many Chinese writers, including Yu Dan, met Mo about 15 years ago in China. But Eady says:"I still think Mo Yan's writing--and, to an extent, all Chinese writing--are not truly understood by Western readers because a part of Chinese literature is lost in translation. The translator has done a good job in translating Mo's work, but the variety of Chinese vocabulary doesn't well translate into English." University of Oxford lecturer in medern Chinese literature Margaret Hillenbrand says:"The obvious reason for the growing global presence of Chinese literature is the growing global presence of China itself. People have come to realize that there is a serious knowledge deficit between China and its international counterparts --in particular, China knows incomparably more about Europe and America than the other way around--and reading Chinese literature is an effective means of narrowing that gap." What's the main idea of the passage? A. Mo Yan won Noble Prize for Literature. B. Chinese literature has attracted international attention. C. Chinese novels are being translated into English. D. Chinese literature needs still better translators. Answer: D. Chinese literature needs still better translators. I have had just about enough of being treated like a second-class citizen, simply because I happen to be that unfairly treated member of society --- a customer. The more I go into shops and hotels, banks and post offices, railway stations, airports and the like, the more I am convinced the things are being run merely to suit the firm, the system, or the union. There seems to be a deceptive new motto for so-called "service" organizations --- Staff Before Service. How often, for example, have you queued for what seems like hours at the Post Office or the supermarket because there was not enough staff on duty to manage all the service grilles or checkout counters? Surely in these days of high unemployment it must be possible to hire cashiers and counter staff. Yet supermarkets, hinting darkly at higher prices, claim that uncovering all their cash registers at any one time would increase operating costs. And the Post Office says we cannot expect all their service grilles to be occupied "at times when demand is low". It is the same with hotels. Because waiters and kitchen staff must finish when it suits them, dining rooms close earlier or menu choice is cut short. As for us guests, we just have to put up with it. There is also the nonsense of so many friendly hotel night porters having been thrown out of their jobs in the interests of "efficiency" and replaced by coin-eating machines which offer everything. Not to mention the tea-making kit in your room a kettle with a mixed collection of tea bags, plastic milk boxes and lump sugar. Who wants to wake up to a raw teabag? I do not, especially when I am paying for "service". Can it be stopped, this worsening of service, this growing attitude that the customer is always a trouble? I angrily hope so because it is happening, sadly, in all walks of life. Our only hope is to hammer home our anger whenever and wherever we can and, if all else fails, bring back into practice that other, older slogan --- Take Our Deal Elsewhere. The writer feels that nowadays customers _ . A. have become victims of modern organizations B. are unworthy of proper consideration C. have received high quality service D. deserve the lowest status in society Answer: A. have become victims of modern organizations A city in South Korea has added a new attraction to its cultural landscape --the world's first "Toilet Theme Park". The Restroom Cultural Park in the city of Suwon is proving a huge hit with locals and tourists alike. The park was built to memorize the former city mayor Sim Jae-duck, known as "Mr. Toilet". He believed the toilet is a very important place and full of culture. Visitors to the park can enjoy its toilet- bowl- shaped exhibition hall as well as lots of bronze statues in all kinds of toilet positions. They can even sit on Mr. Kim's original toilet, which includes a full-length glass door that mists up when it is being used. Suwon has become well known because of the promotion of toilet culture. The city attracts toilet- related artwork from around the world to its galleries. It famously hosts the Golden Poop Art Festival- a celebration of one of the calls of nature. The city also lists lots of its own public toilets as tourist attractions on its website. Sim Jae-duck's toilet-shaped house, now a museum, should be the must-see for _ . It's said that Mr. Sim was born in the loo of his mother's house, so he loved toilets very much. He said in 2007, "The toilet can save humankind from diseases and is a place for introspection . The toilet is also a central living place that has culture." What was the nickname of Sim Jae-duck? A. Captain Lavatory B. Mr. Toilet C. Bathroom Bill D. Number Two Answer: B. Mr. Toilet In my life, I have received many gifts from my mother. The most important was my life. However, there's another special gift I will never forget. When I grew up, I left home and got a job in South America. One day , a call came from my brother, "Something is wrong with Mom. She's forgetful . She thinks we're hiding you from her..." I got back home at once. It was clear that she would not be able to stay in the house alone. For nearly 4 years I stayed with my mother and we had fun. We even planted some vegetables together in the garden. It was not easy for me. I had to stop working. When I had to leave , I had to ask someone to look after her or drive her to my brother's. When it became clear that she was near the end, family memebers were called to come to say their good byes. For 3 weeks my sister and I just sat with Mom, took long walks and spent some real time with each other. My sister and I were both with Mom when she was passing away , holding her hands and telling her how much we loved her. At the end of life, my mother gave me the gift of time with my sister in a way we would never have given ourselves. The writer knew there was something wrong with her mother _ . A. by giving her mother a call B. when she stayed with her mother C. from her brother's call D. by talking with her doctor Answer: C. from her brother's call
It was a great day for a picnic and a picnic was a great way to start the summer holiday. Fred brought his classmates John and Betty to a wonderful picnic place. After lunch, John said they should play football. When the ball came to Fred, he kicked it into some long grass. "I'll get it," he said and hurried off to find the ball. Moments later after there was a shout and out came Fred holding his leg. "I've been bitten by a snake!" As the others rushed over to help, Fred laughing. "Ha! I'm not really hurt." But Betty didn't laugh, "I can't believe you did that, Fred. I was really frighten for you." The friends then decided to go for a swim. John and Betty jumped into the water. Fred was standing on a long rock by the riverbank and said, "Watch and jump" They shouted excitedly as he went under the water, but as the seconds passed he didn't come back to the top. The friends became worried. Suddenly they heard Fred's laugh. "Won't you ever learn? I swam behind this tree when I jumped." "Very funny, Fred?" said John angrily. "Anyway, I'm feeling tired and I'm going for a sleep." Betty joined him. Fred, however, moved to a narrow part of the river and jumped in. Although he was a good swimmer, the water there was moving much faster and Fred found himself being _ away. He managed to catch hold of a tree, but he was very tired now and with the water still moving fast, couldn't pull himself out. Back at the picnic place, as Betty and John were preparing to sleep, they heard Fred's cries for help. John looked at Betty and said, "Does he really think we're so foolish? Wake me up in an hour. It'll be time to go back home then." What happened when Fred went to get the football? Answer: He let out a frightening shout. Dear Mr. Li, I'm not happy. I have too many rules in my home. On weekdays I have to get up at half past six, read English for half an hour and then walk to school. I can't play with my friend after school because I have to my homework first and then walk my dog. I can't watch TV on school days. And I have to go to bed before ten o'clock, On weekends, I needn't get up at half past six. But I have to get up early, because I have to clean my room and wash my clothes. Then in the afternoon I have to go to the Children's Palace to learn dancing. When I come back, I have to help my mom make dinner. I can't play computer games. I never have fun. What can I do? Yours, Linda When does Linda have to get up on weekdays? Answer: At 6:30a.m. Hello,everyone! My name is Emily.I'm 38 years old and live in a small city near New York now.Three years ago.I started to learn Russian.I once had a Russian friend.We used to meet twice a month and have some coffee and a talk together.However, she went to China later, so nobody can help me with my Russian.I hope to find an outgoing Russian girl to help me learn more about Russian culture.I can help you with your English or Spanish.I can also speak a little Chinese.I have many friends in this city and they think I'm friendly.I think we'll be good friends and have much good time. If you like to be my friend, you can email me at emily@163.com.I'm sorry for writing in English but it would take me too long to express myself in Russian. Hope to hear from you soon. Emily Emily began to learn Russian at the age of _ . Answer: 35 As a boy,Tim was much influenced by books about the sea, but in fact by the age of fifteen he had decided to become a doctor rather than a sailor. His father was a dentist and as a result Tim had the opportunity of meeting many doctors either at home or elsewhere. When he was fourteen he was already hanging around the clinic of a local doctor where he was supposed to be helping to wrap up medicine bottles,but was actually trying to listen to the conversations taking place between the doctor and his patients in the next room. During the war Tim served in the Navy as a surgeon ."That was the happiest time of my life. I was dealing with very real suffering and on the whole making a success of it ."In California he taught the country people simple facts about medicine. He saw himself as a life-saver. He had proved his skills to himself and his ability to take decisions. Thus,while he was able to tell them what to do, he could feel he was serving them. After the war, he got married and chose to be a doctor in the countryside,working under an old doctor who was popular in the area,but who hated the sight of blood and believed that the secret of medicine was faith. This gave the younger man many opportunities to go on working as a life -saver. Which of the following is true according to the passage? Answer: Tim continued working as a surgeon after the war. Since IQ testing began a century ago, women have been as much as five points behind, leading psychologists to suggest genetic differences between the male and the female. That gap has been narrowing in recent years and this year women have moved ahead. The finding has been made by James Flynn, a world-famous expert on IQ tests. "In the last 100 years, the IQ scores of both men and women have risen but women's have risen faster," said Flynn. " This is a result of modernity. The complex modern world is making our brains adapt and raising our IQs." One possible explanation is that women's lives have become more demanding as they multitask between raising a family and doing a job. Another might be that women have a slightly higher potential intelligence than men and are only now realizing it. Flynn also made the great discovery that scores in western countries increased by roughly three points a decade, which means people today get 30 more points than those living 100 years ago and that IQs can be improved. Flynn conducted new IQ tests in western European countries, America, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina and Estonia, which showed that the gap between men and women had become very small. In New Zealand, Estonia and Argentina, women scored slightly higher than men. Maybe because of this, many women have exchanged the role with their husband in family life. Helena Jamieson, 33, works a full-time job and her husband, Luke, 37, is a stay-at-home father. Helena said, "I'm definitely the more intellectual person in the relationship and I'm at work full-time rising up the career ladder while he is raising our daughter." She added, "In the past, men would look down on me, thinking that I was a woman and not as smart as them. But today, things have changed. I think women probably always know secretly deep down that they are the more intelligent ones-but as the gentler sex, we were just quiet about it in the past and let men believe that they ruled the world." In the psychologists' view, what led to women getting lower scores than men in IQ tests? Answer: Genetic differences.
Lucy and her classmates are discussing about creating a homepage for their class. Lucy: What should we put on our class homepage? Jane: I think our class homepage should have daily or weekly news of class activities. Mathew: What kind of class activities? Jane: Something like spring outings, class meetings, a school singing competition, etc. Mathew: We will go for a spring outing next week, won't we? I can write something about it. Lucy: Great! What else should our class homepage have? Mathew: Um... How about photos of students' artwork, presentations, and outdoor activities? Lucy: Good idea! But who will take the photos? Mathew: As I am a fan of photography, I can take the photos. Jane: I've got an idea. As parents always want to know what assignments their kids do in and after class, we can also post our weekly agenda , including in-class assignments and homework assignments, on the homepage. Lucy: And I think I can create a "reading corner" on the class homepage, too. As I am a bookworm, I can recommend good books to our classmates. Jane: Great! Let's get down to work! _ is interested in taking photos. A. Jane B. Lucy C. Mathew D. No one Answer: C. Mathew A level area near a steady flow of water is A. large salt-water ocean B. a mountain peak C. a fjord D. a flood plain Answer: D. a flood plain China is a nation with a rich culture in handwriting. "Even though the computer is widely used today, Chinese people should not forget the skill of writing with hands," said a Chinese government official . Nowadays, the computer has become a very useful tool to help people to write. As people use computers more often than before, many people have forgotten how to write Chinese characters . People often make a lot of mistakes in writing. At present, China is trying to help pupils and teachers to improve their writing with the help of information technology. With the technology, it is hoped that teachers can write their teaching contents on the blackboard and students can _ by writing, too. The Chinese character test shows that nowadays, many college students' handwriting has become worse. Many college students do not know how to compose words or sentences in Chinese character in the right way. Not only kids, many adults also have met the same problem. They might be able to tell the general form of a certain character. However, if you ask them to spell out the character in detail , they can't. On the other hand, they can easily type out the character on a computer. In the national language teaching course, we can solve this problem with the use of certain technologies. Actually, apart from technology, there is a lot that we can do. For example, we may ask students to finish their homework by writing with hands instead of typing. How is China trying to help students and teachers to improve their writing? A. By punishing people who can't write correctly. B. By controlling people's use of computers. C. By using information technology. D. By asking them to write everything with hands. Answer: C. By using information technology. If the hackings taught us anything in 2014, it's actually nothing. Password management firm SplashData released its list of the worst passwords of the year and it's just as terrible as you'd think. The most common leaked password in 2014 was "123456," followed by "password" -- both topped the list the year before, too. While numbers were as popular as ever as passwords, sports terms like "baseball" and "football" were used more often. Birthday years were common too (especially 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992) and names like "Michael", "Jennifer" and "Hunter" are also among the top 100 worst passwords of 2014. Here's a look at the top 10 worst passwords of the year: 1. 123456 (Unchanged from 2013) 6. 234567890 (Unchanged) 2. password (Unchanged) 7. baseball (New) 3. 12345 (Up 17) 8. dragon (New) 4. 12345678 (Down 1) 9. football (New) 5. qwerty (Down 1) 10. monkey (New) This year's worst passwords are painfully weak, but what were once considered clever password strategies -- using symbols, capitalizations, the number 3 in place of the letter "e" -- are old tricks. It's now recommended to pick a different password for each account you use -- you wouldn't use the same key in all of your locks, and the same goes for passwords. Companies like Facebook, Twitter and Apple are now trying to make hacking more difficult on their services by offering two-factor authentication , which is basically like double locking your door at night. Each time you want to log into that account, the company will send a code to your phone -- it changes after each login attempt, so hackers would have to be in physical possession of your smartphone to know the code. What is recommended in the text to have safer passwords? A. Using long and strange passwords. B. Changing passwords regularly. C. Replacing "e" by "3" when setting passwords. D. Choosing different passwords for different accounts. Answer: D. Choosing different passwords for different accounts. (2013*,D)In 1974,after filling out fifty applications,going through four interviews,and winning one offer,I took what I could get--a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area:western New Jersey.My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen--teaching English. School started,but I felt more and more as if I were in a foreign country.Was this rural area really New Jersey?My students took a week off when hunting season began.I was told they were also frequently absent in late October to help their fathers make hay on the farms.I was a young woman from New York City,who thought that"Make hay while the sun shines" just meant to have a good time. But,still,I was teaching English.I worked hard,taking time off only to eat and sleep.And then there was my sixthgrade class--seventeen boys and five girls who were only six years younger than me.I had a problem long before I knew it.I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher.I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word.The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room. In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior.So I did,confident that,as the textbook had said,the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention.It sounds reasonable,but the text evidently ignored the fact that humans,particularly teenagers,rarely seem reasonable.By the time my boss,who was also my taskmaster,known to be the strictest,most demanding,most quick to fire inexperienced teachers,came into the classroom to observe me,the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise. My boss sat in the back of the room.The boys in the class were making animal noises,hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines.I just pretended it all wasn't happening,and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions.My boss,sitting in the back of room,seemed to be growing bigger and bigger.After twenty minutes he left,silently.Visions of unemployment marched before my eyes. I felt mildly victorious that I got through the rest of class without crying,but at my next free period I had to face him.I wondered if he would let me finish out the day.I walked to his office,took a deep breath,and opened the door. He was sitting in his chair,and he looked at me long and hard.I said nothing.All I could think of was that I was not an English teacher;I had been lying to myself,pretending that everything was fine. When he spoke,he said simply,without accusation,"You had nothing to say to them." "You had nothing to say to them."he repeated."No wonder they're bored.Why not get to the meat of the literature and stop talking about symbolism.Talk with them,not at them.And more important,why do you ignore their bad behavior?"We talked.He named my problems and offered solutions.We roleplayed.He was the bad student,and I was the forceful,yet,warm,teacher. As the year progressed,we spent many hours discussing literature and ideas about human beings and their motivations.He helped me identify my weaknesses and my strengths.In short,he made a teacher of me by teaching me the reality of Emerson's words:"The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil." Fifteen years later I still drive that same winding road to the same school.Thanks to the help I received that difficult first year,the school is my home now. Which of the following gives the writer a sense of mild victory? A. Her talk about symbolism sounded convincing. B. Her students behaved a little better than usual. C. She managed to finish the class without crying. D. She was invited for a talk by her boss after class. Answer: C. She managed to finish the class without crying.
Just two years before her 100thbirthday, Sensei Keiko Fukuda has become the first woman to achieve a tenth-degree black belt --- the highest rank in the martial art and combat sport judo . Fukuda is now one of only four living people who've earned the tenth-degree (or dan) black belt. Throughout history, only sixteen people have ever achieved this honor. Fukuda began practicing judo in 1935 and is the only surviving student of its founder, Kano Jiguro. Urged by her teacher, she learned English to help spread judo internationally. During a time when getting married, building a family, and becoming a housewife was the standard, Fukuda went against tradition, _ marriage to pursue the martial art. "All I did was judo ... this was my marriage," Fukuda reflected tearfully to the San Francisco Chronicle. "This is when my life destiny was set. I just never imagined how long this road would be." She described the Jiguro's school, known as the Kodokan, as "old-fashioned and sexist about belts and ranks". In fact, an order that prevented women from achieving any higher than a fifth-degree black belt kept Fukuda at that level for thirty years. She was finally promoted to sixth dan in 1972 when a woman's division was created. Fukuda said she approached judo and her life with the intention to "be gentle, kind and beautiful, yet firm and strong, both mentally and physically". Fukuda said this kind of beauty is decidedly not external . " A kind soul is inner beauty," she explained to the paper. "I believe this is true beauty ... All my life this has been my dream." Dream realized, the 98-year-old Sensei Keiko Fukuda continues to teach judo three times a week at a woman's judo. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage? A The only surviving student of Kano Jiguro remains single. B The tenth-degree black belt is the highest rank in judo. C Sensei Keiko Fukuda spreads judo throughout the world. D 98-year-old woman becomes the first woman ever to earn judo's highest-degree black belt. Answer: D. 98-year-old woman becomes the first woman ever to earn judo's highest-degree black belt. It's illegal for the police to attach a GPS unit to your car without your permission, as the U.S. Supreme Court settled in 2012.But if the police are in hot pursuit of a bank robber or other escaping criminals that threaten public safety, a GPS tracker is acceptable. But exactly how can the police GPS track a car that is moving fast? The answer to that question comes from StarChase,a new police technology being used by a small but growing number of law enforcement agencies.It allows the police to fire 4.5-inch glue-covered GPS bullet-like projectiles from an air gun fixed in their police cars.If the GPS tracker makes contact with the escaping robber's car, it'll stick no matter how fast the vehicle is going.That way, the police will have a constant read on the car's location and heading.Aside from simply apprehending criminals,it's believed this new technology could help save lives.If the police successfully fire a GPS unit at a speeding criminal,they can pull back from a high-risk chase.Chases can be incredibly dangerous to all involved,including innocent bystanders and other drivers.Once the GPS bullet connects,there's no need for the chase any longer. Now,predictably,a GPS-loaded gun isn't cheap. Police departments need to pay about $5.000 per vehicle for the technology,and individual GPS bullets cost as much as $250 each.That may sound expensive,but remember:The alternative is often thousands of dollars in property damage,and great human cost in injury and lost life.According to Star Chase,their GPS bullet system has an apprehension rate of 80%without any report of inury or property damage.If you'd like to learn more about the StarChase system,Popular Mechanics has just published a good article about it.There's also plenty more information available at the company's website. From the text we can learn that GPS bullets _ . A are useful for the police B are widely used in America C can control the rising crime rate D can replace the police in the future Answer: A. are useful for the police On a Friday night, a poor young artist stood at the gate of the New York railway station, playing his violin. The music was so great that many people stopped to put some money into the hat of the young man. The next day, the young artist came to the same place, and put his hat on the ground gracefully. Different from the day before, he took out a large piece of paper and laid it under his hat. Then he began to play the violin. It sounded more pleasant than ever. Soon he was surrounded with people who were attracted by the words on that paper. It said, "Last night, a gentleman named George Sang put an important thing into my hat by mistake. Please come to claim it soon." After about half an hour, a middle-aged man rushed through the crowd to the violinist and said, "Yes, it's you. I knew that you were an honest man and would certainly come here." The young violinist asked calmly, "Are you Mr. George Sang?" The man nodded. The violinist asked, "Did you lose something?" "It's a lottery ticket," said the man. The violinist took out a lottery ticket on which George Sang's name was seen. "Is it?" he asked. George nodded and took the lottery ticket and kissed it, then danced with the violinist. The violinist was a student at an arts college and had planned to attend advanced studies in Vienna. Later his classmate asked the violinist, "At that time you needed money to pay the tuition and you had to play the violin in the railway station every day to make money. Why didn't you keep the lottery ticket for yourself?" The violinist said, "Although I don't have much money, I live happily. But if I lose honesty I won't be happy forever." Through our lives, we can gain a lot and lose so much. But being honest should always be with us. From this article, we can learn that _ . A we should share with others if we find something valuable B playing the violin could make you feel happy C keep the lottery if you find one D we should know the importance of honesty and lead a happy life Answer: D. we should know the importance of honesty and lead a happy life 1"I will think of it." It is easy to say this, but do you know what great things have come from thinking? Though we can not see, or hear, or feel our thoughts, they have great power ! 2Isaac Newton was seated in his garden on a summer evening when he saw an apple fall from a tree. He began to think, and tried to find out why the apple fell. Then he discovered how the earth, sun, moon, and stars are kept in their places. 3James Ferguson once saw the inside of his father's watch, and he wondered, "Why should I not make a watch?" This set him thinking and it led to a wooden clock which kept good time. 4Walt Disney, the famous American film-maker, was often thinking of new ideas. One day, when he was in a meeting, he suddenly stopped talking, deep in thought. He looked and looked at a place high up in the room. This continued for a long time, end then he got an idea for a new cartoon. 5Ideas come at any time, end the important thing is to think. When you meet with any difficulty, don't lose heart. Try to think of it before asking someone to help you. Think and by thinking you will learn how to think creatively. Walt Disney was _ when he got an idea for a new cartoon. A making a film B telling a story C having a meeting D sitting in a garden Answer: C. having a meeting The vitamins are named by letters of the alphabet . Vitamin A is needed by the eyes. There is Vitamin A in milk, butter, and green vegetables. It can be kept by the body. Vitamin B cannot be kept. It must be supplied all the time by some of the food we eat. Vitamin C is very important to the body. Without it men's teeth become loose and their arms and legs get weak. Lemons , oranges and tomatoes have Vitamin C in them. Vitamin D is the sun vitamin. We get it in milk and eggs and from sunlight on our skin . There are other Vitamins, but these A, B, C and D, are the most important. There are many kinds of vitamins, the most important of which are _ . A Vitamin A B Vitamin B and C C Vitamin D and A D Vitamin A ,B,Cand D Answer: D. Vitamin A ,B,Cand D
I grew up in a small town. My father raised chickens and ran a construction company. I was barely 10 years old when my dad gave me the responsibility of feeding the chickens and cleaning up the stable. He believed it was important for me to have those jobs to learn responsibility. Then, when I was 22, I found a job in Natchbill at a country music club called the Natchbill Palace, I washed dishes and cooked from 4: 00 pm to 9: 00 pm and then went on stage and sang until 2:00 in the morning. It wasn't long before I became known as a singing cook. I had been rejected so many times by record companies that it was hard not to be discouraged. One night, a woman executive from a company named Warner Brothers Records came to hear me sing. When the show was over, we sat down and talked and after she left, I said to myself it was one more rejection. A few weeks later, my manager received a phone call -- Warner Brothers wanted to sign me to a record deal. Soon after, I released my first record in June 1986. It sold over 2 million copies. My best efforts had gone into every job I've ever held. It was the sense of responsibility that made me feel like a man. Knowing that I had done my best filled me with pride. I still feel that way today, even though I have become a well-known singer. Who first recognized his talents and helped make his career successful? A Wamer Brothers. B His manager. C His father. D A businesswoman. Answer: D Bean and other seed shoots are also known as sprouts . The dry bean seeds contain a store of nutrients just waiting to be released when they sprout. Under the right conditions they will germinate . As they grow, the food value of the seeds is multiplied into vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. This happens almost overnight! It is easy to grow your own sprouts, but you need to buy your seeds from supermarkets or health food stores. Seeds for planting in the garden are often powdered with chemicals, so when becoming sprouts they are not safe to eat. Try growing sprouts from a variety of beans and seeds. You will find different sprouts at different stages. Bean sprouts are best when they are about three centimeters long. Wheat and sunflower sprouts taste best when the sprouts and the seeds are of the same length. If the sunflower sprout is too long it leaves a funny stinging feeling in the throat after eating. Alfalfa sprouts are best when their small leaves are well developed. Pea and soybean sprouts are good long or short. If you leave your sprouts in filtered sunlight for a few hours, the leaves will turn green as chlorophyll is added. Eating sprouts with green leaves benefits your blood, cells, and the digestive system. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? A Sprouts of seeds for planting in the garden may not be safe to eat. B Alfalfa sprouts taste best when their small leaves are more fully grown. C All sprouts taste best during the early stage of their growth. D Sunlight will make the leaves of sprouts green. Answer: C What would turkeys do if they could think like us? Maybe the first thing is to run away from our dinner! That's the idea of Reggie and Jake. They are two turkeys in the new movie Free Birds (<<>> ). On Thanksgiving Day, people in the United States eat turkeys. But why? Reggie and Jake want a change. In a time machine, they go back to the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Reggie liked to be alone . But this time, he learns to become part of a team to make a big change. The first thing for Reggie and Jake to do is to _ A run away from people's dinner B have a big dinner C think like us D act in the movies Answer: A Traditional businessmen feel worried that growing ecommerce will reduce their share of the market. According to a survey, 90% of some people's purchases are made on the computer. As they find that by being able to go online and choose the things that they need to choose, and have them delivered right to their doorsteps, they could no longer be bothered with driving, the crowds, the noise of that, and they usually get a better selection. Cornell University Marketing Professor, MeLaughlin says traditional stores can keep their customers by offering goods like clothing, which customers may want to see and try on before purchasing, as well as items that are difficult to ship. He says some traditional stores are also pleasing customers with services that set up or repair computers and electronics. Traditional stores also offer a social experience that some shoppers enjoy. There is still a lot of emotion in the buying decision that takes place. Oftentimes, you need that last sense of "this is exactly what I want" before you part with money. And you can't always get that online. It's a rather cold process. As more and more people have Internet access and smart phones, online commerce is likely to continue its growth here in the United States and in other countries. Traditional businessmen feel upset because _ . A consumers can get a better selection by shopping online B growing online sales will cut their share of the market C people like to have their goods delivered to their house D more and more people purchase things on the computer Answer: B Do you have a lucky number? What is it? Many people have a special number that they hope will bring them good luck. In Chinese culture, some numbers are believed to be lucky or unlucky based on the Chinese word that the number sounds similar to. For example, the word for the number 8 sounds similar to the word for "making a fortune ". So, people consider it a very lucky number. Some people will even spend a lot of money to have 8s in their phone numbers or vehicle license plate numbers. The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics began at 8:08 p.m. on August 8, 2008. The number 9 is also a lucky number because of its connection to the emperors of China. There were nine dragons on emperors' robes and Chinese myth held that the dragon has nine children. The number 9 also stands for "long lasting". That's why a man always proposes to(---)a woman with 99 or 999 roses. So what's a "bad luck" number in China? It might be 4. Many Chinese people see 4 as a "bad luck" number because it sounds similar to the character for "death". Because of this, many buildings skip the fourth floor, and simply call it the fifth floor. In Hong Kong, some buildings even skip all floors numbered with 4, such as, 4, 14, 24, 34 and all 40-49 floors. Some buildings also skip the 13th floor, as this is considered an unlucky number in many Christian countries. As a result, a building whose highest floor is 50 may have only 35 physical floors. What does this passage mainly talk about? A Meanings of different unlucky numbers. B Meaning of different lucky numbers. C Lucky or unlucky numbers in Western culture. D Lucky or unlucky numbers in Chinese culture. Answer: D
In 2012, I had just recovered from a serious illness when I received an invitation to a writer's conference in Orlando, Florida. My family and friends persuaded me that a holiday might be just what the doctor ordered, so off I went. Arriving in the Sunshine State was not easy, but I managed to catch a taxi to the hotel. The next morning, I caught another taxi to do some shopping. Later I went to a cafe to buy some lunch, but having my sandwich and drink in my hands, I saw that all the tables were occupied . Then I heard a friendly voice saying, "You can share my table." I thankfully sat down with the smiling elderly lady and we shared a happy lunch together. As the meal drew to a close she asked how long I would be in Orlando. I had already told her that I hadn't hired a car, and hadn't realized how costly taking taxis would be. After a while she said, "My dear, don't use any more taxis. It would be my pleasure to drive you wherever you wish." I told her that I couldn't put her to that trouble, but she insisted. She took details of where I was staying and the next morning she drove me to Disney World. She took me through the park's gates and spent some time with me before leaving me to explore alone. At the end of the day, she returned to take me back to my hotel. The next few days, she drove me around Orlando's tourist areas. I offered her money but she refused to take any. When we had lunch on my last day, I thanked her for her kindness. I'll never forget that wonderful lady who filled my holiday in Florida with wonderful memories. The author went to Orlando to _ . attend a meeting You may know the English letters A, B and C, but do you know there are people called "ABC"? You may like eating bananas, but do you know there are people called "banana persons"? If you don't know, I will tell you about it. They are some Chinese people like you and me, but they aren't in China. Why do people call them like that? If we call somebody an ABC person, we mean he or she is a Chinese but was born in America. Sometimes, people also call them "banana persons". A banana is yellow outside and white inside. So if somebody is a "banana person", he or she is "white" inside and "yellow" outside. By saying that, we mean he or she has yellow skin but does things in an American way. "Banana persons" were born in America and they live in America for a long time, so they think like Americans and do things like Americans. However, these people still have Chinese blood . Their parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents are from China. They all have black eyes and black hair, so they look like us, Chinese people. There are many famous "banana persons" in America. They do very well in America and they are really great in their own fields. Why do "banana persons" do things like Americans? Because they were born in America and live there for a long time. There is one language that is used in every country in the world. The people who use it are young and old, short and tall, thin and fat. It is everybody's second language. It is easy to understand, although you can't hear it. It is sign language. When you wave to a friend who is across the street, you are using sign language. When you smile at someone, you are saying, "I want to be friendly", but you are not using speech. You are using body language. When you raise your hand in class, you are saying, "Please ask me. I think I know the correct answer." Babies who can't talk can point at things. They are using sign language. A policeman who wants to stop traffic holds up his hands. He is using sign language. Many years ago, a French priest, Charles Michel de Epee, became interested in education for deaf people. He invented a finger alphabet . It is still in use. People can make the sign for letters and spell words with their hands, and deaf people can read and understand them. Soon there were schools for the deaf in many countries. The only university for the deaf is Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C. Today, in the United States, there are special TV news programs for deaf people. The newsreader tells the news in sign language. At the same time, the words appear on the TV screen. The actors in the Theatre of Deaf don't spell every word. Sometimes they use hand signs. When they put two hands together, it means sandwich. They can make a roof with their hands when they want to show a house. One finger in front of an actor's mouth can mean quiet. You can talk to people who are behind windows that are closed. And when you go swimming with your friends, you can have conversations under water. How many hand signs do you use every day? If you want to express the idea that "I am very friendly" to someone, you will _ . smile to the person Exhausted and unhappy, you still have to squeeze a smile to your friends, or teachers. That's just life, you may think. But new research suggests that putting on a fake smile can worsen people's mood and even lower work efficiency. Lead researcher Brent Scott with other researchers studied a group of bus drivers for two weeks. They tried to find out what happened when the drivers were involved in "surface acting" or fake smiling, and the opposite, "deep acting" which means people put on real smiles by recalling pleasant memories or thinking about their current situation more positively. The results showed that on days when drivers were forced to smile, they felt depressed and didn't want to work. On days when they smiled due to positive thoughts, their mood improved a lot as well as their work efficiency. The research goes against the popular belief among companies that employees should be cheerful to customers at all times. They include employees of shops, banks, call center workers and others who have face-to-face contact with members of the public. "Smiling for the sake of smiling can lead to emotional exhaustion and coldness, and that's bad for the organization," Scott told the Daily Mail. The study also showed that women were harmed more by fake smiling than men. Their mood and work performance both worsened more. But they were helped more by deep acting -- their mood became better and they worked more efficiently. However, while deep acting seemed to improve mood in the short term, Scott says it's not a long-term solution for unhappiness. "There have been some suggestions that if you do this over a long period that you start to feel inauthentic ," Scott said. "You may be trying to cultivate positive emotions, but at the end of the day you may not feel like yourself anymore." According to the article, which of the following statements about "fake smiling" is TRUE? It causes more harm to women than men. 1Forests help to keep water from running away, so drought does not often happen. The trees in the forests can keep raindrops from hitting the soil directly, and the dead leaves on the ground can also keep the water from running away.2 Chinese people don't want to see more floods and droughts. We have built the " Great Green Wall" of trees across the northern part of our country.3 Thanks to the " Great Green Wall", we can prevent the wind from blowing the earth away. It will stop the sand from moving towards the rich farmland. That's why more " Great Green Walls" are needed. Trees must be planted all over the world.4 ,A, B, C, D,. (10) The reason of building " Great Green Wall"is _ . to stop the sand from moving towards the rich farmland.
Have you ever heard your own voice? "Of course," you say. Has anyone else ever heard your voice? Again you say, "Of course."But that's not quite true. Nobody else has ever heard your voice--the way you hear it. When you talk, you set up sound waves . The air outside your head carries the sound waves to your outer ears. But, of course, the sound of your voice begins inside your head. The bones of your head pick up the sound waves, too. They carry the sound waves straight to your inner ears. You get the sound from the outside and the inside too. Other people get just the sound waves from the outside. That's why they don't hear your voice the way you do. The phrase "pick up" here means _ . Answer: to get When Rikke Dausen in prefix = st1 /Denmarkgoes to get some milk from the fridge, she has trouble getting past the refrigerator door. But it's not because of any physical obstruction. It's usually because the PC monitor in her refrigerator's door has informed her that a new email message has arrived. Rikke and her husband are taking part in a six-month trial sponsored by a Danish firm and two Swedish partners. They hope to show that computers can be put to much more practical daily use than most people think. Fifty families and singles were provided with a free model known as the "Screenfridge" for the duration of trial. "It's really very clever", says Rikke. She can call up email, news reports, sales items at the supermarket or addressed out of the endless ocean Internet possibilities. "I'm not the type who wants to sit in front of the computer and wait 10 minutes for the modem to connect," she says. The creators of the Screenfridge aim at this type of buyer. They think the machine should attract people who have limited time to solve technical problems or surf online. The PC that is built into the door is very small. It is only two centimeters wide, and completely silent. "Everything moves quickly", as Rikke admits. "Well, the whole thing is really just an amusement", she says. "But when the thing is gone after the test, it will be pain to have to go down in the basement again to download my email". The Screenfridge is due to hit the market sometime next year. For what purpose is the Screenfridge made? Answer: To make it easier to use computers. Henry was a carpenter of our village. Once I asked him to make a dining table for my wife. He made it just the right size to fill the space between the two windows. When I arrived home that evening, Henry was drinking a cup of tea and writing out his bill for his work.. My wife said to me, quietly,"That's his ninth cup of tea today." But she said loudly, "It's a beautiful table,dear,isn't it?" "I won't decide about that until I see that bill." I said. Henry laughed and gave me his bill for the work. It said: BILL One dining table June 10,1995 Cost of wood 17.00 Paint 1.50 Work,8 hours(1 an hour) 8.00 Total 36.50 When I was looking at the bill,Henry said,"It's been a fine day,hasn't it?" " Quite sunny." "Yes,"I said. "I'm glad it is only the 10th of June." "Me too," said Henry, "You wait--it'll be a bit hotter by the end of the month." "Yes. Hotter--and more expensive. Dining tables will be 20 more expensive on June 30th,won't they,Henry?" Henry looked hard at me for half a minute. There was a little smile in his two blue eyes. I gave his bill back to him. "If it isn't too much trouble,Henry,"I said,"Please add it up again. You can forget the date." I paid him 26. 50 and he was happy to get it. Why did Henry talk about weather when the writer was looking at the bill? Answer: Because he didn't want the writer to go through the bill carefully. The woman at the airline ticket counter in prefix = st1 /Munich,Germany, just shook her head. "I'm sorry, but there's no more availability on this flight," she said. God, I thought. My husband, Bob, and I had enjoyed every moment of our dream vacation, two weeks in Europe, but I was ready to go home toShreveport,Louisiana, and sleep in my own bed. Bob could see how frustrated I was. "We'll just have to try to get on the flight tomorrow," he said. "Let's enjoy the extra day." My son Joe, a First Lieutenant in the Army 82nd Airborne Division , would be returning to Ft. Bragg in North Carolina for a short rest and recovery from his tour of duty in Baghdad, and we weren't sure we'd be able to see him in the little time he'd be stateside. Plus, the time was so up in the air! Back at our hotel, I checked my e-mail to see if our daughter-in-law Monica had any news on when Joe was due to arrive. Sure enough, there was a message. "Joe's been delayed again," it read. The next morning we made it onto our flight back to the States. Unfortunately, we had to stop in Atlanta. Our connecting flight there was delayed because of bad weather. The hours passed. I felt the frustration building. "That's it!" I finally said. "I just want to get home!" That's when I saw a group of soldiers coming down the ramp from one of the gates. I thought of Joe. They're coming back from a war, I reminded myself, while I'm coming back from vacation. What right do I have to be frustrated? Maybe the troops were God's way of reminding me to trust in his time. Bob grabbed my arm. "Look at those soldiers coming down the ramp." "I see them," I said. Bob persisted, "Do you see who's in front?" Suddenly, all those delays across all those miles made perfect sense. I rushed toward my son Joe's open arms. Where did the author happen to run into her son Joe? Answer: At theairportofAtlanta. What is a library for? Most libraries have books and other things to read. Many of them have things to listen to. Some libraries even have computers. Very few people would think of a library as a place to live in. One library in New York City turned into a home for 250 people for a few days. These were all people near the library. They slept on the floor. Why did the people move into the library? The people moved into the library because the city wanted to close it to save money. These 250 New Yorkers loved their library. They didn't want to lose it. So they moved in. They knew that the library couldn't be closed if they were living inside it. At last the city agreed to keep the library open, and the people all went home. Why did 250 people move into the library? Because _ . Answer: they loved the library and they didn't want to lose it
A woman was walking her dog along a beach in New Zealand in late June when she saw something that looked like a white ball in the sand. It turned out to be a young Emperor penguin that was lost. At his age, he should have been close to Antarctic, swimming for fish and playing on the ice floes . But this penguin started swimming north and just kept going. The penguin attracted a lot of attention in New Zealand. It has been 40 years since an Emperor penguin was last seen there. Researchers at the Department of Conservation were called in. They decided to watch the penguin closely, but not to disturb it in any way. Many New Zealanders came to Peka Peka Beach to look at the elegant penguin. They were careful to keep their dogs away from it so it wouldn't be frightened. The public nicknamed the animal Happy Feet. Researchers started to notice that Happy Feet didn't seem well. It turns out that he had been eating the sand from the beach, likely thinking it was snow. The public raised more than 11,000 pounds for an operation to get the sand out of his stomach. The operation was a success, and Happy Feet was taken to a zoo in Wellington, NZ. A group of experts met to decide how to help Happy Feet return to the wild. Last Sunday, they put him on a boat called the Tangaroa, in a specially built ice-filled box and took him out into the Southern Ocean, southeast of New Zealand. There, they released him into the ocean, which is his natural habitat. He took one last look at his human helpers and then dived into the ocean. "Emperor penguins spend their first five years at sea," said Peter Simpson of New Zealand's Department of Conservation. " What happens now is up to the penguin." Happy Feet was fitted with a satellite transmitter so they can monitor his progress using the Internet. So far, the trackers shows that he swam northeast for a little while before getting his bearings and heading south. Where is the young penguin supposed to appear? A. On the sunny beach. B. Near the Antarctic. C. Inside the hole in the ice. D. In the depths of the ocean. Answer: B. Near the Antarctic. The Beets were a new couple . The things in their rooms, such as the television, the computer, the fridge, furniture and so on, were all left by their parents. They only paid some money for their food and clothes. But they tried their best to save money. If they had something important to tell their friends, they always visited them instead of calling them. One day, it was a quarter past nine. Mr. Beet didn't come back. His wife was a little worried. The supper was cold and she had waited for two hours. She was sitting by the table in the dark room. Suddenly the woman heard someone coming upstairs. It was her husband's step. She hurried to open the door. In the dark she could hear his deep breathing . As soon as he sat down, she turned on the light and found he looked very tired. "Why do you come back so late, dear?" asked the woman. "Haven't you caught a bus?" "Yes, but I didn't take it." "Why not?" "I ran after it so that I saved two dollars this evening." "That's great!" the woman said happily. "Run after a taxi next time and you'll save both more time and money." Mrs. Beet hoped _ . A. her husband went home by bus the next time. B. her husband could keep on doing exercise. C. her husband could be stronger and stronger. D. her husband could save more money and time. Answer: D. her husband could save more money and time. A student is asked to bring something that feels rough to class. Which would be BEST for him to bring? A. Pillow B. Marble C. Sandpaper D. Trading card Answer: C. Sandpaper Five teens from Sarasota, Florida, are making music from garbage. The Garbage-Men band's instruments are made from recycled objects. The guitars are boxes. A horn is made from pipes. The keyboard is formed from old bottles. The band started about two years ago. Jack Berry decided to make a playable, homemade guitar. After some trial-and-error, he ended up building it from a cereal box, a yardstick and toothpicks. After Jack showed his creation to his friend Ollie Gray, Ollie had the idea to form a band using other homemade instruments as a way to promote recycling. "We want to show people there is more to recycling than throwing things away in the bin ," Jack, 16, said, "You can actually reuse materials." Ollie, 15, plays drums made from trash cans. Evan Tucker, 15 (bass guitar); Harrison Paparatto, 15 (horns and violin); and Austin Siegel, 15, (keyboard), round out the band. The Garbage-Men plays at local events around Sarasota, including festivals, farmer's markets and community fundraisers. Typically, the teens will set up on the street and perform popular songs from the 1960s, including classic Beatles tunes and people's favorite "Wipe Out," by The Surfaris. In between sets, they talk about recycling the offer tips for how to help the environment. while they perform, Jack's little brother Trent, 11, gives out flyers about recycling and helps sell the band's CD and other merchandise. The band donates the money from sales to charity. They have raised more than $2,500 for Heifer International. The organization gives farm animals, seeds and agricultural training to people in poor countries to help end poverty and hunger. The band--all tenth graders--tries to play a gig for America's Got Talent. The teens hope to eventually take their show on the road by touring in other states. "Music is a really good way to get a good message across to people because it's really accessible," Jack says. Their instruments may be garbage, but their message isn't. What's the band's further dream? A. To donate money from sales to charity. B. To hold a gig every week. C. To perform at Florida radio station. D. To do more promotion in other states. Answer: D. To do more promotion in other states. A cat is recovering in California after surviving a 6,500-mile journey across the Pacific stowed inside a Chinese shipping container without food or water. Staff and volunteers have named it "Ni Hao," which is Chinese for "hello." It was discovered breathing shallowly after a two-week trip across the Pacific Ocean. The cat was seriously suffering from loss of water and starvation when the container was opened in California last week, but was said to be doing well after being sent to the Carson Animal Care Center in Los Angeles. At first it was too weak to stand, but finally took its first steps. Then it ate a good meal and slept soundly. The cat woke up Thursday morning, physically in a better condition than 24 hours ago. "Ni Hao greeted the medical team with its first miaow this morning and is attempting to stand," said Marcia Mayeda, head of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control. Aaron Reyes, director of the Department, added: "We finally got to hear its voice. It sounds like a single-engine plane." Ni Hao is expected to be observed for 60 days but afterwards animal workers will look forward to providing it with a good shelter. "It's much better for it to recover in a home environment," Mr Reyes said. "It's just like a human being in a hospital so we're hoping to move it." He added: "Little by little we're getting there. We're hoping that under the treatment and with rest, it'll be able to recover quickly.'' It was not immediately clear how the cat got into the container. The container to California started on its journey _ . A. 60 days ago B. one month ago C. 2 weeks ago D. 24 hours ago Answer: C. 2 weeks ago
Most American schools have boys and girls in the same classroom. But a public high school in the small, rural town of Boonsboro, Maryland, offers a special program called the Academy. Top students in the ninth and tenth grades can attend single-sex classes for math, science, English and social studies. The aim is to help teenagers keep their mind on their work by keeping males and females apart. What they really want to do is take that top group of kids and take them to the very highest level they can achieve there, so that they're prepared for college. Students are invited to enter this program after they finish middle school, and placement in the Academy is voluntary. However, they need high marks and test scores and strong teacher recommendations. They also need to be involved in activities. Almost 350 students have taken part in the Academy. It began as an experiment in 2010. Michael Bair has been at Boonsboro High for twenty years and directs the Academy. His ninth-grade English class for boys centers on books that he believes boys find interesting. He says that the novels the students are reading now are very manly novels. These novels deal with the arrogance of man and the pride of man which finally leads to man's downfall. One of those books, for example, is The Call of the Wild by Jack London. This classic story tells of a dog stolen from his home and sold to work as a sled dog in Canada's Klondike Gold Rush. Morgan Fleet, a senior at Boonsboro High, likes being in the Academy. She says boys and girls act differently when they are together in a classroom. She believes this difference seems to prevent her from developing herself because she's more focused on thoughts like "Oh, I wish they would shut up. Oh, what do they think of me?'' instead of focusing on "What's the homework? What's going on in this class? What's the lesson?". There is one activity that girls and boys in the Academy do together. At the end of the day, many of them stay and help tutor students who are having trouble in school. The Call of the Wild is given as an example to show that male students _ . A should learn more about literature B should have a sense of protecting the wildlife C are reading more manly novels D are interested in stories on animals Answer: C. are reading more manly novels When asked about happiness, we usually think of something extraordinary, an delight, which seems to get rarer the older we get. For kids, happiness has a magical quality. Their delight at winning a race or getting a new bike is unreserved . In the teenage years the concept of happiness changes. Suddenly it's conditional on such things as excitement, love and popularity. I can still recall the excitement of being invited to dance with the most attractive boy at the school party. In adulthood the things that bring deep joy----love, marriage, birth----also bring responsibility and the risk of loss. For adults, happiness is complicated My definition for happiness is "the capacity for enjoyment". The more we can enjoy what we have, the happier we are. It's easy to overlook the pleasure we get from the company of friends, the freedom to live where we pleased, and even good health. I experienced my little moments of pleasure yesterday. First I was overjoyed when I shut the last lunch-box and had the house to myself. Then I spent an uninterrupted morning writing, which I love. When the kids and my husband came home, I enjoyed their noise after the quiet of the day. Psychologists tell us that to be happy we need a mix of enjoyable leisure time and satisfying work. I don't think that my grandmother, who raised 14 children, had much of either. She did have a network of close friends and family, and maybe this is what satisfied her. We, however, with so many choices and such pressure to succeed in every area, have turned happiness into one more thing we've got to have. We've so self-conscious about our "right" to it that it's making us miserable. So we pursue it and equal it with wealth and success, without noticing that the people who have those things aren't necessarily happier Happiness isn't about what happens to us----it's about how we see what happens to us. It's the skillful way of finding a positive for every negative. It's not wishing for what we don't have, but enjoying what we do own. What can be concluded from the passage? A Happy is he who is satisfied B Happiness lies between the positive and the negative C Success results in happiness D Each man is the master of his own life Answer: A. Happy is he who is satisfied MIT ( Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is a world-class university mainly in math, science and technology, but you may be surprised to learn that MIT sets arts courses. MIT believe in the passion of learning, the value of working and teaching methods. MIT's teaching power is quite strong. There are eight Nobel winners and many other national and international winners in the teacher group of MIT. MIT is proud of these top scholars and thinkers. The ratio of teachers and students in MIT is about 1 to 7.5. About 63 percent of the classes have fewer than 20 students each. Only 4 percent of the classes have more than 100 students each. Most MIT students can learn courses that they like. The students in MIT have many activities when they finish their lessons, for example: Student Life And Culture Student Organizations Music & The Arts @ MIT Athletics Most students in famous universities feel serious pressure both in life and study. In MIT the students have the same pressure which encourages them to have to study hard. But MIT usually gives one year for the new students to adjust to the transition (;). In their first term all the new students are graded by a test. In this test if he or she receives a C or the level better than C, his or her result will be kept forever. If she or he receives a D or an F, no record will be kept. Which of the following is NOT the activities for the life of the students in MIT? A Student Organizations B Student Life And Culture C Music & the Arts @ MIT D Heaven of Dance Answer: D. Heaven of Dance Dear Sir, I am writing to you about my stay at your hotel. My wife and I arrived on Saturday, May 15thand stayed for a week. Though we were treated well and found the service excellent, we think there are one or two things we should bring your attention. 1. We hoped for a nice holiday from our busy work lives, and your ad said "comfortable and quiet". We want to have a chance to enjoy ourselves. However, we were always waken up by the noise every morning. Is it really necessary for the workers to start their repair work so early? 2. We hoped to swim in your "wonderful pool". To our disappointment , we found that it was closed for the whole time of our stay. I hope you do not mind my writing to you about these things, but I would be happy if you could give me some explanation . As I said at the start, it is a pity, and your service is so good in other places. I hope to hear from you soon. Yours sincerely Tom Green What did Mr Green think about the swimming pool? A He felt disappointed because the swimming pool was closed for the whole time of their stay. B He felt disappointed because the swimming poop was too small. C He felt excited about it because he had a good time there. D He found it really wonderful, just like the words in the ad. Answer: A. He felt disappointed because the swimming pool was closed for the whole time of their stay. BERLIN-With the crisis in Japan raising fears about nuclear power, Germany and Switzerland said on Monday that they would reassess the safety of their own reactors. Doris Leuthard, the Swiss energy minister, said Switzerland would put off plans to build nuclear plants. She said no new ones would be permitted until experts had reviewed safety standards. Germany will put off "the recently decided extension of the running time of Cerman nuclear plants," Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters. "This moratorium will run for three months and it will allow for a thorough exanunation of the safety standards of the country's 17 nuclear power plants. The European Union called for a meeting on Tuesday of nuclear safety authorities to assess Europe's preparedness. Germany's foreign minister, Cuido Westerwelle, called for a new risk analysis of the counitry' snuclear plants, particularly regarding their cooling systems. He is the leader of the Free Democratic Party, which strongly supports nuclear power. A previous government,led by the Social Democrats, passed a law in 2001 to close all the country's nuclear plants by 2021. But Mrs. Merkel' s government changed that decision last year to extend the lives of the plants by an average of 12 years. In Switzerland, Doris Leuthard said she had already asked to analyze the exact cause of the problems in Japan and draw up new or tougher safety standards "particularly in terms of seismic( )safety and cooling." In Russia, the Prime Minister said his govemment would "draw conclusions from what's going on in Japan." What is the best title of the passage? A Nuclear Plants in Europe Are Delayed B Europe Is against Building Nuclear Plants C Opinions on Nuclear Power Are Opposite. D Watch Out for the Danger of Nuclear Power Answer: A. Nuclear Plants in Europe Are Delayed
Bob is six years old.He is old enough to go to school. On the first day,his teacher taught him three words,"I,you,he".Then the teacher said,"I am your teacher.You are my student.He is your student. He is your classmate."When school was over,Bob went home. His mother asked him,"What has your teacher taught you today?"Bob said with a smile,"Listen,Mum and Dad,I am your teacher.You are my student.He is your classmate."His mother said,"No,dear.You're wrong."Then she said,"I am your mother.You're my son.He's your father."The next day,Bob's teacher asked Bob to make sentences with "I,you and he". Bob stood up and said,"I'm your mother.You're my son.He is your father."All the students in Bob's class laughed. How many words did the teacher teach? Answer: In 1901, the citizens of Colorado Springs in the USA decided to collect everyday items and to seal them in a special box. The box was marked "To be opened after midnight, December 31st, AD 2000",and was kept in the Colorado College Library. One hundred years later, on the appointed day, 300 people gathered to watch the opening of the box. Many in the crowd were the descendants of people who had placed things inside the box. When the box was opened after midnight, the things inside the box were in very good condition. There were newspapers, photos, diaries, name cards, family trees, books and lots of letters, including one written by Theodore Roosevelt, who became the President of the USA later that year. One of Roosevelt's friends lived in Colorado Springs at that time. Many of the letters were written to their descendants. They describe the hopes that the people of 1901 had for the people of the next century. At that time, Colorado Springs had just a few thousand people. Now nearly half a million people live there. Colorado College Library has scanned the materials and put them on a website. Cecil Muller, whose grandfather had placed a collection of postcards in the box, said that the time capsule was a great treasure. "This is a wonderful educational resource . We can learn so much about our history,"he said. "I never knew my grandfather, but now I feel very close to him. " According to the passage, "time capsule" means _ . Answer: Many homes have cameras to protect them from danger. The cameras can tell the owners if someone has entered. But the cameras do not know whether the person is a family member, a friend, a postman or a criminal . But a new camera made by a French company can recognize faces. It can tell parents at work that their children have returned from school, or that the mail has been sent to their home. It can also tell them if a stranger has entered their home. When family members enter a home, the smart camera "recognizes" them and sends information to the owner's phone. The owner can choose to see the video then or later. But if an unknown person enters a home, the camera will send a warning sound on the owner's phone. This is what happened recently to a smart home camera owner named Damien. He lives in Paris. "On a Friday I was at work, having a big monthly meeting when my phone moved. At first I told myself 'Oh, it must be a wrong warn,' but my phone was telling me there was a face that the camera did not recognize. Something was happening in my house!" "I saw a person I did not know with his shoes on, which is not allowed in my apartment . I watched it on the video. I felt quite surprised. I hurried back home as fast as possible and called the police on the way. Thanks to the smart camera, the criminal was caught soon," said Damien. In Damien's apartment, people can't _ . Answer: Years ago there was a group of kids who would hang around at some local ponds in the woods near their houses in Warwick, Rhode Island. In summer they caught frogs and fish. When winter arrived they couldn't wait to go skating. Time passed, and the ponds became the only open space for the kids to enjoy themselves in that neighborhood. One day a thirteen-year-old boy from this group of kids read in the local newspaper that a developer wanted to fill in the ponds and build over a hundred small houses called apartments. So the boy went door to door and gathered more than two hundred signatures to stop the development. A group of citizens met and decided to support him. At the meeting of the town planning organization,the boy was quite nervous at first and spoke very softly. But when he saw the faces of his friends and neighbors in the crowd and thought about what was happening to their favorite ponds,his voice grew louder. He told the town officials that they should speak for the citizens. He also insisted that they should leave enough space for children. A few days later,the developer stopped his plan. Nine years later, when that teen was a senior in college, he was informed that the developer was back with his proposal to build apartments. Now twenty-two years old, he was studying wetlands ecology. He again appeared before the town planning organization. This time as an expert, he used environmental protection laws to explain _ on development in and around wetlands and the knowledge of wetlands ecology to help to improve the development. Finally some apartments were built, but less than half the number the developer wanted. The ponds where those kids used to hang around were protected by a piece of natural land, and are still there today. The kids liked to _ at the local ponds in winter. Answer: The open-air amphitheater in the city park of Rightville has been utilized for concerts and other entertainment programs. Until this year, each of the groups performing in that city facility was allowed to make its own arrangements for sound equipment and sound technicians. After recurring complaints from occupants of residential buildings adjacent to the city park about intrusive noise from some performances held in the amphitheater, the Rightville City held in the amphitheater, the Rightville City Council passed an ordinance establishing city control over all sound amplification at all programs held there. The ordinance provided that Rightville's Department of Parks would be the sole provider in the amphitheater of sound amplification equipment and of the technicians to operate the equipment "to ensure a proper balance between the quality of the sound at such performances and respect for the privacy of nearby residential neighbors." Which of the following standards should a court use to determine the constitutionality on its face of this content neutral ordinance? Answer:
Tom was nine years old and he went to a school near his house. He went there on foot and came back home usually at 4 o'clock. But last Monday he was very late. His mother asked, "Why are you so late today, Tom?" "Because my teacher asked me to stay behind " Tom answered. "Why did the teacher make you stay behind?" the mother asked again. "Because no one could answer the teacher's question except me," Tom said. "What was the question?" his mother asked. "The question was 'Who broke the window of the classroom?'" Tom said. The school was _ Tom's house. Answer: Deetz was prosecuted for homicide. He testified that he shot in self-defense. In rebuttal, Officer Watts testified that he came to the scene in response to a telephone call from Deetz. Watts offers to testify that he asked, "What is the problem here, sir?" and Deetz replied, "I was cleaning my gun and it went off accidentally." The offered testimony is Answer: We usually have three meals. We have breakfast, lunch and supper. We often have more time for lunch and supper, and we eat a big lunch or supper. But a good breakfast is very important . It's easy for you to understand it. You don't eat anything for about twelve hours from the last supper. One good breakfast should be rice or bread, an egg and milk. On a cold morning a cup of hot drink is necessary . Get up a little early and you can have enough time to eat breakfast. A good breakfast helps you to study well. It helps you to work well and play happily. You will be fun for a day after you enjoy a good breakfast. We don't have anything for _ before breakfast. Answer: Woman Uses Daughter's Key to "Steal" Car Charlie Vansant, a college student of Athens, Ohio, who reported that his car was stolen, got a surprise when he learned that a woman had mistaken it for her daughter's car and driven it home--using her key. Kate Anderson became an accidental "car thief" when picking up her daughter's car near an Ohio University building last week. Anderson found the Toyota Camry and used her daughter's car key to unlock the car, start the engine and drove it home--without realizing that the car didn't belong to her daughter. When Charlie Vansant left class a short time later, he found only an empty parking spot. He first assumed the car had been towed , but when the police couldn't find a record of it, then they took a theft report. That morning, after Anderson drove the car home, her daughter discovered the Camry in the driveway wasn't hers. Anderson said she was able to find Vansant's name on the paperwork in the glove compartment and look up his phone number on the website for the university. When Anderson told Charlie the car was in her driveway, "It sounded really suspicious at first, as if she wanted to hold the thing for ransom ," said Vansant. He eventually went to the house with a police officer, where he was reunited with his car. According to the police report, the case was closed "because of mistaken car identity", and Anderson wasn't charged. Vansant blamed the car company more than the "thief". "Her key fit not only my lock, but my ignition as well--so high-five for Toyota, I guess," he said. (307 words) What does Charlie mean by saying "so high-five for Toyota"? Answer: Hannah was so sad! If she had one wish, it would be that she was well enough to go outside and play. The storm last night had brought a lot of snow, she could see it through the window. The snow caused everything to twinkle and shine, like it was colored with a marker made of glitter. What a way to start Christmas break, with the flu making her stuck on the sofa under a blanket. Hannah's brother was getting ready to go outside and enjoy the snow. He put on his jacket and put her hat on his head. He had to wiggle his gloves out of his pocket, but he was nice and warm. From the sofa, Hannah watched her brother play in the snow with his friends and throw snowballs. Her brother tossed a stone at the pond and it broke through the ice with a splash. What did the stone break? Answer:
What's onOscar Film Themes Symphony Concert Film highlights accompanied by live performances of movie theme music by the China Opera and Dance Drama Theatre Symphony Orchestra, which has recorded the music for many films. Familiar tunes will come from such flicks as Titanic, Jurassic Park and Waterloo Bridge. Where: Nationality Cultural Palace Theatre When: March 8, 7:30 pm Admission:80-380 yuan Tel:6528 7674 ext 508 Fantastic View All the Way The mountains in this area are not very high, but the vistas are excellent. This walk is gentle and very interesting, going through valleys, over passes, along a ridge and through a few little tranquil villages that are located in amazing places. Many sites along the walk offer panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Where: Pinggu, northeast of Beijing When: March 9, meet 8:30 a.m. outside Starbucks at Lido Hotel, or 9 am at Capital Paradise front gate, return 5 p.m. Admission: adults 150 yuan, children 100 yuan Tel: 13701003694 Email: fjhikers @ yahoo. com..uk Spring Greetings Paintings in bold colors in a traditional Chinese style by young artist Tian Xifeng are displayed to welcome the spring. Tian is a student of famous bird-and-flower painting artist Wang Qing. He has won several prizes at various national painting exhibitions and developed a style emphasizing vivid close-ups of natural scenes. Where: Melodic Gallery, 14 Jianwai Dajie, opposite Friendship Store When:till March 31, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission: free Tel: 65188123 Cala, My Dog Directed by Lu Xuechang, starring Ge You. The story is about a middle- aged working man, known as Lao Er, whose chief source of stability and comfort in life is his dog, Cala . One day, when his wife is out walking Cala, a policeman confiscates the unregistered canine. As Lao Er endeavors to recover his dog , the difficult circumstances of his life are revealed. Chinese with English subtitle . Where: Dongchuang Theatre, 3 Xinzhongjie, Dongzhimenwai When: March 13 and 20, 8: 30 p.m. Admission: 20 yuan Tel: 64169253 The exhibition held in Melodic Gallery _ . A. is open to the public from 7:30 am - 5pm till April lst. B. presents the works by Tian Xifeng and his teacher C. is to display some bird-and-flower paintings D. costs the art lovers much money to visit Answer: C. is to display some bird-and-flower paintings 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 is a _ . A. teacher B. zookeeper C. writer D. police Answer: C. writer Which is safer --- staying at home, traveling to work on public transport, or working at the office? Surprisingly, each of these carries the same risk, which is very low.However, what about flying compared to working in the chemical industry? Unfortunately, the former is 65 times riskier than the latter! In fact the accident rate of workers in the chemical industry is less than that of almost any of human activity, and almost as safe as staying at home. The trouble with the chemical industry is that when things go wrong they often cause death to those living nearby.It is this that makes chemical accidents so newsworthy.Fortunately, they are extremely rare.The most famous ones happened at Texas City (1947), Flixborough (1974), Seveso (1976), Pemex (1984) and Bhopal (1984). Some of these are always in the minds of the people even though the loss of life was small.No one died at Seveso, and only 28 workers at Flixborough.The worst accident of all was Bhopal, where up to 3,000 were killed.The Texas City explosion of fertilizer killed 552.The Pemex fire at a storage plant for natural gas in the suburbs of Mexico City took 542 lives, just a month before the unfortunate event at Bhopal. Some experts have discussed these accidents and used each accident to illustrate a particular danger.Thus the Texas City was caused by tons of ammonium nitrate, which is safe unless stored in a great quantity.The Flixborough fireball was the fault of management, which took risks to keep production going during essential repairs.The Seveso accident shows what happens if the local authorities lack knowledge of the danger on their doorstep.When the poisonous gas drifted over the town , local leaders were incapable of taking effective action.The Pemex fire was made worse by an overloaded site in an overcrowded suburb.The fire set off a chain reaction of exploding storage tanks.Yet, by a miracle, the two largest tanks did not explode.Had these caught fire, then 3,000 strong rescue team and fire fighters would all have died. According to the passage, the chemical accident that caused by the fault of management happened in _ . A. Texas city B. Flixborough C. Seveso D. Mexico City Answer: B. Flixborough For some reason we were reminded that we primates need love. Kim Bard of the University of Portsmouth in England and her colleagues carried out a study on 46 baby chimpanzees orphans , which had lost their mothers. The study showed that primate babies that have tight relationships with mother figures do much better on cognitive ( ) tests than babies who only grew up with peers , but this is not breaking news. In fact, it ' s old news. In the 1950s, Harry Harlow did a series of experiments with baby monkeys that showed. that lack of love and comfort makes for a crazy monkey. Harlow constructed a cage that included a wire monkey "mother" with a plastic face. Then he equipped the "mother" with a milk bottle .The cage also had another wire "mother" who was covered with soft cloth. The baby monkeys spent all their time with the cloth "mother" arid only went to the wire "mother" to feed. Harlow's monkey experiment was important because, at the time, child care experts, and everybody's grandmother had a "no touch, no comfort" policy toward children. They advised parents not to respond to crying babies. They thought that babies should sleep alone to become independent, and for God's sake put that kid down. But Harlow's work changed that policy. Mothers were soon permitted to have their babies next to them in the hospital. The current chimp research based on Harlow's work shows that mother's love doesn't just make for a psychologically healthy child, it also makes for a smart child. The highly raised chimps do better than those that are not loved, and the well-raised chimps do even better than human kids on IQ tests. We are primates, social animals which need love. We need to be held and talked to and made to feel that at least one person wants to be with us all the time. Which of the following can we infer from the passage? A. Well--raised chimps are better than people in IQ. B. Sometimes it's not wrong to have no touch and no comfort to babies. C. Chimps growing up in cages are less smarter than chimps growing up in wild. D. Babies who sleep with mothers tend to be cleverer than babies sleep alone. Answer: D. Babies who sleep with mothers tend to be cleverer than babies sleep alone. A letter to Edward,a columnist Dear Mr. Expert, I grew up in an unhappy and abusive home. I always promised myself that I'd get out as soon as possible. Now, at age 20, I have a good job and a nice house, and I'm really proud of the independence I've achieved. Here's the problem: several of my friends who still live with their parents wish they had places like mine--so much so that they make mine theirs. It started out with a couple of them spending the weekends with me. But now they seem to take it for granted that they can show up any time they like. They bring boyfriends over, talk on the phone and stay out forever. I enjoy having my friends here sometimes--it makes the place feel comfortable and warm--but this is my home, not a party house. I was old enough to move out on my own, so why can't I seem to ask my friends to respect my privacy ? Joan Edward's reply to Joan Dear Joan, If your family didn't pay attention to your needs when you were a child, you probably have trouble letting others know your needs now. And if you've gathered your friends around you to rebuild a happy family atmosphere , you may fear that saying no will bring back the kind of conflict you grew up with--or destroy the nice atmosphere you now enjoy. You need to understand that in true friendship it's okay to put your own needs first from time to time. Be clear about the message you want to send. For example, "I really love your company but I also need some privacy. So please call before you come over. " Edward 59. We can learn from the first letter that Joan _ . A. takes pride in her friends B. lives away from her parents C. knows Mr. Expert quite well D. hates her parents very much Answer: B. lives away from her parents
The following are a few cities with cheap attractions or restaurants in California, the US. Cathedral City The Indian Oven in the city will give you a high-quality dining experience. It's a restaurant with traditional Indian dishes. All of the lunch specials are $5.95 and are served from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. The windows of the restaurants give you the beautiful views of desert mountain scenes. You need to call 92234(760)770-3918 to book a table. Palm Desert Palm Desert, a city in Riverside County, has a number of free desert hiking trails . They are named after famous Western Hollywood cowboys. The trails are fun to hike on. At some points they go up very high and you can get a bird's-eye view of the surrounding desert cities. The paths are dusty, so bring some good hiking boots and hats. Do bring some water and your phone. It's great for an afternoon hike after 2 pm. Call 92260(760)340-0574 or 92253(760)564-4712 to learn more. Lake Cahuilla Away from the busy streets of the city of Palm Springs, Lake Cahuilla is a great recreational area you can visit in La Quinta. It is at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains. It costs $3.00 for per person to enter the area, but a half for kids under 7. The activities include: camping, fishing, bicycling, and horseback riding. If you want to save on rooms, you can stay in an RV. Call 92278(760)664-7215 and you'll learn something else. The desert hiking trails _ . Answer: One day newly wedded Nancy lost her ring while helping to plant potatoes. Friends were called and the field was searched long but _ . Later, when the potatoes were harvested, Everyone looked out for the ring but it remained lost. Another year came round and all the farmers working in the field kept their eyes open. The following year was the same. And year after year, whoever had business in the field always had Nancy's ring in his mind. Then the farm changed hands but it went no farther than to cousins. So the memory of the lost ring remained alive until thirty-eight years had passed. Then came a spring day when a man was ploughing the field behind a pair of horses. Even after thirty-eight years he still looked out for the ring, and knew just which part of the field Nancy had lost it in. At this time, when he came there, he found it .He picked it up, put it carefully into his pocket, left his horse, and ran all the way down to the village and placed it into Nancy's hand. What did the ploughman do after finding the ring? Answer: Everyone needs safe drinking water, but about 1.1 billion people have no access to clean water. Most of the world's water is salty ocean water or frozen polar ice. By 2050, the world's population could grow from 6.7 billion to more than 9 billion. All of those people will need water to drink. But the bad news is that some areas of the world are growing drier because of climate change. The total area of the Earth's surface classified as very dry has doubled since the 1970s. Sadly, the precious resource is still misused in industry, in farming and at homes. Therefore, the world is facing a crisis over water. "You do the math, and it gets a little scary," says Stuart Minchin, a water expert in Australia. "We're waking up," he says. "But not fast enough." In southern Australia, farmers have been hit hard. They can't irrigate their fields well enough. The Australian government has launched a $1.3 billion project to improve Australia's irrigation system to stop the crop production dropping further. Australians have serious water worries, but it could be worse. They don't have to fear that when they turn on the tap, nothing will come out. That's the case in India. Many people in New Delhi, the capital, go without clean water for days. City leaders have taken stricter measures to save water. Users pay a very high but affordable price for it. Homeowners who waste water are given large fines. There are 1.9 million people who live in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now it has grown by more than 300,000 people since 2002. But it uses less water today than it did seven years ago. What can we learn from what Stuart Minchin said? Answer: In the eyes of dog lovers, the dog is man's best friend. But for much wildlife, loose dogs may be a dangerous enemy, according to a study by a biologist from Utah State University in the US. Based on much existing research and their own case studies, Julie Young of Utah State University and four other scientists conclude that loose dogs may represent a huge danger to wildlife, especially endangered species, by hunting down or worrying them and by spreading diseases. They also found that dogs, their worldwide numbers around 500 million, can cause more damage to wildlife and livestock than wolves and other enemies of these animals. Young gave examples from the US state of Idaho, where research showed the presence of dogs reducing some deer populations. On the Navajo American Indians' reservation in northeastern Arizona, packs of loose dogs are chasing livestock. They have killed populations of small animals such as rabbits and act as a disease carrier for rabies among people and other animals, she said. Loose dogs also were to blame for distemper outbreak leading to a die-off of endangered black-footed ferrets in northwestern Wyoming in the 1980s. The phenomenon is not just limited to US; it's a global problen. Julie Young once studied three endangered species in central Asia: wild sheep, gazelles and antelope. The rate of injury and death to these animals by loose dogs was very high. In another case, Young found that dogs, not wolves, as originally suspected, were responsible for a large number of livestock killings in the mountainous Basque country between Spain and France. Authors of the new study said the problem is likely to worsen as communities expand. Then how to deal with it? Indeed, in many countries, leash laws permit punishment of dog owners whose pets chase wildlife. But lawbreakers are rarely punished because the police lack both people and money. Young has low-cost solutions to the problem for dog lovers, though. They include public dog-training programs and vaccinating dogs against rabies and other illnesses. . Which of the following is among Julie Young's solutions to the trouble caused by loose dogs? Answer: Mr William Shakespeare and the Internet Explanation of Contents This is the fourth edition of these pages. It is hard to believe, but once again they are new and improved. My motive in publishing these pages remains to help and stimulate others in Shakespeare studies, and especially those who might contribute their work to the Internet. The spirit of altruism that originally built the Internet is not quite gone, though, sadly, through the pressure of time and profit has lessened. A major new addition to the pages is a Shakespeare Timeline, which is an online biography mounted at this site. The problems with searching for Shakespeare resources using the available Search Engines are: ---- It is difficult to focus most searches so that you get a manageable number of relevant hits; ---- It is impossible by simply reading an abstract to make any distinction between the output of a Junior High School student and that of a professional researcher. Another change in these pages over previous editions is the "What's News" page. If you come away from these pages with the feeling that they are very useful but slightly pedantic , I will have realized my goal. An Apology I am continually apologizing to the many who have written me requesting revisions of the pages. We are all too busy. I simply have not had the time to dedicate to these pages that I wish. But I love the material and so have, at long last, made some time to update them. A Reminder to Young Students These pages contain the best links I can find to Shakespeare on the Internet. As a reminder, I would say I very much enjoy hearing from people who view and use these pages. If you want to do Shakespeare research using the web, this page is a great starting point, and I keep it as current as I can. The web is in its infancy(in bringing good, scholarly content to students. Don't forget the best, if not quickest, resources are still in your library. When searching for Shakespeare resources using Search Engines, you _ . Answer:
A man once said how useless it was to put advertisements in the newspapers. "Last week," said he, "my umbrella was stolen from a London church. As it was a present, I spent twice its worth in advertising ,but didn't get it back " "How did you write your advertisement ?"asked one of the listeners ,a merchant . "Here it is," said the man ,taking out of his pocket a slip cut from a newspaper. The other man took it and read, "Lost from the City Church last Sunday evening a black silk umbrella .The gentleman who finds it will receive ten shillings on leaving it at No 10 Broad Street ." "Now ,"said the merchant, "I often advertise ,and find that it pays me well .But by the way in which an advertisement is expressed is of extreme importance .let us try your umbrella again ,and if it fails ,I will buy you a new one. " The merchant then took a slip of paper out of his pocket and wrote :"If the man who was seen to take an umbrella from the City Church last Sunday evening doesn't wish to get into trouble, he will return the umbrella to No. 10 Broad Street .He is well known ." This appeared in the paper ,and on the following morning ,the man was astonished when he opened the front door. In the doorway lay at least twelve umbrellas of all sizes and colors that had been thrown in and his own was among the number. Many of them had notes fastened to them saying that they had been taken by mistake, and begging the loser not to say anything about the matter The result of the first advertisement was that _ . A. the man got his umbrella back . B. the man wasted some money advertising . C. the man found his umbrella D. someone found his umbrella . Answer: B. the man wasted some money advertising . There are new findings that not enough sleep may cause people to gain weight.Researchers say a lack of sleep can produce hormonal changes that increase feelings of hunger. In one study,researchers in the United States examined information on more than 1000 people.The people had taken part in a long-term study of sleep disorders. Some people slept less than five hours a night.They had 15 percent higher blood levels of a hormone called ghrelin than people who slept eight hours.And they had 15 percent less of the hormone leptin.Experts say ghrelin helps make people feel hungry;leptin makes you feel full. The scientists say these hormonal changes may be a cause of obesity in Western societies.They note the combination that limitation is common and is widely available. The results were not affected by how much people exercised.People who are awake longer have more time to burn energy.But the researchers say loss of sleep may increase hunger especially for high-calorie foods,so people gain weight.It seems that,for survival,the body may be designed to store more fat during times with less sleep. Researchers from Stanford University in California and the University of Wisconsin did the study.They found that the best amount of sleep for weight control is 7.7 hours a night. The Public Library of Science published the findings in its journal Medicine.Internet users can read the full study,free of charge,at plos.org. Which of the following shows the right way in which lack of sleep causes weight gain? A. more ghrelin and less leptin-feeling hungry-eating more B. feeling hungry-eating more-more ghrelin and less leptin C. burning more energy-feeling hungry-eating more D. more leptin and less ghrelin-feeling full-less exercise Answer: A. more ghrelin and less leptin-feeling hungry-eating more Fun games and activities play all important role in making picnics enjoyable. Here are some examples. Picnic Games for all Age Groups: Running and jumping races, playing balloons are some of the very popular picnic games for children. Grown ups in the picnic mood often enjoy taking part in children's games too. While organizing picnic games that suit all age groups, think of all those going to the picnic and think of their preferences. Picnic games for grown ups can include playing frisbee , ball games and other sports activities. Prepare playing cards and board games for those who may not be able to take part in active games. Family picnic games: family picnics are for all the family members to get together and share some priceless moments with each other. When on a family picnics, spend quality time with your family members, chat with them and talk about what you have not spoken about due to your busy lives. Playing together helps you refresh yourself and your relationship with your _ . Company Picnic Games: Company picnics are team-building events, organized with the purpose of nurturing team spirit in the company and developing in them a sense of belongings towards the organization. You can organize outdoor sports, team games and enjoyable activities for the team members. Make sure that the company picnic turns out to be a refreshing break from work for the team. The main purpose of the text is to introduce games for _ . A. teams B. races C. picnics D. children Answer: C. picnics In 1987, while serving as the public affairs officer at Fort Bragg, I would frequently visit the local high schools to speak to the students about the Army. As alieutenant colonel , I found it particularly rewarding to talk with the teenagers about the benefits of military service, if only for a few years of their lives. During one of these visits, I reported to the secretary in the principal's office to let her know that I was here for the third-period class. I was a little surprised when she told me. "The principal would like to see you before you go to the class." As I entered his office, I was greeted by a gentleman who appeared to be in his late thirties, and he welcomed me with a smile and a handshake. "You don't remember me, do you?" he said. I looked closely at the face again and could not recall where we may have met before. "You were my company commander in basic training at Fort Jackson in 1970," the principal said. "Let me help you out," he suggested. "You gave me a three-day pass to go home and see my newborn baby." I immediately remembered the incident! "Yes," I said. "I remember now." It was the only three-day pass I had issued because the soldiers were on their way to Vietnam immediately after they finished training. But I knew if I did not let him go home to see his son and _ , I would regret denying the opportunity he had to be with his family. "Come on, Colonel. I'd like to introduce you to 'the baby'. He's in your third-period class. By letting me go see him, you gave me a reason to stay focused and to come home safe from that war. Thank you , sir." It was the most rewarding class I had ever given, and I had no problem in telling the students about the bonds of friendship and the values that Army life can provide...and that can last a lifetime. What might be the most suitable title for the text? A. A soldier remembers. B. A principal thinks C. A baby grows D. A lecture continues Answer: A. A soldier remembers. An old man lived in a nice house with a large garden. He took care of his flowers all the time, watering and fertilizing them. One day a young man went by the garden. He looked at the beautiful flowers, imagining how happy he could be if he lived in such a beautiful place. Then ,suddenly he found the old gardener was blind. He was very surprised about this and asked,"You can't see these flowers. "Why are you busy taking care of them every day?" The old man smiled and said ,"I can tell you four reasons. First, I was a gardener when I was young, and I really like this job. Second, although I can't see these flowers, I can touch them. Third, I can smell the sweetness of them. As to the last one, that's you." "Me? But you don't know me."said the young man. "Yeah, it's true that I don't know you. But I know that flowers are angels that everybody knows. We enjoy the happiness these flowers have brought us." The blind man's work opened our eyes and pleased our hearts, which also made his life happier. It was just like Beethoven, who became deaf in his later life and wrote many great musical works. Beethoven himself couldn't hear his wonderful music, but his music has encouraged millions of people to face their difficulties bravely. Isn't it a kind of happiness? Why was the old man busy taking care of the flowers every day? A. Because he liked doing it. B. Because it can make him happy. C. Because everyone enjoyed the happiness these flowers had brought. D. All the above. Answer: D. All the above.
The passport photographs of the future could turn out to be more than just another pretty picture if a new computer technique developed by Israeli scientists catches on. Researchers at Ben-Gurion University, in Israel, have invented a way to hide information such as a fingerprint or signature in color images. They believe this could improve passport safety or be used to produce product bar codes or designs that cannot be seen. "The papers can be faxed, scanned and reprinted without hidden data disappearing," New Scientist magazine said last week. Joseph Rosen and a team of scientists worked out the new instrument by creating a mathematical model. The model turns a fingerprint or signature into a series of numbers which are used to shape the dots that make up a color picture. "Each dot can be forced out of the usual place slightly without noticeably changing the final appearance of the image," the magazine said. Several images that can be hidden in a single picture are scanned into a computer which does the work. The hidden images or fingerprints cannot be shown until the picture is scanned again. The computer rebuilds the fingerprint by measuring the displacement of the dots in the picture. The magazine said that if he model is used for passport checkpoints the picture can be unscrambled to show the fingerprint or signature and checked against the person holding the passport. The researchers are now working on a handheld, and instrument which could make unscrambling the hidden information easier. The writer probably got the information about the new passport photos from _ . A Israeli scientists B a radio or TV C a newspaper D a magazine Answer: D Oscars organizers promised a new progress to this month's Academy Awards to greet this year's nominees . After years of falling view that ended in last year's 80th Oscars recording low view rate,the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has to make a fresh start for Hollywood's yearly show. The coproducers of the February 22 show,Bill Condon and Laurence Mark,have so far kept full details of their planned changes to the Oscars' triedandtested method secret. Oscars organizers have already made sure of one change by announcing Australian actor Hugh Jackman as the host of the show. Among the changes reported to be considered are the decision to leave out the ceremony's opening monologue . The names of the invited on the awards night have also been kept secret while in earlier years the Academy made presenters to the ceremony public before weeks. TheNewYorkTimesreported on Monday that the producers are trying to improve the show by asking studios to provide scenes from films. At the same time Ganis also advised nominees to give some thought to make their acceptance speeches memorable-and short. "As for the acceptance speeches-you know what's required," Ganis said."Be brief,be personal and be heartfelt. _ " This year's Oscars are expected to be a great event. Many films will touch you,"Slumdog Millionaire"has 10 nominations,and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" with 13.In the past the film with the most Oscar nominations is the one that has succeeded in box office. Oscars organizers want to improve the ceremony of Academy Awards because _ . A the view rate of it is falling B the nominees don't like to attend C people in Hollywood are against it D the 80th Oscars was best organized Answer: A When a person chews, saliva from the mouth mixes with starches in food. These starches begin to turn into sugars. Changing starches into sugars is best described as A a phase change. B a cellular change. C a physical change. D a chemical change. Answer: D MERS, also known as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, has made its way to the US. The second patient was in Orlando, Florida while the first reported case was in Indiana. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the disease has mainly been transmitted by close personal contact, such as directly caring for a very ill person. The virus is formally called MERS-CoV because it's part of the corona virus family that includes the common cold and severe SARS. SARS was ly easy to stop a decade ago, because it was being transmitted by caged animals in Chinese markets. MERS-CoV was first identified in people in 2012, but has been spreading rapidly since March, 2015. The vast majority of those cases occurred in Saudi Arabia. The patient in Orlando felt ill on the first flight but not ill enough to notify a doctor. Early on May 9, he apparently became concerned that he was still feeling ill, and he went to the emergency room at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. He identified himself as recently having been in Saudi Arabia, so he was quickly isolated to avoid infecting other patients. Wayne Marasco, an expert at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, said his biggest concern about MERS-CoV is how little we know about it. It's still not clear, in some instances, where the virus comes from, how it is transmitted or who is most subject. According to Tom Frieden, how is a person mainly infected by MERS? A By caged animals. B By close personal contact. C By animal-to-human transmission. D By directly caring for a very ill person. Answer: B Wearing ties was originally the mark of Britain's most powerful classes, which made the tie itself a symbol of power and respect. And that led it to be adopted by a much larger tribe--the business tribe. You cannot wear a tie if you work with machinery. So wearing a tie became a sign that you were a man who used your brain to make a living, rather than your hands. It showed you were serious. It showed you were a professional. It meant that everyone who wanted a job in business had to wear one. It was just impossible to take seriously a man who didn't wear a piece of color1ed silk around his neck. This is how millions of people came to be wearing ties across the world. They are part of the uniform of business. "Ties offer a point of indifference," says John Milne, head of the British Guide of Tie Makers. "They give a chance to say something about their own personality." So if you happen to meet a man with a very brightly color1ed tie, there is a good chance that he is the office joker. There is also a good chance that he will be wearing brightly color1ed socks. Is there a future for ties? The signs are not promising. Tie wearing seems to be rare among the new bread of entrepreneurs in the Internet and new technology industries. Many political leaders,including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, now go without ties. This shows they are men of the people--but not the people wearing ties. Up until around 1960, it was common for men across the Western world to wear hats as part of their business uniform. That changed with the election of John F. Kennedy to the presidency of the United States. Kennedy never wore a hat in fact his nickname was"hatless Jack". Seeing that the most powerful man in the world did not have to wear a hat, millions of other men decided that they did not have to, either. Hats simply vanished across the Western world. Perhaps"tieless Tony"(UK Prime Minister Tony Blair) will have the same effect as "hatless Jack". In Britain, ties were first used as a sign to show a person's _ . A personality B social position C job D favorite hobby Answer: B
Here's an interview to a pilot about his life. (R="Reporter;" P= Pilot) R: How much time do pilots actually spend flying a plane? P: It varies (WES'J) from about 20 minutes on some domestic flights to as much as 18 hours on international flights. It all depends on if the flight is a short- or long-haul flight. R: Do pilots take breaks during flights or do they fly the whole time? P: Yes, we take breaks during long-haul flights. Airlines assign three or four pilots to long flights. We take turns flying the plane. R: If pilots are traveling all the time, how do they deal with jet lag ? P: Jet lag is annoying for almost all pilots. I try to go to sleep as I would at home. R: How important is it to know the weight and size of the plane you are flying? P: It is very important. We weigh almost everything put into the airplane and make estimates according to the number of people on each flight. R: Do pilots eat the airplane food? P: Yes, we eat business class food! Airplane food changes every season and is very delicious if you don't hate eating lobster every day! The pilots on the same plane are supposed to make different meal choices so that if one of the dishes causes food _ , only one of them will be sick. That way, at least one pilot will always be well enough to fly the plane! The number of pilots depends on _ . Answer: Your lucky Day This is a fortune-telling song, It is popular among English Children. Parents use it to teach their young children the days of the week. The song uses the day of the week a child was born on to tell the child's future. Monday's child has a beautiful face. Tuesday's child is full of grace. Wednesday's child fears no foe. Thursday's child has a long way to go. Friday's child is happy and loving Saturday's child works hard to make a living. But the child is born on Sunday is Beautiful, happy and good in every day. Some people think that the year or the month or the day on which we were born is important. They think that these things tell us about our futures, Some people think that we all make our luck in life. What do you think? The parents use the song to teach their children to _ . Answer: My six--year-old granddaughter, Caitlynd.and I stopped at m Tim Horton's shop for a blueberry cake.As we were going out the door, a young teenage boy was coming in. This young man had no hair on the sides of his head and a set of blue spiked hair on top of it.One of his nostrils was pierced,and a ring ran through the hole and a chain went across his face and was attached to a ring he was wearing in his ear.He held a skateboard under one arm and a basketball under the other. Caitlynd,who was walking ahead of me,stopped at once when she saw the teenager.I thought he'd scared her and she'd frozen on the spot. I was wrong. My granddaughter backed up against the door and opened it as wide as it would go.Now I was face to face with the young man.I stepped aside and let him pass.His gracious response was a polite "Thank you very much". On our way to the car, I praised Caitlynd for her manners in holding open the door for the young man.She didn't seem to be troubled by his appearance but I wanted to make sure.If a grandmother talked about freedom of self expression and allowing people their differences was suitable,I wanted to be ready. _ . The only thing Caitlynd noticed about the teenager, was the fact that his arms were full."He would have a hard time in opening the door.'' I saw the partially shaved head,the set of spiked hair, the piercings and the chain.She saw a person carrying something under each arm and heading toward a door. In the future,I hope to get down on her level and raise my sights. The author intends to tell us that_. Answer: In our big city there are a lot of shops near the Department Store. They make a big shopping center and sell all kinds of things. You can always buy everything you want here. Here is a list (;) of big shops. NameTelephoneAddress Department Store41853051No.189 Yonghua Road Mobile Phone Store41653789No.67 Xiangyang Road Old Wang Shoemaker41861736No.180.Yonghua Road Shanghai Sweater Shop41615789No.75 Xiangyang Road Yiwu Shopping Market41836547No.190 Heping Road Zhiyuan Computer Company41653786No.68 Xiangyang Road Xiwang Toy Shop41586327No.195 Heping Road Yang Liuqing Painting Store41861861No.192.Yonghua Road How many big shops are on Yonghua Road? Answer: Water vapor condensing in clouds may cause Answer:
Surveys of American teenagers find that about half of them do not get enough sleep on school nights. They get an average of 60 to 90 minutes less than experts say they need. Experts say teens are biologically programmed to go to sleep later and wake up later than other age groups. Yet many schools start classes as early as seven in the morning. As a result,many students go to class feeling like Danny,16 years old. He plays two sports,lacrosse and football. He is an active teen--except in the morning. DANNY:"Getting up in the morning is pretty terrible. I'm just very out of it and tired. And through first and second period I can hardly stay awake." Michael Breus,a clinical psychologist with a specialty in sleep disorders says:"These aren't a bunch of lazy kids--although,you know,teenagers can of course be lazy. These are children whose biological rhythms,more times than not,are off."Teens,he says,need to sleep eight to nine hours or even nine to ten hours a night. He says sleepy teens can experience a form of depression that could have big effects on their general well-being. It can affect not just their ability in the classroom but also on the sports field and on the road because any tired driver is dangerous,especially a teenager with a lack of experience. So what can schools do about sleepy students?The psychologist says one thing they can do is start classes later in the morning. Eric Peterson,head of St.George's School in the northeastern state of Rhode Island,says,"In the end,schools ought to do what's the right thing for their students,first and foremost."And he wanted to see if a 30-minute delay would make a difference. did. What can you infer might follow the passage immediately? A Some positive changes in St.George's school. B Some complaints from teachers and parents. C Some tips on how to help students foremost. D Some unexpected outcome of the delay. Answer: A. Some positive changes in St.George's school. Talking on a mobile phone is expensive, so a lot of people send text messages. Text messages are much cheaper than talking on a mobile phone, and you can make it cheaper by making the words shorter. You can do this by taking out "unimportant" letters in the words and using numbers instead of words (2 =" to," 3 =" free," 4 =" for," 8 =" ate," so h8 =" hate," etc.). You can also keep away from using punctuation . Here is an example: Do U wnt 2 g 2 th cnma tnite (Do you want to go to the cinema tonight?) What do you think these text messages mean? Whr hv U bn? Iv bn wtng hrs fr a cll. Im hm nw, why nt gv me a cll. I gt a txt mssge frm my frnd. Shes hvng a prty on Strdy. Mobile phone users have developed a group of symbols to show how they feel. They are called emoticons, and there are some examples below. To read an emoticon, you have to look at it sideways. For example, if you say something in a text message that is a joke, you can follow it with a smiling face. Like this: Why didt u call me? I'm so sad. ( Here are some others. Can you think of text messages where you could use them? ) laughing ( sad < really sad V shouting \|\| asleep :0 shocked 8\| surprised \o bored Why do people use emoticons? A Because they can show how users feel. B Because the symbols are beautiful. C Because text messages are short. D Because the users can't make the words shorter. Answer: A. Because they can show how users feel. The United States is faced with serious traffic problems. Too many cars travel on the freeways to and from the city. This heavy traffic causes delays and lots of pollution from cars that are using their engines but not moving anywhere. Many cars going nowhere is called a "traffic jam." While many cities in the United States have traffic problems, some of the worst are in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is a big city with a large downtown area. One of the reasons why there is so much traffic is that few people use public transportation to get around Experts say one possible solution to the traffic problem in Los Angeles would be to make people want to use the public transportation system of buses instead of their own cars. People say the buses should be made easier, faster, less costly and more dependable than driving a car. One suggestion is to reduce the cost of riding the bus. People who usually drive their cars could save a lot of money on gas and parking costs. Also, Los Angeles could make the buses easier for people to use. The buses could travel to more places in the city. And there could be more special lanes on the freeways that only buses could drive in. These changes would make taking the bus faster and easier than driving a car. Other experts have said that the best way to ease traffic problems is to charge people money to drive on the freeways. These charges, or tolls, would be for the most crowded roads. The tolls would be in effect during the times of day when most people drive to work and home again. These times in the morning and late afternoon are called "rush hour". People would try to avoid driving on these roads, which would decrease the amount of traffic. Also ,the money collected from these tolls could be used to improve the roads and public transportation system. According to the passage, if the solutions were carried out, _ A more cars would be reduced and more roads would be built B it would be easier but slower to take buses than to drive cars C many people would prefer to walk around rather than drive cars D the roads and public transportation system would be greatly improved Answer: D. the roads and public transportation system would be greatly improved In 1816, there were no schools for the deaf in America. Several people started a few schools, but in the end all of the schools closed. There were too many problems. The first people to succeed were Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. They opened their school in 1817, and the school did not close. At that time it was the only school for deaf children in America! Clerc and Gallaudet did not know what would happen after they opened their school. They worked very hard. The school grew, and many more students went to this school. These new students were from all over the country. People thought the school would be big enough for all of the deaf children in America. The school is still open today, but the name was changed. Today it is called the American School for the Deaf. It is in West Hartford, Connecticut. After Clerc and Gallaudet established their school, many other schools for the deaf were opened as well. Before Gallaudet's death in 1851, 15 other schools for deaf children were built! Many of the teachers at those 15 schools used Gallaudet's teaching methods. Many had even studied with Gallaudet and were deaf themselves! What is the school known as now? A The passage doesn't tell us. B The American School for the Deaf. C The Connecticut School for the Deaf. D The West Hartford School for the Deaf. Answer: A. The passage doesn't tell us. There are some easy things you can do to protect the environment and the earth. Choose ideas from the list or come up with a few of your own. Plant flowers, grass or trees. Whenever you visit a park or beach, take away what you bring there----keep rubbish in a bag until you can put it in a dustbin . Turn off the lights, TV sets when you leave the room. This saves a lot of electricity. Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth. You can save some water by not letting it run. Also, use a glass cup instead of a paper cup because this saves paper. Keep the doors and windows closed in winter to keep warm air in. Give your old books and magazines to a library instead of throwing them away. Give your old clothes to poor children you know instead of throwing them away. Use both sides of paper. Stop pouring dirty water into the rivers or the lakes nearby . *Encourage all your friends to do the same things you do to help protect the earth. You don't have to wait until Earth Day to do these things. Make every day Earth Day. If everyone makes a contribution to protecting the environment, the world will become much more beautiful. The main idea of this passage is how to _ . A save money B save water and electricity C make better use of old things D protect the earth Answer: D. protect the earth
Rich or poor, we all have problems: that unfaithful mate, that irritating colleague, that persistent disease, the investment that is turning into a huge loss. How do we remain calm, positive and even elegant in the face of all these difficulties of life? That following suggestions may help. It comes with the pay. I have a friend who used to complain about her dead-end job and unreasonable boss. Sound familiar? One day I told her, "Look at it this way. You are getting paid for the annoyance as well as the work. It comes with the pay." This has become my favorite saying for work-related frustrations. "Take every day as a bonus." When we learn to treasure every moment of what we have, we begin to see life in a whole new perspective. It's all in the mind. Sure, the psychologists tell us it is important we work at resolving problems. But they also say if you try to resolve a problem that would not go away, it would only compound the frustration. If you tell yourself there isn't a problem, there won't be one. It's all in the mind. Stop thinking about your own problem ---help others instead. A lady who is combating a life-threatening disease revealed she coped with her illness by making herself useful, by offering help to others in a similar situation. She has spoken to at least five other women with breast cancer. She says that the sharing has helped her to find fresh meaning in her own life. Never give up on your dream. Why do we give in and give up when meet difficulties? Is it because we have no confidence in our cause and no commitment for what we pursue? It was said that Albert Einstein's last request on his death bed was to be given his equations and his unfinished statement declining the presidency of prefix = st1 /Israel. Einstein first picked up his equations and lamented to his son, "If only I had more mathematics!" What a great persistent spirit! One strong-hearted lady was the late head of the tragic Kennedy family, Rose Kennedy. She said this on nationwide television one week after losing yet another son to an assassin's bullet---Boddy Kennedy: "And we go on our way with no regrets not looking backwards to the past, but we shall carry on with courage." Not the end of the world. Do you know something else? I've learned that care as you might, love as you might, some people just don't care back. And it's not the end of the world. After all, it's not the event that makes a person, is it? It's what we do about that happens to us. Which of the following statements is NOT mentioned by the author? A Helping others will make it easier for us to solve our own difficulties. B We can learn to see life from a fresh light. C We should have confidence in our cause so that we won't give in easily. D We should not be overwhelmed by problems in our life. Answer: A. Helping others will make it easier for us to solve our own difficulties. The kings of ancient Egypt planned strong tombs to keep their bodies safe after death and to hold their treasure.The Great Pyramids along the Nile are on its west bank.The ancient Egyptians compared the rising of the sun to the beginning of life and the setting of the sun to the end of life.This is why their dead bodies were buried on the west bank of the Nile. The people of Mexico also built pyramids.They did not build the pyramids for tombs.They used to build a pyramid and then a temple on top of it.The pyramids of Mexico are not as high as the pyramids of Egypt,but they are bigger.Each of the pyramids has a wide stairway that goes from the bottom to the top. The biggest pyramid in Mexico is almost 2,000 years old.Scientists think it took 10,000 men more than ten years to build it.On the top they built a temple of the sun.The temple is no longer there,but people still call it the Pyramid of the Sun.Near it is another huge pyramid,the Pyramid of the Moon. Which of the following is TRUE? A The pyramids of Mexico are as big as those of Egypt. B The pyramids of Egypt are not higher than those of Mexico. C The pyramids of Mexico are just the same as those of Egypt. D The pyramids of Mexico are quite different from those of Egypt. Answer: D. The pyramids of Mexico are quite different from those of Egypt. The saying "a penny for your thoughts" is an English idiom simply asking people to volunteer their opinions on an issue being discussed. In modern usage, it is often stated as an indirect way of asking what someone is thinking about. This phrase is basically a proposal , and the speaker is offering to pay to hear the listener's thoughts. It is an idiom, of course, and not meant literally so no real payment generally takes place. When the saying originated, a penny was worth a lot more than it is in the 21st century. Therefore, "a penny for your thoughts" likely indicated the thoughts were more valuable to those asking the listener for them than they are by today's standards. This loss of value can be used ironically , however, through tone of voice; it can be used to indicate that someone's idea is bad or worth a penny in modern value. The phrase is generally credited to a man by the name of John Heywood, who was born sometime just before the 16th century. During his life, he was a writer who penned many plays and a book in 1546, later known as The Proverbs of John Heywood. It is likely Heywood did not actually come up with the phrase "a penny for your thoughts". Rather, he was simply the first person to have set the phrase down in written form. The actual origins of the term are unknown, and since his book was simply a collection of common idioms and expressions, it was probably familiar to people in the mid 1500s. Another phrase similar to "a penny for your thoughts" is offering "your two cents" after making a statement. Someone might give his or her opinion and then say, "that's my two cents," to indicate the value of his or her idea. While, much like a penny, "two cents" is relatively low in value now, it would have been more valuable at one time and the expression is used in much the same way. What do we know about the phrase "your two cents"? A It is usually used at the end of a statement. B It comes from "a penny for your thoughts". C It has witnessed some changes since the 16th century. D It is more familiar to people than "a penny for your thoughts". Answer: A. It is usually used at the end of a statement. Twenty years ago, Americans were a rare sight in China. But decades later, things have changed greatly. Americans are found in every Chinese province and region and in all walks of life. Much of this change is due to the increasing exchange and improving relationship between the two countries, but what attracts many here is China's rapid development and the huge opportunities that have arisen with that development. Erik Nilsson has been working for the English newspaper China Daily as a reporter for five years since his graduation from Central Michigan University. Although his original plan was to become a conflict zone reporter in Latin America, he decided to stay at China Daily Robert Brownell, a former IT engineer with Microsoft in Seattle, is now teaching in China and appreciates the different atmosphere in the school. His actions are a lot less restricted here than they would be in the U.S. "For good students, I can give them candy," he explains. "But in American schools, if you give food to students, they have to be sealed and tested. In China I can pat them on the back and raise my voice. But in America, everything is regulated so much, you just can't do anything." Kodi Keith Avila, the 30-year- old Hawaiian is running a business English school, New York Minutes, in Beijing. Avila first came to China in 2007 on a scholarship program as a student of University of Hawaii. It was encouragement from his professor that finally convinced him to go to China. "He thought China would overtake other countries in trade, consumption and technology," Avila said."I saw many good opportunities for personal careers or business development in China. So many limousines Audi, Mercedes-Benz, so many businessmen and skyscrapers. One can get a business license in China as long as one has a good business plan"he told China Today. "I came to China because I am interested in Chinese medicine. Learning Chinese language will help me learn Chinese medicine," Caponigro told China Today. She is not alone among Americans in becoming more and more fascinated with Chinese culture. From Robert Brownell's story, we know that _ . A He couldn't find a job and had to come to China B School teachers share more freedom in China than in the U.S. C American teachers are not allowed to give food to their students D American classes are more fun and lively Answer: B. School teachers share more freedom in China than in the U.S. To be successful in any aspect of life, you need to know when to use the carrot or the stick. Here are a few tips to help you decide whether it's better to use the carrot or the stick. With the kids The carrot When it comes to raising a kid, the carrot or the stick dilemma is quicklydisappearing as too many parents take the carrot approach to the extreme. In child raising, the carrot should never be materialistic things. If you want to ask for good behavior with a reward, it should be with something that can't be bought, say, trust. The stick Nowadays, no one likes to use the stick any more, or in my father's case, the belt. I'm not overlooking child abuse, if you ever want to call it that, but I am encouraging parents to toughen up a bit. You don't want your kid to test your limits only to find out he can get away with it. If you want to raise a kid, raise the hand and let him know it comes down on the second offense. At the office The carrot People need encouragement and motivation to perform well. However, the carrot only really works well with employees who have already proved themselves. Ifyou've got someone who can't show up at the office before noon, the promise of a raise isn't going to do much. On the contrary, if there's a guy with a good work moral, he'll thrive (grow stronger) when you add a promotion to the picture. The stick When considering the carrot or the stick in the office, remember that, overall, the stick is the more practical method in the office. A wise man, who just happened to be an Italian, once said "It's best to be both loved and feared." It's nice to have everyone love you, but running a business isn't like running a family. You need to have the stick constantly raised. With the wife The carrot When it comes to marriage, always use the carrot. I've had a lovely marriage for many years, and I've always stuck to the carrot approach. Sometimes you catch more flies with honey, and sometimes it's the crack of a whip that gets the horse moving. Try not to use too many sticks at home; the carrot is much more fun. Which is NOT true according to the passage? A The author often gives more carrots to his wife to eat at home. B The carrot is much more fun when it comes to marriage. C On different occasions, the carrot or the stick is effective. D You need the stick to get your horses to move faster occasionally. Answer: A. The author often gives more carrots to his wife to eat at home.
My grandfather Jack is 96 years old, and he has had an interesting life. He has travelled a lot in his life in the Far East. He visited the Taj Mahal in India and the Pyramids in Egypt. He hunted lions in Africa, and rode a camel in the Sahara Desert. He says the most beautiful place he has travelled to is Kathmandu in Nepal. Jack has married twice. His first wife died when she was 32. He met his second wife Maria while he was cycling round France They have been married for 50 years, and they have lived happily in a small village since they got married. Jack says that he has never been ill in his life. The secret of good health, according to my grandfather, is exercise He goes swimming every morning. He has done this since he was a boy. He also has a glass of wine every night! Perhaps that is his secret! How many times has Jack married? A. Once. B. Twice. C. Three times. D. Four times. Answer: B. Twice. What is the hottest topic at your school? In Hangzhou Yongjin Middle School, it's money. The school had an activity called "making a living" recently. About 800 Junior 1 and Junior 2 students were divided into 112 teams. They went out to make money by selling things. What did they choose to sell? Some sold newspapers; some chose bottled water; some sold environmentally friendly shopping bags and bamboo baskets. Huqi's team decided to sell educational books in front of the Children Activity Centre. They thought parents would like to buy books for their children. But unfortunately , they came across urban management officers . The officers asked them to leave. "We played hide-and-seek with the officers for the whole morning," said Hu. "Finally we gave up and moved to other place. Wang Yongyi and her team sold ice cream in a square. They didn't meet any officers. But few people were interested in what they were selling. The team then put up a board saying the money was to help the "Project Hope" for country kids. It worked. More people came to their stall. A foreigner even gave them 100 yuan. Meng Zhaoxiang and his team were luckier. They sold all their cakes in four hours, spending 39.5 yuan and getting back 80 yuan. "It was not easy to make the money," said Meng. "Some people just looked. Others just tasted but didn't buy. Now I know how hard it is for our parents to earn the money we need to lead happy lives." According to the passage, the students learn _ . A. it's impossible for them to make money B. it's necessary for school to hold more activities C. it's very important for them to make a living D. it's not easy for their parents to make money Answer: D. it's not easy for their parents to make money I had once helped a friend of mine run a watermelon stall. I noticed something interesting. Almost every buyer would lift the melon up to their ear,smartly tap it, apparently trying to listen to something. I wondered what they expected to hear. Finally I could no longer hold back my curiosity and made bold to ask a customer--an elderly gentleman--about this. Hearing my question,he roared with laughter. Then he replied in a selfmocking tone."Young lady,I have been doing this for more than fifty years. All I know is that everybody would stare at you as if you were a fool if you just pick up the melon and leave!" Not long after that,my watermelon stall friend unexpectedly sent me an invitation for her wedding,which really surprised me. I asked her, "How come you are seized by a sudden desire to get married? I don't remember ever hearing you mention that yon've got a boyfriend." She answered while counting money,"Everyone has to get married anyway,so it is better to get married sooner than later." I could think of no word to refute her. It seems that everybody is living for everybody else and has forgotten the need of their own heart. It may be safe and save a lot of worries by following others' suit in doing things. The use of We or Us will give one a steady and sure sense of pride. But using the pronoun "I" would often give one a guilty conscience. I find all these things somewhat funny. We have got used to taking cue from others and follow their suit. In turn,we also take it for granted that we should judge the right and wrong of others by our own standard. As a matter of fact,this massive practice is still wrong though we all follow others' suit like this, but we feel at ease and, _ simply because this is the way of us, and so we can have an easy conscience because this has been practiced by so many people. The writer probably feels that it is _ . A. necessary for the buyer to tap the watermelon B. foolish of the buyers to buy watermelon without tapping it C. funny that the buyers will tap the watermelons when buying them D. wise of the elderly gentleman to tap watermelons before buy them Answer: C. funny that the buyers will tap the watermelons when buying them Wood is generally dried out for A. dogs B. turtles C. beds D. cats Answer: C. beds One man tells of driving on a long and lonely road, the last 65 miles of it unpaved, in order to watch Indian dances in the state of Arizona.After the dances, he returned to his car only to find that it had a flat tire.He put on the spare and drove to the only service station in that town. "Do you fix flats?" he inquired of the attendant. "Yes," came the answer. "How much do you charge?" he asked. With a twinkle in his eye, the man replied, "What difference does it make?" This is what has been called a "Hobson's choice".A Hobson's choice is a situation that forces a person to accept whatever is offered or go without. According to Barbara Berliner, the phrase was inspired by sixteenth-century entrepreneur Thomas Hobson.There was no choice by the customer -- it was strictly Hobson's choice. But often we really have a choice, and the choice does make a difference.We may not always believe it.We may feel as if we have no choice, but almost always there is a choice in the matter.And when we realize that we do most things by choice, then we are taking control of our own lives. Someone challenged me to try an experiment that completely changed my perspective(,)."For the next seven days," he said, "remove the words 'I have to' from your vocabulary and say 'I choose to'.Don't say, 'I have to work late tonight'.Instead, say, 'I choose to work late'.When you choose to do it, you take control of your life.Instead of saying 'I have to stay home', try 'I choose to stay home'.The way you spend your time is your choice.You are responsible.You have control." In just seven days I was no longer saying "I have to" and I felt better about my decisions.I learned that there is very little in my life I actually have to do.You and I decide to do certain things because we believe that it will be for the best.When we remove "I have to" from our vocabularies, we take control. Try it for a week and you see what happens.I think you'll see it's a change for the better. What did the attendant mean by saying "What difference does it make"? A. The man shouldn't come to the service station. B. The man didn't need to pay for the work. C. There was no need f to fix the tire . D. It was unnecessary for the man to ask about the price. Answer: D. It was unnecessary for the man to ask about the price.
Alan is in Class Two,Grade Seven.He is l2.His English teacher is Mr. Smith.He is English.His daughter is Helen.She is l3.Alan and Helen are good friends.They like English.This is Helen's school ID card.Its number is A-270789.Is that Alan's school ID card? No.He can't find his school ID card.If you find it,please call Alan at 346--2828.Thank you! Alan is _ . Answer: a student Indonesia is my mother's homeland and one of my favorite countries. Since I was young, I had learned a lot about the country and become interested in it. For a long time I had wanted to do something for the country and people there, and I thought volunteering would be a good and fun way to do so. I received the greatest pleasure from being with the children. Teaching my first English class in Aceh was exciting but I was rather nervous. As time passed by, I learned how to be a better teacher. Teaching was actually the most enjoyable of my many responsibilities . Many children were shy at first. But when they relaxed, they would start talking and telling you a lot of funny things. I believe we were helping them build up their confidence. For the children who are more in need, The Education Program (TEP) will collect donations to help them. As a volunteer, I had to visit the TEP children at home once a month and help them write a thank-you letter to their This was a way for the children to communicate with their sponsors. Sometimes the sponsors would write back to the children. Seeing the children's happy faces, I had a great sense of pleasure. The writer felt _ when he gave his first class. Answer: nervous A previously unknown kind of human group disappeared from the world so completely that it has left behind the merest piece of evidence that it ever existed -- a single bone from the little finger of a child, buried in a cave in the Altai Mountains of southern Siberia. Researchers removed DNA from the bone and reported that it differed obviously from that of both modern humans and of Neanderthals , living in Europe until the arrival of modern humans on the continent some 44,000 years ago. The child carrying the DNA line was probably 5 to 7 years old, but it is not yet known if it was a boy or a girl. The finger bone was unearthed in 2008 from a place known as the Denisova cave. Researchers are careful not to call the Denisova child a new human species, though it may prove to be so, because the evidence is initial. But the genetic material removed from the bone, found in a layer laid down on the cave floor between 48,000 and 30,000 years ago, belonged to a distinct human line that traveled out of Africa at a different time from the two known ancient human species. Homo erectus , found in East Asia, left Africa two million years ago, and the ancestor of Neanderthals moved away some 500,000 years ago. The numbers of differences found in the child's DNA indicate that its ancestors left Africa about one million years ago. The region was inhabited by both Neanderthals and modern humans at that time. Counting the new human line, three human species may have lived together. The standard view has long been that there were three human resettlements out of Africa -- those of Homo erectus; of the ancestor of Neanderthals; and finally, some 50,000 years ago, of modern humans. But in 2004, archaeologists reported that they had found the bones of small humans who lived on the Indonesian island of Flores until 13,000 years ago, causing a serious problem to this view. The new line is the second such challenge. If the nuclear DNA of the Denisova child should differ as much as its mitochondrial DNA does from that of Neanderthals and modern humans, the case for declaring it a new species would be strengthened. But it would be unusual for a new species to be recognized on the basis of DNA alone. In new diggings starting this summer, archaeologists will look for remains more analytical than the finger bone. Researchers will also begin re-examining the fossil collections in museums to see if any wrongly assigned bones might belong instead to the new line. The best title of the passage could be _ . Answer: Bone May Reveal a New Human Group China's air pollution problems are more serious these days. But just try to remember that the air pollution shouldn't stop you from enjoying life in China. Here are some tips for you to keep the smog away. Watch the weather report. As you can see, it will give you an _ of pollution, but my general rule is: if it's above 80, wear a face mask and limit time to spend outside; if it's below 80, go outside and enjoy the day, open all the windows to get some much-needed fresh air and exercise. But do not exercise outside if the pollution is high. I went running once when it was around 120, and I was ill and missed several days of work. Get a house plant that cleans the air. A house plant can make your home beautiful and clean the air. I have some plants and just yesterday, I bought another plant. At that time I didn't know it could clean the air. I just got it because it could make me feel better. Never open the windows. No matter how hot and wet it is inside, just wait until it is a nice day to air your apartment. Just stay at home and do some things you like. Getting a house plant can _ and make you feel happy. Answer: clean the air Billy Dengler, a 14-year-old boy, is in the eighth grade. A month after he was born, Billy's mother, Terri, noticed that his eyes weren't quite as big as a normal baby's. She took Billy to the hospital, and the doctor said Billy would never be able to see. Although Billy can't see, he has never let that hold him back or make him different. Billy began teaching himself computer programming by using a screen reader when he was just seven years old. He is a certified Google developer now. Google even tried to offer him a job last year when he discovered a problem in one of its _ , but Billy wasn't old enough. Billy's dream school would be Stanford University or MIT, where he could get a very good education in computer science. After he leaves school, whether he will go to work at a company like Google or design a software company of his own is still to be decided. However, he says he will definitely do something great. "It's a sighted world," Billy said. "You can't let anything get in the way of your dreams, and if you do that, you can't move forward and make your dreams come true." What will Billy do after school? Answer: He has not decided on that.
There lived a king who liked art. One day an artist offered to paint the most beautiful picture in the world on the wall of his palace. So the king said, "All right, you may work on one of the walls in the new hall." Just then, another artist said, " Please allow me to work on the opposite wall. I shall make exactly what that man will make on the opposite wall. Moreover, I shall do so without looking at his work. I would even request you to have a thick curtain put up between the two walls so the either of us cann't see the other." Everyone in the king's court, including the king and the first artist was surprised. So the king decided to give the man a chance. The following day a thick curtain was put into place and both the artists got to work. The first artist brought in a regular supply of paint, oil and water. But the second one would come with a cloth and a bucket of water every day. A month later the first artist said that his work was completed and invited the king to come. So the king sent the message to the second artist, saying he was coming to see their works that evening. After seeing the first artist's wall, the king was very impressed with the painting and gave him a huge sum of money as a reward. He then asked for the curtain to be opened up. The same painting was seen on the opposite wall too! It was exactly like the one on the first wall. But this man had not seen what was going on, on the other side of the curtain. The man said simply, "It's very easy I just polished the wall every day!" It was a wall made of white marble. The fellow polished it till it shone like a mirror. The reflection of the painting across the room showed up in it! Why did the first artist receive a large sum of money from the king? His painting satisfied the king. Be positive about school! Don`t say things are difficult or boring. Be interested in school life and your school subjects. Join lots of activities. Be quick to put your hand up. Go round the school with a big smile. Expect to work. School is not a holiday camp. If you are not working, you are not learning, and you are wasting your time at school. Teachers cannot make everything enjoyable. Keep fit. If you do not eat a good breakfast, you will be thinking about food in class. If you go to bed late and do not have enough sleep, you will be sleepy in class. Play some sports to keep your body strong. Don`t be too disappointed if things sometimes go badly. Everyone _ some tests, lose some matches and has bad days. Friends are not always perfect, and they sometimes say and do unpleasant things. Don`t let small problems seem very big and important. Talk about problems. Sometimes they are only the result of misunderstanding. Don`t be too embarrassed to ask for help. You are young. No one thinks you can do everything. What is the best title of this passage? Ways to have a good school life What do American middle school students like to be in the future? Some students say they want to be doctors or singers. Some want to be bank clerks or office workers. But Kelly Brown, 13, wants to be a vegetarian chef. It is a new and interesting job. Kelly Brown wants be a chef because she doesn't eat things from animals. Now she has a problem. She can't find any vegetarian chefs on the computer, so she says she will be the first vegetarian chef, and also the best one in the U.S.A.. Kelly Brown has a website for herself and other people. It is www.theveggiechef.net. She makes cooking videos. "I don't like to cook with things from animals," she says. "When I want one egg, I just put in water and arrowroot. It *tastes the same as an egg." Now her website is very popular and it helps many people a lot. Every day about 3,000 people learn to cook a healthy meal there. To thank her for helping animals, the organization PETA calls her a "Kind Kid". Do you want to be a vegetarian chef like Kelly Brown? What's the job of a chef ? Cooking. My cousin Jenny made some new term resolutions last month. First she wants to keep healthy. So she is going to exercise more and eat a lot of healthier food. She isn't going to eat junk food. She is going to make a volleyball team because she likes it and she's also good at playing it. And she also wants to improve her English. She is going to read English every morning. The third, she is going to read more books because she thinks she can learn a lot from books. So she's going to go to the school library quite often. When she grows up, she is going to be a doctor for children. She wants to help sick children. She's going to study medicine at a university when she finishes high school. She is going to work hard. She loves children and she thinks looking after children will be wonderful. When did Jenny make her new term resolutions? Last month. Many critics worry about violence on television, most out of fear that it stimulates viewers to violent or aggressive acts. Our research, however, indicates that the consequences of experiencing TV's symbolic world of violence may be much more far-reaching. We have found that people who watch a lot of TV see the real world as more dangerous and frightening than those who watch very little. Heavy viewers are less trustful of their fellow citizens, and more fearful of the real world. Since most TV "action-adventure" dramas occur in urban settings, the fear they inspire may contribute to the current flee of the middle class from our cities. The fear may also bring increasing demands for police protection, and election of law-and-order politicians. While none of us is completely dependent upon television for our view of the world, neither have many of us had the opportunity to observe the reality of police stations, courtrooms, corporate board rooms, or hospital operating rooms. Although critics complain about the fixed characters and plots of TV dramas, many viewers look on them as representative of the real world. Anyone who questions that statement should read the 250,000 letters, most containing requests for medical advice, sent by viewers to "Marcus Welby, M.D." --a popular TV drama series about a doctor-- during the first five years of his practice on TV. Violence on television leads viewers to regard the real world as more dangerous than it really is, which must also influence the way people behave. When asked, "Can most people be trusted?" the heavy viewers were 35 percent more likely to choose "Can't be too careful." Victims, like criminals, must learn their proper roles, and televised violence may perform the teaching function all too well. Instead of worrying only about whether television violence causes individual displays of aggression in the real world, we should also be concerned about social reality. Passive acceptance of violence in the face of injustice may result from far greater social concern than occasional displays of individual aggression. We have found that violence on prime-time network TV cultivates overstated assumptions about the threat of danger in the real world. Fear is a universal emotion, and easy to exploit. The overstated sense of risk and insecurity may lead to increasing demands for protection and to increasing pressure for the use of force by established authority. Instead of threatening the social order, television may have become our chief instrument of social control. According to the author, _ is mainly to blame for people's fear of the real world. social reality
In order to safeguard the education of all Hope Chinese Scholl(HCS)students and the normal running of the school, the following rules should be followed: Be quiet in classroom and hallways. Do not run or shout in classrooms or hallways. Do not drink or eat in classrooms or hallways. Stay in the school during school time as well as rest time. Do not leave the school or play out of the school area during school time. This includes rest time. Do not _ on any desks or walls. Be respectful to teachers and parents. Help teachers and other students to keep the classroom clean. Do not move desks, chairs, and other furniture in the classroom without the teacher's instructions. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage? Doing homework. As we drove along, my spirits went up again, and I turned, with pleasure, to the thought of the new life which I was entering. But though it was not far past the middle of September, the heavy clouds and strong north-easterly wind combined to make the day extremely cold; and the journey seemed a very long one, so that it was nearly one o'clock before we reached the place of our destination. Yet when we entered the gateway, my heart failed me, and I wished it were a mile or two farther off. For the first time in my life I must stand alone: there was no retreating now. I must enter that house, and introduce myself among its strange people. But how was it to be done? True, I was near nineteen; but, thanks to the protecting care of my mother and sister, I well knew that many a girl of fifteen, or under, was gifted with a more womanly address, and greater ease and self-possession, than I was. Yet, anyway. I would do very well, after all; and the children, of course, I should soon be at ease with them. "Be calm, be calm, whatever happens," I said within myself; and truly I was so fully occupied in steadying my nerves and keeping down the rebellious beat of my heart that when I was admitted into the hall and into the presence of Mrs. Bloomfield, I almost forgot to answer her polite greeting; and it afterwards struck me that the little I did say was spoken in the tone of one half-dead or half-asleep. With due politeness, however, she showed me my bedroom, and left me there to take a little refreshment for a little while and led me into the dining-room. Some beefsteaks and potatoes were set before me; and while I dined upon these, she sat opposite, watching me (as I thought) and trying to keep something like a conversation-- consisting chiefly of commonplace remarks. In fact, my attention was almost wholly absorbed in my dinner: not from appetite, but from the toughness of the beefsteaks, and the numbness of my hands. "I have had so little time to attend to their education myself, but I think they are clever children, and very willing to learn, especially the little boy; he is, I think, the flower of the flock-- a generous, noble-spirited boy, one to be led, but not driven, and remarkable for always speaking the truth." "His sister Mary Ann will require watching," continued she, "but she is a very good girl on the whole, though I wish her to be kept out of the nursery as much as possible, as she is now almost six years old, and might acquire bad habits from the nurses. I have ordered her bed to be placed in your room, and if you will be so kind as to look after her washing and dressing, and take charge of her clothes, she needs to have nothing further to do with the nursery maid." I replied I was quite willing to do so; and at that moment the children entered the room. Tom Bloomfield was a well-grown boy of seven. Mary was a tall girl, for her age of six, somewhat dark like her mother. The second sister was Fanny, a very pretty little girl, looking little younger than Mary. The remaining one was Harriet, a little broad, fat, merry, playful thing of scarcely two, whom I had more desire for than all the rest -- but with her I had nothing to do. What job would the writer take in Mrs Bloomfield's home? A family teacher. Many years ago, Norman Cousins was seriously ill. He was given six months to live. His chance for recovery was 1 in 500. He could see the worry, depression and anger in his life contributed to his disease. He wondered, "If illness can be caused by negativity , can health be created by positivity ?" He decided to make an experiment of himself. Laughing was one of the most positive activities he knew. He watched all the funny movies he could find. He read funny stories. He asked his friends to call him whenever they said, heard or did something interesting. His pain was so great that he could not sleep. Laughing for 10 solid minutes, he found, relieved the pain for several hours so he could sleep. He fully recovered from his illness and lived another 20 happy and healthy years. Laughing is necessary to our health. If we're not well, laughing helps us get well; if we are well, laughing helps us stay that way. So, if you like laughing, do it as often as you can. Use whatever makes you laugh--movies, books, jokes or friends. The people around you may think you're strange, but sooner or later they'll join in even if they don't know what you're laughing about. The text mainly tells us _ . laughing is good for our health Cellphone feels like a part of your body? A global survey has found that most people can't live without their mobiles, never leave home without them and, if given a choice, would rather lose their wallet.[: _ ] Calling mobile phones the "remote control" for life, market research firm Synovate's poll said cell phones are so ubiquitous that by last year more humans owned one than did not. Three-quarters of the more than 8,000 respondents polled online in 11 countries said they take their phone with them everywhere, which Russians and Singaporeans the most attached. More than a third also said they couldn't live without their phone, topped by Taiwanese and again Singaporeans, while one in four would find it harder to replace the mobile than their purse. Some two thirds of respondents go to bed with their phones nearby and can't switch them off, even though they want to, because they're afraid they'll miss something. Mobiles have changed the nature of relationships, with the survey finding a fifth of all respondents set up first dates via text and almost the same number use the same method to end a love affair. Apart from the obvious calling and SMS-ing, the top three features people use regularly on their mobile phones globally are the alarm clock, the camera and the games. As for email and Internet access, 17 percent of respondents said they checked their inboxes or surfed the Web on their phones, led by those in the United States and Britain. One in 10 respondents log onto social networking websites such as Facebook and MySpace regularly via mobile, again led by Britain and the United States.[:Zxxk.Com] Not everyone is tech savvy , however,37 percent of respondents said they don't know how to use all the functions on their phone. Which of the following functions of cellphones is the least used? Surfing the Internet. Frederic Mishkin, who's been a professor at Columbia Business School for almost 30 years, is good at solving problems and expressing ideas. Whether he's standing in front of a lecture hall or engaged in a casual conversation, his hands are always waving and pointing. When he was in graduate school, one of his professors was so annoyed by this constant gesturing that he made the young economist sit on his hands whenever he visited the professor's office. It turns out, however, that Mishkin's professor had it exactly wrong. Gesture doesn't prevent but promotes clear thought and speech. Research demonstrates that the movements we make with our hands when we talk form a kind of second language, adding information that's absent from our words. It's learning's secret code: Gesture reveals what we know. It reveals what we don't know. What's more, the agreement (or lack of agreement) between what our voices say and how our hands move offers a clue to our readiness to learn. Many of the studies establishing the importance of gesture to learning have been conducted by Susan Goldin-Meadow, a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago. "We change our minds by moving our hands," writes Goldin-Meadow in a review of this work. Particularly significant are what she calls "mismatches" between oral expression and physical gestures. A student might say that a heavier ball falls faster than a light one, for example, but make a gesture indicating that they fall at the same rate, which is correct. Such differences indicate that we're moving from one level of understanding to another. The thoughts expressed by hand motions are often our newest and most advanced ideas about the problem we're working on; we can't yet absorb these concepts into language, but we can capture them in movement. Goldin-Meadow's more recent work strews not only that gesture shows our readiness to learn, but that it actually helps to bring learning about. It does so in two ways. First, it elicits helpful behavior from others around us. Goldin-Meadow has found that adults respond to children's speech-gesture mismatches by adjusting their way of instruction. Parents and teachers apparently receive the signal that children are ready to learn, and they act on it by offering a greater variety of problem-solving techniques. The act of gesturing itself also seems to quicken learning, bringing new knowledge into consciousness and aiding the understanding of new concepts. A 2007 study by Susan Wagner Cook, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Iowa, reported that third-graders who were asked to gesture while learning algebra were nearly three times more likely to remember what they'd learned than classmates who did not gesture. What can be inferred from the passage about gesture-speech mismatches? Instructors should make full use of them.
If you travel in the city of Kunming, you can't miss the Kingdom of Little People. It opened in the summer of 2009 in the mountains in Kunming. There are tiny animals, little beautiful cottages and small furniture in the park. The big attraction of the park is the performances by little people. Many little people work in the park. Twice a day, they perform for visitors. They sing, dance and give a magic show. People who want to work in the park should be between eighteen and forty years old from any part of the country. And they should be under 130 cm in height. The creator of the park is a rich businessman. He wants the park to be like a fairyland. And he wants to do something good for _ in China. This theme park has brought together people of unusual stature . They enjoy being part of the community and impressing tourists with (......) their courage and skills. Are you interested in this fairyland? How about having a visit in the Kingdom of Little People? What is special about the Kingdom of Little People? Dwarfs perform for visitors. Posted: 06/19/2014 12:00 a.m. Lucy Li, an 11-year-old girl, is the youngest person to qualify for a US Women's Open golf tournament . She was qualified for the US Women's Open in May. When she set a new record by seven strokes .And today she is playing against some of the best female golfers in the world. Earlier this week Li said that she wasn't nervous about becoming the centre of attention at today's game. "I just want to have fun and play the best I can and I really don't care about the result. I can learn a lot from these great players." Li doesn't spend all her time golfing. She is home-schooled in an online Stanford University programme. Her favourite subjects are Maths, History, and Science and she loves to read. She also loves medicine, diving, badminton, dancing, and table tennis. But golf is her favourite sport. "I like golf because it's different from other sports. Anybody can play it." she said. Some female golfers are worried that Li isn't quite ready for the Open. "When I found out she was qualified, I said, where does she go from here? You qualify for an Open at 11, what do you do next? If she was my kid, I wouldn't let her play in the US Open at all, but that's just me," said world champion Stacy Lewis. Dottie Pepper, an ESPN analyst , thinks that the most important thing is that Li doesn't think of winning. "If the success for her is not based on score, then I don't think she's too young. The important thing for her is to treat the whole experience as a kid on the golf score. Forget expectations." Dottie said. We can infer from the report that Stacy Lewis _ . doesn't support Lucy Li to play in the US open Tom likes fish very much. He often buys some fish in the shop and takes it home. But when his wife sees the fish, she says to herself,"Good ! I can ask my friends to have lunch, and we can eat the fish. They like fish very much." So when Tom comes home in the evening, the fish is not there and his wife always says, Oh, your cat eats it."And she gives Tom some bread for his supper. Tom is very angry. He takes the cat and his wife to the shop near his house and weighs the cat. Then he turns to his wife and says, My fish weigh one kilo .This cat weighs one, too. My fish is here, you see, then where is my cat?" Mr Tom weighs _ in the shop with his wife. the cat Canada is a very large country .It is the second largest country in the world .By contrast it has a very small population . There are only about 29 million people there . Most Canadians are of British or French _ ,and French is an official language of Canada as well as English .About 45%of the people are of British origin ,that is ,they or their parents or grandparents , etc ,come from British . Nearly 30%are of French origin . Most of the French -Canadians live in province of Quebec . Over the years ,people have come to live in Canada from many countries in the world .They are from many countries in the world .They are from most European countries and also from China, besides other Asian countries . However , Canada was not an empty country when the Europeans began to arrive . Canadian Indians lived along the coast , by the rivers and lakes and in forests . Today , there are only about 350 000 Indians in the whole country , with their own languages . In the far north live the Inuit . There are only 27 000 Canadian-Inuit . Their life is hard in such a difficult climate . The word " origin " in the passage means _ . . City buses are white and blue. Please board at the front door and pay the fare as you get on. The fare per ride is $1.50 for adults and $1.00 for senior citizens. The fare may be paid by cash, bus pass or multiple passes. Please pay the exact amount directly into the slot at the top of the fare box. Remember that bills are not accepted and drivers cannot make change for riders. When you wish to get off the bus, please notify the driver in advance by pressing one of the buttons provided throughout the bus for this purpose. The bus may pass bus stops without stopping if no one is getting off or waiting to get on. There are five subway lines in the city. The fare is set at five rates from $2.00 to $3.50 according to the number of predetermined "price zones" traveled. To purchase the appropriate ticket, please check the fare on the boards installed above the ticket-selling machines in each subway station. Pass through the automated ticket gates by inserting the ticket into the slot. When getting off the subway at a station beyond the validity of the ticket, pay the additional fare at a fare-adjustment machine. According to the information, all bus riders should _ . let the driver know in advance if they want to get off
Question: Guilin is my favorite city in China because of its beauty, its waterways, its cafes, and most of all because I met my wife there. It is her hometown and we will both retire there in a few years. Not only is Guilin a fascinating city, but there are many interesting places to visit within a short drive from there. The Ling Canal is the oldest canal in the world. It was built about 2,200 years ago and connects two major river systems, the Yangtze and the Pearl River. The Longsheng Rice Terraces is another manmade wonder that was built around 650 years ago.I have some photos of both of these places in my China Daily homepage Albums. The Gudong Waterfall Park is another attraction that is worth visiting. The hike to the top of all these waterfalls isn't very difficult and if you want, you can take a ride to the bottom on a personal rail car that you control the speed with a _ If you want, you can also climb up some of the waterfalls with the help of chains that are placed for the convenience of amateur climbers . I have only been in Guilin during the winter and spring, but my wife tells me it gets pretty hot in the summer time. That's OK because I grew up in the Midwest of the US where it gets very hot and humid during the summer months. But in Guilin almost everything is within walking distance and if you need to go further the buses come by every 5 minutes on the busy streets and every 10-15 minutes just about everywhere else. There are plenty of taxis, too, and most trips are only 6 yuan. It's a perfect place to retire. Which of the following is NOT true? A. Guilin is the writer's wife's hometown. B. The history of the Ling Canal is three times as long as that of the Longsheng Rice Terraces. C. It's convenient for the amateur climbers to climb up some waterfalls with the help of chains. D. Guilin is really a good place to retire and live in. Answer: B. The history of the Ling Canal is three times as long as that of the Longsheng Rice Terraces. Question: Many people are concerned about the state of the earth in terms of its energy supplies and changing climate.The clear message broadcast by all responsible governments is that every person has a part to play.Here are some detailed instructions. 1.Prevent pollution by disposing of all your litter and waste in the correct,legal way,such as using onstreet waste receptacles when you are out and about,or putting it in your domestic rubbish can when you're at home.Follow local procedures for normal waste disposal.Contact your local authority for advice on disposing of unusual waste items,such as paint and computer parts. 2.Recycle all materials that can be processed by your local authority.Place plastics,metals,paper and glass in the correct collection receptacles.Donate unwanted items to the charities that are happy to accept good condition clothing,furniture and even automobiles. 3.Look after reserves of water by making sure you turn off the tap after use and by repairing leaks and drips.Purchase waterefficient appliances.Take showers instead of baths.Gather rainwater for garden use and use your lawn sprinkler less often or not at all. 4.Save energy by choosing Energy Star products.Turn these off,as well as lights,when you don't need them to be on.Use air condition and heating less often.Make sure your home is insulated correctly to maintain a steady temperature. 5.Reduce the amount of the material you use.Print emails occasionally or not at all rather than printing them every time.You buy new things when you actually need them rather than on a whim .Organize a car pool with friends to use fuel efficiently. In a word,we should try to use the world's resources efficiently to protect the environment. Which can't be recycled according to the passage? A. Metal. B. Glass. C. Automobiles. D. Paint. Answer: D. Paint. Question: Dear Tom How are you? I'm at a new school this term. And I'm writing to you about my school now. My new school is big and nice. There are one thousand and four hundred students and one hundred and forty teachers at my school. I like the teachers. They are very kind to me. My classmates are very friendly, too. They teach me Chinese and I teach them English. There are trees, flowers and green grass at my school. They are very beautiful. Behind my school there is a small river. The water in it is quite clean. We can swim in it. We have no classes on Saturdays or Sundays. Sometimes I go to play football or basketball with my classmates. Sometimes I stay at home and watch TV. Sometimes I go to shops with my father and mother. We all like China. Please write to me soon! Yours Jack Jack is at a/an _ school. A. English B. Chinese C. small D. Japanese Answer: B. Chinese Question: Handsome Safin is loved by many women fans and he is called "the most attractive man". His strength and forehand and backhand skills are the best in the world, which are in fact unbeatable while he is at his best. Marat Safin was born inprefix = st2 /Moscowon 27th January, 1980, and was introduced to the game at a very early age. His mother Rausa, one of the former top 10 Russian women tennis players, used to take baby Marat with her when she practiced at the local Spartak club. This is where Marat also learned to play. Marat had picked up his racket almost as soon as he could walk and at five was hitting balls with a little child until 1992. When Marat was 13, his parents decided to send him abroad for further practice, so in that year Marat and his mother visited a tennis school inValenciawhere Maria Pasqual, former director of Spanish women's tennis, was asked to judge his potential. Pasqual liked what she saw and managed to persuade a Swiss client into keeping him at the school. In the following four years Marat lived in Valenciaemploying Pasqual as his career advisor, working on his great clay court skills and learning the Spanish language. Marat's first title came in 1997 at a Challenger in Espinho and soon afterwards he turned professional. He won his first title on the ATP Tour in August, 1999 when he beat Greg Rusedski in the final of the MFS Professional Championships in Boston. In 2000, Safin won his first Grand Slam title--US Open. He also reached the final of the Australian Open in 2002 and 2004. On November 7, 2004, Marat Safin beat Czech qualifier' Stepanek to win his third Paris Masters title. He also won the Paris Masters in 2000 and 2002. "I really enjoy tennis because it brings about extreme emotions and allows me to live my dreams," said Safin. Yes, the future certainly looks rosy for him. Just like what his former adviser, Maria Pasqual said, "He will be a champion one day" -- surely he already is! What is the passage mainly about? A. A great mother. B. A successful tennis player. C. How to be successful. D. How to win in tennis games. Answer: B. A successful tennis player. Question: 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. We can learn from the passage that Andy Steele _ . A. lives far from the campus B. knows none of his classmates C. wants to have his own lifestyle D. doesn't get good marks Answer: C. wants to have his own lifestyle
If you're in your 30s, it is possible to defend your skin and body against the visible signs of growing older. 30s-this is when your youthful looks will start to slowly _ Time is the biggest issue for most men and women at this age because they struggle to balance work, relationships and young families. Unfortunately, juggling these parts of your life will start to show through fine lines and dull, tired skin. "This is the time to learn relaxation techniques like thinking and deep breathing to help reduce stress", says Helga Hefner, global educator of Aveda. Sleep is your best weapon during these years. A full eight hours of sleep is necessary for skin to look and perform its best and uninterrupted is the best type.. "Always make sure the head is raised above the body," says Dr Daniel Maes, senior vice-president of Estee Lauder Global Research and Development. This helps to avoid an accumulation of blood to the face and you will wake less puffy. If you sleep in an awkward position, you will wake with puffy eyes and lines on your face because of the constriction blood flow to the skin. Try and train yourself to sleep on your back, too, or you may notice lines forming on one side of your face. A lack of sleep is also linked to weight gain-the longer you are awake the more fuel your body will think it needs, so you may find yourself with an increased appetite. If you are struggling with sleep, try adding aromatherapy oils such as lavender or ylang ylang to your pillows or a bath before bed. Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage? Answer: The longer you are awake the less fuel your body will think it needs. An eight-year-old boy named Liangliang liked watching cartoons every day instead of doing his homework, so his mother stopped him from watching cartoons. Liangliang called the police to take his mother away--such a "good reason" to call the police. Most people would just laugh it off. However, it shows that something is wrong with our education. It rings alarm to our Chinese parents to think about it. Parents should ask themselves why they're so angry when their kids want to watch cartoons instead of doing homework. Kids are supposed to be simple and naughty . They can just ask their kids to do things they expect them to do. Schoolwork is important but a healthy childhood is much more important. If they push their kids too hard, the kids will not listen to them. Instead, parents should spend some time talking to their kids and help them grow in a good way. It's also a good way to help parents themselves to grow, too. In China, lots of parents care more about scores than any other things. They hope their kids can be top students and go to the top colleges. Curriculum Reformation is coming though, and it would bring some changes to our schools. It's also time for parents to change their minds to reduce pressure on their kids and help them to grow happily and naturally. Parents can reduce pressure on their kids by _ . Answer: changing their own minds According to an old story, a farmer once found that a bag of corn had been stolen from his house. He went to the judge and told him about his loss. The judge ordered all the people of the farm to come before him. He took a number of sticks of equal length and gave one stick to each man. He then said, "Come before me again tomorrow. I shall then know which of you is the thief because the stick given to the thief will be one inch longer than the others." The thief was afraid of being found out, and so he cut an inch off his stick. The next day the thief's stick was found to be one inch shorter than any of the others. In this way the thief was found out, and was at once taken away to prison. The wise way the judge found out the thief in the end was to make _ . Answer: the thief cut an inch off the stick Hunters and bears are often put in fairy tales and often provide a lot for us to think about life and human nature. Two hunters, Ali and Hagan, went hunting for bears. For four days they saw nothing. Each night they slept in a nearby village, pledging to make part of the bear's skin against the cost of their lodging . On the fifth day a huge bear appeared, and Ali said nervously to his friend, "I don't mind admitting that I'm afraid to take this bear." Hagan laughed, "Just leave it to me, little coward." So Ali _ like lightning up the nearest tree at once, and Hagan stood with his gun at the ready. The huge creature came, moving on in a slow and awkward way, and Hagan began to grow more and more scared. At last he raised his gun to his shoulder, but by now he was trembling so much that, before he could take proper aim, his gun went off and missed the target . Hagan, remembering that bears never touch a dead body, threw himself flat on the ground and held his breath. The bear came up, sniffed all around him and moved off in the end. Ali, who had been watching the whole thing from the tree, now came down and, congratulating Hagan on his escape, asked him, "What did the bear whisper in your ear just now?" "Don't sell the bear's skin before you have caught the bear," Hagan announced. How did Hagan deal with the bear? Answer: He pretended to be dead to fool the bear. Sport is very popular in England. In other words lots of English people like the idea of sport. A lot watch sport on TV. But the number who take part in sport is quite small. On the whole English people prefer to be fat rather than thin. The most popular sport in England is football. Football is played on Saturday afternoon in most towns and the supporters of a certain team will travel from one end of the country to the other to see their team play. There are four divisions of the football league.Not surprisingly the best teams are in the first division. But the best supporters are often in the fourth division. You have to be a good supporter to watch the fourth division football! Many other sports are also played in England, such as golf, in which you try to knock a ball into a hole; basketball, in which you try to got a ball through a net ; tennis, in which you try to hit a ball so that your opponent can not hit it. As you see, if the ball had not been invented, there would have been no sport. Actually , that is not quite true. Athletics isn't played with a ball; nor horseracing . Perhaps that is why they are not so popular as football! You have to be a good supporter to watch _ division football. Answer: the fourth
Environmental pollution is the biggest problem for human being today. We all know that the environment includes the earth,water, plants and animals.If they are polluted or hurt, oour life can also be harmed. It is true that more and more trees are being cutting down. The earth is becoming warmer. If the problem continues, the world will become a desert, and people will have no place to live. The smoke produced by cars, factories and homes is polluting the air. _ gas is letting off into the air , too. The polluted air make people sick. Then there is the sound pollution. Our world is not quiet, even at night, because of the noise made by cars and people's daily life. Too much noise has a bad influence on our hearing. It has been reported that many people in a village near an airport have lost their hearing because of the noise made by planes. The water and the earth we are living on have also been polluted. The rubbish people throw away and the waste water poured by factories make the water and the soil polluted. When we drink dirty water or eat crops planted on polluted soil, we can get sick easily. Just imagine what will happen if this continues. I 'm sure it won't be a pleasant result. The best title of this passage is _ Answer: A girl wants to use a renewable resource to build a house, so she uses Answer: One of my friends Fred did very 1ittle work when he was a student. He spent more time drinking in bars than working in the library. Once, we had to take an important exam. The exam had a hundred questions. To each question, we had to write "Right" or "Wrong". The night before the exam, Fred was watching TV and drinking. He usua1ly worried a lot the night before the exam. But on that night he looked quite relaxed. He told me what he would do." It's very easy," he said to me, "There are a hundred questions and I have to get fifty right answers to pass the exam. I'll bring a coin with me and throw it to decide answers. I' m sure I'll get half the questions right in this way. "During the exam, Fred sat down and really threw the coin for half an hour when he was writing down his answers. Then he 1eft half an hour before the others. The next day he saw the teacher on the playground. "Good morning, Mr. Wu," he said, "Have you checked the papers? Have I passed?" The teacher 1ooked at him and smiled, "Ah, it's you, Fred. One moment, please." Then he put his hand into his pocket and took out a coin. He threw it into the air, caught it in his hand and looked at it , "I'm very sorry, Fred. You _ ." Fred usually worried a lot before the exam _ . Answer: We all know that good study habits are essential to success. We probably can reduce the academic dishonesty by promoting good study habits among students. Letting the students know how important good study habits are when they come to school. Still, even procrastination can be overcome by proper study habits, and improving study habits is the key to better studying. Good study habits are a great tool to have in the toolbox of life. Many of the tips for success for online students are the same as those for students in a classroom. Consider asking the school's student union to take on a study tips project. Following a few simple study tips can help students effectively learn new concepts and theories. A good way to stay organized is to use folders so that your child can keep his / her assignments. Once children reach the grades where homework and tests are part of the curriculum, there are many things parents can do to encourage good study habits. An effective way is to study before and while they do their homework. Being organized and having homework routines are the most important things in helping your child develop good habits for life. Learning, however, is a process which settles into certain steps. Students with learning problems, however, may still have generally inefficient and ineffective study habits and skills. Becoming aware of your child's learning style will help you understand why they sometimes get frustrated with common study methods. Effective study habits are a very important part of the learning process. Good study habits are all about keeping to a daily routine and giving all subjects equal treatment. If your child's study habits are weak, take a "study skills" course or have someone show him/her good study habits. The problem is that those high-school study habits are hard to shake. Hard work and good study habits are two characters to be nurtured . Motivation and study habits are obviously very important as well. The text is mainly written for _ . Answer: A report brought back by most visitors to the US is how friendly, polite, and helpful most Americans were to them. To be fair, this observation is also frequently made of Canada and Canadians, and should best be considered North American. There are, of course, exceptions. Small-minded officials, rude waiters, and ill-mannered taxi drivers are hardly unknown in the US. Yet American's friendliness and helpfulness is an observation made so frequently that it deserves comment. For a long period of time and in many parts of the country, a traveler was a welcome break in an otherwise dull existence. Dullness and loneliness were common problems of the families who generally lived distant from one another. Strangers and travelers were welcome sources of distraction, and brought news of the outside world. The tough realities of the border also shaped this tradition of hospitality. Someone traveling alone, if hungry, injured, or ill, often had nowhere to turn except to the nearest settler agent. It was not a matter of choice for the traveler or only a charitable impulse on the part of the settlers. It reflected the hardship of daily life: if you didn't take in the stranger and take care of him, there was no one else who would. And someday, remember, you might be in the same situation. Today there are many charitable organizations which specialize in helping the exhausted traveler. Yet, the old tradition of hospitality to strangers is still very strong in the US, especially in the smaller cities and towns away from the busy tourist routes. "I was just traveling through, got talking with this American, and pretty soon he invited me home for dinner, amazing." Such observations reported by visitors to the US are not uncommon, but are not always understood properly. The casual friendliness of many Americans should be understood neither as superficial nor as artificial , but as the result of a historically developed cultural tradition. As is true of any developed society, in America a complex set of cultural signals and customs is the basis of all social inter-relationships. And, of course, speaking a language does not necessarily mean that someone understands social and cultural patterns. Visitors who fail to "translate" cultural meanings properly often draw wrong conclusions. For example when an American uses the word "friend", the cultural meanings of the word may be quite different from those it has in the visitor's language and culture. It takes more than a brief encounter on a bus to tell polite customs from individual interest. Yet, being friendly is a virtue that many Americans value highly and expect from both neighbors and strangers. The tradition of hospitality to strangers _ . Answer:
Question: I always felt sorry for the people in wheelchairs. Some people, old and weak, cannot get around by themselves. Others seem perfectly healthy, dressed in business suits. But whenever I saw someone in a wheelchair, I only saw a disability, not a person. Then I fainted at Euro Disney due to low blood pressure. This was the first time I had ever fainted, and my parents insisted that I rest for a while after first aid. They said to me, " _ !" I agreed to take it easy, but as I stepped toward the door, I saw my dad pushing a wheelchair in my direction! Feeling the color burn my cheeks, I asked him to wheel that thing right back to where he found it. I could not believe this was happening to me. Wheelchairs were fine for other people but not for me, as my father wheeled me out into the main street, people immediately began to treat me differently. Little kids ran in front of me, forcing my father to stop the wheelchair suddenly. Bitterness set in as I was thrown back and forth. "Stupid kids! They have perfectly good legs. Why can't they watch where they are going?" I thought. People stared down at me, pity in their eyes. Then they would look away, maybe because they thought the sooner they forgot me the better. "I'm just like you!" I wanted to scream." The only difference is you've got legs, and I have wheels." People in wheelchairs are not stupid. They see every look and hear each word. Looking out at the faces, I finally understood: I was once just like them. I treated people in wheelchairs exactly the way they did not want to be treated. I realized it is some of us with two healthy legs who are truly disabled. The author once _ when she was healthy. A. helped disabled people B. looked down upon disabled people C. imagined herself sitting in a wheelchair D. saw some healthy people moving around in wheelchairs Answer: B Question: In a zoo, many animals have claws: birds, dogs and lions. Even some monkeys have claws! One summer day, the eyes of many visitors were facing the lion cage. It was like the famous movie "The Lion King". One lion cub had been born and was drinking from its mother. There was a straw bed for the lions to sleep on, and all visitors loved to watch the baby lion cub. Well, a monkey (with claws) came into the lion's cage all of a sudden! But the lions weren't afraid, because they are kings of the animal world. Also, they had seen the movie and knew what the monkeys wanted. So it happened that the monkey took the cub from its mother into its hands. It walked over to the gate by the visitors and held up the cub for all to see! People cried. People took pictures. They were seeing the real-life 'Lion King'! Where was the cub laying? A. at night B. in the monkey's claws C. one summer day D. on a straw bed Answer: D Question: Women are friendly. But men are more competitive. Why? Researchers have found it's all down to the hormone oxytocin . Although known as the love hormone, it affects the sexes differently. "Women tend to be social in their behavior. They often share with others. But men tend to be competitive. They are trying to improve their social status," said Professor Ryan. Generally, people believe that the hormone exytocin is let out in our body in various social situations and our body creates a large amount of it during positive social interaction such as falling in love or giving birth. But in a previous experiment Professor Ryan found that the hormone is also let out in our body during negative social interactions such as envy. Further researches showed that in men the hormone oxytocin improves the ability to recognize competitive relationships, but in women it raises the ability to recognize friendship. Professor Ryan's recent experiment used 62 men and women aged 20 to 37. Half of the participants received oxytocin. The other half received placebo . [( )] [( :Love my Dog.)] After a week, the two groups switched with participants. They went through the same procedure with the other material. Following each treatment, they were shown some video pictures with different social interactions. Then they were asked to analyze the relationships by answering some questions. The questions were about telling friendship from competition. And their answers should be based on gestures, body language and facial expressions. The results indicated that, after treatment with oxytocin, men's ability to correctly recognize competitive relationships improved, but in women it was the ability to correctly recognize friendship that got better. Professor Ryan thus concluded: "Our experiment proves that the hormone oxytocin can raise people's abilities to better distinguish different social interactions. And the behavior differences between men and women are caused by biological factor that are mainly hormonal." What can we learn from Professor Ryan's previous experiment? A. Oxytocin affects our behavior in a different way. B. Our body lets out oxytocin when we are deep in love. C. Our body produces oxytocin when we feel unhappy about others' success. D. Oxytocin improves our abilities to understand people's behavior differences. Answer: A Question: 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. To see beautiful works of art and paintings, you can visit _ . A. Lerins Islands B. the Musee de la Castre C. the Boulevard de la Croisette D. Marseille Answer: B Question: When international aid is given, steps must be taken to ensure that the aid reaches the people for whom it is intended. The way to achieve this may not be simple. It is very difficult for a nation to give help directly to people in another nation. The United Nations Organization (UNO) could undertake to direct the distribution of aid. Here however rises the problem of costs. Also tied with this is time. Perhaps the UNO could set up a body of devoted men and women in every country who can speedily distribute aid to victims of floods and earthquakes. More than the help that one nation can give to another during a disaster; it would be more effective to give other forms of help during normal times. A common proverb says, " _ " If we follow this wise saying, it would be right to teach people from less developed nations to take care of themselves. For example, a country could share its technology with another. This could be in simple areas like agriculture or in more complex areas like medical and health care or even in building satellites. Even small country is able to help less developed nations. Sometimes what is take for granted, like the setting up of a water purification plant or the administration of a school, could be useful for countries which are looking about to solve common problems. It does not cost much to share such simple things. Exchange students could be attached for a number of months or years and learn the required craft while on the site. They can then take their knowledge back to their homelands and if necessary come back form time to time to clear doubts or to update themselves. Such aid will be truly helpful and there is no chance of it being temporary or of it falling into the wrong hands. Many countries run extensive courses in all sorts of skills. It will not cost much to include deserving foreigners in these courses. Besides giving effective help to the countries concerned, there is also the build-up of friendships to consider. Giving direct help by giving materials may be effective in the short run and must continue to be given in the event of emergencies. However, in the long run what is really effective would be the sharing of knowledge. What can we infer about international aid from the passage? A. It is facing difficulties B. It is unnecessary during normal times C. It should be given in the form of materials D. It has gained support developed countries Answer: A
You may not have heard the words "freshman fifteen" before, but they are very important for students who are entering university. A freshman is a first-year college student. "Fifteen" refers to fifteen pounds--the fifteen pounds added to a student's weight in his or her first year. There are a number of reasons why first-year university students gain (n) weight; but it's encouraging to know that freshmen don't have to add these harmful fifteen pounds. Mistakes choosing food University kitchens serve many kinds of food. Some students choose unhealthy food,because now their parents are not nearby to help them choose. Some students visit the kitchen many times while studying. Late at night, some students get harmful fast food such as fish and chips with Coke to drink. Students also have less time for walking, running, and doing sports because of their schoolwork. Eating right If you,re careful, you don,t have to add fifteen pounds. Here are some ideas: l Think more about what you eat. l Eat plenty of vegetables and healthy meats. l Don't eat desserts full of sugar; have fruit after dinner. l Try not to eat so much unhealthy food while you study. l It,s all right to have a little fast food sometimes--but not often. l Write down the foods you eat. l Walk, run, do sports--move and you will feel better! Remember that the "freshman fifteen" can happen to anyone. Talk to your friends about it. Together, try to eat healthy food and not to eat unhealthy food. Walking, running, and playing sports is always more fun with friends. Help each other and you can have a healthy and happy freshman year. The main idea of this reading is to _ . Answer: After moving to a small town, I took several pairs of shoes to the shoemaker to be fixed. Within a week I picked them up and put them away in my closet. Four months later my husband and I were invited out to dinner. I unboxed a pair of high heels . I hadn't worn them since they were repaired. I put one shoe on my right foot, and then I put the other on my left. I took both shoes off for a closer look. They were exactly the same style, color1 and size, but each was for the right foot. I was puzzled, since I had worn the shoes on several occasions and knew I hadn't worn two right shoes. Then I thought of the shoemaker. Although I was sure he wouldn't remember me after such a long time, I telephoned him and explained to him the trouble I had. "Thank goodness you finally called!" he was nearly shouting, "An angry woman with two left shoes has been bothering for months!" Why did the writer take several pairs of shoes to the shoemaker when she moved to the town? Answer: A person eating a watermelon slice will perhaps want to take time during eating to Answer: The two things - snow and mountains - which are needed for a ski area are the two things that cause avalanches, large mass of snow and ice crushing down the side of a mountain--often called "White Death." It was the threat of the avalanche and its record as a killer of man in the western mountains that created the snow ranger. He first started on avalanche control work in the winter of 1937 -38 at Alta, Utah, in Wasatch National Forest. This mountain valley was becoming well known to skiers. It was dangerous. In fact, more than 120 persons had lost their lives in 1936 and another 200 died in 1937 as a result of avalanches before it became a major ski area. Thus, development of Alta and other major ski resorts in the west was dependent upon controlling the avalanche. The Forest Service set out to do it, and did, with its corps of snow rangers. It takes many things to make a snow ranger. The snow ranger must be in excellent physical condition. He must be a good skier and a skilled mountain climber He should have at least a high school education, and the more college courses in geology, physics, and related fields he has, the better. He studies snow, terrain, wind, and weather. He learns the conditions that produce avalanches. He learns to forecast avalanches and to bring them roaring on down the mountainsides to reduce their killing strength. . The snow ranger learns to do this by using artillery, by blasting with TNT, and by the difficult and skillful art of skiing avalanches down. The snow ranger, dressed in a green parka which has a bright yellow shoulder patch, means safety for people on ski slopes. He pulls the trigger on a 75 mm. Recoilless rifle, skis waist deep in powder testing snow stability, or talks with the ski area's operator as he goes about his work to protect the public from the hazards of deep snow on steep mountain slopes. A snow ranger uses very powerful guns Answer: In the geologic past, abiotic factors such as volcanic eruptions have had an impact on the availability of resources. How can volcanic eruptions impact the availability of resources? Answer:
Dogs are prone to complex emotions such as jealousy and pride, according to scientific research that sheds new light on their relationship with humans. Dogs do not like seeing their owners offering affection to other creatures, especially other dogs, and react negatively when their owners bring home new partners, the research found. Psychologists previously believed most animals lack the "sense of self" needed to experience so-called secondary emotions such as jealousy, embarrassment or guilt. These emotions are more complex than feelings associated with instant reaction such as anger, lust or joy. Dr Friederike Range, of theprefix = st1 /UniversityofVienna's neurobiology department, has shown that dogs feel intensely jealous when they spot that they are unfairly treated compared with other dogs. The dog study is the latest into several species, including cows, horses, cats and sheep, which have shown that animals are far more self-aware than we thought. Dr Paul Morris, a psychologist at theUniversityofPortsmouthwho studies animal emotions, told The Sunday Times, "We are learning that dogs, horses, and perhaps many other species are far more emotionally complex than we ever realised. They can suffer simple forms of many emotions we once thought only primates could experience. " In research among dog owners, Dr Morris found almost all of them reported jealous behaviour by their pets. The dog often tried to keep their owner away from a new lover in the early days of a relationship. Behavioural experts recommend owners keeping their dogs' routine as much as possible when a new partner or child comes along in order to prevent jealous activities from the dog such as interruptions with barking. We can infer that _ . A. dogs are of social animals B. dogs can be trained as a guide C. dogs have a sharp sense of smell D. primates are generally more emotional than dogs in the eyes of most people Answer: D. primates are generally more emotional than dogs in the eyes of most people Tom is five years old . He has no brothers or sisters . He is a lovely boy . He doesn't go to school because he is too young . He likes to play with other children in the small park every day . The park is near his building . In the park there are interesting things to see and play with . Tom's parents love him very much . They often buy him nice things . This time , his mother buys some new clothes for him . The clothes are expensive and nice . Tom is very happy to wear them . "Mum , can I go out and play with my friends ? I want them to see my new clothes ," asks Tom . "All right , but please keep your clothes clean ," says Mum. "I am going to do some cooking . We will have supper after your father comes back ." At about six , his father comes back from work . And Tom goes home for supper. "Why do you have much earth on your clothes ?" asks his mother . "Because I have some falls , " answers Tom . "You should not make the nice clothes dirty " Mother says . " I'm sorry , Mum " says Tom , "But I have no time to take off my clothes when I fall ." Which is not right ? A. Tom doesn't go to school B. There is a small park near his home . C. Before Tom falls , he takes off his clothes . D. Tom often goes out to play with his friends . Answer: C. Before Tom falls , he takes off his clothes . Every human being has a unique arrangement of the skin on his fingers and this arrangement is unchangeable. Scientists and experts have proved the uniqueness of finger-prints and discovered that no exactly similar pattern is passed on from parents to children, though nobody knows why this is the case. The ridge structure on a person's fingers does not change with growth and is not affected by surface injuries. Burns, cuts and other damage to the outer part of the skin will be replaced in time by new one which bears a reproduction of the original pattern. It is only when the inner skin is injured that the arrangement will be destroyed. Some criminals make use of this fact to remove their own finger-prints but this is a dangerous and rare step to take. Finger-prints can be made very easily with printer's ink. They can be recorded easily. With special methods, identification can be achieved successfully within a short time. Because of the simplicity and economy of this system, finger-prints have often been used as a method of solving criminal case. A suspected man may deny a charge but this may be in vain. His finger-prints can prove who he is even if his appearance has been changed by age or accident. When a suspect leaves finger-prints behind at the scene of a crime, they are difficult to detect with the naked eye. Special techniques are used to "develop" them. Some of the marks found are incomplete but identification is possible if a print of a quarter of an inch square can be obtained. Finger-prints have often been used as a method of solving criminal case because it _ . A. is complicated but reliable B. is simple and not expensive C. is expensive but easy to do D. can bring a lot of money Answer: B. is simple and not expensive New Scientist Event Instant Expert-- How Your Brain Works Saturday, 20 May 2017from 10:00 to 17:00 London, United Kingdom Ever wondered how your brain works? How that stuff in your head enables you to see, hear and think about the world around you, make decisions and act on them? Join six leading scientists to explore what we know about 4fcthe most difficult kilo of matter in the universe". The day will be chaired by psychologist and presenter of BBC Radio 4's All in the mirtd,Claudia Hammond. ' Overview: The brain has long been a source of fascination. In 1819, the radical thinker and surgeon William Lawrence put it like this: "It's strongly suspected that a Newton or Shakespeare excels other men only ... by having an extra inch of brain in the right place." Today, many such suspicions are certainties. This event will introduce you to the evolution of the brain. We'll study technique for controlling the brain using electric and magnetic fields, as well as the latest technologies that follow you to control the outside world using your mind alone. Topics covered will include: Evolution of the brain How memory makes us human Emotion Sleep and brain Booking information: The event will be held in Brunei Auditorium at RCGP/30 Euston Square. And doors to the Auditorium will open at 9:15 am. We require the name of each person attending -- please ensure this is provided at the time of booking. The schedule for the day will be confirmed closer to the event, and will be emailed to all ticket holders. *A minimum of 100 early bird discounted tickets are available priced at PS129 (saving PS20 on the full ticket price of PS149). When people book tickets, they are . A. required to offer their email address B. likely to be told the schedule for the event C. required to decide when to enter the Auditorium D. likely to enjoy a discount if they promise to come to the event early Answer: A. required to offer their email address Many families in the prefix = st1 /United Stateshave a larger income now than ever before, but people are finding it difficult to make ends meet anyway. Almost everyone is wondering, "What happens to all my money? I never seem to have anything left to put away." Why isn't a dollar worth as much as it used to be? One dollar is always worth the same amount, that is, 100 cents. But the value of a dollar is how much it can buy. The value of money depends on the cost of living. Economists say that the cost of living is the money that a family must pay for the necessities of life such as food, housing or rent, clothes and medical expenses. For many years now the cost of living has increased greatly, so the value of the dollar has decreased. When a dollar has a low value, you cannot buy as many things with it. No one fully understands why the cost of living keeps increasing, but economists believe that workers and producers can make prices go up. As workers earn more money, they have more money to spend, so they demand more goods. If there is a great demand for certain goods, the prices of these goods go up. At the same time, if there's a shortage of goods, the price also goes up. For example, if everyone wants to buy more and more gas, the price of gas goes up. When companies withhold gas from buyers, they can also make the price of gas go up. Families need to know what happens to their money. They need to make their income meet the cost of living, so many people plan a family budget. A budget is a list of monthly expenses. If your expenses add up to more than your income, you must find ways to save money. Maybe you're spending too much on entertainment. Or if you're spending too much on clothes, you may want to sew your own clothes. Budgeting helps you spend your money wisely as the cost of living increases. Budgeting helps _ . A. one to make his income meet the cost of living B. the government to battle the rising cost of living C. merchants to produce more goods D. the workers to earn more money Answer: A. one to make his income meet the cost of living
Have you ever imagined what human beings will look like in the future? Well, now you don't have to. According to AsapScience, a Canada-based video channel that touches on many different science topics, humans will be very different creatures 1,000 years from now. Artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and climate change will work together to change our bodies greatly, according to a video recently published by the channel. We could, for instance, develop red eyes as our DNA changes, and have darker skin because of global warming. The video painted a picture of a future world in which our bodies are part human, part machine. Nanobots, or tiny robots, will be put into our bodies, improving our abilities. "No longer will we be limited by our own physiology. We will truly become a mixture of biology and machine on the inside," says the video. Meanwhile, designer babies will cause future generations to grow into intelligent, attractive people. As global warming takes hold, humans will also be skinnier and taller, as this body shape deals with heat better. In fact, Cadell Last, a researcher at the Global Brain Institute located in Belgium, believes change may happen even faster than this. As he said in a paper recently published in Current Aging Science, mankind is already going through a major evolutionary change. In less than four decades, Last claims, we will live longer, have children in old age and need artificial intelligence to finish daily tasks. "Your 80 or 100 is going to be so radically different than your grandparents," Last said. Instead of living fast and dying young, he believes humans will live slow and die old. "The biological clock isn't going to be around forever," he added, and said that people could pause it for some time using future technology. Just a few hundred years ago, most humans were working in the fields, while nowadays more and more are getting an education. These are just predictions, and no one can be sure how human beings will evolve in the future. But with such large changes in our environments, it seems likely that we will all look very different one day. Which of the following would Cadell Last probably agree with? A Future babies will be designed according to their grandparents' wishes. B Our increasing dependence on artificial intelligence will threaten our survival one day. C Future technology will pause our biological clocks so that humans live slower and longer. D In less than four decades, humans will have a sudden genetic change that will make us rely on artificial intelligence. Answer: C A person playing a song on a string instrument makes strings A mold B bawl C tear D shudder Answer: D In recent years, the world has made progress in reducing deaths among children under the age of five. A new report says an estimated 6.9 million children worldwide died before their fifth birthday. That compares to about twelve million in1990. The report says child _ rates have fallen in all areas. It says the number of deaths is down by at least 50 percent in eastern, western and southeastern Asia. The number also fell in North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Ties Boerma is head of the WHO's Department of Health Statistics and Informatics. He says most child deaths happen in just a few areas. TIES BOERMA: "Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia face the greatest challenges in child survival. More than eighty percent of child deaths in the world occur in these two regions. About half of child deaths occur in just five countries--India, which actually takes twenty-four percent of the global total; Nigeria, eleven percent; the Democratic Republic of Congo, seven percent; Pakistan, five percent and China, four percent of under-five deaths in the world." Ties Boerma notes that, in developed countries, one child in one hundred fifty-two dies before his or her fifth birthday. But south of the Sahara Desert, one out of nine children dies before the age of five. In Asia, the mortality rate is one in sixteen. The report lists the top five causes of death among children under five worldwide. They are pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and problems both before and during birth. Tessa Wardlaw is with the U-N Children's Fund. She is pleased with the progress being made in Sub-Saharan Africa. The area has the highest under-five mortality rate in the world. But she says the rate of decline in child deaths has more than doubled in Africa. TESSA WARDLAW: "We welcome the widespread progress in child survival, but we importantly want to stress that there's a lot of work that remains to be done. There's unfinished business and the fact is that today on average, around nineteen thousand children are still dying every day from largely preventable causes." The World Health Organization says one way to solve these problems is to make sure health care services are available to women. In this way, medical problems can be avoided or treated when identified. _ is the top-one cause of death among children under five worldwide. A Global warming B Malaria C Pneumonia D Diarrhea Answer: C One summer I was driving from my hometown of Tahoe City,Calif.,to New Orleans.In the middle of the desert, I came upon a young man standing by the roadside. He had his thumb out and held a gas can in his other hand. I drove right by him.There was a time in the country when you'd be considered a jerk if you passed by somebody in need. Now you are a fool for helping. With gangs, drug addicts, murderers, rapists, thieves lurking everywhere, "I don't want to get involved" has become a national motto. Several states later I was still thinking about the hitchhiker.Leaving him stranded in the desert did not bother me so much.What bothered me was how easily I had reached the decision.I never even lifted my foot off the accelerator. Does anyone stop any more? I wondered.I recalled Blanche DuBois's famous line:"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers". Could anyone rely on the kindness of strangers these days? One way to test this would be for a person to journey from coast to coast without any money, relying solely on the goodwill of his fellow Americans.What kind of Americans would he find? Who would feed him, shelter him,carry him down the road? The idea intrigued me. The week I turned 37,I realized that I had never taken a gamble in my life.So I decided to travel from the Pacific to the Atlantic without a penny.It would be a cashless journey through the land of the almighty dollar.I would only accept offers of rides, food and a place to rest my head.My final destination would be Cape Fear in North Carolina,a symbol of all the fears I'd have to conquer during the trip. I rose early on September 6, 1994, and headed for the Golden Gate Bridge with a 50pound pack on my back and a sign displaying my destination to passing vehicles:"America". For six weeks I hitched 82 rides and covered 4,223 miles across 14 states.As I traveled, folks were always warning me about someplace else.In Montana they told me to watch out for the cowboys in Wyoming; in Nebraska they said people would not be as nice in Iowa. Yet I was treated with kindness everywhere I went.I was amazed by people's readiness to help a stranger, even when it seemed to run contrary to their own best interests. Why did the author drive past the young man in the desert without stopping? A Because he failed to notice this man. B Because he was driving too fast. C Because he thought the young man didn't need help. D Because he was afraid of being tricked. Answer: D Homeschooling is a popular alternative to send your children to a public or private school. It seems to be especially popular with stayathome parents who would rather teach their children themselves in the privacy of their own homes. In order to homeschool your children,you will need to know the basics of how to do this,and like everything,there are steps you will need to follow. Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states. The first step is to check with your state's Board of Education to find out what the legal requirements are and what you will need to do in order to _ them. Next,you will need to determine whether or not you want your children to follow a structured curriculum. Most parents use this system to ensure that their children will study every subject that a child who goes to a private or public school would. Homeschooling can not only provide your children with the essential learning of the basic subjects of reading,writing,and arithmetic,but it can also help your children to master muchneeded life skills. These skills can range from learning how to do the cleaning to balancing his or her own checkbook. They are skills that your child will need to know so that he or she can take care of themselves later on in life. One last point about homeschooling:The question of interaction and socialization is most always brought up in the question on whether or not a child should be homeschooled. Public schooling is automatically thought to be a good place for a child to learn how to get along with his or her peers. While some social skills probably can be learned in this type of environment,peer pressure is always a constant concern for parents. Fortunately,parents who homeschool can teach their children moral values as well as the right way to get along with other people. Homeschooling is very popular in America mainly because _ . A there are not enough public schools to meet with the children's education B the development of the Internet and other techniques makes it possible C there are some stayathome parents who have time and the ability to teach their children D the government encourages the parents to teach their children at home Answer: C
Question: Which is needed for photosynthesis to occur A. chemical with the atomic number 18 B. energy that takes 8.3 minutes to travel to Earth C. the 8th entry on the periodic table D. the most prevalent chemical in the atmosphere Answer: B. energy that takes 8.3 minutes to travel to Earth Question: Ever since Grumpy Cat first appeared online, _ But attention is not the only thing that this cat is getting. Her fortune is estimated at $ 100 million, more than many famous actors and musicians earn. So how did it all start? Grumpy Cat's owner Tabatha Bundesen was working as a waitress when her brother Bryan decided to take a photo of her funny-looking cat and post it on Reddit, the social-news site. In a matter of hours, she became a sensation . It got 1 million views on Imgur in 48 hours. Grumpy Cat's real name is Tardar Sauce and she actually has a condition called dwarfism, which makes her constantly frowning. But that unique frown turned out to be worth millions of dollars. Tabatha, who lives in Arizona in US, isn't complaining. She still remembers that September 22, 2012, when her life turned upside down. Since her cat became a worldwide phenomenon, she was able to quit her job and devote her life to managing her cat's modeling career. Sounds unbelievable, but it's true. She says that her only job now is to book Tardar's photo shoots, commercials , and other appearances. What are the other benefits of owning a million-dollar cat? Apart from not having to work, Tabatha can travel all the time. She has time and money to visit her family more often and enjoy her life. She never could have imagined just how huge her cat would become, but she always knew Tardar was very special. And she is glad to see her cat bringing joy to so many people around the world. As for the millions of dollars Grumpy has earned, they come from all the products, commercials and a best-selling book. She even has her own movie--Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever. What made Grumpy Cat become famous? A. Her unusual appearance. B. Her bad temper. C. Her short and fat body. D. Her unique fur. Answer: A. Her unusual appearance. Question: Bob has a good friend, Caesar. He is a brown dog. He is not very old. Bob gets him from Mr. Mason. One day Bob's father, mother and Bob go to the Mason's farm for lunch. After lunch, Mr. Mason says, "I'm going to a big city. So I can't take him there. You can't have a young dog in a big city." " Let me have him, Mr. Mason. He knows me well and we have no dog, " Mr. Mason looks at Bob's mother and father. "Please , Mother, let me have him," says Bob. "Ask your father," says she. "Please, Dad?" "Yes, you can have him." "Thank you, dear dad. Thanks, Mr. Mason. Come here, Caesar." "See! The dog is his now," says Mr. Mason. Mr. Mason works _ . A. in a school B. in a factory C. with Mr. Green D. on a farm Answer: D. on a farm Question: Tobacco companies are fighting efforts in the United States and Australia to make their products less appealing. In Washington, a federal judge last week blocked the Food and Drug Administration from requiring new warning labels on cigarette packs. Judge Richard Leon ruled in a case brought by five tobacco companies. The judge temporarily stopped a new federal rule which requires large new warnings starting next September. These include color1 images such as a dead body or diseased lungs. And simple text warnings now appear. Congress called for color1 images showing the dangers of smoking, similar to what Canada does. But the tobacco companies say the new requirements approved in June violate their free speech rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Judge Leon said the FDA could not require the new labels before a lawsuit against the government is decided. Some experts say the process could take years. The judge said he believed the cigarette makers were highly likely to win their case. He said the images should be designed to appeal to emotions, rejecting government arguments that they should be purely factual. He accused the government of trying to use the labels to promote an "obvious anti-smoking agenda?" The head of an anti-smoking group, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, called the decision "wrong on the science and wrong on the law". About one-fifth of American adults smoke. The World Health Organization says tobacco kills nearly six mil-lion people worldwide each year. More than six hundred thousand of them are non-smokers who breathe other people's tobacco smoke. In Australia, tobacco companies want to stop what would be the world's most restrictive laws on cigarette advertising. Cigarettes could be sold only in plain olive-green packages. Only the brand name and health warnings could appear. The Senate passed the bill last week and sent it back to the Lower House to approve minor amendments . The law is to go into effect in December of next year. Tobacco companies Say the legislation violates the Australian constitution. They say it would unjustly reduce the value of their brand names and trademarks. Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the government is ready for a legal fight. What are the tobacco companies ii1 the United States and Australia fighting against? A. The requirements to sell fewer products to the public. B. The requirements to print new warning labels on their products. C. The measures to make their products more attractive. D. The ways to make the companies close their business. Answer: B. The requirements to print new warning labels on their products. Question: Since my retirement from teaching music in 2001, I have spent a good deal of time painting as an artist, I actually began drawing again in the summer of 1995 when my father died. so perhaps I was trying to recover from the loss of my father, or maybe it was just that it brought back memories of him. In any case, I drew pen and ink animals and landscapes much influenced by Krenkel and St. John for five years. For some strange reason, I had been waiting until my retirement to start doing watercolor1s again, but as soon as I walked out of the school door for the last time I picked up my brushes and rediscovered Andrew Wyeth, who quickly became my favorite artist, I had looked through all the art books I had on my shelves and found his watercolor1s to be the closest to how I thought good watercolor1s should look. So I painted landscapes around Minnesota for three years and tried out many other types of painting. However, watercolor1s remained my first choice, and I think I did my best work there, showing my paintings at a number of art exhibitions. Art is now together with my piano playing and reading. There is a time for everything in my world, and it is wonderful to have some time doing what I want to do. As Confucius once said: "At seventy I can follow my heart's desire." We can infer from the text that the author _ . A. had been taught by Krenkel and St. John B. painted landscapes in Minnesota for 5 years C. believed Wyeth to be the best in watercolor1s D. started his retirement life at the age of seventy Answer: C. believed Wyeth to be the best in watercolor1s
Here is the school day in an English school. Morning The students have an English lesson and a Maths lesson.The first lesson begins at 9:00 a.m.The children have a break from 10:00 a.m.to 10:20 a.m.They usually eat snacks or play games in the playground.After the break, they have the second lesson.It lasts for an hour and fifteen minutes.They usually take a test during the first fifteen minutes. Lunchtime Lunchtime is from 12 at noon to 1:10 p.m.Most children bring their own lunch from home.Some children have lunch in the school canteen.After lunch, they play games in the playground. Afternoon The students do some reading.Then they have one or two lessons.They study Art, History and Science, etc.School is over at 3:15 p.m.Then they go home. The children have a break for _ in the morning. Answer: 20 minutes Do we think only with the brain? Hardly. The brain is like a telephone exchange. It is the switchboard, but not the whole system. Its function is to receive incoming signals, make proper connections, and send the messages through to their destination. For efficient service, the body must function as a whole. But where is the "mind"? Is it in the brain or perhaps in the nervous system? After all, can we say that the mind is in any particular place? It is not a thing, like a leg, or even the brain. It is a function, an activity. Aristotle, twenty-three hundred years ago, observed that the mind was to the body what cutting was to the ax. When the ax is not in use, there is no cutting. So it is with the mind. "Mind," said Charles H. Woolbert, "is what the body is doing." If this activity is necessary for thinking, it is also necessary for carrying thought from one person to another. Observe how people go about the business of ordinary conversation. If you have never done this carefully, you have a surprise in store, for good conversationalists are almost constantly in motion. Their heads are continually nodding and shaking sometimes so vigorously that you wonder how their necks can stand the strain. Even the legs and feet are active. As for the hands and arms, they are seldom still for more than a few seconds at a time. These people, remember, are not making speeches. They are only common people trying to make others understand what they have in mind. They are not conscious of movement. Their speech is not studies. They are just human creatures in a human environment, trying to adapt themselves to a social situation. Yet they converse, not only with oral language, but with visible actions that involve practically every muscle in the body. In short, because people really think all over, a speaker must talk all over if he succeeds in making people think. It can be inferred that the basic function of bodily activity in speech is to . Answer: intensify the speaker's spoken words What is politeness? This sounds like a simple question. In daily life, we often make judgments about what is polite and what is not polite. For example, to offer your seat to the elderly on a bus is considered polite behavior, and to interrupt when someone is talking is considered impolite; to greet someone the first time you meet him in the morning is polite and to stand up to reach for the dish you want at a dinner table is impolite. So politeness can first of all be regarded as a phenomenon, an observable social phenomenon. What I would like to propose is that as an observable social phenomenon, politeness is something superficial, but to account for what is understood at the surface, we should dig into the depth where different cultural values are rooted. When being complimented , an English-speaking person would readily accept the compliment by saying something like "Thank you" to show his appreciation of the praise, but a Chinese speaker would try to deny the truth of the compliment. They both think they are behaving properly. Yet neither of them would think the other is being polite. The English speaker is being polite to the extent that by accepting and showing appreciation of the compliment, and he avoids hurting the positive face of the person who makes it; the Chinese speaker is showing modesty by _ himself, ignoring the fact of the compliment paid to him. As has been mentioned, self-denigration has been at the core of the Chinese understanding of politeness for over two thousand years. The Chinese, in order to show modesty, will go to such lengths as to underrate what he himself has achieved and deny the truth of a complimentary remark. In the author's opinion, the nature of politeness lies in _ . Answer: different cultural values Which item below is NOT made from a material grown in nature? Answer: a plastic spoon Recently I had a conversation in Beijing with an adult Chinese friend who was complaining how difficult it was to study English. No surprises there. It is a difficult language to master, just like Chinese. I made a few suggestions based on my experience. One involved a very valuable fact which I learned from my high school Latin and Greek teacher, Dr. Smith.He is a gifted linguist ,and has an amazing ability to remember things, like poetry, essays, speeches, etc.His advice to us students is that for memorization purposes, there is forty minutes each day in which our memory is more acceptable than it is during the other 23 hours and 20 minutes. This 40-minute "super memory" period is divided into two parts: the 20 minutes before we sleep, and the 20 minutes after we first awake. The theory supporting this is pretty simple. First, the last information we input into our brain before bed has a better chance of taking root than information gained during the noisy daytime; and second, our mind is free of disturbance when we first awake in the morningso more receptive to inputs, like a blank slate . I took the advice to heart and it served me well in my school years. In my university days, our Chinese teacher would assign us 200 new vocabulary words each day, on which we would be quizzed the following day. Without the "magic" 40-minute technique, there's no way I would have passed those daily quizzes. As far as language study goes, it's not only useful for memorizing vocabulary. It's also a very useful window of time to listen to the language we're studying even with background noise, and even if it's at a level we find difficult to understand. It might be audio language study, aids, or just radio, TV or whatever. Beyond our years of formal education, memory skills are hugely important in any career. How many times have we heard a speaker read their speech from a prepared text, or read the word-by-word content of a PowerPoint presentation as they present each slide ? These are annoying, boring, and less effective ways of communicating. They are almost guaranteed to lose the audience's close attention and interest, let alone persuade or inspire anyone to do anything. And yet lots of people still make this mistake. If we use the 40-minute technique, we may not succeed in memorizing our presentation content on a 100% word-by-word basis, but we'll be familiar enough so that we can spend much more time making eye contact with our audience. We will get them in the process, while looking at our text instead of staring at it. This will also free up our hands and arms to convey some extra messages through gesture. As you see, the technique really works, but like many things, it takes practice to perfect it. Therefore, we'd better find ways to use the language outside of the classroom, as regularly and frequently as possible. One basic rule of language learning is, "Use it, or lose it*" Seize the forty-minute learning window and we'll bring in a rich harvest of language learning. Which of the following is the best title for this passage? Answer: The "Magic" 40-Minute Technique
A puppy is sitting in a yard and is at the door, asking to come in. A person looks out the door and sees the pup tremble, so the person can tell that A the dog is lonely B the temps have dropped C the puppy is happy D the pup is strong Answer: B. the temps have dropped Why is pink or purple a color1 for girls and blue or brown for boys? The answer depends largely on cultural values as well as personal experiences. To the Egyptians, green was a color1 that represented the hope and joy of spring, while for Muslims, it means heaven. Red is a symbol of good luck in many cultures. In China, children are given money in a red envelope to bring good fortune in the New Year. For many nations, blue is a symbol of protection and religious beliefs. Greek people often wear a blue necklace hoping to protect themselves against evils . People's choice of color1s is also influenced by their bodies' reactions toward them. Green is said to be the most restful color1. It has the ability to reduce pain and relax people both mentally and physically. People who work in green environment have been found to have fewer stomach aches. Red can cause a person's blood pressure to rise and increase people's appetites . Many decorators will include different shades of red in the restaurant. Similarly, many commercial websites will have a red "Buy Now" button because red is a color1 that easily catches a person's eye. Blue is another calming color1. Unlike red, blue can cause people to lose appetite. So if you want to eat less, some suggest that eating from blue plates can help. The next time you are deciding on what to wear or what color1 to decorate your room, think about the color1 carefully. Why will many commercial websites have a red "Buy Now" button? A To relax people physically. B To increase people's appetites. C To cause a person's blood pressure to rise. D To encourage people to make a purchase. Answer: D. To encourage people to make a purchase. Brownie and Spotty were neighbor dogs who met every day to play together. Like pairs of dogs you can find in any neighborhood, these two loved each other and played together so often that they had worn a path through the grass of the field between their houses. One evening, Brownie's family noticed that Brownie hadn't returned home. They went looking for him with no success. Brownie didn't show up the next day, and, although they made their efforts to find him, by the next week he was still missing, Curiously, Spotty showed up at Brownie's house alone, barking and jumping. Busy with their own lives, they paid no attention to the nervous little neighbor dog. Finally, one morning Spotty refused to take "no" for an answer. Ted, Brownie's owner, was continuously disturbed by the angry, determined little dog. Spotty followed Ted about, barking all the time, then rushing toward a nearby empty lot and back, as if to say, "Follow me! It's urgent!" Eventually, Ted followed Spotty across the empty lot as Spotty stopped to race back and barked encouragingly. The little dog led the man to a deserted spot a half mile from the house. There Ted found his beloved Brownie alive, one of his legs crushed in a steel trap . Frightened, Ted now wished he had taken Spotty's earlier appeals seriously. Then Ted noticed something. Spotty had done something else besides leading Brownie's human owner to his trapped friend. In a circle around the injured dog, Ted found some food remains of every meal. Brownie had been fed that week! Spotty had been visiting Brownie regularly, in the hope of keeping his friend alive. Spotty had actually stayed with Brownie to protect him from hunger and other dangers, and keep his spirits up. Brownie's leg was carefully treated and he soon got well again. For many years thereafter the two families watched the faithful friends chasing each other down that well-worn path between their houses. The BEST title for this passage might be _ ? A Dogs in Love B A Friend in Need C Human and dogs D Dogs Are Communicative Answer: B. A Friend in Need Having food has a positive impact on the health of what? A organism charts B water C sunlight D critters Answer: D. critters Which of the following is likely to eat berries? A a sparrow B a lobster C a tiger D a walrus Answer: A. a sparrow
Suppose you work in a big firm and find English important for your job because you often deal with foreign businessmen. Now you are looking for a place where you can improve your English, especially your spoken English. Here are some advertisements about English language training from newspapers. You may find the information you need. Global English Centre General English in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 3-month (700 yuan), 6-month (1,200 yuan) and one year (2000 yuan) courses. Choice fo morning or evening classes, 3 hours per day, Mon. ~Fri. Experienced college English teachers. Close to city centre and bus stops. Tel:67605270 Add:105 Zhongshan Road,100082 Modern Language School Special courses in English for business, travel, banking, hotel management and office skills. Small classes (12~16 students) on Sat.&Sum.from2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Native English teachers from Canada and USA. Language lab and computers supplied. 3-month course: (1050 yuan), 6-month course: (1850 yuan) Write or phone: Modern Language School, 675 Park Road, 100056 Tel: 67353019 The 21 sty Century English Training Centre We specialize in effective teaching at all levels. We offer morning or afternoon classes, both of which last three months and a half at a cost of 800 yuan. Entrance exams:1 June and 1 Dec. We also have a six-week TOEFL preparation class during winter and summer holidays. Only 15-minute walk from city centre. Call 67801642 for more information. The International House of English 3/6-month English courses for students of all levels at very low cost: 60 yuan for 12 hours per week; convenient class hours:9~12 a.m. and2~5 p.m. A 4-month evening classes for developing speaking skills (same cost as day classes). Well-trained Chinese and foreign teachers experienced in teaching English as a 2nd foreign language. Free sightseeing and social activities. Very close to the Central Park. For further information call 67432308. You'll probably prefer to go to the International House of English because it. (B) What are you going to do if you are in a burning house? Escaping a fire is a serious matter. Knowing what to do during a fire can save yourself. It is important to know the ways you can use and to show them to everyone in the family, such as stairways and fire escapes, but not lifts . From the lower floors of the building, escaping through windows is possible, learn the best way of leaving through windows with the least chance of serious injury . The second floor windows are usually not very high from the ground. An average person, hanging by the finger-tips will have a drop of about six feet to the ground. It is about the height of an average man. Of course, it is safer to jump a short way than to stay in a burning building. Windows are also useful when you are waiting for help. Be sure to keep the door closed, or smoke and fire may be drawn into the room. Keep your head low at the window to be sure you get fresh air rather than smoke that may have leaked into the room. On a second or third floor, the best windows for escaping are those which open onto a roof . From the roof a person can drop to the ground more safely, dropping onto stones might end in injury. Keep the door closed so that _ if the building is on fire. Whether it is "women and children first" or "every man for himself" in a shipwreck may depend on how long it takes the ship to sink, researchers said recently. When the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German ship in 1915, it sank in 18 minutes and the majority of the survivors were young men and women who responded immediately to their powerful survival instincts . But when the Titanic struck an iceberg in 1912, it took "three hours to go down, allowing time for more civilize behavior to take control--and the majority of the survivors were women, children and people with young children. Economist Benno Torgler of the Queensland University of Technology in Australia and his colleagues studied the two sinkings in order to explore the economic theory that people generally behave in a "rational" and selfish manner. The two tragedies provided a "natural experiment" for testing the idea, because the passengers on the two ships were quite similar in terms of gender and wealth. The major difference was how long it took the ships to sink. They suggested that when people have little time to react, instincts may rule. When more time is available, social influences play a bigger role. But psychologists noted that many factors other than following social norms could come into play in a disaster, including an evolutionary urge to save the species, attachments that are formed between individuals during the event and the leadership of authority figures. The extent of altruism and how it occurs "is a very controversial issue," said Anthony R. Mawson, a professor of preventive medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.He thinks the dominant response was attachment behavior. Psychologist Daniel Kruger of the University of Michigan, US thinks that the answer lies less in social norms and more in our evolutionary heritage. Human beings have a deep instinct to preserve our kind, he said, and that means "people are more likely to save those who have higher reproductive value, namely the young and women in child-bearing years". Kruger also stressed the importance of leadership during a disaster, noting that the Titanic's captain appeared to have greater control than the Lusitania's. The following factors have something to do with disasters behaviors EXCEPT _ . More and more people are aware that an afternoon nap can do a body good. But there are still doubters out there. To help spread the power of the afternoon nap, we list some common misunderstandings about napping we still hear. Misunderstanding # 1 : Napping is only for the lazy. Fact: Around a third of American adults nap on the average day, and for good reason: A short nap can improve everything from alertness and memory to creativity and productivity . And none of these sounds like laziness to us! Misunderstanding # 2 : If I take a nap, I'll only wake up feeling worse. Fact: That weak feeling after you wake up from a nap is real (it even has a name: sleep inertia), but it's not a guarantee . How you feel after your nap is a factor of how long you sleep. Experts generally agree that a nap should last no longer than 30 minutes. "If it takes longer than 30 minutes, you end up in deep sleep. You're going into a stage of sleep where you find it very difficult to wake up." said sleep expert Michael J. Breus, Ph. D. Next time you're in the mood for a nap, set your alarm for 20 to 30 minutes, tops. Misunderstanding # 3 : You mustn't nap at work. Fact: In fact, in the office environment, we're all for catching a few winks during the workday. Some companies have even created special rooms for afternoon naps as more and more employers come around to the idea that a well-rested workforce is a more productive workforce. If your employer doesn't offer a place to lay your head, try to find an empty conference room where you can close the door and turn off the lights. Really want. You can also take a nap during your lunch break on a park bench or in your car. Misunderstanding # 4 : I'll be more productive if I just finish this task, rather than waste time sleeping. Fact: Yes, you'll be away from your desk if you spend 10 to 30 minutes sleeping. But you'll likely make up for that "wasted" time afterward. "My research shows that people feel tired after a long time of work during the day," Sara Mednick told Bloomberg Businessweek. "It's difficult to keep energetic and productive all day." However, a nap can leave you feeling refreshed and more ready to deal with the task at hand. Which of the following is the best title for the passage? Computers are good tools .The Internet is also good. But some people spend too much time online. They can't stop. Doctors say this is a new sickness. They call this sickness Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD). People with IAD are online a lot. They spend hours chatting to their friends or playing online games. Many people with IAD spend more time on the Internet than with family or friends. Some people with IAD even quit their jobs! Do you have IAD? Think about these questions:How many hours a day are you online? Is it a lot or a little? When you are not online,are you thinking about playing a computer game or checking your messages? When you are online,do you forget the time? Do you get angry when you can't play a game? If you have IAD,what can you do? Dr. Ivan Goldberg and Dr. Kimberly S.Young have some ideas. First,ask yourself "Why am I online a lot?" Then try to take a break. For example,use the computer or play games twice a week,not every day. In this way,you can have a good social life with other friends. According to the passage,which is NOT a sign of IAD?
Which of the following is an example of genetic engineering? Answer: What would you think if someone suggested knocking down St Paul's Cathedral to widen the road? Or pulling down Big Ben to make way for a car park? It would be ridiculous, right? But when it comes to devastation of the natural world, we aren't so easily shocked. But we should be...or we'll be in a lot of trouble. _ . Ancient forests are destroyed. Wetlands are becoming dry. Woodland is disappearing, and all in the name of progress. This is bad in itself, but it's devastating for biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals and other living things that are all interconnected. The ecological services provided by biodiversity are vital to everyday life. The air we breathe is a product of photosynthesis by green plants. Insects, worms and bacteria break down waste and make soils rich. And tiny organisms clean the water in rivers and sea. In fact, all life on the earth exists thanks to the benefits of biodiversity. More than 90 percent of the calories consumed by people worldwide are produced from 80 plant species. And 30 percent of medicines are developed from plants and animals. Maintaining a wide diversity of species in each ecosystem is necessary to preserve all living things. The loss of biodiversity could be devastating. "It is wrong to think that biodiversity can be reduced indefinitely without threatening humans," said Harvard University biologist Edward O. Wilson, known as the "father of biodiversity". He warned, "We are about to reach a critical point beyond which biodiversity loss will become irreversible ." But what can we do? The present problem is that the concept of biodiversity is so vague . People might care about giant pandas, but it is much harder to excite them about the fate of tiny sea creatures which are being boiled to death in the cooling systems of power stations along coastlines. TheGuardiannewspaper is trying to help. _ has launched the Biodiversity 100 campaign to try to convince governments around the world to take action to deal with the widespread concerns about biodiversity. This includes persuading the UK government to create a series of marine reserves to reserve the decrease in the sea-life caused by industrial fishing, stopping fishing sharks by the Japanese fishermen and banning the killing of dingoes (wild dogs) in Australia, among many other things. There is a lot to do. And we'd better act quickly if we don't want to end up with a planet that can't sustain life! Edward O. Wilson thinks that _ . Answer: The air here is fresh. There are not many tall buildings in our town. The best building is in our school. There are four hundred students and twenty-five teachers in our school. In the front of the school, there is a playground. I often play basketball with my classmates on it. There is a little garden behind our school. And we can grow beautiful flowers and plant trees in the garden. Next the garden, there is an orange orchard . You can hear birds singing everywhere. There is a river not far from our school. In summer, we usually go swimming in it. What is the best title of the passage? Answer: Mo Yan's winning of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature shows the world's recognition of China's contemporary literature, according to the China Writers Association. It also represents the attention drawn to Chinese writers and the international influences of Chinese literature, said an official statement from the organization on Thursday evening. Mo is the first Chinese national to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. In the statement, the association congratulated Mo Yan on his success and spoke highly of his "outstanding achievements". Mo had effectively extended the boundaries of imagination, the depth of thoughts and the state of arts of Chinese literature by focusing on lives in the countryside with a unique national style, said the statement. He Jianming, vice president of the association, said in a separate interview, "It is not only a joyous occasion for Mo, but also a dream coming true for generations of Chinese writers. " "The prize also shows recognition in realism writing coming from traditional Chinese literature, " said He. He cited Mo's latest novel, Frog, which was published in China in 2010, as an example of Mo's focus on realism. The book focuses on the influence of China's "one child" policy in the countryside. "Mo's works are among the best when it comes to Chinese contemporary literature. "He said, "Adding the award is significant for the development of Chinese literature and will improve confidence in the country's cultural creativity. " Mo Yan, a pen name for Guan Moye, was born in 1955 and grew up in Gaomi in east China's Shandong Province. Mo is one of the most widely translated Chinese writers. His best-known work is Red Sorghum, which was made into a film by the director Zhang Yimou. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? Answer: Years ago a John Hopkin's professor gave a group of graduate students this _ : Go to the slums . Take 200 boys, between the ages of 12 and 16, and investigate their backgrounds and environment. Then predict their chances for the future. The students, after consulting social statistics, talking to the boys and working out data, concluded that 90 percent of the boys would spend some time in prison. Twenty-five years later another group of graduate students was given the job of testing the prediction. They went back to the same area. Some of the boys--by then men--were still there. A few of them had died and some had moved away, but they got in touch with 180 of the original 200. They found that only four of the group had ever been sent to prison. Why was it that these men, who had lived in a breeding place of crime, had such a surprisingly good record? The researchers were continually told: "Well, there was a teacher." They pressed further, and found that in 75 percent of the cases it was the same woman. The researchers went to this teacher, now living in a home for retired teachers. How had she made this remarkable influence over that group of children? Could she give them any reason why these boys should have remembered her? "No," she said, "I really couldn't." And then, thinking back over the years, she said thoughtfully, more to herself than to her questioners: "I loved those boys." This is just the reason. A Johns Hopkins professor sent the first group of graduates to the slums to _ . Answer:
While on a field trip to NASA, Felicia saw a short film on materials that make up nebulae. Which topic was most likely presented in the film? Answer: stellar formation Let us say there is something you don't know how to do. In the past if you were determined to learn, you might have called friends or s, taken a night class or walked down to the local library for a research term. But now a host of websites are springing up to provide free practical advice on these subjects and actually anything else you can think of. In one sense, these" how - to" sites represent a part of the growing world of online learning. These FAQs(Frequent Answers and Questions), many of which still circulate(go round continuously), took a special subject and explained it to complete _ . But, "how - to" sites take the FAQ idea in a somewhat different direction by addressing subjects that aren't necessarily associated with discussion forums .These sites take the style of a written tutorial and a tone of friendly advice. Possibly the biggest and best known of these sites is learn 2.com(www. learn2. com)It offers nearly 1, 000 free tutorials and adds new ones frequently for a job interview. At ehow. com(www. ehow.)you can learn how to train for your first marathon, how to buy a vacation home, or how to make a movie in eight steps. The purpose of the passage is to _ . Answer: bring new means to learn something new The man who brings my milk used to knock for his money for the week's milk while I was having breakfast on Saturday morning. Just lately he has been arriving before I get up. Staff shortages mean that four men are sharing five rounds, so he has to start earlier. Delivering milk to people's homes is scarcely good business, especially when the customer may have a choice of two or three firms serving a single road. In spite of my local difficulties, however, labor troubles are not as sharp as a few years ago. There are enough men prepared to make an early morning for the sake of an open-air job with a fair measure of freedom. If they did stop calling, women would find it hard work to collect all the milk they need from self-service stores . Dairies are aware that stopping deliveries resulted in falling sales. Marketing ideas have included introducing extra lines, in addition to dairy products, which the milkman can carry to increase turnover. Already they have taken over many rounds given up by bakeries. One dairyman said, "It wont' be long before the milkman delivers more bread that milk. " Some milkmen deliver potatoes, and it seems as if diversification will be limited only by the size of the vans. So the milkman is likely to remain a familiar figure. Even the returnable bottle continues to be used. As long as it has a reasonable life--30 to 40 trips are usual-- the cost of collection and cleaning is worthwhile. Why do some people choose to be milkmen? Answer: Because they like working outdoors. One evening , it was raining and the wind was blowing hard . An old couple came to a small hotel and wanted to stay there for the night . A young man welcomed them warmly , but said "I'm sorry ! Our rooms here are all full and the hotels nearby are all full too, for there will be an important meeting held here tomorrow ." Hearing the young man's words , the old couple felt very disappointed , and turned around to leave . Just as they were leaving , the young man came up to them and stopped them :"Madam and sir ,if you don't mind , you can sleep in my bedroom for a night ." The next morning ,the old couple took out lots of money to give it to the young man ,but he refused to take it . "No! You needn't pay me any money , for I only lend my room to you." said the young man with a smile on his face. "You're great, young man! It's very kind of you .Maybe one day , I'll build a hotel for you ." said the old man. With these words , the old couple left . The young man only laughed and went on working . Several years later , the young man got a letter from the old couple , inviting him to go to Manhattan . The young man met the old couple in front of a five-star hotel . "Do you still remember what I said to you several years ago ? Look ! This is the hotel that I built for you !" said the old man . Soon, the young man became the manager of the hotel. It's clear that _ . Answer: a meeting would be held Scientists are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to test whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert in human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study on the effect of robotic dogs on old people's depression , physical activity, and life satisfaction. In the study, the robot, called AIBO, is placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone. Before placing AIBO in the home, scientists will collect baseline data for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO. Then, the scientists will review the data to test if it has produced any changes in the life of its owner. "I talk to him all the time, and he responds to my voice," says a seventy-year-old lady. "When I'm watching TV, he'll stay in my arms until he wants down. He has his own mind." The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The scientists say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people. Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog _ exercise and feeding concerns. "At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate(......) to the robotic dog, because it was metal and not furry." Beck says. "Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more-valuable health helper. They will record their masters' blood pressure, oxygen levels or heart rhythms . AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people's minds." The writer seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may _ . Answer: change people's ideas
If you have a problem with speaking, you can do several things. Listen to English as much as possible. You can learn a poem or a song by heart. You can also learn more dialogues . And practice speaking with your friends as much as you can. Many people find it difficult to listen to English. The answer is to listen as much as you can. However, don't do too much at one time. It is better to practice listening for five minutes every day. Don't sit down and listen for an hour at a time. That's too much! Do choose listening passages that are interesting and not too difficult. Choose tapes on which the people speak clearly and not too fast. Take it easy, at first. Success with simple tapes at the beginning is the answer. Later on you can practice with tapes that are more difficult. Finally, how can you learn to write well? How do you use little words like in, on, of and for? There are two answers to this. First, do some study with new words. Keep a list of verbs like look for, look after and so on. Second, read as much English as possible. There are many things that can't be learnt. You must see them in books many times. Then you'll be able to use them correctly yourself. So, in order to write well, you must first learn to read much. Which of the following is right according to the passage? A. It's better to listen to English for a long time every day. B. At the beginning, you'd better choose the tapes on which the people speak quickly. C. At first you should begin with simple tapes for listening. D. Few people think it hard to listen to English. Answer: C This is Tom's bedroom. It is very nice. A pair of shoes is behind the door. They are black and blue. He likes them very much. His desk is near the bookcase. It is not too big. A red sofa is behind the desk. You can see a clock and some books on the desk. His English books are in his schoolbag. The bag is on the red sofa. The English books are _ . A. on the desk B. on the floor C. under the desk D. in the schoolbag Answer: D An evergreen tree is a Christmas tradition in many American homes. The tree is usually a pine or fir dressed with lights and other color1ful decorations. Families might buy a cut tree or go to a tree farm and cut one down themselves. Some people bring a live tree in a pot into their home for the holidays and then put it back outdoors. Some people rent a Christmas tree. Companies might bring the same live tree to the same family year after year. Or the tree might get planted in a park or someplace else where it could help the environment. There are some trees that can be reused year after year because they are made of plastic or metal. Or, instead of a tree, some people have a small, sweet-smelling rosemary plant, cut to look like a little Christmas tree. Another plant that many people connect with Christmas is the poinsettia . Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They can be white or pink, but most are bright red. They are named after the first American ambassador to Mexico. Joel Poinsett liked them enough to send some back to the United States. Babies or pets that chew on poinsettias might get sick. But experts say the plant is not as poisonous as some people think. Like millions of other houses, the home of America's first president is decorated for Christmas. George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate is in Virginia. Visitors can hear stories about what Christmas was like at Mount Vernon in the eighteenth century. The museum where visitors begin their tour is decorated with Christmas trees. It can be inferred from the passage that_. A. Americans are not allowed to cut a tree for Christmas B. Americans have various ways to get a Christmas tree C. a Christmas tree must be planted after it is used D. every family will change their Christmas trees every year Answer: B At one time, computers were expected largely to remove the need for paper copies of documents because they could be stored electronically. But for all the texts that are written, stored and sent electronically, a lot of them are still ending up on paper. It is difficult to measure the quantity of paper used as a result of use of Internet-connected computers, although just about anyone who works in an office can tell you that when e-mail is introduced, the printers start working overtime. "I feel in my bones this revolution is causing more trees to be cut down," says Ted Smith of the Earth Village Organization. Perhaps the best sign of how computer and Internet use pushes up demand for paper comes from the high-tech industry itself, which sees printing as one of its most promising new markets. Several Internet companies have been set up to help small businesses print quality documents from a computer. Earlier this week Hewlett-Packard Co. announced a plan to develop new technologies that will enable people to print even more so they can get a hard copy of a business document, a medical record or just a on-line e-mail, even if they are nowhere near a computer. As the company sees it, the more use of the Internet the greater demand for printers. Does all this mean environmental concerns have been forgotten? Some activists suggest people have been led to believe that a lot of dangers to the environment have gone away. "I guess people believe that the problem is taken care of, because of recycling ," said Kelly Quirke, director of the Rainforest Action Network in San Francisco. Yet Quirke is hopeful that high-tech may also prove helpful. He says printers that print on both sides are growing in popularity. The action group has also found acceptable paper made from materials other than wood, such as agricultural waste. The growing demand for paper in recent years is largely due to _ . A. the rapid development of small businesses B. the opening up of new markets C. the printing of high quality copies D. the increased use of the Internet Answer: D These days, it's easy to fly across oceans for vacation. Centuries ago, however, crossing the open seas required thorough and accurate planning, handmade boats, and courage. Scientists and historians have long been looking for clues to explain who crossed which oceans first. When it comes to the trip between Polynesia and South America, chickens may have been among the first ocean voyagers, according to new evidence. After studying an ancient chicken bone, anthropologists from the University of Auckland in New Zealand now say that people and chickens traveled from Polynesia to what is now Chile by about 620 years ago. By then, the Inca people were already living in South America, but the Polynesians would have been the first to get there by sea. Previous theories claimed that European explorers and their chickens sailed to South America first -- but those voyagers didn't arrive until about a century later. In 2002, archaeologists dug up 50 chicken bones from a site in Chile called El Arenal. The team from New Zealand analyzed one to these bones. According to their calculations, the bone is about 650 years old. The researchers also compared the genetic material, or DNA, from the South American chicken bone with DNA from 11 chicken bones that had been found on the Polynesian islands of Tonga and American Samoa. These islands are 6,000 miles west of Chile. The bones found on the Polynesian islands are been 600 and 2,000 years old. Results of the comparisons showed that the chicken bones from both the Polynesian and South American sites had part of DNA in common. The researchers found the same part of DNA in feathers of two living chickens in Chile that belong to a modem breed that lays blue eggs. That DNA evidence suggests a close relationship among the chickens. "However, the weight of scientific evidence is now behind the hypothesis that it was seafaring ( ) Polynesians who sailed from the islands to South America and returned," says archaeologist Patrick V. Kirch of the University of California, Berkeley. People found that chickens were among the first to travel from Polynesia to South America by _ . A. comparing the color1s of eggs laid by chickens from the two places B. comparing the DNA of chicken bones dug up on the Polynesian islands and that of the chicken bones from South America C. studying some previous theories D. asking the natives of South America Answer: B
Question: Letters to the next president Dear Mr. President: I would like to personally thank you for your time and concern for our great country. I would like to take a few minutes to address a few concerns that I have with the United States. First of all, I would like to address the war. In my opinion, we should have never been involved with Iraq to the extent that we are now. I believe we should pull our troops out. However, I think there should be a time table that we follow but the time table should not be released because the enemy does not need to know when we are going to pull out. Also, the war takes out a ton of our money, which leads me to my next issue. The economy right now, in the opinion of many Americans is the biggest issue with which we are facing right now. No one can predict what will happen one day or the next. The obvious thing to do is to put 700 billion dollars in the economy, but that bill failed and was rejected by the House of Representatives . Instead of putting 700 billion dollars in, I think the money should be equally distributed among Americans to pay off their debts. I'm not sure if this would work, but I think it is a positive alternative we could take. My final issue I would like to call to your attention is teacher's salaries. The high school students of today are America's future. In a way, America's future depends greatly on the high school teachers of America. Saying this, it is sad that teacher's salaries are where they are. While teachers are working harder and harder every day to teach high school students, CEO's of big companies that are driving our countries economy into the ground are getting bonuses. I'm not saying that teacher's salaries should be the same of CEO's of companies, but I do strongly believe that action should be taken to increase the salaries of teachers because they have one of the most important jobs in America - - preparing our country for the future. Once again, thank you for your time and your effort you put in to making this great country a better place. Sincerely, Walker What's the author's attitude towards the Iraq War? A. Supportive B. Objective C. Negative D. Positive Answer: C Question: Within an ecosystem, producers are likely to be A. liquid B. bloody C. diamond D. budding Answer: D Question: Can feeling of nostalgia be good for you? or is it unhealthy to have a strong love for the past? For years, medical experts have studied nostalgia and the reasons for it. Many experts warn that too much nostalgia is harmful. They say linger in the past shows that a person is unhappy with his present life. These feelings keep the person from living his life to its fullest. Dr. Louise Kaplan has written several books about nostalgia. She says these feelings often begin when a young person is between 13 and 19 years old. "This is the time when you must face the loss of your childhood, " Kaplan says. "You see your new life is easily destroyed. But you think romantically about a golden past. You remember your childhood as a time when life was perfect." These feelings continue as a person gets older, Kaplan adds. She says many grown persons have a hard time keeping up with changes in the modem world, so they think back to their younger years. At that time the world seemed simple and more harmless. Kaplan says these feelings are not always actually existing. The good old days weren't always good. However, she says nostalgia can be helpful, if used properly. "Feelings of nostalgia can cause you to remember a time when you had high hopes and dreams, " Kaplan says. "It might give you the strong wish to catch those dreams today, in your present life." She adds that nostalgia can prevent you from "cutting yourself off from your aim." "At its best, " Kaplan says, "nostalgia has the ideas for the future." We may also use _ as the topic of the article. A. Thoughts on Nostalgia B. The reasons for Nostalgia C. Why Do They Think Back to the Past D. Nostalgia, Good or Bad Answer: D Question: There are three people in Yang Yang's family. They like different kinds of food. Yang Yang likes rice a lot. But she doesn't like chicken at all. Her father is from Shanxi. He doesn't like rice at all. He likes chicken and bread very much. Her mother is from Dalian. She doesn't like rice or bread at all. But she likes fish and vegetables a lot. They love each other and help each other. Yang Yang's mother likes _ very much. A. chicken and bread B. rice C. fish and vegetables D. chicken Answer: C Question: The nervous-looking young man had waited for a few moments--outside the jeweler's before he got enough courage to enter. He was warmly greeted by a young assistant. James felt a rush of blood to his face as he explained he would be bringing in his future wife to choose a birthday present. The assistant listened carefully and told him he'd better buy a necklace. He wasn't used to buying jewellery and was a little worried about over-spending. After some discussion as to a reasonable price and the type, the assistant showed him dozens of necklaces and helped him to choose. At last James chose one and left the shop promising to return at five o'clock. When, half an hour later than planned, James did return to the shop with his future wife, Laura, the assistant acted as if she had never seen him before. When she was asked to show them some necklaces, she first brought out some inexpensive ones for them to choose, and then gave them the one she had prepared. A choice was soon made and they went away satisfied. James would certainly come back to buy what he wanted. A good title for this passage is _ . A. A Clever Assistant B. Buying a Birthday Present C. How to Choose a Necklace D. A Brave Young Man Answer: A
Last year, on report card day, my son and a group of his 13-year-old friends piled into the back seat of my car, ready for the last-day-of-school party at McDonald's. "Jack got a laptop for getting straight A's, and Laurie got a cell-phone," one boy said. "Oh, yeah, and Sarah got an iPod Nano, and she's only in third grade," said another. "And how about Brian? He got $10 for each A." I suddenly became concerned. These payoffs might get parents through grammar school, but what about high school and beyond? What would be left after the electric guitar, the cell-phone, and the DVD player? I saw the road ahead: _ I saw my comfortable lifestyle disappear before my eyes---no more of those $5 bags of already-peeled organic carrots. No more organic anything! I started to feel surprised and nervous. Would every goal achieved by my two children fetch a reward? A high grade point average? A good class ranking? Would sports achievements be included in this reward system: soccer goals, touchdowns ? What about the orchestra ? Would first chair pay more than second? I'd be penniless by eighth-grade graduation. "We never paid anything for good grades," said my neighbor across the street, whose son was recently accepted at MIT. "He just did it on his own. Maybe once in a while we went out for pizza, but that's about it." Don't you just hate that? We're all running around looking for the MP3 player with the most updates, and she's spending a few dollars on pizza. She gets motivation; we get negotiation. And what about the primary grades? What do these students get? "When the teacher asked if anyone got rewards for good grades, everyone in my class raised their hands and said they got ice cream cones ," said one third-grader. The author takes her neighbor as an example to show _ . A pizza is the best way to motivate children B it is necessary to reward children for their good grades. C getting rewards for good grades is common nowadays D rewards are not the only way to motivate children Answer: D. rewards are not the only way to motivate children Sydney Airport International Terminal -Arrival Area SPECIALTY RETAIL Newslink: Two separate Newslink stores _ all your reading needs including newspapers, magazines and the latest bestsellers. Downtown Duty Free: Make sure you shop at Downtown Duty Free for great savings on a range of items including perfume, alcohol, skincare and cigarettes. It's your last chance before customs. Beach Culture: A must for those into the Latest in beach clothing. Top surfer street and fashion labels including Mambo, Stussy and Quicksilver, including children's sizes. DINING Blue Sky Cafe: Speedy service leaves you time to keep an eye on the arrivals gate. Fresh milk, coffee, lemon juice, beer, Whisky, ice-cream, soda water, cakes and dumplings are on sale. Macdonald's: hamburgers, fries, pancakes, toasted potatoes, muffins, Pepsi, coca-cola and chocolates-all your family favorites. Breakfast served until 10:30. SERVICES ATM: ATMs are conveniently located throughout Arrival and Departures. Dollars, pounds and francs and RMB are all available. Vodafone Rentals: This communications center offers the very latest technology for mobile phone rentals, sales and serving. Where is the passage likely to appear? A A morning newspaper. B A monthly magazine. C A geography book. D An official guide. Answer: D. An official guide. Following some of the tips for green living helps save our planet. All of these involve just a few changes to our daily habits. Just walk and limit the use of your car. One of the poster images of pollution is our vehicles. It burns fuel. It is not as efficient as we hope it could be, and we use it every single day. To lessen the effects of the air pollution caused by our vehicles, we should limit their use. If we can walk to our destination then just let us go. Not only do we lessen our carbon dioxide emissions, but we also get a good exercise out of it. Use a laptop instead of a computer desktop. Laptops are more energy efficient compared to their bigger counterparts. A laptop is generally 50 percent more efficient in using electricity. Aside from that there are other benefits of a laptop. It is portable so you can work anywhere you like and that you get powerful features without the large size of desktop units. Turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth. It is always a better idea to use a glass when we are brushing our teeth and not to just let the faucet keep on running. Therefore,there is less water to waste while we are cleaning our pearly whites. Simply turn off the faucet when you are not using it. Make good use of natural light. We have a great and natural lamp --- the sun, and we should learn how to take full advantage of it during daytime. So instead of turning on our lights or lamps even if it is still not evening, we should pull up the drapes and let the natural light come in from the windows. These are just some of the best tips for green living, but of course there are still many of these tips if you just search for them. But you can do your own variation any time just always prioritize how you can use less energy and produce even lesser trash and pollution. What's the best title for the passage? A How to Save Our Planet B How to Change Our Daily Habits C Tips for Green Living Today D Green Living and Serious Pollution Answer: C. Tips for Green Living Today For the kids in Matt Marciano's sixth-grade social studies class, Thanks-giving is a time for great ideas. "We look at different foods that people eat around the world," says Marciano. "The lesson," he explains, "teaches students to admit that some people are unlucky. And it also gets them thinking about Thanksgiving, about their lives, and about their biggest homework of the year--to find a way they can change the world." Last year, 12-year-old Christian D. taught basic soccer skills to 63 kids with cancer. Christian's classmate Brianna used the money she had raised to buy 56 teddy bears. She donated them to a woman's shelter. Both students say the experience taught them something they'll never forget: When we give something to others, we're really giving thanks. And giving thanks feels good. "Helping the woman smile, if just for a day, made me feel like I could make a difference," Brianna says. "And it taught me that I should always be thankful for what I have." Brianna's happiness is something Jeffrey Froh knows about. Froh studies how gratitude affects a person's mind and attitudes. Those who are thankful are more likely to help others. Grateful people and kids in particular are healthier and happier than those who are not. "Grateful kids tend to be happier and more satisfied with their lives," Froh says. "Kids who give thanks are happier with school, their families and their friends. Grateful children also feel less envy toward others, are less likely to be depressed and even do better in school." "To experience gratitude," says Froh, "a couple of things have to happen. First you have to notice that there is goodness in your life. Then you have to admit that the reason for that goodness lies partially outside of yourself." The example of Christian and Brianna proves _ . A giving makes a person become happier B kids should be thankful for learning chances C making a difference isn't easy for kids D what kids have is all given by their parents Answer: A. giving makes a person become happier Tens of thousands of smartphone applications are running ads from the overwhelming advertising networks that change smartphone settings and copy people's contact information without permission. Aggressive ad networks can disguise ads as text message notifications , and sometimes change browser settings and bookmarks. Often, the ads will upload your contacts list to the ad network's servers--- information that the ad network can then sell to marketers. Sounds scary? It's not a giant problem yet, but it's a growing one. As many as 5% of free mobile apps use an "aggressive" ad network to make money, according to Lookout, a San Francisco-based mobile security company. PhoneLiving was one of the most popular app developers to use these kinds of ad networks; their dozens of talking animal apps have been downloaded several million times. Later, PhoneLiving says it has mended its ways. The company admittedusing _ techniques to make money from its apps, but said it dropped those methods at the start of July because of bad reviews and declining downloads. The most popular type of apps that use aggressive ad networks are "Personalisation" apps, which include wallpapers. Comic and entertainment apps are also among the most likely to have rogue ad networks running behind the scenes. Like aggressive pop-ups on PCs, the bad software isn't easy to get rid of. Though the damage can typically be removed by deleting the app, it can be hard to tell which app is causing the problems. When developers create free mobile apps, they usually make money through ads displayed within the app. App makers don't usually tell people which ad network they are using, which makes it hard to avoid the known offenders. The best defense is to read reviews and avoid downloading apps that have attracted many complaints. Why is the bad software hard to get rid of? A The software runs behind the scenes. B The app is very hard to delete. C It is difficult to find the problem app. D The network antivirus is out of date. Answer: C. It is difficult to find the problem app.
What are you going to do if you are in a burning house? How will you escape? Do you know how to save yourself? Please read the following passage. Escaping a fire is a serious matter.Knowing what to do during a fire can save your life.It is important to know the ways you can use and show them to everyone in the family,such as stairways and fire escapes,but not lifts. From the lower floors of the buildings,escaping through windows is possible,learn the best way of leaving by windows with the least chance of serious injury. The second floor window is usually not very high from the ground.An average person,hanging by the finger-tips will have a drop of about six feet to the ground.It is about the height of an average man.Of course,it is safer to jump a short way than to stay in a burning building. Windows are also useful when you are waiting for help.Be sure to keep the door closed.Or smoke and fire may be drawn into the room.Keep your head low at the window to be sure you get fresh air rather than smoke that may leaked into the room. On a second or third floor,the best windows for escaping are those that open onto a roof.From the roof a person can drop to the ground more safely.Dropping onto cement might end in injury.Bushes and grass can help to break a fall. Open the window so that _ if the building is on fire. Answer: you can get fresh air "Cool" is a word with many meanings. Its old meaning is used to express a temperature that is a little bit cold. As the world changes, the word has many different meanings. "Cool" can be used to _ feelings of interest in almost anything. When you see a famous car in the street, maybe you will say "It's cool." You may think, "He's so cool," when you see your favorite footballer. We all maximize the meaning of "cool". You can use it instead of many words such as "new" or "surprising". Here's an interesting story we can use to show the way the word is used. A teacher asked her students to write about the waterfall. On one student's paper was just the one sentence, "It's so cool". Maybe he thought it was the best way to show what he saw and felt. But the story also shows a scarcity of words, it seems that some people have no words to show the same meaning without "cool" . Can you think of many other words that make your life as colorful as the word "cool"? Yes, I can. And I think they are also very cool. If you are _ something, you may say, "It's cool." Answer: interested in 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. The number of visitors to Hawaii in 2009 is expected to be about _ . Answer: 6,664,000 Dae Jon is the city in South Korea, where I was born and grew up. There was a public park there. It was a very popular place, and I have tons of precious memories from times spent there. Our teachers often took us to that park for a spring or fall picnic. When I learned martial arts --Tae Kwon Do, my master usually took us there to train us. There was a hill there which was not high, so I could reach the peak within forty minutes even though I was very young. From the peak, I could see a lot of places if it was a sunny day. There was a huge rock on the top called Eagle Rock because the shape of the rock looked like the head of an eagle. We spent lots of fun days there. We played hide-and-seek within the limited area, and we sometimes caught frogs and fish in the pond. When we felt thirsty, we enjoyed drinking cold spring water. When I was a ten-year-old boy, I usually went to the park with my father to exercise early in the morning. It was quite dark, so I sometimes felt afraid, but after I got used to going there, I enjoyed breathing the fresh air and hearing the birds sing. Recently, I went back to the park to remember my good times there. When I arrived at the entrance, I was surprised because it didn't seem to be the same as I remembered it. Everything has changed in the thirteen years since I last saw it, but the good memories soon came back. I could almost imagine a boy playing there with a slight smile and shaking hands with me. How long has the writer not been there? Answer: 13 years. Many people like animals and raise one or more as pets--dogs, cat or some kinds of birds. I love dogs, too. My aunt gave me a dog on my birthday. We call it Wangwang. It is a little black dog. He is friendly and helpful. Most of the time he likes to run and play with me. Sometimes he follows my father around in the fields. One day, my father took off his grey coat and put it on the ground under a big tree. Wangwang stood watching him. My father said, "Watch over my coat, Wangwant." Wangwant sat down beside the coat. My father went on working. After he finished his work, he forgot all about his coat and went home. Late in the evening I didn't see my dog. I looked everywhere for him calling, "Wangwang, Wangwang!" But Wangwang didn't come back. Soon my father wanted something that was in his coat pocket. Then he remembered what he had done. He went back to the big tree. What do you think he saw? Wangwang was sitting on the coat so that nobody could take it away. When the writer's father found Wangwang, he was sitting _ . Answer: on the coat
I was eleven years old, waiting for my exam at Saraswati Vidyalaya, my school in Nagpur. "No. 12, please come forward." Kirti, a very fat girl from my class, stepped ahead. I heard my classmates laughing and so I tried to stop them with my eyes. But my good intentions were mistaken. The next morning, my teacher, Mrs. Kamble, told me, "Ashwini, I've received a complaint about you." I was shocked. The girl I was protecting thought I'd been laughing at her. I tried to explain but the teacher refused to hear me out. She punished me by making me stand by the door. I knew I was right. Such punishment to a class topper was simply unheard of. But, slowly, my pride disappeared. Instead of being angry, I understood the other students who have been punished at times. For the first time, I felt humbled . Three years later, I was in the math class. Mr. Prabhuraman, wrote an equation -- one he'd taught us the day before -- on the blackboard. "Anyone who doesn't know how to solve this," he said, "please leave the class at once." I knew I could solve only the first two steps. But my pride made me stay there. Unfortunately, the one who was asked to solve it was me. I just stood there, chalk in hand, trying not to look foolish. I prepared myself for a good talking-to , but Mr. Prabhuraman told me kindly, "Go back to your seat." Today, two decades later, those incidents have made me think. One teacher punished me for something I didn't do; the other forgave me for something I did wrong. Both experiences had an effect on me. They remind me that no matter what you accomplish , you must always be humble. The text is a story about _ . Answer: the danger of pride A group of senior high school students are playing outside on a basketball court. They are shouting with excitement. And they all have the same dream. They wish to play in the NBA, just like Huston Rocket's Yao Ming. "Someday, there will be more Chinese players like Yao in the NBA," said 15-year-old Xie Tao, a senior 1 boy at Shanghai No. 2 Middle School. Xie always watches Yao playing on TV. "He is a great player. He makes me proud to be Chinese," he said. Like Xie, 17-year-old Liu Yan at Beijing No. 22 Middle School is also a big NBA fan. "Since early May, I've not missed one game in the NBA," said the senior 3 student. Basketball is becoming popular in middle schools across the country. And more young players are starting to like the sport. More students are playing the game. Jiang Hui, a basketball teacher at Beijing No. 2 Middle School, said that 85 percent of the students at this school like the sport. "Students are full of passion for the game," Jiang's team won the regional first prize in the 2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League in march. The league is the first national basketball competition for high school students. Playing basketball is a good way to exercise. But students also enjoy it for other reasons. For Li Yan, a Senior 2 at Shanghai No. 12 Middle School, basketball teaches him lessons in life. "When I am in a game, I feel more confident about my studies, " he said. " It also teaches me to have a good team spirit and to enjoy friendship." Who learns to have a good team spirit from playing basketball? Answer: Li Yan Nathan Sawaya's childhood was a lot of fun. He drew cartoons, wrote stories, and played with plastic toy bricks . His grandparents bought his first set of toy bricks when he was five years old and he's been building with toy bricks ever since. He even took his building bricks to college with him! Instead of books and a computer, he had a model of Greenwich Village made of bricks on his desk. Nathan started as a lawyer but gave up His highly-paid job to become an artist that uses toys in his art. He uses toy bricks to build everything from the Statue of Liberty to Superman! He has more than 1.5 million colored bricks in his working room in New York which he uses to make pieces of art. He started by building small models but then decided to do something big and created a self-portrait . It took him two days just to build the eyes. Nathan's work has appeared in museums around the world. Children love his art because it is made out of the same toys that they play with at home and adults love his work because it is fascinating. Since it began in2007, Nathan's exhibition "The Art of the Brick" has been very popular with museum visitors everywhere. "I'm proud that I took a dream I had as a child, to become an artist, and I have actually made a job out of it," says Nathan. "To do what you love in life is the most important thing." What did Nathan put on his desk at college? Answer: A Greenwich Village modal. Some students, parents and teachers in Shanghai were surveyed last month. According to the result of the survey, the generation gap between students and parents as well as teachers is becoming wider. Here is what they said. Voice of the students: "Our parents hold too high _ which put us under lots of pressure. They care too much about our lives and studies," one student said. "It's impolite that some students' parents read their children's diaries without permission!" one student said angrily. "Some of our teachers are so serious that we can't make friends with them at all," another student said sadly. Voice of the parents: One mother said, "After school, my daughter usually locks herself into her room and spends lots of time talking with others on the phone. And I can't stand her clothes and hairstyle!" "I thought my son was doing very well in his studies. I didn't realize I was being cheated by him until I got a call from his teacher," said a father. Voice of the teachers: An English teacher said, "Today, the role of the teacher is to put knowledge into students' brains. The power of teachers has kept students away from them." "Some parents pay too much attention to their children's grades instead of creating a lively and colorful environment at home," another teacher said. "In the past, teachers and students often played games together or talked with each other. Today, only studies and grades are talked about," said a teacher. "A school should be a place where students can learn not only knowledge, but also how to face failure and frustration bravely enough. Which of the following could be the best title for the passage? Answer: The generation gap My name is Jack.Here are four of my favorite photos.Let me tell you something about them. In the first photo, I'm running.I like sports and I want to be a running star. I like spring and winter best.So I have two photos of them.Look at the second photo.I am flying kites with my friends in the park. There are all kinds of kites there.We are very happy.In the third photo,I'm playing snow fight with my friends.And some friends are making snowmen.We are playing happily. In the last photo.I'm doing my homework. Who's that girl? Oh.she is my sister and she is helping me with my homework.My sister is good at her subjects.In the evening,we usually do our homework and watch TV. ,. In winter people can _ Answer: play with snow
I can't think of a better way of appreciating a new culture than by taking part in one of its festivals. You'll find that some festivals are celebrated by an entire country, while others may be known only to a single city or region, but either way festivals play an important role in a certain culture. Just enjoy them! Tomatina -- Bunol, Spain Every last Wednesday in August, the town of Bunol is filled with tons of tomatoes in the world's biggest food flight. Many people wear goggles during this hour of great fun, as the town becomes a red river. Boryeong Mud Festival -- Boryeong, South Korea For two weeks in July, millions gather in Boryeong to experience the grey pools and slides. What began as a way to help sell the region's mineral-rich mud has turned into a festive party with music and fireworks. The mud is usually only available in cosmetic products , but here you can cake yourself in grey as you want. Holi -- India Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration full of joy and one of India's most important holidays. During the day of the last full moon of the lunar month, usually late February or early March, the air is full of brightly colored powder . The festival is celebrated differently throughout the country, with bonfires and music, but the cheerful spirit is common among Hindu people around the world. International Pillow Fight Day -- Worldwide Tens of thousands of people took part in the 4th annual International Pillow Fight Day on April 2, 2013. From London to Vancouver to many other cities, the festival is held in more than 100 countries. So just bring a soft pillow in early April, and watch feathers fly. According to the author, _ . festivals give people the best chances to experience a culture I stepped into my hotel room to a pleasant surprise. Lots of room surrounded an inviting king-size bed, with armchairs nearby resting against sliding glass doors that opened onto a private yard. A small dining table sat next to a kitchen with a refrigerator and coffee machine. "Wow," I thought to myself. "Nice place." I love hotels. I love to enter a clean room, hang my clothes and gaze out the window, walk out in the morning and when I return, someone else will have made the bed. I like in-room dining and the way they greet you so professionally. "Nice to have you with us again, Mr. Goldsborough." Very cool. The problem is that unless Alison travels with me, I never sleep well in hotels. I miss my family, even though Linus and Camille, at ages 4 and almost 2, find a way to interrupt even the best night's sleep at home. I'm deeply troubled by the number of parents who wake up too late with the realization: "My children grew up too fast. In the busy career and corporate rat race , I missed their childhood." What they fail to say but too often think causes me even more pain: "...and I barely even know them." A hundred years from now, no one will remember the size of your bank account, the car you drove or the size of your house. The world might differ greatly however, based on your impact in the life of a small child. If you pay attention to your significant others, make the choice to put them first. Think of one specific action that you can take, and take it. Then think of another one and take that, too. Challenge yourself to find new ways to express your appreciation and love on a daily basis. It will pay off ten-fold at home. Through para.4 and para.5 what the author really means is that _ . many parents can't realize their children not preparing for the fierce social rat race In the world ,soccer is the most popular sport. This is because many countries have wonderful teams for the World Cup. The World Cup is held every four years. To remember 2002 FIFA World Cup ,children from different countries and more than 60 children from Japanese schools came together and spent three weekends drawing a big picture called "Dream World Cups "in Japan .The children drew animals, flowers and people playing soccer under a blue bright sky. They wished each soccer team good luck by drawing the flags of all the countries that would take part in the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.The picture was put up in a park near a playground in Yokohama .Some soccer teams would have games there. Are you a soccer fan ?The World Cup makes more and more people interested in soccer. Teenagers like playing and watching soccer .Many of them love some soccer stars so much that they get the pictures of their favourite players on the walls of their rooms. That is the way to show their love for the World Cup as children in Japan.As Chinese teenagers,if we stick on to our soccer dream,it will come true.Let's take action now. If a country wants to take part in the World Cup ,she must have _ . a very good team A train stops at a station. Many people come out to buy food and fruits. A young man wants to come out, but it starts to rain. A boy stands under an umbrella. The young man says to the boy. "Can you go and get us two hamburgers, one for you and one for me? Here are two dollars. Be quick!" "Great!" says the boy and then he goes to buy hamburgers. After some time, the boy is back. He eats a hamburger. "Where is my hamburger?" asks the young man. "Oh, there is only one hamburger left. So I eat my hamburger. Here is your dollar." What does the young man want to buy when the train stops? a hamburger Dreaming is believing, claim researchers of a new study, who found that dreams have an effect on people's behavior, judgment and they might contain important hidden truths as well. "Psychologists' explanations of the meaning of dreams vary widely. But our findings show that people believe their dreams provide meaningful insightinto themselves and their world," said a lead author of the study Carey Morewedge, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University. In six different studies, researchers surveyed nearly 1,100 people about their dreams. One of the studies focused on general beliefs about dreams and involved 149 university students. All students were asked to rate different theories about dreams. The experts found that a surprising majority of the participants supported the theory about dreams revealing the hidden truths about themselves and the rest of the world. In a second experiment, they surveyed 182 people at a Boston train station, and asked them to imagine one out of four possible situation that could have occurred the night before a scheduled airline trip. Most of the participants said that dreaming of a plane crash would be more likely to affect their travel plans than would just thinking about a crash, or being warned by the government of a terrorism risk. They said a dreamed crash would influence their travel plans just as much as learning about a real crash on their planned route would. Another experiment involved 270 men and women from across the United States. In a short online survey, they were asked to recall one of the dreams they had seen about any person they knew. The findings showed that people were more likely to remember and describe pleasant dreams about a person they liked, rather than a person they disliked. Meanwhile, in most cases they tended to consider an unpleasant dream as more meaningful if it was about a person they disliked. "In other words," said Morewedge, "people attribute meaning to dreams when it corresponds (......) with their pre-existing beliefs and desires." The researchers say that more investigation is needed to fully understand how people interpret their dreams. According to Morewedge, most people realize that dreams are not predicting their future, but they still try to find some meaning in there. . Which kind of dream is seen as more meaningful than the rest? An unpleasant dream about a person the dreamer dislikes.
I believe I've gotten this more than once. One lady told me she thought I was 12 and even told her 14-year-old daughter the same. I saw lots of surprised faces because people were told I was actually 19 years old. I'm actually 19 years old, which isn't much of a problem. I'm like the oldest of my friends and the shortest, which is pretty funny. That's probably one of the reasons I fit in so well with them. I volunteered at a weekend school teaching young children. Parents always looked me up and down like "why is this 13-year-old girl teaching my child?!??!?" I guessed it was because I'm also petite ,and I didn't know whether I had a childish face...??? Sometimes I found it funny, sometimes I found it annoying . But I just shrugged it off at last. You know, soon enough people got to know me and then realized I was not actually a 13-year-old girl. This short thing used to be a problem for me, though. I was very very small when I was younger, so kids would _ me. When I was 12, 8-year-old girls would look down at me like "I CAN'TBELIEVEYOU'RETWELVE!" I had always wanted to be tall. But now that I'm older, I got used to it, and I actually love it. You know, I'm fun sized! How does the writer feel when others say she is 12? Answer: Not surprised People are more likely to wash their hands properly after using the toilet if they are shamed into it or think they are being watched, scientists said on Thursday. Hand-washing is the cheapest way of controlling disease but less than one third of men and two thirds of women wash their hands with soap after going to the toilet, a British study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine showed. But when prompted by an electronic message flashing up on a board asking: "Is the person next to you washing with soap?," around 12 percent more men and 11 percent more women used soap. Health authorities around the world are stepping up efforts to persuade people to be more hygienic and wash their hands properly to help slow the spread of H1N1 swine flu, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in June. "Hand-washing with soap has been ranked the most effective way for the worldwide control of disease," the study's authors wrote. "It could save more than a million lives a year from diarrhoeal diseases, and prevent respiratory infections -- the biggest causes of child mortality in developing countries." In developed nations, hand-washing can help prevent the spread of viral infections like flu and sickness and diarrhea bugs like norovirus and rotavirus, as well as hospital-acquired infections like MRSA and C-difficile, the authors said. The researchers studied the behavior of a quarter of a million people using toilets at motorway service stations in Britain over 32 days.Use of soap was monitored by sensors. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health to mark Global Hand-washing Day, showed that with no reminders, 32 percent of men and 64 percent of women used soap. We can conclude from the passage that _ . Answer: Many people can not wash their hands properly. Memo to: Parents Memo from: Administration Office, St. Augustine's Elementary School Topic: Lunch Program and School Information Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 We would like to thank all parents and guardians for your cooperation as we carry out a new method of delivering our lunch program. So far the month-long test of the new system has gone smoothly. For your convenience, we have included a copy of the envelope below to allow you to record the days you have ordered lunch for your child. You can keep this copy at home for your reference. Please note, lunches are prepared using the School Food Guidelines both in terms of items served and size. During the first two weeks some people wrote in additions to the menu, such as ordering extra items. Due to the logistics involved and our limited volunteer base we are unable to fulfill these requests. Ordering process: This year we will distribute a two week lunch envelope. If you decide to order the meal offered on a given day, simply check the box in front of that meal choice. For example, if you choose seven meals over the two weeks, then please enclose (7 x $2.00) fourteen dollars ($14.00) in the envelope. Seal it, and return it to your child's teacher. Please note that the cost for the lunch remains the same: $2.00 daily and includes fruit and milk. You will note that we have also reduced daily choices. For example on Fridays, we offered chicken burgers and hamburgers. This has been changed to chicken burgers on one week and hamburgers the following week. Food prepared according to special requests has also been changed. These items will now be prepared with the same ingredients. If your child does not like the lunch being served on a particular day please ensure that he/she has a packed lunch from home. Thank you for your attention on this matter and we look forward to working with you once again this year. Please return the attached envelopes by Thursday, December 2, 2011. From the passage, we can learn that_. Answer: special ordering services are not offered When I was 12, all I wanted was a signet ring. They were the "in" thing and it seemed every girl except me had one. On my 13th birthday, my Mum gave me a signet ring with my initials carved into it. I was in heaven. What made it even more special was that it was about the only thing that wasn't being "replaced". We'd been burnt out in fires that swept through our area earlier that year and had lost everything--so most of the " new" stuff we got was really just to replace what we'd lost. But not my ring. My ring was new.www.ks5u.com Then, only one month later, I lost it. I took it off before bed and it was missing in the morning. I was sad and searched everywhere for it. But it seemed to have disappeared. Eventually, I gave up and stopped looking for it. And two years later, we sold the house and moved away. Years passed, and a couple of moves later, I was visiting my parents' when Mum told me that she had something for me. It wasn't my birthday, nor was it Easter or Christmas or any other gift-giving occasion. Mum noticed my questioning look. " You'll recognize this one," she said, smiling. Then she handed me a small ring box. I took it from her and opened it to find my beautiful signet ring inside. The family who had bought our house 13 years earlier had recently decided to do some redecorations, which included replacing the carpets. When they pulled the carpet up in my old bedroom, they found the ring. As it had my initials carved into it, they realized who owned the ring. They'd had it professionally cleaned up by a jeweler before sending it to my mother. And it still fits me. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? Answer: The writer's family moved several times. When I was about 12, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings . Sometimes she said I was thin. Sometimes she said I was lazy. Sometimes she said I wasn't a good student. Sometimes she said I talked too much, and so on. I tried to put up with her as long as I could. At last, I became very angry. I ran to my father with tears in my eyes. He listened to me quietly, and then he asked, "Are the things she said true or not? Mary, didn't you ever wonder what you're really like? Go and make a list of everything she said and mark the points that are true. Pay no attention to the other things she said." I did as he told me and to my surprise, I discovered that about half the things were true. I brought the list back to my dad. He refused to take it. "That's just for you," he said. "You know better than anyone else the truth about yourself. When something said about you is true, you'll find it will be helpful to you. Don't shut your ears. Listen to them all, but hear the truth and do what you think is right." Many years have passed. The situation often appears in my mind. In our life we often meet with some trouble and we often go to someone and ask for advice. For some advice you will treasure all your life! The writer felt _ when she did the things as her father had told her. Answer: amazed
Is there clear boundary between science and the liberal arts as a major for college students? The question of whether our government should promote science and technology or the liberal arts in higher education is not an either / or proposition , although the current emphasis on preparing young Americans for STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) -related fields can make it seem that way. The latest congressional report acknowledges the critical importance of technical training, but also stresses that the study of the humanities and social sciences must remain central elements of America's educational system at all levels. Both are critical to producing citizens who can participate effectively in our democratic society, become innovative leaders, and benefit from the spiritual enrichment that the reflection on the great ideas of mankind over time provides. Parents and students who have invested heavily in higher education worry about graduates' job prospects as technological advances and changes in domestic and global markets transform professions in ways that reduce wages and cut jobs. Under this circumstances, it's natural to look for what may appear to be the most "practical" way out of the problem. "Major in a subject designed to get you a job" seems the obvious answer to some, though this ignores the fact that many disciplines in the humanities characterized as "soft" often, in fact, lead to employment and success in the long run. Indeed, according to surveys, employers have expressed a preference for students who have received a broadly-based education that has taught them to write well, think critically, research creatively, and communicate easily. Moreover, students should be prepared not just for their first job, but for their 4th and 5th jobs, as there is little reason to doubt that people entering the workforce today will be called upon to play many different roles over the course of their careers. The ones who will do the best in this new environment will be those whose educations have prepared them to be flexible. The ability to draw upon every available tool and insight - picked up from science, arts, and technology - to solve the problems of the future, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves, will be helpful to them and the United States. What advice does the author give to college students? Eating too much fatty food, exercising too little and smoking can raise your future risk of heart disease. But there is another factor that can cause your heart problems more immediately: the air you breathe. Previous studies have linked high exposure to environmental pollution to an increased risk of heart problem, but two analyses now show that poor air quality can lead to heart attack or stroke within as little as a few hours after exposure. In one review of the research, scientists found that people exposed to high levels of pollutants were up to 5% more likely to suffer a heart attack within days of exposure than those with lower exposure. A separate study of stroke patients showed that even air that the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers to be of "moderate" quality and relatively safe for our health can raise the risk of stroke as much as 34% within 12 to 14 hours of exposure. The authors of both studies stress that these risks are relatively small for healthy people and certainly modest compared with other risk factors such as smoking and high blood pressure. However, it is important to be aware of these dangers because everyone is exposed to air pollution regardless of lifestyle choices. So stricter regulation by the EPA of pollutants may not only improve environmental air quality but could also become necessary to protect public health. What can we learn from the text? Spring is just around the corner and it's a time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Here is a selection of festivals around the country that are a great excuse to travel and get back in the spring sunshine. Dana Point Festival of the Whales Dana Point, California March 7 to 8 and 14 to 15, 2010 Each year, over two sunny weekends in March the town of Dana Point, California celebrates the return of migratory California gray whales to this part of the Pacific Ocean. Festivities include whale-watching, an arts festival and educational hands-on activities for the entire family. Prices start at $29 per adult and $19 for children. For more information, visit: www.dpfestivalofwhales.com Chandler Ostrich Festival Chandler, Arizona March 13 to 15, 2010 Chandler is the center of ostrich ranching in the USA. You can see ride these feathered beasts around the ostrich track at Tumbleweed Park. General admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children aged 5 to 12 and kids 4 and under are free. For more information, visit: www.ostrichfestival.com Festival of Houses and Gardens Charleston, South Carolina March 19 to April 18, 2010 The Historic Charleston Foundation gives curious travelers the opportunity to explore gardens of some of the finest private residences in America. Each 3-hour tour (afternoons from 2 to 5 pm and evenings from 6 to 9 pm) lets you visit 8 to 10 properties dating from the American colonial period. Prices range from $25 to $45. For more information, visit: www.historiccharleston.org Tulip Time Festival Holland, Michigan May 1 to 9, 2010 You don't need to travel to the Netherlands this spring to see and smell some of the world's finest tulips . The annual Tulip Time Festival, one of the largest flower festivals in the country, will kick off with fireworks on May 1. Admission fee ranges from $6 for the children's area to $38 for theatre tickets. Tickets and more information are available at: www.tuliptime.com A group of travelers who want to have fun in mid-April will go to _ . Healthy eating habit along with regular exercise is the only way to become fit. If you have the correct number of _ and exercise regularly, you will lose weight, keep fit, and feel great, too. During your teenage years, it is important to give your body the energy it needs. If you skip meals, you won't get enough calories, and then you will feel tired. By the way, calorie is just another word for energy. About 50% of your calories should come from rice, bread, vegetables and fruit. You also need to drink a lot of water, 6 to 8 glasses a day. Water helps keep your system clean. Drinking enough water will make your skin better and make you healthy. Exercise is something that can help to make you look good, feel good and be healthy. Experts suggest that teenagers spend at least 30 minutes exercising a day, five times a week. That is easy to do! You can walk or ride your bike to school, and do sports at school. However, teenagers often give up sports, saying they have no time left after their studies. In fact, doing exercise can help them sleep better at night and increase their ability to focus on their study. If you follow the suggestions above, you will look and feel much better and become fit. What's the main idea of this passage? A new U.S.government report says more than two million Americans fall ill each year with drug--resistant bacterial infections ,and 23,000 of them are dying as a result.The head of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[CDC]said that the number probably will grow.Officials warn that steps must be taken now to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotic drugs. Without urgent action to stop that trend,warned Tom Frieden whose agency wrote the report,the miracle drugs to fight them won't be available in the future. "If we are not careful,the medicine chest will be empty when we go there to look for a lifesaving antibiotic for someone with a deadly infection.But if we act now,we can preserve these medications while we continue to work on development of new medicines."The report names a drug--resistant abuse of gonorrhea ,which causes about one quarter of a million hospitalizations in the United States annually.Of the number at least 1 4,000 result in death. Drug resistance develops through the overuse and inappropriate use of anti--bacterial agents.These can be:doctors prescribing them to patients who have viral infections that are not affected by medicine meant to fight bacteria;patients not taking all of their medicine as prescribed,so the bacteria making them sick are only weakened,not killed;antibiotic use in healthy farm animals to prevent illness and promote growth.Antibiotic remainders left in meat and animal products can then lead to drug resistance in humans. To limit the spread of resistant infections,experts recommend wider use of routine immunizations ,as well as hand--washing in hospitals and other health care facilities.Also,the report urges hand--washing by food handlers. Michael Bell,deputy director of the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at CDC,said Patients also can play a role in preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics by asking health care providers a few simple questions. Of those patients admitted to the hospital because of a drug-resistant abuse of gonorrhea annually,deaths add up to _ .

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