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Dear Linda, I'm glad to hear from you and I would like to be your pen friend. In your letter, you said you wanted to know something about my school life . I walk to school at 7:30 every morning because the school is near our house. When I get to school at about 7:45, I often do the cleaning with my classmates. After that we do some reading for half an hour. We have four lessons in the morning. I often have my lunch at 12:00 at school. We usually have two lessons in the afternoon. The school is over at about 5:00 and then I go home. My favorite subject is Chinese. I like all the teachers because they are friendly. I am keen on sports and I enjoy playing football best. I'm a member of our school football team. What about your school life? Best wishes! Dick How many classes does Dick usually have in a day? A Two. B Four. C Six. D Eight. Answer: C Good evening parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. I would like to thank you all for coming on this very special day for every student on this stage. I know how proud you must be. As we have grown over the years, there are many steps and stages we all have gone through. From learning our shapes and color1s, to getting our first kiss in middle school, or how about explaining to our parents why we skipped school because the headmaster called home. As we remember these days, things that we've done will be with us forever. But this is only the start of our journey. To graduate is one more step we've taken in our lives. Now I would like to take the time to thank everyone who has helped me get this far. First of all, thank you to all the teachers. None of us would be here without you always pushing our studying abilities to the fullest. My brother Jeramie who always said, "If anyone is meant to you, I'll take care of it." My mom, thank you for always believing in me and putting up with me. And last but not least, my dad, for proving to me that I always need to take responsibility for my actions and deal with the results. Thank you all! I love you. Now, advice to the students! Many of you think, "This is as good as it gets!" but the future holds a bigger plan for all of us. So good luck and congratulations to the class of 2015. We did it! What the writer learns from her dad is that _ . A knowledge is power B one should answer for what he does C where there is a will, there is a way D a good beginning is half done Answer: B How do you feel when your parents are not at home with you? Here is what Daniel and Laura said. Daniel: Well, I've had the experience of having to take care of my younger brother by myself. Sometimes it's scary, but there are a lot of things making being at home alone fun. My favorite thing to do is to watch television. It is like having another person to talk to. And if my brother and I are arguing, we make a deal . We play his game first, then he has to play mine, and both of us get what we want. When I get a little scared, I just remember that there is always someone to call on the phone. I can call my parents and I have my next door neighbors, too. Laura: When I started staying at home alone, I found that keeping the television or the radio on helped to make me feel easy. I also always had the phone numbers of my parents and the neighbors. When babysitting my younger brothers, I would play games with them, and leave more lights on than usual. I would also keep the phone number of the hospital nearby. . Daniel and Laura both agree that it's necessary to _ when they're alone at home. A have the phone numbers of their parents B stay with a brother or sister C watch TV or listen to the radio D make sure that the house is clean Answer: A A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. "Your son is here,"she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. Heavily drugged with sleep because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out with his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's weak ones, expressing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward , holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest a while. He refused. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only holding tightly to his son all through the night. Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited. Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her."Who was that man?"he asked. The nurse was surprised. "He was your father,"she answered. "No, he wasn't,"the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life.""Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"asked the nurse. "I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."he answered. What can we learn from the passage? A The next time someone needs you, be there. B All the soldiers are as kind as the Marine. C We'd better not correct someone else's mistakes. D The young should accompany their parents all the time. Answer: A It's summer movie time again.And heroes are ready to try their strength and magic on the silver screen.Check out our list of four films that look most promising to young audience. In Spider Man 2, Aunt May's trouble is caused by _ . A Peter Parker B Mary Jane C Dr.Otto Octavius D Spider-Man Answer: C
Americans are very direct people. When they want something, they say"Yes", and when they don't, they say "No".If they want something different from what is given, they ask for it. Here's an example : I arrive at someone's house and he or she gives me wine, but I don't want wine. Maybe I don't like it or maybe I just don't want it. I will say "No thanks". If everyone around me is drinking something, I would ask for something else,"No thanks. But I'll take a bit of tea if you have some." It's a polite way to ask something you really want. If I really want wine, I just say "Yes, thank you". Unless they happen know the Chinese customs(;), _ will not ask you again and again after you to eat or drink something. ,,. (10) In this passage,"westerners" means _ . Answer: Have you ever trained your brain ? Now there are some new suggestions, such as eating dark chocolate and having cold meat for breakfast. You should also avoid watching soap operas, spending time with people who complain or follow fat-free diets, according to a new book on getting "brain-fit". Many of the suggestions in Teach Yourself Training Your Brain are surprising. The book says to read out loud while holding a baby. Writers Terry Horne and Simon Wootton say their advice is from the latest research by experts around the world. "For years we have thought our brain capability is decided by our genes . But it's now clear that it depends on our lifestyle. What we eat and drink, how we learn at school and what type of feelings we have are all important," said Horne. The book talks about the most up-to-date thinking in science about how diet, the environment, stress and other sides of modern life affect our brain capacity. It also offers advice and exercises. _ Horne believes that people need to make changes to their lifestyles to increase their brain capacity Happiness, confidence and an optimistic nature help the brain, he added. "So mix with people who make you laugh, or share the same interests as you. And avoid people who complain," said Horne. "People who are negative will make you sad, which means you won't achieve things." What's Horne's attitude toward the brain capability? Answer: Hello, I'm Ann. This is a photo of my family. There are four members in my family. The woman in the photo is my mother Mary. She is a teacher. She likes reading. The man is my father Jack. He's a teacher, too. He can play football, but he can't play basketball. Look, the lovely baby is my brother Mike. I like my family very much. What's my mother's name? Answer: I have a dog . It's a girl dog. She is two years old. Her ears and eyes are big. But she has a small nose and a small mouth. Her hair is long. She has four long legs, too. Does she have mum and dad? Yes! They come from Cuba. What's her name? Can you guess? Her name is Juzi, because she is orange. Wow, she is my toy dog. My dog is _ . Answer: "Track!" said my master. Like any good tracker-dog who has received the command he most loves, I gave a bark of excitement, put my nose down to the ground and sniffed. The ground was rich with smells. Even in the high-class housing area where we were working, the stones held traces of many sole and confusing scents (smells). As I searched for the scent that would give me a clue to the tail of the guilty man, my tail wagged slowly, thoughtfully, delightedly. Work was like play to me; I enjoyed it. A small group of people gathered behind us. Among these onlookers was the old caretaker of the building next door to ours. He spoke in a scornful voice, "You actually think your dog might catch a thief three days after the event?" My master said nothing, but I'm sure he must have smiled. I did not turn to look. I knew he would not speak unless it was to give me a new command. I needed to concentrate. My task was difficult. I had to pick out one scent among the many that lay about and then tracked it to its source. "You're wasting your time," said the caretaker. I looked at him without raising my head. He was running his hand over his fat stomach. His rough palm and smooth shirt combined to make a slight noise. It was part of my training to be aware--often it is only a little whisper of a noise that alerts you to be drawing of a weapon. But of course the aging caretaker was going to do no such thing. There was no smell of fear or nervousness about him. He was merely being clever and talkative. "I've seen many tracker-dogs in my time," said the caretaker to the onlookers. I served with the police years ago. We would never have thought of using a tracker-dog to find a car thief. Impossible. Everyone knows that dogs are useless in such matters. In a sense he was right. I'm sure there's no need to tell you that, just as a dog's hearing is much better than a human being's, so his sense of smell tells one thing from another far better than a great detective. If Sherlock Holmes could work out that a man had had an egg for breakfast by seeing the yellow stain on his mouth, a trained dog could tell you whether the hen that laid the egg was healthy or not. I know it sounds funny and I mean it to be. But I'm not exaggerating. A dog can tell you--if you understand a dog's way of communicating--all this and more without even setting eyes on the man he is investigating. In the dog's opinion, its sense of smell _ . Answer:
A Koala Isn't a Bear Koalas remind people of teddy bears.They have thick fur and large ears.Their broad, flat nose makes them look cute, similar to teddy bears.In fact koalas aren't cute.They have sharp teeth and very sharp claws! Koalas are marsupials.This means the mother carries her baby in a pocket while it develops, similar to a kangaroo.The baby koala lives in its mother's pocket for the first six months of its life. The name "koala" comes from a native Australian word that means "no drink". The koalas get almost all their water from the eucalyptus leaves they eat.That's where they get their food too.Koalas eat only eucalyptus leaves, and only the leaves of certain eucalyptus trees.The eucalyptus trees are where the koalas live.It's also where they sleep.Koalas sleep about nineteen hours a day! Why do they sleep so much? Some people think it's because they're lazy.But koalas aren't lazy.They sleep so much because there isn't much nutrition in eucalyptus leaves.Koalas store hardly any fat, so they must save their energy.One way to do this is to move slowly and sleep a lot. After a day of sleeping they like to move around and eat just after sunset.They live alone most of the time.Koalas are very protective of their trees.If a koala sees another koala eating in its favorite tree, it might tell the other koala to leave by "barking" at it.Koalas do "talk" to each other.Besides barks, the males make a deep grunting sound.The mothers and babies talk in soft clicking sounds.If they get scared they may scream like a baby. If an adult koala screams like a baby, he may get _ . A worried B scared C hungry D sleepy Answer: B Language is always changing and developing. This isn't a bad thing. If English hadn't changed for a long time, we won't have words to describe telephones, washing machines, computers or some other new things. Language changes for several reasons. First, it changes because the needs of its speaker change. New technologies, new products, and new experiences need new words to express them clearly. Another reason for change is that different people have different language experiences. People use different sets of words and expressions, because they have different ages, jobs, education levels and so on. How does language develop then? On the one hand, many of the languages changes begin with young people. When young people communicate with others of their own age, their language grows in grammar, words and expressions that are different from the older people's. Some have a short lifetime but others can influence the language for long. On the other hand, we get new words in many different ways. We borrow them from other languages, we create them by making words shorter or combining words and we make them out of proper names. Languages that don't change over time are considered dead languages. The fact that English changes so much shows that it is alive and well. Which of the following is NOT the way for young people to help develop language according to the passage? A They do it when they communicate with others of their own age. B They change words on their own. C They create them by making words shorter or combining words. D They make them out of proper names. Answer: B A glass a day keeps obesity at bay. Alcohol has always been thought to cause weight gain because of its high sugar content, but new research suggests a glass a day could form part of a diet. Looking at past studies they found that, while heavy drinkers do put on weight, those who drink _ can actually lose weight. A spokesman for the research team at Navarro University in Spain says, "Light to moderate alcohol intake, especially of wine, may be more likely to protect against, rather than promote, weight gain". The International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research reviewed the findings and agreed with most of the conclusions, particularly that current data do not clearly indicate if moderate drinking increases weight. Boston University's Dr. Harvey Finkel found that the biologic mechanisms relating alcohol to changes in body weight are not properly understood. His team pointed out the strong protective effects of moderate drinking on the risk of getting conditions like diabetes ,which relate to increasing obesity. Some studies suggest that even very obese people may be at lower risk of diabetes if they are moderate drinkers. The group says alcohol provides calories that are quickly absorbed into the body and are not stored in fat, and that this process could explain the differences in its effects from those of other foods. They agree that future research should be directed towards assessing the roles of different types of alcoholic drinks, taking into consideration drinking patterns and including the past tendency of participants to gain weight. For now there is little evidence that consuming small to moderate amounts of alcohol on a regular basis increases one's risk of becoming obese. What's more, a study three years ago suggested that resveratrol, a compound present in grapes and red wine, destroys fat cells. Why has alcohol been thought to cause weight gain? A Because its calories are stored in fat. B Because it is rich in sugar. C Because it changes drinking patterns. D Because it increases the risk of diabetes. Answer: B "My dear dad, where are we going?" Have you ever heard of this question? It's from the song of Hunan TV station's show: Where Are We Going, Dad? The show is played on Fridays. In the show, five pairs of fathers and kids go to strange places and finish interesting tasks. The fathers learn to cook and look after their kids. The kids learn about being independent . Wang Lu, 13, from Hebei, says, "I like Kimi very much, though he finds it hard to finish the work alone. You know, he is so young." Zhao Jingjing, 14, from Jiangsu, says, "I like Guo Tao's son very much. He looks _ . He doesn't cry when he meets trouble, and he can often look after himself and even other kids." On the journey of life, kids learn to grow up, and adults learn to be better parents. Maybe we can plan a trip with our parents. Shall we go? How many pairs of fathers and kids are in the show? A Four. B Five. C Six. D Seven. Answer: B A Simple Lesson "Another bad day at school?" my father asked as I came into the room. "How could you tell? I didn't shut the door heavily or anything," I replied. Over the past two months I had either done this or thrown my backpack across the room every time I came home from school. Papa thinks it has something to do with moving to a new house. "I know this move has been hard on you. Leaving your friends and cousins behind is tough," Papa said, as he put his arm around my shoulder. "What you must remember is that, with a lot of hard work and some time, you will make new friends." "You don't know how hard it is. This year my baseball team would have won the championship. They won't even give me a chance to pitch here. All I get to play is right field, and that's the worst!" Papa turned toward me. "Things will get better, I promise you. Let me ask you, do you know why you were named David Lorenzo?" "Yes, your name is David and grandfather's name is Lorenzo." "Very good, and what makes your grandfather so important?" "He was the first in the family to come to this country and all that," I answered. "That is only partly correct. Your grandfather was a very great man. In Mexico, he had been a teacher. When he came to America he could only get lowpaid labor jobs because he didn't speak the language. It took him two years before he spoke English well enough to be allowed to teach here, but he did it. He never complained because he knew change could be difficult. Did he ever tell you that?" my father asked. I looked down at my feet, ashamed at my behavior. "No. That must have been hard," I said . "Your grandfather taught me that if you let people see your talent, they will accept you for who you are. I want you to always remember what my father taught me, even if it takes a few years for people to see who you are," said Papa. All I could say was, "Okay." Then I asked, "What should I do now?" Laughing, Papa said, "How about you pitch a few to me? You need some work." What can we infer about the author? A He thinks his father lives in the past. B He'd rather live with his grandfather. C He will continue to dislike school and everything. D He will try his best to adapt to the new environment. Answer: D
The time of year a baby is born can shape what profession they will embark on in later life, a new study has suggested. Being born in a certain month appears to indicate the statistical likelihood of what job a person will end up with, the study by the Office for National Statistics found. Researchers have uncovered that the month in which babies are born could also affect everything from intelligence to length of life. A child born December is more likely to become a dentist while someone whose birthday falls in January will tend to a debt collector, they found. A February birth appears to increase the chances of being an artist while March babies appear to go on to become pilots. Meanwhile, April and May are said to have a fairly even spread of professions, births in the summer months mean a much lower chance of becoming a high-earning football player, doctor or dentist. The study was derived by researchers who analyzed the birth months of people in 19 separate occupations using information from the last census, the Daily Mail reported. Although these trends may be difficult to explain, correlations between birth months and specific health problems have a scientific basis. Spring babies are at greater risks of illnesses including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, asthma and autism. They may also be less clever than classmates born in other parts of the year. What do the researchers also study besides the analyses of the trends between birth months and professions? A. Some serious diseases from births of many children. B. A lot of mental illnesses caused by giving birth to children. C. The secret of births and healthy problems. D. The relationship between birth months and certain health problems. Answer: D It's over three years since I began to learn English. I'm glad that I am getting on well with it. I find English quite difficult, but very interesting. When I first started, I thought I had only to remember the new words and learn some grammar I knew little about English idioms .I thought each English word had the same meaning in Chinese. When I learn to say"I see a book on the desk," I thought the English word "see " was just like the Chinese word " kan ",So one day when my teacher asked me," what are you doing?", I answered, "I'm seeing a book." "That's wrong ." the teacher said, "you don't see a book, You read a book. You can't use English word like a Chinese one.. Be sure not to make the same mistake again." After that I began to pay more attention to the differences between Chinese and English. For example, in English we say a" high mountain", but a" tall man. " In Chinese we use the same word "gao " for both.. Again in English we say" take part in the sports meeting ", " attend the meeting " and" join the army," while in Chinese we can use "can jia " for all three. Interesting ,isn't? So to study English doesn't only mean hard wok, it can be great fun, too! We not only have to pay attention to pronunciation, grammar spelling and handwriting, we also have to understand English idioms. We can learn English well only in the way! But all this is only a beginning and I still have a long way to go. I'll try my best and work even harder than before. I must speak and listen to English more both in and out of class. I must learn English well so that I can work well when I grow up. We should speak and listen to English _ . A. only in class B. out of class C. both in and out of class D. either in or out of class Answer: C There is an old English saying.It tells us that we must go to bed early and get up early in the morning.Then we shall be healthy.We shall also be rich and clever.This is true.The body must have enough sleep to be healthy.Children of young age should have ten hours' sleep every night.Children who do not have enough sleep cannot do their work well and they may not be healthy.The body also needs exercise.Walking, running, jumping and playing games are all exercise.Exercise keeps the body strong.Exercise also helps the blood to move around inside the body.It is very important.Our blood moves to all parts of our body.The head also needs blood.Exercise helps us to think better. Children of young age should have _ hours' sleep every day. A. ten B. nine C. eleven D. twelve Answer: A Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, America. He is best known as a scientist and politician today. One of his most famous inventions is the lightning rod .And he is also regarded as "the Founder of the United States" because of his success in politics. However, he is not just an inventor and politician. Franklin is a great chess player. He started playing chess in 1733 and this made him the first chess player in the American history. He wrote a book about his story of playing chess in December,1786. In this book, he hoped to find connections between chess and life. He and his friend even used chess to learn Italian. It was a very interesting experience in his early life. Not only a great chess player, Franklin is also known to play the violin ,the harp , and the guitar. He used some glasses to produce a clear and sweet sound just like birds' singing. Benjamin Franklin died at his home in the USA at the age of 84. There were about 20,000 people who were present at his funeral . People respect him, love him and believe he is one of the four greatest men in the world. Franklin couldn't be seen as a _ in his life. A. scientist B. politician C. dancer D. writer Answer: C Sweetest Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in October as a day to make someone happy. It is an occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, the aged, and children who have lost their parents, but also friends, workmates, s and neighbors whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed. Over 60 years ago, when a Cleveland man noticed that some people, such as children who lost their parents and patients who lay in bed, too often felt forgotten and _ , he developed in his mind the idea of showing them that they were remembered. He did this by giving them small gifts. With the help of his friends and neighbors, he gave those people small gifts on a Saturday in October. During the years that followed, other Clevelanders began to take part in the celebration, which came to be called "Sweetest Day". Over time, the Sweetest Day idea of spreading cheer to the poor, the sick and children who had lost their parents was broadened to include everyone, and became an occasion for remembering others with a kind act or a small gift. Soon the idea spread to other cities all over the USA. Sweetest Day is not based on any single group's religious beliefs or on a family relationship. It is a reminder that a thoughtful word or deed enriches life and gives it meaning. Because for many people remembering takes the form of gift giving, Sweetest Day offers us the opportunity to show others that we care, in a positive way. What do most people usually do to show their care to others according to the passage? A. They give money. B. They give gifts. C. They send regards. D. They offer help. Answer: B
Everyone wants to know the secrets of a long and healthy life. Here are some discoveries from health experts. Many studies looking into the lives of centenarians look at what they eat. Many people who live into their hundreds live in the Mediterranean , so their diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil, gets a lot of attention. The diet has been linked to a healthier older age, lower risk for heart disease, and even protection against memory loss. Education is related to a longer life. A 2012 report from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics found that people with a bachelor's degree or higher live about nine years longer than people who don't graduate high school. James Smith, a health economist at the RAND Corporation, is also a supporter of the argument for staying in school for better life expectancy. His findings show education should be an even bigger factor than race and income. Educated people are more likely to land better jobs, plan for their future, and make healthier lifestyle choices. Being a hard worker doesn't necessarily mean job-stress will harm you. The Longevity Study found that plenty of hard workers lived long lives. "Skeptics may wonder if hard workers really are enjoying life." the authors write, "We found that productive, hardworking people (even in old age) are not stressed or miserable, but tend to be happier, healthier, and more socially connected than their less productive peers." Having a strong social group is associated with a longer life. We often turn to friends and family for support, and taking care of the people that matter to us may help us take better care of ourselves, some evidence shows. Some research even suggests that immune function is improved when we are around our friends, and that they help with stress management. Research shows that sitting for long period of time put people at risk for shorter lifespans and other health risks. A 2011 study found that each hour people spent sitting down and watching TV after age 25 was linked to 22 minutes from their overall life expectancy. The passage is mainly about _ . Answer: some discoveries on health That day It's 4 am,and Danilo C.Dequina is already awake. Holding a flashlight and a bucket, he is walking in the pre-dawn darkness along the shore of Old Poblacion Beach in the town of Maitum,Sarangani,in the far south of the Philippines. A few minutes later,he spots a patch of sand that appears to have been disturbed by a turtle. Dequina studies the area carefully,figuring out where the eggs have been buried, and then starts digging slowly. After clearing away several centimeters of sand, he uncovers a large group of eggs,roughly the size of ping-pong balls. He picks them up and puts them in the bucket. Dequina carries the eggs to his hatchery , some 50 meters away from the seashore. The hatchery is really just a sandy patch of land under the coconut trees enclosed by a black fine-mesh fence. It is here that he buries the turtle eggs he has collected. Today,Dequina scoops out a hole,puts the eggs in it,and covers them with sand. After 45 to 70 days, the eggs will hatch. Dequina will then carty the hatchlings to the shore,and release them into the sea. He admits to feeling sorrow as he sets the hatchlings free most are hunted down by natural predators,and just one percent survive to adulthood. According to the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), eight species of sea turtles face extinction,including four that come to the shores of Sarangani to lay their eggs --the Hawksbill,Olive Ridley,Loggerhead and Green Turtles. After learning about their _ , Dequina attended a DENR training session on turtle conservation and decided to take action. He helped the local government to set up the Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary next to his house in 2003. The hatchery drew the attention of the locals. "They started to change their attitudes towards sea turtles,"52-year-old Dequina says. "If they see turtle eggs,they will either bring them to me or inform me of the nesting places." Over the past seven years,more than 3,000 hatch- lings have been released to the ocean. What is the attitude of local people toward Depuina's efforts? Answer: Supportive. 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......" When Frank said," Go and jump in the lake", he probably _ . Answer: told his boss to drop dead. On a cold winter afternoon, Susan was walking home from a supermarket. She was feeling a little tired, as she was carrying her shopping bags. They were so heavy that she decided to have a rest in the park. She walked towards the gate of the park. She noticed a poor man walking out of a restaurant in front of her. The man was holding a paper bag. He walked to a rubbish bin and started looking through it. Susan suddenly felt sad. She knew this man would take all that he could get, so she went up to him and gave him some fruit. The man looked up in surprise and took what she gave him. A big smile appeared on his face and she felt very happy. Then he said, "Wow! First someone gave me this sandwich, then the orange juice and now some delicious fruit. This is my daughter's lucky day. Thank you, girl." Then he went away, singing a song. Just then, Susan understood what the saying "Giving is getting" really meant. Everyone in the world needs help, everyone can offer help and everyone will be helped by showing kindness. Giving sometimes doesn't cost much, but it means a lot to the people who you help. The man's happiness at that moment comes into Susan's mind every time she has the chance to help others. Susan felt a little tired because she _ . Answer: carried heavy shopping bags A boy who was cleaning shoes in the street said to a young man passing by, "Let me clean your shoes." The young man said, "No, thank you." "You may pay me only a pound, sir," said the boy. But the young man refused again. Then the boy told him that he would clean his shoes for nothing. The young man agreed to this, and soon one of his shoes was shining brightly. The man put the other shoe on the boy, but the boy refused to clean it unless he was paid two pounds for his work. The young man refused to pay anything and went away. But the dirty one looked so bad that he couldn't walk away. He had to turn back and gave the boy two pounds. In a very short time his shoes shone brightly. What do you think of the boy? Answer: Smart.
Question: if the particles in an electric rig were immobile, what would result from that? A. there will be a shock current B. the circuit will fail to power C. there would be a short circuit D. there would be current overload Answer: B. the circuit will fail to power Question: I love to tell the story about how I met my best friend-Tiger. We met at the school fair . Each year, all the fourth-grade classes hold a school fair. Everyone in the fourth grade works at the fair. Some sell ice cream, drinks and snacks, others take care of the little children who ride the horses. I got the second job and I've never forgotten it, because that's where I met Tiger. My job was to help little children get on the back of a little horse. I kept telling the children to wait their turn and holding ice cream for them while they rode about. It's clear that I was growing older and should be more responsible. Suddenly, a boy came to the horse. He took the little horse's reins ! The horse stopped, and the girl on its back started to fall. I was trying to reach the girl when I saw Tiger go by my legs. It held the horse's reins and pulled the horse away from my legs. I caught the girl just before we both hit the ground. The girl sat on top of me. She was laughing at the ice cream on my face. The horse's reins were in Tiger's mouth! Thanks to Tiger's fast action, I saved the little girl. We were both heroes. And Tiger, the fastest dog I've ever known became my new best friend. Tiger is _ . A. a tiger B. the boy's name C. a dog D. the girl's name Answer: C. a dog Question: William was sitting in his room working on his homework. It was something he did since he went to kindergarten. William could see outside from where he was sitting. He had a view of a beautiful sunset this time of year. It was late spring, and he sometimes found his mind wandering as he looked outside, and hated losing time like that. The sooner he finished his homework, the sooner he could go to his friend Jacob's house, where he was spending the night. William loved sleepovers with Jacob. They would do fun stuff like tell jokes, watch TV, play board games, and eat lots of junk food. Jacob also had a cool RC car that William liked to play with. But William's parents wouldn't allow him to go to Jacob's house until he finished his homework first. What William have to do before his parents would let him go to Jacob's house? A. Eat junk food B. tell jokes C. His homework D. watch TV Answer: C. His homework Question: If music makes you smarter, and exercise helps brain function, can exercising to music really boost brainpower? Some researchers said it could. Volunteers who listened to Vivaldi~ "Four Seasons" while working out on a treadmill did much better on a test of verbal ability than when they exercised without music, a team at prefix = st1 /OhioStateUniversityfound. "Evidence suggests that exercise improves the cognitive performance of people with coronary artery disease ," said psychologist Charles Emery, who led the study. "And listening to music is thought to enhance brainpower. We wanted to put the _ together," Emery added in a statement. Writing in the latest issue of the journal Heart & Lung, Emery and colleagues said they studied 33 men and women taking part in a cardiac rehabilitation program after having bypass surgery, angioplasty or other procedures to treat clogged arteries. The volunteers said they felt better emotionally and mentally after working out with or without the music. But their improvement on the verbal fluency test doubled after listening to music on the treadmills ."Exercise seems to cause positive changes in the nervous system, and these changes may have a direct effect on cognitive ability," Emery said. "Listening to music may influence cognitive function through different pathways in the brain. The combination of music and exercise may stimulate and increase cognitive arousal while helping to organize cognitive output." Emery said he now wanted to test people using music of their own choice. "We used The Four Seasons' because of its moderate tempo and positive effects on medical patients in previous research," Emery said. "But given the range of music preferences among patients, it's especially important to evaluate the influence of other types of music on cognitive outcomes." We can infer that Emery's next step will be A. to let the volunteers to listen to music of their own choice B. to choose volunteers of different ages C. to let the volunteers to listen to moderate tempo music D. to test whether music can help recovery Answer: A. to let the volunteers to listen to music of their own choice Question: China is one of the countries with the richest history, culture and the most developed civilization, economy and political system on the planet. Their language has fascinated people a very long time and still does. These are only a few reasons for which today there are still a lot of students and tourists that are attracted by this country, its culture and economical growth. Numerous students decide to study abroad China every year as they want to experience the life there and learn its fascinating language. There are over 500 dialects in China because of the big distance between villages and towns from the capital cities such as Beijing. In spite of great popularity that the English language has around the globe, Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the entire world because of the fact that China is the most populated country on Earth, having more than 1.3 billion citizens. This is the main reason for which most students want to study Chinese in China. On the other hand, China has the fastest growing and expanding economies in the world and this might give you the chance to take part in future projects in different areas of China. These are well--trained specialists around the world that decide to study Mandarin in China where they can become leaders in their specific field of operation. People who study Chinese in Beijing will have a lot of opportunities after mastering the Chinese alphabet and a lot of doors will open for them, giving them a lot of chances to succeed in their career. To sum up, if you decide to study Chinese in Beijing, the best place to start your research and gather information is the Internet. Here you have various opportunities to study in China at affordable prices. Why do large numbers of foreign students decide to come to China to study every year? A. To experience the life here and learn Chinese. B. To learn different dialects in China. C. To earn money by teaching English in China. D. To taste Chinese food and enjoy beautiful scenery. Answer: A. To experience the life here and learn Chinese.
Question: Xu Shu was much valued by Liu Bei for his strategic talents. After several victories on the battleground against Cao Cao, Xu was made the chief military advisor. Cao Cao was greatly surprised at the news. "If you want this person," one of his advisors said, "you can bring his mother to Xuchang and send a forged letter in his mother's handwriting, asking Xu Shu to desert Liu Bei and come here. As Xu is well-known for a strong filial affection, surely he will come." This plot worked. For Xu, on receiving the letter, cried tearfully, asking Liu Bei for an immediate departure. Feeling sad, though, Liu persisted in his stay for another night, during which the two aired their sad feelings. The next day Liu laid a banquet outside the city for Xu. Holding the latter's hand, Liu said, "After we separate today, only heaven knows when and where we will meet again." He wept bitter tears. After setting off on his way, Xu suddenly turned his horse and returned. "I almost forgot an important matter." He said to Liu. "Ten kilometers from Xiangyang City, in a place called Long zhong, there is a talent called Zhuge Liang. Do you want to meet him?" Liu expressed his willingness at once, but also aired doubt about whether Zhuge Liang was as talented as Xu. "He tells positions of stars in the heavens," Xu assured him, "and recognizes everything on earth. He knows a person's real nature at the first meeting----the number one talent under the heaven. If you have him as your military advisor, you'll have the country under your name." Liu suggested a visit to Zhuge by Xu on his behalf. At this, the latter shook his head in disapproval. "You must go and offer your invitation personally, and his acceptance depends entirely on your sincerity." With these words said, Xu turned his horse and left. Later, Liu paid three trips to Zhuge's straw house, another favorite story among Chinese people. The text is developed in the order of _ . A. space B. logic C. time D. cause and result Answer: C Question: Which of these elements is likely to be found in an organic compound? A. helium B. hydrogen C. mercury D. tin Answer: B Question: When Dawn Bonfield, the former chief executive of the Women's Engineering Society, ran a stand recently at a big military air show, she was in for a shock. There were around 900 _ among the crowd and Ms Bonfield says, "I'm saying to all these girls, 'Do you know about engineering, would you like to be an engineer, have you thought about engineering?' And in the whole day... probably five or six of them said yes. Every other one said no, just straight out no." What surprised her most, she says, is that it wasn't that these eight and nine-year-old girls didn't know what engineering was. Simply that they had already switched off. They had lost interest in engineering. "So how much work does it take to change that?" asks Ms Bonfield. "I mean it's huge." There's no shortage of data to back up her estimation of the scale of work required. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that women make up around just 8% of engineers in the UK. And this is at a time when the UK needs to produce thousands more engineers, so much so that the inventor, Sir James Dyson, is planning to open his own instituteto address the skills shortage. Not enough female role models is well documented as a reason why girls don't choose engineering. The attitude of parents was also an important factor in career choices. For girls, perhaps unsurprisingly, mothers were particularly influential. "My mum was a bit iffy about it at first because she was more like, 'Girls should do this and that and the other,' more like 'keep your posture up and be ladylike'," says middle school student Hannah. "But my dad used to build a lot of stuff and he got me into that. So after my mum saw how me and my dad interacted she said, 'Yeah, go for it' and she's kind of the one who supported me with this." What is the author's purpose in writing the text? A. To show the shortage of girls in engineering. B. To introduce some famous girl engineers. C. To promote the social status for engineers. D. To give girls advice on how to select careers. Answer: A Question: A weather map is an important tool for geographers. A succession of three or four maps presents continuous picture of weather changes. Weather forecasters are able to determine the speed of air masses and fronts to determine whether an individual pressure aroa is deepening or becoming shallow and whether a front is increasing or decreasing in intensity .They are also able to determine whether an air mass is retaining its original characteristics or taking on those of the surface over which it is moving. Thus, a most significant function of the map is to reveal a summary picture of conditions in the atmosphere at a given time. All students of geography should be able to interpret a weather map accurately.Weather maps contain an enormous amount of information about weather conditions existing at the time of observation over a large geographical area. They reveal in a few minutes what otherwise would take hours to describe. The United States Weather Bureau issues information about approaching storms, floods, frosts and all climatic conditions in general. Twice a month it issues a 30-day"outlook" which is a rough guide to weather conditions likely to occur over broad areas of the United States. These 30-day outlooks are based upon an anaiysis of the upper air levels which often set the stage for development of air masses, fronts and storms. Considerable effort is being exerted today to achieve more accurate weather predictions, with identifying and tracking storms over regions which have but few meteorological stations. Extensive experiments are also in progress for weathef modification studies. The thirty-day forecast is determined by examining _ . A. daily weather maps B. upper air levels C. satellite reports D. changing fronts Answer: B Question: Going back to school is a very exciting event for my two boys. It means getting new school bags and books, and seeing friends again after the summer holiday. My oldest son, 9-year-old Salem, asked me several times where we would go to buy a backpack, while my other son, 6-year-old Abdullah, asked what school would be like this year. For the last three years, school was a nightmare for many children and their parents as violence increased and there were more attacks on schools and teachers. As a result, many parents prevented their children from going to school. One of six children in this country did not attend primary school in 2009. Many kids who did attend school were accompanied by a parent for the entire day to make sure nothing happened to their children. For poor families or those with large families, back to school can be an expensive time. The government gives some help to those living in poor neighborhoods, and school bags, note books and other items are given for free. Most of the merchants who sell notebooks and pens now sell their products out on the street instead of in stores. They sit on the ground and lay their items on the ground or they have a small table to sell their goods. The bags cost between $10 and $20, while clothes and shoes cost between $20 and $30. I found all the things I needed for my sons and even bought something for myself. I spent about $50 on each of them, including school uniforms. At the end of the day, we returned to our home carrying many shopping bags filled with items that made my children happy and excited to go back to school. I just hope this school year will be a peaceful one. Which of the following statement is NOT true? A. Many parents prevented their children from going to school for great study pressure. B. School bags, note books and other items are given to those living in poor neighborhoods for free. C. The author spent about $100 for her two sons. D. The items the author bought made her children happy and excited to go back to school. Answer: A
Dear Santa, Thank you for all of the great gifts you give me this Christmas. My parents can't seem to decide whether you gave the presents directly, or if you just helped them and my grandma pick out the right presents. So, if you are advising her, please tell her next year that I do not own a Wii. I don't remember asking you for so many pairs of pants, but thank you for giving me the chance to try them on in the front of my whole family. I enjoyed them so much that I continued to wear them, with the tags still on. My mom and the holiday movies are always quick to remind me that Christmas isn't about the presents. It's about togetherness. But without the presents, there's nothing to do to fill up this long, long day. So I think Christmas is about the presents, and I'm sure you agree. If you do, I have some suggestions about ways that you could make the present part of the day last longer: using packing tape to wrap presents instead of Scotch tape . It took, like, ten minutes to open just one present. My final suggestion is pretty simple: more presents! If it took the whole day to open all of the presents, then I wouldn't have that terrible time, because my mom says it's wrong to go play video games in my room, but there's nothing else to do outside of my room. Anyway, thank you again and I look forward to seeing you next Thanksgiving. It's an iTunes gift card for you and hope you like it. Merry Christmas! In the opinion of the writer, Christmas is a festival about _ . A holiday movies B family togetherness C gift D playing video games Answer: C. gift Sex prejudices are based on and justified by the ideology that biology is destiny. According to this ideology, basic biological and psychological differences exist between the sexes. These differences require each sex to play a separate role in social life. Women are the weaker sex both physically and emotionally. Thus, they are naturally suited, much more so than men, to the performance of domestic duties. A woman's place, under normal circumstances, is within the protective environment of the home. Nature has determined that women play caretaker roles, such as wife and mother and homemaker. On the other hand, men are best suited to go out into the competitive world of work and politics, where serious responsibilities must be taken on. Men are to be the providers; women and children are "dependents". The ideology also holds that women who wish to work outside the household should naturally fill these jobs that are in line with the special capabilities of their sex. It is appropriate for women, not men, to be employed as nurses, social workers, elementary school teachers, house-hold helpers, clerks and secretaries. These positions are simply an extension of women's domestic role. Informal distinctions between "women's work" and "men's work" in the labor force, according to the ideology, are simply a functional reflection of the basic differences between the sexes. Finally, the ideology suggests that nature has worked her will in another significant way. For the human species to survive over time, its members must regularly reproduce. Thus, women must, whether at home or in the labor force, make the most of their physical appearances. So goes the ideology. It is, of course, not true that basic biological and psychological differences between the sexes require each to play sex-defined roles in social life. There is enough evidence that sex roles vary from society to society, and _ But to the degree people actually believe that biology is destiny and that nature intended for men and women to make different contributions to society, sex-defined roles will be seen as totally acceptable. Those who have prejudices against women think that _ . A women shouldn't go out for work B women should earn money to add the family income C women going out for work should only do "women's work" D women should take jobs to drill the special capabilities of the sex Answer: C. women going out for work should only do "women's work" Which of the following burns due to wax? A electric kettle B internal combustion engine C tea candle D gas stove Answer: C. tea candle Several years ago, my parents, my wife, my son and I ate at a restaurant. After a wonderful dinner, the waiter set the check in the middle of the table. That's when it happened: my father did not reach for the check. Conversation continued. Finally I realized that I should pick up the check! After hundreds of restaurant meals with my parents, after a lifetime of thinking of my father as the one with dollars, it had all changed. I paid the meal, and my view of myself suddenly changed. I was an adult. I was no longer a kid. Some people mark off their lives in years, I measure mine in small events. I didn't become a young man at a particular age, like 16, but rather when a kid who wandered in the streets called me "mister." These events in my life are called "milestones" . There have been other milestones .The policemen of my youth always seemed huge, and of course they were older than I was. _ The day came when I suddenly realized that all the football players in the game I was watching were younger than I was. They were just big kids. With that milestone gone was the dream that someday, maybe I, too, could be a football player. Without ever having reached the hill ,I was over it. I never thought that I would fall asleep in front of the TV set as my father did. Now it's what I do best. I never thought that I would appreciate opera, but now the combination of voice and orchestra attracts me. I used to think that people who watched birds were strange, but this summer I found myself watching them, and maybe I'll get a book on the subject. I feel a strong desire for a religious belief that I never thought I'd want, and echo my father in arguments with my son. I still lose ... One day I bought a house. One day --what a day!-- I became a father, and not too long after that I picked up the check for my own father. I thought then it was a milestone for me. One day, when I was a little older, I realized it was one for him too, another milestone. Which of the following best expresses the author's thinking ? A One day is worth two tomorrows. B To save time is to lengthen life. C When an opportunity is lost ,it never comes back to you . D Time and tide wait for no man . Answer: D. Time and tide wait for no man . Fishing is a popular activity and every fisherman knows the rule: Keep the big ones, throw the smaller ones back. The idea behind Lt is simple - the larger fish are probably older. If you keep the smaller ones, they won't be able to reproduce, and the fish population is in danger. But fishing out the largest fish from a population has an unwanted effect: Over time, fewer adult fish get really big. If only the smaller fish reproduce , then future generations become smaller. This is an example of evolution in action. One scientist, Dr David Conover has spent the last decade studying the effects of the "keep the big ones" rule and if they can be reversed . To set up his experiment, Conover and his team caught hundreds of silverside fish and divided them into six groups. For two groups, Conover followed the "keep the large ones" rule and took out the biggest fish. For two other groups, he removed only the small fish. For the last two groups, he removed fish at random . After five years, he measured the fish in each group. In the two groups where the largest fish were regularly removed, the average fish size was smaller than the average size in the other groups. Here was evolution in action: If only small fish survive to reproduce, then future generations of fish will also tend to be small. For the second five years of his experiment, Conover changed the rules and took fish randomly from each group. At the end of the experiment, he found that the fish that were in the "keep the large ones" group for the first five years had started to get larger again, although he calculated it would take at least 12 years for the fish in that group to return to their original size. In other words, it takes less time to shrink than it does to recover. What did Conover find after the first five years of his experiment? A The "keep the big ones" rule made no difference to fish size. B The "keep the big ones" rule made fish smaller on average. C The "keep the big ones" rule made the fish bigger on average. D The "keep the big ones" rule affected all fish populations in the same way. Answer: B. The "keep the big ones" rule made fish smaller on average.
It is difficult to imagine what life will be like without memory. The meanings of thousands of everyday perceptions(, ), the bases for the decisions we make, and the roots of our habits and skills are to be found in our past experiences, which are brought into the present by memory. Memory can be defined as the capacity to keep information available for later use. It includes not only "remembering" things like arithmetic or historical facts, but also involves any change in the way an animal typically behaves. Memory is involved when a rat gives up eating grain because he has sniffed something suspicious in the grain pile. Memory is also involved when a six-year-old child learns to swing a baseball bat. Memory exists not only in humans and animals but also in some physical objects and machines. Computers, for example, contain devices from storing data for later use. It is interesting to compare the memory-storage capacity of a computer with that of a human being. The instant-access memory of a large computer may hold up to 100,000 "words"--ready for instant use. An average prefix = st1 /U. S. teenager probably recognizes the meaning of about 100,000 words of English. However, this is but a fraction(, ) of the total amount of information which the teenager has stored. Consider, for example, the number of faces and places that the teenager can recognize on sight. The use of words is the advanced problem-solving intelligence of human beings. A large part of a person's memory is in terms of words and combinations of words. According to the passage, memory is considered to be _ . A. the basis for decision making and problem solving B. an ability to store experiences of future use C. an intelligence typically possessed by human beings D. the data mainly consisting of words and combinations of words Answer: B. an ability to store experiences of future use Most schools ban chewing gum,but in a few years they might consider changing that rule.Why? Scientists are finding evidence that gum chewing may be good for your health.It may even help boost your test scores. This exciting research is just beginning.And in the meantime,companies are also experimenting with adding vitamins,minerals,medicines,and other substances that could give gum the power to cure headaches and fight everything from serious diseases to bad breath. People have been chewing gum for thousands of years.Ancient Greeks,Mayas,and Native Americans,for example,chewed on the sap,or resin of certain types of trees.Today gum is a litde more complicated.Gum manufacturers start by mixing resin,wax,and a molecule called polyvinyl acetate to make a gum base.By varying the types and amounts of these ingredients,scientists can make thousands of formulations. Just what can gum do for your health?Many studies show that chewing gum after meals fights cavities by stimulating the production of saliva.Saliva helps wash away bacteria that damage our teeth.An ingredient called xylitol,which is added to it,provides an extra dose of cavity-fighting power.This is good for more than just the teeth.Research suggests that good oral health decreases the risk of heart disease,and other serious diseases. Chewing gum might also be good for your brain.Chewing gum boosts the flow of blood to participants'brains by 40 percent. But too much chewing can damage the jaw joint.And chewing too much of gum that contains vitamins,caffeine,or a medicine could lead to an overdose.What's a more,no matter how healthy gum chewing proves to be,it will never be a match for a healthy lifestyle. Nothing like gum or a vitamin is going to cure a bad dietary habit or a bad exercise habit;it's not a magic bullet. Why are companies trying to put medicines into gum? A. Because they want gum to cure some diseases. B. Because they wish people to become addictive to it. C. Because they plan to make gum more tasteful. D. Because they hope to make gum good for teeth. Answer: A. Because they want gum to cure some diseases. There are many cars over there. Five of them are brown. Twelve of them are red. Three of them are yellow. Four green cars, eight blue cars, two orange cars and one white car are there, too. They are new. They are nice. Look, these aren't cars, they are buses. They are in different colors: ten red, eleven green, seventy yellow and nine blue. They are all old. They are big. All the cars and buses belong to Mr. Smith. There are _ buses. A. one hundred B. ninety-nine C. ninety-eight D. hundred Answer: A. one hundred Many parents have learned the hard way that what sounds like open communication is often the very thing that closes a youngster`s ears and mouth. One common mistake is the The Lecture, the long _ that often starts with "When I was your age...." Eighteen-year-old Kelly calls lectures "long, one-side discussions in which I don`t say much." Kids reflexively shut down in the face of a lecture. Their eyes glaze over, and they don`t register any incoming information. Listen to 13-year-old Sarah describe her least favorite times with her mom and dad. "First, they scream. Then comes the 'We`re so disappointed' speech. Then the 'I never did that to my parents' lecture begins. After that, even if they realize how ridiculous they sound, they never take it back." Lines like "When you have children of your own, you`ll understand" have been seriously said by parents since time immemorial. But many of our expert parents, like Bobby, a registered nurse and mother of three, feel that by falling back on cliches to justify our actions, we weaken our position. Since kids are creatures of the here and now, the far-off future has no relevance to them. Therefore, good communicators like Bobby suggest, "Give specific reasons for your actions in present language: 'I`m not letting you go to the party because I don`t think there will be enough adult supervisions .'" Betty, who lives in Missiouri, uses an indirect approach. "I find that warnings are accepted more readily if I discuss a news article on a subject I am concerned about. My husband and I talk about it while our children absorb the information. Then they never think I`m preaching." This really helped when Betty`s kids began driving. Instead of constantly repeating "Don`t drink; don`t speed," she would talk about articles in the paper and express sympathy for the victims of a car crash. Betty made no special effort to draw her kids into the conversation. She depended on a teen-ager`s strong desire to put in his opinions---especially if he thinks he isn`t being asked for them. The purpose of the passage is to _ . A. compare two ways of parents` communicating with their kids B. give parents advice on how to communicate with their kids C. explain why kids won`t listen to their parents. D. introduce kids` reaction to the communication between them and their parents Answer: B. give parents advice on how to communicate with their kids Read More & Spend Less We have more than 7 million used books for sale, from the earliest board books to the all-time classics. If you like what we have to offer, Tell-a-Friend and we'll give you more reasons to read! Any member of our website who invites friends and family to try our books using the "Tell-a-Friend" program will see a 20% discount when that friend places their first order within 14 days. Start exploring and save big on all your favorites. Here we list some of our books that are heavily discounted. Giraffes Can't Dance By Giles Andreae This book has been pleasing children for over 15 years. Gerald the tall giraffe would love to join in with the other animals at the Jungle Dance, but everyone knows that giraffes can't dance... or can they? 2004, Paperback ISBN:9780439539470 From $0.99 Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids By Rob Elliott With over 700,000 copies sold, this book will have children rolling on the floor with laughter. A great gift idea for any child. 2010, Paperback ISBN: 9780800788032 From $0.89 Love You Forever By Robert Munsch With simple text and pictures,Love You Foreveris a book to be shared--a story about love that children will carry with them throughout their lives. 1995, Hardback ISBN;9780099266891 FromY=1.98 How to Win Friends & Influence People By Dale Carnegie As the most famous confidence-building book ever published , this classic book will turn your relationships around and improve your relationships with everyone in your life. 2013, Paperback ISBN: 9788087888223 From $0.99 Who wrote the story about animals? A. Rob Elliott B. Giles Andreae C. Dale Carnegie D. Robert Munsch Answer: B. Giles Andreae
There are a lot of things you can do to help in your community, whether with your mom's chores, or if a friend is upset. Here are some little things you can do to give a helping hand. Be a volunteer. Being in charitable organizations is a great way to help the poor, like giving away food or money. You can also donate money on some charitable website like Tencent Charity. Put yourself in another person's shoes. It can give a strong reason to help someone else if you show your sympathy. It is the best way to show people that you really care about someone. Try to offer first. When people need your help, they'll probably ask you first. But if you have the chance, try to offer to help before they ask you. This will show that you are willing to help from the start. Think about what might happen if you don't help. More people will feel sad if you just leave them when they need you, you don't want to see people unhappy, do you? It's always nice to lend a hand. If you don't help your neighbors, they might feel _ . A surprised B sad C sympathetic D angry Answer: B. sad If you do not use your arm or your legs for some time, they become weak; when you start using them again, they slowly become strong again. Everybody knows that. Yet many people do not seem to know that memory works in the same way. When someone says that he has a good memory, he really means that he keeps his memory in practice by using it. When someone else says that his memory is poor, he really means that he does not give it enough chance to become strong. If a friend says that his arms and legs are weak, we know that it is his own fault . But if he tells us that he has a poor memory, many of us think that his parents are to blame , and few of us know that it is just his own fault. Have you ever found that some people can't read or write but usually they have better memories? This is because they cannot read or write and they have to remember things they cannot write down in a little notebook. They have to remember days, names, songs and stories; so their memory is the whole time being exercised. So if you want to have a good memory, learn from the people: Practice remembering. Which of the following is NOT true? A Your memory works in the same way as your arms or legs. B Your memory, like your arms or legs, becomes weak if you don't give it enough chance for practice. C Don't learn how to read and write if you want to have a better memory. D A good memory comes from more practice. Answer: C. Don't learn how to read and write if you want to have a better memory. Client consulted Lawyer about handling the sale of Client's building, and asked Lawyer what her legal fee would be. Lawyer replied that her usual charge was $100 per hour, and estimated that the legal work on behalf of Client would cost about $5,000 at that rate. Client said, "Okay; let's proceed with it," and Lawyer timely and successfully completed the work. Because of unexpected title problems, Lawyer reasonably spent 75 hours on the Lawyer reasonably spent 75 hours on the matter and shortly thereafter mailed Client a bill for $7,500, with a letter itemizing the work performed and time spent. Client responded by a letter expressing his good-faith belief that Lawyer had agreed to a total fee of no more than $5,000. Client enclosed a check in the amount of $5,000 payable to Lawyer and conspicuously marked, "Payment in full for legal services in connection with the sale of Client's building." Despite reading the "Payment in full..." language, Lawyer, without any notation of protest or reservation of rights, endorsed and deposited the check to her bank account. The check was duly paid by Client's bank. A few days later, Lawyer unsuccessfully demanded payment from Client of the $2,500 difference between the amount of her bill and the check, and now sues Client for that difference. What, if anything, can Lawyer recover from Client? A Nothing, because the risk of unexpected title problems in a real-property transaction is properly allocable to the seller's attorney and thus to Lawyer in seller's attorney and thus to Lawyer in this case. B Nothing, because the amount of Lawyer's fee was disputed in good faith by Client, and Lawyer impliedly agreed to an accord and satisfaction. C $2,500, because Client agreed to an hourly rate for as many hours as the work reasonably required, and the sum of $5,000 was merely an estimate. D The reasonable value of Lawyer's services in excess of $5,000, if any, because there was no specific agreement on the total amount of Lawyer's fee. Answer: B. Nothing, because the amount of Lawyer's fee was disputed in good faith by Client, and Lawyer impliedly agreed to an accord and satisfaction. To encourage the growth of its population, the state of Axbridge established a program that awarded $1,000 to the parents of each child born within the state, provided that at the time of the child's birth the mother and father of the newborn were citizens of the United States. The Lills are aliens who are permanent residents of the United States and have resided in Axbridge for three years. When their first child was born two months ago, they applied for and were denied the $1,000 award by Axbridge officials on the sole ground that they are not citizens of the United States. The Lills filed suit in federal court contending that their exclusion from the award program was unconstitutional. Assume no federal statute addresses this question. In this case, the court should hold that the exclusion of aliens from the Axbridge award program is A constitutional, because the Tenth Amendment reserves to the states plenary authority over the spending of state funds. B constitutional, because Axbridge has a legitimate interest in encouraging the growth of its population, and a rational legislature could believe that families in which both parents are United States citizens are more likely to stay in Axbridge and contribute to its future prosperity than those in which one or both of the parents are aliens. C unconstitutional, because strict scrutiny governs judicial review of such state classifications based on alienage, and Axbridge cannot demonstrate that this classification is necessary to advance a compelling state interest. D unconstitutional, because state classifications based on alienage are impermissible unless explicitly authorized by an act of Congress. Answer: C. unconstitutional, because strict scrutiny governs judicial review of such state classifications based on alienage, and Axbridge cannot demonstrate that this classification is necessary to advance a compelling state interest. Lisa was running late. Lisa, 25, had a lot to do at work,plus visitors on the way: her parents were coming in for Thanksgiving from her hometown. But as she hurried down the subway stairs, she started to feel uncomfortably warm. By the time she got to the platform, Lisa felt weak and tired-maybe it hadn't been a good idea to give blood the night before, she thought. She rested herself against a post close to the tracks. Several yards away, Frank, 43, and his girlfriend, Jennifer, found a spot close to where the front of the train would stop. They were deep in discussion about a house they were thinking of buying. But when he heard the scream, followed by someone yelling, "Oh, my God, she fell in!" Frank didn't hesitate. He jumped down to the tracks and ran some 40 feet toward the body lying on the rails. "No! Not you! " his girlfriend screamed after him. She was right to be alarmed. By the time Frank reached Lisa, he could feel the tracks shaking and see the light coming. The train was about 20 seconds from the station. It was hard to lift her. She was just out. But he managed to raise her the four feet to the platform so that bystanders could hold her by the arms and drag her away from the edge. That was where Lisa briefly regained consciousness, felt herself being pulled along the ground, and saw someone else holding her purse. Lisa thought she'd been robbed. A woman held her hand and a man gave his shirt to help stop the blood pouring from her head. And she tried to talk but she couldn't, and that was when she realized how much pain she was in. Police and fire officials soon arrived, and Frank told the story to an officer. Jennifer said her boyfriend was calm on their 40-minute train ride downtown-just as he had been seconds after the rescue, which made her think about her reaction at the time. "I saw the train coming and I was thinking he was going to die." she explained. How did Frank save Lisa? A By lifting her to the platform. B By helping her rise to her feet. C By pulling her along the ground. D By dragging her away from the edge. Answer: A. By lifting her to the platform.
Herta Muller, the Romanianborn German writer, has won the 2009 Nobel Prize for Literature.The award was announced in Stockholm. Ms Muller, 56, immigrated to Germany from Romania in 1987.She is the first German writer to win the Nobel Prize for literature since Gunter Grass in 1999 and the 13th winner writing in German since the prize was first given in 1901.She is the 12th woman to get the literature prize. But unlike Doris Leasing and V.S.Naipaul, Ms Muller is relatively unknown outside literary circles in Germany."I am very surprised and still cannot believe it," Ms Muller said in a statement in Germany."I can't say anything more at the moment." She has written about 20 books, but just five have been translated into English, including the novels "The Land of Green Plums" and "The Appointment". At a news conference at the German Publishers and Booksellers Association in Berlin, where she lives, Ms Muller, wearing all black and sitting on a big chair, appeared overwhelmed by all the cameras in her face.She spoke of the 30 years she spent under a dictatorship, describing "living with fear in the morning that in the evening one would no longer exist". When asked what it meant that her name would now be mentioned at the same moment as German greats like Thomas Mann and Heinrich Bll, Ms Muller remained calm."I am now nothing better and I'm nothing worse," she said."My inner thing is writing.That's what I can _ and if nothing special happens, I will never give up." Earlier in the day, at a news conference in Stockholm, Peter Englund,secretary of the Swedish Academy, said Ms Muller was honored for her "very, very special language" and because "she has really a story to tell about...and growing up as a stranger in your own family." Which of the following statements about Ms Muller is true? She's the first Romanian writer that has won the Nobel Prize for Literature. British researchers have found that children's IQ predicts their probability of becoming vegetarians as young adults. Recent studies suggest that vegetarianism may be associated with lower cholesterol , reduced risk of overweight and heart disease. "We know from other studies that brighter children tend to behave in a healthier fashion as adults--they're less likely to smoke, less likely to be overweight,less likely to have high blood pressure and more likely to take exercise." lead author Catharine Gale said, "This study provides further evidence that people with a high IQ tend to have a healthier lifestyle." In the study, Gale's team collected data on nearly 8,200 men and women aged 30, whose IQ had been tested when they were 10 years of age. "Children who scored higher on IQ tests at age 10 were more likely than those who got lower scores to report that they were vegetarian at the age of 30."Gale said. The researchers found that 4.5 percent of participants were vegetarians. Of these, 2.5 percent were _ , and 33.6 percent said they were vegetarian but also ate fish or chicken. There was no difference in IQ score between strict vegetarians and those who said they were vegetarian but also ate fish or chicken,the researchers added. One expert said the findings weren't the whole answer,however. "We don't know the beliefs or attitudes of the parents of the children,nor do we know if there was a particular event that led these children to becoming vegetarian in their teens or adulthood." said Lona Sandon, and assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The main idea of the passage is that _ . high IQ children are more likely to become vegetarian when they grow up 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. What is an example of bad behavior by the annoying mobile ads? They change browser settings and bookmarks. When I was growing up,I was embarrassed to be seen with my father. He was badly crippled ,and when we would walk together,his hand on my arm for balance,people would stare,I would be ashamed of the unwanted attention. It was difficult to walk together--and because of that,we didn't say much as we went along. But as we started out,he always said,"You set the pace. I will try to follow you." Our usual walk was to or from the subway,which was how he got to work. He went to work sick,and even in bad weather. He almost never missed a day,and would make it to the office even if others could not. It was a matter of pride for him. When snow or ice was on the ground,it was impossible for him to walk,even with help. At such times my sister or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn,N.Y.,on a child's sleigh to the subway entrance. Once there,he would try to grasp handrail until he reached the lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept ice free. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his office building,and he would not have to go outside again until we met him in Brooklyn on his way home. When I think of it now,I am surprised at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to suffer from shame and disability. And I am also surprised at how he did it--without bitterness or complaint. He never talked about himself as an object of pity,nor did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a "good heart",and if he found one,the owner was good enough for him. Now that I am older,I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people,even though I still don't know exactly what a "good heart" is. But I know the times I don't have one myself. He has been away for many years now,but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my reluctance to be seen with him during our walks. If he did,I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was,how unworthy I was,how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about my troubles,when I am envious of another's good fortune,when I don't have a "good heart". How did the man treat his father when he was young? He helped his father,but not very happily. In many homes, divorce is caused by the "battle between the sexes." To understand the problem, one must remember that the modern American woman is freed. During childhood and adolescence , the American girl is given freedom and education which is equal to a boy's. After completing school, she is able to get a job and support herself. She doesn't have to marry for financial security. She considers herself an independent, self-sufficient person. She wants a husband whom she can respect, but she doesn't want to be dominated by him. She wants a democratic household in which she has a voice in making decisions. When a husband and wife are able to share decisionmaking, their marriage is probably closer, stronger, and more satisfying. Otherwise, the couple is likely to wind up in the divorce court. When a couple gets divorced, the court usually requires the man to pay his former wife a monthly sum of money. If the couple has children, they usually remain with the mother, and the father is expected to pay for their support. Although divorce is quite common in the United States, 80 percent of those who get divorced remarry. The remarriages allow thousands of people, especially children, to enjoy family life again, but at the same time many troubles have arisen. A well-known American joke tells of a wife calling to her second husband, "Quick, John! Come here and help me! Your children are beating up our chidlren!" What do you know of modern American women, according to the passage? They do not have much say in the household.
Mrs Jones was still cleaning the house when her husband came back from work. She was wearing dirty, old clothes and no stockings and her hair was not tidy. She looked dirty and tired. Her husband looked at her and said, "Is this what I come home to see after a hard day's work?" Mr Jones' neighbour, Mrs Smith, was there. When she heard Mr Jones' words, she quickly said goodbye and ran back to her house. Then she washed and combed her hair carefully, put on her best dress and her most beautiful stockings, painted her face, and waited for her husband to come home. When he arrived, he was tired. He walked slowly into the house, saw his wife and stopped. Then he shouted angrily, " And where are you going this evening ?" What did Mr Smith think when he saw his wife? Answer: Paracutin was born in Mexico in February, 1943. At the end of one week Paracutin was 500 feet high, and it is now over 9,000 feet high. Today Paracutin is asleep. What is Paracutin? It was the first volcano in the world which was seen from its birth right up to the present day. On February 20, 1943, a peasant and his wife set out to work in their corn fields from the Mexican village of Paracutin. They were surprised to find the earth warm under their feet. Suddenly they heard noises deep in the earth and a small hole appeared in their field. In the afternoon there was a sudden loud noise and stones were thrown high in the air. The peasants ran from the field and turned to watch. They saw the birth of a volcano. Large quantities of stone and lava broke out and a little hill began to form. By evening this hill was 100 feet high and hot ashes were falling on the village. At night the strong light of the hot lava lit up the countryside. The trees near the village were killed and the villagers had to leave their houses. When the village was destroyed, its name was given to the volcano. The news quickly reached Mexico City, far to the east. Many people came to watch the scene. The volcano grew and grew for ten years and hundreds of square miles of forest were destroyed. Then Paracutin went to sleep. What can we learn about volcanoes from this passage? Answer: Pan Aiying, a Chinese teacher at Wutou Middle School in Qihe County, in East China's Shandong Province, didn't think her text messages would help to get her belongings back. A young man riding a motorcycle robbed her of her bag, in which there was her mobile phone, bank cards and 4,900 yuan, as she was riding her bicycle home on Saturday evening. Pan said at first she considered calling the police, but then decided to try to persuade the young man to return her bag. Pan called her lost phone with her friend's, but couldn't get through. So she began sending messages. "Hey, I'm Pan Aiying, a teacher from Wutou Middle School. You must be going through a difficult time. If so, I will not blame you. " Wrote Pan in her first text message, which got no answer. "Keep the 4,900 yuan if you really need it, but please return the other things to me. You are still young. To make mistakes is human. Correcting your mistake is more important than anything. " Pan wrote in another message. She gave up hope after sending 21 text messages without any answer and planned to call the police the next morning. However, as she left her home on Sunday morning, Pan found her stolen bag lying in the courtyard. Nothing was lost. "Dear Pan: I am sorry. I made a mistake. Please forgive me. You are so kind even though I stole from you. I'll correct my ways and be an honest person," said a letter left with the bag. How long was Pan Aiying's bag missing? Answer: Not many things in life can be more irritating: you are having a conversation with friends, but they check their phones and begin replying to texts or checking their emails. The Guardian described the scene of a friend's face buried in a screen as "a distinct 21st-century problem". A new word has been created to describe this --- phubbing. It is the act of looking at your mobile phone instead of paying attention to others during a social interaction. Like pointing at one's nose, phubbing is widely considered rude behavior. People everywhere are beginning to lose patience with the phenomenon. A "Stop Phubbing" campaign group has been started in Australia and at least five others have sprung up in its wake as anger about the lack of manners grows. The campaign's creator, Alex Haigh, 23, from Melbourne, said, "A group of friends and I were chatting when someone raised how annoying being ignored by people on mobiles was." He has created a website where companies can download posters to discourage phubbing. Phubbing is just one symptom of our increasing dependence on mobile phones and the Internet, which is replacing normal social interaction. A survey found that one out of three Britons would answer the phone in a restaurant and 19% said they would while being served in a shop. The survey came after a supermarket assistant in south London refused to serve a woman until she stopped using her phone. A poll, for a Sunday paper, also found that 54 percent of people checked Facebook, Twitter or other social media every day, with 16 per cent checking more than ten times a day. An unsurprising 63 per cent of people carry their phone with them "almost all, or all of the time", it found. Phil Reed, a professor of psychology at Swansea University who has studied the Internet addiction disorder, said many phubbers show symptoms of addiction to their mobile phones. Time magazine once pointed out, "Phubbing has a much greater potential harm to real-life connections by making people around us feel like we care more about posts than their presence." In the UK, Glamour magazine even imagined how novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817) would have written about people with bad mobile phone manners: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man or woman in possession of a good mobile phone must be in want of manners." The supermarket assistant refused to serve the woman mainly because _ . Answer: Women were friends, I once would have said, when they totally love and support and trust each other, and bear to each other the secrets of their souls, and run--no questions asked--to help each other, and tell _ truths to each other(No, you can't wear that dress unless you lose ten pounds first.) when these truths must be told. In other words, I once would have said that a friend is a friend all the way, but now I believe that's narrow point of view. Friendships serve many different functions,meet different needs and range from those as all-the-way as the friendship of the soul sisters mentioned above to that of the most casual playmates. Convenience friends are women with whom we'd have no particular reason to be friends: a next-door neighbor or the mother of one of our children's closest friends. They'll lend us their cups for a party. They'll drive our kids to school when we're sick. They'll take us to pick up our car when we need a lift .As we will for them. But we don't , with convenience friends, ever come too close or tell too much; we maintain our public face and emotional distance. Special-interest friends aren't intimate ,and they needn't involve kids or cats. Their value lies in some interest jointly shared .And so we may have an office friend or a tennis friend. "I've got one woman friend," says Joyce," who likes, as I do, to take music courses, which makes it nice for me and her. I'd say that what we're doing is doing together, not being together." Crossroads friends are important for what was for the friendship we shared at a crucial ,now past, time of life. A time, perhaps, when we roomed in college together or went together through pregnancy, birth and that scary first year of new motherhood. Crossroads friends develop powerful links, links strong enough to endure with not much more contact than once-a-year letters at Christmas. And out of respect for those crossroads years, for those dramas and dreams we once shared, we will always be friends. Crossroads friends seem to maintain a special kind of intimacy ----dormant but always ready to be revived ---and though we may rarely meet ,whenever we do connect, it's personal and strong. Another kind of intimacy exists in the cross-generational friendships, the friends that form across generation in what one woman calls her daughter-mother and her mother-daughter relationships. There are good friends, pretty good friends and very good friends, and these friendships are defined by their level of intimacy. We might tell a good friend, for example, that yesterday we had a fight with our husband. And we might tell a pretty good friend that this fight with our husband made us so mad that we slept on the couch. And we might tell a very good friend that the reason we got so mad in that fight that we slept on the couch had something to do with a girl who works in his office. But it's only to our very best friends that we're willing to tell all, to tell what's going on with that girl in his office. What is the similarity between crossroads friends and cross-generational friends? Answer:
If you choose only to complain and escape from a misfortune, it will always follow you wherever you go.But if you decide to be strong, the hardship will turn out to be a fortune on which new hopes will arise. In an accident, a boy lost.both his arms and his father-who was the main source of support for the family.Since then, he has had to depend on the arms of his younger brother.For the sake of taking care of him, his younger brother became his shadow, never leaving him alone for years.Except for writing with his toes, he was completely unable to do anything in his life. As the two brothers grew up together, they had their share of problems and they would often quarrel.Then one day, his younger brother wanted to leave, living his own life, as many normal people do.So he was heart-broken and didn't know what to do. A similar misfortune befell a girl, too.One night her mother, who suffered from chronic mental illness, disappeared.Her father went out to look for her mother, leaving her alone at home.She tried to prepare meals for her parents, only to overturn the kerosene light on the stove, resulting in afire which took her hands away. Though her elder sister who was studying in another city, showed her willingness to take care of her, she was determined to be completely independent.At school, she always studied hard.Most of all she learned to be self-reliant. One day, the boy and the girl were both invited to appear on a television interview program.The boy told the TV host about his uncertain future at being left on his own, whereas the girl was full of enthusiasm for her life.They both were asked to write something on a piece of paper with their toes.The boy wrote: My younger brother's arms are my arms; while the girl wrote: Broken wings, flying heart. What attitude should we take towards a misfortune in the author's opinion? A. Trying to find an escape from it. B. Facing it bravely with a positive mind. C. Asking for help from your s. D. Ignoring it and living a normal life. Answer: B A large number of people in the world eat fast food .Whenever you go into a fast food restaurant , you can see lots of people enjoying their meals there. How do you know in which country people like fast food best ? The English people are the world's biggest fans of fast food , while the French are the least interested in quick meals , according to a survey done last year. The survey of thirteen countries shows that 45% of the English people say they can't give up fast food because it's delicious. And 44% of Americans and 37% of Canadians say the same. The French , proud of their delicious and high-class cuisine , don't like fast food. 81% of them think it is unhealthy , followed by 75% of the Japanese . How about the Chinese ? How often do you have the hamburgers or fried chicken? It doesn't matter whether you like Western fast food or Chinese food . The most important thing is to have good eating habits to keep healthy . From the survey, we know _ like fast food best. A. the Chinese B. the French C. the Japanese D. the English Answer: D Here is an interview with a painter. Read and choose the best. Reporter:Mr Shum, you were one of Taiwan's most outstanding youths last year. Why was that? Mr Shum:Well, I can tell you that there are two reasons.First, I am a painter. Second, and more important reason is I am handicapped . I have no arms and only one leg. Reporter:Well, how do you paint then if you've got no arms? Do you use your foot? Mr Shum:Hah! For some handicapped people, it's true and they are able to use their feet.No,I use my mouth. I put my paintbrush or my crayons or pencils or whatever I am using in my mouth. I hold it _ in my teeth and paint or draw like that. It was a little strange for me at first, but it quickly became very easy. Reporter:I know you feel that you are first a painter and only secondly that you are a disablbed person, but can we talk first about your handicap? Mr Shum:Well,in fact I think of myself firstly as a person, secondly as a painter and thirdly as someone with a physical handicap. Can I say that I am not happy with the word "handicapped"? I am a popular painter because my paintings are good, not because they were painted by a handicapped person. "handicapped"means you can't do anything. It is difficult for me to do some things like getting dressed. Reporter: Were you born with your handicap? Mr Shum:No. An accident happened to me when I was 15 years old.After that I became depressed and even tried to end my life, but my mother was always there for me. What can we learn from Mr Shum's story? A. Comfort in living by painting B. Pleasure of living with a brave mother C. Help gives people happiness. D. What really matters is how you face it. Answer: D We often think of future.We often wonder what the world would be like in a hundred years' time. Think of space, perhaps a permanent station on the moon will have been set up.Perhaps people will be able to visit the moon as tourists.Cheap rockets for space travel will have been developed, permitting long journeys throughout the solar system .When that time comes, people will be taking holidays in space and visiting other planets.Great progress will have been discovered for the most terrible of all diseases--cancer.Pollution is a problem we must solve.In a hundred years' time it will have been controlled. All the world will have been developed--even Antarctica.There will be large cities in Antarctica.We already have supersonic flight, but in a hundred years' time we will have supersonic land travel as well. We will have used up most of earth's land to build our cities, so floating cities will have been built.The Japanese already have plans for cities of this kind.And there will be cities under the sea.The first of these will have been completed. Man will also have supersonic land travel _ . A. in a year's time B. about half a century later C. in the year 2050 D. about a century later Answer: D People like to look in the mirror often when they have a young and beautiful face. However, when one grows old, nobody wants to see their wrinkled old face in the mirror any more. So, many old people seldom look at their faces in the mirror. This is completely wrong. According to Wu Zhenyun, a professor from the Psychological Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a person's willingness to look in the mirror can reflect his or her mentality. When people don't care too much about their age, they will try to carry themselves with ease and natural poise . They don't mind looking in the mirror to see their own faces. Some people even love to look in the mirror from time to time to see whether they keep a good appearance. In this way, mirror becomes their best friend that help them to look confident. On the other hand, some people are afraid of being old. They don't want to see the wrinkles on their face and their hair turning grey. So they don't want to look in the mirror. This actually reflects a negative attitude they hold towards life. In the long term, they might suffer from psychological pressure or some sort of depression, which is actually not a wise act. " Everyone can make themselves look charming at every age stage. If one is confident, one will always look beautiful, it shows that they accept themselves." professor Wu said. Mirror cannot only give confidence to one. By looking in the mirror, one can even find the traces of some diseases from one's own face. The writer wrote this passage to _ . A. advise people to look in the mirror constantly B. reflect different attitude towards looking into a mirror C. introduce a way of finding signs of disease from one's face D. analyze why people like and dislike to look in the mirror Answer: D
The motor vehicle has killed and disabled more people in its brief history than any bomb or weapon ever invented. Much of the blood on the street flows essentially from uncivil behavior of drivers who refuse to respect the legal and moral rights of others. So the massacre on the road may be regarded as a social problem . In fact, the enemies of society on wheels are rather harmless people just ordinary people acting carelessly, you might say. But it is a principle both of law and common morality that carelessness is no excuse when one's actions could bring death or damage to others. A minority of the killers go even beyond carelessness to total negligence . Researchers have pointed out that as many as 80 percent of all automobile accidents can result from the psychological condition of the driver. Emotional upsets can affect drivers' reactions, slow their judgment, and blind them to dangers that might otherwise be clear. The experts warn that it is important for every driver to make a conscious effort to keep one's emotion under control. Yet the irresponsibility that accounts for much of the problem is not only caused by drivers. Street walkers regularly go against traffic rules, they are to blame in most vehicle walker accidents , and many cyclists even believe that they don't obey the basic rules of the road. Significant legal advances have been made towards safer driving in the past few years. Safety standards for vehicle have been raised both at the point of manufacture and through regular road-worthiness inspections . In addition, speed limits have been lowered. Due to these measures, the accident rate has decreased. But the accident experts still worry because there has been little or no improvement in the way drivers behave. The only real and lasting solution, say the experts, is to convince people that driving is a skilled task requiring constant care and concentration. Those who fail to do all these things present a threat to those with whom they share the road. Why does the author mention the psychological condition of the driver in Paragraph 3? Answer: This is a true story. Tristin Saghin enjoyed the movie Black Hawk Down very much,which is about the conflict in Somalia.The battle scenes and the exciting rescues of people who are dying,interested him greatly. There was just one problem:Tristin was only 9 years old,and it was thought that movie was not for children. When his parents caught him watching it on TV,they made him turn it off,though he had finished his homework and it was not late. Then one day,Tristin and his family were visiting his grandmother in Mesa,Arizona. Tristin's 2yearold sister got out of the house and fell in the backyard pool. Realizing the little girl was missing,the family ran outside,only to find the girl had fallen into the water. Pulled from the pool and placed on the ground,the child wasn't breathing. The family called the ambulance ,but no one knew how to do first aid. No one,that is,except for Tristin. A scene in Black Hawk Down describes a doctor giving first aid. Tristin remembered it. Then the 9yearold gave first aid to his sister at once and saved her life. His parents don't stop him seeing the movies he likes any more. Tristin taught himself how to do first aid but he had never thought he could use it to save his little sister's life. Any skill can be used in time,so you should always learn. Black Hawk Down is a(n) _ . Answer: Are you a problem shopper? The answer is "Yes" , if you or someone else thinks that you sometimes get carried away with shopping .In other words ,do you or does someone else think you are occupied in extreme shopping ? If people have regrets later about their shopping , or have an "out-of-control" feeling about the quantities of what they buy or the amount of credit they use , they may be considered to be problem shoppers. Extreme shopping can lead to a more serious problem -addictive shopping . Addictive shoppers feel driven by the desire to shop and spend money . They experience great tension which drives them to shop and spend money and they feel a "rush" during the time they are occupied with the shopping activity. Extreme or addictive shopping may result from long-time unpleasant feelings, of which anxiety ,pain and shame are common ones,. When we feel bad inside ,we often do something to make ourselves feel better . In this case ,we often go shopping . A few people shop to relieve their boredom or emptiness .For some people ,the motivation is a desire for status ,power ,beauty or success .Some love to shop as it makes them feel valued in the eyes of the shop assistants .Others shop simply because it makes them forget , at least temporarily , tension ,fear or unhappiness in their life. Besides ,shopping malls are designed to encourage continual shopping . For instance ,there are some malls where you can't see clocks displaying the time because they don't want you to become too aware of the time you spend there .What's more ,food courts, coffee shops and restrooms are provided ,so you don't have to leave the mall because of your physical needs. Therefore ,once you become aware of how market forces work ,you will certainly come to control your shopping behavior .For example ,how much time you will spend an d what areas you will visit can be decided before you enter the mall. Keep a written account of what items you will buy and how much money you will spend . Make a plan for what you are going to buy before you feel the urge to shop and then stick to it . That is vital for gaining self0control. According to the passage, what may not result in addictive shopping? Answer: What are petri dishes used for in a lab? Answer: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston HOURS The MFA is open 7 days a week. Monday and Tuesday: 10 am - 4:45 pm Wednesday - Friday: 10 am - 9:45 pm Saturday and Sunday: 10 am - 4:45 pm HOLIDAYS AND CLOSINGS The Museum will be closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Patriots' Day (third Monday in April), Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. The Museum will close early on Wednesday, at 4:45 pm, June 11, and Thursday, July 24. ADMISSION Adults: $25 Seniors (65+): $23 Students (18+): $23 Youths 7 - 17: FREE Children 6 and under: FREE *Weekdays after 3 pm, weekends, and Boston public school holidays; otherwise $10. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Take the T! Because our limited parking fills up quickly - especially during popular exhibitions, holidays, and school vacation weeks - we encourage you to take advantage of the MBTA, Boston's public transportation system (known by natives as the "T"). Subway Take the Green Line E train to the Museum of Fine Arts stop, or the Orange Line train to the Ruggles stop. Bus Take the 39 bus to the Museum of Fine Arts stop, or the 8, 47, or CT2 buses to the Ruggles stop. The MFA strives to maintain a safe, comfortable, and respectful environment for all visitors. We also take our role as guardians of the objects in our collection very seriously. Please enjoy all that the Museum has to offer and observe the policies listed here to help protect and preserve the art on view in the Museum. When Visiting the MFA Please Refrain from the Following: Touching any art objects Getting closer than 12 inches to any unprotected artwork Gesturing within 2 feet of any artwork Smoking Chewing gum Running, yelling, or disruptive behavior Cell phone usage in the galleries Flash photography To get to the museum, you are advised to arrive _ . Answer:
Keeping our water pure is by no means an easy task but it is something that must be done. Hong Kong once prided herself on being the "Fragrant Harbour". However, these days, it is not certain if Hong Kong's harbour could still be called "fragrant". For, like many other places, Hong Kong has not been spared water pollution. A visit to Tolo and Victoria Harbour, or any of the beaches in Hong Kong is enough to make one aware of the ugly truth that Hong Kong waters are indeed polluted. The great threat to our water is bacteria pollution. Another great source of water pollution is poisonous chemicals. These substances, which are found in industrial waste and agricultural pesticides, make up unseen dangers that enter biological food chains. Pollution control is a continuing problem for the government. It is believed that the most effective form of control is legislation . Most importantly, the present laws on pollution should be given more force. On the other hand, no amount of legislation can effectively control pollution unless those concerned are properly educated about the danger posed by pollution. While a great majority of Hong Kong citizens and residents seem to be greatly concerned about ways to control water pollution, it is discouraging to note that there are, in our midst, some people who remain apathetic about the problem. In a recent radio programme conducted on what people in the streets thought about the water pollution problem, one apparently unconcerned person said, "What do I care about water pollution? I don't drink polluted water. As long as the water I drink is not polluted, I'm not bothered. Water pollution is too big a problem and let's leave it to the government." If all residents in Hong Kong will take such an indifferent attitude, all the government's attempts to control pollution, let alone the anti-pollution legislation, will prove useless. The best form of pollution control each citizen can employ is to be aware of his surroundings. We hope that someday, the problem of water pollution in Hong Kong will cease to alarm us. In the final analysis, the best approach to the problem of water pollution is _ . A legislation B rapid development of modern science C mass education D everybody taking care of his own surroundings Answer: D. everybody taking care of his own surroundings Some bacteria are beneficial and some bacteria A cause droughts B cause thriving populations C cause rosacea D cause upset stomach Answer: D. cause upset stomach With the crazy smog going on in China, businessmen are now ready to grope for your wallet. "Smog economy" is stimulating a shopping _ on certain products against the terrible weather. Now let's see what we have on the list to help us through the crisis. 1. Masks Well, I would say you had better stay indoors to save your lives. PM 2.5 just surged up to 750 in Beijing recently. 3M just sold 220,000 masks of a kind. No.1 best-selling products! 2. Air purifiers This kind of products is rarely seen in Chinese households in the past. They have become a necessity now. I do like these little gadgets, but they are just too expensive. 3. Oxygen inhalers I didn't realize oxygen inhalers also get a cut in the smog economy. As a matter of fact, your oxygen uptake has nothing to with relieving the impact of smog. It might even lead to oxygen poisoning when you inhale too much oxygen. So don't get greedy. 4. Salt lamps Compared to oxygen inhalers, salt lamps are even worse. Some stores are selling the products at several hundred yuan, saying that they can release negative ions , reduce radiation levels and purify the air. The lamps mainly contain sodium chloride. The boiling point of sodium is about 800 degrees centigrade and that of candle is 500. So how on earth can negative ions be released at only 500 degrees? 5. Plants that absorb smog Yeah, right. Plants Vs Smog. It is scientifically justified that some plants do absorb pollutants from the air. Money plants and calla lilies are among the best-sellers in the market. Even if they don't work, it's good to have some plants in the house anyway. According to the passage, smog _ . A give some economic chances to businessmen B is very bad to economy C makes some crisis come out D have nothing to do with the economy Answer: A. give some economic chances to businessmen The Museum: The Charles Dickens Museum in London is the world's most important collection of material relating to the great Victorian novelist and social commentator.The only surviving London home of Dickens (from 1837 until 1839) was opened as a museum in 1925 and is still welcoming visitors from all over the world.On four floors, visitors can see paintings, rare editions, manuscripts, original furniture and many items relating to the life of one of the most popular and beloved personalities of the Victorian age. Opening Hours * The Museum is open from Mondays to Saturdays 10:00-17:00; Sundays 11:00-17:00. * Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. *Special opening times can be arranged for groups, who may wish to book a private view. Admission Charges: Adults: PS5.00; Students: PS4:00; Seniors: PS4.00; Children: PS3.00; Families:PS14.00( 2 adults & up to five children) Group Rates: For a group of 10 or more, a special group rate of PS4.00 each applies. Children will still be admitted for PS3.00 each, Access: We are constantly working to improve access to the Museum and its collection.Our current projects involve the fitting of a wheelchair ramp for better access, a customer care kit and an audio tour for visitors with impaired vision.Our Handling Sessions are also suitable for the visually impaired.The Museum has developed an online virtual tour through the Museum.Click here to visit all the rooms in the Museum online. Hire the Museum: The Museum can be hired for private functions, performances soirees and many other social occasions. Find Us: The Museum may be reached by using the following buses: 7, 17, 19, 38, 45,46, 55, 243.And by these underground services: Piccadilly Line; Central Line.For a map, please click here.The British Museum and the Foundling Museum are within walking distance. The passage is probably from a(n) _ . A book B website C newspaper D announcement Answer: B. website Hello , boys and girls ! I'm Anna Green . Look ! This is my bedroom . The wall is white . And this is my bed . B-E-D , bed . It's green . What's this on the bed ? It is a quilt . It's a yellow quilt . And that's a jacket . It's green , too . What are those on the sofa ? They are my books . Oh , what's this on the wall ? It's a map of China . What color is it ? It is green . Oh , no . It's yellow . No , it's blue , yellow and brown . I like my bedroom very much . My books are _ . A on the sofa B on the bed C under the sofa D under the bed Answer: A. on the sofa
Across the United States, universities and colleges have been looking to become more sustainable and more than 600 schools have already planned to become eco-friendly. The EcoDorm, home to 36 students at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, was designed to be sustainable from top to bottom, or in this case, from its rainwater-collection system to its garden. The dormitory is bringing new meaning to the concept of living "green" at college. At Warren Wilson College, a biological science school with fewer than 1,000 students, the sustainability drive came from the student body. The EcoDorm concept was presented ten years ago by two students; a planning committee firstly suggested using building materials like corncob. Although the architects disagreed with the idea, they came up with other creative solutions: Wood siding was taken from the trees grown in the school yard that were suffering from a disease, and rainwater was collected in an old railway car and pumped back into the house to clean the toilets. All in all, the dorm uses nearly two-thirds less electricity than a similar-sized traditional building world. But even the most sustainable homes need continued efforts from its livers. And in the case of EcoDorm, students live by their words. Most also take advantage of the dorm's bio-garden, planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables. "I didn't have to worry about paper towels being wasted or feel bad about drying my clothes outside," Jeremy Lekich, the dorm's gardener, said. "Basically, it has made my life easier." What is the advantage of the EcoDorm? A It helps students to enjoy life at college. B It saves a lot of money and energy for the college. C It makes students study harder. D It brings new energy to the college. Answer: B At the beginning of the 20th century there were more than a million lions worldwide. Today there are less than 30,000 in the wild. The remaining lions are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, hunting and activities to protect farms and cattle. For generations, Masai tribesmen on the large African plains in southeastern Kenya have hunted lions -- to protect their farms and cattle. Today they celebrate the lions' life. Noah is an elder in the Masai community. "We have decided as a community of the Masai to lay down our spears, and there will be no more killing of lions in our community." He is part of a group of Masai visiting the United States promoting the Predator Compensation Program. Conservation International's Frank Hawkins explains, "The Masai have been living with wildlife for many generations and it has been a conflicting ( ) relationship in many ways. They compete with the animals for food as lions eat their cattle. We're trying to find ways in which the wildlife will become something useful to them." They had the Predator Compensation Fund founded in 2003. After much discussion, a group of Masai farmers agreed to protect lions. In turn, if lions or other predators kill their cattle, the Masai owner will be paid market value for the dead animals from the fund. One man said that in the past, when a lion killed cattle, they killed it immediately. And now, after the start of the program, the Masai see the lion population growing. Since 2003, only four lions have been killed here. What is the aim of the Predator Compensation Program? A To protect people in the wild. B To protect Masai's farms. C To protect lions only. D To protect the wildlife. Answer: D Good afternoon and welcome to England. We hope that your visit here will be pleasant. Today, I would like to draw your attention to a few of our laws. The first one is about drinking. Now you may not buy alcohol in this country if you are under 18 years old, nor may your friends buy it for you. Secondly, noise. Enjoy yourselves by all means, but please don't make unnecessary noise, especially at night. We ask you to respect other people who may wish to be quiet. Thirdly, crossing the road. Be careful. The traffic moves on the left side of the road in this country. Use the crossing for walking and don't take any chances when crossing the road. My next point is about rubbish. It is an offence to drop litter in the street. When you have something to throw away, please put it in your pocket and take it home, or put it into a rubbish bin. Finally, smoking. It is against the law to buy cigarettes or tobacco if you are under 16 years old. I'd like to finish by saying that if you need any kind of help, you can turn to the police. The police will be pleased to help you. You can call, or directly go to ask any policeman. The main purpose of this speech is to . A give advice to the travelers in England B ask people not to go to England C declare the different laws of England D tell people that those above 18 years old can drink and smoke in England Answer: A While there are some unpleasant people in the world, let's not forget that most people are friendly! If you find someone who likes the same restaurants as you or who is also crazy about "Harry Potter", then feel free to talk the night away! Just keep the conversation light and about your common interests. If a topic is brought up that doesn't sit well with you, keep in mind that you are always in control. Ignore your manners at this time! Do stay open-minded. Sometimes chatting with strangers can turn into a close bond--or just another person you can turn to for a laugh. But when typing away in your computer, it's easy to get carried away and to want to tell your new friend all about yourself. Keep the personal details as secret, and instead talk about fun hobbies or the latest episode of "The Good Wife". If Stranger Sally is asking what you look like, time to put up the red flag. It is never necessary for someone to know what you look like. Always listen to your gut .If something inside you is telling you something isn't right, it probably isn't. Pay attention to how your body responds to certain people online. Remember, you never really know who you are talking to just by looking at a computer screen name, so downloading anything is an no. See? Talking to strangers online doesn't always have to be a nightmare .By following these do's and don'ts, chatting with someone you don't know can be a cool experience,and can make sure that you stay safe in the world of the Internet. What should you do when chatting online? A Download something from net friends. B Tell your living place to the new friends. C Send a picture of yourself to the strangers. D Talk about a fun hobby with the new friends. Answer: D Chemical reactions can be the cause of new formations of which? A Temperatures B Shapes C Colors D Substances Answer: D
Many teenagers feel that the most important people in their lives are their friends. They believe that their family members don't know them as well as their friends do. In large families, it is quite often for brothers and sisters to fight with each other and then they will go to their friends for some ideas. It is very important for teenagers to have one good friend or a group of friends. Even when they are not with their friends, they usually spend a lot of time talking to them on the phone. This communication is very important in children's growing up, because friends can discuss special things. These things are difficult to say to their family members. However, parents often try to choose friends for their children. Some parents may even stop their children from meeting their friends. Have you ever thought of the following questions? Who choose your friends? Do you choose your friends or your friends choose you? Have you got a good friend your parents don't like? Your answers are welcome? Many teenagers think that _ will understand them better. Answer: friends Brenda Bongos was a happy, artistic girl. She had one big ambition--to play the drums in a band. But one big obstacle lay in her way. To be good enough to play in a band, Brenda had to practice a lot, but she lived next-door to a lot of old people. Many of them are sick. She knew that the sound of beating drums would really get on their nerves. So, she had tried playing in the strangest places: a basement, a kitchen, and even in a shower. But there was always someone it would annoy. One day, while watching a science documentary on TV, she heard that sound cannot travel in space, because there's no air. At that moment, Brenda Bongos decided to become a sort of musical astronaut. With the help of a lot of time, books and work, Brenda built a space bubble. This was a big glass ball connected to a machine which sucked out all the air inside. All that would be left inside was a drum kit and a chair. Brenda got into the space suit she had made, entered the bubble, turned on the machine, and played those drums like a wild child. It wasn't long before Brenda Bongos came very famous. Many people came to see her play in her space bubble. Shortly afterwards she came out of the bubble and started giving concerts. Her fame spread so much that the government suggested that she be part of a unique space journey. Finally, Brenda was a real musical astronaut, and had gone far beyond her first ambition of playing drums in a band. Years later, when asked how she had achieved all this, she thought for a moment, and said: "If those old people next - door hadn't mattered so much to me, I wouldn't have found a solution, and none of this would have ever happened." Brenda became famous because _ . Answer: she played drums in her space bubble A small town in Tasmania, an island off the south coast of mainland Australia, is making itself an environmental role model by becoming the country's first plastic bag-free town. Since April 28, Coles Bay's population of 175 and its tourist shoppers have been using reusable paper or cloth bags to carry their shopping. Ben Keamey, a local businessman who supports the bag ban, said it would cut the amount of waste and prevent damage to native wildlife that try to eat the plastic. "Most businesses here come from the tourism and that's all based on the environment, so people were pretty supportive," he said. Every year Australians use more than six billion plastic bags. More than half of these come from the supermarket. Since it takes years for the bags to biodegrade , tens of millions end up polluting the environment. They kill about 100,000 sea-birds and animals, which mistake bags for food, every year. Only in the past few months have major Australian supermarkets begun cutting on their use of plastic bags. Environmental groups are pushing for a plastic bag fee like that in Ireland. There, since plastic bags cost 10 pence (about 1 yuan) each, their use has been cut by 90 per cent. Pollution caused by plastic bags is a big headache for countries all over the world. As early as 1999, Beijing said that only plastic bags of certain thickness could be used. This was to encourage them to be used again and again, since an average of six million plastic bags are used there every there every single day. Which might be the best title for this passage? Answer: The End of Plastic Bags They say that soon, we will be able to receive more than 500 television networks on cable or by satellite. Some people think that it's useless to have that many channels. Their usual criticism goes something like this: "I already get more channels on my TV than I have time to watch. No one needs to see that much TV. There's not enough time in the day to watch all that!"They also say that most of what's on television now isn't worth watching in the first place. I think they're missing the point. If the local library wanted to add another 5,000 books, would we say, "That's silly, we'll never have time to read all those books"? The point is that we would have more choices. I don't believe that most people should watch more television. And if we had 500 or even 1,000 channels to choose from, we wouldn't have to spend more time watching TV. We would, however, have more programs to choose from. That means that the quality of our viewing time would be improved. I think the more channels we have, the better. Give me more choices! If they're not worth my time, I'll just hit the "off" button. To make his point, the author compares the development of TV networks to that of _ . Answer: libraries Little Brother By Cory Doctorow, 382 pages, $19.95 In the very near future, Marcus Yallow is walking with his friends in San Francisco when a 9/11-sized terrorist attack occurs blocks away. Everyone around is secretly taken away by the Department of Homeland Security to see whether they're terrorists. However, during the investigation, one of his friends dies mysteriously. The friends try to find out the truth. If you read only one science-fiction novel this year, make it this one. The Flying Troutmans By Miriam Toews, 274 pages, $32 The heart of the book is a road journey in Canada made by Hattie,Thebes and Logan to find Cherkis, the kids' dad. It's rich in dialogue, sometimes funny, sometimes surprisingly sad, always character-true. Toews is an extraordinarily gifted writer, with tough-minded compassion for her characters. Reading By Lightning By Joan Thomas, 388 pages, $22.95 We're in 1930s Canada, where Lily's father arrived three decades earlier to be promised fertile agricultural land. But they had been cheated and thrown in the middle of Manitoba. Now William Piper and his wife farm their land and place little hope in this life. What They Wanted By Donna Morrissey, 325 pages, $32 A father has a heart attack; a brother and a sister leave Newfoundland and go to Alberta, Canada to work; a tragedy brings reconciliation , but also terrible loss. Primarily a novel of character, it's also a novel of Canada, of two very specific and vividly drawn places. Donna Morrissey's characters are troubled, sensitive, quick to be moved to anger or pain, and just as quick to laughter and affection. If Jim only has 20 dollars, which book could he buy? Answer: Little Brother.
A hare was very popular with the other animals who all said they were her friends. But one day she heard the hounds getting close and hoped to escape them with the help of her many friends. So, she went to the horse, and asked him to carry her away from the hounds on his back. But he refused, because he had important work to do for his master. He felt sure that all her other friends would come to help her. She then came to the bull, and hoped that he would _ the hounds with his horns .The bull replied," I am very sorry, but I have an appointment with a lady; but I feel sure that our friend , the goat, will do what you want." The goat, however, feared that his back might do her some harm if he took her upon it, The sheep, she felt sure, was the proper friend to ask for help. So she went to the sheep and told him the situation. The sheep replied, "Another time , my dear friend. I do not like to have anything to do with it , as hounds have been known for eating sheep as well as hares." The hare then went, as a last hope, to the calf ,who regretted that be was unable to help her , as did not like to take the responsibility upon himself. By this time the hounds were quite near, and the hare started to run and luckily escaped. What does the story want to tell us? Having too many friends means no friends sometimes. Increasingly, over the past ten years, people--- especially young people -have become aware of the need to change their eating habits, because much of the food they eat, especially processed food , is not good for the health. As a result, there has been a growing interest in natural foods: foods which do not contain chemical additives and which have not been affected by chemical fertilizers , widely used in farming today. Natural foods, for example, are vegetables, fruit and grain which have been grown in soil that is rich in organic matter. In simple words, this means that the soil has been nourished(...) by unused vegetable matter, which provides it with vitamins and minerals. This in itself is a natural process compared with the use of chemicals and fertilizers, the main purpose of which is to increase the amount--but not the quality--of foods grown in commercial farming area. Natural foods also include animals which have been allowed to feed move freely in healthy pastures . Compare this with what happens in the mass production of poultry :there are battery farms, for example, where thousands of chickens live crowded together in one building and are fed on food which is little better than rubbish. Chickens kept in this way are not only tasteless as food; they also produce eggs which lack important vitamins. There are other sides of healthy eating which are now receiving increasing attention from experts on diet. Take, for example, the question of sugar. This is actually unnecessary food. It is not that sugar is harmful in itself. But it does seem to be addictive: the quantity we use has grown steadily over the last two centuries and in Britain today each person consumes an average of 200 pounds a year! Yet all it does is provide us with energy, in the form of calories. There are no vitamins in it, no minerals, and no fibre. People have become more interested in natural foods because _ . they want to keep healthy Your teenage daughter is supposed to be doing homework, but you catch her chatting online. She tells you that she's talking about the math test tomorrow. Before your eyes start rolling, listen up: teens are using social networking sites for more than just gossip, according to a new study by the National School Boards Association. The students who took part in the online survey, aged 9 to 17, said they spent almost as much time on social networking online as they did watching television. And it is what these kids are talking about online that is causing such a cheer: education. Of the students who took part in the study 60 percent reported that some of the most popular social networking topics were college planning, learning outside of school, careers, and schoolwork. They also reported posting writing and art projects that might have nothing to do with schoolwork. Ann Flynn, director of education technology for the National School Boards Association, says social networking tools into educational is the way forward. Flynn says a school in Cleveland, Ohio is posting students' book reports on a blog for students of their own ages, parents and other teachers to read and comment on. "If someone reacts other than the teacher, a child is much more likely to take an assignment seriously," Flynn says. Not only students but also parents can benefit. Now parents can go online and know what the class is doing. So, next time your child says her blog is educational, get curious, sit down and check out the blog with her. You might just learn something new yourself. We can infer from the text that Ann Flynn _ . supports students in using social networking sites I come to the United States ten year ago. I would always say that I was trying to study, but there were always things like work and my kids that would not allow me to start. Now I realized that those were only excuses. What stopped me was that I was afraid to start studying again. I always believed I would learn by myself. One day, however, my son told me that he was sad because his friends would come over and I didn't understand them because I didn't speak English. He was also sad because I could never help him with his homework. That same day, I told myself, "Rocio, you have to start believing in yourself and you will see you can make it." The next day, I went downtown to look for a big banner in front of the school which said that they offered classes for adults. I came in to see if I could join, but the classes were closed already. That night I took the kids to the movies, and on the way back, I told them we would take a new route. I ended up getting lost. That's the way I found Chaffey College. The following Monday, I went to ask for information. They told me that summer school was starting that week. That's how I started studying English last summer. It is difficult, but I have had great rewards. My daughter had to write a story for school. It was about the female they most admired and why . She wrote that I was the person she most admired because I had started going to College. I will never forget this. According to the passage, the author probably is a _ . mother Who touched the hearts of Chinese people in the past year? Luo Yang, 51, the father of China's carrier jet, who devoted his whole life to the aircraft industry, is no doubt one such person. Luo was the head of production for the new J-15 fighter. On November 25, he was joining in fighter jet landing exercises for the Liaoning as usual. Shortly after the successful landing of the J-15, Luo experienced a sudden heart attack. He was soon sent to the hospital but the doctors couldn't save his life. Luo was given an award for his special contribution to the country by China Central Television on February 19. As general manager of the Shenyang Aircraft Corp, Luo didn't use his power to improve the quality of his life. He gave up the chance to move into a new apartment. His suit was ten years old and his watch strap was faded .All he focused on was the aircraft industry. Luo seldom had the time for a good chat with his wife and daughter. He always started work at 6 am and returned home around midnight when they were sleeping. When devoted to his work, Luo always forgot about everything else. His final days were all spent on the J-15. At one point, he felt unwell, but he didn't leave the carrier or see a doctor. "I spent eight days on the carrier with Luo. He worked all day and night under huge pressure," recalled Meng Jun, one of his colleagues . Luo's death is a big _ to the country. His example, however, has inspired many people. "It's a pity Luo Yang died when the aircraft carrier achieved success. It's good to see more young people are entering this career now," said Yang Yu, a commentator for China Central Television. The passage mainly tells us _ . how Luo Yang devoted his whole life to our country's aircraft industry
Hello! Nice to meet you. Now let me introduce myself to you. My name is Mary. I'm 12 years old. I'm from Canada and I speak English. I'm a tall girl. I have long brown hair and big blue eyes. I like _ a lot. I often sing songs with my friends in my free time. I have a happy family. There are four people in my family. They are my mom, my dad, my sister and me. I like China very much and I want to visit Beijing, but I can't speak Chinese at all. I hope to be your friend, then we can help each other with English and Chinese. ,. How old is Mary? A. Twelve. B. Thirteen. C. Fourteen. D. Fifteen. Answer: A I was in a charity shop looking at the second hand books. It just so happened that the book shelves were next to the toy section. After a few minutes I became aware of a group of women standing behind me. They were poorly dressed and spoke in what sounded like an eastern European language. As they looked through the clothes rails a little girl, about three years old, came over to the toy section. Immediately her attention was caught by a toy pram . What is it about little girls and toy prams? I don't know, but whatever it is its incredibly cute! She spoke to her mother and, in halting English her mother asked the shop assistant how much it cost. Three pounds was the answer---about five dollars. The mum looked down at her child, perhaps calculating what she still had to buy and how much money she would have left. Then she simply shook her head. The child didn't react badly as some might. Being told "no" was obviously not a new experience for her. But she couldn't keep the disappointment from her face. I had the grand total of four pounds in my pocket, two two-pound coins. A moment later I tapped the mother on the shoulder, pointed to the coins which I had left in the pram and said, "Buy her a dolly too." I didn't hang about to see the end result. After all, it's not about being thanked. I made my way out of the shop and into the sunshine. The money was an investment in the happiness of the world. Was there any better way, I wondered, to get so much happiness for so little money than to buy a little girl a toy pram? And a dolly to sit in it! The mother shook her head because _ . A. she thought the toy wasn't worth the money. B. she found it difficult to calculate her money. C. she found she didn't take enough money with her. D. she thought the toy was not suitable for her daughter. Answer: C Metro Pocket Guide Metrorail Each passenger needs a farecard to enter and go out. Up to two children under age five may travel free with a paying customer. Farecard machines are in every station. Bring small bills because there are no change machines in the stations and farecard machines only provide up to $50 in change. Get one day of unlimited Metrorail rides with a One Day Pass. Buy it from a farecard machine in Metro station. Use it after 9:30 a.m. until closing on weekdays, and all day on weekdays and holidays. Hours of service Open: 5 a.m. Mon.--Fri. 7 a.m. Sat.--Sun. Close: midnight Sun.--Thurs. 3 a.m. Fri.--Sat. nights Last train times vary. To avoid missing the last train, please check the last train times posted in stations. Metrobus When paying with exact change, the fare is $1.35. When paying with a SmarTrip card, the fare is $1.25. Fares for senior/disabled customers Senior citizens 65 and older and disabled customers may ride for half the regular fare. On Metrorail and Metrobus, use a senior/disabled farecard or SmarTrip card. For more information about buying senior/disabled farecard, SmarTrip cards and passes, please visit MetroOpensDoor.com or call 202-637-7000 and 202-637-8000. Senior citizens and disabled customers can get free guide on how to use proper Metrobus and Metrorail services by calling 202-962-1100. Travel tips Avoid riding during weekday rush periods--before 9:30 a.m. and between 4 and 6 p.m. If you lose something on a bus or train or in a station, please call Lost & Found at 202-96201195. What should you know about farecard machines? A. They start selling tickets at 9:30 a.m. B. They are connected to change machines. C. They offer special service to the elderly. D. They make change for no more than $5. Answer: D O. Henry was a pen name used by an American writer of short stories. His real name was William Sydney Porter. He was born in North Carolina in 1862. As a young boy he lived an exciting life. He did not go to school for very long, but he managed to teach himself everything he needed to know. When he was about 20 years old, O. Henry went to Texas, where he tried different jobs. He first worked on a newspaper, and then had a job in a bank, when some money went missing from the bank O. Henry was believed to have stolen it. Because of that, he was sent to prison. During the three years in prison, he learned to write short stories. After he got out of prison, he went to New York and continued writing. He wrote mostly about New York and the life of the poor there. People liked his stories, because simple as the tales were, they would finish with a sudden change at the end, to the reader's surprise. People enjoyed reading O. Henry's stories because _ . A. they had surprise endings B. they were easy to understand C. they showed his love for the poor D. they were about New York City Answer: A My name is Dennis. I'm a worker of a big store. I don't work in the morning. I work at night. Every morning I come home at about 6:30. I have breakfast at 7:00. After breakfast I go to bed. I get up at around 2:30. I have lunch at 2:45 and dinner at 7:40. Then I go to work at 8:30. My work starts at 9:00. I look after the store every night. I like my work very much. . What time does Dennis start his work? A. At 8:30 in the morning. B. At 2:30 in the afternoon. C. At 9:00 at night. D. At 6:30 in the morning. Answer: C
Wouldn't it be wonderful to travel to a foreign country without having to worry about the headache of communicating in a different language? In a recentWall Street journalarticle, technology policy expert Alec Ross argued that, within a decade or so. We'll be able to communicate with one another via small earpieces with built-in microphones. That's because technological progress is extremely rapid. It's only a matter of time. Indeed, some parents are so convinced that this technology is imminent that they're wondering if their kids should even learn a second language. It's true that an increase in the quantity and accuracy of the data loaded into computers will make them cleverer at translating "No es bueno dormir mucho" as "It's not good to sleep too much. " Replacing a word with its equivalent in the target language is actually the "easy part of a translator's job". But even this seems to be a discouraging task for computers. It's so difficult for computers because translation doesn't-or shouldn't-involve simply translating words, sentences or paragraphs. Rather, it's about translating meaning. And in order to infer meaning from a specific expression, humans have to interpret a mass of information at the same time. Think about all the related clues that go into understanding an expression: volume, gesture, situation, and even your culture. All are likely to convey as much meaning as the words you use. Therefore, we should be very skeptical of a machine that is unable to interpret the world around us. If people from different cultures can offend each other without realizing it, how can we expect a machine to do better? Unless engineers actually find a way to breathe a soul into a computer, undoubtedly when it comes to conveying and interpreting meaning using a natural language, a machine will never fully take our place. What is the best title for the text? A An Expert's Precise Prediction B The Complexity of Translation C Who Will Be a Better Translator D Will Language Barrier Actually Fall Answer: D A prosperous moneylender bought a house located right next door to the house of a tanner .From morning till evening the tanner change hide into leather by treating it with tannin .From day one the moneylender was put off by the unpleasant smells of the tannery. So,he visited the tanner's house and offered to buy his house."I would love to sell the house if you buy it," said the tanner.He didn't want to do any such thing but he liked to play tricks."Give me a week or so to deal with some things,will you?"The moneylender agreed and went away. A week later,the overpowering smell coming from the tannery brought the moneylender to the tanner's doorstep again."I understand sir," said the tanner with wideeyed sympathy."But my mother is visiting me this week.I can't sell the house until she goes away.Please wait for a month." The moneylender agreed with great reluctance.He began to wait eagerly for the guest's departure.In the beginning he counted each day,impatiently waiting for one to finish and the other to begin.After a while,he found he was no longer so interested in the month coming to an end.He had simply forgotten about it. He did not ask the tanner to leave when they met next,either.You see,by then the moneylender had become accustomed to the tanyard's smell."What have you done to drive away that terrible smell?" he asked the tanner."Have you reduced the solution?" The tanner smiled and nodded.He had been waiting for the day the moneylender would get used to the smells from the tannery and stop bothering him.That was why he had asked the moneylender to wait in the first place. From the passage we can know the tanner was _ . A a funny man B a wise man C an honest man D a friendly man Answer: B "Sometimes you just get a strict teacher.Instead of letting others know that this isn't your favorite class.Make an effort to show your teacher you are doing your best." jocelyn Howard,16 "Learn to put your activities in order of importance.School comes first,and if you just study as soon as you get home,it's OK.You can also relax and play computers or do the other things you enjoy.But don't settle for just _ .Try hard! And don't be afraid to get help from teachers." April Madlangbanyan,17 "If you have trouble getting along with a specific teacher,pray about it.Ask God to help you see that teacher through HIS EYES,not your own.And talk with that teacher.Good communication can strengthen any relationship-even with a hard-to-get-along-with teacher." Lisa Shaw, 21 "Being a good student means being organized.Remember to bring all your supplies, everything-to each class every day.Make sure that you'll never skip class.And when you're in class,really pay attention! Don't let yourself daydream or write notes to friends.Completing your homework on time is also important." Victoria Walsh.16 "When you're having trouble getting along with a certain teacher,stay calm! You may not agree with him or her,but you've got to remember the teacher is the authority figure.So make sure that you're respectful and open-minded.Ask for a specific time the two of you can talk.Explain yourself and address problem,not the teacher." ----Amanda Baken,18 "Being a good student means studying often,not just cramming before a test.Identify your weak areas.For example,maybe you don't have good reading skills or it's hard for you to take notes.Once you identify what your weakness is,ask for help in these specific areas.Be willing to go in early or stay after school to get extra help.Go into the school year knowing that being a good student will require time and effort!" Tiffany Irving,20 According to Lisa Shaw, _ if you have trouble getting along with a specific teacher. A you should try to understand him B you should avoid seeing him again C you should ask God for help D you should look on him as God Answer: A Dooley and Melville were charged with conspiracy to dispose of a stolen diamond necklace. Melville jumped bail and cannot be found. Proceeding to trial against Dooley alone, the prosecutor calls Wixon, Melville's girlfriend, to testify that Melville confided to her that "Dooley said I still owe him some of the money from selling that necklace." Wixon's testimony is A admissible as evidence of a statement by party-opponent Dooley. B admissible as evidence of a statement against interest by Melville. C inadmissible, because Melville's statement was not in furtherance of the conspiracy. D inadmissible, because Melville is not shown to have firsthand knowledge that the necklace was stolen. Answer: B One of the principal causes of acid rain is A waste acid from chemical factories being pumped into rivers B acid from chemical laboratories evaporating into the air C gases from burning coal and oil dissolving in water in the atmosphere D gases from air conditioners and refrigerators escaping into the atmosphere Answer: C
Jack is in bed. Mr. Smith sits beside him. "What kind of day do you have today?" Mr. Smith asks. "It is a bad day for me," Jack answers. "I have a fight with Tom. Then the teacher calls you and tells you about it, right?" "Yes , part of the day is bad," Mr. Smith says. But there are good parts, too. Now it is time to go to sleep. So tell me the best thing to you today. Jack is happy and he says, "After school, I go swimming. I make a new friend in the swimming pool." "I am happy you have a good time," Mr. Smith says. "Think about it before you go to sleep. Now I'm going to turn off the light . Have a nice dream!" "Good night, Dad," Jack says. Every night Mr. Smith and Jack have a talk like this. Every night Jack answers the same question, "What is the best thing to you today? Every night Jack goes to sleep thinking about the best thing. It's really a good way to end a day." From this story, we can know _ . Sarah is a girl. Sarah has one brother. Sarah's brother's name is Timothy. Sarah has one sister. Sarah's sister's name is Annabelle. Their last name is MacGregor. One day Sarah went to the park with her brother Timothy. They swung on the swings for a short time. Then Annabelle came out and swung with them. They all sang some nice songs together. They all became very happy. Then Timothy's friend came. Timothy liked his friend very much. Timothy went off the swing and went away with his friend. Then Annabelle and Sarah felt very very sad. Happily then Annabelle and Sarah's friend came. Their friend's name was Kate Smith. She was the same age as Sarah. They wanted to go to the slide together. So they went to the slide and played for a long time. Then Annabelle became happy. And Sarah also became happy. Then they went home together and had some food. How many brothers and sisters does Sarah have? Friendship is one of the basic bonds between human beings. While the characteristics of friendship might vary from one country to another, people from all cultures not only enjoy friends but need them. Many studies have shown that teenagers who have no friends often suffer from psychological disorders. It has been shown that teenagers, perhaps more than any other age group, need companionship and a sense of belonging. The negative consequences of loneliness have also been observed among the elderly. The death of a spouse often leaves a widow or a widower totally bereft . If, however, they are surrounded by friends and relatives and if they are able to articulate their feelings, they are more likely to recover from their grief. "No man is an island." In other words, we are all parts of society. We all need the love, admiration, respect and moral support of other people. If we are fortunate, our friends will provide us with all of these necessary aspects of life. As most people observe, there are many levels of friendship. The degree or intensity of friendship varies depending on the personality of the individuals involved and the context of the relationships. Extroverts enjoy being surrounded by many people whereas introverts are perhaps content with fewer but more intense friendships. Everyone is not equally open with all their friends. The degree of intimacy is determined by many factors. Close friends can be formed at any stage in one's life but they are usually very rare. Not very many people have more than a few really close friends. Irrespective of the level of intimacy, all friendships are based on reciprocity , honesty and a certain amount of love and affection. The word "irrespective"(Last sentence, Para. 5) means _ . Until late in the 20th century, most Americans spent time with people of generations. Now mid-aged Americans may not keep in touch with old people until they are old themselves.That's because we group people by age. We put our three-year-olds together in day-care center, our 13-year-olds in school and sports activities, and our 80-year-olds in senior-citizen homes. Why? We live away from the old for many reasons: young people sometimes avoid the old to get rid of fears for aging and dying. It is much harder to watch .someone we love disappear before our eyes. Sometimes it's so hard that we stay away from the people who need us most. Fortunately, .some of us have found our way to the old. And we have discovered that they often save the young. A reporter moved her family onto a block filled with old people. At first her children were disappointed. But the reporter baked banana bread for the neighbours and had her children deliver it and visit. Soon the children had many new friends, with whom they shared food, stories and projects. "My children have never been less lonely," the reporter said. The young, in turn, save the old. Once I was in a rest home when a visitor showed up with a baby. She was immediately surrounded. People who hadn't gotten out of bed in a week suddenly were ringing for a wheelchair. Even those who had seemed asleep wake up to watch the child. Babies have an astonishing power to comfort and cure. Grandparents are a special case. They give grandchildren a feeling of security and continuity. As my husband put it, "my grandparents gave me a deep sense that things would turn out right in the end." Grandchildren speak of attention they don't get from worried parents. "My parents were always telling me to hurry up, and my grandparents told me to slow down," one friend said. A teacher told me she can tell which pupils have relationships with grandparents: they are quieter, calmer, more trusting. The fact that the reporter told us shows that _ . Every day we go to school and listen to teachers, and the teacher will ask us some questions. Sometimes,the classmates will ask your opinions of the work of the class. When you are telling others in the class what you have found out about these topics, remember that they must be able to hear what you are saying. You are not taking part in a family conversation or having a chat with friends--you are in a situation where a large group of people will remain silent, waiting to hear what you have to say. You must speak so that they can hear you loudly enough and clearly enough but without trying to shout or appearing to force yourself. Remember, too, that it is the same if you are called to an interview whether it is with a professor of your school or a government official who might meet you. The person you are seeing will try to put you at your ease ordinary conversation but the situation is somewhat different from that of an ordinary conversation. You must take special care that you can he heard. If you are having a conversation with an official,the most important thing for you is _ .
Question: 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. We can learn from the passage that _ . A. if you have more friends, you can make a fortune in the future B. graduating from college means that you can make a fortune in the future C. friends mean a form of currency D. friends can make you wider social circle and make you feel better when you feel depressed Answer: D. friends can make you wider social circle and make you feel better when you feel depressed Question: Which of the following would occur in nature? A. an osprey catches a fish with claws B. a fish catches a fish with its claws C. a dog catches a fish with its claws D. a worm catches a fish with its claws Answer: A. an osprey catches a fish with claws Question: As the labor market becomes more attractive, more companies are sending their employees to school. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is the latest company to use tuition assistance for employees - which for decades has been a part of many business' benefits packages - as part of a renewed effort to bring in and cultivate talent. And while the impact of such programs has yet to be fully assessed, many see it as a positive - although gradual - movement. "For workers, it gives them a better opportunity for development," says Colleen Flaherty Manchester, a professor. "For firms, they are able to recruit the type of employees who have value education and are less likely to turn over, and thus have a higher level of retention ." In all, 56 percent of US organizations offer undergraduate educational assistance while 52 percent offer graduate assistance. Largely driving the trend are Millennials, who happen to be the fastest-growing people in the US workforce today and to whom the idea of tuition support from employers is especially appealing. Nearly 60 percent of Millennials surveyed said they would choose a job with strong professional-development potential over one with regular pay raises. Employers are absolutely adapting to Millennials in the workplace. They recognize that they need more experience, more knowledge, more mentoring to be successful. And they're asking for _ . Of more than 140,000 Starbucks employees, only about 4,000 have signed up for the company's College Achievement Plan. What the long-term effects such programs might have for companies' retention and turnover rates remain unclear. But, the pluses of these programs are more important than the minuses. We're going to see a lot more of this in the future. Which of the following statements is TRUE about the programs? A. The programs can guarantee the employees a good job. B. The impact of the programs remains to be estimated. C. Employees will benefit more from the programs than companies. D. It's less likely that employees will remain in the same company after receiving the programs. Answer: B. The impact of the programs remains to be estimated. Question: Compassion is a desire within us to help others. With effort, we can translate compassion into action. An experience last weekend showed me this is true. I work part-time in a supermarket across from a building for the elderly. These old people are our main customers, and it's not hard to lose patience over their slowness. But last Sunday, one aged gentleman appeared to teach me a valuable lesson. This untidy man walked up to my register with a box of biscuits. He said he was out of cash , had just moved into his room, and had nothing in his cupboards. He asked if we could let him have the food on trust. He promised to repay me the next day. Icouldn't help staring at him. I wondered what kind of person he had been ten or twenty years before, and what he would be like if luck had gone his way. I had a hurt in my heart for this kind of human soul, all alone in the world. I told him that I was sorry, but store rules didn't allow me to do so. I felt stupid and unkind saying this, but I valued my job. Just then, another man, standing behind the first, spoke up. If anything, he looked more pitiable. "Charge it to me," was all he said. What I had been feeling was pity. Pity is soft and safe and easy. Compassion, on the other hand, is caring in action. I thanked the second man but told him that was not allowed either. Then I reached into my pocket and paid for the biscuits myself. I reached into my pocket because these two men had reached into my heart and taught me compassion. What does the writer learn from his experience? A. Wealth is more important than anything else. B. Helping others is easier said than done. C. Experience is better gained through practice. D. Obeying the rules means more than compassion. Answer: B. Helping others is easier said than done. Question: There can be no doubt about the positive changes that have taken place in the last hundred yeas. In Western countries we eat more nutritiously, we are wealthier, we are healthier and there are more opportunities. But then, why, in the midst of so much excitement and opportunity, has life satisfaction declined so much? Why is depression the most common illness in the Western world? And why, when most infectious diseases have been conquered and rates of heart attacks and stokes have been reduced, do so many people report that they are feeling ill? It is argued that "functional illnesses" such as constant tiredness, the inability to sleep and anxiety that makes you ill, are caused by the body's failure to adapt to social change. Modern life is exhausting because we are often compelled to live by its standards, even though technically we have a choice to live otherwise. Everybody thought we would benefit from the invention of machines to carry out the more dull tasks in our life, leaving us many more opportunities for leisure and relaxation. And yet the opposite has happened. Only recently a lifestyle survey found that for 42% of its 5,000 interviewees, lack of sleep was their principal health concern, followed by 34% worrying about general exhaustion. A quarter acknowledged experiencing stress and depression. Working long hours in companies with a restricted social life is threatening our health and people feel unable to cope. The new technological age that claims freedom by allowing us greater flexibility is, in fact, slowly working to destroy us. Jobs for the whole life are an old story. If people take time out to recover, somebody else will come along to fill their position. Who, in this current every-man-for-himself climate, wants their employer to think they cannot cope, especially when there are mortgages and families at stake? According to the recent lifestyle survey, which of the following was true? A. The greatest problem was anxiety over health issues. B. Roughly a third of interviewees were concerned about overall tiredness. C. Feeling unhappy was the second most mentioned concern D. More than half of the interviewees mentioned oversleeping. Answer: B. Roughly a third of interviewees were concerned about overall tiredness.
In America, street dancing is a great outdoor sport for young people to do with a group of friends. Many people bring their radios out onto the streets, and then wait for others to join in. Step 1 Wear comfortable clothes. Also wear comfortable running shoes that allow you to jump easily. Dancing needs a lot of _ so it is smart to take care of your feet. Step 2 Get some music that you can dance to and bring a radio or a CD player. Step 3 Invite some friends to street dance. Put some music on and start dancing to it. Use your feet as much as possible and make quick movements. Step4 Put your arms up to the right, and then move them quickly to the left while turning your body. This will make others start street dancing. Step5 Try different movements if possible. Street dancing is all about free-style dancing. You can enjoy yourself while getting exercise by street dancing. Which of the following is NOT right? Answer: Genetically modified plants with new characteristics have been produced through genetic engineering methods. What impacts have resulted from the use of genetically modified plants? Answer: Watson entered Mr. Smith's office. The Boss was a hard man. He fired people who didn't do well without giving them a second chance. "Watson," said Mr. Smith, "this past year your department hasn't earned money. We're going to _ that department. It's finished. I' m sorry, --but you'll have to go." "But, sir--if I just had a little more time. For the moment I need the job to keep my son at Riverside School." "What's that!" said the Boss. "Riverside! I didn't know you had a boy there. That's an expensive school for a man with your salary." "I know, sir. But he likes it there so much! He's a star trackman and the best boxer in the school. The boys call him Champ there." The Boss sat perfectly still for a long time--a faraway look in his eyes. Then, suddenly, he said, "We've got to close your department, Watson. But you'll take over a new job in another department. It means longer hours--maybe more pay. Now get out. You're here for life." Watson got out, with surprise in his face. Then the Boss took a letter from the top drawer of his desk. It was Herbie's last letter from Riverside School --written a few days before he died. He had read it over and over again with sick pain. The letter read: I can't say the boys here are any nicer to me than the others were. I guess it's the same everywhere when you're a cripple . But don't worry about me, Dad. They've got a good chemistry department here. And there's one boy here who is really great. He's a track star and boxing champ and just tops in chemistry. The boys call him Champ. He made them stop throwing my books around. And he knocked a boy down who hit me. He is the best friend I ever had. Dad, when I grow up, I want to do something for Champ. Something big--that he won't even know about. Your son, Herbie It can be inferred from the text that Champ is _ . Answer: Bears are found in Asia, Africa and America. They are very strong, with short tails and thick legs. Bears eat almost everything. They seem to enjoy meat, vegetables, fruit, milk and rice. Bears are not quite dangerous as people imagine them to be. Like most animals, they will try to stay away from human beings. However, bears are not weak animals. Sometimes they kill hunters, for they can be very dangerous. Bears have a good sense of smell but they have poor eyesight. They are also hard of hearing but they are very clever. They feed mainly on roots, frogs, fish and also small insects. They will sometimes kill deer and other large animals, but they seem to like small animals better. In the cold area, bears hibernate, or go to sleep from October to April. Before they start to hibernate, they eat a lot and store fat. The mother bear has its babies, usually two, towards the end of hibernation. A large bear is much cleverer than a cat and most other animals. You may notice at the zoo how cleverly they ask for food. They sit up and hold out their paws. You would have to teach a dog such a trick but the bears learn this by themselves. A mother bear usually gives birth to _ . Answer: I have never heard about a "Fashion Week" outside of New York, London or Milan. But then one just happens to turn up in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Actually, I'm ignorant of all those countries in Central Asia, whose names are always ending in "stan." For decades, even centuries, Central Asia has been out of focus, a blank on the map of empires. Just as the introduction from Turusbek Mamashov, from the Tourism agency of the president of the Kyrgyz Republic, says, "Throughout this Fashion Week project, we need to create a revolution in the minds of our people, preparing the country for the international tourism market. It is an opportunity as well as an investment." What he says is right. If you just give it aglimpse , you'll find out that theflavor of the Silk Road is still there. As part of the route for Silk Road traders and migrating tribes through itsepic history, Kyrgyzstan, like other Central Asian countries, is a vast place of desert, grassland and mountain ranges. It is not widely known that Kyrgyzstan is the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai's birthplace. Bishkek, the place holding Fashion Week, is the capital and industrial center of independent Kyrgyzstan. It is a relaxed, handsome place with wide streets and large amounts of greenery. Especially in the autumn of November, the yellow leaves falling everywhere make the whole city a legend in fall. The mountains are just at its rear, in that case a unique scene of picturesque beauty is composed by snow-white peaks, lakes and the urban Landscape. Today, Ala-Too Square is the center of the poetic places worth seeing in Bishkek. The "White House," the seat of the Kyrgyzstan Government, is just at the west of the square. Behind this is Panfilov Park, a great place to head for a national holiday. The State Museum of Fine Arts is opposite, which is also called the Gapar Aitiev Museum of Applied Arts, featuring Kyrgyz jewelry, rugs and works by local artists. One of the joys besides the scenery is the openness of the people. Bishkek is a city without a big population but mainly good-natured people from many races, 47 percent are Russian and about a third are Kyrgyz. Most travelers vote Kyrgyzstan as the most appealing, accessible and welcoming of the former Soviet Central Asian republics. It is written by a tourist that Kyrgyzstan is the country Russians most desperately want to keep: hills always covered with grass and wild flowers. Kyrgyz men always ride a horse wearing a photogenic hat. The Fashion Week in Bishkek is supposed to _ . Answer:
The hit movieNotting Hillbegins with a famous scene. Hugh Grant bumps into Julia Roberts and spills orange juice all over her. After the _ , Grant repeatedly says: " I am so sorry. I am so sorry." His actions in this scene are very British. If Roberts' character were from Britain then she would probably apologize repeatedly as well--even if the crash were not her fault. But this doesn't happen in the film, as Roberts is from the US. A report in The Telegraph last week said that three-quarters of British people apologize when they bump into someone in the street -- regardless of whether they are responsible or not. In fact, we Britons use "sorry" in many situations. For example, if we mishear someone, we say "Sorry?" The person we are talking to will also apologize by replying: "No, I am sorry!" This can go on for up to five minutes as we compete over who is the most sorry. Life is never as simple as "duibuqi" and "meiguanxi". How we use "sorry" has changed. Traditionally, "sorry" was used to express deep regret, but a survey in 2007 showed that we use it to mean anything from "what" to "whatever". Why are Britons so sorry? Mark Tyrell, a psychology writer in the UK, thinks about our apologetic tendencies are rooted in the British class system. We say sorry because historically the new middle classes in Britain had to apologize for not being working class, but also for not really being upper class. Another theory is that we apologize to avoid confrontation . For example, if you bump into someone they might get angry. To avoid this we instantly say "Sorry!". True manners are about being considerate and the modern day obsession with apologizing show that we are perhaps not as thoughtful as we once were. The word has lost some of its meaning. Do you see my point? Sorry, it might just be a British thing... What does the author want to tell us with the passage? A British people overuse "sorry" in daily life. B British people now say "sorry" in different situations. C Middle classes in British are to blame for not being working class. D Britons say "sorry" to avoid confrontation. Answer: A. British people overuse "sorry" in daily life. Humans are well-equipped for life on Earth. But in space, it is different. Low or _ changes how the blood flows and causes motion sickness, muscle loss and tiredness. Weightlessness can also cause bone loss. But scientists are experimenting with little worms to better understand how space travel affects astronauts. The millimeter-long worm is called C. elegans. The see-through worm is often used in medical studies because its life is only about two weeks long. Seventy percent of its DNA is the same as human DNA. Sabanayagam is a scientist, who built a micro-gravity simulator to test how C. elegans would perform in the actual zero gravity of space. Scientists put the worms into the simiulator full of water. After a week they take out the worms. They look for changes in the worms' epigenome,which are chemical markers that tell the DNA in the cells how to perform. The epigenome can be changed by the environment. And those changes pass from one generation of worms to the next. "When the worms are in a liquid environment, some epigenomic marks remain even when we take the animal out of the liquid environment and put it back into normal ground conditions. So its offspring keeps this epigenomic memory of the parents' liquid environment or microgravity environment." The information the scientists have gathered suggests that the epigenomic marks appear during the early part of a worm's life. Mr. Sabanayagam says he thinks scientists can find genes in the human similar to those in the worms that responded to microgravity and scientists could possibly observe those genes closely when astronauts travel in space. Sabanayagam expects C. elegans to visit the International Space Station within two years. He says he hopes information gathered from the worm studies can be used to develop simple, low-cost and quick tests to measure an astronaut's health. What is Sabanayagam's attitude toward the result of the experiment? A Hopeful and satisfied. B Doubtful and unsure. C Sad and disappointed. D Surprised and unbelievable. Answer: A. Hopeful and satisfied. What will you do when you have something difficult to do? I used to ask my mother for help. But she always said, "Do it yourself, dear." or "God helps those who help themselves , girl." I was not glad at all. I thought she was the laziest mother in the world. For example, one day, I decided to invite some friends to my home. My bedroom was not in order. Books were everywhere. And I didn't make the bed. I asked my mother to help me to clean it, but she still said, "Do it yourself, girl." Because of my"lazy mother", I have to wash my clothes and clean my room. I have to help my parents do some housework. I even have to go to the dentist by myself. It is really hard for me to do everything well, but I have learned a lot. As time goes by, I come to understand my mother. She makes me clever and active! What a great mother! The writer used to _ when she had something difficult to do. A give up B be nervous C ask her friends for help D ask her mother for help Answer: D. ask her mother for help Fire fighting is a serous matter, knowing what to do during a fire can save people's lives. It is important to know the ways you can use and show them to everyone else in the family, such as stairways and emergency exits, but not elevators. From the lower floors of building, escape through windows is possible. Learn the best way to get out from a window with the least chance of serious injury. The second floor window is usually not very high from the ground. An average person, hanging by the fingertips will have a drop of about 6 feet to the ground. It is about twice the height of an average man. Of course, it is safer to jump a short way down than to stay in a burning building. Windows are also useful when you are waiting for help. Be sure to keep the door closed before opening the window. Otherwise, smoke and fire may be drawn into the room. Keep your head low at the window to be sure you get fresh air rather than smoke that may have leaked into the room. On the second or third floor, the best windows for escape are those which open onto a roof. From the roof a person can drop to the ground more safely. Dropping onto cement might end in injury. Bushes and trees can help you to have a soft landing. How far from the ground is the second floor window? A about 12 feet B about 6 feet C about the height of an average man D nearly 10 feet Answer: A. about 12 feet "I planted a seed. Finally grow fruits. Today is a great day. Pick off the star for you. Pick off the moon for you. Let it rise for you every day. Become candles burning myself. Just light you up, hey!... You are my little little apple. How much I love you, still no enough." This words are from the popular song You Are My Little Dear Apple. Bae Seul-Ki acted as the leading dancer in the MV of the song. She loves dancing. She became crazy about hip-hop when she was a school girl. Bai Seul-Ki was born on September 27, 1986. She is a South Korean singer and dancer. She is 168cm tall. She loves cooking. Her favourite food is spicy and salty. She like pink and red most. There are five members in her family---father, mother, two younger brothers and herself. She isn't married. After her father and mother broke up, she lived with her mother and new daddy. She enjoys being alone. Bae Seul-Ki _ in the MV of the song according to the passage. A sang B danced C cried D laughed Answer: B. danced
Have you got a Facebook account? Are you thinking of getting one? Jamie Simmonds has just signed up. Let's see how she's getting along. My Diary MONDAY: I'm officially a Facebooker. I find a few people I used to know and I've soon got seven friends. I've never felt so popular! I wonder if my old university flatmate Steve is on here...What do you know! He is! Maybe Facebook has its uses. TUESDAY: I've received lots of nice welcoming messages on my wall. Later, I meet up with Steve for a drink after not seeing him for five years. We get on really well! Then, he uses his Facebook app for iPhone to suggest me as a friend to some other former classmates. Some of them even come to the pub and it's just like old times - possibly a bit too much like old times. During the night, photos are uploaded to Facebook. WEDNESDAY: Disaster! My mum's on Facebook! Has she seen the photos of me dancing on the table from last night? Has she shown them to dad? Oh. And I have a friend request - mum again! THURSDAY: There's a message from my boyfriend, "so, it's over then, ;is it?" Evidently I haven't changed my settings to show I'm "in a relationship", and I haven't even added him as a friend. Ah, well, I wonder what my ex-boyfriend is doing... Whoops! I accidentally type his name into my status box instead of the search ' and now every one can see it on their news feed.' FRIDAY: Time to update my status:"Work is boring. Can't wait for the weekend!" Yeah, that about sums it up. Oh, look, I've received a comment! Someone must feel the same way. Lots of my friends now"like" this status. SATURDAY: Good news! I've got 100 friends But wait! _ I look through my "friend list" to try to work out who it was. Why did they do that? Am I really such a terrible person? I never knew Facebook could be this cruel. SUNDAY: Wake up. Check my Facebook page. Make coffee. Check my Facebook page again. Get ready to leave. Change my mind and check my Facebook page ... again. I am becoming addicted to it! I think it's time to end it all before it takes over my life. I delete my account. Back to good, old, simple e-mails. Oh, look, I've got a message: A friend invited you to join Twitter. . . In July 2010, Facebook had more than 500 million active users. The average Facebook user has 130 friends. Facebook is translated into more than 70 different languages. The world spends 700 billion minutes a month on Facebook. Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook page says he's a Harvard graduate, even though he actually dropped out to focus on Facebook. The site is valued at between $7.9 and $11 billion. It can be learned from the passage that the writer's attitude towards Facebook is _ . Answer: negative The water treatment plant boiled all the water that came to them for what reason? Answer: to eliminate substances Comets are parts of our solar system. Like the planets, they go around the sun. But comets are not made of solid rocks like planets. A comet is a ball of dust, stones, and ice. Many people call comets dirty snowballs. The "snowball" may be only a few miles across. But when the sun heats the "snowball," much of it is changed to gases. The gases spread out and form the comet's head, which may be thousands of miles across. A comet moves fast in its trip around the sun. But when we see it, the comet does not seem to move. That's because it is so far away. The moon moves fast, but when you look at it, you can't see any motion . That's because the moon is far away. Each year astronomers discover new comets. Some of them are seen only once. They make one trip around the sun and then go away out into space. The sun's gravity cannot hold them. Other comets, like Halley, keep returning. They have been captured by the sun. Halley's earliest visit was probably 3,000 years ago. It may keep returning for another 3,000 years. But every time a comet goes around the sun, the comet loses part of itself. Gases and dust are pulled out of the comet. That's why Halley is now dimmer than it used to be. Next time it visits us, in 2062, it may be even dimmer. Each visit it may get dimmer and dimmer, until it finally disappears. How does the writer help the reader understand what a comet looks like? Answer: By describing it as a dirty snowball. 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. When you are invited to someone's home in Iceland, you'd better do all of the following EXCEPT _ . Answer: expressing your thanks to the host before you eat Both of my parents worked full-time when I was a little girl, so my grandmother would stay at our house during the day. We would watch game shows in the living room. Our favorite was The Price is Right. We would call out our answers along with the contestants. When I got older and started going to school, we couldn't watch our game shows regularly. That was okay with me, though, because the one thing I liked better than watching game shows with my grandmother was helping her bake cakes. Watching her in the kitchen was amazing: she never seemed to need the recipes but everything she made tasted delicious. At first I would just sit in the kitchen and watch, even though I didn't understand what she was doing, As I got older, she let me help with the easy parts, such as measuring the sugar. The day she let me separate the eggs, I felt like I had found complete pleasure. At last, my parents decided that I could take care of myself, and my grandmother stopped coming over every day. The love of baking, however, stayed with me. I started baking by myself, and even if the cookies ended up burnt sometimes, more often they turned out pretty well. I tried out new recipes, and whenever I got to a _ part, I would call my grandmother for advice. Sometimes I would call her just to talk, too. I felt like I could talk to her about anything. My grandmother passed away ten years ago, but I still think of her every day. Last week, I found a recipe book she made for me. It included her recipes for brownies, cookies, and my favorite, lemon pie. As I looked through the pages, I thought I could hear her voice. She was the one who taught me not just about baking, but about life. What's the author's purpose in writing this passage? Answer: To remember her grandmother.
Thirty years ago not many people would have dreamed of doing the repairs and decorations in their own homes. In those days labor was fairly cheap and most people would have thought it worthwhile to employ a professional painter and decorator, unless of course they were either very hand up or were in the trade themselves. Today, however, it is quite a different story. Men and women in all walks of life turn their hands to all sorts of jobs round the house including painting, papering, putting up shelves and wall units, and tiling walls and floors. Some people with no professional training of any kind have even successfully built their own houses. These jobs have been made easier today by the introduction of prepared materials, which require the minimum amount of skill to use. In every high street throughout Britain nowadays there is at least one "Do-It-Yourself" shop containing a vast range of timber, tiles, paints, wallpapers and floor coverings besides tools of every description including power drills and many accessories. "Do-It-Yourself" is a booming business; all these shops do a roaring trade and look like continuing to do so. Probably the main reason for the craze is the high cost of present-day labor and the shortage of building firms willing to do small jobs. Why did people employ professional workers to decorate homes thirty years ago? Answer: Without going to a movie festival, where can you find famous stars like American actor Johnny Depp and Chinese kung fu star Jachie Chan all in the same place? Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is the place to be. Now you can find all your stars in Beijing! It opened its doors on May31 on Qianmen Street. French wax sculptor Marie Tussaud set up the first Madame Tussauds in London, UK over 200 years ago. It shows waxworks of many famous people.There are 16 Madame Tussauds in many big cities around the world, such as New York, Tokyo and Sydney. The newly opened Beijing museum is the fourth Madame Tussauds in China, following Hong Kong, Shanghai and Wuhan. What's there in Beijing's Madame Tussauds? Let's take a look right now! Visit well-known film scenes Inside Madame Tussauds, you can see scenes of certain films. One of the most popular scenes is one from the 1961 US film Breakfast at Tiffany's (<<>> ). It is about Audrey Hepburn having her breakfast at Tiffany's. You can sit beside her and take a photo with her. Find famous people You can meet famous people from different fields , for example, American singer Michael Jackson, Chinese basketball player Yao Ming and American businessman Steve Jobs. US President Barack Obama is also here to meet you. You can even sit on his chair in his office. Learn about how to make wax figures There is a special area in Madame Tussauds to help you learn more about the life of Marie Tussaud. Also, you can see everything from how to measure a person to finishing a wax figure. It takes nearly four months to finish a figure. Which of the following sentences is TRUE? Answer: In the next five years, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs are projected to grow twice as quickly as jobs in all other fields according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics. While all jobs are expected to grow by 10.4 percent, STEM jobs are expected to increase by 21.4 percent. By this measure, future STEM jobs represent a huge opportunity to today's students. But, in fact, of the 3.8 million ninth graders in the U.S., only 233,000 end up choosing a STEM degree in college, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This means only 6 percent of ninth graders will become STEM graduates. And of these graduates, women will be even more underrepresented in most STEM fields. These are alarming statistics. How do we get more young boys and girls to be interested in STEM-related fields? It isn't an easy task. Schools do not always adequately prepare students for these severe subjects, and college programs are designed to get rid of those who are less persistent. Nationally, only 41 percent of initial STEM majors who begin a degree in STEM-related fields complete their degree in less than six years. In addition, social pressures continue to cast a shadow over girls who might otherwise consider the STEM fields. A couple of years ago, I met amazing parents, both of whom had a background in engineering and hoped their 10-year-old daughter would follow in their footsteps. They encouraged her to take an after-school science / robotics program. When she got there, she found she was outnumbered 6:1 by boys in the class. As the only girl, she came home crying much of the time because she was teased and told that geeky girls are not welcome in the boys' club. Ironically, by the time young boys are entering college programs in STEM fields, many complain about the lack of girls. Starting at an early age, even as young as kindergarten, we need to encourage and help the next generation leaders to consider taking up science, computing, math and technology. We also need to realize that for young girls to be inspired to take and stick with this educational path and later career field, they will benefit from the support of the people that surround them: parents, teachers, friends and family members. From the passage we can learn that few girls enter the STEM fields partly because _ . Answer: As children enter their teens, they usually begin to pay more attention to their peers or friends. Peer pressure can be direct or indirect, but it is almost always present. Learning to deal with peer pressure makes a teen mature , and able to get along well with others. Bad peer pressure is when teens feel pressured to do something that they know is wrong, such as smoking, drinking, or drugs , and it can remain with them into adulthood. This is the main reason teens have to learn how to deal with it. Some of the things you can do to deal with peer pressure include: * Choose friends who share your values. Good friends use positive peer pressure to help you be your best self. * Keep away from situations where people are doing things you don't want to do. * Think about your reasons for doing things. Are they good reasons? Are you being true to yourself and your values? * Practice ways of saying no, giving excuses if necessary. * Talk to your parents, or other trusted adults, about the kinds of peer pressure you face, and listen to their advice. * Let the adults know when you need help to get out of a bad situation, and don't know what to do about it. Remember that if just one teen _ peer pressure, usually others will join him or her. Learning to deal with peer pressure will make you confident and mature. According to the passage, teens should _ . Answer: Some Advice on Traval NO.1. Forget Fashion !Always wear your most comfortable clothes when going on long journeys. NO.2. Traveling on trains and buses can be boring. So take a good book to read. NO.3. If you're going somewhere cold, remember your warm clothes. NO.4. Or, if you are going somewhere sunny, remember to wear sun block and sunglasses. NO.5. Always take a camera with you to capture those special moments. NO.6. Be careful with your things whenever you go to busy places, like a train station. There are often thieves there. NO.7. Always leave room in your bag for buying presents. NO.8. Most countries have lower prices for students. So if you have one, take your student card with you and save money. NO.9. Bus tours often stop at expensive shops along the way, save your money by buying presents at local shops. NO.10. If you travel abroad, remember to take your _ Whatever you don't lose it! If a student want to buy some presents at lower prices while traveling, he should show _ to the shop assistant. Answer:
Do you like to eat sushi ? Many people are afraid to eat it, because they think the bacteria in it might make them sick. However, a new study shows that sea bacteria are good for people. The study finds that a special enzyme from sea bacteria is helpful to humans. It helps people to get more energy from food. To people's surprise, the enzyme is present only in the Japanese. The Japanese traditionally like to eat food rich in seaweed . And the seaweed is rich in this kind of enzyme. However, the enzyme isn't present in all the Japanese. During the study, just 5 out of 14 Japanese had the enzyme. All the Americans studied didn't have the enzyme. "The number is small," said researcher Mirjam Czjzek. "But we can say that this enzyme is present only in the Japanese and not in the North Americans." Then some people think that maybe other people are able to get the enzyme if they eat a lot of seaweed. The study suggests that they collect uncooked seaweed to make their sushi. Restaurant sushi is often cooked, which will destroy the enzyme. So, if you want to get that enzyme, you can travel to Japan to have a taste of the real sushi. According to the study, about _ of Japanese have the enzyme. 35% Animal rights activists are against people going into forests to live and build things because that will lead to animals homes being taken away Teen Travel with Global Teen Ever thought about traveling in Italy? Or a teen travel program in Spain? Our summer travel program for teens is one adventure you cannot pass up. Experience Europe and tour Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Italy, or other European countries. Come to enjoy our summer travel program for teens that will have you touring and experiencing cultures unlike anything you have done before. For example, Teen Travel Italy gives you wonderful tours of splendid cathedrals, adventures in Italian history, and the experience of your young life that you don't want to miss! Teen travel programs through Global Teen give you the best courses and activities on the web. The travel programs are offered in varying lengths. Teen Travel Italy is a minimum of two weeks, but for the teenager or high school student, it can last for the whole summer break. The summer travel program for teens is a great way to experience the culture of another country and provides more than the usual summer camp experience. Most teenage students who take advantage of our travel opportunities are in high school. They do a teen travel program in the summer at a language camp either in Europe or Latin America to experience another culture. Travel with Global Teen this summer! Have an adventure at one of our language camps, experience the culture of a foreign country and have the time of your life this summer! Which of the following is TRUE about the teen travel programs? The programs provide different language camps. Judging from recent surveys, most experts in sleep behavior agree that there is virtually an epidemic of sleepiness in the nation."I can't think of a single study that hasn't found Americans getting less sleep than they ought to," says Dr.David.Even people who think they are sleeping enough would probably be better off with more rest. The beginning of our sleep-deficit(lack)crises can be traced back to the invention of the light bulb a century ago.From diary entries and our personal accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries, sleep scientists have reached the conclusion that the average person used to sleep about 9.5 hours a night."The best sleep habits once were forced on us, when we had nothing to do in the evening down on the farm, and it was dark." By the 1950s and 1960s, the sleep schedule had been reduced dramatically, to between 7.5 and 8 hours, and most people had to wake to an alarm clock."People cheat in their sleep, and they don't even realize they're doing it," says Dr.David."They think they're okay because they can get by on 6.5 hours, when they really need 7.5, 8 or even more to feel ideally energetic. " Perhaps the most merciless robber of sleep, researches say, is the complexity of the day.Whenever pressures from work, family, friends and community increase, many people consider sleep the least expensive item on their programs."In our society, you're considered dynamic if you say you need only 5.5 hours' sleep.If you've got to get 8.5 hours, people think you lack drive and ambition." To determine the consequences of sleep-deficit, researchers have put subjects through a set of psychological and performance tests requiring them, for instance, to add columns of numbers or recall a passage read to them only minutes earlier."We've found that if you're in sleep deficit, performance suffers," says Dr.David."Short-term memory is weakened, as are abilities to make decisions and to concentrate." Which of the following is Dr.David's opinion? People's metal power suffers if they are lacking in sleep. Have you heard about "Survival Holidays"?"Survival Holidays" is for children to go into the lonely place for exciting activities. Now about 1,100 companies are allowed to take children into the great outdoors without their parents. The reason why people like "Survival Holidays" is that they think being close to nature is good for children. Many children in big cities spend all time watching TV and playing computer games. "Survival Holidays" gives them an important change. Is "Survival Holidays" a wonderful idea? Maybe it is. Children need more free time to play. They need to be left on their own, without adults disturbing them. Parents care too much about their children. They like to see the children being busy with activities that are controlled by adults, which causes many problems. They don't know what to do when they are in danger. Even something like crossing a small river seems to be a hard _ . Children are not comfortable with danger. Even slight danger like getting their feet wet or falling down seems very terrible to them. Many people think the survival activities are good for children. Even years later, they will still remember what they have learned. Some have learned to stay calm in different times. Some have learned how to keep safe. Others have learned how to work in a team. All these skills will help them a lot in their lives. What do many people think? The survival activities will be good for children in the future.
My parents moved from Mexico to South Texas in the early 90s with the hope for a brighter future for their family of nine---my parents, four boys and three girls. My parents have always wanted the best for us and they have done everything possible to encourage us to get a university degree. Never did they think that by pushing us that direction, it also meant encouraging us to move away and be distant from each other. Initially , getting accustomed to the American culture and lifestyle was very difficult for my parents. They come from a culture where kids grow up together, go to school together and most of the time live in the same neighborhood. From our point, American family values were a bit different. Typically in the US, when you turn 18, you are expected to graduate from high school, move out, find a university, possibly find a partner, get married and start a life together. Most of these decisions take you away from home; usually you have to follow opportunity and wherever that will take you. This is my family's current situation. I graduated from Bethel College in Indiana in 2010, and in order to fulfill my financial responsibilities of paying off student loans, I moved to Washington State for my job with Experience Mission. Ideally my parents wanted me to come home to South Texas, but that wasn't where my opportunity took me. Currently, my sister Jennifer lives in Waco, Texas, about eight hours from my parents. My two younger brothers also decided to go to college at Bethel and are away from my parents. More than likely, when they graduate, they will probably not move back home to South Texas. My parent never imagined that their dream for a better future would separate our family this way. Facebook has played a crucial role in the way we communicate while living in different places. Since we all use Facebook, we have found a place to connect and feel as if we were there together with each other. The writer's parents found it hard to be used to American life because _ . Answer: Which is an example of a decomposer? Answer: (RAMALLAH, West Bank) -- Israel freed 26 Palestinian prisoners early Wednesday, the second of four groups to be released as part of an agreement that started the current Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which had broken down since 2008. In all, 104 prisoners are to be released in four rounds over the coming months. In the West Bank and Gaza , the mood was overexcited as hundreds of Palestinians welcomed the prisoners back home, after many had spent more than 20 years behind bars. Crowds of people rushed toward the 5 prisoners released to Gaza, raising them on their shoulders, waving Palestinian flags and dancing to music. Relatives held signs that read "we will never forget our heroes." More than 2,000 people welcomed the 21 prisoners released to the West Bank, who were greeted at a ceremony by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Hazem Shubair, thrown into prison in 1994 for the death of an Israeli according to the Israeli Prison Service, was over delighted upon his return to Gaza. "I am speechless," he said. "Thanks to God. God is greater than the aggressors (meaning Israel)". Abbas said a final peace agreement with Israel was possible on the release of the prisoners. "There will be no final agreement without the release of all the prisoners," he told the violent crowd. Israel's Supreme Court earlier refused an appeal that intended to cancel the prisoner release. An organization of bereaved families behind the appeal has said it fears the prisoners, all in connection to the deaths of Israelis, will return to violence once freed. There will be no final peace agreement between Israel and Palestinians until _ . Answer: While you're in Shanghai, please come and take a walk round some of our interesting places. Shanghai Museum You must see this beautifully designed museum. It is a wonderful place to study Chinese art and history. There are ancient treasures, fantastic Chinese sculptures, paintings from all ages and many other things for you to enjoy. Pay to enter. Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.(9:00 am - 8:00 pm, Saturday) Yu Gardens These famous Ming gardens are often rather crowded. Don't forget to try their delicious snacks. Pay to enter. Open 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Lu Xun's Museum This is a great place for book-lovers. There are photographs of the famous writer, some of his books written by hand and many letters. A very interesting place for a few hours. Very cheap. Open 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Shanghai Natural History Museum Everything is about the natural world and science. You can study dinosaurs, hundreds of animals, plants, rocks and more, and see many unusual exhibition. Very cheap. Open 9:00 am -5:00 pm. Shanghai Art Museum An interesting building, once used as a race club and library. Drop in and see the latest exhibition. There are shows by painters from all over the country. The museum also encourages research into art. Pay to enter. Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. How many museums with paintings are mentioned in the passage? Answer: Today, people want to be healthy by doing sports and exercise. But some of them have some wrong ideas about it. "A plate of chicken is a good meal before games because it has much energy ." In fact , the best meal before games should have carbohydrates . Food like potatoes, bread, bananas are rich in it, but chicken and meat are not. "The best time to exercise is early in the morning." Morning is a good time to exercise, but it may not be good for you. If afternoon or evening is OK for you, and you enjoy the feeling of getting healthier, you can choose any time to exercise. So there is no _ time for you to exercise. "If you drink water when you exercise, you'll feel tired." You must have some water during breaks when you exercise. And after exercising, you must have enough water. If you don't drink enough water, then you may feel tired. " Exercising every day is quite important." Wrong. Too much exercise is bad for our health. You have to give your body a day of rest. Before games it is good for you to eat _ . Answer:
The Water World Swimming Pool is open every day from eight o'clock in the morning until half past seven in the evening. It costs two dollars sixty to enter the pool. There is a special cheap price for students with a student card. The price is one dollar forty. But you must bring your student card with you. On Wednesday morning the pool is only open to mothers and babies. So mothers can enjoy themselves in the water with their babies. Please leave your older children at home on Wednesday morning. The new Water World Cafe will be open up on June 22nd. From the cafe you can watch the swimmers or enjoy a drink after you swim. Please call 2105369 for more information. We look forward to seeing you at the Water World Swimming Pool. This passage is a(n) _ . A advertisement B note C story D slogan Answer: A. advertisement After a race, a newspaper lists the names of the five fastest runners. Another method that could be used to identify the five fastest runners is to make a chart that shows the A average of the speeds of the runners. B total distance for each runner. C time it took each runner to run the race. D percentage of the runners who finished the race. Answer: C. time it took each runner to run the race. In many countries, heart disease kills a lot of women and even more men. There are four major causes of this disease and these are smoking, poor or bad diet, a family history of heart disease and stressful work. Among these main wrong-doers, the most common cause is stress. What is stress and how do you feel when you are under stress? Imagine you live alone - you are lying in bed at night and, suddenly, you hear someone in the kitchen. Immediately your heart begins to beat very fast and you feel that you can hardly breathe. What you are feeling is not stress, but fear. However, your body changes in the same way when you feel stress. That means that if you feel anxious and worried during an important examination, your heart may beat very fast and you may feel breathless too. You are experiencing stress. Another common situation in which a person is likely to feel stress is to have to do something, for example, performing a boring duty, every day. Let us look at the case of Annie who was a nurse. She felt a lot of stress in her work and began to have very bad headaches at the end of the day. Each morning she woke up more tired than she was when she went to sleep. She did not want to go out in the evening with her friends and she felt unhappy all the time. Finally, she sat down and thought about her life. She saw a lot of illness and death in her work but that was not the reason why she was under stress. The real reason was that she felt unable to make a positive decision in her job - she had to do what the doctors and sisters told her. So, Annie went back to college for further study. When she graduated, she found a job where she was part of a team as before, but where she had responsibility in making decisions. Her working hours were longer and her work more difficult than when she was a nurse but she enjoyed it. She felt she was in control of her life and her work. For Annie, stress in her old job had made her change her life and end a difficult situation. Stress in her new job became a good thing because it helped her achieve satisfaction in her life and in her work. What is one major difference between Annie's new job and her old one? A It included team work. B It demands higher qualifications. C It ensures satisfaction. Wwm D It involves decision-making. Answer: D. It involves decision-making. The old saying that practice makes perfect seems to make no sense when it comes to schoolwork. Many educators today are looking for evidence to support the case for homework, but are coming up empty-handed. Mary Jane Cera is the academic administrator for the Kino School, and she maintains a no-homework policy across all grades. The purpose of the policy is to make sure learning remains a joy, not a thing that discourages social time and creative activity. At the Kino school, Cera says children often choose to take their favorite parts of school home. "A lot of what we see kids doing is practicing music with their friends, and taking experiments home to show their parents," she says. Surveys of Kino graduates suggest that the early control they are given over their education continues to serve them well into college. "One of the reasons that we continue to assign much homework is our obsession with tests, although we can agree on the importance of kids doing better on tests through proper homework to some degree,"says author Alfie Kohn. In his book The Homework Myth, Kohn points out that no study has ever found a relation between homework and academic achievement and that if kids have no choice in the matter of homework, they're not really exercising judgment, and are instead losing their sense of self-control. However, many supporters of homework argue that life is filled with things we don't like to do, and that homework teaches self-discipline, time management and other non-academic life skills. Wherever the homework debate goes next, it's worth taking a moment to examine if we're doing the right thing about our children's education. The good news is -- it's never too late to start. What is the author's attitude towards homework? A Disapproved. B Supportive. C Objective. D Uninterested. Answer: C. Objective. If you want to help children develop language and speech skills, UCLA researchers say, listening to what they have to say is just as important as talking to them. The effect of a conversation between a child and an adult is about six times as great as the effect of adult speech input alone, the researchers found. "Adults speaking to children helps language develop, but what matters much more is the interaction," said the study' s lead author, Frederick Zimmerman, an associate professor in the School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles. The researchers also found that TV viewing didn' t have much of an effect -- positively or negatively -- as long as it wasn' t displacing conversations between an adult and a child. The UCLA study included 275 families with children between 2 months and 48 months old. They represented a variety of incomes and education. The researchers found that, in an average day, children hear about 13,000 spoken words from adults and participated in about 400 adultchild conversations a day. Assessed separately, factors positively associated with language development included each additional 100 conversations a day and each 1,000 word increase in the number of words spoken by adults and heard by children. When looked at alone, TV was negatively associated with language development. But, when the three factors were analyzed together, the only one that stood out was conversation between adults and children. "The more a child speaks and interacts with an adult, the better idea a parent has about where the child is," Zimmerman said. "Although it' s mostly done unconsciously, parents will provide feedback and correct mistakes. They'll also _ their speech to the child. Parents can give a child words by talking to them about what they' re doing, such as, 'I'm putting on your pajamas now'. But give your child the opportunity to talk, hopefully without the rest of the noise in the environment," she added. "If parents can carve out some conversation time -- maybe at bath time or at dinner time -- that' s a wonderful thing." Frederick Zimmerman would probably agree that _ . A parents should let their children talk most of the time B children should watch TV programs selectively C the conversation between parents and children should be two-way D it' s no good for parents to correct their children' s mistakes when they are speaking Answer: C. the conversation between parents and children should be two-way
Beijing plans to build huge free or low-cost parking lots beyond the Fourth and Fifth Ring Roads to encourage more car owners to take buses or subways to the downtown area. The plan is just one of the many measures the city plans to take to reduce its traffic jams. Low or no parking fees would be used as economic leverage to reduce growing parking demands from urban areas. Car owners living in the suburbs will be encouraged to park their cars beyond the Fourth and Fifth Ring Roads and take buses or subways to the downtown area. Statistics show that nearly one quarter of the city's traffic flow is concentrated in the 62-square-kilometre downtown area within the Second Ring Road, which makes up only 12 percent of the city's total area. The Beijing Traffic Management Bureau receives between 400 and 500 calls reporting traffic jams every day and more than 90 percent of the roads are filled to capacity during rush hour every morning and evening. Part of the problem is the lack of easy links between bus routes, subways and cars. According to the communication commission, half of the city's investment in transportation will go towards public transit construction in the next few years, making a jump from the current only 20 percent. Moreover, Beijing plans to change its layout by building new city centers, such as at Yizhuang, Tongzhou, Shunyi and Changping, in a bid to reduce the traffic flow to the downtown. The current layout of Beijing-expanded ring roads around the same center of the Forbidden City, is seen as the root cause of the endless traffic jams. The downtown area is crowded with three business centers and one financial centre, as well as nearly 400 government organs and institutions. Traffic experts say building more urban centers around Beijing may reduce the number of residents living in the suburbs and traveling long distances to work downtown every day, thus reducing traffic flow. The passage suggests the author _ . A is tired of driving to work B finds it costs less to take subways than to drive C is for the plan to reduce Beijing's traffic congestion D has benefited a lot by driving to the downtown every day Answer: C Great Wall Xmas BBQ Beijing Hikers are organizing a three-hour hike on a rarely visited part of the Great Wall and will celebrate Christmas afterwards with a Christmas barbecue dinner in a small hotel at the foot of the Great Wall . Meet at 8:30 am. Dec. 25 in front of Starbucks at Lido Holiday Inn , Jiangtai Lu. Please write to info@beijinghikers.com or 139-100-25516. Pingyao tour High Club will guide a weekend trip to Pingyao , an ancient walled town near Taiyuan , capital city of Shanxi Province . The town is one of the best-preserved featuring courtyard buildings of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) . Among them is the Qiao family courtyard house, the shooting location of Zhang Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern (<<>> ). Leave on Friday (December 23) night by train and back to Beijing on Sunday morning . For sign-up and more information , contact Lucy at lucy@highclub.cn or 8580-5080,130-11171326. New Year Harbin trip The Chinese Culture Club is running a new year trip to Harbin , to catch a fresh view of its yearly ice and snow lantern festival . As the temperature is expected to fall between minus 20 to 30degC, visitors are warned to prepare well with jackets , masks , fur gloves and boots. The trip sets out by train at night on December 31 and gets back on the morning January 2. The cost is 2,300 yuan (US$ 284) . Reservation is required at 8457-2772. One who is interested in life of ancient Chinese is more likely to contact _ . A 139-100-25516 B 1368-1911 C 8580-5080 D 8457-2772 Answer: C My best friend and I made our first trip to Ireland less than a year ago. I wasn't very excited about it at the very beginning. But my uncle wanted me to visit Ireland and offered to pay for my trip. Then I did. All of the words "magical, charming and memorable" don't even describe what Ireland is. Our favourites were Kilkenny, Cobh and Killarney. We did a self-driver tour. We stayed in a castle in Dublin for two days, where my ancestors came from. The town we thought we might be bored in was Kilkenny, but we loved every minute we were there. There were so many places to explore and the pictures we took were beautiful. It was so exciting to see the little village of Cobh and know it was the last stop for the Titanic(a famous ship) at that time. We loved the visitor centre there and the little shops. We never got any bad food there. It was so mouth-watering at every stop! And when we stayed in Westmeath, we saw the Trim Castle through the windows and found some scenes from Brave Heart which was filmed there. We were so excited. Again, more beautiful pictures were taken in that tiny town. We love the country, the people, the food and the magic. We would go back very soon. I was so thankful for my uncle who had given me the chance to be there. I have no words to _ describe our trip. Go, explore the small villages, eat and enjoy! I still look at my pictures and can't believe I was actually there. Where does the article most probably come from? A A scientific fiction. B A tourist magazine. C A poem. D A poster. Answer: B Have you ever been to Qingdao, a beautiful seaside city in the southeast of Shandong Province? There is the blue sea and clear air there. And it is also one of the most beautiful cities in China. Qingdao has the largest bathing beach in Asia. It holds Qingdao International Beer Festival every year. There are many interesting places to visit in Qingdao. But Qingdao beaches are the most fantastic places. There are nine beaches in Qingdao. No 1 Beach is the largest one, but it is not the best beach because there are too many rocks there and the sand is not the most beautiful. The best beach in Qingdao is No. 6 Beach. And it is also the longest of all the beaches and has beautiful yellow sand. There are also a few interesting things you can do near the beaches, such as visiting Lu Xun Park, eating sea food in a restaurant or visiting Qingdao Polar Ocean World. Many People prefer to visit Qingdao Polar Ocean World. There you can see lots of animals from the sea, such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions and polar bears. It's so great and interesting that every year lots of people, especially children must come here when they visit Qingdao. What can you do near the beaches? A Visit Lu Xun Park. B Eat sea food. C Go to Qingdao Polar Ocean World. D All of the above. Answer: D I visited the nearby car factory today with my uncle, who works there. One thing I noticed was that most of the work is now done by robots. Welding , painting, testing, and many other jobs are performed by robots now. The whole dashboard of the car is now put into the car from above, through the windshield, by a robot. It would have taken two men to do this in the past, and it would have hurt their backs quite a bit. It got me thinking: is it a good thing that robots are replacing factory workers? On one hand, robots generally do a more accurate job than people. They aren't likely to make many mistakes, and if something goes wrong with one car, an alarm goes off. They do exactly the same thing, every time, without fail. A human worker is never able to do exactly the same thing every time. On the other hand, robots also reduce costs for companies. Companies don't have to pay robots wages or injury compensation if they're broken. If something in a robot does go wrong, it won't have to take time off work for a year, or even forever, as could happen to a real person if he breaks his back or burn himself while welding. The obvious _ to all of this is that it increases the unemployment rate.The company will have to bring in some very talented individuals who know how to operate the robots. Unlike regular factory workers, these intelligence workers usually demand a higher pay. According to the text robots _ . A can do work as accurately as workers B never break down C can do exactly the same thing repeatedly D ask for less money from companies Answer: C
Of Chinese secondary school students top ten heroes,Mao Zedong,ranks number one and Olympic track gold medal winner,Liu Xiang,ranks fifth,according to a survey conducted by All-China Women's Federation (ACWF). Late Chinese leaders,Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai,and revolutionary martyrs,Liu Hulan and Dong Cunrui,all have remained important heroes in the eyes of Chinese teenagers aged 13 to 18. Meanwhile,the 2004 Olympic track and field star,Liu Xiang;model police chief,Ren Changxia;Hong Kong action star,Jackie Chan,and China's first astronaut Yang Liwei,have ascended to be the new stars among the students. "The coexistence of old and new models in youth's hearts reveal the new era's character," said Han Xiangjing,president of "China Women" magazine attached to ACWF. The respondents also chose their parents as heroes,ranking number two. "This reflects that young students' selection standards of heroes have changed to be more human oriented,emotional and personalized,"Han said. Reasons given by the surveyed students for this choice are:"parents are the people I love and indispensable to me"and"they consistently guide,encourage and support me." The survey was conducted in six provinces and cities across China,including Beijing,Shanghai,Henan,Shanxi,Liaoning and Hunan.Students completed 1018 questionnaires;443 polled were boys and 575 were girls. How many heroes of the top 10 can be found in the passage? Answer: 9. Smaller than your fist, your healthy heart just goes on and on. It will beat more than 60 times a minute for 70 years or more. That's something that most of us take for granted. But it's an amazing fact. 60 times a minute for 60 minutes is 3,600 times. What physical thing can most of us do 3,600 times in one hour? Blink? Maybe. Tap our fingers on the desk? No. Jump up and down? Certainly not! But our heart keeps beating, hour after hour. Every day, it pumps almost 2,000 gallons of blood through our blood vessels . It takes you about five years to drink 2,000 gallons of water. And, unlike your knees or your back, your heart does all this work without ever complaining ! You never know that it's even there. Your heart is such a reliable "silent partner" that people forget to care for it. For many, the first indication that their heart isn't working properly is a serious heart illness! Over 650,000 Americans die of some kind of heart disease every year. Cancer kills 560,000, stroke kills 143,000, and accidents kill 118,000 Americans annually. Like accidental deaths, many heart disease-related deaths can be avoided if people simply follow the advice of the experts. Unfortunately, most people seem to listen to a little voice in their head that says, "It won't happen to me. " So these people keep on smoking and drinking. They continue to eat too much meat. And their only "exercise" is getting off the sofa to get something out of the fridge. Please follow the following steps to keep your heart healthy. What do we know about our healthy hearts? Answer: our healthy hearts are smaller than our fists. Many years ago, my dad was diagnosed with a serious heart disease. He was put on permanent disability, but he still wanted to do something to keep himself busy, so he decided to volunteer at the local children's hospital. My dad loved kids. It was the perfect job for him. He would talk to them and play with them and do arts with them. One of his kids was a girl with a rare disease that paralyzed her from the neck down. I don't know the name of the disease, but I do know that it was very sad for a girl around eight or nine years old. She couldn't do anything, and she was very depressed. My dad decided to try to help her. He started visiting her in her room, bringing paints, brushes and paper. He stood the paper up against a backing, put the paintbrush in his mouth and began to paint. He didn't use his hands at all. Only his head would move. He visited her whenever he could and painted for her. All the while he would tell her, "See, you can do anything you set your mind to." Finally , she began to paint by using her mouth, and she and my dad became friends. Soon after, the little girl was discharged . One day, in the lobby of the hospital, my dad noticed the front doors open and then in came the little girl who had been paralyzed, but this time she was walking. She ran straight over to my dad and hugged him really tight. She gave him a picture she had done using her hands. At the bottom it read: "Thank you for helping me walk." My dad would cry every time he told us this story and so would we. He would say: "sometimes love is more powerful than doctors." What's the purpose to say "you can do anything you set your mind to"? Answer: To encourage the girl to try her best. Easter Eggs Easter falls officially on the Sunday following the first full moon after March 21. The name Easter itself derives from Europe, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of springtime and sunrise. Christians relate the rising of the sun to resurrection of Jesus, Son of God, and therefore Easter, like Easter, represents rebirth of the soul. It is because of this association of the holiday with rebirth that the egg has long been its chief symbol. The egg was a symbol of spring and fertility (for the egg is the original germ from which all life proceeds) long before the Christian era. The ancient Persians, Greeks and Chinese exchanged eggs at their spring festivals. In Christian times the egg took on a new meaning, symbolizing Christ's tomb---a cold and hard casket from which new life finally broke forth in triumph. In modern times the egg is still the most important part of Easter customs. Egg-rolling contests, egg hunts and egg-dyeing are still very popular with Americans at Easter time. Today Easter is more a family day than a religious holiday. Relatives and friends get together for large Easter dinners. Many American and friends get together for large Easter dinners. Many American cities have Easter parades. People enjoy the return of the milder weather by walking outdoors to display their new spring clothes. People observe Easter originally to celebrate_. Answer: The resurrection of Jesus. What do you think the future will be like? Here are some answers from some students. Mary: If we don't take good care of the earth now, our children and grandchildren will be born into a world with much pollution . There will be fewer trees and more buildings, because there will be more people. Jack: I agree with Mary. Things will be worse . The weather in the future will be much hotter. Humans won't be able to live on the earth. They will have to look for another planet to live on. Linda: I think the life in the future will be better. Most people in the world will use "green cars" by 2020, so there will be less pollution and people will live to be 200 years old. As for space travel, I would say, we will visit Mars in about fifty years. Why does Jack think humans will have to look for another planet to live on? Because _ . Answer: the earth will be too hot to live on
Question: People often talk as if shyness is a disease or mental condition that can be cured. I prefer to think of it as an emotional disability. It's something we are born with and something we carry with us in our entire lives. There are too many people, however, who seem to be determined to find some way of doing away with their shyness. In my opinion, it's a waste of time. I don't mean that we should do nothing about it; quite the contrary, I think we need to separate the basic fact of our shyness from our ability to take part in a social environment. Look at one of the most famous shy people of them all, Johnny Carson. This man is painfully shy, yet for decades he made a living talking and associating with different people every night, in front of a national audience. Carson has never done away with his shyness, but he has successfully found a way to deal with it to the extent that he could be, not just a talk show host, but a legend among talk show hosts. Look also at Sally Fields, who has recently admitted her problem with shyness. This is a woman who has appeared in many films, TV shows and interviews, yet in her early years she was so shy that she turned down a lunch invitation from Jane Fonda because she was terribly afraid of meeting her. I guess that our shyness is there because each of us is born with some insecurity and this insecurity prevents us from reaching out to others the way people with a more open personality do. As we grow up and become adults, we allow our social skills to grow and develop. But we are still stuck in kindergarten or elementary school or wherever it was when our shyness took root in our soul. From the passage, we know that Johnny Carson _ . A. has dealt with shyness very successfully B. has done away with his shyness carefully C. is described as a hero in some legend books D. failed to become a good talk show host Answer: A. has dealt with shyness very successfully Question: Awareness Weeks have become a regular part of Britain's cultural landscape over the past few years. They started back in 1957,when one charity , Christian Aid, decided to make all its money-raising efforts on one time of year. It was thought that by doing this they would get more publicity for their cause. They were right, and soon other charities and campaign groups followed them. These days, most donations to charity are not collected on the streets. So instead of just asking for money, charities prefer to spend their time "raising awareness"--spreading knowledge of the work they do or the cause they support. They also compete with businesses and trade groups who use awareness weeks as marketing campaigns for their products. There are now 500 awareness weeks held every year in the prefix = st1 /UK. No week goes by without one group or another trying to make the British public aware of something, with most held in May or October. The danger with all these awareness weeks is that people start to become cynical .Take National Smile Week, it seems like a great idea. Let's all make each other's life a little bit happier with a friendly smile. But really it's just a group of dentists and cosmetics companies trying to sell us toothpastes. It's enough to make you want to start National Forget About It Week."People feel that many awareness campaigns are just marketing exercises," says Ms Ormiston, who edits the Awareness Campaign Register, a newsletter which encourages people who run Awareness Weeks to become more aware of each other."But 90 per cent of campaigns are run by traditional charities or not for groups to make money." "There's still no official group for awareness campaigns," says Ms Ormiston."People can do what they like, whatever the size of their budgets or their public relations machines allows." This situation has led to calls for laws to stop real charities having their efforts overshadowed by marketing campaigns. This could be done by making the two groups hold their weeks at different times or stopping businesses running imitation charity campaigns. But there is another way. Maybe it's time for National Weak Awareness Week, especially for people whose awareness of Awareness Weeks is weak. Why do people start to become cynical about awareness weeks? A. Too many awareness weeks make people feel bored. B. People feel many awareness weeks are just for marketing exercises. C. People have a weak awareness of awareness weeks. D. Awareness weeks are held too often and too much money is raised. Answer: B. People feel many awareness weeks are just for marketing exercises. Question: For as long as they can remember Jynne Martin and April Surgent had both dreamed of going to Antarctica.This winter,they each made it to the icy continent as guests of the National Science Foundation(NSF).Bm they didn't go as scientists.Martin is a poet and Surgent is an artist.They went to Antarctica as participants.in the NSF's Artists and Writers program.The NSF is thegovernment agency that funds scientific research in Antarctica.But it also makes it possible for artists,including filmmakers and musicians,to experience Antarctica and contribute their own points of view to our understanding of the continent. The mixing of science and art in Antarctica isn't new.Some of the earliest explorersbrought along painters and photographers.Edward Wilson was a British painter,doctor,and bird expert who journeyed with RobertFalcon Soott on two separate Antamtic expeditionsmore than 100 years ago.Herbert Ponting was a photographer who also accompanied Scott on one of those expeditions.In hundreds of photos,Pontingcaptured the beauty of the continentand recorded the daily lives and heroic struggles of the explorers. Today's scientists write articles forscientificjournals.Unlike theearly explorers'journals,scientific papers can now be very difficult for non-scientists to understand.Writers in Antarctica workto explain the research to the public.Peter Rejcek is editor,writer,and photographer for the Antarctic Sun,an onlinemagazine devoted to news about the U.S.Antarctic Program.Rejeck began his career in the Antarctic in 2003 by spending a year at the South Pole.He has returned everyyear since,interviewing,scientists about research at Palmer,McMurdo,and South Pole stations. There are also scientists in Antarctica who work hardto explain their research to the public.Scientist Diane McKnight wrote The Lost Seal,a children's book that explains the research she and others are doing in an unusual ice-free area in Antarctica called the Dry Valleys. Antarctica is full of stories and wonders that are scientific,historic.and personal. People such as Martin,Surgent,Rejcek,and McKnight are devoted to bringing those storiesto asmany peopleare they can."Some people are going to be scientists,some people are goingto be journalists,some people are going to be artists,but we can all work together,'saysSurgent,"tocelebrate,thisextraordinary place." By mentioning Diane McKnight,the author may try to suggest that _ . A. scientists should explain their research to children B. writers are not necessary since scientists can tell stories as well C. telling stories to children is more important than knowing the truth D. no matter what role we play,we can work together to appreciate Antarctica Answer: D. no matter what role we play,we can work together to appreciate Antarctica Question: Light travels fastest through which of the following? A. air B. glass C. water D. a vacuum Answer: D. a vacuum Question: Monday: Here I am, in the middle of nowhere. This camping trip idea is not getting off to a very good start. It's raining and the tent leaks . The hiking seemed to take forever, and I still can't understand how it could all have been up hill! How did I ever let my brother persuade me into doing this? When we get home--if we ever get home--he's going to have to do something great to get back on my good side. Maybe he should sponsor a shopping spree at the mall! Tuesday: Things are looking up. The sun came out today, so we were able to leave the tents and dry out. We're camped at the edge of a small lake that I couldn't see before because of the rain and fog. The mountains are all around us, and the forest is absolutely beautiful. We spent most of the day dragging out everything out of our backpacks or tents and putting it where the sun could dry it out. Later in the afternoon we tried to catch the fish for dinner, but the fish were smarter than we were. At night we built a fire and sang songs happily. Wednesday: We hiked to the far side of the lake and climbed to the top of a small peak. From there we could see how high the other mountains were and how far the forest spread around us. On the way up we passed through a snowfield! Thursday: I caught my first fish! We followed the stream that fed the lake. After about two miles, we came to a section that Carol said looked "fishy". She had a pack rod , which can be carried in a backpack. I asked to cast it, and I caught a fish on my first try. Carol caught a few more. But they were just too pretty to eat for lunch, so we put them back in the stream. Friday: I can't believe we are going home already. It will be nice to get a hot shower, sleep in a real bed, and eat junk food, but the trip has been wonderful. We're already talking about another camping adventure next year where we canoe down a river. It's hard to believe, but I think this city girl has a little country blood in her veins. The writer went on this camping trip because _ . A. she enjoyed camping. B. she wanted to go fishing. C. she was influenced by her brother. D. she was tired of staying home. Answer: C. she was influenced by her brother.
A person who is trying something out for the first time that will have unpredictable reactions will want safety goggles Now I'm a senior high school student in Grade Two . I feel that school life is a little hard , just as my friends said . However , a hard life doesn't have to mean a boring one at all . School life is not just about studying and getting high marks . Getting involved in student clubs can be a unique and unforgettable experience . Wang Tian enjoys Tuesday afternoons more than any other time of the week . Why ? Well , that's when Wang and 47 other members of the DIY ( do it yourself ) club learn to make things such as rondo flowers ( ) and cross-stitch( ). Wang also knows how to knit scarves and make clay accessories( ). They even sell their products to raise money for poor students ! When Chen Mo started the High School , there was a drama club and a rock band , but no street dance club . So the girl started one . "Street dancing is dynamic and helps us relax and keep fit ," Chen said . There are around 30 students in Chen's club . They practice dance skills on Sundays . Sometimes they go to street dance performances in the city . "We watch , learn and make friends . People in this circle are actually very nice and sweet ," she said . There are dozens of clubs for me to choose from , such as basketball club or science club . But I love the translation club best . The 30 club members get together once a week . With the help of a volunteer teacher , I've learned the general principles of professional translation . It's the first step to becoming a good translator . Besides ,after attending this club , my English has improved a lot . I like my school life very much . And I believe whether a life is meaningful or not depends on the person who leads it . Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage ? There are more members in the DIY club than in the translation club . Top 5 Must See Places in Beijing Beijing is an old capital city with a lot of tourists attractions. What is the most representative place in Beijing? The answers are various. Here are the Top 5 Must See Places in Beijing. 1. Forbidden City The Forbidden City is the ideal place for you to begin your exploration of Beijing. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as you have to walk a lot! A multilingual guide recorder is recommended, as it can tell you the stories behind the palace. Opening Hour: 8:30-17:00 Entrance Fee: RMB 60 2. Tian'anmen Square Lying in the heart of Beijing City, it is the place for massive parades and gathering. It boasts of the largest square of such kind in the world. At sunrise and sunset the raising and lowering ceremony of the Chinese National Flag is well worth seeing. Ticket fees: Free Opening Time: Whole Day 3. Great Wall Most of the sections of the Great Wall in Beijing are well-preserved, and the most famous section is Badaling. For the Great Wall hiking, get ready for strong footwear. For hot weather, please also prepare sunblock, sunglasses and water. Badaling Great Wall: Ticket Fees: RMB40 (Nov. 01 to Mar. 31); RMB 45 (Apr. 01 to Oct. 31) Open Hours: 6:40 to 18:30 4. Summer Palace Regarded as the largest imperial garden in China, the Summer Palace is in fact a park-styled royal retreat. With masterly design and artistic architecture integrating the highlight of Chinese garden arts, it has earned a title of "Royal Garden Museum". Open Time: 6:30-20:30 Ticket Fee: RMB 40 (low season) / RMB 50 (peak season during the holidays) 5. Temple of Heaven The Temple of Heaven worked as sacrificial compound buildings for the Ming and Qing emperors. What's the intriguing by-production of the temple is that if you enter the Temple of Heaven in the early morning, you can find many people doing all types of Kungfu, Taiji, dancing and other morning exercises. Open Time: 6:00-21:00 Ticket Fee: RMB 35 At 5:45 in the morning, what could one enjoy? Wandering about on the Tian'anmen Square. An example of a fossil is the bones of what kind of animal? wiped out Rae and Bruce Hostetler not only work very hard,they also relax just as well. Numerous vacations help the couple to maintain their health and emotional well-being-and it's no surprise to health care professionals. "Rest,relaxation, and stress reduction are very important for people's weLl-being and health. This can be accomplished through daily activities,such as exercise and meditation,but vacation is an important part of this as well," said primary care physician Natasha Withers from One Medical Group in New York. Withers lists a decreased risk of heart disease and improved reaction time as some of the benefits from taking some time off. "We also know that the mind is very powerful and can help with healing,so a rested,relaxed mind is able to help the body heal better," said Withers. Psychologists confirm the value of vacations for the mind. " The impact that taking a vacation has on one's mental health is great," said Francine Lederer,a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who specializes in stress and relationship management. " Most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation,even if it is a 24- hour time-out. " The trips could be good for their health,good for their family and good for their .businesses. The online travel agency Expedia conducted a survey about vacation time in 2010,and according to their data the average American eamed 18 vacation days-but only used 14 0f them. France topped the list,with the average worker earning 37 vacation days and using all but two of them. Americans' responses may not be surprising in a culture where long hours on the job often are valued,but that's not always good for the individual,the family or the employer. Psychologists have also found that people who don't take enough time to relax may find it harder to relax in the future. "Without time and opportunity to do this,the nerve connections that produce feelings of calm and peacefulness become weaker,making it actually more difficult to shift into less-stressed states," Mulhern said. What is mainly talked about in the text? The benefits of taking time off,
Which physical characteristic do some organisms have that helps them survive in the Arctic? Answer: changing fur color to hide from predators I met the old man at a cafe. "Did you hear the radio news yesterday?" he asked me. "No," I replied. "Anything exciting?""Exciting? NO! Something very sad. A group of hungry dogs killed and ate my best friend." "Oh, dear!" I cried. "How did it happen?""He was working on the hillside when the dogs attacked him. When he didn't return, I went to the hillside and found...""His body?" I asked. The old fellow drank half of his coffee. "No. I told you they were hungry dogs, didn't I? The big bones were lying every where. But they found this." He pushed open a match box he was holding in his hand. In it was a man's thumb, lying on some white bloody material. "This is my friend's right thumb. The dogs ate the rest of him". The old man began to cry. He finished his coffee quickly and left the cafe. I drank mine and called the waiter. "I'll pay the gentleman's bill. His poor friend--how terrible!""You've heard the news?" The waiter laughed. "Sure. There's a hole in the bottom of the match box. He put his own thumb through the hole. The blood is red ink, I believe. Is the story worth a cup of coffee, sir?""But he held the box in his right hand.""Yes, but listeners look into the box. They just can't take their sight off that terrible thing.""And when he tells the story, he gets free cup of coffee!" I said, laughing. "Yes, sir, but only from strangers who come to this town, and, of course, he does us no harm!" We can learn from this passage _ . Answer: the writer came to the cafe for the first time A good deal of fascinating research has been done about the reading patterns of young people,and it is surprising to discover at what an early age children start expressing preferences for particular kind of books. A recent report,which examined in detail the reading habits of primary-school children.showed that even seven-year-old boys and girls have clear views about what they want to read. Girls,in general,read more,and far more girls than boys preferred reading stories. Boys were showing a taste for the more instant appeal of picture stories,or else books about their hobbies. These tastes continue unchanged until the children are teenagers. Apparently girls read more in general,but more fiction in particular .You could say that there are more opportunities for girls to read fiction:magazines encourage the fiction habit in girls in their early teens,and by their late teens they have probably moved on to the adult women's magazines.Teenage boys tend to buy magazines about their hobbies:motorcycles,heavy transport and to on. Adult reading tastes are also the subject of research.Again the number of women who read for pleasure is considerably higher than the number of men. It seems that the majority of women still want love stories.There has also been some analysis of what men actually read Apparently only 38 percent of men read anything,but 50 percent of what they read is fiction in the form of action-packed stories of space or gunmen It can be inferred from the passage that _ . Answer: people usually do not change their reading tastes when they grow up Most of us probably live without vegetables, but a world without chocolate? Now that would be hard! According to chocolate makers it could happen if we don't act soon. There are two main causes of the chocolate shortage --- chocolate's growing popularity and less production of cocoa, the plant from which chocolate is made. With more and more people in India and China loving chocolate, not much can be done about the first cause. Therefore, the only thing we can do is to increase cocoa production. However, new plant diseases and little rain in Ivory Coast and Ghana, the world's largest producers, have reduced cocoa production by 40 percent in the past 10 years. What's worse, many cocoa farmers in Africa and other cocoa-producing countries like Indonesia and Venezuela are changing to easier-to-grow crops such as corn or rubber. This way, the farmers can make more money. To prevent more farmers from changing, researchers at the newly opened International Cocoa Control Centre, in the UK, are trying to create new cocoa plants that are stronger and faster growing. But first they must make sure the new plants are safe to grow. This takes a long time. First, each new plant is stored at the Control Centre for six months to make sure it is healthy. It is then planted in the Centre's fields, studied and tested for another two years. Only after scientists are certain that they're disease-free, will the plants be sent to farmers in West Africa or wherever else they are needed. To create new stronger types of cocoa, scientists at the Centre are combining the best parts from different cocoa plants. Though the world is facing a serious chocolate shortage, there is now hope! What is one of the purposes of the Cocoa Control Centre? Answer: To produce stronger types of cocoa plants. Bertie knew there was something in the wind. His mother had been sad in recent days, not sick, just strangely sad. The lion had just lain down beside him, his head warm on Bertie's feet when Father cleared his throat and began," You'll soon be eight, Bertie. A boy needs a proper education. We've found the right place for you, a school near Salisbury in England." His heart filled with a terrible fear, all Bertie could think of was his white lion. "But the lion," he cried, "What about the lion?" "I'm afraid there's something else I have to tell you," his father said. Looking across at Bertie's mother, he took a deep breath. Then he told Bertie he had met a circus owner from France, who was over in Africa looking for lions to buy. He would come to their farm in a few days. "No! You can't send him to a circus!" said Bertie. "People will come to see him. He'll be shut up behind bars. I promised him he never would be. And _ will laugh at him. He'd rather die. Any animal would! " But as he looked across the table at them, he knew their minds were quite made up. Bertie felt completely betrayed. He waited until he heard his father's deep breathing next door. With his white lion at his heels, he crept downstairs in his pyjamas, took down his father's rifle from the rack and stepped out into the night. He ran and ran till his legs could run no more. As the sun came up over the grassland, he climbed to the top of a hill and sat down, his arms round the lion's neck. The time had come. "Be wild now," he whispered. "You've got to be wild. Don't ever come home. All my life I'll think of you. I promise I will." He buried his head in the lion's neck. Then, Bertie clambered down the hill and walked away. When he looked back, the lion was still sitting there watching him; but then he stood up, yawned, stretched, and sprang down after him. Bertie shouted at him, but he kept coming. He threw sticks. He threw stones. Nothing worked. There was only one thing left to do. With tears filling his eyes and his mouth, he lifted the rifle to his shoulder and fired over the lion's head. The passage intends to show that _ . Answer: people and animals can be faithful to each other
One of the serious problems for today's society is who should be responsible for the old and how to improve their lives. It is not only a financial problem but also a question of the system we want for our society. I would like to suggest several possible solutions to this problem. First,employers should take the responsibility for their retired employees. To make this possible,a percentage of profits should be set aside for this purpose. But when a company must take lifelong responsibility for its employees,it may suffer from a commercial disadvantage due to higher employee costs. Another way of solving the problem is to return the responsibility to the individual. This means each person must save during his working years to pay for his years of retirement. This does not seem a very fair model since some people have enough trouble paying for their daily life without trying to earn extra to cover their retirement years. This means the government might have to step in to care for the poor. In addition,the government could take the responsibility for the care of the old. This could be financed through government taxes to increase the level of pensions. Furthermore,some institutions should be created for senior citizens,which can help provide a comfortable life for them. Unfortunately,as the present situation in our country shows,this is not a truly viable answer. The government can seldom afford to care for the old,particularly when it is busy trying to care for the young. One further solution is that the government or social organizations establish some workplaces especially for the old where they are independent. To sum up,all these options have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore,it is reasonable to expect that some combination of these options may be needed to provide the care we hope to give to the old generations. What is the passage mainly about? On Oct4,2011 , I phone 4s made its international appearance at the press conference claimed by the Iphone cooperation . Ever since then , Iphone4s has become _ and even made a fashion around the globe. Meanwhile , many new expressions come about in relationship with this type of high-tech products. "Jailbreak" is one of them. " Jailbreak" means to unlock the operating system of a mobile phone or other device so that it can run software which it is not normally authorized to use because of restrictions imposed by the device's manufacturer. If someone jailbreaks a smartphone, tablet computer or other device , they use a special piece of software in order to remove the restrictions imposed by the manufacturer on the kind of applications that can be downloaded and run on the device. The concept of jailbreaking is most often associated with products from Apple Inc, such as the iPhone, iPod and iPad, which routinely restrict the user to applications licensed exclusively by Apple and purchased via its App Store. As well as wanting to lift the restriction on what kinds of applications they can purchase, those who jailbreak often do so as a reaction against what they consider as a form of censorship imposed by Apple Inc in only allowing the use of their 'approved' apps. The concept of jailbreaking dates back to July 2007, when it was applied to the iPhone within a month of the device's first release. This first occurrence related to the adding of custom ringtones , but the idea quickly developed as a means to lift the restriction and equip the phone with games and other applications not licensed by Apple Inc. Which one is the correct statement from this passage? The UN Security Council was created in 1945. It is made up of 10 rotating members and five permanent members, which have a veto, the power to stop a resolution . Most UN members now consider the organization's structure outdated. But any changes need the agreement of two-thirds of the 191 members, and no veto from any of the five permanent council members. Last year, Japan, Germany, Brazil and India formed a lobbying group to get permanent council seats. But North and South Korea have doubts about Japan, Italy opposes Germany for a seat, Pakistan is against India's candidacy and Mexico and Argentina Brazil. A wave of emotion swept through China last week as millions voiced their opposition to Japan's permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. By last Friday over 22 million Chinese had signed an online petition against Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the council. According to major Chinese websites, such as sina.com, more than 170,000 overseas Chinese also signed. This is the first online activity of its kind. The petition was started by US-based Alliance for Preserving the Truth of the Sino-Japanese War . They want Japan to apologize for crimes during World War II. The group also plans to present the petition to the UN this autumn. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said he didn't think the petition shows anti-Japanese feeling. He believed instead it is a request for Japan to take a responsible attitude towards history. Which statement is true according to the text? BEIJING--As China scrambles to respond to the choking smog that has _ Beijing in recent weeks, authorities in several major cities are experimenting with carbon trading platforms. The schemes are one effort to get control over greenhouse gases in an economy still hungry for cheap energy. It has been a persistent concern in recent years, but the spiking pollution levels in January are sparking a public outcry. Emissions from coal-fired electricity plants and busy factories are part of the problem that officials hope to get control over through carbon trading platforms. Seven cities are expected to open carbon markets later this year, including Tianjin. "The government has decided to start with programs because the carbon trading is something new to China," said David Tang, secretary of the board of the Tianjin Carbon Exchange. "So we want to have a number of programs to explore the use of the market." said Tang. China wants to launch a national carbon trading program by 2016. If it is successful, analysts say, the program would be one of the largest in the world and would help the country meet its target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 45 percent within seven years. The platforms allow companies to earn credits for lowering greenhouse gas emissions, which can then be traded. If it works, it would encourage for-profit businesses to invest in green technology. As public concern builds pressure for the government to find a solution, Wu Changhua, greater China director of the Climate Group, says there is a broad shift under way in how Chinese weigh their quality of life. China has long put economic growth ahead of environmental concerns, making it the world's biggest polluter. Carbon trading supporters hope that the markets could be one way to curb pollution and keep the economy growing. What's the main idea of this passage? It was 1504,and Columbus was making another trip to the New World. Columbus and his men needed fresh water and food after three months at sea. They saw an island and went on shore. On the island there were unfriendly Indians who refused to give food to them. Columbus' men were afraid of the Indians, but he had a clever plan. He used sign language to tell the Indians about his mysterious power to turn off the light in the sky. He knew about a lunar eclipse the next night because the information was in his almanac . Columbus told the Indians, " Tomorrow night I'll turn off the light in the sky." But they didn't believe him . When the eclipse began the next night ,the Indians became very frightened . They begged Columbus to turn on the light again , and they quickly gave him all the food and water he wanted. Immediately Columbus and his men hurried back to the ship and sailed away in the moonless night. The Indians gave Columbus food and water because they _ .
Chris Jones recently completed a very unusual journey. Our reporter Mary Owen met him at his home in the south of London and be told her all about the trip. Reporter: What gave you the idea to make a trip around India on an elephant, Chris? Chris: Well, it all started the idea two years ago when I was planning a trip to India. I visited a photo exhibition of elephants and I realized that the only enjoyable way to make a trip around India was on an elephant. Reporter: What did you do next? Chris: I flew to New Delhi and started looking for an elephant, I needed an elephant trained to carry people. I didn't know anything about elephants, so I asked an expert for help. He taught me how to ride an elephant. He also helped me find an elephant. Reporter: How long did it take to find a suitable elephant? Chris: Not too long. I bought a female elephant called Tara for about 6, 000 dollars. Reporter: Can you tell me about the journey? Chris: Tara and I set off from New Delhi a week later. We were going to Sonepur in northern India. There is a big elephant market there and I could sell Tara easily. And what a ride! Elephants can travel at about 6 miles an hour and Sonepur is more than 1, 200 km away. It took us 64 days to complete the journey. Reporter: Did you have any problems on your journey? Chris: Yes, a few. But nothing serious. On the third day, Tara hurt her foot. Btu that got better quickly. Also, there was a lot of heavy rain during the first week and we got very wet! Reporter: What happened when you reached Sonepur? Chris: My plan was to sell Tara. But I was very fond of her. I couldn't take her back to Britain and I didn't want to sell her at the market. I happened to meet some people who wanted an elephant for their national park in southern India. I knew that Tara would be safe with them, so I gave her to them. I was very sad to say goodbye. The elephant expert told Chris _ . Answer: how to ride an elephant I'm Lucy. I'm 14 years old. I come to China this year. Now I'm in Beijing International Middle School. I like animals . I think they're my good friends. When I go to school this morning, I meet a man with a cage . Five birds are in it . " How do you get these birds?" I ask . " I give them some food . When they come to eat it , I get them ." The man says . " They are too poor . Why do you get them ?" I ask the man . " It's very interesting !" The man says . " I need to do something ." I think . I want to help the birds . " Can I buy them ?" I ask . " Well ," he says , "Give me 50 yuan and your jacket ." I don't want to give my jacket to him because I like it very much . But for these birds I do it . The man gives me the cage. Then I let the birds fly out of the cage . I am happy to do that . How much are the birds? _ . Answer: Y=50 and the price of a jacket. Suppose you become a leader in an organization. It's very likely that you'll want to have volunteers to help with the organization's activities. To do so, it should help to understand why people undertake volunteer work and what keeps their interest in the work. Let's begin with the question of why people volunteer. Researchers have identified several factors that motivate people to get involved. For example, people volunteer to express personal values related to unselfishness, to expand their range of experiences, and to strengthen social relationships. If volunteer positions do not meet these needs, people may not wish to participate. To select volunteers, you may need to understand the motivations of the people you wish to attract. People also volunteer because they are required to do so. To increase levels of community service, some schools have launched compulsory volunteer programs. Unfortunately, these programs can shift people's wish of participation from an internal factor (e.g., "I volunteer because it's important to me") to an external factor (e.g., "I volunteer because I'm required to do so"). When that happens, people become less likely to volunteer in the future. People must be sensitive to this possibility when they make volunteer activities a must. Once people begin to volunteer, what leads them to remain in their positions over time? To answer this question, researchers have conducted follow-up studies in which they track volunteers over time. For instance, one study followed 238 volunteers in Florida over a year. One of the most important factors that influenced their satisfaction as volunteers was the amount of suffering they experienced in their volunteer positions. Although this result may not surprise you, it leads to important practical advice. The researchers note that attention should be given to "training methods that would prepare volunteers for troublesome situations or provide them with strategies for coping with the problem they do experience". Another study of 302 volunteers at hospitals in Chicago focused on individual differences in the degree to which people view "volunteer" as an important social role. It was assumed that those people for whom the role of volunteer was most part of their personal identity would also be most likely to continue volunteer work. Participants indicated the degree to which the social role mattered by responding to statements such as "Volunteering in Hospital is an important part of who I am." Consistent with the researchers' expectations, they found a positive correlation between the strength of role identity and the length of time people continued to volunteer. These results, once again, lead to concrete advice: "Once an individual begins volunteering, continued efforts might focus on developing a volunteer role identity.... Items like T-shirts that allow volunteers to be recognized publicly for their contributions can help strengthen role identity". People volunteer mainly out of _ . Answer: internal needs BUKHANNON, West Virginia--Two rescue teams slowly moved along a two-mile path on Monday night to the site of a coal mine explosion that trapped 13 miners, who had not been heard from since the early morning accident. Meanwhile, at a nearby church, more than 250 family members and friends gathered, waiting for updates on the rescuers' progress. The miners were trapped at about 6:30 and many families weren't informed of the accident until about 10 a.m-more than three hours after it happened."It's very upsetting, but you've got to be patient, I guess," said John Helms, whose brother, Terry, was trapped in the mine. The trapped miners were about 260 feet underground and about 10,000 feet from the Sago Mine's entrance, said Roger Nicholson, general counsel from International Coal Group. At a late night news conference, Nicholson said one team had advanced about 4, 800 feet in the four hours since entering the mine just before 6 p.m.Another team entered the mine about 30 minutes later. He said the crew was very experienced, with some members having worked underground for 30 to 35 years.The miners were equipped with about one hour of breathable oxygen each.The company has not released the names of the miners. The teams test the air about every 500 feet, and have to disconnect (remove) the power to the phones they use to communicate with the surface before doing that." We don't want to be energizing anything if it's in an atmosphere with burnable gases," Kips said. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.High levels of carbon monoxide were discovered shortly after the explosion, which delayed rescue efforts, but those levels have since subsided , authorities said. According to the passage, we can infer that _ . Answer: communication with the trapped miners was cut off Several weeks ago, more than 70 American students discussed with American First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House about health problems. The students asked lots of questions that day and Mrs Obama answered them one by one patiently. Then Mrs Obama explained the importance of making healthy choices . _ She told the students that she didn't always feel good about the choices her family was making. Some years ago, when she was working and living with her family in Chicago, Mrs Obama realized she had to make changes in her family's lifestyle. "We were eating out too much, buying a lot of things, and drinking a lot of sugary drinks," she said. So Mrs Obama started talking to her kids about eating healthily and exercising more. Soon they were cooking more, eating fewer desserts, and spending less time watching TV. Mrs Obama realized that making little changes can have a big effect . Mrs Obama said that young people should take care of their own health and their own futures. "Exercise isn't always about sports. It's just about moving," she said. More than 70 American students visited Mrs Obama _ . Answer: to have a discussion with her about health problems
Have you ever thought of taking a train and having an adventure ?Riding the train can be a real adventure. That is how I feel every time I take Amtrak. I often take a four-hour trip to visit my children. Every time I take this trip I never know what will happen. Last week when I was on the train and over an hour into the train ride,there was a man sitting by himself in the back of the train carrying on a mobile phone conversation-in another language. It was loud and disturbed most of the people on the train. I think it was annoying. Fortunately I sat next to a wonderful old lady who was taking a two-day trip by train. She said her two daughters were distraught at the thought of her driving for three days to reach her home,although she had no trouble driving. The train ride was the only choice for her. She loved to look out of the window and watch the world go by on the train. She was fun to talk to and asked me when my children started being parents. That is a very good question. Both of us are old and have children. She asked that same question from time to time. There are always many people on the train from all walks of life,different countries,and many languages. Riding the train is a great way to increase your knowledge and take in all kinds of cultures. If you get hungry,you can buy food in the food car at any time. If you need to use the restroom there is always one available. It sure beats driving the car,which has to stop for food and restrooms. And it is better than taking the bus. According to the passage,the purpose of the author's train ride was . Answer: to see her children It's three thirty in the afternoon at Raynham Primary School in London. Students are ready for their after-school math lesson. Thousands of kilometers away, their math tutors are also arriving for class. Each pupil gets an online tutor. The students work on their computer screen and wear a headset to talk to their tutor. Their classroom teacher, Altus, says he has seen an improvement in results. Nine-year-old Samia says she enjoys the online lessons. She said, "It helps me because sometimes when we're doing it in class, I don't hear the teacher very much and I don't understand, but online is better." Tom Hooper started the company. It provides the online tutoring. The company is called Bright Spark Education. Children today feel very confident online, so they enjoy their learning. Online tutoring costs between twenty and twenty-five dollars an hour. An online tutor is about half the cost of traditional face-to-face tutoring. Bright Spark Education says the online tutoring is used only as an addition to the regular teaching. The company says its service doesn't _ the teachers' jobs in Britain. Some parents say they are pleased with the results. But some students still hate math. Even with the latest technology to teach it, math is still not everyone's favorite subject. What's the main idea of the text? _ Answer: Each pupil gets an online tutor. Michael Jordan is one of the most famous basketball players in the world. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He didn't like to talk to other people about himself. He was very short and he didn't play basketball very well when he joined the basketball team in his high school at first. But the next year, things changed greatly as he grew much taller. Michal Jordan became famous when he joined the university basketball team in North Carolina. Michael used his quickness and strength to reach the basketball. He played so well that people called him "Air Jordan". After college, Michael became a basketball team member in the Chicago Bulls. The NBA was very surprised at this high--flying player. He was named "Rookie "of the year in 1985 and "the Most Valuable Player" in 1987. He once set a record by getting 63 points in one game. ,,. When did Michael Jordan become famous? _ . Answer: When he joined the university basketball team in North Carolina. 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. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? Answer: The problem mentioned in the passage exists in all cities To: manager@ tastytreat.com.ca Date: Monday, 7 October, 3:34p.m. From: raymondyuen@ canada.net Subject: Complaint Dear Mr. Price, I have eaten in your restaurant many times and have always been happy with the food and service. This makes what happened last Saturday even more disappointing. It was my son's birthday so we booked a no-smoking table at your restaurant for 7:30 p.m. We arrived on time but were told that our table was not yet ready. At 8:00 p.m., we were given a table in the smoking section. I asked to move but I was told that there were no other tables. A lot of people were smoking so it was uncomfortable and unhealthy. Our first waitress, Janet, was very polite and helpful. She gave us free drinks for waiting so long. Our food also came quickly and looked fresh and tasty. When my wife had eaten most of her meal, she found a dead cockroach in her vegetables. She was shocked and wanted to leave. At first, the waitress told us it was a piece of garlic . When we told her that garlic does not have legs, she apologized and took the food away. We asked for the bill, expecting not to pay for my wife's meal. Nobody came. After 15 minutes, I asked to see the manager. The head waiter told us that you were on holiday. I complained again about the horrible cockroach. He told me Janet had finished work. He didn't believe my story and gave me a bill for three meals. I argued with him but was forced to pay. The waitress, Janet, was always friendly, but I would like an apology from your impolite head waiter and a full refund for our meal. It cost $68. Until then, I will not be eating at your restaurant or recommending it to anyone. You can contact me at 742-3254 or through e-mail if you want more information. Thank you for your attention. Yours sincerely, Raymond Yuen Which of the following is not true according to the passage? Answer: Mr.Yuen will not eat at the restaurant any more.
Question: American researchers say drinking tea may help strengthen the body's defense system against infection. Doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, did the study. The team studied a chemical found in black, green, oolong and pekoe tea. This chemical is an amino acid called L-theanine. The scientists say it may increase the strength of gamma delta T cells. That's the letter T, not the drink. Gamma delta T cells are part of the body's defense. First, the researchers mixed some of these cells with antigens found in the amino acid . Antigens help the body react to infection. Then the scientists added some bacteria. Within twenty-four hours, the cells produced a lot of interferon, a substance that fights infection. Cells not mixed with the antigens did not produce interferon. In the second part of the study, eleven people drank five to six cups of black tea every day. Ten other people drank the same amount of instant coffee. That is dried coffee mixed with hot water. Two weeks later, and again two weeks after that, the researchers tested the blood of all twenty-one people. They also looked at what happened when they added bacteria to the blood cells. They found that the tea drinkers produced five times more interferon after they started drinking tea. The coffee drinkers did not produce interferon. Doctor Jack Bukowski led the study. He says the antigens added to the gamma delta T cells were responsible for the increased reaction to the bacteria. He says that the study also showed that the cells were able to remember the bacteria and fight them again the next time. Earlier research already has found that tea can help prevent heart disease and cancer. Doctor Bukowski says the new study must be repeated by more people. "If the findings prove to be true," he says, "then tea drinking might also help protect against bacterial infections." He says the amino acid L-theanine could be removed from the tea and used as a drug to strengthen the body's defenses. Tea may help strengthen the body's defense system because it helps _ . A. to add some bacteria to the blood cells B. the body to produce more gamma delta T cells C. the body to produce more interferon D. to mix antigens with some of the cells in the body Answer: C. the body to produce more interferon Question: As I grew older, my dad and I grew further apart.We always had totally different opinions.He thought that college was a waste of time,but for me it was important to finish college.He wanted me to work my way to the top as he had done in his field,but l wanted a different life.There was a time when we did not talk with each other. A few months ago, I heard that my 84-year-old dad was in poor health.When he called and asked whether I could move from Colorado back to Tennessee to help him,I knew he was seriously ill.I am his only child and so it was time to meet my father's requirement. Two weeks after moving back,we bought a boat and started fishing again.Fishing was one of the few things that we did while l was young and that we both enjoyed.It is strange but true that as we are fishing we are able to put things that have kept us apart for so many years behind us.We are able to talk about things that we have never talked about before.Fishing has been healing the old wounds that have kept us apart. It is not important how many fish we catch.It is about enjoying the relationship that we have not had for years.I'm 62 and he is 84.When we are on the lake fishing,it is like two kids enjoying life.It is far better to find a way to put the unhappy past behind.I am so lucky to spend the happy time with my father in his last years.Now my heart is filled with love.A smile always graces my lips. What can be the best title for the text? A. Fishing Brings Us Together B. Forgiving Is Difficult C. Memories of Old Days D. My Beloved Father Answer: A. Fishing Brings Us Together Question: C "Over the years the unthinkable has become thinkable and today we sense we are close to being able to alter human heredity ." These were the words of David Baltimore of the California Institute of Technology,on December 1st,when he opened a threeday meeting in Washington to discuss the morality and use of human gene editing.Dr Baltimore is an old hand at these sorts of discussions,for he was also a participant in the Asilomar conference,in 1975,which brought scientists together to discuss a safe way of using the thennew technology of recombinant DNA,and whose recommendations influenced a generation of biotechnology researchers. Four decades on,the need for a similar sort of _ has arisen.The International Summit on Human Gene Editing has been held by the national scientific academies of three countries--America,Britain and China.They are particularly concerned about whether gene editing should be used to make heritable changes to the human germ line,something Dr Baltimore described as a deep and troubling question.Like those of Asilomar,the conclusions of this meeting will not be binding.But the hope is that,again like Asilomar,a mixture of common sense and peer pressure will create a world in which scientists are trusted to regulate themselves,rather than having politicians and civil servants do it for them.The meeting is being held against a backdrop of rapid scientific advance.Since 2012 research into a new,easytouse editing tool called CRISPRCas9 has blossomed.This technique involves a piece of RNA (a chemical messenger,which can be used to recognise a target section of DNA) and an enzyme called a nuclease that can snip unwanted genes out and paste new ones in. Public interest was aroused in April,when Chinese scientists announced they had edited genes in nonviable human embryos,and again in November when British researchers said they had successfully treated a oneyearold girl who had leukaemia ,using geneedited Tcells.Tcells are part of the immune system that attack,among other things,tumour cells.The researchers altered Tcells from a healthy donor to encourage them to recognise and kill the patient's cancer,to make them immune to her leukaemia drug,and to ensure they did not attack her healthy cells. In another recent development,a firm called Edit as Medicine,which is based in Cambridge,Massachusetts,has said it hopes,in 2017,to start human clinical trials of CRISPRCas9 as a treatment for a rare genetic form of blindness known as Leber congenital amaurosis .Though other companies are already testing geneediting therapies,these employ older,clunkier forms of the technology that seem likely to have less commercial potential.Moreover,researchers at the Broad Institute,also in Cambridge,said this week that they had made changes to CRISPRCas9 which greatly reduce the rate of editing errors--one of the main obstacles to the technique's medical use. On the subject of germline editing,Eric Lander,the Broad's head,told the meeting it would be useful only in rare cases and said it might be a good idea to "exercise caution" before making permanent changes to the gene pool.The need for caution is advice that might also be heeded by those pursuing work in animals other than people,and in plants--subjects not being covered by the summit. This passage is most probably a _ . A. science fiction B. scientific report C. conference summary D. commercial advertisement Answer: B. scientific report Question: I found the imagination of becoming a grandmother somewhat discouraging. I was younger than I thought a grandmother should be when I got the news that I was going to become one myself. I admit, it was not a role that I was emotionally ready to accept. I had been a young mother, and had certainly hoped my daughter would not face _ . I remarried when she was a teenager, and then had two more children. On getting the news that she was expecting , I remember thinking "What do I know about being a grandmother? --I haven't even finished raising my own kids yet!" I don't like to be unprepared, so I read a few books about grandparenting. That gave me a little help, but I was still uncertain. I thought about other grandmothers I knew, and got a few ideas I liked and a few more that I didn't. But I couldn't quite figure out what kind of grandmother I wanted to be. Then I thought about my own grandmother, Granny, as she's known by most people, and I knew I had the answer. I didn't realize it until that moment, but my own grandmother was the example for the kind of grandmother I wanted to be. I am fortunate that I got to spend a lot of time with my grandparents when I was a little kid. Here is what I learned from my Granny: Grandmothers always have a cookie jar. For my whole life, Granny always had a cookie jar full of cookies. When I was a little tiny girl, just at eye level with the counter, Granny would get the cookie jar down for me. When I was a little older I learned how to pull the chair over so I could reach. As I got taller, if I really stretched, I could reach the cookie jar with my finger tips and move it close enough to get it down off the counter to find out what kind of treat was inside. Always the first thing I did when I went to Granny's house was check the cookie jar, and there were always cookies in it. Many years later, I'll drive my own children to Granny's house and the first thing to do is get us all a cookie. So grandmothers must have a cookie jar, and on my granddaughter' s first Christmas,my daughter bought me my own cookie jar. She said when they came to see me,her daughter would find the treat the way she did and I did. Which of the following can be the best title of this text? A. Grandmother's Cookie Jar B. Grandmother's Treat for Children C. Grandmothers and Grandchildren D. Happy Memories of Cookies Answer: A. Grandmother's Cookie Jar Question: "Life is speeding up. Everyone is getting unwell." This may sound like something someone would say today. But in fact, an unknown person who lived in Rome in AD 53 wrote it. We all love new inventions. They are exciting, amazing and can even change our lives. But have all these developments really improved the quality of our lives? Picture this. You're rushing to finish your homework on the computer. Your mobile phone rings, a QQ message from your friend appears on the screen, the noise from the television is getting louder and louder. Suddenly the computer goes blank and you lose all your work. Now you have to stay up all night to get it done. How happy do you feel? Inventions have speeded up our lives so much that they often leave up feeling stressed and tired. Why do you think people who live far away from noisy cities, who have no telephones, no cars, not even any electricity often seem to be happier? Perhaps because they live simpler lives. One family in the UK went "back in time" to see what life was like without all the inventions we have today. The grandparents, with their daughter, and grandsons Benjamin, 10 and Thomas, 7, spent nine weeks in a 1940s house. They had no washing machine, microwave , computer or mobile phones. The grandmother, Lyn, said, "The more things you have, the more difficult life becomes." The boys said they fought less. Probably, they said, because there was less to fight over, such as their computer. Benjamin also noticed that his grandmother had changed from being a "trendy , beer-drinking granny", to one who cooked things. In the passage the writer describes a picture to show that new inventions _ . A. have speeded up our lives B. have improved the quality of our lives C. may make people feel very happy D. may bring people some trouble Answer: D. may bring people some trouble
Enough "meaningless drivel". That's the message from a group of members of the UK government who have been examining how social media firms like LinkedIn gather and use social media data. The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's report, released last week, has blamed firms for making people sign up to long incomprehensible legal contracts and calls for an international standard or kitemark to identify sites that have clear terms and conditions. "The term and conditions statement that we all carelessly agree to is meaningless drivel to anyone," says Andrew Miller, the chair of the committee. Instead, he says, firms should provide a plain-English version of their terms. The simplified version would be checked by a third party and awarded a kitemark if it is an accurate reflection of the original. It is not yet clear who would administer the scheme, but the UK government is looking at introducing it on a voluntary basis. "we need to think through how we make that work in practice," says Miller. Would we pay any more attention to a kitemark? "I think if you went and did the survey, people would like to think they would," says Nigel Shadbolt at the University of Southampton, UK, who studies open data. "We do know people worry a lot about the inappropriate use of their information." But what would happen in practice is another matter, he says. Other organisations such as banks ask customers to sign long contracts they may not read or understand, but Miller believes social media requires special attention because it is so new. "We still don't know how significant the long-term impact is going to be of unwise things that kids put on social media that come back and bite them in 20 years' time," he says. Shadbolt, who gave evidence to the committee, says the problem is that we don't know how companies will use our data because their business models and uses of data are still evolving. Large collections of personal information have become valuable only recently, he says. The shock and anger when a social media firm does something with data that people don't expect, even if users have apparently permission, show that the current situation isn't working. If properly administered, a kitemark on terms and conditions could help people know what exactly they are signing up to. Although they would still have to actually read them. Which of the following is the best title of the passage? A Say no to social media? B New security rules in operation? C Accept without reading? D Administration matters! Answer: C When Xia Min started drinking alcohol(,) with her classmates at a friend's birthday, she didn't realize what would happen to her. She drank a lot and fell into a coma . The 15year-old girl from Chongqing never recovered. Xia's death is warning to other students. A new rule went into effect on January 1, 2006. Teens are not allowed to buy or drink alcohol. Shops are not allowed to sell it to them. A 1999 Chinese law forbade shops to sell alcohol to youths under 18. But _ is not taken seriously by shopkeepers because it doesn't have specific rules. People hope the new rule will work. "I tasted alcohol when having the dinner of the last New Year's Eve," said Lian Yuqi, a 16-year-old girl in Xiamen. She believes that the new rule will stop teens from drinking and help them grow in a healthy way. "Although it may be a little disappointing not to have beer at parties, I think we can have soft drinks instead," she said. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE? A The new rule has worked very well. B Shopkeepers can sell alcohol to teens above 18. C Chinas legal drinking age is clearly under18. D Many teens drink alcohol to show theyve grown up. Answer: B The BEST way to tell the DIFFERENCE between an oak and a maple tree is to compare the A height of both trees. B number of leaves on the trees. C size of the root systems of the trees. D shape of the leaves. Answer: D A new study suggests that the roundtheclock availability that cell phones have brought to people's lives may _ family life. The study,which followed more than 1,300 adults over 2 years, found that those who consistently used a mobile phone throughout the study period were more likely to report negative "spillover" between work and home life--and,in turn,less satisfaction with their family life. Spillover essentially means that the line between work and home begins to become unclear. Work life may invade home life when a parent is taking jobrelated calls at home,for instance--or family issues may start to take up work time. For example,a child may call mum at work,telling her "microwave exploded",explained Noelle Chesley,an assistant professor of sociology at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and the author of the study. The problem with cell phones seems to be that they are allowing for even more spillover between work and home. This may be especially true for working women,the study found. Among men,consistent use of mobile phones seemed to allow more work issues to creep into family time. But for women,the spillover tended to go in both directions. Being "connected" meant that work cut into home time,and family issues came into work life. Cell phones seem to be opening more lines for stressful exchanges among family members. But there may be ways to control the spillover,according to Chesley. Employers, she said,could look at their policies on contacting employees after hours to make sure their expectations are "reasonable".For their part,employees could decide that cell phones go off during family time, Chesley said. We can learn from the passage that _ . A cell phones affect men as much as women B cell phones seem to be convenient to families C cell phones make the line between work and home unclear D we can do nothing to solve the problem Answer: C Once upon a time, science fiction was just a style among other styles. There were crime stories, there were horror stories, there was literary fiction-and there was science fiction. But today science themes dominate these other styles. It's difficult to think of much modern crime, horror or "serious" fiction that doesn't involve science. And it's not just books. With every second movie and computer game having a sci-fi element, science fiction seems to have controlled our entire entertainment culture. It's clear that if we want to define science fiction we should relate it to the role that science plays in our lives. Perhaps the place to start is by noting when it began. Although some experts have claimed to be able to trace sci-fi back to ancient times, it is more plausible to find it in initial form in the 19th century, when industrial societies arose. One of the features that set industrial societies apart from other kinds was the increasing part that science played in everyday life. Factories with vast machines turned out huge quantities of goods, which were transported by trains, motor vehicles and ships all over the world. Cities were built on the back of technology, with electricity in homes and hospitals helping everyone to lead healthier, more convenient lives. All of these changes had great effects not only on people's real lives, but on their imaginative ones. Writers began to articulate these changing physical and mental landscapes, eventually giving science fiction a large and devoted fan base of especially young readers, who found that it spoke to their curiosity about the future that science would create. But sci-fi reflected fears about science more than it did hopes. These typical early science fiction novel might be a UK novel like H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds (1897). With great skill, Wells played upon the fears of technology by imagining Earth under threat by a civilization -that of men from Mars. The science fiction of today expresses the impact of the computing revolution, robotics and our environmental challenges, while it is less concerned with "little green men from Mars" and other themes of past sci-fi. Given that science, technology and politics are always intertwined , contemporary science fiction often has a great deal to say about power. Many recent novels - like American Cory Doctorow's Little Brother (2008) - are concerned with government and security service "conspiracies " against the people, particularly as the revelations of whistleblowers like Edward Snowden sink in. This can give sci-fi writing a "skeptical" feel. This underlines one of the features that remains constant between the beginnings of the empire of science fiction and its state today. As then, so now: We want to read about how fearful the future will be, not how it will be a paradise . What caused science fiction to appear in the 19th century? A The curiosity of young readers about the future. B The changes that the industrial revolution brought about. C People's stretched imagination affected by their real life. D People's fears about science rather than hopes. Answer: B
"Now stretch over your right leg!" my dance teacher yells over the music. "If it doesn't hurt, you're not trying hard enough. Hold that stretch for 30 seconds!" My dance teacher works hard to form us into the dancers we desire to be. In order for this to occur, we stretch hard a lot! Dancing is a real passion of many people, including me. I work hard to make myself better, and prove that I am good enough. Performing a dance routine is more than just a performance. Dancers tell stories when they dance. It is a way for us to express our personal feelings. Just letting go and letting your body move with the music can create your emotions. Dance tells us things that our mind secretly hides. "Get up and do it again! You need to keep your spirits up!" Even though I am completely worn out after my dances, I love to hear those words. It gives me a sense of relief knowing that I can again express my feelings out on the floor. "Practice makes perfect! Come on. We have a competition this weekend, and we need to work harder!" Competitions are the best possible example of fun. For a dancer, life cannot get better than competitions. The thrill of losing yourself onstage is a rush of energy rushing through your body! The feeling is unexplainable. As you sit there putting on your makeup, fixing your hair, and putting on your costume, the rush just gradually grows until it is ready to be released onstage. Finally the time comes to tell your story. Standing backstage waiting for your name to be called is one of the scariest moments. You are ready to show the world what you are capable of and what you have been perfecting for a while. Once your number is called, you walk out onstage. The applause at the end tells each dancer that their story has been received, and that the dance has been brought to life. As far as the author is concerned, a dance competition means _ Answer: 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. What is the attitude of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat towards the plan? Answer: It's a great sunny day,so it's time to get out and enjoy the weather.Many of us would like to,but we have projects due,tasks that need to be done,people that we need to see,and money that needs to be made. What if your company gave you that time off as _ for the great effort that you gave to the team to finish a project on time?See,when it comes to teamwork,the main focus is for the team to work together.In a "winning" team there is an equal balance of people who have unique strengths and weaknesses. Take the example of the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s.Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player to play the game,but did they win a championship every year when Michael had played?No.It took a (Dtype) Michael Jordan to lead the team and control the outcome.It took a(n) (Itype) wild and energetic Dennis Rodman to keep the team fun and interesting.It took (Stypes) Scottie Pippin,Bill Cartwright,and John Paxson to support the team.And it took the (Ctype) analytical mind of Coach Phil Jackson to create a foundation for the players to play on.In the end they,the Chicago Bulls,were able to win six championships within eight years. What is your team made up of?All Jordans?All Jacksons?All Rodmans?Or all Pippins,Cartwrights and Paxsons?It is you who can choose who's on your team.Try finding the right people for the right job,and you will have a "winning" team every time! According to this passage,a winning team is made up of _ . Answer: Which of the following helps the leaves break down after they have fallen off the tree? Answer: This is a picture of a classroom. The classroom is big and clean. You can see a teacher's desk, six desks and seven chairs. You can see a girl and a boy ,too. Four books are on the teacher's desk. A pencil case is on the desk. Two pens and two rulers are in the pencil case .A school bag is under a chair. A ball is on the floor. The girl is Mary, She is 11.The boy is Jack. He is 12.They are is Class Two. They are friends. The teacher is Miss Smith. She is not here. Mary and Jack are _ . Answer:
It seems that everywhere around the world, people are spending more time at work and less time with their families and friends.People are busier than ever before. In the past in many countries,the father worked and the mother stayed at home, took care of the children, and did the food shopping,cooking,and cleaning.At present in most of the families,parents need to work on weekends,so they both have to do the shopping,cooking,and cleaning in their free time.Parents don't have much time with their children,however,they often had time in the past.There are also many single parent families.In these families,the single parent has to do everything. These days,many children come home from school to an empty apartment or house.A lot of children spend many hours each day in front of the television.Even when families are together,it is common for family members to do things by themselves.For example,they watch programs on their own TVs in different rooms,they use the Internet,they talk with friends on the telephone,and they do other things by themselves. Isn't it strange?Thanks to technology,people are able to communicate so easily with people far away,but sometimes they don't communicate with people in their own homes. These days.when many children come home from school,they find _ at home. nobody Could a grizzly bear move to your neighborhood? If you live in the U.S. West, the answer may be yes. People and grizzly bears are living closer together now. The grizzly bear is one of the largest meat-eating land animals in North America. In the early 1800s, about 50,000 grizzly bears lived there. Today there're far fewer bears. Settlers built cities and roads where bears lived. Many bears were hunted and killed. Now only 1,200 to 1,400 grizzly bears have remained. In and around Yellowstone National Park, grizzly bears have been making a comeback because of people's efforts to protect them. Some bears are moving to areas where people live. People are also moving into grizzly countries. People there have to learn how to live with their new, furry neighbors peacefully. If someone leaves their barbecue grill out overnight, or leaves their pet food or rubbish where a bear can get it, the bear will learn to come to their house for food. Grizzly bears that learn to eat people's food can become dangerous, and they often have to be killed or moved. Also, it's important not to surprise a grizzly. Besides, if you are hiking in a grizzly country, you should go with others and make a noise to make bears hear your coming and get out of the way. You may not want to invite grizzly bears to your next neighborhood party, but with a little effort, grizzly bears and people can live together peacefully. Compared with the early 1800s, the number of grizzly bears has got smaller by _ . about 96% Paul and Daniel entered into a contract in writing on November 1, the essential part of which read as follows: "Paul to supply Daniel with 200 personalized Christmas cards bearing a photograph of Daniel and his family on or before December 15, 1970, and Daniel to pay $100 30 days thereafter. Photograph to be taken by Paul at Daniel's house. Cards guaranteed to be fully satisfactory and on time." Because Daniel suddenly became ill, Paul was unable to take the necessary photograph of Daniel and his family until the first week of December. The final week's delay was caused by Paul's not being notified promptly by Daniel of his recovery. Before taking the photograph of Daniel and his family, Paul advised Daniel that he was likely to be delayed a day or two beyond December 15 in making delivery because of the time required to process the photograph and cards. Daniel told Paul to take the photograph anyway. The cards were finally delivered by Paul to Daniel on December 17, Paul having diligently worked on them in the interim. Although the cards pleased the rest of the family, Daniel refused to accept them because, as he said, squinting at one of the cards at arm's length without bothering to put on his reading glasses, "The photograph makes me look too old. Besides, the cards weren't delivered on time.""Which of the following statements regarding the legal effect of Daniel's illness is LEAST accurate? Paul was under a duty of immediate performance of his promise to deliver the cards on or before December 15 by reason of the express language of the contract and despite the illness of Daniel and the related developments. The early 1900s were very different from today, when toys were still the delight of children everywhere. Theodore Roosevelt's Presidency marks the beginning of the "Teddy Bear". In the year 1902,toy bears were named "Teddy" after the president's nickname. The Teddy Bear became known worldwide and it was only a few years later that the Teddy Bears were mass produced. In 1913,an item called the Erector Set was invented. It was a steel,motorized toy that children could use to build models of anything. Its creator was A.C.Gilbert,a medical doctor. Charles Pajeau created a similar wooden set called Tinker Toys in the year 1914.Tinker Toys were made for younger children. Raggedy Ann dolls first came on the scene after newspaper cartoonist Johnny Gruelle reproduced the doll he made for his daughter. That was in 1915. The following year,an architect's son named John Lloyd Wright,invented Lincoln Logs,which were interlocked to make structures. Two years after Mickey Mouse was created,stuffed Mickey Mouse dolls were made by Charlotte Clark. This was the start of Disney merchandise. The yoyo became popular in the United States after Donald Duncan bought a yoyo company in 1929. The ViewMaster,a three dimensional viewer,was developed by a camera enthusiast named William Gruber. The toy became popular when Gruber licensed Disney characters to make still, 3D images from Disney movies and television programs. Finally,in 1940,model airplanes were mass produced. They started out as a way for manufacturers to sell planes to the military,but later caught on as a toy. The toys that we know and love today have had their roots from these ancient times. Thanks to all these creative man's efforts, we know otherwise what we may never know. Why were toy bears named "Teddy"? To memorize President Theodore Roosevelt Join us for an English Summer Camp in English ! Students between l3 and l8 are welcome to the English Summer Camp. It's a good chance to learn about British customs and improve your English. Eleven experienced English teachers will give you English classes 4 hours a day on weekdays. There are also weekend visits to London Eye, the Big Ben and London Bridge . It begins on August 8th and ends on August 28th, with the fees: Y= 23,000. If you are interested, please come to the Children's Palace to register You can also register by calling Jane Parks at 555 --2782. Please register before August 3rd. _ can take part in the English Summer Camp. Students betweenl3andl8
Who could forget those sleepless nights last summer watching Germany beat Brazil and Argentina to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil? It was their fourth World Cup, and it gave them the No.1 position in FIFA . Germany is becoming the most important soccer team in the world. But how has this change happened? A newspaper offers a clue: "For over 10 years, German teams have been building in the right way." After Germany scored only one goal at the 2000 European Championships, Germans wondered why the country no longer produced good young players. So in 2001, the German Football League required that all Bundesliga clubs set up schools with youth teams from Under-12s to Under-23s. The clubs now spend over EUR100 million (764 million yuan) on youth development every year. And they have improved young German players enough to put them among the best in Europe. For example, Bayern Munich player Thomas Mueller, 25, who scored five times at the 2014 World Cup, was educated in one of the schools. More than anything, though, it is team work that has pushed the Bundesliga forward. Bayern is the richest team in Germany, but the team helps its rivals when needed. Through the country's World Cup performances , the German soccer tradition is doing better than ever. Germany can play on top of the world for a few years yet. What is the passage mainly about? Answer: It was late, around 10 p.m. A young lady, named Thea, was waiting at the train station. She was waiting for the last train to arrive, when she heard her phone ring. It was her brother. The line was suddenly cut off when she answered, and the phone did not ring again. The lady waited for a call back, but her phone did not ring. She sat on the bench, holding her phone. She was definitely uneasy. Her mother was very ill and was in hospital. She was looking around, looking for a phone loading station, but since it was already late, the stalls were already closed. She had no choice but to wait till the train came and wait till she got home. A young lady in her late 20s approached her. She was very sincere. She asked what was wrong. Thea looked at the stranger's eyes and said "nothing". But the other lady was just so sincere and wanted to help. She took out her cell phone from her shoulder bag and handed it to Thea. The helpful lady said, "Here's my phone; it has extra loads; you can make a call." "Is it OK? " asked Thea. "Yeah," she said, looking directly into her eyes. Then Thea, in a very shy manner, slowly dialed a number and talked with someone on the phone. A smile was on her face. "Thank you so much; you took my worries away." "You are welcome; I am glad that I can give you a hand. " In fact, kindness can be shared at any time in any place. The other lady showed her sincerity to Thea by _ . Answer: Nick is a student. He has four friends. They are Ben, Eric, Peter and Andy. But they are all very different. Nick is confident and kind. He is also a good listener. All of his friends like to talk to him about their problems. This is his best quality. Ben is the quietest friend of them. He is not energetic and active like Eric, or outgoing like Peter. But he is so patient and fair. When they have an argument, Ben is always there to listen to everyone and make sure that everybody stays friends. Andy is very clever and hard-working. He does the best in exams at school. It is really kind of Andy to help Peter with his homework when he is having trouble. They get along well with each other like brothers. What is Nick's best quality? Answer: One Saturday evening, my husband and I went to have dinner at a restaurant. As we sat there eating and sharing conversation, I watched an old woman stop and look around. I looked over at my husband and said, "She must be lost." I got up and caught up with her as she walked by our table and touched her lightly on the shoulder. "Ma'am, are you having trouble finding who you are dining with?" I asked. She said yes. She was there with her daughter. I asked if her daughter was the only person she was there with, and she replied yes. "If you stay right here, I will find her and come back and take you to her--to save you some steps," I offered. She looked at me and said, "But you don't know who I am here with." She was right. I explained that her daughter should be easy to find, because I thought she would be the only lady sitting by herself in the whole restaurant. She agreed...but just then a young man stopped me and asked, "Is she looking for her seat? They're sitting at a table right across from us." I told him that she was and thanked him. I watched as they walked off together and kept my eyes on the old woman to make sure that she could see her daughter and all was well. I couldn't help but think that it must not be much different from being lost as a child. I wondered if I too would accept the help from strangers when I was as old as the lost woman. Who helped the woman find her seat in the end? Answer: Let me tell you something about our park.It's not very big but beautiful .Here's the gate .We can go into the park from here. On the left of it, there are two toilets .There is a cafe on the right .We can drink coffee there. There is a big tree near it. In the tree, there are many birds. In the middles of the park ,there is a playground .There are many boys and girls on it .Some are flying kites, and others are dancing. They are happy. Near the playground, there is a nice and big lake .There are many boats on it. How many trees are there in the park? _ . Answer:
At the farm, the farmer found that he needed to go to the town to get some tools. He needed to pick up five things at the store. The farmer needed to get a shovel, some hay, extra string, feed for the horses and a tire for his truck. He also found that one of the steps on his ladder was broken and needed to be fixed. He would have to get some wood to fix the ladder. He thought he might like to look at new ladders and see if it was time to get a new one. He went into the house and found his keys. He started driving down the road when he found that he forgot his wallet and needed to go back to the house. He turned the truck around and went back to the house. While he was in the house, he remembered that he also needed to get some milk at the store. He picked up his keys and wallet and went back to his truck. He picked up all the items he needed in town and was still home in time for dinner. What was the last item he added to his list? A. Feed B. Milk C. Shovel D. Ladder Answer: B. Milk Sedimentary deposits formed from organic material tend to include a high amount of A. iron. B. nickel. C. carbon. D. silicon. Answer: C. carbon. It has been two years since I published my first article on Yahoo!Contributor Network.I was very excited when I saw that what I had written was published on the Internet. I recognized that the content sites such as Associated Content can provide a fertile ground for learning how to become a writer.I was thrifty --I could see that this was an open door for systematically learning some basic writing skills without paying college tuition for classes,all to be finished at my own speed and without leaving the comfort of my own home. During these past few years I gained enough experience and understanding of using Associated Content to try writing.I found writing for that site was not my cup of tea.However,my experience there was positive as I was rewarded with even more learning opportunities just by giving it a try.Through Associated Content I was introduced to the world of bolgs .I decided to learn how to set up a blog myself.Now I'm interested in blogs and continue to work as a writer. Writing for the content site Yahoo!Contributor Network gives me a chance of trying creative writing--news,reviews and numerous lifestyle issues.And all of these topics are my own choices.Then there is an opportunity to meet other writers.Yahoo!Contributor Network has a wonderful in-house messaging system that allows its writers to communicate easily with one another.Not all your tries are satisfactory and easy when you write for a content site,but the benefits are many if you try it. My teacher once said,"If you don't quit,you will win."I have no desire to quit writing as I really enjoy it.My thanks go out to Associated content and yahoo!Contributor Network for all my progress in writing!And to my fellow writers--thank you so much for your support and friendship.May we continue in our efforts of inspiration for many years to come! The author uses his teacher's words to show that _ . A. he will stick to his writing career B. his teacher gave him a lot of help C. what his teacher said is really true D. he has met much difficulty in writing Answer: A. he will stick to his writing career Britain's Solo Sailor Ellen MacArthur started sailing with her aunt when she was eight. She loved it so much that she saved her money for three years to buy her first small sailing boat.When she was 18,she sailed alone around Britain and won the "Young Sailor of the Year" award. But Ellen really became famous in 2001.Aged only 24,she was one of only two women who entered the Vendee Globe round the world solo race,which lasted 100 days.Despite many problems,she came second in the race out of 24 competitors and she was given a very warm welcome when she returned. Ambition and determination have always been a big part of Ellen's personality.When she was younger,she lived in a kind of hut for three years while she was trying to get sponsorship to compete in a transatlantic race.Then she took a one-way ticket to France,bought a tiny seven-meter Class Mini yacht,slept under it while she was repairing it,and then she raced it 4,000 kilometers across the Atlantic in 1997,alone for 33 days. Ellen has had to learn many things,because sailing single-handed means that she has to be her own captain,electrician,sail maker,engineer,doctor,journalist,cameraman and cook.She also has to be very fit,and because of the dangers of sleeping for long periods of time when she's in the middle of the ocean, she has trained herself to sleep for about 20 minutes at a time. And she needs courage.Once,in the middle of the ocean,she had to climb the mast of a boat to repair the sails at four o'clock in the morning with 100 kph winds blowing around her.It took her many hours to make the repairs.Ellen says,"I was exhausted when I came down.It's hard to describe how it feels to be up there.It's like trying to hold onto a big pole,which for me is just too big to get my arms around,with someone kicking you all the time and trying to shake you off." But in her diary,Ellen also describes moments which make it all worthwhile: "A beautiful sunrise started the day,with black clouds slowly lit by the bright yellow sun.I have a very strong feeling of pleasure,being out here on the ocean and having the chance to live this.I just feel lucky to be here." The word "solo" in the title could be best replaced by _ . A. self-starter B. one performer C. self-made D. single-handed Answer: D. single-handed The tourism business in Hong Kong has been through some very hard times. Ten years ago, with all the economic problems in Asia, far fewer tourists were visiting Hong Kong. However, the SAR was still one of the most popular destinations in Asia, and a favored location for international meetings and exhibitions. The year 1997 was the best year for tourism in the 1990s. However in 1998, the figure was down by 8% from 10.4 million tourist arrivals recorded in the previous year. Tourism was still big business, though. The mainland was Hong Kong's largest source of visitors, making up over a quarter of all arrivals. Travelers from Taiwan Province, South and Southeast Asia and Japan made up the most of other visitors. Tourism remained a major source of foreign exchange, although tourists spending dropped. Tourists often made short visits, staying an average of three to four days. Most tourists came to Hong Kong for business or leisure , or a mixture of both. Shopping was still the favorite thing of tourist activity and spending. The average visitor spent about HK$ 3,000 - not including accommodation and food. Hong Kong Tourist Association officials developed various plans to develop interest in Hong Kong as a tourist destination, and they hoped these policies would work. What is the largest source of the visitors to Hong Kong? A. Japan. B. Southeast Asia C. U.S.A D. The mainland of China Answer: D. The mainland of China
Little Mike's grandmother died weeks ago. He missed her very much. One afternoon Mike went to the city park where his grandmother used to go. There he saw an old lady. She looked very kind. She was sitting there, watching pigeons . Little Mike went up and sat next to her. He took out his food and drinks and gave some to her. She smiled at him. Her smile was very sweet and Mike wanted to see it again. She seemed to understand him, so once again she smiled. Mike was very happy. They sat there all the afternoon, eating and talking. As it was dark, Mike got up to leave. Before he left, he hugged the old lady and she gave him her sweetest smile. When Mike got home, his mother was surprised by the happy look on his face. " I met an old lady in the park. Her smile was like the smile I used to see on Grandmother's face." The old lady also returned to her home happily. She told her son she had food and drinks with a little boy. " He was as lovely as Bill." She said. Her son was surprised, because he had never been so happy since Bill, her grandson, died weeks ago. Little Mike went to the park and _ . Answer: met an old lady One day a mime is visiting the zoo and attempts to earn some money as a street performer. As soon as he starts to draw a crowd,a zookeeper drags him into his office.The zookeeper explains that the zoo's most popular attraction,a gorilla ,has died suddenly and the keeper fears that attendance at the zoo will fall off.He offers the mime a job to dress up as the gorilla. The mime accepts. The next morning the mime puts on the gorilla suit and enters the cage before the crowd comes.He soon discovers he can sleep all he wants,play and make fun of people and he draws bigger crowds than he ever did as a mime--the job he likes but loses. However, with days going by,he begins to notice that the people are paying more attention to the lion in the cage next to his.Not wanting to lose the attention of his audience, he climbs to the top of his cage,crawls across a partition ,and dangles from the top to the lion's cage. The lion gets angry at this. The scene is _ to the crowd. At the end of the day he is given a raise for being such a good attraction--Well,this continues for some time.The crowds grow larger,and the mime's pay keeps going up. Then one day when he is dangling over the lion he slips and falls.The mime is terrified. He starts screaming, "Help me!",but the lion is quick.The mime soon finds himself flat on his back looking up at the angry lion and the lion says, "Shut up you fool! Do you want to get us both fired?" How does the mime find the job dressing up as the gorilla? Answer: Easy and funny. "Who has more questions, a teacher or a student?"About this question a great learned man told his students that nobody does but a teacher. The students got puzzled. With a smile, the teacher drew the circles."Within the larger one is my knowledge of things and within the smaller one is yours. Out of the circles is still unknown to both of us. Since mine is larger, as you can see, the line that marks out the circle is longer. That makes it clear that who has more chances to face something still unknown." We can often find such an article in _ . Answer: a newspaper or a magazine At this moment in different places of the world people are doing different things. In Beijing it's early morning. People are sleeping. In London people are leaving work to go home. They are waiting for buses or running for trains. Some people are driving their cars. Some are having afternoon tea at home or walking to the pubs to have a drink. In Moscow it's evening and people are having supper at home or in restaurants. Some are going to watch a ballet . Some are drinking in the pubs. In Los Angeles it's morning. People are working in their offices. Children are starting their lessons. New York is midday now. People aren't working but having lunch. They are eating hamburgers or hot dogs and drinking coffee or Coke. Some people are seeing friends or shopping. We know that London is 3 hours _ . Answer: later than Moscow People have wondered for a long time how their personalities and behaviors are formed.It is not easy to explain why one person is intelligent and another is not, or why one is cooperative and another is competitive. Social scientists are, of course, extremely interested in these types of questions.They want to explain why we possess certain characteristics and exhibit certain behaviors.There are no clear answers yet, but two distinct schools of thought on the matter have developed.As one might expect, the two approaches are very different from one another, and there is a great deal of debate between _ of each theory.The controversy(argument) is often referred to as "nature and nurture ". Those who support the "nature" side of the conflict believe that our personalities and behavior patterns are largely determined by biological and genetic factors.That our environment has little, if anything, to do with our abilities, characteristics, and behavior is central to this theory.Taken to an extreme , this theory maintains that our behavior is predetermined to such a degree that we are almost completely governed by our instincts . Proponents of the "nurture" theory, or, as they are often called, behaviorists, claimed that our environment is more important than our biologically based instincts in determining how we will act.A behaviorist, B.F.Skinner, sees humans as beings whose behavior is almost completely shaped by their surroundings.The behaviorists' view of the human being is quite mechanistic ; they maintain that, like machines, humans' respond to environmental stimuli as the basis of their behavior. Socially and politically, the consequences of these two theories are far-reaching.In the US, for example, blacks often score below whites on standardized intelligence tests.This leads some proponents to conclude that blacks are genetically lower in status than whites.Behaviorists, on the contrary, say that the differences in scores are due to the fact that blacks are often robbed of many of the educational and other environmental advantages that whites enjoy, and that, as a result, they do not develop the same responses that whites do. Either of these theories cannot yet fully explain human behavior.In fact, it is quite likely that the key to our behavior lies somewhere between these two extremes. That the controversy will continue for a long time is certain. This passage is mainly concerned with _ . Answer: different theories of the formation of human behavior
Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to connect the brain with computers. Braincomputer interface(BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines. Recently, two scientists, Jose Millan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytehnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland, show a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person's thoughts. In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts. "Our brain has billions of body cells . These send signals through the spinal cord to the body part to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the body part." Tavella says. "Our system allows disabled people to communicate with outer world and also to control machines." The scientists designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp and sends them to a computer. The computer finds meanings of the signals and commands the wheelchair with an engine. The wheelchair also has two cameras that tell objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain. Prof. Millan , the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that finds meanings of brain signals and turns them into simple commands." The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two kinds: communication, and controlling objects. One example is this wheelchair." He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can get advantages from. And the other is sure that they can use the technology for long. The team will test with real patients to _ . A make money from them B prove the technology useful to them C make them live longer D learn about their physical condition Answer: B. prove the technology useful to them Restoring the quake-hit ecosystems is a question of balancing the interests of the local people and the environment.Rural methane projects can reduce the number of locals taking fire-wood from the mountainsides.The use of straw as food for animals will ensure that vegetation can grow.In Sihai township and Dazhuangke village, in Beijing, they now have a forestry coverage of 85% or more, compared to the 30% they had 15 years ago.Back then, land was used very inefficiently: one person would use 20 mu of forest just for firewood.With those pressures on the ecosystem, no amount of spending on reforestation will succeed.Then the government relocated the population and paid those who remained to tend the forest and provide coal.This reduced the pressures on the ecosystem and it was able to recover naturally. When an ecosystem has not been pushed past certain limits, it is able to recover on its own.Human involvement should only play a minor role, including after an earthquake.This is particularly the case for sandy grasslands, grasslands deserts, the mountains of the south and the northern sides of mountains in the north.In these areas soil remains and the water, light, heat and nutrients needed are available.Less human involvement is even more appropriate in areas with a small population, where it can avoid money being wasted on ineffective efforts, such as creating forests in dry areas. The creation of nature reserves should be a model to allow damaged ecosystems to recover.Funding can start at the national level; centrally-funded nature reserves can enforce environmental protection laws and help to promote the local economy.This will solve the problems of reserves being run to make money.When national reserves are funded, local governments will be able to adopt the same model and provide the funds for nature reserves from their own budgets.The first project should be established in nature reserves hit by the quake; these can then become models for other areas. According to the passage _ play(s) a major role in ecosystem recovery. A local people B nature itself C human involvement D government's effort Answer: B. nature itself Long ago there was a man with the name Smith. He made a living by making caps. One day he went to sell his caps. He went through a forest. There were many monkeys in it. It was very hot. The man is very tired and wanted to have a rest. He came up to a large tree, put his caps on the ground, took one of them and put it on his head. Then he lay down and soon fell asleep. "Where are my caps?" Smith cried when he woke up.He looked up and saw many monkeys in the tree and each monkey had a cap on its head. "Give me back my caps!" the man shouted at the monkeys.But the monkeys didn't understand him.They only laughed.The man got angry,took off his own cap,threw it on the ground and cried,"If you want all my caps,you may take this one,too!" And what do you think happened?The little animals did the same. Each monkey took off its cap and threw it on the ground. The man was very glad. He quickly collected all his caps and went on his way. At last the monkeys threw the caps on the ground because _ . A they took pity on him B the man had got angry C they didn't like the caps D they liked to do the same as the man did Answer: D. they liked to do the same as the man did Look at this.It's a blue bag.It is my bag.What's in it? Look,this is my English book.It's blue,too.My Chinese book is also in my bag.It is yellow.This is my pencil box.It's big and nice.I like English and Chinese.My bag is my good friend. My bag is _ . A yellow B blue C nice D big Answer: B. blue Dear Jenny, I'm sorry you're sick and can't come to school this week. Let me tell you what you have on Monday next week. We have math at 8:00. How boring! Then we have English. That's interesting. I know you love English. Next is P.E.. The fourth lesson is art. That's my favorite subject! In the afternoon, we have history with Mr. Chen. He is fun but history isn't. Then at 2:00 we have science with Miss Jones. You know how strict she is. I don't like her. Our last class of the day is math. Yours, Ben Jenny's favorite subject is _ . A P.E. B art C English D science Answer: C. English
Little Peter is a boy of nine. He began to go to school the year before last and now he's in Grade Three. He lives not far from the school but he is often late for class. He likes watching TV in the evening and goes to bed late, so he can't get up on time in the morning. This term, Mrs. Black, Peter's aunt, works in Peter's school. She teaches Grade Three math. She's strict with Peter and often tells the boy to obey the school rules and come to school on time. Yesterday morning Peter got up late. When he hurried to school, it was half past eight. His aunt was waiting for him at the school gate. "You're ten minutes late for the first class, Peter," Mrs. Black said angrily. "Why are you often late for class?" "Every time I get to the street corner, I see a guidepost . It says: "SCHOOL--GO SLOW!'" The first class begins at _ . Answer: Why do you need British Accent Training? With the growth in the number of employees from Egypt, Spain and China, organizations need to ensure that their workers are able to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues alike. First Language Influence (FLI) can have a great effect on an employee's accent. British Accent Training from Communicaid will help your overseas workers decrease the influence of their first language. Whether through online training courses or face- to- face classes, Communicaid offers suitable training solutions for your organisation's international business. A Communicaid's British Accent Training course will provide your workers with the ability to : ---increase their customer experience and satisfaction, ---communicate more effectively with customers and colleagues by decreasing first language influenced accent, ---strengthen relationships with customers and colleagues through more successful communication. Course content All Communicaid's British Accent Training courses are designed to meet the specific needs of our clients depending on their specific situations. Generally, a British Accent Training course includes: ---rhythm and stress patterns, ---pausing and breathing, ---relationship between spelling and pronunciation, ---accent familiarisation and listening practice. Ways to learn Training can be received worldwide through either face-to-face classes or one of our many online learning methods. Using a combination of published materials and those offered only by Communicaid, we design and offer programmes that will meet the need of our clients. Our trainers All Communicaid's British Accent course trainers are native speakers with at least 3 years' professional training experience in the field. A client's British Accent trainer will be decided according to his goals and areas of focus. Who are the target readers of the article? Answer: Have you ever noticed how busy our roads are becoming? Every year more and more cars are using them. Already in such countries as America, almost every family has a car. Many accidents happen because cars are now made to travel very fast. Also, people waste time and money every day as long lines of cars move slowly into towns and cities. In most big towns it is very hard to find parking spaces. Wide, smooth , straight roads must be built now in place of the old and narrow roads. These roads must not pass through towns and cities. They must not be crossed by other roads. Today such roads are being built in many countries in the world. These roads have at least two lanes , one for slow-moving traffic and the other for fast-moving traffic. These roads do not pass through town and cities; horses and bikes are not allowed on them. Accidents do not usually happen. Cars can travel hundreds of miles without having to stop. But these modem roads often cannot be built in towns and cities. Before a road in a town can be made wider, many buildings have to be pulled down. Some people feel that more car-parks should be built outside a city, then the drivers should leave their cars and catch a bus or take a taxi to their offices. It is hard to build new roads in towns because _ . Answer: WHEN a woman took the seat beside me on a plane, I felt uncomfortable. She had to lower herself slowly, squeezing her body into the small space. "My name is Kelly. I'm from Canada. Where are you from?" She waved a hand in front of my face. "China," I said as I shook her hand unhappily. Kelly kept talking to me. She was very thoughtful. When we were served drinks and meals, she made sure that I had enough room in my seat. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable with my elephant size!" she said sincerely. I couldn't help but let down my guard. As we talked, I was surprised by her wise words. She had read many books and was very smart. I asked her if she ever thought about losing some weight. "Aren't you worried about the diseases that come with being overweight?" "Not at all. I eat healthy and walk regularly," she said. "I believe in my heart, the people who get diseases are the ones who worry. You see advertisements from exercise centers that read, 'Free yourself from your extra baggage, so you are free to be yourself.' You're free only if you're comfortable with who you are!" I suddenly realized that Kelly was the most beautiful and clever woman I had ever met in my life. What kind of person is Kelly? Answer: Most people looking for ways to quit smoking worry about weight gain, and with good reason. Smokers who quit tend to pack on an average of 5 pounds after they stop smoking cigarettes. A new study, published by the journal Science, explains why this happens. The new research explains that nicotine appears to combine with appetite-regulating neurons in the brain, besides the receptors that bring about addiction. These neurons help regulate how much food gets consumed, but under the influence of nicotine, they lose their self-control. This is why when smokers quit, they tend to eat more and gain weight. The researchers believe that their discovery will lead to the development of drugs that aim at nicotine receptors on brain cells that control appetite. In the future, weight gain may no longer be a reason for smokers to delay the decision to kick the habit, but that's no reason to wait. Nicotine-replacement treatment, while not for everyone, can help. Here are a few more ways to quit smoking and stay slim. Drink water. To improve metabolic rates, make half of those glasses ice water. Juice can be too high in calories, something you'll want to keep an eye on your journey toward being a slimmer non-smoker. Plan your snacks. Healthy snacks help keep your metabolism working, so you continue to burn calories while stopping wild hunger pain, or fake hunger. Keep moving. Exercise kills two birds with one stone. It helps you burn calories and prevents you from eating when you're not truly hungry. It's also a feel-good stress reliever . Focus on your fitness and how being healthy makes you feel. Make exercise a goal and think of quitting as your reward for being physically fit. The purpose of the text is _ . Answer:
When you go to St. Petersburg, the number of attractions can seem large. If you are short of time, or just want to make sure to _ , these are the top must-see sights in St.Petersburg. The Hermitage Museum The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St.Petersburg.There are lots of different paintings by the old masters in the Hermitage.Prepare to come face-to-face with classic Western artists. Kizhi Island Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden architecture from the Karelia Region of Russia.These impressive structures are made entirely without nails - the wood fits together with joints and grooves . Peterhof Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun.You'll be charged for admission, but go to Petethof when the fountains are working--during the day in the summer.They are shut off in winter evenings. The Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood Love it or hate it, the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood in St.Petersburg is an enthralling must-see sight.The beautiful look may make y our eyes brighten, and the painting inside the church will make you say "Wow!" *The Bronze Horseman Statue The so-called Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian culture and a symbol of St.Petersburg.Made famous by Alexander Pushkin, this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse can truly show Peter the Great's influence on the Russian idea of greatness. The main purpose of the passage is to _ . introduce the must-see sights in St.Petersburg Many people cannot start their day without first having a cup of coffee or tea.These drinks help them think clearly and feel more awake.This is because of caffeine,which helps to give a jump start to the nervous system.Now,a report says it may also boost long-term memory. Mike Yassa is a neurobiology professor.He and other researchers wanted to know if caffeine could improve a person's memory.He explains,"After you learn anything,it takes some time for that memory to strengthen.And over the first 24 hours is actually where most of the forgetting happens.So that is where we wanted to intervene with caffeine and see if we can help reduce this forgetting." They took 160 caffeine-free people and showed them pictures of everyday objects. These people were asked if the objects could be found inside the house, or outdoors.Then some of the subjects were given a caffeine pill.The others were given a placebo--a pill containing nothing. 24 hours later,the subjects were shown the exact same images from the day before.They were also shown images with slight differences,and some completely new images. Both groups correctly identified the exact same and completely new pictures.But those who took the caffeine pill were better at spottingthe pictures that were slightly different. Professor Yassa says their answers helped to show the effects of caffeine on memory. And we find that if they are on caffeine they are much more likely to make the right decision." The amount of caffeine the researchers used in the study was similar to one cup of strong coffee.The researchers did not see any improvement to memory from smaller doses of caffeine or when it was given an hour before viewing the images. In which section of a magazine can we read this text? Health. So you have been called for an interview-well done? Your effort has been paid off. Now to get the job, you will feet better at the interview if you show an understanding of the nature of the organization. Ask a member of family or a friend to act as the employer and to give you an unreal interview.Be as realistic as possible,answer the questions seriously.Afterwards discuss how it goes. Think about how the employer would prefer to see you look. Remember the majority of employers are over 30. It is not wise to rush out and buy new clothes which will be worn for the first time at the interview. You'll feel more at ease in a familiar dress. Carelessness in any of these could cost you the job.Arrive at least 15 minutes before time.This will give you a chance to have a look around, read the notice board and get the feel of the place. Being late at interviews produces a bad impression.The first impression the interviewer gets of you forms as you walk through the door, so take a couple of deep breaths. Be ready to shake hands the interviewer offers. Don't take a seat until asked. Then sit comfortably. Make eye contact when you are greeted and again if you shake hands, and during questioning.Eye contact is a form of non-verbal greeting. Remember the interviewer's name and use it from time to time. Be ready for the question"Is there anything you want to ask?"Before the interview you should get ready for two or three such questions. Look on these not just as a chance to get information but as a means to improve your prospects in the employer's estimation .Asking can show knowledge and avoid mistakes ever before you begin. You can check on these later,when the hope for the job is offered. And if you fail, look upon the interview as an experience in itself, learn from it. We wish you good luck and good job hunting. The passage is mainly about _ . an interview I first went to Harrow in the summer term.The school had the biggest swimming pool I had ever seen.It was a good joke to come up behind a naked boy, and push him out the pool. I made quite a habit of this with boys of my own size or 1ess. 0ne day I saw a boy wrapped in a towel on the side of the poo1.He was no bigger than 1 was,so I thought him _ .Coming secretly behind,I pushed him in,holding on to his towel so that it would not get wet.1 was surprised to see an angry face come out from the water, and being of great strength making its way by face strokes to the shore.I fled,but didn't succeed.He overtook me,pulled me hard,and threw me into the deepest part of the poo1.I soon climbed out on the other side,and found myself surrounded by a crowd of younger boys."Do you know what you have done? " They said."It's Amery:heis in Grade Six.He is champion at gym.he has won his football award." 1 was frightened and felt ashamed.How could I tell his position when he was wrapped in a bath towel and so small.He didn't seem pleased at all.so I added in a most brilliant word."My father.who is a great man.is also small."At this be laughed,and after some general words about my rude behavior and how I had better be careful in the future,expressed all was over. By saying "My father who is a great man,is also small",the writer _ . tried to please Amery The Baima is a minority group of about 1,400 people. They have lived in Northern Sichuan and Southern Gansu Provinces for centuries. They have long depended on the forests as their main source of income. But since a ban on cutting down forests was introduced in the late 1990s to fight yearly flooding, the villagers have had to look for other means of earning a living. Several are now in the process of developing a small tourism industry as their lands are rich in forests and natural scenery and are the home of the giant pandas. Xiangshujia, in particular, is becoming a popular bed and breakfast centre for tourists heading to Wanglang to see the giant pandas. Visitors are also starting to take notice of the Baima people themselves. As our jeep stopped in the courtyard of a house, we were greeted by the village leader Li Qin and young Baima girls dressed in traditional costumes with white feathers in their hair. As we took our places on wooden benches near an open fire, the girls began to sing traditional songs as they served us. "The number of tourists is growing," said Li Qin. "We realize that to attract visitors we have to show our culture by offering more traditional singing and dancing and ensuring our houses are built in the traditional way." Relations between the Baima people and the reserve were once tense following the ban on cutting down forests. Villagers had to make a new living. They entered the Wanglang Nature Reserve to collect wild mushrooms and herbs , often at the expense of disturbing the pandas' habitat. But things greatly improved as villagers started receiving training in how to sell things to tourists. "Our aim was to deter the villagers, because they often disturbed the pandas' habitat, and to ensure they could have a long-lasting means of earning a living," emphasized Chen Youping, director of the Wanglang Nature Reserve. "All the money from the reserve goes back into the community and conservation projects," said Chen. "We take into consideration first the animals and then tourism." Which of the following was NOT an effect of the ban on cutting down forests? Villagers stopped selling things to tourists.
Oker owned in fee simple two adjoining lots, Lots 1 and 2. He conveyed in fee simple Lot 1 to Frank. The deed was in usual form of a warranty deed with the following provision inserted in the appropriate place: "Grantor, for himself, his heirs and assigns, does covenant and agree that any reasonable expense incurred by grantee, his heirs and assigns, as the result of having to repair the retaining wall presently situated on Lot 1 at the common boundary with Lot 2, shall be reimbursed one-half the costs of repairs; and by this provision the parties intend a covenant running with the land." Frank conveyed Lot 1 in fee simple to Sara by warranty deed in usual and regular form. The deed omitted any reference to the retaining wall or any covenant. Fifty years after Oker's conveyance to Frank, Sara conveyed Lot 1 in fee simple to Tim by warranty deed in usual form; this deed omitted any reference to the retaining wall or the covenant. There is no statute that applies to any aspect of the problems presented except a recording act and a statute providing for acquisition of title after ten years of adverse possession. All conveyances by deeds were for a consideration equal to fair market value. The deed from Oker to Frank was never recorded. All other deeds were promptly and properly recorded. Lot 2 is now owned by Henry, who took by intestate succession from Oker, now dead. Tim expended $3,500 on the retaining wall. Then he obtained all of the original deeds in the chain from Oker to him. Shortly thereafter, Tim discovered the covenant in Oker's deed to Frank. He demanded that Henry pay $1,750, and when Henry refused, Tim instituted an appropriate action to recover that sum from Henry. In such action, Henry asserted all defenses available to him. defenses available to him. If judgment is for Henry, it will be because Answer: American scientists say musical training seems to improve communication skills. They found that developing musical skills involves the same process in the brain as learning how to speak. The scientists say that could help children with learning disabilities. Nina Kraus is a neurobiologist at Northwestern University in Illinois. She says musical training involves putting together different kinds of information. She says the process involves hearing music, looking at musical notes, touching an instrument and watching other musicians. She says the process is not much different from learning how to speak. Both involve different senses. Professor Krauss says musical training and learning to speak make us think about what we are doing. She says speech and music pass through a structure of the nervous system called the brain stem . The brain stem controls our ability to hear. Until recently, experts have thought the brain stem could not be developed or changed. But Professor Krauss and her team find that musical training can improve a person's brain stem activity. The study involved people with different levels of musical ability. They were asked to wear an electrical _ that measures brain activity. The people wore the device while they watched a video of someone speaking and a person playing a musical instrument. The study found that the more years of training people had, the more sensitive they were to the sound and beat of the music. Professor Kraus says the study shows the importance of musical training to children with learning disabilities. Why can musical training improve communication skills? Because _ . Answer: Keen to share your views and have your articles published in the Campus Link? We are calling for contributions to the following sections: Lifestyle: Do you travel widely, keep a journal of your adventures and have nice photographs that you might want to share? Or have you simply been somewhere that caught your imagination? Tell us all about your travels! Are you an eager movie-goer? Be Leonard Maltin for the day and share your views of the latest blockbuster with our readers! If food is your preferred choice of relaxation, try your hand at being food critic and send us your views on food/restaurants worth trying. Research: If this noble line of work is your bread and butter or passion, we want to hear from you! Share with Campus Link your research developments and breakthroughs. If you know of someone (your schoolmate or teacher) whose research work is a source of inspiration for our community, do not hesitate to send in your suggestions! If you are interested in sharing any of the above, or if you know of someone worthy of feature, please get in touch with the Editor-in-Chief, at karinyeo@campuslink.sg. Contributions will be selected based on their relevance and quality and Campus Link reserves the right to publish or reject a submission . All contributions will be edited for clarity and length. Please send your submissions in word.doc files and your photos in jpeg format. In the Lifestyle section, you may not find _ . Answer: Hearing plays an important part in our everyday life, but few of us take the steps we need to protect our hearing. It is easy to see how your hearing is _ in today's world. There are so many things to hear, and so many new instruments, like iPods and headphones, which can harm your hearing if used improperly. Keeping the volume to a reasonable level on an iPod or other portable listening instruments is one of the most important ways to protect your hearing. Another great way to keep your hearing protected is to avoid loud noises whenever possible. There are many loud noises from power tools to machinery, and it is important to avoid these noises as often as possible. When it is not possible to avoid them, keep your hearing protected by using earplugs . If you think your hearing may have already been damaged by modern technology, it is important to have your hearing tested by a physician. Only such a professional will be able to measure your level of hearing loss and help you find the best solution to your hearing problem. For those with hearing issues, the choices have never been greater. There are many excellent hearing aids on the market. Having a hearing aid can be a perfect choice for the young and the old alike, and many people who swore they would never wear a hearing aid find that they love the convenience and quality these instruments represent. Never let an unimportant thing like vanity get in the way of treating a hearing problem. These days there are hearing aids that are nearly invisible to the naked eye, including a number of models that fit completely inside the ear. If you believe you may be experiencing a problem with your hearing, it is important to have it checked out, and to take the right measures to protect your ears. In many cases, this treatment will be as simple as wearing earplugs. Taking care of your ears is of great importance. After all, you only get one set of ears. All the following factors may cause hearing problems EXCEPT _ . Answer: This is a dangerous world we live in. The number of murders goes up every year, people are dying of cancer, more people contract HIV, more teens are using drugs, ect. You know this because you've heard all the statistics on the news and in the paper. But do you really have an accurate idea what they mean? The numbers are going up, but how do they compare to the growth in population? Are more cases of these diseases being reported because of better testing techniques, or are the diseases more common? The fact is that without knowing the background statistics mean very little. This growing trend of reporting only part of the information is becoming dangerous. For example, several years ago a high school student reported the dangers of the chemical known as dihydrogen monoxide. This chemical, found in most cancerous tumors, is often found in the blood of people drunk on alcohol, and causes complete physical and mental dependence for those who take the chemical even once. After reading his report, more than 75% of his Advanced Placement Chemistry class voted to forbid this dangerous chemical! Every one of the above statement is true, yet this chemical is necessary to all life on earth. The students made a mistake because they voted knowing only a few statements and statistics, rather than the chemical's full background. The point of this article is that one should be aware of what is and is not being said. When one finds a new fact or number, one should try to consider other important information before forming an opinion with only half-truths. Always remember that the author is trying to convince you of his or her own view, and will leave our information that is different from his view. For example, look again at the statistics that suggest skiing is safe. Only 32 people die each year when skiing, while 897 die from lightening strikes, but which is really more dangerous? If you think more about it, you will realize far fewer people go skiing each year than the number of people in danger of a lightning strike. When you think about it again, skiing is more dangerous than you might at first think when looking at the statistics. If we teenagers are to be left in this world, we had better be able to think critically, and form our own views, rather than be easily persuaded by another's. To be warned is just to be prepared. What can we learn from the passage? Answer:
BAD weather, bad food and grumpy people - that's what some people think of first when they think about Britain. Many online commentators even joke that Britons are so grumpy precisely because it constantly rains and they are always hungry. In fact, many believe that Britons are inherently negative, in contrast to their neighbors across the Atlantic Ocean. "Americans are more optimistic, due to the fact that they are told they can become the next president of the United States," Ricky Gervais, a British comedian, told online forum Big Think. "British people are told, it won't happen to you. And they carry that. They carry that with them. We champion the underdog ." It's no wonder that Britons hold the reputation of having a "stiff upper lip" - being cold and not showing any emotion. Britain's reputation as a grumpy country may, however, simply be the result of a cultural misunderstanding. According to the BBC, British actor Michael Caine once said: "I think what is British about me is my feelings and awareness of others and their situations. English people are always known to be well-mannered and cold, but we are not cold - we don't _ your situation. If we are heartbroken, we don't scream in your face with tears - we go home and cry on our own. It's completely to do with your comfort - we don't intrude on your space. That's very English." A BBC reader noted that the perceived coldness of British people is actually their way of dealing with hardship. Remembering the terrorist attacks in London on July 7, 2005, Stuart Colley, who lived in the capital at the time, said: "It seemed to me that most people's response was a 'cruel' determination to carry on and not to 'fall' into an over-emotional outpouring of grief or anger - despite what many of us felt inside. Our stiff upper lip seems to be something that gives us strength as a society when we most need it." Why does Michael Caine think British people are not cold? A. They can be heartbroken, and they cry too. B. They are well-mannered and unwilling to disturb others. C. They care a lot about what other people think of them. D. They are taught to face hardships by themselves. Answer: B. They are well-mannered and unwilling to disturb others. A 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Chile late on Tuesday, cutting power and leading to small landslides and a tsunami . Four men and one woman died --two who suffered heart attacks and three who were crushed . About 300 prisoners escaped from the northern port city of Iquique in the immediate aftershock . The quake struck at about 8:46 p.m. local time, some 60 miles northwest of Iquique. It had a depth of 12.5 miles. Chile's National Emergency Office asked coastal residents to leave for safe places. "The fact is, we will know the extent of the damage as time goes by and when we inspect the areas in the light of day," Chile's President Michelle Bachelet said early on Wednesday. "The country has faced these first emergency hours very well." Residents in the port city of Antofagasta walked calmly through the streets to higher ground as traffic became heavy in some places. "Many people are fearful after experiencing the powerful earthquake in 2010, so they immediately rushed to higher ground when they heard the tsunami warning," said a government official."There have been lots of aftershocks and communications have been cut off in many of the affected areas. So people are waiting in the dark hills, not knowing what is to come, and hoping they will be able to return to their homes safely." The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center sent our several tsunami warnings, but called off all of them by early Wednesday. Tsunami waves of more than six feet caused by the earthquake washed ashore on the coast of Pisagua. Iquique, with a population of more than 200,000, saw seven-foot waves. What is the best title for the passage? A. Chile Deals with Emergency Well. B. Tsunamis Caused by Aftershocks in Chile. C. A Powerful Earthquake Strikes off the Coast of Chile. D. Tsunami Warnings Work Well in Chile.. Answer: C. A Powerful Earthquake Strikes off the Coast of Chile. Farm-raised pigs are dirty, smelly animals that get no respect. They're also an environmental hazard. Their manure contains phosphorus ,which, when it rains, runs off into lakes and rivers, consuming oxygen, killing fish, stimulating algae overgrowth and emitting greenhouse gases. Doing away with the pig is not an option. Pigs provide more dietary protein, more cheaply, to more people than any other animal. Northern Europe still maintains the highest pig-to-human ratio in the world (2-1 in Denmark), but East Asia is catching up. During the 1990s, pork production doubled in Vietnam and grew by 70 percent in China--along densely populated coastlines, pig density exceeds 100 animals per square kilometer. The resulting pollution is "threatening fragile coastal marine habitats including mangroves ,coral reefs and sea grasses ,"according to a report released in February by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. As it turns out, there is a solution to the pig problem, but it requires a change of mind-set among environmentalists and the public. Two Canadian scientists have created a pig whose manure doesn't contain very much phosphorus at all. If this variety of pig were adopted widely, It could greatly reduce a major source of pollution. But the Enviropig, as they call it, is the product of genetic modification--which is anathema to many Westerners. The Enviropig is one of many new technologies that are putting environmentalists and organic-food supporters in _ : should they remain categorically opposed to genetically modified (GM)foods even at the expense of the environment? Elsewhere, trees grown for paper could be made amenable to much more efficient processing, reducing both energy usage and toxic chemical bleach in waste water from paper mills. The most significant GM applications will be ones that help lessen the problem of agriculture , which accounts for 38percent of the world's landmass and is crowding out natural ecosystems and species habitats. Chances are, farmers will continue to grow their polluting organic pork, their allergenic organic soy and their neurotoxin sprayed organic apples. Worse still, they will make sure that no one else gets a choice in the matter of improving the conditions of life on earth--unless, that is, others rise up and demand an alternative. The negative influence brought by the traditional agriculture is _ -. A. more living space occupation B. more crop improvement C. more food production D. more chemical application Answer: A. more living space occupation New changes have taken place in Paris in recent years. Paris used to be among Europe's busiest cities. Traffic jams could be seen all the time. But now there is a new 2.5 kilometre-long car-free area inside the city. The Louvre attracts world tourists. People visit there not just for the art works, but also enjoy the roof of the building which is like a flying carpet. The world's most beautiful city is now even more beautiful. Lijiang River National Park, China. Lijiang River is in Guilin. It is well-known for its clear water, limestone and green hills. The hills have beautiful names depending on different shapes, such as "Elephant Trunk". These attract many Chinese poets and artists. The best way to enjoy Lijing River is to take an 83 km boat trip from Guilin to Yangshuo in summer. Zurich, Switzerland What do you think Zurich is famous for? Great banks? Yes. People can find many Swiss banks and foreign banks here. But the city is of great interest to many people for another reason. Zurich hosts Europe's largest street party each year. Its Street Parade has overtaken London's Notting Hill Carival. What's hot in the city in 2014? In August, Zurich will host the European Athletic Championships. This gives tourists a chance to see the world's top athletes making new records. Adelaide, Australia Many people may know Sydney or Melbourne. They are big cities in Australia. But Adelaide wins people's hearts with great festivals and tasty food. Adelaide Fringe Festival is the largest art festival in Australia. Every February and March, people celebrate with outdoor art works, dance performances and live music. Adelaide has many kinds of foreign foods. British fish and chips, Italian pizza and German pork can be found in most restaurants. Betty is studying art at college. She's travelling to some place to enjoy art work and taste foreign foods. She could go to _ A. Adelaide B. Lijiang River National Park C. Zurich and Paris D. the Louvre Answer: A. Adelaide Many people find themselves caught up in others' problems, and then confused about how and when to help. In fact, all relationships need limits no matter whether they are friendships, sibling relations, mates/ lovers or business relations. On some level, all limit setting means saying no. However, it is usually a qualified "no" that says what, where, when, and under what conditions you will give or not give to another person. There are three points we should keep in mind about limit setting: 1.Decide where to set the limits. Think about the entire situation. Consider your time, emotions, and means. Then consider whether you are helping the other person. Aim to do something to help the other person without taking on the whole problem. 2.Express the limits clearly. For example, you say to your friend, " I will lend you $20,000 no more than once every three months. And I expect you will pay me back within three months and certainly before you can borrow more." You say to another friend, "you can stay here for three weeks but you must help me with expenses and cooking and make sure that you will find your own place before the three weeks is up". 3.Stick to your limits. You are not responsible for making the other person obey the limits. You are only responsible for following the limits yourself. Your friend has repaid $12,500 of his/her $20,000 and asks for $20,000 more. You say no. He/She gets emotional and then says, "I need this money to cover a bad check. If you cared for our friendship, you would do it". Limit setting is often stressful and painful because people mistakes it for rejection. And limit setting certainly brings guilt. Bear in mind, it doesn't mean you have given up or quit loving your friend, lovers, or sibling. It does mean you are expressing that love in a different and more helpful (to both of you) manner. According to the passage, setting limits means _ . A. refusing always to say yes to your friend B. saying no to your friend who turns to you C. making different kinds of friends D. breaking away from your friend Answer: A. refusing always to say yes to your friend
Last week, I bought an alarm system for about $ 450. It consisted of a control unit with three small units. I put the control unit in the sitting-room and fastened the other units by the front door, back door and living-room windows. The instructions told us to choose three numbers, so we chose 491, the last three numbers of our telephone number. Now I will explain how the alarm works: 1. There is a power siren in the control unit. It makes a very loud noise. 2. Each of the small units sends out beams or rays in different directions. If anything moves, it breaks a beam. This sends signal to the control unit. The siren makes a noise which you can hear 50 meters away. 3. When we go to bed, I press the three buttons numbered 4, 9 and 1. Then we have 30 seconds to get out of the room before the alarm starts to work. That night I slept soundly because I was sure that no burglar could get into our house. However, at about 2:10 a. m. , I woke up and heard the siren. "There must be a burglar in the house?" Mary said, "What shall we do?" "I'll go and see who's there," I said, "Stay here. Don't make a noise. " I went down stairs quietly. When I reached the living-room, I switched on my torch and looked round the room. Then I turned the light on. I switched the siren off and searched the rooms downstairs. There was nothing wrong except that the back door was unlocked. I locked it, re-set the alarm and went back to bed. About an hour later, the alarm started again. I jumped out of bed, fell over a chair in the dark and bumped into the bedroom door. Mary woke up and started hitting me with a torch. "Hey! Wait a minute!" I whispered, "It's only me. I'm going downstairs to see what's wrong." I went down into the living-room and listened for a moment. The only sound I could hear was the siren. I tamed on the light and switched the siren off. As I did so, I glanced across at the curtains in front of the windows. I saw a house lizard (a kind of small animals) disappear behind the curtains. "Oh!" I said to myself. "That's our burglar." When the lizard moved, it started the siren. I guessed the alarm had been made in Europe, where there are no house lizards. Well, I won't finish this story but if you want an alarm system free of charge, let me know. I'll send you ours. We bought a dog this morning. It knows the difference between a lizard and a burglar . The writer used numbers 4, 9 and 1 to _ . Answer: Jack London is a famous American writer. His most widely known book is the Call of the Wild, the story of the adventure of a large dog in the frozen north. Jack London was born on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco, California. His family was very poor, and Jack had to leave school to make money. He worked hard at many different jobs. Later, Jack returned to school, but he didn't stay. He wrote, "Life and pocket book were both too short." In 1897, he went to Alaska to find gold. Instead, he found ideas there for his book stories. He returned home and started to write. His writings were successful, and he became rich and famous in his twenties. Jack London was not a happy man, however. In poor health, he took his own life in 1916. He was then only 40 years old. Jack London left school because _ . Answer: About 45 percent of Americans don't get enough sleep, according to a recent survey. However, the benefits of getting enough sleep far outweigh the thrill of watching TV for one more hour or surfing the web. Getting a better night's sleep will help you lose or keep your weight more effectively. Try these simple steps to improve your quality of sleep. Take time to relax So many of us go-go-go until it's time for bed, but it's important to take time to slow down and relax before sleeping. Do relaxing things, such as listening to soothing music or deep breathing. Avoid stimulating activities such as writing e-mails, talking on the phone and watching TV. Some guidelines : no e-mail after 8 p.m. and no TV or phone calls after 9 p.m.. Darker is better Your body regulates your sleep cycle in response to the presence and absence of light, so dim the lights as evening approaches. Try getting ready for bed by candlelight. When you're ready to sleep, make sure your room is as dark as possible. Put your thoughts to bed We all need time to process our day, but bed is not the place to do it if you want to sleep well. Take 10 to 15 minutes to record your thoughts in a journal. This effective technique will capture what's in your mind so you don't lie awake. Tell yourself you're putting your thoughts to bed so that you can go to bed. No sugar or alcohol before bed These may wake you up. If you need a snack before bed, make it protein. Try to get more sleep Get an extra hour or two of sleep every night for a week and see how you feel. You'll notice the difference! The purpose of writing this text is to _ . Answer: What exactly is a lie ?Is it anything we say which we know is untrue ?Or is it something more than that ?For example, suppose a friend wants to borrow some money from you. You say "I wish I could help you, but I am short of money myself." In fact , you are not short of money but your friend is in the habit of not paying his debts and you don't want to hurt his feelings by reminding him of this. Is this really a lie ? Professor Jerald Jellison of the University of southern California has made a scientific study of lying. According to him, women are better liars than men, particularly when telling a "white lie", such as when a woman at a party tells another woman that she likes her dress when she really thinks it's terrible. However, this is only one side of the story. Other researchers say that men are more likely to tell more serious lies, such as making a promise that they have no intention of carrying out. This is the kind of lie politicians and businessmen are supposed to be particularly skilled at :the lie from which the liar hopes to profit or gain in some way. Research has been done into the way people's behavior changes in a number of small, unimportant ways when they lie. It has been found that if they are sitting down at the time, they tend to move about in their chairs more than usual. To the trained observer they are saying "I wish I were somewhere else now". They also tend to touch certain parts of the face, particularly the nose. One explanation of this may be that lying causes a slight increase in blood pressure. The tip of the nose is very sensitive to changes and the increased pressure makes it itch. Another gesture that gives liars away is what the writer Decmond Morris in his bookMan Watching calls the "mouth cover". He says that there are several typical forms of this ,such as covering part of the mouth with the fingers, touching the upper lip or putting a finger of the hand at one side off the mouth. Such a gesture can be understood as an unconscious attempt on the part of the liar to stop himself from lying. Of course, such gestures as rubbing the nose or covering the mouth , moving about in a chair can not be taken as proof that the speaker is lying. They simply tend to happen more often in this situation. It is one gesture alone that gives the liar away but a whole number of things , and in particular the context which the lie is told. According to the passage, a white lie seems to be a lie _ . Answer: Government statistics recently showed that in the UK, more than 3,000 people a year experience electric shocks in their home. A smaller number of people are killed after contact with power lines outside the home. Electric shocks can cause a person's heart or breathing to stop, can also cause burns and are potentially fatal. It is essential for people to learn basic first aid techniques to deal with such emergencies. What to do? If you are the first person to reach someone who has had an electric shock, don't touch them! If they are still holding the appliance that has given them shock (e.g. a hair dryer), unplug it or turn off the power at its source. _ If you can't turn off the power, use a piece of wood, like a broom handle or a chair, to separate the victim from the appliance or the power source. You may even be able to do this with a folded newspaper. The victim must remain lying down. If they are unconscious, victims should be placed on their side. But they should not be moved if there is a possibility of neck or spine injuries unless it is absolutely necessary. It is essential to maintain the victim's body heat, so make sure you cover him or her with a blanket before you do anything else. If the victim is not breathing, apply mouth-to-mouth resuscitation . Keep the victim's head low until professional help arrives. If the electric shock has been caused by an external power line, the dangers to the victim and to anybody providing first aid are much greater. If you can't turn off the power, you cannot separate the victim from the appliance or the power source by using _ . Answer:
A place becomes chilly and then animals in that space Answer: retain more water There are three different kinds of friends in our life. I classify them according to how well I know them and how well they know me. The first type of friend is just an acquaintance . This means that you only know their names. You might not even remember what they look like if you go away for a short vacation. You don't miss them when they are elsewhere. It is also this type of friend who gives you the most amount of aggravation . Since most of the time you are placed in a position where you have to act friendly, you would not normally tell an acquaintance when he or she is doing something that makes you feel angry, such as tapping the fingers on a table or shouting loudly. I call them "pest friends".www.ks5u.com The second kind of friend is a "guest friend". They are just social partners. You meet them at a certain location and at the end of the meeting you go your separate way and they go theirs. You don't talk too often with this sort of friend, and you don't share each other's secrets. Lastly, we have "best friends". This sort of friend is there when you need them. They know you as a person and they are there through thick and thin. Best friends are the ones that you can lean and depend on no matter what happens. If you need a listening ear, they will be the one to lend support. Friends come in all different shapes and sizes. Every friend has an impact on our life. If someone is with you through thick and thin, it means _ . Answer: he/she is with you even when there are difficulties BALl, Indonesia-China, a booming economy known for its air pollution and rising greenhouse gas emissions , is winning praise at an international climate confernce for its efforts to clean up and support anti-global warming moves. Some experts believe prefix = st1 /Chinahas surpassed theUnited Statesas the world's emitter of greenhouse gases, yet it has made long steps in improving energy efficiency and promoting renewable energy, environmentalists and officials said on Friday. "I think China is taking climate change seriously, and that's a good sign that there will be a good outcome here in Bali,"said Artur Runge-Metzger, head of the European Commission delegation at the conference on the Indonesian island. Even hard-to-please environmental groups are praising Beijing, though it's clear China, which relies heavily on dirty, outdated coal burning techniques has a lot more to do. China ranked 40thon environmental watchdog Germanwatch's annual index , which ranks 56 industrialized and developing countries, was an improvement of four places over last year, the group said on Friday. The US and Saudi Arabiawere the worst on the list, at 55thand 56thplaces, respectively. Last year, theUSwas ranked 53rd, followed byChina,Malaysia, andSaudi Arabia. Germanwatch noted the Chinese government has carried out policies promoting renewable energy, including orders that solar, wind, hydroelectric and other forms of renewable energy provide 10 percent of nation's power by 2010. it also has ordered key industries to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent. Politicians and activists said Chian's defensive attitude of the past has given way to constructive discussions at the Bali climate change conference. Beijing has also taken the lead among developing countries in calling for wealthier nations to speed up the transfer of cleaner technologies to _ to help move away from fossil fuels. Hans Verolme, director of WWF International's Global Climate Change Program, attributed China's position to concerns over energy security and a recogniton that climate change is already having a severe effect on the country, with worsening droughts, water shortages and floods. Which country ranks the last on environmental watchdog Germanwatch's annual index? Answer: Saudi Arabia. The Fourth "21th Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition is to be held in prefix = st1 /Shanghai. Organizers: ChinaDaily andShanghaiBroadcasting Network. Co-ordinater: China University English Speaking Association (CUESA). Co-sponsors : English Speaking Union (ESU), Lotus Software (China)Co. Ltd. , Times Publishing Group of Singapore, HiltonShanghai, Pearson Education, Foreign Language Teaching & Research Press. Date: March 26 ( Friday), 2007 Place: Hilton Shanghai. Competition Format : Each student will present a prepared speech on the given topic, followed by a three -minute off - hand speech and a three - minute question and answer period with the judges. Prepared speech period: six minutes. Q & A period: three minutes. Speech topic: People and Nature: In search of harmony in a new age + your personal opinion. (Topics for the off hand speech will be given on the day of competition). Prizes: Besides books and certificates , the top two winners will be offered scholarships to travel to the annual international English -speaking competition which will be held by the English Speaking Union in London in May, 2007. The third and fourth place winners will be offered a study trip to Singapore, sponsored by the Times Publishing Group. The fifth through 10th place winners will be offered cash prizes. All the competitors will receive certificates from the English Speaking Union and book prizes provided by Pearson Education and Foreign Language Teaching & Research Press. The teachers of the top winners will also receive a one - year membership to the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language(IATEFL) An "off- hand speech"is _ . Answer: a speech without preparation Meryl Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film. She is regarded as one of the most talented actresses of all time. The following is a list of movies that Meryl Streep has been involved with: Kramer vs. Krammer (1979) In the film, Meryl plays a mother caught up in a custody dispute . Her co-star, Dustin Hoffman, said, "She's extraordinarily hardworking. I think she thinks about nothing else but what she's doing." Meryl won her first Oscar for her performance in this film. Sophie's Choice (1982) Meryl plays Sophie, a Polish war survivor. To prepare for the role she learned to speak German and perfected a Polish accent. Film critic Roger Ebert said, "This is one of the most astonishing and yet one of the most natural performances I can imagine." Meryl won her second Best Actress Oscar for her performance. Out of Africa(1985) Meryl is Karen Blixen, a Danish woman living in Kenya in the early 20th century. The story follows Karens attempts to run a coffee plantation and her love affair with big-game hunter Denys. The film is based on the memoirs of the real Karen Blixen. A Cry in the Dark (1995) This is based on the true-life case of the disappearance of baby Azaria. Meryl plays Linda Chamberlain, a mother who is wrongly accused of killing her own child. After spending four years in prison, it was found that wild dogs had taken away the baby. Meryl won Best Actress at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. The Bridge of Madison County (1995) This movie is based on one of the biggest bestsellers of the 20th century (the book sold 50 million copies worldwide). Meryl plays Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride living in 1960s Iowa. It's about her brief affair with photographer Robert Kincaid. Mamma Mial(2008) This is a romantic comedy based on the stage musical Mamma Mial, featuring the music from 1970s Swedish pop group ABBA. Meryl plays Donna Sheridan, a hotel owner on the Greek island of Kalokairi. Mamma Mial made over U.S. $ 600 million worldwide. Apparently, Meryl had seen the musical in 2001 and was completely absorbed in it. She had no idea that seven years later she'd be in the movie version. What do we know about Meryl? Answer: She enjoyed the musical Mamma Mial greatly.
Question: After a year of being prepared, Laura Dekker can't wait to set sail .Last August ,the Dutch government decided that Laura Dekker was too young to take on the challenge of sailing around the world alone. But after a year of preparing herself , Laura has been allowed to sail. "I was so happy I almost jump into the water," Laura said , after learning of the court's judgement. She was born on a yacht in the South Pacific ,and now lives with her father in a boat. When Dutch child protection groups first heard about her plan to sail alone , they stopped her from doing so . Since the decision, though, Laura had been preparing with her father to persuade the courts that she was ready. Last week she received the books and other materials she would need for school while she was at sea. She added safety equipment to a new, big ship. And she took her first aid course to learn several survival skills, like how to put out fires on the boat, take care of her own injuries and deal with lack of sleep. She also planned a safer course --- adding alternate routes to avoid pirate attacks, and planning a course that would have her on dry land as she moved from port to port across the world. Laura is using a larger and more safer boat. If she finished successfully in less than two years, she will take the title from current record-holder Jessica Watson, of Australia, who was 16 when she completed the journey. Why didn't the Dutch government allow Laura Dekker to sail alone ? A. She was too old to take care of herself B. She was too young to sail alone. C. She was not well prepared D. It would cause trouble to the government. Answer: B. She was too young to sail alone. Question: People without homes have always been present in America. In the past,they were called hobos,bums,or drifters. It was not until the early 1980s that these people received a new name,when activists named them the homeless. The types of people who were homeless also changed in the 1980s. No longer were they primarily older men. They were younger,with an average age of 35. Their numbers consisted of women,children,adolescents and entire families. They were of many races and cultures. No longer were they only in the inner city. They lived in rural areas and in large and small cities. No longer were they invisible to the people with homes and jobs. The homeless of the 1980s lived in packing crates and doorways. They slept on sidewalks and in public parks. They begged money from passersby. Counting the numbers of homeless people is difficult. However,in 1984 the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated the homeless population at between 250,000 and 350,000. In 1990 the Census Bureau counted about 459,000 people in shelters,in cheap hotels,and on the streets. In 1995 the National Alliance to End Homelessness estimated that there were 750,000 homeless Americans. The homeless of the 1980s also began to speak out for themselves. Some spoke to Congress and to government committees controlling funding for social programs. Street newspapers,such as Chicago's Streetwise and Boston's Spare Change,had stories,poems,and essays that expressed the homeless viewpoint. The visible and vocal presence of the homeless prompted help from volunteers and government agencies. But what is still needed is a solution to the _ of America's homeless population. How did the homeless speak out about their problems? A. By writing books. B. By moving to rural areas. C. By being elected to the government committees. D. By expressing their viewpoints in street newspapers. Answer: D. By expressing their viewpoints in street newspapers. Question: Below are some tips for women traveling alone. Exercise hotel safety There are many ways you can make a solo stay at a hotel safer. At cheek-in, you might consider asking for a room near the elevator so you won't need to walk down long, potentially ill-lit hallways to reach your room. When filling out guest registration forms, consider using your first initial instead of your name, and skip the" Mrs/Miss/Mr" check box. Additionally, make sure the clerk writes down your room number instead of saying it out loud. This will prevent anyone nearby from knowing where to find you later. Arrive during the day Arrive in new cities during the day. Areas around bus and train stations can be scary and/ojr deserted, and small towns tend to shut down early. Veteran solo traveler Mara Rothman of San Francisco notes that plenty of beautiful towns can appear mysterious at night, and locals who are genuinely trying to help you can appear unnecessarily threatening. Arriving during the day means you'll be able to find a place to stay and get to know where you are before dark. Keep your documents safe If you choose to wear a money belt, use it for storage and not as a purse. Constantly reaching under your shirt for money draws attention to it, and tends to defeat the purpose. Instead,keep your passport, extra stores of money, and other important documents well hidden, and use a bag or purse for carrying daily spending money. Dress appropriately To avoid attracting unwanted attention, dress as conservatively as the women you see around you. This doesn't necessarily mean wearing the traditional dress, as that can sometimes have the opposite result. A good rule of thumb is to dress modestly. Think knee-length or longer skirts. Bare arms, shoulders, and legs are considered risked in some countries, so do the research before you go and once you're there. Note which body parts the local women cover and do the same. Know when to make friends Traveling alone doesn't always mean being alone. There are plenty of situations in which seeking out company can make for a safer and more enjoyable experience. Smaller hotels and hostels are great places to find like- minded travelers to explore new places with. In some countries, there are women-only sections in trains and women's waiting rooms at train stations. Sticking close to families on public transportation and in unfamiliar public markets and bazaars is another technique some women use. Show confidence to a great extent Whether you're on a street at home or 7 ,000 miles away, walking confidently and with direction is an effective technique for deterring unwanted attention, since appearing lost or confused can make you weak and easily damaged. If you are lost,walk into a shop or restaurant and ask for directions there. Try to avoid obviously looking at maps while you're in the street. Study your route before you go, or find one of those wallet-sized maps that you can carefully palm and refer to secretly. Use common sense Using common sense is perhaps the single best tip for staying safe and having a good time while you,re traveling alone. This category includes the usual recommendations: don't walk around late at night , don't drink with strange men,don't ride in empty compartments on trains, don't compromise safety to save a few bucks on a hotel or transportation, and know how to use a pay phone. The main purpose of the passage is to tell women _ . A. where to travel alone B. how to make a safe and enjoyable trip C. what to read on travel D. how to meet new people when traveling Answer: B. how to make a safe and enjoyable trip Question: To be a good teacher, you need some of the _ of a good actor: you must be able to hold attention and interest of your students; you must be a clear speaker, with a good, strong, pleasing voice which is fully under your control; you must be able to act what you are teaching, in order to make its meaning clear. A good teacher doesn't sit still before his class; he stands all the time he is teaching; he walks about, using his arms, hands and fingers to help him in his explanations, and his face to express his feelings. Listen to him, and you will hear the loudness, the quality and musical note of his voice always changing according to what he is talking about. The fact that a good teacher has some of the gifts of a good actor doesn't mean he will indeed be able to act well on the stage, for there are very important differences between the teacher's work and the actor's. The actor has to speak words he has learnt by heart; he has to repeat exactly the same words each time he plays a certain part, even his movements and the ways in which he uses his voice are usually fixed beforehand. What he has to do is to make all these carefully learnt words seem natural on the stage. A good teacher works in quite a different way. His audience takes an active part in his play--they ask and answer questions, they obey orders, and if they don't understand something, they say so. The teacher therefore has to meet the needs of his audience. He can't learn his part by heart, because their brains couldn't keep discipline: they couldn't keep strictly to what another has written. If you want to be a good teacher, you should _ . A. act out what you have learnt strictly B. be a good actor on the stage C. sit all the time while teaching D. suit the need of different students Answer: D. suit the need of different students Question: Like many new graduates, I left university full of hope for the future but with no real idea of what I wanted to do. My degree, with honors, in English literature had not really prepared me for anything practical. I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world somehow, but I had no idea how to do that. That's when I learned about the Lighthouse Project. I started my journey as a Lighthouse Project volunteer by reading as much as I could about the experiences of previous volunteers. I knew it would be a lot of hard work, and that I would be away from my family and friends for a very long time. In short, I did not take my decision to apply for the Lighthouse Project lightly. Neither did my family. Eventually, however, I won the support of my family, and I sent in all the paperwork needed for the application. After countless interviews and presentations, I managed to stand out among the candidates and survive the test alone. Several months later, I finally received a call asking me to report for the duty. I would be going to a small village near Abuja, Nigeria. Where? What? Nigeria? I had no idea. But I was about to find out. After completing my training, I was sent to the village that was small and desperately in need of proper accommodation. Though the local villagers were poor, they offered their homes, hearts, and food as if I were their own family. I was asked to lead a small team of local people in building a new schoolhouse. For the next year or so, I taught in that same schoolhouse. But I sometimes think I learned more from my students than they did from me. Sometime during that period, I realized that all those things that had seemed so strange or unusual to me no longer did, though I did not get anywhere with the local language, and returned to the United States a different man. The Lighthouse Project had changed my life forever. What do we know about the author? A. His university education focused on the theoretical knowledge. B. His dream at university was to become a volunteer. C. He took pride in having contributed to the world. D. He felt honored to study English literature. Answer: A. His university education focused on the theoretical knowledge.
Beijing City International School Position: IT manager Major Duties and Responsibilities: Prepares and carries out the annual budget of the department. Builds and develops the whole school IT system Provides excellent IT services with IT team for teaching and business. Requirements/Qualifications: Bachelor or above, majoring in Information Technology or Finance. Good command of both Chinese and English Minimum 5 years working experience, 3 years in a managerial level Able to work in a collaborative style KAI CABLE INC. Position: Sales Internship Major Duties and Responsibilities: Builds and develops good relationship with new customers Maintains strong relationship with the existing customers Explores potential customers further Conducts market ~ competitors analysis to improve customer satisfaction. Requirements/Qualifications: Graduates with Bachelor degree. Major in Finance, Economics, International Trade. Fluent English (in both written ~ spoken) and Mandarin . Familiar with MS office, especially Excel and PowerPoint and Internet application Willingness to accept challenges and work under pressure. Strong sense of responsibility. Preoare for business trios. According to the 1st ad, which of the following is NOT included in the daily duties of an IT manager? A Making a plan of the annual expense of the department beforehand. B Analyzing the needs of the market and developing its IT systems. C Offering assistance if people have any computer problems. D Managing and controlling the money of the department. Answer: B Most people have heard the sound of bees among flowers. Bees live almost everywhere in the world except in the Arctic areas. Many kinds of agriculture depend on these small, social insects. Without bees, fruit and nut growers as well as many other farmers would not have a crop. There are more than 20,000 kinds of bees. But only honey bees make enough honey for people to use. Honeybees are highly-organized social insects. They work together in a group, called a colony . Each colony lives in a hive . It contains one queen bee -- she lays all the eggs from which the members of the colony come. Each colony has only a few hundred males, called drones. The majority of all bees in a colony are workers, which are all females. Bees even have a special stomach, called a honey stomach, which is used to store sweet fluid that the bees gather from flowers. Bees also have long hairs on their body and legs. These hairs capture pollen as bees go from flower to flower. Some of the pollen is taken back to the hive. Some, however, is passed to the next flower. This is how many plants are fertilized. Pollen is the reproductive material of plants. Many important agricultural crops depend on bees for fertilization. Inside their hives, bees store sweet liquid from flowers and pollen as well. They may even gather sweet liquid from some other kinds of insects. These kinds of sweet liquid are also stored in the hive. Bees make honey through a process. They add liquid from their own mouths to sweet liquid into simple sugar. As the honey is stored, it dries. It becomes thicker and darker. Although bees are often thought of as honey makers, they provide a surprising number of products. Also, their greatest economic value is in fertilizing crops-not in making honey. The word "fertilize" in the sentence "This is how many plants are fertilized" probably means " _ ". A to make plants strong and productive B to make soil rich for plants C to start the development of young flowers D to introduce pollen into plants Answer: D When people find out that the product they bought is unsatisfying or in some other way does not live up to the manufacturer's claims , the first step is to present the warranty , or any other records which might help , at the store of purchase . In most cases , this action will produce results . However , if it does not , there are various means the consumer may use to gain satisfaction . A simple and common method used by many consumers is to complain directly to the store manager . In general , the " higher up " his or her complaint , the faster he or she can expect it to be settled . In such a case , it is usually settled in the consumer's favor , assuming he or she has a just claim . Consumers should complain in person whenever possible , but if they cannot get to the place of purchase , it is acceptable to phone or write the complaint in a letter . Complaining is usually most effective when it is done politely but firmly , and especially when the consumer can demonstrate what is wrong with the item in question . If this cannot be done , the consumer will succeed best by presenting specific information as to what is wrong , rather than by making general statements . For example , " The left speaker does not work at all and the sound coming out of the right one is unclear " is better than " This stereo does not work . " The store manager may advise the consumer to write to be manufacturer . If so , the consumer should do this , stating the complaint as politely and firmly as possible . If a polite complaint does not achieve the desired result , the consumer can go to a step further . She or he can threaten to take the seller to court or report the seller to a private or public organization responsible for protecting consumer's rights . What's the best title of this passage ? A How to settle a consumer's complaint B How to make an effective complaint C How to avoid buying a faulty item D How to deal with complaints Answer: B What will people die of 100 years from now? If you think that is a simple question, you have not been paying attention to the revolution that is taking place in bio-technology . With the help of new medicine, the human body will last a very long time. Death will come mainly from accidents, murder and war. Today's leading killers, such as heart diseases, cancer, and aging itself, will become distant memory. In discussion of technological changes, the Internet gets most of the attention these days. But the change in medicine can be the real technological event of our times. How long can humans live? Human brains were known to decide the final death. Cells are the basic units of all living things, and until recently, scientists were sure that the life of cells could not go much beyond 120 years because the basic materials of cells, such as those of brain cells, would not last forever. But the upper limits will be broken by new medicine. Sometime between 2050 and 2100, medicine will have advanced to the point at which every 10 years or so, people will be able to take medicine to repair their organs . The medicine, made up of the basic building materials of life, will build new brain cells, heart cells, and so on---in much the same way our bodies make new skin cells to take the place of old ones. It is exciting to imagine that the advance in technology may be changing the most basic conditional human existence, but many technical problems still must be cleared up on the way to this wonderful future. According to the passage, human death is now mainly caused by _ . A diseases and aging B accidents and war C accidents and aging D heart diseases and war Answer: A What are predators? A herbivores B plant eaters C meat devourers D peaceful Answer: C
Nothing evoke Alaska like a whale exploding out of the water or an eagle pulling a silver fish from the river. Combine these images with high mountains, brilliant icebergs and wonderful meals and you really do have the Best of Alaska! Join us for an unforgettable 7-day excursion to the last frontier! Additional highlights include: a scenic flight over Glacier Bay National Park, a rafting trip through the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, historic Skagaway, a whale watching cruise and the company of knowledgeable local guides. HIGHLIGHTS: JUNEAU: Juneau, the state capital, is rich in culture and scenic beauty. It is here that we start and end our trip. HAINES: Haines is a small community located along the fiords . The natural beauty and expansive wilderness found here have made Haines a premier center for adventure in Alaska. In 2004, Haines was listed by Outside Magazine and National Geographic Adventureas one of the best places for recreation and living. The activities listed below are located in Haines. ALASKA INDIAN ARTS: Alaska Indian Arts is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation and continuation of traditional native craft and culture of the Northwest Native Tribes. Alaska Indian Arts is also the headquarters for several of Alaska's outstanding craftsmen and artisans. We spend a few hours learning carving, native beading and culture from these master artists. SKAGWAY: Skagway is famous for its role in the Klondike Gold Stampede over 100 years ago. Today, it is historic yet lively town, which still reflects its gold rush roots and contains colourful shops. In Skagway, we stop by the Klondike Gold Rush National Park Visitor's Center and ride the White Pass Yukon Route Railway. GUSTAVUS: Gustavus is the gateway to the Glacier National Park. We'll stay at a comfortable lodge here for two nights. This will be the base for both the whale-watching excursion and a full day cruise in Glacier Bay. DATES/PRICES: 2011: May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15. 7 days--$3,500, including lodging, all meals, excursions, guides, park fees, sales taxes, and transportation between Juneau, Skagway, Haines, and Gustavus. Not included: alcohol, personal items, airfare to and from Juneau. CONTACTS: E-mail: info@aladkamountinguides.com Call(800)766-3396 Write: Alaska Mountain Guides&Climbing School P.O.Box 1081, Haines AK99827 You can watch a whale exploding out of the water at _ . A the Glacier Bay National Park B the Klondike Gold Rush National Park C the White Pass Yukon D the Northwest Native Tribes Answer: A One day, the mouse, Rudd, got a splinter in his paw when he was putting a new fence around his house. His turtle friend with a weird name, Dig, came up to Rudd after he heard him yelling, "Ouch, I've got a splinter in my paw! Can someone help?" Dig, being the ever helpful turtle, took the splinter in his mouth and tugged it. The splinter popped right out of Rudd's paw and flew right into the air and then landed in the middle of the river. Rudd looked happy and gave Dig a hug. "Thank you so much, Dig! And for helping me, I'll give you the choice of one of these three desserts I found. What would you like to have? A cake? A cookie? Or maybe this brownie?" "Oh, Rudd, you are so silly and know you don't even have to ask me which one I'd take. You know I love brownies!" Dig smiled happily as Rudd gave him his treat and another hug for helping with the splinter. After the two friends finish their dessert, Dig helped Rudd put up the rest of his fence until the sun went down that day. It was a good day for both friends. Why did Rudd give Dig a treat? A Winning the ball game B Pulling the splinter out C Jumping in the river D Putting up a new fence Answer: B Any mistake made in the printing of a stamp raises its value to stamp collectors.A mistake on a two-penny stamp has made it worth a million and a half times its face value. Do you think it impossible? Well,it is true.And this is how it happened. The mistake was made more than a hundred years ago in the former British colony of Mauritius,a small island in the Indian Ocean. In l847 all order for stamps was sent to London Mauritius was about to become the fourth country in the world to put out stamps. Before the order was filled and the stamps arrived from England,a big dance was planned by the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces on the island.The dance would be held in his house and letters of invitation would be sent to all the important people in Mauritius.Stamps were badly needed to post the letters.Therefore,an islander,who was a good printer,was told to copy the pattern of the stamps.He carelessly put the words "Post Office" instead of "Post Paid", two words seen on stamps at that time,on the several hundred that he printed. Today, there are only twenty-six of these misprinted stamps left-fourteen One-penny Reds and twelve Two-penny Blues, Because there are so few Two-penny Blues and because of their age, collectors have paid as much as$16,800 for one of them. Mauritius is the name of _ A a Pacific island B a province of India C a stamp D a former colony of Great Britain Answer: D Like most people, I was brought up to look upon life as a process of getting. It was not until in my late thirties that I made this important discovery: giving-away makes life so much more exciting. You need not worry if you lack money. This is how I experimented with giving-away. If an idea for improving the window display of a neighborhood store flashes to me, I step in and make the suggestion to the storekeeper. One discovery I made about giving-away is that it is almost impossible to give away anything in this world without getting something back, though the return often comes in all unexpected form. One Sunday morning, the local post office delivered an important special delivery letter to my home, though it was addressed to me at my office. I wrote the postmaster a note of appreciation. More than a year later I needed a post-office box for a new business I was starting. I was told at the window that there were no boxes left, and that my name would have to go on a long waiting list. As I was about to leave, the postmaster appeared in the doorway. He had overheard our conversation. "Wasn't it you that wrote us that letter a year ago about delivering a special delivery to your home?" I said yes. "Well, you certainly are going to have a box in this post office if we have to make one for you. You don't know what a letter like that means to us. We usually get nothing but complaints." According to the author, _ . A giving means you will lack money B the excitement of giving can bring you money C you don't have to be rich in order to give D when you give away money, you will be rich Answer: C The new bookHarry Potter and the Half-Bloodis warmly welcomed by the children in China. It sells well across China. You can see and hear the advertisements about the book here and there. Why is the book so attractive to children? After reading it, I was attracted by the magic world. I can not help asking: where is our ownHarry Potter? China has a long history and colorful culture. With a large market of teenagers, China published many popular books among children. However, why are the present books not as good as those foreign ones? Firstly, quiet a number of children's are of strong sense of teaching, and they have little interest. Reading them, children often have a feeling of being "educated". Certainly, they don't like them. Secondly, fewer children like the same stories, but most Chinese books are usually much the same. One knows the ending as early as in the beginning. Finally, the writers seldom think about children's needs. _ for children should be interesting, and written in their language. About the present Chinese children's books, which is NOT right? A They have little interest. B Our writers seldom know children's needs. C Most of them are the same D They are better than foreign ones. Answer: D
No Car Day was first started by 34 cities in France on September 22,1998.It was started to protect the environment.By now,more than 1,000 cities around the world have had a No Car Day. The first No Car Day in China was in Chengdu in 2001.Other cities,including Taipei,Shanghai and Wuhan,also support the day. In Beijing,more and more people are joining the campaign.It asks drivers to leave their cars at home for one day each month and walk or ride a bike to work.It also calls on Beijingers not to use cars on June 5(World Environment Day).The _ for the day is,"If we drive for one less day,we can have one more nice day." So far,more than 200,000 drivers have shown their support."We can't control the weather,but we can choose not to drive,"said Wu Zonghua,a car club chairman.Beijing is trying to have 238 blue sky days this year.In the first quarter of 2012,Beijing only had 52 blue sky days.This was 11 days less than the number for the same period the year before.Much of the dust comes from the desert,but cars cause most of the air pollution.We must do more for No Car Day. Which of the following statements is TRUE? Answer: In order to know a foreign language thoroughly , four things are necessary. First, we must understand the language when we hear it spoken. Secondly, we must be able to speak it ourselves, correctly with confidence and without hesitation . Thirdly, we must be able to write it. We must be able to make sentences that are correct in grammar. There is no short way to succeed in language learning. A good memory is a great help, but it is not enough only to memorize the rules from a grammar book. It is no much use learning by heart long lists of words and their meanings, studying the dictionary and so on. We must learn by using the language. If we are pleased with a few rules we have memorized, we are not really learning the language. We must "Learn through use". Practice is important. We must practise speaking and writing the language whenever we can. Someone hears and writes English very well, but he speaks it very badly. This is because _ . Answer: Here are two stories from different parts of the world. They seem strange but, believe it or not, they re all true! John Lee was an Englishman who refused to be hanged! In 1884 the police said Lee had killed an old woman who he used to work with. There was nothing to show that Lee had killed the woman. Lee told the police he hadn't done it, but no one believed him and he was going to be hanged. On the day of the hanging, however, the door in the floor, through which Lee's body would fall, did not open. They tried three times but each time the door stayed closed, even though it had worked well the day before. In the end they sent Lee back to prison, where he lived for the next twenty-two years. At all times, John Lee said he hadn't killed the woman, and he believed it was the "hand of God" that had saved him from death by hanging. The police in Venezuela in South America followed a man home one night. He was the thief they wanted to catch. However, half of his house was standing in Venezuela and the other half was standing in Colombia . Venezuela's neighbor. When the police entered the house, the man ran upstairs to his bedroom, which was in Colombia, and called his lawyer . The Venezuelan police were not allowed to enter Colombia so they could not enter the bedroom. They asked the police in Colombia to help. The Colombian police refused to help because the man's crime was not a crime in Colombia. In the end, the Venezuelan police gave up and went back to the police station. What do we1know about the door in the floor? Answer: Bend over, take a deep breath and drink some water! This is just one of hundreds of tips you might get if you have the hiccups .Hiccups are so mysterious.We really don't know why they start and why they stop. Everyone has a favorite cure for a case of the hiccups.Some people think that a good scare is necessary to get well.Others eat a teaspoon of sugar.Still others drink a glass of water with a knife in it. An American man named Jack O'Leary said he had hiccupped 160 million times over a period of eight years.He tried 60,000 cures, but none of them worked.At last he prayed to Saint Jude, the saint of Hopeless cases, and his hiccupping stopped immediately. It took a British plumber eight months to cure his hiccups.People from all over the world wrote him letters with suggestions for getting well.He tried them all, but the hiccups continued.Finally, he drank a "secret" mixture someone had sent him.By that evening his hiccups were gone. Why did these cures work for these two men? No one really knows.But people who have studied many cases of hiccups have an idea--hiccups usually go away if you believe in the cure. From this passage, we can learn _ . Answer: Cool temperatures, golden colors of autumn and dramatic events are just three reasons to visit Oregon's Washington County this fall. The season brings a large number of places to see and things to do. We've collected some of the best reasons why you should plan a trip here in the coming months. It's a Harvest Season Autumn marks the height of the agricultural season, which not only means a variety of autumn fruits and vegetables at the farmers' markets, but also means that the season is heating up with fun, family farm events. Three apple festivals this fall will celebrate the diversity and deliciousness of Oregon-grown apples. The Colors Are Changing On a cool, autumn day, the rural, agricultural and forested scenery of Oregon's Washington County comes alive with bright red, orange and yellow leaves --- a stark contrast to the deep, dark green of the trees that share these landscapes. Bird Migration Season Is in High Season September and October are busy months for bird watchers. Migratory and native birds call Washington County "home", whether it's for the winter or they're just visiting on their southern voyage. Wine Harvest Season Brings Signature Tasting Events Celebrate the splendor of Oregon wine at two of the region's biggest wine events, which happen annually in the fall. The North Willamette Harvest Trail and Grand Tasting is a full-day guided bus tour to three wineries featuring hands-on experiences, vineyard exploration, a wine country lunch, and wine tastings. Experience Tree-to-Tree Adventures at Sunset Enjoy the crisp temperatures and rich colors of the season at Tree to Tree Adventure Park, an aerial ropes course with six challenging courses and zip-line park, all rolled into one. These are the final months to enjoy this fun and exciting attraction until it closes for the season in November. Plan your own Oregon's Washington County autumn getaway. Read this great digital visitor guide for ideas and inspiration. When you go to the farmers' markets _ . Answer:
If you could leave a farewell video for your loved ones that they'd see only if you died, would you do it? I think I would. I read about an app that helps people create a video to be published on a social-networking site only after death. Of course you don't need an app since it's easy to make your own video with smartphones, laptops and computers. But how many people do you know who would actually go ahead and leave "If I die" footage ? My father died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve three years ago and I've since longed for one more time to talk to him and hear his voice. Imagine if he had left such a video. I would see him again, hear his laughter and benefit from his parting words and advice. I don't think people, unless they have a terminal illness, go through life thinking they'd better leave a video in case of an _ death. But it is an opportunity to say all the things you want to say before it's too late. Still, some say that such a video robs loved ones of their own memories of you. Any special images they have would be superimposed by the video image you've created. Others think it's scaring and might be tempting fate. I expect my video would consist of reminders to my children: Be safe; be[:++Z+X+X+K]mindful of your surroundings; exercise good judgment; speak up; it never hurts to ask; don't waste time and "call when you get there". And in addition, I would repeat what I always tell them: I need to know where you are, every-step-of-the-way. That would make them laugh. Readers, would you find comfort in knowing you've said your farewells and left something concrete for your loved ones? What messages would you leave for family and friends? The purpose of mentioning his father's unexpected death is to _ . Answer: show that it is necessary to leave a farewell video Bob Pearson is an old man. He has two big houses and a new car. He has no wife. But he is the father of four children. He has two sons and two daughters. One son is from England. His name is Bill. The other son is from America. His name is Mike. One of his daughters is from Japan. Her name is Mikou. The other one is from China. Her name is Lanlan. Bob Pearson is not the children's real father, but he loves them very much. The children love their "father" , too. Bob Pearson _ the children very much. Answer: likes During the next several weeks I went completely to the wolves. I took a tiny tent and set it up on the shore of bay. The big telescope was set up in the mouth of the tent in such a way that I could observe the wolves by day or night. Quite by accident I had pitched (set up) my tent within ten yards of one of the major paths used by the wolves. Shortly after I had taken up residence one of the wolves came back and discovered me and my tent, but he did not stop or hesitate in his pace. Later, one or more wolves used the track past my tent and never did they show the slightest interest in me. I felt uncomfortable at being so totally ignored. The next day I noticed a male wolf make boundary markers by passing water on the rounds of his family lands. Once I had become aware of the strong feeling of property rights which existed among the wolves, I decided to use this knowledge to make them at least recognize my existence. One evening, after they had gone off for their regular nightly hunt I staked out a property of my own, including a long section of the wolves' path. In order to ensure that my claim would not be overlooked, I made a property mark on stones, dumps of moss, and patches of vegetation with a lot of tea. Before the hunters came back, task was done, and I retired, somewhat exhausted, to observe results. A few minutes later, the leading male appeared. As usual he did not bother to glance at the tent, but when he reached the point where my property line intersected (cut across) the trail , he stopped as suddenly as if he had run into an invisible wall. Cautiously, he extended his nose and sniffed at one of my marked bushes. After a minute of hesitation he backed away a few yards and sat down. Then, he looked directly at the tent and at me. His glare seemed to become more fierce as I attempted to stare him down. The situation was becoming intolerable. To break the impasse I turned my back on the wolf. Then quickly and with an air of decision, he turned his attention away from me and began a systematic tour of the area I had staked out as my own. As he came to each boundary marker he sniffed it once or twice, then carefully placed his mark on the outside of mine. Why did the author stake out an area of his own? Answer: Because he wanted the wolves to take recognizance of his existence. Hi, boys and girls! A new Mama store is in No. 1 Middle School now. Come and see at our great sale! We have bread for 3 yuan. Xiangpiaopiao milk tea is on sale for 2 yuan. Vegetable hamburgers are only 3 yuan. Do you need notebooks? They are only 6 yuan for three. We also have pens in all colors, only 1 yuan each . Some students want to buy socks. We have black socks for only 10 yuan for 3 pairs. For girls, we have socks in pink and purple, they are very nice. Come and buy your things at our great sale. We can't buy _ at the store. Answer: bags The Segway Human Transporter was invented by Dean Kamen.It is a two-wheeled vehicle designed for a single rider standing upright over its single axle and navigate using a set of handlebars resembling those on a bicycle.Electrically powered, it could travel over 15 miles on a single charge and reach speeds up to twelve miles per hour.Its speed and direction can be controlled by riders' changing their weights. A college dropout and self-taught engineer, Kamen already held over 100 patents for his inventions when he developed the one he hoped would revolutionize short-distance travel.While still in college, Kamen started developing the medical devices that made his name.Later, he changed focus to the challenges faced by wheelchair users.His robotic wheelchair known as IBOT could climb stairs.This robot ended up paving the way for the Segway. Before showing his most recent invention, Kamen had kept it a top secret for months.When it turned out to be little more than a motor scooter, many publicly expressed their disappointment.On closer examination, however, even his critics had to admit that the vehicle was an engineering achievement.It answered the prayers of anyone who is worn out when walking downtown.Not everyone welcomed the Segway's arrival, though.Some complained it was too expensive, while others said it would further weaken the average American ' s fitness.A Japanese inventor even accused Kamen of stealing the idea for the Segway from him. Despite the controversy, the U.S.postal service began using Kamen's invention a month after its appearance, and a factory was built with plans to produce about 40,000 Segways every month.The argument is still on whether the Segway will be remembered as the greatest invention since the light bulb, or just another forgettable electronic device.Anyway, trips to the local supermarket will never be the same again. Which statement best describes the critics' reaction to the Segway? Answer: Disappointing, but still a successful device.
The bedroom door opened and a light went on, signaling an end to nap time.The toddle , sleepy-eyed, clambered to a swinging stand in his crib.He smiled, reached out to his father, and uttered what is fast becoming the cry of his generation: "iPhone!" Just as adults have a hard time putting down their iPhones, so the device is now the Toy of Choice for many 1-, 2- and 3-year-olds.The phenomenon is attracting the attention and concern of some childhood development specialists. Natasha Sykes, a mother of two in Atlanta, remembers the first time her daughter, Kelsey, now 3 but then barely 2 years old, held her husband's iPhone."She pressed the button and it lit up.I just remember her eyes.It was like 'Whoa!' "The parents were charmed by their daughter's fascination.But then, said Ms.Sykes (herself a Black Berry user), "She got serious about the phone." Kelsey would ask for it.Then she'd cry for it."It was like she'd always want the phone," Ms.Sykes said. Apple, the iPhone's designer and manufacturer, has built its success on machines so user-friendly that even technologically blinded adults can figure out how to work them, so it makes sense that sophisticated children would follow.Tap a picture on the screen and something happens.What could be more fun? The sleepy-eyed toddler who called for the iPhone is one of hundreds of iPhone-loving toddlers whose parents are often proud of their offspring's ability to slide fat fingers across the gadget's screen and pull up photographs of their choice. Many iPhone apps on the market are aimed directly at preschoolers, many of them labeled "educational," such as Toddler Teasers: Shapes, which asks the child to tap a circle or square or triangle; and Pocket Zoo, which streams live video of animals at zoos around the world. Along with fears about dropping and damage, however, many parents sharing iPhones with their young ones feel guilty.They wonder whether it is indeed an educational tool, or a passive amusement like television.The American Academy of Pediatrics is continually reassessing its guidelines to address new forms of "screen time." Dr.Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, a member of the academy's council, said, "We always try to throw in the latest technology, but the cellphone industry is becoming so complex that we always come back to the table and wonder- Should we have a specific guideline for _ " Tovah P. Klein, the director of a research center for Toddler Development worries that fixation on the iPhone screen every time a child is out with parents will limit the child's ability to experience the wider world. As with TV in earlier generations, the world is increasingly divided into those parents who do allow iPhone use and those who don't. A recent post on UrbanBaby.com, asked if anyone had found that their child was more interested in playing with their iPhone than with real toys. The Don't mothers said on the Website: "We don't let our toddler touch our iPhones ... it takes away from creative play." "Please ... just say no. It is not too hard to distract a toddler with, say ... a book." Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a psychology professor who specializes in early language development, sides with the Don'ts. Research shows that children learn best through activities that help them adapt to the particular situation at hand and interacting with a screen doesn't qualify, she said. Still, Dr. Hirsh-Pasek, struck on a recent visit to New York City by how many parents were handing over their iPhones to their little children in the subway, said she understands the impulse . "This is a magical phone," she said. "I must admit I'm addicted to this phone." The passage mainly tells us _ . Answer: The snow went on falling, and they could see only a few meters in front of them. "We should go back," said Judy.She was afraid. "But where is the path ?" Everything was covered with snow.The sky was grey."What's the time?" asked Paul.Judy looked at her watch."Nearly 5 o'clock.It gets dark in an hour." "We must start walking, and hope we find the path.I think the snow's stopping."said Paul.But it wasn't stopping.The wind was strong.It blew around them, cold and wet. "Just keep going downhill."said Judy."We can't go wrong." Then Paul fell on some rocks.He shouted."Judy! I've hurt my leg!" He couldn't stand up.His leg hurt too much. "I'll have to phone for help."said Judy."I hope the mobile phone works up here!" Luckily it did.They phoned the mountain service ."Don't move! shouted the man on the phone.Stay where you are, we're sending a team there." They were not far from the path, so the team found them easily.They were lucky! People often get into trouble when they climb the mountains.You must always tell someone where you are going and take a mobile phone with you.Mountain is a dangerous place to be if things go wrong! What was the weather like? Answer: In Japan, people will often go out to restaurants to treat guests. The reason for this is that Japanese homes are small. If you go out to eat with your workmates, it is a custom to share the bill equally, no matter how much you eat or drink yourself. Japanese people use chopsticks to eat. But if you eat out, you can ask for a fork or a knife. These words have been adopted from the English language into Japanese. So if you say "fork" or "knife" to a waiter, he will probably understand you. If you eat in an expensive restaurant, waiters will usually place a hot towel on your table at the end of your meal. You can wipe your face and hands with this towel. In Japan, you can see some people slurp their noodles. It is considered rude in Western restaurants, but is acceptable in Japan. Western people usually blow on hot noodles first and then eat them, while Japanese do the cooling down gesture when they actually eat. Many feel noodles do not taste good if they are cooled with the air. It is also normal to lift the noodle or soup bowl to mouth so that food doesn't spill. Eating with chopsticks requires proper manners. Never leave your chopsticks standing upright, especially not on rice. It is a symbol of death, and people will find this impolite if you are not at a funeral . Never wave your chopsticks around, nor use them to move dishes around. If you are eating from a common bowl, use the back end of the chopsticks that you have not put in your mouth to dish the food out. Japanese people often treat their guests in restaurants because _ . Answer: Dave and John were playing catch in the living room. Rose told them that was dumb, but she did not stop them. She kept writing in her notebook. If they wanted to get in trouble, then they could. It was not her responsibility. Dave told John to go long. Dave did not have good aim and missed John's hands when he threw the ball. Instead he hit the lamp and knocked it over. He was glad he did not hit the dishes. Nor did he hit the cat. John was not glad that he hit the lamp, but was glad that the lamp was not broken. When John's dad came home, he was very happy that John came clean about the lamp even when it was not broken. After telling them off for playing inside, John's dad made them all a cake. The cake had lemon frosting, which was Dave's favorite. Rose cannot eat lemon, so she let Dave have her slice. He chose to take Rose's cake home to his Bro. Dave thanked her a lot. Who were playing in the living room? Answer: Dear Dr. White, Welcome to Philadelphia! Welcome to The City of Brotherly Love! We have some amazing historic sites to see during your stay. Do take advantage of them. You may have seen the filmThePhiladelphiaStory. Actually it is a comedy and still popular among the young though it was shot in the 1940s. "The City of Brotherly Love", the favored nickname for Philadelphia, is more popular. The name, Philadelphia, which means"brotherly love", is an ancient name that can be found in the Bible. Late in the 17th century, Philadelphia's founding father, William Penn, borrowed the name because its meaning represented his own beliefs. Our first stop will be the Franklin Institute which is one of the country's best science museums. The scientist and inventor Benjamin Franklin would take pride in the impressive museum named for him and presenting one of the major focuses of his life work -- spreading knowledge of the universe through science. It's the most visited museum and surely the most fun. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Also Franklin was a leading author, printer, politician, scientist, musician, inventor, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He earned the title of"The First American"for his campaigning for colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies, then as the first United States Ambassador to France, he contributed much to the building of the American nation. We won't miss Please Touch Museum too. The straightforward name of this museum is accurate: As the first museum in the nation to target children aged seven and younger, Please Touch Museum encourages children to learn through active touching and doing. It is certainly one of the best places for kids. Philadelphia is also unique in that it has a"State Store"system for non-alcoholic beer sales. Wine and spirits are only sold at stores operated by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. For many years, these stores were called"State Store", which were strictly closed on Sundays to prevent those under 21 from drinking wine and harming others. But I will show you around the stores. You can't imagine how impressive the stores are. Do you know Segway? It is a two-wheeled self-balancing battery-powered electric vehicle which is popular among those who prefer personal and green transportation. The Segway tour is a unique and fun experience to travel in Philadelphia. If you have never experienced a Segway tour before, we expect you to join us. Look forward to your coming! Sincerely, Joy Why weren't the stores allowed to sell wine on Sundays in Philadelphia? Answer:
It is easy to say "to be Best Friends Forever (BFF)". However, a true BFF helps out when the other is in trouble, not just once or twice, but for a lifetime. Milo is six years old. He has become Eddie's BFF. They are special because they are not humans, but dogs. Their owner, Angie Baker, brought them up. They spent many years playing together. However, last year, Eddie suddenly started walking into dustbins and walls. Soon he lost his eyesight. When Milo felt something was wrong, he decided to act as Eddie's "guide" dog. He leads Eddie through the house. When they go for walks, he holds Eddie's leash . Once, Milo had to spend a few nights at the hospital himself. Poor Eddie often bumped into walls and furniture. Ever worse, he got lost during walks. Angie realized how much Eddie depended on his friend. Luckily, Milo is now fine and back at his BFF's side, guiding him through life again. Eddie's BFF is _ . A Milo B Angie C Baker D himself Answer: A Many job opportunities are offered to those who wish to work. It helps if you know more than one language. There are good jobs for interpreters and typists who know English and another language. There are many good jobs in government. In most cases, you must be a citizen of this country, and you must take a civil service examination. These examinations are open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, or color. For many civil service jobs you need a high school diploma. The person who does not have a high school diploma can get one. There are several ways. You can study high school subjects at home and then take special tests. If you pass the tests, then you get a diploma. Or you can go to night school. There are classes that prepare you to take special tests to earn a diploma. You can attend a night school that grants a high school diploma if you complete certain courses. If you do this, you do not have to take the special tests. Be as well trained as you can. Get as much training as you can. Opportunity knocks at every door. Be sure that when it knocks at your door you are ready. In order to get a government job, you must take a certain _ . A course B trip C test D service Answer: C Global Positioning Systems are now a part of everyday driving in many countries. These satellite-based systems provide turn-by-turn directions to help people get to where they want to go. But, they can also cause a lot of problems, send you to the wrong place or leave you completely lost. Many times, the driver is to blame. Sometimes a GPS error is responsible. Most often, says Barry Brown, it is a combination of the two. We spoke to Mr. Brown by Skype. He told us about an incident involving a friend who had flown to an airport in the eastern United States. There he borrowed a GPS-equipped car to use during his stay. Barry Brown: "And they just plugged in an address and then set off to their destination. And, then it wasn't until they were driving for thirty minutes that they realized they actually put in a destination back on the West Coast where they lived. They actually put their home address in. So again, the GPS is kind of 'garbage in garbage out'." Mister Brown says this is a common human error. But, he says, what makes the problem worse has to do with some of the shortcomings, or failures, of GPS equipment. Barry Brown: "One problem with a lot of the GPS units is they have a very small screen and they just tell you the next turn. Because they just give you the next turn, sometimes that means that it is not really giving you the overview that you would need to know that it's going to the wrong place." Barry Brown formerly served as a professor with the University of California, San Diego. While there, he worked on a project with Eric Laurier from the University of Edinburgh. The two men studied the effects of GPS devices on driving by placing cameras in people's cars. They wrote a paper based on their research. It is called "The Normal, Natural Troubles of Driving with GPS." It lists several areas where GPS systems can cause confusion for drivers. These include maps that are outdated, incorrect or difficult to understand. They also include timing issues related to when GPS commands are given. Barry Brown says to make GPS systems better we need a better understanding of how drivers, passengers and GPS systems work together. What is Mr. Brown's attitude towards GPS? A Unconcerned B Prejudiced C Objective D Critical Answer: C City officials in South Jakarta must now cycle when performing their duties.in a move to help _ pollution and global warming."They can own a car and drive to work,but they must cycle when traveling to do their work",South Jakarta city spokesman Ahmad Sotar said,"This is compulsory.Cycling will not only reduce pollution and global warming,but also promote good health."He added,"The official can also get to know their residents better since now they call cycle through the narrow alleyways to reach their home.They can't do so if they drive". South Jakarta, the second--largest of five cities making up greater Jakarta, covers an area of 145 square kilometers and has 2.5 million residents.Over 200 officials in 10 sub.districts and 65 villages have been told about the new rule.Supporting the move,Meruyuny Village chief Selamat Aryadi said cycling would keep officials fit."I don't mind buying a bike.But there must be some exceptions. What will happen if there is a big fire or landslide which I need to attend urgently? I may be late for everything,"he said with a quiet laugh."I think if it,s raining heavily it makes more sense for me to drive.I just hope 1 won't get caught,"he added. Sotar said the officials do not have to cycle to attend to emergency calls."But it is no excuse to say they are too old and sick to cycle.That means they are also too old and sick to perform their duties so they should be replaced,"he said:"We will ask the residents to be our eyes and ears and tell us if the officials cycle or drive."Sotar said. If there is something urgent,_. A all official has nothing to do but cycle there B the residents are asked to be the eyes and ears C it is forgivable for an official to be late because of the rule D driving there is probably the best way Answer: D Christmas in the United States is traditionally a time of gift-giving and family gatherings.But small towns across the country have their own traditions. Middleburg,a small town in the state of Virginia,is known for its horses.For more than 50 years,Middleburg has organized a yearly Christmas parade .Men and women ride horses through the woods and fields.They follow hunting dogs as they search for a wild fox.But first,these hunters ride in the yearly parade,wearing their bright red hunting clothes and hats. John Hale,a citizen of Middleburg says many city people visit his town."We have a lot of people from an urban area that come to visit,but it incorporates a lot of the o1d traditions." The nighttime hay ride is one such tradition.Small groups gather under the moonlight on an open wagon filled with hay.The passengers sing as farm horses pull the wagon slowly across the fields. There are some newer traditions,too.Trey Matheu works at the nearby Salamander Resort.He says a visit to Middleburg is a chance to slow down for a day.He says Middleburg can be a calming,peaceful place without tension. "Middleburg is an opportunity to take a step back,to take a deep breath,and understand that even though life is moving on at a very fast pace,there's really an opportunity where you're allowed to step off for a little bit." Parade organizers say more than 13,000 people attend even in below-freezing weather. But if you ask,you will hear many different reasons why people come to watch the parade: "I come here because I'm from a small town. I like how everybody comes together.""I live right down that street;right there.And that's my dog." Middleburg looks its best at Christmastime.That may be why so many people return each year. Which of the following can be the best title for the text? A Middleburg Christmas parade B A small town known for horses C Christmas traditions in Middleburg D Newer traditions at Christmastime Answer: C
Question: My name is David Smith. I am an English boy. My family is in Hangzhou. My father and mother work here. My father is an engineer and my mother is a teacher. I have a sister but no brothers. My sister and I are students of Nol. 1 Middle School. We love Hangzhou, and we love China, too. We have a nice house in Hangzhou. We have a color TV and a computer. My room is big. There is a bed, a desk and two chairs in it. My books are on the bookcase. I have a phone on my desk. There are some pictures on the wall. I like my room and I like these pictures very much. David is _ . A. 13years old B. an engineer C. a teacher D. a student Answer: D Question: Dear new moms, You should teach your children manners as soon as your children can understand what you're saying. When your children do something right, let them know. When your children do something wrong, tell them how they should do it and why. Here are some basic manners for children: 1. Wait for their turn and don't _ other people when they are speaking. Tell them to wait until someone finishes speaking, and then ask questions. 2. Always greet the people who come over to your house. You can teach your children to shake hands with grown-ups who come over, but it's not necessary to shake hands with other children. Your children should always say "hello" or "hi" when someone comes to your home so that the guest feels welcome. 3. Say "please" and "Thank you" often. And say "You're welcome" to answer others' "Thank you". 4. After playing a game, no matter what the result is, be pleased. If your children win, tell them not to show off , but to be kind. If they lose, tell them not to get mad and tell the other children that they did a good job or speak well of them. Yours Dr. Dave A new mom should teach her children manners when they _ . A. were born B. are grown-ups C. go to school D. can understand what she is saying Answer: D Question: While traveling, you'll be taking money, license or passport. Or you will buy something expensive to take back home with you and you don't want it to get stolen. Here are some ideas on how to keep your valuables safe while traveling Plan ahead of time Think of what you really need and don't need to take on your trip. Only take the valuables that you must have, not just ones that you would like to have. Carry your valuables on your person Something that is small, like cash and credit cards and your passport, can be carried in a money wallet around your neck or in a money belt. This way, your valuables are hidden and right next to you, where you know where they are at all times. Wear clothing that can hide the money belt. Carry larger valuables in your carry-on bag. If you can't fit it in your money wallet like some large valuables, you'd better put them somewhere that you will keep touch with them. Your can put them on the plane, so you don't have to worry about the airline losing your bag or someone stealing it from the belt after the flight before you get to it. Choose a hotel that has the front desk for valuables. This way, you don't have to worry about housekeeping getting hold of your valuables, or someone stealing your valuables if your room is broken into. If you give the valuables to the front desk to keep for you, choose a time when others are not looking. You can carry all of the following valuables on your person EXCEPT _ . A. your cash B. credit cards C. your passport D. your large valuables Answer: D Question: Chinese female scientist Tu Youyou won the 2015 Nobel Prize in medicine on October 5 for her discoveries concerning a novel treatment against Malaria . This is the first Nobel Prize given to a Chinese scientist for work carried out within ChinA. Tu shared the prize with Irish-born William Campbell and Satoshi Omura of Japan, who were honored for their revolutionary anti-roundworm treatment. 84-year-old Tu is awarded this prize for her contribution to cutting the death rate of malaria, reducing patients' suffering and promoting mankind's health. Although she received several medical awards in the past, the 2015 Nobel Prize is definitely the most privilege reward that recognizes Tu's dedication and perseverance in discovering artemisinin , the key drug that battles malaria-friendly parasites . However, her route to the honor has been anything but traditional. She won the Nobel Prize for medicine, but she doesn't have a medical degree or a Phd. In China, she is even being called the "three-noes" winner: no medical degree, no doctorate, and she's never worked overseas. No wonder her success has stirred China's national pride and helped promote confidence of native Chinese scientists. The fact that Tu has none of these three backgrounds reminds us that science should be more accessible to all. One shall be able to become a scientist no matter what kind of background he or she comes from, as long as one dives into scientific research. There have been discussions on people who really love science but are never able to achieve much during their whole life. Their contributions can never be ignored. They work so hard to prove the wrong way so that the future researchers will be closer to the right one. As the first Chinese mainland Nobel Prize Winner of natural science award, Tu's record-breaking winning also serves as a reminder to those who are too eager for instant success. Science is never about instant success. Tu spent decades on scientific research before its value is officially acknowledged. There is no way to measure how much one devotes to science and compare it with how much reward he or she may get. In writing the passage, the author intends to _ . A. inform readers of the news and make comments B. discourage the pursuit of instant success in science C. remind readers of the principles of scientific research D. praise the award winner and encourage scientific research Answer: A Question: Erica is a nine-year-old girl. Today is a beautiful day for Erica. Her uncle will come from Australia today. Her uncle is twenty- seven. He lives there for three years. He will bring a big surprise for Erica. The school is over. And Erica puts her books in the bag and goes out of the classroom. She is running home and thinking about her uncle. She wants to know the surprise. "Is it a surfboard? That is fun! I can learn how to surf!" "Are they Australian nuts ? Oh, I can eat nuts all day!" "Or maybe he brings a kangaroo( )? That is not good. I don't have a place in my room for a kangaroo... " Erica gets home at four o'clock. Her parents are there, and her uncle is there! She is very happy to see him. "Uncle, uncle," she calls, "What surprise do you have for me from Australia?" "Well," her uncle smiles and answers, "I have for you an Australian uncle. " Erica is going home _ . A. on foot B. by car C. by bike D. on a bus Answer: A
Question: A person who is unable to hunt for nourishment may still survive and even thrive if they A. harvest human organs B. burn crops C. purchase produce D. spend time alone Answer: C. purchase produce Question: The huge explosion in Tianjin is only a symptom of a much bigger problem plaguing China today ! Laws are often not enforced , or are enforced half-heartedly. The law clearly prohibits storage of dangerous goods and chemicals within a certain radius of residential areas, and there must be strict adherence to rules on storage and transportation, etc. The fact that this accident occurred so close to residential areas, resulting in devastating damage to homes and serious injuries to residents, shows that the law was not strictly enforced. Whoever approved the siting of that logistic plant in that particular area has a lot to answer for. Often, officials come to take action only after lives are lost. Another case in point is the unfortunate death of a young mother in the escalator accident in a shopping mall recently. Problems with elevators and escalators have been around for ages, and residents have made countless complaints, but to no avail. After the accident, city officials fan out all over the country checking on escalators for faults, and many escalators have been shut down for repairs. This kind of action is a kneejerk reaction to a serious disaster! There are many disasters waiting to happen. And all are due to weak or non-existent enforcement. For instance, it's well known that many residents add an extra floor to the roof-top of their apartment bocks, endangering the safety of the block, while others dig into their ground floor units to create an extra basement living area, hacking away concrete slabs and cutting steel bars which are the basic foundation of the building, seriously jeodardizing its safety. Neighbors complain, city officials come round and leave, saying they can't do anything as the owner wouldn't open his door for an inspection! They would often leave a note on the owner's door telling him to stop construction, but true to form, the owner just ignores it. This is the kind of enforcement we see so often in China. What is urgently needed in China is a complete overhaul of the enforcement practice, with every official held accountable for his failure to enforce the law strictly! Why wait till lives are lost before acting? The author wrote the passage to _ A. blame some officials B. make a complaint C. call on acting before lives are lost D. urge that more laws should be made Answer: C. call on acting before lives are lost Question: It's Really a Miracle Mr. Clarke works in New York and he brought his family to China last summer. They visited many places of interest and had a good time here. Before they left for New York, the Clarkes climbed the Great Wall. It was the greatest project over two thousand years ago. They took a lot of photos there and then they had a picnic under a big tree. Suddenly it began to rain and they hurried to the car. And when they returned to the hotel, they couldn't find the bag in which their expensive camera was. They were all sorry for it. They could buy another camera but had no time to go to the Great Wall again. They could not miss the plane! That evening they didn't have supper. Mr. Clarke hoped to make them happy, so he said, "Well, let me tell you a story. An old man lived in a sixty-storey building. One day he fell down from it when he was cleaning the window. But he didn't hurt himself." "It was a miracle!" called out his children, "Why?" "Because he lived on the first floor!" They all began to laugh while two policemen with a bag came in. They said a Chinese boy found it under a big tree and he asked them to find out who lost it. "It's really a miracle!" the Clarkes said happily. Where did the Clarkes enjoy themselves before they left for New York? A. In London. B. In Beijing. C. In Shanghai. D. In Hong Kong. Answer: B. In Beijing. Question: Below are the top four supermarket chains in the world in 2012 and the reasons behind their success. Tesco Headquartered in Chestnut, United Kingdom , this global grocery store is one of the largest supermarket chains in terms of revenues and profits. If was founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen. Tesco stores can be found across all continents. Even though it was set up only for food and beverages, Tesco has drastically branched out , not only in geographical terms, but also in terms of products. Which now include electronics , clothing, health care, home improvement and even financial services. Safeway Founded in the year 1915 by a young M. B, Skaggs. Safeway developed from just a small grocery store on the fundamentals of providing value to customers and narrow profit margins. The success story of Skaggs becomes more evident when , by the end of the year 1926,he had opened almost 428 stores across ten states. Almost two years later, Safeway was listed at the New York Stock Exchange . At present, there are more than fifteen hundred Safeway stores across US and Canada. The Kroger Company Founded at Cincinnati, Ohio, US in 1883 by Mr. Bernard Kroger, the Kroger Company is now one of the largest supermarket chains not only in the US. but across the world . Over the last couple of decades, the Kroger Company has vastly expanded by acquiring popular brand names, including those of Owen's Market. Its stores are largely spread out across Middle. Western and Central United States. Reve-Gruppe Reve - Gruppe was founded in 1927 and is presently headquartered at Cologne, Germany . This supermarket chain is easily counted among the top supermarket chains of the world . Its vast line of products includes grocery, home improvement, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, optical as well as clothing . Its stores can be found in as many as fourteen European countries, providing employment to more than 325,000 people. According to the passage, the Kroger Company_. A. is presently headquartered in the United Kingdom B. has fifteen stores in the US and Canada C. developed quickly by acquiring popular brand names D. provides employment for more than 325,000 people Answer: C. developed quickly by acquiring popular brand names Question: Miss. Green taught Physics in a London school. Last month she explained to one of her classes about sound, and she decided to test them to see how well she did in her work. She said to them, "Now, I have a sister in Washington. If I was calling her on the telephone, and at the same time you were 20 metres away, and listened to me from the other side of the street, who would hear what I said earlier, my sister or you? And why?" The cleverest boy answered at once, "Your sister, Miss. Green, because electricity travels faster than sound waves." "That's very good." Miss. Green said. But then one of the girls put up her hand. Miss. Green said, "Yes, Betty?""I don't think so," Betty said. "Your sister would hear you earlier because when it's eleven o'clock here, it's six o'clock in Washington." She wanted to know _ . A. whether her students could tell which was faster, electricity or sound waves B. whether her students could hear from 20 metres away C. whether she could call her sister in Washington D. whether her sister could hear her in Washington Answer: A. whether her students could tell which was faster, electricity or sound waves
Question: Hippos live in Africa. Their sweat is red. Sometimes they walk a long way to find water. In fact hippos walk in the water. They can't swim. Hippos love to play in the water in the day. They liked to eat plants at night. They never eat meat. They are easy to be angry. An adult hippo is about 3,000 kg. He can run very fast. But he cannot run a long way. His longest tooth is about 60 cm. His open mouth is big. A child can get into it. Crocodiles eat young hippos. But they cannot adult hippos. The mother hippos often go with their children because _ . A. the baby hippos are very naughty B. they like their children C. crocodiles may eat baby hippos D. they like to play games with them Answer: C Question: The Wal-Mart in Cleburne, Texas, was crowded. People were waiting in long lines at checkout counters to pay for small things that would be next-morning treasures under someone's Christmas tree. The woman standing in cashier Jeffrey Kandt's line seemed to be living on the edge of subsistence . Her clothes were worn and her hands were those of a person who'd worked hard for what she had. She held a single item in her arms as she patiently waited to move to the front of the line -- a Sony CD player. She had saved all year for this. With tax, the total would be close to $ 220. As the woman got close to the cashier, she suddenly shouted, "Where's my money? All of my money fro my son's gift! Oh no!" "Why my line?" Kandt thought as he watched the poor woman searching through her clothes. He was going to have to call his manager to avoid the sale but it would mean a long wait for the customers behind her. "I am going to go home late tonight," Kandt thought. Then an amazing thing happened. At the back of the line, a man took out his wallet, pulled out $100 and passed it forward. As the cash moved up the line, a twen5ty-dollar bill was added here, and a ten-dollar bill was added there. When the collection finally reached the registewr, Kandt counted $ 220. Strangers had fulfilled a poor woman's Christmas wish. The poor in his line at the Wal-Mart in Cleburne, Texas, had come together on Christmas Eve, 2002. Which of the following statements is TRUE about Jeffrey Kandt when the woman couldn't find her money? A. He was impatient and wanted to go home. B. He wanted to see whether the woman had money or not. C. He wanted the woman to stand in another line. D. He didn't think about the customers waiting behind the woman. Answer: A Question: Mr Reese was born in a big city. His father had several companies and got a lot of money. He could give his son all the young man wanted. He was busy with his business and never asked him how he got along with his studies. So the boy spent most time in the restaurants or cinemas. Of course he was weak at his lessons and learned nothing at school. He made many friends but none of them was good and when they knew he came from a rich family, they began to teach him to gamble . Of course he lost much money. Now Mr Reese was twenty and finished middle school. He could not do anything. But his father didn't mind it until one day he found the young man had sold one of his companies. He became so angry that he made him leave his house. The young man couldn't gamble any longer. His friends made him pay his debt. He had to ask his mother to help him and the woman often gave him some money. But one evening his father happened to find it. The old man stopped his wife from doing so. They began to fight in the room. The young man brought out a knife and killed his father. His mother helped him to run away, but soon after that he was caught and sentenced to death. It was a cold and wet day. Suddenly it began to rain hard when Mr Reese was being sent to the execution ground . Soon both he and the soldiers were wet through. He said angrily, "Bad luck! I shall be shot in such bad weather!" "Don't complain , brother, "said one of the soldiers. 'You're luckier than us all. We'll have to go back to the city after that!" Old Reese never wanted to know about his son's studies because _ . [ ] A. he was sure his son was good at his lessons B. he spent all his energies on his business C. he knew nothing about the education D. his wife looked after their children Answer: B Question: BEIJING - The country's top health officials state that an international charity's decisions not to give millions of dollars to Chinese organizations that fight AIDS and other diseases will not bring about the end of those organizations. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced on Monday that it will withhold $95 million from the $270 million in grants it had planned to give China. That decision came as the result of months of discussion between the charity and Chinese officials. On the mainland, a large number of programs meant to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS have received money from the Global Fund. Many observers now fear that the announced cut will undermine those organizations' work. Chen Zhu, the minister of health, said officials have found a way to limit the harm. "In the coming five years, the Chinese government will constantly increase its financial support of social organizations, particularly those that work to control and prevent HIV/AIDS." Chen said while addressing the 6th Experience Exchange Conference of International Cooperation Program on HIV/AIDS in China on Monday. In a recent survey of more than 200 organizations taking part in the fight against HIV/AIDS on the mainland, nearly 80 percent of them said they had received grants from the Global Fund. About 83 percent of them said they will find it difficult to continue operating without financial support from abroad, it said. Official statistics showed the Global Fund has given China $548 million in grants since 2003. Xia Jing, leader of a Beijing-based grassroots organization dedicated to controlling AIDS, said: "We were like children fostered by foreign milk. As foreign money began to be withdrawn from China, we were faced with serious financial hardships." Han Mengjie, executive director of Global Fund China Programs, said the Chinese government has fully recognized the important role social organizations play in controlling diseases. "The work done and efforts made by such organizations must be sustained for a long time to supplement the government's intervention work,"he said, "We have to face the truth that international money for AIDS control will gradually leave China and to prepare ourselves to deal with that." Which sentence is the closest to the title of the passage? A. China will have to fight against AIDS alone, though facing financial hardship. B. Chinese organizations of fighting against AIDS and other diseases won't receive money from international charity. C. The fight against AIDS won't be stopped by the withdraw of money from charity in China. D. Chinese organizations of fighting against AIDS and other diseases will be reduced to despair. Answer: C Question: There are some places in the world where great cities once stood. There were trees, gardens and grass. But now these cities have gone and the places are like deserts. Scientists began to study this land to find out what happened. Many of them believed the land died when the trees were cut down. Trees help other plants grow and help hold the soil in place. They keep the soil from blowing away. The leaves of trees on the ground keep rainwater from running off. Trees near farms protect growing plants from strong winds. Once there were hundreds of farms in the southwestern United States. Then the farms turned into fields of dry dust. Trees might have saved these farms. But few trees grow in the dry southwest now. Now we try to save trees. In many places, when a tree is cut down , a new tree is planted in its place . We do not want the land to die. Places where great cities once stood are now like _ . A. farms B. gardens C. deserts D. fields Answer: C
Converting electricity into different types of energy may be done by DVD players Do you want to see the effects of global warming? Then head north.Will Steger is going to take all of us there. Steger,64, the first person to make a dogsled trip to the Noah Pole,is a very famous and admired polar explorer.He's at home in frozen parts of the world where few humans ever step on.Steger is also a devoted environmentalist who was early to ring the alarm bell on global warming.He saw its effects firsthand in frequent polar expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica. Steger is about to lead a team of six young adventurers on a 1,400-mile,60-day-long dogsled trip across Ellesmere Island, in the Canadian Arctic.The sea ice in that region should still be frozen."We want to take our audience to the front lines of global warming,"says Steger. The team will be uploading videos,stories and photos to the website global-warming 101.com as they march along,allowing armchair adventurers and kids in classrooms to follow their progress day to day."We can actually bring the audience up there,"Steger says. Stege's team will include some already-famous young explorers.Sam Branson, the22-year-old son of British airline tycoon Richard Branson,is an experienced Arctic traveler.Also on the journey will be 27-year-old Norwegian Sigrid Ekran.Last year,Ekran became only the second woman in history to win Rookie of the Year for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. What they will see may be surprising.Even Steger doesn't know exactly what to expect.Climate change has already reshaped the geography of the Arctic."Within a decade or less, it's going to be impossible to reach the North Pole by dog team,without flotation ,"says Steger. Climate change is happening,but people can change too.Their willingness to change will determine the shape of Earth's future. Steger is the following except_. a famous British airline tycoon Famous centenarians still active in arts, science are in no mood to retire. "Those who stand still, die," is one of Oliveira's favorite phrases. He knows from experience what it means, as the Portuguese film director has reached the age of 102 and is still active in his profession. Every year, Oliveira shoots a film and is currently working on his next project. "You have to work, work, work in order to forget that death is not far away," he said. When asked about his age, Oliveira said with some humility: "It's down to mother nature. It gave to me what it took from others." Being both mentally and physically fit in old age is partly a matter of luck, but it also has something to do with character. Not every white-haired person is wise and social skills, openness and the ability to train the brain are essential for senior citizens. Along with the architect Oscar Niemeyer (103), Nobel laureate Montalcini (101) and director Kurt Maetzig (100), Oliveira is one of those people of whom it would be very wrong to think as members of a listless elderly generation. Another master in his profession is the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The 103-year-old Brazilian is best known for his futuristic-looking buildings in Brasilia, but he also speaks out on behalf of the poor. "The role of the architect is to struggle for a better world where we can develop a form of architecture that serves everyone and not just a privileged few," said Niemeyer recently. He spends almost every day working in his office in Copacabana, and even when he falls ill he keeps working on ideas: After a gallbladder operation he composed a samba tune in the clinic. Another man who could sing a song about age is 107-year-old Heesters. The Dutch-born opera singer spent most of his life performing in Germany, where he still works. Recently Heesters said: "I want to be at least 108-years-old." He also plans to keep performing. " _ " Heesters has not given up trying to add to his tally of awards and is looking for a "good stage role". Italian scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who is 101-year-old and is still active in medical science, has described the force that keeps driving her on: "Progress is created through imperfection." In 1986 she and her lab colleague were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on nerve growth factor. She's convinced that humans grow on challenges. With so many brilliant examples given, we can see clearly that age is no barrier to some high achievers. In the writer's opinion, the architect Oscar Niemeyer is not _ . pessimistic In just two months, the latest buzzword from the Internet, diaosi, has spread so much that it can be found everywhere--from online forums to micro blogs. Many people even call themselves diaosi. It's not the first time a term has gone popular on the Internet in China. However, why is the word so viral that is has become a cultural phenomenon? Here, we tell you something you want to know about it. Where it began The word originated in Baidu. Com's Tieba (a top Chinese bulletin board system) of soccer player Li Yi. There, fans of Li, who are called yisi in Chinese, not only talk about soccer but complain about their lives, work and relationships. Yisi, who are known for their rude and dirty language, were given the name diaosi by others who have seen their posts. What a "diaosi" is like The word diaosi was coined first by single, young men who feel they have dead-end lives. Generally, men in this category don't earn enough, are not good-looking, and have difficulty winning promotion . Unlike their upper-class contemporaries , they lack influential families, useful social networks for their careers, and most importantly, suitable women to marry. "I'm just a diaosi, poor and plain-looking. Who will marry me?" The sigh can be heard, which is half self-mockery , half reality. Many young men call themselves diaosi because they feel they are among the lowest classes of the society. "Diaosi" culture reflects social changes According to Zhu Chongke, a professor in the School of Asia-Pacific Studies at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, the popularity of this word diaosi stems from the fact that is was created by common people and thus resonates with a huge population. "Labeling yourself a diaosi offers a way for people to mock themselves and relieve pressure, hence it spread quickly," he told Xinhua Agency. "The attitude is basically: 'I already have little to lose, so why don't I mock myself for gun?'." The phenomenon reflects a larger social issues. These young people have no influential family background, no chances of receiving promotion at work or no economic strength to find a proper woman to marry. It reflects a deep sense of loss. Diaosi refers to the ones with following features except _ . the ones who have suitable people to marry. I do not need a calendar to tell me when it is winter. All I need is my nose. When I wake up in the morning and smell the tasty treats my mom is cooking downstairs, I know winter has arrived. The first one is the smell of chocolate. During the holiday season (from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day) my mother makes her special hot chocolate. She always adds a peppermint candy cane to the drink and tops it with cream. The hot chocolate gets me out of bed, but it is my mother's chocolate fudge that makes me run downstairs. It is a thick chunk of chocolate that tastes like heaven. My mother adds nuts. That gives it more texture . But my mother isn't done yet. She also makes a treat she calls "window panes ". She takes a few different colored marshmallows and melts them together with chocolate. The final product looks like a colorful church window, so we call it "window panes". These tasty holiday treats are usually eaten after a meal as a dessert. But don't tell Santa Claus because I secretly eat them all day long. What wakes "me" up in the morning? The smell of food.
Wouldn't it be great if you could just look up at the sky and read the weather forecast right away? Well, you can. The forecast is written in clouds. If you can read that writing, you can tell something about the atmosphere. With some practice, you can become a pretty good weather forecaster. Who knows, you might even do as well as meteorologists . Meteorologists use much more information than just the appearance of the clouds to make their forecast. They collect data from all over the world. Then they put it into powerful, high speed computers. This does give the meteorologists an advantage, because they can track weather patterns as they move from west to east across the country. But you have an advantage, too. You can look at the sky and get your data directly. A meteorologist uses a computer forecast that's several hours old to make a local forecast. What are you seeing when you look at a cloud? "A picture of moisture is doing in the atmosphere," says meteorologist Peter Leavitt. There's moisture throughout the atmosphere. Most of the time you don't see it, because it's in the form of an unseeable gas called water vapor. Sometimes, the temperature of the air gets cold enough to cause the waster vapor to change to liquid water. It's called condensation , and we see it happen all the time (for example, when humid air from the shower hits the cold glasses of a mirror). When enough water vapor condenses , droplets come in the air. These droplets scatter light. A cloud is seen. Watching clouds over a day or two tells you a lot more than a single cloud about the weather to come. Changes in clouds show changes in the atmosphere. You should begin to notice patterns. Certain clouds, following each other in order, can signal an approaching storm. But don't take our word for it; see for yourself. Meteorologists can make their weather forecast _ . A by using information of the appearance of the clouds only B by collecting data from parts of the world C by collecting and analyzing the data D by watching the sky Answer: C "If there is one thing I'm sure about, it is that m a hundred years from now we will still be reading newspapers. It is not that newspapers are a necessity. Even now some people get most of their news from television or radio. Many buy a paper only on Saturday or Sunday. But for most people reading a newspaper has become a habit passed down from generation to generation. The nature of what is news may change .What basically makes news is what affects our lives - the big political stories, the coverage of the wars, earthquakes and other disasters, will continue much the same. I think there will be more coverage of scientific research, though .It's already happening in areas that may directly affect our lives, like genetic engineering. In the future, I think there will be more coverage of scientific explanations of why we feel as we do - as we develop a better understanding of how the brain operates and what our feelings really are. It's quite possible that in the next century newspapers will be transmitted electronically from Fleet Street and printed out in our own home. In fact ,I'm pretty sure how it will happen m the future. You will probably be able to choose from a menu, making up your own newspaper by picking out the things you want to read - sports and international news, etc. I think people have got it wrong when they talk about competition between the different media .They actually _ each other. Some people once foresaw that television would kill off newspapers, but that hasn't happened. What is read on the printed page lasts longer than pictures on a screen or sound lost in the air. And as for the Internet. it's never really pleasant to read something just on a screen. What is the best title for the passage? A The Best Way to Get News B The Changes of Media C Make Your Own Newspaper D The Future of Newspaper Answer: D One day, when Jack is taking a walk on the street, he hears a voice. He finds a girl crying in the street. "Why are you crying, little girl?" Jack asks. "I lost my doll," the girl answers. "Don't cry, little girl. I'll go to the shop and buy a new doll for you," Jack says. So the little girl follows Jack to the shop and Jack buys a very nice doll for her. The little girl begins to feel happy. Then Jack says goodbye to her. But a few minutes later, Jack hears the girl crying again. "Why are you crying again?" Jack asks the little girl. "If I hadn't lost my doll, I'd have two dolls!" the girl says. Why does the little girl cry again? A She lost the doll again. B She don't like the doll. C She thinks she should have two dolls, but now she only has one. D She only has two dolls. Answer: C A man had two large pots. One of the pots had a crack in it, so while the other pot always delivered a full pot of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to his house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. This went on every day for years. One day a neighbor asked the man, "One of your pots has been broken for years. It can only deliver half its load, so you don't get full value from your efforts. Why don't you buy a new one?" The man smiled and said, "Please follow me to my house, and you may see some beautiful flowers." On the way to the man's house, the neighbor took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path. The man said to the neighbor, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on one side of the path, but not on the other side? That's because I have always known about the flaw of my pot. I planted flower seeds on one side of the path. Every day when I walk back from the stream, the broken pot waters them. For years, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my house. Without the broken pot, I would not have this beauty." We can learn from the passage that the man _ . A told a lie to his neighbor B accepted his neighbor's suggestion C took advantage of the flaw of his pot D didn't like his broken pot Answer: C If parents had job descriptions, mine would read: organize bills, playmates, laundry(washing clothes), meals, snacks, outings and shopping. The only thing on my husband's description would be the word "fun" written in big red letters along the top. Although he is a selfless provider, our children think of him more as a combination of a jungle gym and a clown . Our parenting styles complement each other. His style is a nonstop adventure where no one has to worry about washing their hands or eating vegetables. I'm too busy worrying to be fun. Even if I try, I know I will be outdone by my husband. I bought my children bubble gum flavored toothpaste to teach them how to brush their teeth. They thought it was perfect until my husband taught them how to spit out water between their two front teeth like a fountain. I took the children on a walk in the woods and caught a ladybug (small insect). I was "cool" until their father caught a giant beetle in the backyard. I can make sure my children are safe. But I can't wire the TV so they can watch their favorite DVD. I can carry my children in my arms when they are tired and kiss them goodnight. But I can't flip them upside down so they can walk on the ceiling or put them on my shoulders so they can see the moths flying around the ceiling light. I can take them to doctor's appointments, scout meetings, or to the aquarium . But I'll never go into the wilderness, stick a worm onto a hook, catch a fish, and cook it over an open flame. I'll sit in the first row of every sports game and cheer until my throat is painful. But I'll never teach my son how to hit a home run or slide into first base. As a mother I can do a lot of things for my children. But no matter how hard I try, I can never be their father. How does the writer develop the article? A by comparison and contrast B by cause and effect C by flashback D by classification Answer: A
As dry soil becomes more and more broken up, it will always contain more A. water B. calcium C. oxygen D. rocks Answer: C. oxygen Once there was a little girl in a village. She spent summers on her grandfather's farm. The year she was four, she knew some ducks. The ducks were white with orange feet. They lived in a little wooden house near the road. The little girl liked these ducks very much. Every day they walked down the road to the pond . The ducks went into the water. The little girl sat on the bank and saw them swimming in the pond. The little girl talked to the ducks and they _ back to her. Then one day the ducks were gone. No one would say anything about them. The little girl was afraid to ask where they were. One night everyone sat down for dinner. The food looked a little like chicken. The girl didn't want to eat. Can you guess why? ,,2B. The ducks were _ . A. yellow and orange B. yellow and white C. white and orange feet D. white and black Answer: C. white and orange feet My name is Sam. I joined a club called "passing help" last month. Now let me tell you why I joined it. One evening this May, on my way home my old car broke down .It was 25 miles from my home. I wanted to get a ride , but there was no car. It was also hard to take a taxi. I decided to take a bus home .I went to a bus stop nearby. After a while, a bus came, but it did not go to my town , the bus driver was a young woman. She was kind and she told me which bus I should take. I waited there for about thirty minutes,but no bus came .At last a car came to me and a woman came out of the car .She was just the bus driver. "When I reached the bus station,I got to know that the bus to your town couldn't come ,so I returned here .I just can't leave you here ,"she said , " Get in my car and I will take you back to your home." "It is a long way." I said. "Come on,sir, "she said,"Let's go." On the way,she told me a story. A few days ago,there wasn't gas in her car. An old man drove her up to a gas station and then back to her car. When we got to my home,I wanted to give her some money to thank her,but she didn't accept her. "I only want to help others and do something nice for somebody. Pass it along. " she said. The best title of the passage is _ . A. A kind old man B. Getting a ride C. Passing help D. A broken car Answer: C. Passing help Researchers Jose Cordova and Erich Astudillo have discovered a new molecule that kills the bacteria Streptococcus Mutans, long known to be responsible for breaking down sugars in food in the mouth, which damages tooth leading to decay . The new molecule they call "Keep 32" has been found to kill the bacteria. The two have applied for a patent on their discovery and have also begun a marketing strategy aimed at both oral care products and food products. They say either product, if left in the mouth for just 60 seconds ,will kill all the harmful bacteria in the mouth and keep _ at bay for several hours. If the new molecule passes health and safety tests, the two believe products using their new molecule should be on the market in as little as a year and a half. They expect the market for such a product to reach $300 million in just the first year. The two have been working together since 2005 using money from the Founder Institute and say the aim is to approve the process for creating the molecule they've discovered for big companies like Procter & Gamble, Colgate even candy companies such as Hershey's. In interviews, Astudillo has suggested that the two researchers are already heavily into discussion with several companies, some of which are interested in buying the patent once it is approved. Over the years many products have _ with announcement of reducing tooth decay and even the loss of teeth, but other than the introduction of fluoride into drinking water, not much progress has been made. If the announcement made by this new team proves true however, it could foresee a mark in saving the world of tooth decay as well as helping to improve the health for millions of people as tooth decay has been linked to many other health problems throughout the body including heart attacks. This passage mainly tells us that _ . A. many health problems are closely connected to tooth decay B. the discovery of a new molecule will greatly benefit health care C. two researchers are discussing their patent with companies D. researchers discover a molecule that can kill tooth decay-causing bacteria Answer: D. researchers discover a molecule that can kill tooth decay-causing bacteria Moscow,Russia(Space news)-"The computer is a better chess player,"insisted Viktor Prozorov,the loser ." It seemed as if it were laughing after every good move.I know I should have beaten it for the sake of mankind ,but I just couldn't win," he announced and shook his head sadly. Prozorov's disappointment was shared by several grand masters who were present,some of whom were so upset that they shouted at the machine.Many chess players said that this meant the end of chess championships around the world,since the fun had been taken out of the game. The computer walked-or rather,rolled-away with 5,000 dollars in prize money and limited its remarks to a set of noises and light. After winning the game,the computer _ . A. laughed B. walked away C. made some remarks D. gave out some lights and sounds Answer: D. gave out some lights and sounds
Do you know the game "Rock, paper or scissors"? Maybe you think it's just a simple game for children. But in fact, some adults use it to make decisions and solve their problems. It is also popular in many countries. There are different stories about the history of the game. But many people believe the game came from Japan, and Japanese have played it for a long time. Later it came to Europe in the middle of the 18th century. In 1842, England founded the Paper Scissors Stone Club and from then on people could get together to play the game for honor . There is even an international club named the World Rock Paper Scissors Club in Toronto. The club makes "Rock, paper or scissors" more and more popular. It holds the world championship every year. Top players from around the world take part in it and the champion can get a lot of money and the honor of all the fans of "Rock, paper or scissors". From when could people get together to play this game for honor? Answer: 1842. What do Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson and Phil Collins all have in common? They were all bullied at school. If you're being bullied, it doesn't mean there is something wrong with you. You have a right to feel safe. If you are being bullied at school, it is the school's responsibility to stop it. If you are being attacked outside of school, the police have the responsibility to help you. The bully is the one with the problem. A lot of bullies are already being bullied themselves. They feel powerless and so they look for ways to feel tough at school or in the street. Often, the bully is envious of other kids, so he picks on those who are cleverer, or those kids who have cool dress or more money. Usually bullies don't like themselves, so they take out their frustrations on someone else, e.g. you. What can you do? * Look calm and confident even when you are not! You can practice this in the bathroom mirror. * If possible, ignore the bully. Bullies want a reaction --if you don't seem upset, or angry, they'll often leave you alone. * Walk away. Just because a bully starts an argument doesn't mean you have to hang around and finish it. * Avoid being alone. Bullies are cowards who only pick a fight when they know they can win. If you are with friends, they are more likely to leave you alone. Get help! Tell an adult you can trust. This doesn't mean you are weak. In life you often need to get help from other people. When you have a broken leg, you get help from a doctor--it doesn't mean you are weak. If you are being bullied you also get help. Bullies want you to keep quiet. When you speak up, you refuse to play the bully's game. Telling others about the problem is a brave move. Bullies are usually those who _ . Answer: are full of envy A good reader becomes sooner or later a good book buyer.The sooner,the better. The reading done in a book drawn from a library can not be so pleasant at the moment nor so permanently useful as the reading done in our own copy. A book which is worth reading is likely to be read more than once,and at each reading some idea or some statement makes such an impression that we wish to refer to it again. Some readers underline the page as they read,but I find that a page which I have underlined can not give me so many fresh impressions as one which has no marks on it.My habit is to make my own index of a book as I read.I put down the number of the page and a word or two to identify the thought or the fact which I get from it.On a second or third reading I am likely to double or triple the size of this index.This is my substitute for underlining.Most of the books in my library are so indexed that I can find quickly the passage which from time to time I wish to look up. To use a book in this way,organizing it for continued usefulness year after year, we must,of course,do our reading in a copy which belongs to us.The books I buy are chiefly those of less expensive editions. As I have grown older and the number of books on my shelves has increased,I appre- ciate editions which do not take much room.By careful and continuous selection I keep my librarv down to ten thousand books.This would be,of course,too large a number for any but a professional scholar or writer.But my advice to a book lover is to weed but his library at least once every two years,giving away the books which are not likely to be read again. And never never buy a book which you will not immediately read.A library bought only for looks is not literature,but indoor decoration. What would the author's index look like after a third reading? Answer: It contains the number of the page and 3 to 6 words. In a world as fast-changing and full of information as our own, all of us need to know how to learn well. Yet evidence suggests that most of us don't use the learning techniques that science has proved the most effective. The scientific literature evaluating these techniques goes back to decades and across thousands of articles. It's far too _ and complex for the average parent, teacher or employer to look through. Fortunately, a team of five leading psychologists have done the job for us. Professor John Dunlosky and other psychologists closely examined 10 learning strategies and rated each from high to low utility on the basis of the evidence they've gathered. Here's part of their conclusions: In contrast to familiar practices, the effective learning strategies with the most evidence to support them aren't well known outside the lab. Take distributed practice, for example. This strategy involves spreading out your study time, rather than engaging in one marathon. Cramming information at the last minute may allow you to get through that test or meeting, but the material will quickly disappear from your memory. It's much more effective to look through the material at intervals over time. And the longer you want to remember the information, whether it's two weeks or two years, the longer the intervals should be. The second learning strategy that is highly recommended by Dunlosky is practice testing. Yes, more tests---but there not for a grade. Research shows that the mere act of calling information to mind strengthens that knowledge and aids in future retrieval . While practice testing is not a common strategy---despite the strong evidence supporting it ---there is one familiar approach that captures its benefits: using flash cards. And now flash cards can be presented in digital form. Both distributed practice and practice testing were rated as having "high utility" by Dunlosky. The strategy of distributed practice shows that _ . Answer: doing repetition at intervals is the best way Researchers designing the 'classroom of the future' have found that multi-touch, multi-user desks can improve skills in mathematics. New results from a 3-year project working with over 400 pupils, mostly 8-10 year olds, show that cooperation learning increases both fluency and flexibility in maths.It also shows that using an interactive 'smart' desk can have Benefits over doing mathematics on paper. Using multi-touch desks in the new classroom, the children were able to work together in new ways to solve problems using inventive solutions.Seeing what your friends are doing, and being able to fully participate in group activities, offers new ways of working in class, the researchers say.The 'Star Trek classroom' could also help learning and teaching in other subjects. Lead researcher, Professor Liz Burd, said: "Our aim was to encourage far higher levels Of active student engagement, where knowledge is obtained by sharing, problem-solving and creating, rather than by passive listening.This classroom enables both active engagement and equal access." "We found our tables encouraged students to cooperate more effectively.We were delighted to observe groups of students improving their understanding of mathematical concepts.Such cooperation just did not happen when students used paper-based approaches." The teacher plays a key role in the classroom and can send tasks to different tables to individuals and groups.The teacher can also send one group's answers on to the next group to work on and add to, or to the board for a class discussion.A live feedback of the desks goes directly to the teacher who can come quickly to help an individual while allowing the group work to continue. Such a classroom may be some way off being a regular feature of schools across the.World due to the costs in setting it up.However, in just 3 years the project team have noted major improvements in the technology, and a reduction in costs. What can we learn about 'Star Trek classroom' from the text? Answer: It can be helpful in both learning and teaching.
Climate change is making it harder than usual for scientists to figure out what the future will bring and what impact weather changes will have on society and the economy. An upsurge of severe weather events has already destroyed homes, businesses and lives. Some fairly simple changes may reduce the toll. In a laboratory test, a house built with conventional techniques is falling apart in hurricane-force winds. The survivor has stronger shingles, thicker roof boards, and metal straps holding floors together. Wind tunnel tests were done by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. It says stronger construction costs a little more, but holds up much better to extreme weather. The growing number of unusually strong storms, like Typhoon Haiyan, has convinced the Chairman of the U. S. Senate Homeland Security Committee, Tom Carper, that extreme weather is the "new _ )." "Extreme weather events have increased in frequency over the past 50 years and are expected to become even more common, more intense, and more costly," said Carper. Hurricane Sandy hit beachfront businesses along the U.S. East Coast, including Carper's home state. Insurance companies had to pay out huge claims. To limit such losses, the insurance industry can raise premiums for businesses in vulnerable locations and offer discounts to clients who make their buildings more resilient with upgraded construction techniques. Managing risks is the job of insurance brokers like Kevin Connelly of the Graham Company, who spoke to VOA via Skype. "We are either going to price your insurance at a huge markup, or we are not going to write (sell it) it at all, which is just as bad obviously," said Connelly. Drought is another suspected consequence of climate change, and dry ground means more wildfires in California. Current mathematical models of climate change do a poor job of predicting the economic impact of drought and other weather events, says Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Robert Pindyck, who spoke via Skype. "I think all we can do, taking all of that into account, is come up with some very rough numbers, very rough estimates, "said Pindyck. "Consensus estimates that maybe experts provide, that give us a view of what would the catastrophic outcome look like if we don't do anything?" To help deal with this serious problem, Pindyck says policymakers should take actions such as imposing a tax on carbon dioxide emissions. A carbon tax would encourage companies and families to use less energy and generate fewer of the gases thought to be driving changes in the climate. But other analysts say it is unlikely a new tax will get approval in the U.S. Congress any time soon. What is the attitude of other analysts towards the new tax on carbon dioxide emissions? Answer: doubtful Sir Isaac Newton determined that white light is made up of all the colors of the rainbow. What did he use to discover this phenomenon? Answer: a prism Fernando and I were arguing about why I never took any real vacations.When he suggested we go off somewhere for three entire weeks,"You decide,"I said. He chose a little fishing village off the coast and he planned out a schedule.Our trip was full of wormer and fun,but when we got there,the shabby hotel failed to satisfy us,so we left a day early for the beach.As we drove,we passed two orphanages .Christmas was only a few days away,and I felt that I should stop to do something for the children. Then Femando came up with a plan to help the poor children we saw.We made a list of names,and then we went into town to buy new clothes,toys,and school supplies.For the rest of the day,we filled backpacks.We were excited about the celebration we had plantted for the next day,December 26,when we'd invite the families to the beach in front of the hotel and hand out the presents. Fernando and I were still in bed at around 9:00 the next morning when we heard a cracking sound."What is that?"I asked.As if in response.water started pouring into our room.The children's backpacks we had arranged so neatly on the floor began floating around.The next thing I knew was that the roof was torn off.and Fernando and I were swept out. I thought I was going to die. Under the water, I forced myself to calm down and then I popped out.Suddenly I saw Fernando only four feet away. "What just happened?"I asked Fernando. "Tsunami !",he shouted to me."Just be strong.Whatever it was,"he told me,"It's all over now."But a few seconds later,another wave buried us.I tried to grab him as he reached out to me,but he fell back under the water,and I never saw him again. What do you think the author would continue to write about? Answer: How he survived. Suzhou is an old city with a long history. The city is very clean and has fresh air. There are a lot of nice gardens in Suzhou and Suzhou gardens are famous in the world. When you enjoy the beauty in the gardens, you will feel very peaceful and happy. Besides (......) the gardens, Suzhou silk is also very famous. On the streets, you can see many silk shops. You should buy some beautiful silk scarves because they are really beautiful. Suzhou food is so sweet and some people may not like it. But you can have different kinds of foods here. Suzhou is close to Shanghai. It takes about only one hour from Suzhou to Shanghai by bus. The traffic is very convenient here. Welcome to Suzhou! You will have a good time here. Suzhou is famous for its _ in the world. Answer: gardens and silk In 1970, my five brothers, my sister and I lived in the housing projects of Toronto with our parents. My father was a factory worker, and my mother stayed at home. Each year my father would dress up as Santa Claus and go through the streets of the projects sharing joy and candies with the children there. He loved it as much as they did! But around the Christmas in 1970, my father was out of his job and money was tight. In fact, there was no money for Christmas and my parents weren't sure what they'd provide for us. That Christmas Eve, however, as usual, my father left the house dressed as Santa Claus. He knew that even though our Christmas would be hard, he could not disappoint the other kids in the neighborhood.[:,,] As my father left the house and went down the walkway, Santa Claus was walking up, with a great sack full of gifts for us! He said nothing, only smiled a sweet smile at my father, and wished him a Merry Christmas. The happy man handed Dad the sack and walked away down the block. We never knew who the man was and who showed us great kindness on a snowy Christmas night. We do know, however, that without him we would have had nothing under the tree. His kindness gave my parents hope and showed us in a very real way the true meaning of Christmas. Our family has never forgotten this kind stranger. Each year we tell the story of the mysterious Santa Claus and try to repay his gifts by giving gifts to others in need. The author's father _ . Answer: had to support a family of 9 people
Question: Nothing could stop Dad. After he was put on disability for a bad back, he bought a small farm in the country, just enough to grow food for the family. He planted vegetables, fruit trees and even kept bees for honey. And every week he cleaned Old Man McColgin's chicken house in exchange for manure. The smell really burned the inside of your nose. When we complained about the terrible smell, Dad said the stronger the manure, the healthier the crops, and he was right. For example, just one of his cantaloupes filled the entire house with its sweet smell, and the taste was even sweeter. As the vegetables started coming in, Dad threw himself into cooking. One day, armed with a basket of vegetables, he announced he was going to make stew. Dad pulled out a pressure cooker and filled it up with cabbages, eggplants, potatoes, corns, onions and carrots. For about half an hour, the pressure built and the vegetables cooked. Finally, Dad turned off the stove, the pot began to cool and the pressure relief valve sprayed out a cloud of steam. If we thought Dad's pile of chicken manure was bad, this was 10 times worse. When Dad took off the lid, the smell nearly knocked us out. Dad carried the pot out and we opened doors and windows to air out the house. Just how bad was it? The neighbors came out of their houses to see if we had a gas leak! Determined, Dad filled our plates with steaming stew and passed them around it didn't look that bad, and after the first wave had shut down my ability to smell, it didn't _ the nose so much, edible, and we drank up every last drop of soup! What can we infer about Dad's stew? A. It is popular among the neighbors. B. It contains honey and vegetables. C. It looks very wonderful. D. It tastes quite delicious. Answer: D Question: Henry found work in a bookstore after he finished middle school. He wouldn't do anything but wanted to get rich. Mr. King thought he was too lazy and was going to send him away. Henry was afraid and had to work hard. It was a cold morning. It was snowing and there was thin ice on the streets. Few people went to buy the books and the young man had nothing to do. He hated to read, so he watched the traffic. Suddenly he saw a bag fall off a truck and it landed by the other side of the street. "It must be full of expensive things," Henry said to himself. "I have to get it, or others will take it away. " He went out of the shop and ran across the street. A driver saw him and began to whistle , but he didn't hear it and went on running. The man drove aside, hit a big tree and was hurt in the accident. Two weeks later Henry was taken to court . A judge asked if he heard the whistle when he was running across the street. He said that something was wrong with his ears and he could hear nothing. "But you've heard me this time." said the judge. "Oh, I'm sorry. Now I can hear with one ear." "Cover the ear with your hand and listen to me with your deaf one. Well, can you hear me? " "No, I can't, Sir." Why did Henry say that he was deaf? A. He wanted to have a joke with the judge. B. He wanted to get the judge's help C. He wanted to find another piece of work D. He didn't want to pay for the accident. Answer: D Question: Down-to-earth means being honest,open,and easy to deal with.It is a pleasure to find someone who is down-to-earth.A person who is down-to-earth is easy to talk to.He or she accepts others as equals.A down-to-earth person may be an important member of society,of course,but they do not let their importance go to their heads,and they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important.Someone who is filled with self-importance and pride,often without cause,is said to have his nose in the air.There is no way a person with his nose in the air can be down-to-earth. Americans use another expression that is similar in some way to down-to-earth.The expression is both feet on the ground.Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality.He has what is called common sense.He may have dreams but he does not allow them to block his knowledge of what is real.The opposite kind of person is one who has his head in the clouds.A man with his head in the clouds is a dreamer whose mind is not in the world.Sometimes such a dreamer can be brought back to reality;sharp words from the teacher,for example,can usually get a daydreaming student to put both feet back on the ground. The person who is down-to-earth usually has both feet on the ground. _ .Someone with both feet on the ground may not be as open and easy to deal with as someone who is down-to-earth.When we have both our feet firmly on the ground,we are realistic and we act honestly and openly toward others,and our lives are like the ground below us,solid and strong. If a person has his nose in the air,he _ . A. is down to the earth B. is easy to deal with C. always thinks he is more important than others D. is confident Answer: C Question: Mom was a teacher most of her life. When she wasn't in the classroom, she was educating her children or grandchildren: correcting our grammar; starting us on collections of butterflies, flowers or rocks; or inspiring a discussion on her most recent "Book of the Month Club" topic. Mom made learning fun. It was sad for my three brothers and me to see her ailing in her later years. At eighty-five, she suffered a stroke and she went steadily downhill after that. Two days before she died, my brothers and I met at her nursing home and took her for a short ride in a wheelchair. While we waited for the staff to lift her limp body back into bed, Mom fell asleep. Not wanting to wake her, we moved to the far end of the room and spoke softly. After several minutes our conversation was interrupted by a muffled sound coming from across the room. We stopped talking and looked at Mom. Her eyes were closed, but she was clearly trying to communicate with us. We went to her side. "Whirr," she said weakly. "Where?" I asked. "Mom, is there something you want?" "Whirr," she repeated a bit stronger. My brothers and I looked at each other and shook our heads sadly. Mom opened her eyes, sighed, and with all the energy she could muster said, "Not was, say were!" It suddenly occurred to us that Mom was correcting brother Jim's last sentence. "If it was up to me..." Jim leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Mom," he whispered. We smiled at each other and once again shook our heads...this time in awe of a remarkable teacher. Which of the following statements is NOT right? A. Mom was a good teacher and never wanted to stop her teaching. B. Mom was always making her teaching fun. C. Mom didn't forget her teaching until she died. D. Mom was no longer a teacher when she was at home. Answer: D Question: Jose Andre Montano Baina was born and raised in the town of Totora, Bolivia-not exactly the home of jazz.But now he is taking the Bolivian and the world music scene by storm.He has already performed in some of the country's top occasions including the Legislative Palace and alongside famous musicians like Bolivian rocker Glen Vargas-what's so great about that? How about the fact that Jose is just seven years old and, has no vision! The young musician began to show his extraordinary music talent at the age of four when he started playing the-drums with a high standard of ability and skills, which are usually played by artists three times .his age.After mastering them, he quickly moved on to the piano and by the age of five had formed a jazz band! And, while the young boy knows every jazz song in the book and can play them all with great ease and confidence, it is not the only kind of music he enjoys.This Bolivian prodigy has well-rounded musical taste and isn't limited to jazz.He also loves listening to blues, heavy metal, tango, bolero and anything in between! His extremely proud father is quick to admit that he has nothing to do with his son's unusual talent.In fact he didn't even know much about jazz until Jose started to play."I didn't know jazz before, he got me into it.It's as if he was born with a jazz chip inside him, 1 don't know how to explain how it came.about; it's like the jazz was already inside him." His father recalled. As for the young rising superstar, he leads a pretty normal life despite all the fame.Just like the rest of you, he goes to school, does homework and yes, has chores assigned to him as well! What is the text mainly about? A. Young blind jazz prodigy rises in Bolivia. B. Jazz chip is found inside the prodigy. C. To educate a jazz prodigy in successful ways, D. Bolivia's jazz prodigy performs different songs. Answer: A
Sales of crime novel The Cuckoo's Calling have rocketed since its author Robert Galbraith was unmasked as JK Rowling, according to The Bookseller. It said 17,662 hardback copies were sold between 14 and 20 July, up from just 43 copies the previous week, according to Nielsen BookScan data. The Cuckoo's Calling was the week's bestselling hardback novel, despite some booksellers running out of stock. The Harry Potter author was identified in a newspaper article last week. On a website Rowling said 8,500 English language copies had been sold in all forms, including e-books, before her unmasking. The author added that she had received two offers from television production companies. "The situation was becoming increasingly complicated, largely because Robert was doing rather better than we had expected him to," she said. "But we all still hoped to keep the secret a little longer. Robert's success during his first three months as a published writer (discounting sales made after I was found out) actually compares favourably with JK Rowling's success over the similar period of her career." However, the Bookseller reported the hardback had sold fewer than 500 copies in its three-month period on sale before the Sunday Times' expose. The recent sales were not enough to send The Cuckoo's Calling to the top spot in the official UK top 50, instead landing it in third place. The Rowling revelation coincided with the paperback release of The Casual Vacancy -- her first official post-Potter work--which sold 19,548 copies in the same week, making the book number two in the sales chart. Neither title managed to draw John Grisham's The Racketeer from the top of the chart, which shifted 24,222 copies -- a 19% drop on the previous week. Elsewhere on the Robert Galbraith website, Rowling has revealed the reason she chose her pen name. She said she picked Robert because US senator Robert F Kennedy was her "hero" and she had never used the name in one of her earlier books. "I can only hope all the real Robert Galbraiths out there will be as forgiving as the real Harry Potters have been," she wrote. A follow-up to The Cuckoo's Calling has been finished and should be published next year, the author added. Why did J.K. Rolling reveal the true identity of her pen name? Lindsay Binegar of Greenfield, Ohio, made her first $ 100 at the age of four, when she won a prize for showing a pig from her family's farm to the local 4H Club. Most kids would be thrilled to spend that money on toys, but not Lindsay. "I didn't get the money; it went to the bank," she told the Columbus Dispatch. Over the years, Lindsay kept on raising and showing pigs, and kept on winning prizes. Some were $ 100 for small wins, but she won thousands of dollars for championship prizes at county fairs. Before long, she earned an impressive amount of cash--but, aside from a purse when she was 14, Lindsay had never spent a dollar of her savings. By the time she was 18, she had got more than $ 40,000, which she planned to put towards her college education at nearby Ohio University. But her parents said that if she continued living at home while attending school, they wouldn't have to pay for her dorm housing, and would be willing to cover the entire cost of her education. It sounded like a good deal to Lindsay. But what should she do with her savings? Her father had an idea:buy a house, just as he'd done when he was young. He used the house's sale to help him buy the family farm where Lindsay had grown up and raised all those lucrative pigs. Lindsay was able to buy a house in Greenfield, paying for the entire purchase in cash. She did a bit of painting and then rented it out for $ 450 a month. After finishing college, Lindsay plans to marry Heath McNeal, and use the income from her house to buy a block of land and build a new house. But she'll never move too far from home. "I would like to stay in Greenfield," she said. "I just love everybody here. " At her current rate, she'll probably be the town's biggest real estate tycoon by the age of 25. What can we learn about Lindsay's parents from the passage? It took some time for spring to arrive but now it's here that UK's gardens are enjoying it. Many flowers that would usually be over by now are still at their best. Here are some of the best gardens right now. Kew Gardens, London The rock garden is one of the places to head for at Kew right now. It will be at its peak in the days ahead. The garden has waterfalls and streams over the land, and many plants and flower buds are all at their best. Equally those who can not be missed are the flowering cherry trees. Open daily 9:30 am-6:30 pm, adults PS16, children free. Wentworth Castle Gardens, near Barnsley A yellow carpet surrounds Wentworth Castle at the moment, as the daffodils are still in full bloom. Another wonderful spot is the Victorian flower garden, created from an old bowling green in the 19th century. Open daily 10:00 am- 5:00 pm, adults PS5.50, children PS2.95, family PS12.50. Harlow Carr, Harrogate The earlier bad weather means many daffodil varieties were extremely late, but at Harlow Car plenty of the plants can be found at the moment. The garden also has one of the longest streamside plantings in the country. Open daily 9:30 am-6:00 pm, adults PS8.50, children PS4.25, family PS20.70. Bon Stewart, Newtownards There are great smells as well as great sights at Bon Stewart: Lady Londonderry, who created the garden in the 1920s and 1930s, love plants with a sweet smell. So go up to rhododendron hill. It's one of the best places here right now. Open daily 10:00 am-6:00 pm, adults PS6.63, children PS3.31, family PS16.00. You can probably enjoy the flowers beside the stream in _ . Trying to leave work at the office is proving to be a challenge for many British workers,with research showing that heavy workloads,conflicts and bosses all make an appearance in dreams. Work-related issues are the number one topic featuring in dreams,with colleagues invading shut.eye time more than celebrities.More than 20 per cent surveyed admitted that they regularly dream about their boss.One in three dreams about work when they are stressed in their job and a quarter stated that they dream about a colleague if there was a conflict with them earlier that day. Of the 2,000 people surveyed,20 per cent dreamed more if they were under pressure or stressed.The research found that the average person dreams most nights,with only 12 per cent saying they never dream.However, dreams often leave people confused,with 52 per cent saying they do not make sense and 60 per cent wishing they could know what they mean. Commenting on the survey carried out by One Poll for Premier Inn hotels,dreams expert Davina MacKail said:"Whether we are asleep or awake.a problem with a colleague or stress at work can really affect us.More than half of the nation stated that their dreams don't make sense so I have worked with Premier Inn to make a Dream Dictionary to help dreamers to understand why they dream what they do and what those dreams mean." A spokesman for Premier Inn said:"It is really important to try to unwind after a hard day at work but that is easier said than done if something is playing on your mind." Davina MacKail expects people to use his Dream Dictionary when they _ . What will power your house in the future? According to scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, it might be artificial leaves. Natural leaves can change sunlight and water into energy. It is known as photosynthesis . Now researchers have found a way to imitate this process. The artificial leaf developed by Daniel Nocera and his colleagues at MIT can be seen as a special silicon chip with catalysts . Similar to natural leaves, it can split water into hydrogen and oxygen when put into a bucket of water. The hydrogen and oxygen gases are then stored in a fuel cell, using those two materials to produce electricity, located either on top of a house or beside the house. Though the leaf is shaped like a poker card, scientists stated that it is promising to be an inexpensive somtoe of electricity in developing countries. "One can imagine villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing an affordable basic power system based on this technology," said an American scientist, Docera. An artificial leaf is not a new idea. The first artificial leaf was invented in 1997 but too expensive and unstable for practical use. The new leaf, however, is made of cheap materials, easy to use and highly stable. In laboratory studies, Nocera showed that an artificial leaf could operate continuously for at least 45 hours. The wonderful improvements come from Nocera's recent discovery of several powerful new, inexpensive catalysts. These catalysts make the energy transformation inside the leaf more efficient with water and sunlight. Right now, the new leaf is about 10 times more effective at carrying out photosynthesis than a natural one. Besides, the device can run in whatever water is available. Hopefully, each home could possible have the access to the new application in the future. Which of the following is NOT the advantage of the new leaf?
While small may be beautiful, tall is just plain uncomfortable it seems, particularly when it comes to staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. The Tall Persons Club Great Britain (TPCGB), which was formed six months ago to campaign for the needs of the tall, has turned its attention to hotels and restaurants. Beds that are too small, shower heads that are too low, and restaurant tables with hardly any leg-room all make life difficult for those of above average height, it says. But it is not just the extra-tall whose needs are not being met. The average height of the population has been increasing yet the standard size of beds, doorways, and chairs has remained unchanged. "The bedding industry says a bed should be six inches larger than the person using it, so even a king-size bed at 6'6'' (6 feet and 6 inches) is falling short for 25% of men, while the standard 6'3'' bed caters for less than half of the male population." Said TPCGB president Phil Heinricy, "seven-foot beds would work fine." Similarly, restaurant tables can cause no end of problems. Small tables, which mean the long-legged have to sit a foot or so away from them, are enough to make tall customers go elsewhere. Some have already taken note, however. At Queens Moat Houses' Caledoman Hotel in Edinburgh, 6'6''beds are now put in as standard after requests for longer beds from taller visitors, particularly Americans. Which of the following might be a bed of proper length according to Phil Heinricy? A 7'2''. B 7' C 6'6'' D 6'3'' Answer: B Years ago, when I started looking for my first job, wise advisers advised, "Barbara, be enthusiastic ! Enthusiasm will take you further than any amount of experience." How right they were! "Nothing great was ever done without enthusiasm," wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is the paste that helps you hang in there when the things get tough. It is the inner voice that tells you, "I can do it!" when others shout, "No, you can't!" It took years and years for the early work of Barbara McClintock, a geneticist who won the 1983 Nobel Prize in medicine, to be generally accepted. Yet she didn't stop working on her experiments. We are all born with wide-eyed, enthusiastic wonder and it is the childlike wonder that gives enthusiastic people such youthful air, whatever their age. At 90, cellist Pablo Casals would start his day by playing the cello . As the music flowed through his fingers, his shoulders would straighten and joy would reappear in his eyes. As writer and poet Samuel Ullman once worte, "Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul." Enthusiastic people also love what they do, not considering money or title or power. Patricia Mellratl, a retired director of the Missouri Rpertory Theater in Kansas City, was once asked where she got her enthusiasm. She replied, "My father, long ago, told me, 'I never made any money until I stopped working for it.'" We can't afford to waste tears on "might-have-been". We need to turn the tears into sweat as we go after "what-can-be". We need to live each moment whole-heartedly, with all our senses finding pleasure in the sweet of a backyard garden, the simple picture of a six-year-old, and the beauty of a rainbow. We can infer that enthusiasm is more important for a person especially when _ . A he is in trouble B he is getting old C he can do what he love D he has succeeded Answer: A Helen Keller was born in America in June, 1880. Everything was all right when she was born. But when she was 19 months old, an attack of fever left her blind and deaf for the rest of her life. She was so young when she became blind that as she grew older she did not remember being able to see; and she became deaf before she had any idea of the importance of human speech. She lived in darkness and silence. As she grew older, she, too, wanted to express her ideas and feelings. But she realized she was cut off from others. Her parents were greatly worried. How could anyone make touch with Helen's mind and intelligence in darkness and silence without speech? Helen was nearly seven before a teacher was found. Her name was Miss Sullivan. Miss Sullivan had a lot of difficulties in teaching Helen Keller. As the child could neither see nor hear, she had to use manual alphabet. But Helen's energy and intelligence and strong spirit as well as Miss Sullivan's skill and patience, overcame all the difficulties. As Helen grew up, she became an able student, passed examination and finally took a university degree in English literature. She then devoted all herself to helping the blind and the deaf. Her personal success, together with the work she had done for others, made her one of the greatest women in modern times. She wrote many books and "The Story of My Life"is a wonderful one. Helen Keller's parents were greatly worried because _ . A She was growing older B She was cut off from others C she, too, wanted to express her ideas and feelings but she could not D she was almost seven years old and yet they were not sure whether they could find a suitable teacher for her Answer: D Frank needs to move a box by sliding it across the floor. Which two factors will most strongly affect how hard Frank needs to push the box? A The density of the box material and the hardness of the floor B The thickness of the box material and the hardness of the floor C The total mass of the box and the friction between the box and the floor D The total height of the box and the distance between his hands and the floor Answer: C A visit to a museum contributes to our education. The British Museum is a great building in our London, not far from London University. Thousands of visitors go to it every year to see the rare, strange and beautiful things it contains. What interests many people more than anything else is the large library, in which there are millions of books. You can find any English book you want there, and many books in foreign languages or translated into English. The library is also a reading room, with tables and chairs for students who wish to study; but if you want to borrow books to read there you must first get a reader's ticket from the office. One can't borrow books to take away. In other parts of the museum there are rooms and halls containing things which have been brought from countries all over the world. They help us to understand the history of foreign lands, and the people who live in them. Some of the things which have been dug up in places where old cities once stood were being worn out or used by men and women thousands of years ago. These cities now lie buried, covered with many feet of earth. On the way out you can buy pictures of the most interesting things that are shown in the museum. From the text we can infer that _ . A the writer of the text is probably British B the museum is the greatest cultural center of the world C the British Museum is the best museum in the world D people in the world may know about the great museum Answer: A
London is a very large city with about 7 million people. How do so many people move on their way to work or school? In London you can travel around the city by subway, bus, taxi or private car. The subway runs under the city. It goes to all parts of the city. Traveling by subway is the fastest way to get around the city. The second way to travel about the city is by bus. It is a slower way to travel. This is because the road traffic is always heavy. You can also travel around the city by taxi. This is very expensive, but the taxi will take you to the every place you wish to go to. If traffic is heavy, the taxi will be slow. During the mornings and afternoons, there is the _ The last way to get around London is using your own car. It is inconvenient if you are driving in the "rush hour". If there is an accident on the road, you will have to wait for a long time. The best time to travel around the city is from 9 am to 4 pm. This is the time after the morning "rush hour" and before the evening "rush hour". Traffic will be less heavy during this time. What is the fastest way to get around London ? Answer: Moods, say the experts, are feelings that are likely to become fixed, having effects on one's outlook (way of looking at things) for hours, days or even weeks. That's great if your mood is a pleasant one, but a problem if you are sad, anxious, angry, or simply lonely. Perhaps the best way to deal with such moods is to talk them out; sometimes, though, there is no one to listen. Modern pharmacology offers a lot of tranquilizers and anti-anxiety drugs. What many people don't realize, however, is that scientists have discovered the effectiveness of several non-drug methods to make you free from an unwanted mood. These can be just as useful as drugs, and have the added benefit of being nonpoisonous. So next time you feel out of sorts, don't head for the drug store--try the following method. Of all the mood-changing self-help techniques, aerobic exercise seem to be the best cure for a bad mood. --If you could keep the exercise, you'd be in high spirits, says Kathryn Lance, author of Running for Health and Beauty. Researchers have explained biochemical and various other changes that make exercise a better mood-raiser than drugs. Physical work such as housework, however, does little. The key is aerobic exercise - running, cycling, walking, swimming, or other repetitive and sustained activities that increase the heart rate and circulation , and improve the body's use of oxygen. Do them for at least 20 minutes a time, three to five times a week. What is the main subject of the passage? Answer: Why are people interested in eating raw foods or whole foods ? One reason is that eating these types of food reduces the risk of acid accumulation in your body. Raw and whole foods are usually digested more efficiently than cooked foods. When we cook foods, we destroy the natural enzymes that are part of the food in its raw form. These enzymes were intended by nature to help us digest the food. When we consume food without these natural enzymes, our bodies either digest the food improperly or allow too many nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream. In both instances, the result is overweight. When too many nutrients are absorbed at once, the body grows fat. Improperly digested food moves slowly through the digestive system, where it becomes increasingly acidic. To protect its vital organs from this acidic waste, the body changes the acid into fat and stores it safely away from the organs. Processed foods contain chemical elements, which might confuse the appetite mechanism that tells us when we've had enough to eat; as a result, people often overeat. Processed foods also upset the digestive cycle. The body will either identify these foods as allergens and then store them safely away from the organs as fat, or the remains of undigested food will become acidic and enter the bloodstream as acid waste, which will stick to the blood vessel walls and block the passage of vital oxygen and nutrients heading for the body's cells. The body's metabolism becomes inactive, and the result is weight gain and obesity. The accumulation of acid in the digestive system makes digestion increasingly inefficient. When that happens, even healthy foods can become acidic and the food allergies will become more common. To stop this vicious circle in its tracks, people need to consume food and supplements that will neutralize the acid already accumulated in body. Eating the right types of raw and whole foods can help. It's also important to restore your enzyme balance. You need to identify and avoid the foods that cause acid accumulation and consume the foods that increase enzyme production. If you truly want to change and help your body heal itself, you need to take an active approach. One effective way is to choose raw and whole foods appropriately according to your health conditions and personal preferences. Processed foods are unhealthy because they _ . Answer: Multitasking People who multitask all the time may be the worst at doing two things at once, a new research suggests. The findings, based on performances and self-evaluation by about 275 college students, indicate that many people multitask not out of a desire to increase productivity, but because they are easily distracted and can't focus on one activity. And "those people turn out to be the worst at handling different things," said David Sanbonmatsu, a psychologist at the University of Utah. Sanbonmatsu and his colleagues gave the students a set of tests and asked them to report how often they multitasked, how good they thought they were at it, and how sensation-seeking or imperative they were. They then evaluated the participants' multitasking ability with a tricky mental task that required the students to do simple mathematical calculations while remembering a set of letters. Not surprisingly, the scientists said, most people thought they were better than average at multitasking, and those who thought they were better at it were more likely to report using a cellphone while driving or viewing multiple kinds of media at once. But those who frequently deal with many things at the same time were found to perform the worst at the actual multitasking test. They also were more likely to admit to sensation-seeking and impulsive behavior, which connects with how easily people get bored and distracted. "People multitask not because it's going to lead to greater productivity, but because they're distractible, and they get sucked into things that are not as important." Sanbonmatsu said. Adam Gazzaley, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not a member of the research group, said one limitation of the study was that it couldn't find out whether people who start out less focused toward multitasking or whether people's recognizing and understanding abilities change as a result of multitasking. The findings do suggest, however, why the sensation-seeker who multitask the most may enjoy risky distracted driving. "People who are multitasking are generally less sensitive to risky situations." said Paul Atchley, another researcher not in the group. "This may partly explain why people go in for these situations even though they're dangerous." According to Sanbonmatsu, people multitask because of their _ Answer: Can 13-year-olds do something to change the world? Cris Kesz Valdez, 13, from the Philippines believes so. At the age of 7, Valdez set up an organization to give homeless kids things like slippers and toothbrushes. So far he has helped more than 10,000 children improve their lives in his hometown. Valdez won the 2012 International Children's Peace Prize on September 19, 2012. "My motto is 'we can change the world one heart at a time,' " Valdez said at the award ceremony. In fact, Valdez is a homeless kid himself. He looked for food from trash, lived on the streets and slept in a public cemetery for most of his childhood. His parents didn't care about him and often beat him. Valdez said he felt he was living in " _ " at that time. But this "darkness" didn't turn him into a dark person. Valdez got help from community workers. On his first birthday party, at the age of 7, Valdez decided what he wanted most was to help other children who were still living on the streets. "I didn't have a lot of money, but I had a lot of love to give," Valdez explained. That day was the birth of the organization, Championing Community Children. Since then, Valdez and his friends visit homeless children and hand out bags with slippers, toys and even candy. They nurse their wounds, teach them about their rights and offer them hope. "I want children on the streets to get the same chance as I have," he said. The prize Valdez won in September is called _ . Answer:
This past month saw one of the most devastating storms in history brings death and destruction on the Philippines. The number of lives lost is still being calculated, but it is already sitting above five thousand. In the flurryof news about the storm and its after-math, the cries of "I told you so" from environmentalists rang out loud and clear. These scientists were especially vocal during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which just wrapped up in Warsaw, Poland. The timing of the conference and Typhoon Haiyan was an eerie coincidence, but perhaps the concurrence offered a wakeup call for all. Christiana Figures, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said, "We are witnessing ever more frequent extreme weather events, and the poor and vulnerable are already paying the price." Scientists claim that storms like Typhoon Haiyan are an inevitable result of the effect greenhouse gases are having on our environment. Environmental analysts claim that rising temperatures around the globe and changing weather patterns are all part of the same problem. This isn't breaking news. We've heard the warnings for years. The UN has been hosting the Climate Change Conference since1995.But the changes that need to be made are huge. Added to this, the developed nations and developing countries have competing interests that are difficult to settle. The issue of who takes responsibility becomes difficult to resolve. We may feel far away from Poland and resolving conflicts between countries, but we mustn't feel far away from the issue. When we watch neighboring countries suffer in severe weather, when we hear reports of increasing global temperatures, when we walk outside and find it difficult to breathe the Shanghai air, we know we have a very real problem. So what are we going to do about it? Are we making every-day choices that can have a positive impact? Are we reducing our carbon footprint? Are we choosing to walk, ride a bicycle or take public transportation instead of a car? Are we recycling? Are we turning off the lights and electronics whenever possible? The problem is complex, but saving our earth starts with each of us taking simple steps. Warsaw isn't in Poland,is it? Answer: Yes, it is Long long ago, there lived in England a king named Midas. He was a greedy man and loved gold better than anything else in the world. One day, he asked a god to give him more gold. The god decided to punish him and said, "Your wish is _ already. Everything you touch will turn to gold." Midas was very happy when he heard this. The next morning, he got up early to test his skills. When he touched his bed, it turned to gold. "Gold!" cried Midas, laughing like a little boy, "It works." Not only stones, flowers, and the furniture in his house turned to gold, but, when he sat down to table, so did the food he ate and the water he drank. He was unhappy now. Just then his daughter ran up to him. Midas touched her hand. At once she became a gold statue ! A last, he begged the god to free him from his wish. "Go to the river and bathe in it." said the god. So Midas did, and the water took away his golden touch. The god decided to punish Midas because he was _ . Answer: greedy Have you ever woken up feeling that something was wrong? It was a day like that for me. I sat up in bed. A little later I opened the curtains. It was terrible weather--the rain was pouring down. Then I looked down into the yard. Yes! There it was--the motorcycle. It was just as broken as last night. And my leg was starting to hurt. Something had happened to the person in the story the night before.What was it? Answer: The person had been in a motorcycle accident. There are an extremely large number of antsworldwide. Each individual ant hardly weigh anything, but put together they weigh roughly the same as all of mankind. They also live nearly everywhere, except on frozen mountain tops and around the poles.Foranimals their size, ants have been astonishingly successful, largely due to their wonderfulsocial behavior. In colonies that range in size from a few hundred to tens of millions, they organize their lives with a clear division of labor. Even more amazing is how they achievethis level of organization. Where we use sound and sight to communicate, ants dependprimarily on pheromone , chemicals sent out by individuals and smelled or tastedby fellow members of their colony. When an ant finds food, it produces a pheromone that will lead others straight to where the food is. When an individual ant comes under attack or is dying, it sends out an alarm pheromone to warn the colony to prepare for a conflict as a defense unit. In fact, when it comes to the art of war, ants have no equal. They are completely fearless and will readily take on a creature much larger than themselves, attacking in large groups and overcoming their target. Such is their devotion to the common good of the colony that not only soldier ants but also worker ants will sacrifice their lives to help defeat an enemy. Behaving in this selfless and devoted manner, these little creatures have survived on Earth, for more than 140 million years, far longer than dinosaurs. Because they think as one, they have a collective intelligence greater than you would expect from itsindividual parts. We can learn from the passage that ants are _ . Answer: not found around the poles In spite of the uncertainty of the economy, the movie industry has been stricken by a box-office outburst. Suddenly it seems as if everyone is going to the movies, with ticket sales this year up 17.5 percent, to $1.7 billion. And it is not just because ticket prices are higher. Attendance has also jumped, by nearly 16 percent. If that pace continues through the year, it would amount to the biggest box-office increase in at least two decades. Americans, for the moment, just want to hide in a very dark place. People want to forget their troubles, and they want to be with other people. Helping feed the outburst is the mix of movies, which have been more audience-friendly in recent months as the studios have tried to adjust after the discouraging sales of more serious films. As she stood in line at the 18-screen Bridge theater complex here on Thursday to buy weekend tickets for _ : The 3D Concert Experience," Angel Hernandez was not thinking much about escaping reality. Instead, Ms. Hernandez, a Los Angeles parking lot attendant and mother of four young girls, was focused on one very specific reality: her wallet. "Spending hundreds of dollars to take them to _ is ridiculous right now," she said. "For $60 and some candy money I can still be a good mom and give them a little fun." A lot of parents may have been thinking the same thing Friday, as "Jonas Brothers" sold out more than 800 theaters, and was expected to sell a powerful $25 million or more in tickets. The film industry appears to have had a hand in its recent good luck. Over the last year or two, studios have released movies that are happier, scarier or just less depressing than what came before. After poor results for a rush of serious dramas built around the Middle East, Hollywood got back to comedies. Which of the following is not a reason for the improvement of the movie industry? Answer: People are richer with the development of economy.
6-Day Trek in the Highland National Parks Destinations: Saigon--Cat Tien National Park--Buon Ma Thuot--Lak Lake--YokDon National Park Estimated trekking time: Average 4-5 hours/day Summary: This trip is ideal for those who love trekking in natural forests. From the southern part of Vietnam up to the central highlands, you will cross through two national parks. There will be opportunities to see wildlife and challenge yourself physically at a moderate level. Indulge yourself in the beauty of nature, escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, rediscover yourself in the natural world and refresh both mind and body. Highlights: 1) Private tour 2) Walk through the forest to a fascinating and beautiful wetland area. If you are lucky, you may be able to see many different kinds of animals using only binoculars . 3) Night time wildlife-spotting excursion 4) Elephant riding Includes: 1) Travel insurance 2) Private transportation 3) English-speaking guide 4) Guest house-twin shared room 5) Meals as indicated in the itinerary 6) Elephants 7) Canoe 8) Mineral water 9) Entrance fees & all permits Excludes: 1) Surcharges for other guides in other languages, festival season and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking 2) Visa 3) Gong show (80 USD/show) 4) Tips 5) Personal expenses This advertisement is especially for visitors _ . Answer: interested in hiking in forests A professor told his students to go into the city slum to study the life of 200 boys.He asked them to write reports about each boy's life and future.Every one of the students wrote,"He doesn't have any hope." Twenty-five years later.another professor read about the earlier study.He told his students to find out what had happened to these boys.Of the 200 boys,20 had moved away or died.Nobody knew what had happened to them.They tried very hard and found the other 180 people.Among them 176 had become successful as doctors,teachers and scientists. The professor was very surprised and decided to study it further.Luckily,all the men were living near the place and he was able to ask each one,"What made you successful?" Each one answered with feeling."There was a teacher." The teacher was still living there,so the professor found her and asked the old woman what she had used to pull those out of the slums,and change them into successful people. The teacher's eyes began to shine and she said with a sweet smile,"It's really very easy.I loved those boys." Which of the following is NOT true? Answer: The boys didn't want to talk about their teacher The Moon is visible to observers on Earth because of Answer: reflected sunlight In many English homes people eat four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner.People have breakfast at any time from seven to nine in the morning.They eat porridge,eggs or bread.English people drink tea or coffee at breakfast.Lunch comes at one o'clock.Afternoon tea is from four to five in the afternoon and dinner is about half past seven.First they have soups, and then they have meat or fish with vegetables.After that they eat some other things, like bananas,apples or oranges.But not all English people eat like that.Some of them have their dinner in the middle of the day.Their meals are breakfast, dinner, tea and supper and all these meals are very necessary. In many English homes dinner comes _ . Answer: at night Valentine's Day was coming. Helen felt hurt and lonely because this was her first Valentine's Day after the divorce . Helen's twelve-year-old son, Jack, looked at his mother, knowing that this was a difficult time for both of them. In order to make his mother happy, he prepared a present, and handed it to her on Valentine's Day. It was a beautiful gift package .Helen couldn't believe what was happening. She opened it and took out a lovely card and a small box. "Now," he said, "read the card." It read as follows: "I know that this isn't easy for you because it has been a hard year for both of us. I know that Valentine's Day is a special day for people in love. I want you to know that I love you. I know that Valentines are supposed to get chocolate. I went to the store today to buy some for you. Luckily, I got the last piece. I told the clerk it was just perfect." Helen stood there for a moment and looked at her son. Her eyes sparkled in the light as tears formed in each corner. Jack knew he had done the right thing. Slowly she opened the small box, careful not to tear the paper. She would never forget the moment. She found a chocolate heart that was broken into pieces along with a note: "I am so sorry that Dad left us, Mom. And all you were left with was a broken heart. But I just want you to know we still have each other. Happy Valentine's Day! Your son, Jack" Jack wrote a card to his mother in order to _ . Answer: show his love to her
There are two kinds of memory: short-term and long-term. Information in long-term memory can be remembered at a later time when it is needed. The information may be kept for days or weeks. However, information in short-term memory is kept for only a few seconds, usually by repeating the information over and over. The following experiment shows how short-term memory has been studied. Henning studied how students who are learning English as a second language remember vocabulary. The subjects in his experiment were 75 college students. They represented all levels of ability in English: beginning, intermediate , and native speaking students. To begin, the subjects listened to a recording of a native speaker reading a paragraph in English. Following the recording, the subjects took a 15-question test to see which words they remembered. Each question had four choices. The subjects had to circle the word they had heard in the recording, Some of the questions had four choices that sound alike. For example, weather, whether, wither, and wetter are four words that sound alike. Some of the questions had four choices that have the same meaning. Method, way, manner, and system would be four words with the same meaning. Finally the subjects took a language proficiency test. Henning found that students with a lower proficiency in English made more of their mistakes on words that sound alike; students with a higher proficiency made more of their mistakes on words that have the same meaning. Henning's results suggest that beginning students hold the sound of words in their short-term memory, and advanced students hold the meaning of words in their short-term memory. The word "subject" in the passage means _ . the student experimented on San Francisco's Chinatown is the biggest and oldest in the country. It's the third most visited tourist destination in the city. It's also the city's most densely populated neighbor- hood. So why are. businesses in Chinatown struggling? In this week's paper, I outline some of the reasons for why Chinatown's crowded streets and busy shops might be declining. Underneath the surface, Chinatown is falling. And the city, local organizations and businesses are trying to figure out what they can do to turn things around. While numbers of people visit Chinatown, they don't stay long and they don't spend a lot of money. And beyond annual festivals,1ike Chinese New Years, this month's Moon Festival and last month's Sunday Streets - which drew about 15,000 t0 20.000 people - the neighborhood has a hard time attracting locals. Can you remember the last. time you went to Chinatown ?If you can't, You're not alone. Locals told me that Chinatown doesn't have much to offer them - that the stores are all the same. There are some good eating joints, people said, but they don't know how to find them. Some people even told me that they sometimes go to extreme measures to avoid the neighborhood altogether. But when asked if the-v would like to see Chinatown gone, the answer was always a strong no. Locals are hopeful that things will get better and traffic will increase when the Central Subway is complete. But chat's not for another five years. at least. And if' new shops or restaurants don't make their way into Chinatown. the same problem of attracting locals will exist. Not that Chinatown's going to die. The dragon still has some fire in its belly. And many people are rooting for positive change. The question is, how does Chinatown change without losing the very importance of what makes it unique? According to the locals we can know that _ . shops in Chinatown lack their own characteristics On July 4,1986,Americans celebrated the Statue of Liberty's 100th birthday.Parades,speeches,fireworks,and other activities contributed to the great joy of the event.The celebration caused reporters and the 1ocal people to 1ook back a century to the similar great joy that marked the official opening of the statue.The Statue of Liberty was completed in 1886,but the story began earlier.The idea for a statue was first suggested at a dinner party by Edouard de Laboulaye, a French historian .A guest at the party was Frederic Bartholdi,a young sculptor. Most people who attended the dinner party soon forgot the idea,but Laboulaye and Bartholdi remembered it.In 187l, Bartholdi came to the United States to interest Americans in a statue that would link France and the United States in friendship.Many people in France had already been persuaded and contributed money to the project.Americans were also persuaded to build a fund for the statue.Much of the money came from school children. After the idea had been accepted,Bartholdi set to work. He worked hard for many years.His friend Laboulaye died before the statue was completed.At last,in 1885,the statue was sent to the United States.It had to be shipped in sections and then put together for its weight and size. Ever since then, 1886,the Statue of Liberty has stood as a symbol of freedom to millions of immigrants entering New York Harbor. Bartholdi made his first trip to the United States to talk about the Statue of Liberty in _ . 187l If a white bear lives in a space and is going to flourish, the space should mostly match his fur color If a species of plant or animal ceases to exist on earth, either by natural causes or by activities of humans, the loss of the plant or animal cannot be undone
If you've ever seen the way dog people interacted with their pets, it comes as no surprise that there's some germ-exchanging going on there. A new study indicates that dog ownership specifically may be one of the biggest single contributors to what kinds of microbes live on your skin. A team of researchers led by Se Jin Song at the University of Colorado, Boulder, took swabs of the tongues, palms, forehead and feces of members of 60 family households. Some of the families had children or household pets and some did not; dogs were the only pets swabbed. Researchers then analyzed the DNA of the bacteria they found to determine how diverse the bacteria populations were. Not surprisingly, family members who lived together had more bacteria in common than members of separate households. Bacteria on the skin were especially similar within households, probably because we pass microbes through the air, through direct contact, and via the surfaces we touch. The most surprising finding, however, was the large bacteria contribution Fidonad made. The skin bacteria of dog owners from different households was almost as similar as if they'd cohabited without a dog. Put another way, you and a friend across town who both own dogs share a skin ecosystem as alike as a married couple does. The reason for this appears to be that dogs harbor some kinds of bacteria that are rare on human skin. One in particular, a family of bacteria called Methylophilaceae, was abundant in the mouths of dogs sampled as well as the skin of their owners--indicating "a common occurrence of oral-skin transfer between dogs and their owners," according to the results published in the journal eLife. If both you and your friend who live on the other end of your neighborhood have dogs, you may probably _ . A. have lived together without a dog. B. share similar skin ecosystem. C. be married couples before. D. shared the same dog. Answer: B There are several different types of rock. Each type of rock is formed under different conditions. How are sedimentary rocks, such as shale and sandstone, formed? A. Particles are heated by the Sun. B. Particles are melted together by magma. C. Particles are compressed into layers. D. Particles are changed into liquids. Answer: C Three travelers, Allan, Carl and Paul were sitting on the chairs in a train station. They were waiting for a train that was very late. To pass the time, they began talking to each other. At first, they talked about the weather and their work. Then Paul said, "Tell me--what would you most like to do if your doctor tell you that you have only three months to live?" The other two men thought about this for a while, then Carl spoke. "Well," he said, "if I have only three months to live, I'll take all my money out of the bank and go to foreign countries for holidays with my best friend, Erik. I'd like to travel to the places in the world as many as possible. And I'll stay at the best hotels and then eat the best food. I think I'll have a wonderful time." "That's very interesting." Paul said. With these words, he turned to the other man, saying, "And what about you?" "I'll tell you a secret," Allan said. "I always want to be a racing driver. So if I have only three months to live, the first thing I'd like to do is to sell my house. With the money I'll buy the fastest car in the world. Maybe I can enter all the big motor races." Then he laughed, "I might even end up (......) world champion." "Now it's your turn," Allan went on, "If your doctor tell you the bad news, what would you most like to do?" "Oh," said Paul with a smile. "I'll go and see another doctor." The man called _ answered the question first. A. Carl B. Allan C. Erik D. Paul Answer: A Parents fear they are putting too much pressure on their daughters to reach their academic potential, the president of a girls' school body has said. Incoming Girls School Association head Jill Berry said parents were worried about achieving a balance between school achievement and happiness. Mrs. Berry also said that girls could put themselves under a lot of pressure. A poll of 1000 parents surveyed for the association said their top concern was their daughter's education. Girls tend to outperform boys in all stages of their education, and this can lead schools to assume all girls will do well. Mrs. Berry said, "There is no doubt that many mothers and fathers are worried about getting the balance right between their daughters realizing their academic potential while at the same time being happy and safe." Mrs. Berry said in her experience girls had very high expectations of themselves. "That's a positive thing and we want them to aim high. But sometimes we do find a girl is being unrealistic in her aspirations or putting herself under unreasonable pressure. It's not necessarily pushy parents--it can come from the girls themselves." But parents, too, wanted support to get the balance right between caring and being involved in their children's lives and not being "helicopter parents", she added. Women could be perfectionists and it was important to encourage girls to listen to their body, which could give warning signs of too much stress, she added. "Bright motivated high achieving girls with high expectations of themselves are more susceptible to eating disorders," Mrs. Berry said, "But girls' schools are usually very good at dealing with these things." It was a teacher's job to help girls "to have it all", but to help them deal with inevitable disappointments as well, she said. Parents are worried that their daughters _ . A. can't put themselves under pressure B. can't live a stressful life C. can't achieve a balance between school work and happiness D. fall behind boys at school Answer: C My name is Peter. I study in Cambell Middle School. It has a very large building. There are big playgrounds on two sides and a beautiful garden in front. In the building, there is the headmaster's room, the teacher's rooms and thirty-four classrooms. We also have two labs and a library in the building. Our library is on the ground floor. It has books almost on all subjects. It opens after school from Monday to Friday. Our school has uniforms . Boys wear white shirts and blue trousers. Girls wear white blouses and blue skirts. We all wear black shoes and white socks. We study English, Maths, History, Biology, Music and PE at school. My favourite subject is Biology. I think it is fun. Our teachers are nice to us. They check our homework and help us when we need. I love my school and my teachers. What does a girl wear at school? A. A white shirt and blue trousers. B. A white shirt and black trousers. C. A white blouse and a blue skirt. D. A white blouse and a black skirt. Answer: C
Australians have evidently realized the fact that water means life and we need to he more thoughtful in our use of this rather precious resource.Since the year 2000, Australians have managed to reduce their use of water by 14% . In the most populous city, Sydney, they've managed to use less water in 2007 than in 1974, even though the city grew by l. 2 million souls in this period. Across the country nearly 20% of all households have water tanks.That would probably be due, in large part, to the various state governments offering generous . In NSW, for example, where 24,000 households have taken up the offer, you can get $1,500 AUD back if you fix a 7,000 + litre tank and have it attached into your toilet and washing machine. Creywater use has taken off too. The Australian Bureau of Statistics suggest that it's now the second most common source of water in Australia, with over half of the country's homes reusing water from their washing machines, showers and baths. The state of Victoria leads with 70% using greywater, and Queensland, coming close behind with 63%. Up in the northern state of.Queensland, some of their dams have been below 20%. Sydney's main dam is only at 56% of its potential capacity. The country's ongoing drought has seen more than 95% of the length of the Murray- Darling Basin ( the two major river systems that supply the nation's 'food basket' ) regarded as ' degraded', Supply of water has become such an issue that hydro-electric power output has dropped 7% in a recent 9 year period for the states of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.Not good for promoting our uptake understanding of renewable energy in these climate changing times.But at least the message is getting through about making every drop count. The passage is likely to appear in _ . Answer: a newspaper Plaintiff challenged the constitutionality of a state tax law, alleging that it violated the equal protection clauses of both the United States Constitution and the state constitution. The state supreme court agreed and held the tax law to be invalid. It said: "We hold that this state tax law violates the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution and also the equal protection clause of the state constitution because we interpret that provision of the state constitution to contain exactly the same prohibition against discriminatory legislation as is contained in the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution." The state sought review of this decision in the United States Supreme Court, alleging that the state supreme court's determination of the federal constitutional issue was incorrect. How should the United States Supreme Court dispose of the case if it believes that this interpretation of the federal Constitution by the state supreme court raises an important federal question and is incorrect on the merits? Answer: Reverse the state supreme court decision with respect to the equal protection clause of the federal Constitution and remand the case to the state supreme court for further proceedings, because the state and federal constitutional issues are so intertwined that the federal issue must be decided so that this case may be disposed of properly. what does a barometer do to air pressure Answer: state its tightness Valentine's Day is on February 14th every year. On this day, people send valentines to their loved ones. Valentine's Day is a special time to tell how much you care about a person. Many people send candy in hearted shaped boxes to people they love. Flowers are also presents that people send on Valentine's Day. Valentine cards with words are often used by many people. Can you guess who gets the greatest number of Valentine cards in the USA each year? Is It mother or father, sister or brother? Is it uncle or aunt? Is it the special friend? No, it isn't! Mothers get a lot of cards, but school teachers get the most each year. Do you know who sends the most? Children do. Children send five times as many on February 14 th as adults do. Valentine's Day _ . Answer: comes once a year People have different ways of greeting each other. They might shake hands , kiss or hug . But do you ever wonder how dogs say hello? If you are a dog lover, you already know the answer to this question. When you arrive home, your dog jumps up into your lap . It wags its tail, and sometimes gives you wet kisses. Like humans, dogs have five senses : smell, touch, sight, hearing and taste. Humans use sight as the main sense for recognizing one another. But dogs have poor eyesight. They use smell to recognize others. A dog's sense of smell is much better than a human's. It is through its sense of smell that tells the differences between different people. Dogs use smell to recognize other dogs, too. They tell the differences by the smell of pee and pooh . When two dogs meet, they smell each other's noses. Then they go side to side, and smell each other's butts . By smelling its friend's behind, a dog knows who it is with. That is also why dogs smell everything they can on the road. By smelling grass, trees and signposts , dogs know which other neighborhood dogs have been around. How do the dogs recognize each other? Answer: They use smell to recognize each other.
PITTSBURGH - For most people, snakes seem unpleasant or even threatening. But Howie Choset sees in their delicate movements a way to save lives. The 37-year-old Carnegie Mellon University professor has spent years developing snake-like robots he hopes will eventually slide through fallen buildings in search of victims trapped after natural disasters or other emergencies. Dan Kara is president of Robotics Trends, a Northboro, Mass.-based company that publishes an online industry magazine and runs robotics trade shows. He said there are other snake-like robots being developed, mainly at universities, but didn't know of one that could climb pipes. The Carnegie Mellon machines are designed to carry cameras and electronic sensors and can be controlled with a joystick . They move smoothly with the help of small electric motors, or servos, commonly used by hobbyists in model airplanes. Built from lightweight materials, the robots are about the size of a human arm or smaller. They can sense which way is up, but are only as good as their human operators, Choset added. Sam Stover, a search term manager with the Federal Emergency Management Agency based in Indiana, said snake-type robots would offer greater mobility than equipment currently available, such as cameras attached to extendable roles. "It just allows us to do something we've not been able to do before," Stover said, "We needed them yesterday." He said snifter dogs are still the best search tool for rescue workers, but that they can only be used effectively when workers have access to damaged building. Stover, among the rescue workers who handled the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, said snake robots would have helped rescuers search flooded houses in that disaster. Choset said the robots may not be ready for use for another five to ten years, depending on funding. What is the text mainly about? Answer: Many of Nalade Resorts' hotels have Kids Club with special facilities for young children, making holidays more relaxing for parents and undoubtedly more pleasant and interesting for youngsters! Kids Club in Beau Rivage (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.) The club has a lovely atmosphere, with a large room for activities and a fenced, grass play-area outside. The qualified hostesses really know how to get on with children, as they look after and entertain youngsters from 3 to 12. Activities are adapted according to children's ages and talents and include: Glass-bottom boat trips to see the brightly colored games Drawing and painting Making things and a whole host of indoor games Learning how to snorkel and water-ski A baby sitting service is also available on request, for a fee. Children's dinner is served in the main restaurant at 6:30 p.m. Kids Club in Legends (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Three qualified hostesses entertain youngsters from 3 to 11 years old. For children under 3, a baby sitting service is also available on request, for a fee. Children's lunch is served between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. in the main restaurant or in the Kids Club depending on the day. The children have dinner in the main restaurant between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Kids Club in Les Pavillons (9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) Friendly, experienced, well-trained staff keep youngsters from 3 to 11 happy and occupied throughout the day and evening. Activities include: Learning the local dance, the Sega Gathering crabs on the beach by torchlight Making things and a whole host of indoor games Learning to play a traditional musical instrument A special children's dinner is served from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Baby sitting service can also be provided, for a fee. Kids Club in Diva The ideal arrangement for both parents and their youngsters! Qualified staffs look after children aged from 3 to 11 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and organize a whole range of activities to keep them busy and happy. Children have dinner between 6 and 7 p.m. A baby sitting service is also available, for a fee. According to the activity lists, children can learn some water sports in the Club of _ . Answer: George and Carol were medical students at the same college and, like many other college students, they enjoyed playing jokes on people. Both of them smoked, but they knew that their professor was strongly against it, because smoking was dangerous to one's health. One day they decided to play a joke on their professor. At one of their medical lectures there was always a skeleton in the room so that the professor could show the students the different bones in the human body. That afternoon, Carol and George put a cigarette in the mouth of the skeleton that was to be used for their next lecture. When the professor came in, he began talking and then noticed the cigarette. He went up to the skeleton, took the cigarette out of its mouth and said," You really should give them up, old boy. Look what they're doing to you!" Which of the following is TRUE according to the story ? Answer: Over the centuries the French have lost a number of famous battles with the British. However, they've always felt superior in the kitchen. France has for centuries had a reputation for cooking excellence, and Britain for some of the worst cooking in the world. But according to a recent survey, _ In the survey, 71% of the Britons said they cook at home every day, while only 59% of the French said they cook daily. British home cooks spend more time cooking each week and also produce a greater variety of dishes than French home cooks. The reaction in London was predictably enthusiastic. British food has greatly improved since the 1990s. Once upon a time, the menu for many family meals would have been roast beef, potatoes and over-cooked vegetables, but not now. Home cooks are experimenting with the huge range of ingredients now available in British supermarkets and are preparing all kinds of new dishes, using the cookbooks that sell millions of copies every year. As a result, there's much more diversity in British food now, compared to French food, which tends to be very traditional. Some French people say that the survey did not show the whole picture. They agree that during the week French women don't cook as much as they used to because most of them work and don't have much time. They tend to buy ready-made or frozen dishes, but many of them make up for it on the weekend. There's also a difference between Paris and the country-side. It's true that people in Paris don't cook much, but elsewhere, cooking is still at the heart of daily life. For many French people, opinions about British food have not changed. When Bernard Blier, the food editor at a magazine, was asked about British food, he replied: "I don't go out of my way to try it. It is not very refined. You can say that I'm not a fan at all." What does the passage mainly talk about? Answer: When TV news programs report wars or disasters, the editors rarely use the most horrifying pictures of dead or wounded victims because they don't want to upset their viewers. Even so, viewers are usually warned in advance that they may find some of these scenes disturbing, so they can look away if they choose. But the men and women whose job is to record those scenes-the TV cameramen-have no such choice. It is their duty to witness the horrors of the world and record them, no matter how terrible and unpleasant they may be. Consequently, it is one of the most dangerous, exposed and emotionally taxing jobs the world has to offer. Today, the demand for their work is rising. The explosion of satellite broadcasting and 24-hour news in recent years has created an almost insatiable demand for TV information. But major broadcasters and the TV news agencies--such as Reuters and WTN-have never had enough staff to meet the worldwide demand for up-to-date pictures, so increasingly they turn to "freelance" TV cameramen. These freelance cameramen are independent operators tied to no particular organization. They will work for any company which hires them, be it for just a few hours or for several weeks in a war zone. But if the freelance cameraman is injured in the course of the job, the TV company is not responsible for him. The freelancer must survive on his own. TV will always need hard, vivid moving pictures which are fresh, but these companies feel uncomfortable with large numbers of employees on their books, explains Nick Growing, once foreign editor for Britain Channel 4 News and now a BBC news presenter. By hiring freelancers, they can buy in the skills they need only when they need them. It also enables them to contract out the risk, he says. TV news agencies turn to freelance cameramen in order to _ . Answer:
Question: Morocco is located at the northwest of Africa and is bordered in the north by the strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea. The Atlantic Ocean keeps the west and the north of the country more temperate . The country also offers the broadest plains some of which run along the Atlantic Ocean and the highest mountains in North Africa including the Atlas Mountains. Starting with the symbol of Morocco, Marrakech is a beautiful city that has remained unspoiled by the volume of tourists that flock there each year. One of the finest monuments in Morocco is greatly benefited by this amount of tourism. Actually their high volume contributes in a positive way to preserve one of the greatest monuments of Morocco. Fes is the third largest city in Morocco and is the capital of the Fes-Boulemane Region. It is separated into three parts, Fes el Bali more commonly known as the old walled city, now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fes-Jdid and the Ville Nouvelle. Fes el Bali is believed to be the largest car-free urban area in the world. Fes is a splendid place to visit to heighten the senses with the colours, smells and sounds. Casablanca is an enormous city which is near the capital of Morocco and a place where any European would feel at home. Casablanca was made famous by the movie and gives the impression of being a romantic place. Unfortunately like many other popular cities around the world, it is crowded, noisy, and polluted, a far cry from the romantic ideal of the film. Because it has the biggest port, Casablanca being the important city of Morocco, has everything that the tourists need. Asilah is a city situated on the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the most stunning old cities of Morocco. The city is set along the cliffs which make it beautifully presented and an ideal place to continue adding to its economy by the fishermen. The economy is also reliant on the trading of cattle, sheep and cereal. If you are having a holiday in Morocco during August then you will be fortunate enough to experience one of Asilah's cultural festivals where you can enjoy the lively music and wonderful paintings. The passage most probably appears _ . A. in a geography book B. in a magazine C. in a history book D. in an atlas Answer: B. in a magazine Question: Air travel is such an everyday experience these days that we are not surprised when we read about a politician having talks with the Japanese Prime Minister one day, attending a meeting in Australia the following morning and having to be off at midday to sign a trade agreement in Hong Kong. But frequent long-distance flying can be so tiring that the traveler begins to feel his brain is in one country, his digestion in another and his powers of concentration nowhere---in short, he hardly knows where he is. Air travel is so quick nowadays that we can leave London after breakfast and be in New York in eight hours, yet what really disturbs us most is that when we arrive it is lunch time while we have already had lunch on the plane and are expecting dinner. Doctors say that air travelers are in no condition to work after crossing a number of time zones. Airline pilots, however, often live by their own watches. Which statement is right? _ . A. A traveler from London to New York needs lunch during his travel B. A traveler from London to New York doesn't need any lunch on the plane C. The lunch hour in New York is eight hours later than that in London D. In fact, the distance from London to New York is only four hours' trip by air Answer: A. A traveler from London to New York needs lunch during his travel Question: Although in 1947 we were still very new to the atomic age, we knew about mushroom clouds. A huge crack spread across the library wall upstairs, sending teachers and students screaming down the hall. Had a new world war started? Pale-faced, our young science teacher quickly organized us for a fire drill. We huddled in little groups on the beach side of the school grounds and watched the spreading cloud darken the bright spring sky. Rumors flew every which way, although two hours would pass before we got the full story.One rumor we heard was that the Texas City Monsanto Chemical plant had blown up; children whose parents worked there began to weep. I froze--that was where my father was working that day. The school bell called us back inside, and we were dismissed to find our way home the best way we could. I-d walked a quarter of the three-mile trip to my home when a car horn startled me to attention. My Uncle Barney pulled up alongside me in his old Ford. The instant I saw him, I knew my father was gone. Otherwise, Papa would have come for me himself. As if in slow motion from a great distance, Uncle Barney motioned for me to get in. Numb with grief, I crawled into the back seat. I barely took notice of the man sitting there, and didn't recognize him until he reached for me. When Papa put his strong arms around me, I forgot for a moment that Cherokees aren't supposed to cry. Many of my fellow students lost their parents in the explosion. Tragedy would one day come to our family, as it inevitably comes to all, but on the day Texas City blew up, it miraculously passed us by. Because he lost his keys on that April morning, as he explained, my father lived for another 32 years-we were to have a second lifetime forever. Which of the following statements is TRUE? A. The author-s father didn-t have to work that day. B. The author-s father had a narrow escape. C. The school was near where the accident happened. D. The author-s uncle broke the news of her father-s death. Answer: B. The author-s father had a narrow escape. Question: How is a place of lower elevation affected by flooding when compared to a higher location? A. It is more affected by the flood B. It is impossible to flood a lower elevation location C. It is more resistant than a higher place D. The lower area is already flooded Answer: A. It is more affected by the flood Question: If you have dinner with people in the west, I think you must pay more attention to the table manners. Here are some good table manners for you. When you eat something, try not to make a noise or burp at the table. Because people think that is not polite. People will say "Excuse me" when they want to burp. Talking with food in the mouth is very rude. So you must eat the food quietly and slowly. If you eat too fast, people think you are rude too. Do not talk with others when you have food in your mouth. It is good to eat all the food on your plate. This means you like the food very much. Remember to say the food is nice. And this can make the host very happy. When you finish eating, you can place your knife and fork together. Which of the following is NOT good manners? A. To eat all the food on your plate. B. To eat the food quietly and slowly. C. To talk with others when you have food in your mouth. D. To place your knife and fork together after finishing eating. Answer: C. To talk with others when you have food in your mouth.
Twenty-first century humanity has mapped oceans and mountains, visited the moon, and surveyed the planets. But for all the progress, people still don't know one another very well. That brings about Theodore Zeldin's "feast of conversation"-events where individuals pair with persons they don't know for three hours of guided talk designed to get the past "Where are you from?" Mr. Zeldin, an Oxford University professor, heads Oxford Muse, a 10-year-old foundation based on the idea that what people need is not more information, but more inspiration and encouragement. The "feast" in London looks not at politics or events, but at how people have felt about work, relations among the sexes, hopes and fears, enemies and authority, the shape of their lives. The "menu of conversation" includes topics like "How have your priorities changed over the years?" Or, "What have you rebelled against the past?" As participants gathered, Zeldin opened with a speech: that despite instant communications in a globalized age, issues of human heart remain. Many people are lonely, or in routines that discourage knowing the depth of one another. "We are trapped in shallow conversations and the whole point now is to think, which is sometimes painful," he says. "But thinking interaction is what separates us from other species, except maybe dogs...who do have generations of human interactions." The main rules of the "feast": Don't pair with someone you know or ask questions you would not answer. The only awkward moment came when the multi-racial crowd of young adults to seniors, in sun hats, ties and dresses, looked to see whom they would be 'intimate' with for hours. But 15 minutes later, everyone was seated and talking, continuing full force until organizers interrupted them 180 minutes later. "It's encouraging to see the world is not just a place of oppression and distance from each other," Zeldin summed up. "What we did is not ordinary, but it can't be madder than the world already is." Some said they felt "liberated" to talk on sensitive topics. Thirty-something Peter, from East London, said that "it might take weeks or months to get to the level of interaction we suddenly opened up." From the passage, we can conclude that what Zeldin does is _ . Answer: They are most likely to be healthy, wealthy and wise, according to the old saying. But those who are early to bed and early to rise do not always have the upper hand, researchers say. They have revealed that night owls are generally brighter and wealthier than those able to get up early in the morning. 1 Experts from the University of Madrid carried out tests on around 1,000 teenagers and found that those who preferred to stay up late demonstrated the kind of intelligence associated with honored jobs and higher incomes. 2 The researchers examined the habits and body clocks of the youngsters to determine whether they liked to stay up late and sleep in later in the morning, or preferred to go to bed early and were at their peak in the morning. 3 School performance and inductive intelligence, or problem solving, were measured and academic grades in the major subjects were also taken into account. The results showed that evening types scored higher than morning types on inductive reasoning, which has been shown to be a good estimate of general intelligence and a strong indicator of academic performance. 4 They also had a greater capacity to think conceptually as well as analytically. Such abilities have been linked to innovative thinking, more admired occupations and better incomes. Famous night owls include President Obama, Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill, Keith Richards and Elvis Presley. George W Bush, who is regularly in bed by 10pm, Thomas Edison, Napoleon, Condoleezza Rice, who wakes at 4.30am, and Ernest Hemingway are among those known as larks . Jim Horne, professor of psychophysiology at Loughborough University, said: 'Evening types tend to be the more active and creative types, the poets, artists and inventors, while the morning types are the deducers , as often seen with civil servants and accountants.' A previous study of US Air Force recruits found evening types were much better at thinking laterally to solve problems than larks. What's the author's attitude towards night owls? Answer: He could have been president of Israel or played violin at Carnegie Hall, but he was too busy thinking. His thinking on God, love and the meaning of life graces our greeting cards and day-timers. Fifty years after his death, his shock of white hair and hanging moustache still symbolize genius. Einstein remains the foremost scientist of the modern time. Looking back 2,400 years, only Newton ,Galileo and Aristotle were his equals. Around the world , universities and academies are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Einstein's "miracle year" when he published five scientific papers in 1905 that basically changed our grasp of space, time ,light and matter. Only he could top himself about a decade later with his theory of relativity. Born in the age of horse-drawn carriages, his ideas launched a technological revolution that has made more changes in a century than in the previous two thousand years. Computers, satellites, telecommunications, lasers, televisions and nuclear power all owe their invention to ways in which Einstein exposed a stranger and more complicated reality underneath the world. He escaped Hitler's Germany and devoted the rest of his life to human rights and peace with an authority unmatched by any scientist today, or even most politicians and religious leaders. He spoke out against fascism and racial prejudice. His FBI file ran 1,400 pages. His letters expose a disorderly personal life - married twice and indifferent toward his children while absorbed in physics. Yet he charmed lovers and admirers with poetry and sailboat outings. Friends and neighbors fiercely protected his privacy. When you think of Einstein, what typical appearance was formed in your mind? Answer: Thousands of people have been killed in a massive earthquake in Japan. The quake -- the most powerful to hit Japan in more than 100 years -- caused massive _ and many people are missing and feared dead. The 8.9 magnitude quake struck Friday(March 11) off Japan's eastern coast, and prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific as far away as South America and the U.S. West Coast. Several days after a 8.9-magnitude earthquake and resulting 10-meter-high tsunami devastated the coastline. The United States Geological Survey says it was the fifth largest earthquake since 1900. The largest, with a 9.5 magnitude, shook Chile in 1960. In Japan, the tsunami swept away boats, cars and hundreds of houses in coastal areas north of Tokyo. The quake shook buildings in the Japanese capital and caused several fires. All train and subway traffic in Tokyo has been stopped, and thousands of people there were unable to get back home. People are just trying to find clean water. Food supplies are running out. In the convenience stores, there are no rice balls left. There is no bottled water left. People are facing a really serious situation in the days ahead for these people that are living in areas that were only moderately damaged. The final death toll could range from the thousands to tens of thousands, depending on how many of these communities are gone. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the government would do everything it can to minimize the effects of the disaster. And in Washington, President Obama said the United States is ready to help the people of Japan. Which is true according to the passage? Answer: What's the difference between the British Isles, Britain, the United Kingdom and England? The British Isles is made up of two large islands: One is called Ireland and the other Britain. Britain, or Great Britain, is the larger of these two islands and it is divided into three parts: Scotland, Wales and England. The United Kingdom (UK) is short for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is made up of Scotland, Wales, and England (i.e. the whole of Britain), and also about one-sixth of Ireland, the Northern part. The rest of Ireland is self-governing . England is the largest, most populous , and generally speaking, the richest section. English people often use the words "England" and "English" when they mean "Britain" and "British". This sometimes makes the Scots and the Welsh angry. The Scots are very proud of their separate nationality. The Welsh too do not consider themselves as England, and have a culture and even a language of their own. Ireland became part of the United Kingdom in 1801, but is soon grew discontented , and for forty years the "Irish Question" was the greatest headache of British Parliament . At last, Ireland divided itself into two: Northern Ireland remained loyal to the Crown , and in 1922 the rest of the country broke away to form Irish Free State, now the Republic of Ireland. Who will be happy if we use "England" when we mean Britain? Answer:
The first time I saw Carlos I would never have believed he was going to change my life. I had my arms full of books and I was walking into the classroom when I ran into something solid. It was Carlos. "My God, you're tall" he said. Of course, the class began to laugh. Angry, I walked to my seat without a word. I glanced back to see if Reed Harrington was laughing with the rest. That would be the last straw. But Reed as studying chemistry and did not seem to be aware of anything else. I didn't know why I considered Reed my friend. Maybe just because he was a good two inches taller than I. Anyway, every time I blew out my birthday candles and make a wish, it was for a date with Reed Harrington. "Take that seat." Mr. McCarthy told the cocky newcomer Carlos, pointing to the only empty one, in the back of the room. Carlos laughed widely. "But I need a couple of dictionaries." Again the class laughed, but now they were laughing with Carlos, not at him. He had been here only 10 minutes and already he had them on his side." The bell rang for classes. As I stood up to go, I saw Carlos coming toward me. " I'm sorry I embarrassed you," he said. I looked straight head over the top of his black hair. "That's all right." "I ought to know better." He was still blocking my way." What's your name?" "Karen Forbes." "You probably heard me say I'm Carlos Herrera." He held out his hand. Unwillingly, I shook hands with him. He looked up at me seriously with his brown eyes." "I don't see why you're so touchy." I brushed by him and said sharply, "You wouldn't understand." He followed me a few steps. "I'm just the one who should, Karen," he said. "You and I have a lot in common." It was the school elections that made me think of Carlos again. Reed Harrington was voted president and Carlos vice-president. "How come?" I kept asking myself," How come this shrimp who's only been in town for a little over a month gets to be so popular?" So that morning, I stopped Carlos and said, " It doesn't seem to bother you ---being short." He looked up at me. "Of course I mind being short. But there isn't anything I can do about it. When I realized I was going to have to spend my life in this undersized skin, I just decided to make the best of it and concentrate on being myself." "You seem to get along great." "I admitted, "But what about me? Nobody wants to date a girl taller than he is." "The trouble with you is that you're afraid to be yourself. You're smart. And you could be pretty. In fact, you might be more than pretty." I felt myself turning red. The author was angry because _ Answer: the class made fun of her. Most musicians agree that the best violins were first made in prefix = st1 /Italy. They were made inCremona,Italy, about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any others. They even sound better than violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the old Italian violins. But they aren't the same. Musicians still prefer the old ones. No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer. Some people think it is the age of the violins. They say that today's violins will also sound wonderful someday. But there is a problem here. Not all old violins sound wonderful. Only those from Cremonaare special. So age cannot be the answer. There must be something different aboutCremonaor those Italian violin makers. Other people think the secret to those violins is the wood. The wood of the violin is very important. It must be from certain kinds of trees. It must not be too young or too old. Perhaps the violin makers of Cremons knew something special about wood for violins. But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may be more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It has to be the right size and shape. The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians sometimes think that this was the secret of the Italians. Maybe they understood more than we do about how to cut the wood. Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists measured these old violins very carefully. They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old one. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish, which covers the wood of the violin and makes it look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today. There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever. Young musicians today hope this is not true. They need fine violins. But there aren't very many of the old violins left. Also, the old violins are very expensive. Recently, a famous old Italian violin was sold for about US $ 300,000! Violins made today _ . Answer: look the same as the old ones It was the day when the UPSR results would be released. Sleepless nights, pounding hearts... Pupils were laughing with their peers or talking non-stop as their eyes searched for their parents. They looked pale, as if someone had squeezed the air from their lungs. Now I was among the anxious parents. I sat behind my daughter. She looked back, saw me and waved. I nodded. As the teachers walked in, the noise subsided. The year's results were read out. Then came the moment of truth. Pupils who had scored 5As were called out one by one and each of them stepped up on stage. When my daughter went up, I felt fine, but she was crying. I wondered why; maybe she didn't expect to score 5As. Anyway, I said a thankful prayer quietly. After the last name was called, what I saw made an impact on me. One mother just dashed from the back, crying. I thought she was the parent of the last pupil, but I was wrong. She hugged her daughter seated in the front row, saying it was all right that she hadn't scored all As. Her kid was crying. This morn kissed her daughter's forehead and walked straight to the back of the hall, wiping her tears as she walked. She didn't care about the other parents looking at her. How much pressure do we put on these 12-year-olds? All they did was studying and doing endless homework and countless practice questions. Where was the joy that they rightfully needed? As a parent, I think scoring top marks is not the main thing in life. Survival skills are more important than just chewing school texts and regurgitating them in an exam. So let your kids be kids. Let them play, cycle and climb trees. They will be children only once in their lifetime, so don't rob them of their childhood. Let's teach our kids how to be human, how to interact with others, how to help others and recognize "bad people". Teach them how to survive in this cruel world! What moved the author most according to the text? Answer: That the mother made her efforts to comfort her daughter. As civilization proceeds in the direction of technology, it passes the point of supplying all the basic essentials of life--food, shelter, clothes and warmth. Then we are faced with a choice between using technology to provide and fulfill needs which have now been regarded as unnecessary or, on the other hand, using technology to reduce the number of hours of work which a man must do in order to earn a given standard of living. In other words, we either raise our standard of living above that necessary for comfort and happiness or we leave it at this level and work shorter hours. I shall take it for granted that mankind has, by that time, chosen the latter alternative. Men will be working shorter and shorter hours in their paid employment. It follows that the housewife will also expect to be able to have more leisure in her life without lowering her standard of living. It also follows that human domestic servants will have completely ceased to exist. Yet the great majority of the housewives will wish to be relieved completely from the routine operations of the home such as scrubbing the floors or the bath of the cooker, or washing the clothes or washing up, or dusting or sweeping, or making beds. By far the most logical step to relieve the housewife of routine is to provide a robot which can be trained to the requirements of a particular home and can be programmed to carry out half a dozen or more standard operations, when switched by the housewife. What alternative will mankind have chosen in future? Answer: To leave our standard of living at this level and work shorter hours. The young man arrived on the Massachusetts beach early carrying a radio, a shovel , and a strange set of tools: a brick layer's trowel, a palette knife, spatulas, spoons, and a spray bottle. He walked down near the water -- the tide was out -- and switched on the radio to listen to soft rock. Then he shoveled wet sand into a pile nearly four feet high and as many feet across. Then he created a square shape. After that, he set to work with palette knife, spatulas, and spoons. He shaped a splendid tower, topped walls, fashioned beautiful bay windows, and carved out a big front gate. The man knew his sand. He smoothly finished some surfaces and carved artistic designs on others. As the shapes began to dry, he gently kept them slightly wet with water from the spray bottle, in case they might break in the wind. All this took hours. People gathered. At last he stood back, obviously satisfied with a castle worthy of the Austrian countryside or Disneyland. Then he gathered his tools and radio and moved them up to drier sand. He had known for a while what many in the crowd still ignored: the tide was coming in. Not only had he practiced his art with confidence and style, he also had done so against a powerful, irresistible deadline. As the crowd looked on, water came at the base of the castle. In minutes it was surrounded. Then the rising flood began to eat into the base, walls fell, the tower fell, and finally the gate fell. More minutes passed, and small waves erased bay windows -- soon no more than a small part was left. Many in the crowd looked terribly sad; some voiced fear and discouragement. But the man remained calm. He had, after all, had a wonderful day, making beauty out of nothing, and watching it return to nothing as time and tide moved on. In this passage, what does the incoming tide signal? Answer: It is the end of a day's work.
Holidaymakers who are bored with baking beaches and overheated hotel rooms head for a big igloo. Swedish businessman Nile Bergqvist is delighted with his new hotel, the world's first igloo hotel. Built in a small town in Lapland, it has been attracting lots of visitors, but soon the fun will be over. In two weeks' time Bergqvist's ice creation will be nothing more than a pool of water. "We don't see it as a big problem," he says. "We just look forward to replacing it." Bergqvist built his first igloo in 1991 for an art exhibition. It was so successful that he designed the present one, which measures roughly 200 square meters. Six workmen spent more than eight weeks piling 1,000 tons of snow onto a wooden base; when the snow froze, the base was removed. "The only wooden thing we have left in the igloo is the front door," he says. After their stay, all visitors receive a survival certificate recording their success. With no windows, nowhere to hang clothes and temperatures below 0degC, it may seem more like a survival test than a relaxing hotel break. "It's great fun," Bergqvist explains, "As well as a good start in survival training." The popularity of the igloo is beyond doubt: it is now attracting tourists from all over the world. At least 800 people have stayed at the igloo this season even though there are only 10 rooms. "You can get a lot of people in," explains Bergqvist. "The beds are three meters wide by two meters long, and can fit at least four at one time." According to the text, the first thing to do in building an igloo is _ . A to gather a pool of water B to prepare a wooden base C to cover the ground with ice D to pile a large amount of snow Answer: B THERE are natural disasters that humans can predict. There are others whose timing is difficult to know. What happened in Indonesia last month fell into the latter group. On October 25, a tsunami caused by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in the Mentawai islands of West Sumatra, Indonesia hit shores and damaged whole villages. By last Friday, it had left about 450 dead and forced around 15,000 people to leave their homes. Tsunami is Japanese for "harbor wave". It is usually caused by a sudden rise or fall of part of the Earth's crust under the ocean. It is most common in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Normally a tsunami is a series of waves. The waves can be very long - as much as 100 kilometers - and be as far as one hour apart. They are able to cross oceans without losing much energy. When the ocean is deep, tsunamis can travel unnoticed at speeds of up to 800 kilometers an hour. They can cross a whole ocean in a day or less. The wave may only be a few meters high but when they are near the shore and reach shallow water, they build up height very quickly. Some witnesses in the Mentawai islands reported seeing up to 6-meter high waves crash onto the shore. Failed alert system Many countries set up early warning systems in their waters in the hope of giving people enough time to escape to higher ground in the event of a tsunami. But Indonesia's warning system, completed with German aid, stopped working about a month ago because of disrepair , according to the country's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency. As a result, not a single siren sounded after the earthquake. However, it was unclear if the sirens could have made a difference because the islands affected were so close to the epicenter that the tsunami would have reached them within minutes. What do we know about Indonesia's Tsunami warning system from the article? A Germans are still completing it. B Warnings could be of no use at all. C Tsunamis come before warnings. D It has been under repair for a month. Answer: B An old woman went suddenly blind. She promised a doctor a lot of money if he could make her see again. "If you fail", she said , " you will get nothing," The doctor agreed with her. The doctor soon discovered what was wrong with her, but he decided not to cure her right away. Instead, each time he visited, he secretly took some of her things. When he had taken everything that he wanted, he cured her blindness and sent her a large bill. Now when the old woman could see again she noticed that all her things had gone and she refused to pay the bill. So the doctor took her before a judge. "What the doctor says is true." she said to the judge. "But I say I'm not cured, because I still can't see any of the things in my house." The old woman won her case and the doctor went away unhappily without getting his pay. The doctor didn't cure the old woman right away because _ . A he didn't know how to cure her B he wanted to get a lot of money C he wanted to take the woman's things D the woman refused to pay him Answer: C Do you like dogs? Do you know the following things about dogs? The first pet dog Dogs are meat-eating animals. They belonged to the family of wolves a long time ago. About 15,000 years ago, people started keeping wolves for hunting . Over the time, the wolves began to look like dogs and they became people's pets. What a dog looks like Dogs come in different sizes, colors and shapes, but they're the same in some ways. All kinds of dogs have a set of forty-two strong teeth for eating. They have sharp claws at the end of their feet for digging up soil and holding onto the ground when they walk. They have very good eyesight. They also have high ability to hear and smell. How a dog grows A mother dog gives birth to one to twelve babies at a time. New-born baby dogs cannot see or hear until they are two weeks old. The mother dog gives the baby dogs milk. When they are four weeks old, they start eating soft food. When they're eight weeks, the baby dogs have very strong legs and they can go for long walks. How to read a dog's feelings Dogs act differently when they have different feelings. When a dog is angry, it opens its mouth and shows its teeth. When a dog is frightened, it lowers its ears and holds its tail between its legs. A happy dog always wags its tail. ,. (10) People have started keeping dogs as pets since _ . A there were humans B 15,000 years ago C there were wolves D the wolves looked like dogs Answer: B More than seven hundred years ago, the Prince of Wales had a very big and brave dog called Gelert. One day the Prince wanted to go hunt-ing with his men. He told his dog to stay at home and look after his baby son. The baby was in a wooden cradle, which was like a small bed. When the Prince came back from hunt-ing, Gelert ran out to meet his master. He wagged his tail and jumped up to put his paws on the Prince's chest. Then the Prince saw the blood on Gelert's jaws and head. "What have you done?" the Prince said. He rushed into his house and looked for his baby son. The cradle was lying on its side on the floor. The clothes were torn and there was blood on them. "So you have killed my son?" the Prince said angrily. "You unfaithful dog!" He took out his sword and killed the dog. Just as Gelert was dying, he managed to bark. Then the Prince heard a baby call to the dog. The Prince ran out of the house and saw his son lying on the ground unhurt. Near him was a dead wolf. Then the Prince knew that Gelert had defended the baby and killed the wolf. The Prince ran back into the house but he was too late. Gelert was dead. The Prince was very sad indeed. Tears ran down his face when he realized 'he had killed his faith-ful friend. The Prince carried the body of his brave dog to the top of a mountain and buried him there. After this, the Prince never smiled again. Every morning at dawn, he walked up the mountain and stood by the dog's grave for a few minutes. If you go to Mount Snowdon in Wales, people will show you where Gelert is buried. There is a sign by his grave. It reminds peo-ple of a brave and faithful dog. The Prince told the dog to _ when he was leaving. A watch the door B take care of his baby at home C welcome his friends D stop the strangers Answer: B
Members of a religious group calling itself the Friends of Lucifer believe in Lucifer as their Supreme Being. The members of this group meet once a year on top of Mt. Snow, located meet once a year on top of Mt. Snow, located in a U.S. National Park, to hold an overnight encampment and a midnight dance around a large campfire. They believe this overnight encampment and all of its rituals are required by Lucifer to be held on the top of Mt. Snow. U.S. National Park Service rules that have been consistently enforced prohibit all overnight camping and all campfires on Mt. Snow because of the very great dangers overnight camping and campfires would pose in that particular location. As a result, the park Superintendent denied a request by the Friends of Lucifer for a permit to conduct these activities on top of Mt. Snow. The park Superintendent, who was known to be violently opposed to cults and other unconventional groups had, in the past, issued permits to conventional religious groups to conduct sunrise services in other areas of that U.S. National Park. The Friends of Lucifer brought suit in Federal Court against the U.S. National Park Service and the Superintendent of the park to compel issuance of the requested permit. As a matter of constitutional law, the most appropriate result in this suit would be a decision that denial of the permit was Answer: Many people watched the lift-off of the space shuttle Columbia on March 21, 1982. But none watched more closely than eighteen-year-old Ted, as Ted's insects were on board the shuttle. The Shuttle Student Involvement Program invited students to make a science experiment. The experiment would be done by astronauts on the space shuttle. Ted had always been interested in space and flight. Insect flight especially interested him. Ted noticed that insects need gravity to take off and land. They need gravity to fly in a straight line. But in space, there is no gravity. Could insects fly in zero gravity? That is what Ted wanted to find out. Ted made an experiment called "Insect in Flight Motion Study". He entered his experiment and soon news came that _ . A large team of scientists and engineers helped Ted get his experiment ready to fly. There were many questions to be answered first. What kind of insects would Ted use in his experiment? The insects would have to be strong enough to live on the shuttle for nine days without much food. What kind of container would hold the insects? Would the insects die during the shuttle flight? After months of hard work, the "insectronauts" were chosen. A group of moths, flies, and honeybees were put into a special box and put onto the space shuttle. When Columbia flew into space, it was carrying insect passengers. On March 24, astronauts Gordon Fullerton and Jack Lousma took out the box that held the insects. They began filming the insects with a special video camera. When the space shuttle landed Ted was able to watch the video film of insects. Just as he thought, most of the insects did have trouble flying in zero gravity. The flies did well. But the moths' flight seemed "uncontrolled". They would often just hang in the air. The bees had the most trouble. They couldn't fly at all! The film showed bees spinning around in all directions. Others were just floating about in the box. Ted learned the answer to his question about insects' flight in zero gravity. But he also learned a lot more. He learned about the hard work needed in making a successful experiment. What did Ted want to find out? Answer: Teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs. It is also one of the most stressful. If you want to be a teacher, you should have a passion for young people. If you are thinking about going into teaching for any other reason than this, you need to find another job. Teaching is difficult. Students can be difficult. Parents can be difficult. If you do not have a passion for the young people that you teach, you will burn out quickly. Passion is what keeps an excellent teacher going. When students have trouble understanding what is taught, it is what drives him to spend long hours trying to think out how to help them. If you do not have enough passion for your students, you might last a year or two, but not long. Passion is a must-have quality for every good teacher. Teaching can be rewarding, but you shouldn't expect that reward to come easily. Teachers who search out better and new methods are the ones who will make it. A good teacher needs to be able to work with everyone. All teachers face stress. It is important to be able to deal with everything that is thrown at you when you walk through your classroom doors. There are so many chances for stress within a classroom that an excellent teacher has to be able to bring it in control. If you cannot manage stress quite well, then teaching may not be the right job for you. The key words for the passage are _ . Answer: One afternoon, after finishing shopping in a supermarket, my family and I went to the checkout. I suddenly thought we didn't need any of the junk, and we abandoned all of those, saving $300. That got me thinking about all our pointless expenses in life. With a promise that we'd stop if it was killing us, I convinced the family to take the leap into frugality . The rules were that we would buy nothing for 30 days except absolutely essentials. Our adventure began with a great start. By 9 a.m., my wife, Ruth, had already made cakes from old strawberries and picked flowers I didn't even know we had in the garden. I cleared the car by hand for the first time for years. I read and returned the neighbor's newspaper before he woke up. Total spending on the first day: $0. As days turned into weeks, we became so proficient at living frugally. We started riding our bikes to save gas. My child's finger painting was recycled as gift wrap for the homemade presents. We started to use an Internet application like Skype for free phone calls and ask neighbors with gardens for extra vegetables and herbs. In the end, we saved more than $2000 by not spending for a month. When we began, I imagined we would rush out the moment we were done and buy a lot of things in the supermarket, then maybe hit the mall or go to the movies. How many things were mentioned about the things the family did to save on the first day of the "30 days"? Answer: How much pocket money do you get from your parents every month--200 yuan? Some may need more to buy birthday presents, fast food lunches, ice cream or cartoon books. But for Zhou Li, 30 yuan a month is enough. The only thing she buys is lunch--1.5 yuan each day. "My favorite is fried potato slices and rice," said Zhou, "meat is too expensive for me." Zhou, 14, is a Junior 1 student at Hongzhi Experimental School in Beijing. Her parents are migrant workers . They came to Beijing from a village in Luohe of Henan two years ago. Her father now works as a cleaner and earns 500 yuan every month. Her mother has no job. Every day, Zhou gets up at 5: 30 a.m. and rides 20 minutes to school. She studies hard, and even reads books during breaktime. Her favorite subject is computer."I'm learning typing now. I hope to be the fastest in my class."said Zhou. Like many teens, Zhou has a lot of homework. It usually takes her at least one hour to do it every day. But that is not all her work. She helps her mom cook. On weekends, she helps wash clothes."I could cook when I was eight. Father said sometimes I cooked better than mom!" Zhou said she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up."I watched TV and found that there were many people with AIDS in Henan. Some are kids. They need help."said Zhou. But she is afraid of having to leave school."I hope I will always be in school," said Zhou. "Dad works hard to make money. I promise him I will study hard to be a good student at present and a good doctor in the future." The best title of the passage should be " _ ". Answer:
Three blondes were being trained to become detectives by a policeman. To test their skills in recognizing a suspect , the policeman showed the first blonde a picture for five seconds and then asked how she could recognize him. She thought it easy, for the suspect had only one eye. The policeman felt disappointed at this funny answer. He showed the second lady the picture for five seconds and asked her how she would recognize him. The second blonde giggled, flipped her hair, and said, "Ha! It's easy to find the one-eared person!" Her answer also made the policeman angry. Turning to the third lady, he asked, "This is your suspect, and how would you recognize him?" He added quickly, "Think hard before giving a stupid answer." The third blonde looked at the picture carefully for a moment and said, "HMMMM ... the suspect is wearing contact lenses ." The policeman was surprised and speechless, because he really didn't know himself if the suspect wore contacts or not. "Well, that is a good answer. Wait here for a few minutes while I check his file." He left the room and went to his office, checked the suspect's file in his computer and returned with a beaming smile. "Wow! I can't believe it ... it's TRUE! The suspect does in fact wear contact lenses. Good work! How were you able to make such a wise observation?" "That's easy," the blonde replied, "he can't wear glasses because he only has one eye and one ear!" What will probably happen to the three blondes after this test? A The first blonde may be accepted as a detective at once. B The second blonde may be accepted as a detective at once. C The third blonde is good at thinking and needn't any training. D All of them may be given more training courses or fired. Answer: D. All of them may be given more training courses or fired. Which of the following changes occurs as a solid is heated? A The kinetic energy of the solid decreases. B The average density of the solid increases. C The specific heat capacity of the solid decreases. D The average molecular speed in the solid increases. Answer: D. The average molecular speed in the solid increases. The Gloria Barron Prize honors American young people from 8 to 18 who have shown leadership and courage in public service. Each year ten winners each receive $2,000 to support their higher education or their service work. Ellie Wen, 18, was volunteering at a community center in prefix = st1 /Los Angeles. The center was set up to help immigrant families. She happened to meet adults in an EFL (English as a foreign language) class. "When I saw them struggling hard, I wondered how people in poor countries could learn English," Ellie said. So she started a Website, "Repeat After Us", where people can listen to English and practice their accents. Volunteers have helped Ellie record more than 6,600 texts, including Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address". Hard work _ There were so many times that Ellie was discouraged, but she stuck to it. The Website crashed early on, and all the recordings were lost. But volunteers worked together vigorously to start over, and the visitors returned to the site. "Just follow your idea and know that the world is so kind. Even if you do have trouble, people will help you," Ellie said. "I was really excited the first month, when we had 49 visitors," she said. Now, more than 480,000 people from all over the world have visited the site. "I get e-mails fromChina,Egypt,India, andBrazil. They say, 'Thank you so much for this resource, we've been waiting for it for so long!'" Ellie loves knowing she is helping so many people. Gloria Barron Prize winners like Ellie are enthusiastic about the work they do. And they encourage others to join in if they see a need. Anybody can be negative, but it takes somebody brave to be positive. Are you the brave one? Which of the following statements is true? A The Gloria Barron Prize honors people showing leadership and courage. B Each year ten winners share US $2,000 to support their higher education. C Ellie Wen was badly paid at a community center in Los Angeles. D People can practise their English via Ellie's website. Answer: D. People can practise their English via Ellie's website. Dear Xiao Ling, I'm an English girl. My name is Gina White. I am twelve. I have two brothers, Tom and Tony. We are students, and we go to school five days a week .My parents are teachers. They say China is great, and Chinese people are very friendly. I want to travel in China. I think it is great fun. I like Chinese history books a lot because I think they are very interesting. My brothers and I like playing soccer and volleyball. What about you? Yours, Gina Form the passage, we can't get the information about _ . A Gina's age B Gina's hobby C Gina's family D Gina's address Answer: D. Gina's address Combining resin and glass mat with a catalyst will result in A broken glass B a mess C toxic fumes D fiberglass Answer: D. fiberglass
US actress Natalie Portman,33, has always been praised for her smarts. At 18, she went to Harvard University following the release of her film Star Wars: Episode I in 1999. Four years later, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Then she took graduate courses at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She speaks six languages and has twice been published in scientific journals. You may think she has achieved all of these things easily thanks to her fame as actress, but only Portman herself knows what she has been through. In late May, the Oscar winner revealed that her time at Harvard had some "dark moments" when she gave a speech to graduating Harvard students. "I felt like ... that I wasn't smart enough to be in this company, and that every time I opened my mouth I would have to prove that I wasn't just a dumb actress," she said. It was that fear that helped her carve out her own path, Portman admitted "My belief that I could handle these things (her own limitations) ... was half the battle. The other half was very hard work," she said. "Sometimes, your insecurities and your inexperience may lead you to take on other people's expectations, standards, or values," she added. What can be inferred about Portman in Harvard from her speech? Answer: She experienced a hard time. Friendship is very pleasant and also essential to people's life . A man without friends is an angel without wings, whose life will suffer in the long loneliness and depression, Friendship is the mother of our spirit, who'll warm her kid when hurt occures , We have much to share with our friends in life , confusion, excitement ,bitterness etc, It's great to keep up a sincere friendship. It takes many special qualities to make friends, Understanding should come first . Only when we get a better understanding of each other can we gain a believable and meaningful friendship. We may find our hobbies of common interest. This feeling of natural attraction gets us closer and closer. It also takes a special kind of love that seems to know no end, Never hesitate to show your heartfelt care and kindness to your friend when she /he is in trouble . Love is not selfish , Love is a feeling that we should treasure all our lives, Tolerance is the third necessary part in friendship ,. We are absolutely different persons , This individual difference may cause conflict between us in every aspect of our life. Don't care yourself too much . Try to tolerate him /her in an easy mood , Saints are not perfect , let alone those ordinary people like us. Afterwards, we should get a good communication. Understanding , love and tolerance are the first three essences that come to a true friendship. Other qualities are also concerned such a s thoughtfulness, trust and patience, Remember, friendship is your spirit's guard and everyone should treasure it. What is the main idea of the passage? Answer: Special qualities to make friends. Way back in 1662,John Evelyn,a brilliant Englishman known for his detailed diaries,wrote About disastrous effects of coal-burning on the city of London .In it,he described an infernal scene of smog.air filled with "Columns and Clouds of Smoke''given out by small industries and residences that burned coal for fuel. I found the description in the 2003 book When Smoke Ran like Water,by epidemiologist and environmental advocator Devra Davis.In it,Davis looks back at several historic pollution events and their disastrous effect on human human health-and at how these phenomena were often Ignored or even actively covered up by then people in charge at that time. As Davis points out,John Evelyn was ahead of his time when writing about how London's polluted air affected the well-being of its residents.It wasn't until nearly 300 years later,after what became well-known as the Great Smog of 1952,that the government began to address the problem in a systematic way. For four days.Between December 5th"and 9th",due to all accident of the weather pattern,the city was buried in a heavy fog .People were still burning coal for fuel,and low-grade coal at that time, because 0f wartime condition.A temperature inversion trapped the smoke from the city's fires, creating a black cloud in which people could barely find their way down the most familiar streets Some tried to protect themselves,but most people simply went about their business But l952's fog was far worse than any other in memory.In the same week of the previous year, 1852 people had died in London;inl952,that number was 4703 And the deaths didn't stop when the weather changed and the fog lifted.Davis and her colleagues analyzed data from the next several months and found that about 13000 more people died between December and March than one would have predicted from historical averages Many of them died of pneumonia .The government, she writes.Tried to blame a bad flu season.Her detailed analysis found that explanation simply did not pan out. Davis writes that even today in this country ,we still have not completely absorbed the lessons 0f similar events.Sixty years the killer fog lifted in London,people are dying preventable deaths and suffering life.changing illnesses,simply because they must breathe the air of the cities where they live The passage is written to Answer: warn people of the danger from air pollution Watson won his most important game and became Southern Chess Master in 1977.He was given the silver cup. "It isn't rightly mine."he said,when he was holding the cup, "It was won two years ago when I was on holiday in...." "A family was staying at my hotel at that time.Mrs Prang,the mother,was told that I played chess;and she begged me to give her young son a game." "He's only ten."She said,Ive been told that you play quite well." "Well,as you can guess.I wasn't too happy. A player likes the opponent to play as well as he does. But it was holiday time and I agreed to play. We placed the board in the garden. The game began .I hoped it would be quick-----and so it was." "I soon knew that David Prang was no learner.After ten minutes his sister came outside and began to play tennis against in our game. He moved a piece without care. I gave my attention to the board." "Call me when you are ready,Mr Watson,"he said. "When I was ready?" I looked up. He had gone off to play with his sister,I studied the board-----and found I was driven into a corner. So it went on with David;a quick move,then tennis,back to the board,then back to his sister.My difficult condition became impossible to change. I was beaten,oh,so easily,by a ten-year-old chess player. He was the winner--in twenty-eight minutes." "David Prang:a name to remember.I had a chance to use his game today and it won this cup for me. To him,of course,it'sonly one of a hundred,or perhaps a thousand,winning games." Which of the following is NOT true?( ) Answer: Watson thought he could win the game quickly,and so he did. Recently, tests have proved that Beethoven died from lead poisoning. Bill Walsh directed the Beethoven Research Project. Mr Walsh and his team examined pieces of bone belonging to Beethoven. They found a large amount of lead in the bone pieces. They said the lead levels were equal to those found in pieces of his hair in earlier studies of other scientists. Genetic tests proved the bone pieces and hair came from Beethoven. The researchers also examined bone fragments( from someone else who lived during the same period. Both were from the top of the skull. The fragments from Beethoven had more lead than those from the other person. Their study didn't find measurable levels of cadmium or mercury , which scientists used to consider were the causes of his health problems. Beethoven was sick for much of his life. He experienced strong stomach pains, a sign of lead poisoning, and a change of personality when he was around 20. He also got angry easily, and suffered from depression and hearing loss. His health problems became worse as Beethoven grew older. Walsh said the lead levels found in Beethoven's skull suggested the metal might have been present in his body for many years. He said although there had been recognized cases of deafness caused by lead poisoning, there was no strong evidence to suggest that lead poisoning was the cause of Beethoven's deafness. Ludwig van Beethoven visited many doctors to find a cure for his health problems. In a letter he wrote to a friend, he asked researchers to examine his body after he died so that other people would not have to suffer as he did. What is the best title of the passage? Answer: Beethoven died from lead poisoning.
Sulfur scrubbers are devices installed in coal-fired power plants. Sulfur scrubbers reduce the emission of sulfur dioxide. What environmental problem are sulfur scrubbers most likely trying to address? Answer: Once upon a time, a horse, a cow, a ox, and a donkey were playing outside when they got really hungry. So, they went to a drive-in to get some lunch. The horse ordered a cheeseburger. The cow ordered a chili dog. The ox ordered a chicken sandwich. And the donkey ordered a fish sandwich. The horse ordered fries. The cow ordered onion rings. The ox ordered a baked potato. The donkey ordered a side salad. The horse had ketchup on his cheeseburger. The cow had mayonnaise on his chili dog. The ox had mustard on his chicken sandwich. And the donkey had Miracle Whip on his fish sandwich. But the restaurant didn't get any of the orders right because they had their sauces mixed up. The ketchup got mixed up with the Miracle Whip. The mayonnaise got mixed up with the ketchup. The mustard got mixed up with the mayonnaise. And the Miracle Whip got mixed up with the mustard. The Miracle Whip was red. The ketchup was yellow. The mayonnaise was blue. And the mustard was green. What did the cow order? Answer: Anger at the practice of demanding dowries , which can lead to violence against brides , has prompted a takeoff of "Angry Birds" called "Angry Brides" that aims to highlight the illegal practice still common in many South Asian countries. Dowries-such as jewelry, clothes, cars and money-are traditionally given by the bride's family to the groom and his parents to ensure she is taken care of in her new home. The custom was outlawed more than five decades ago. But it is still widely practiced, with the groom's family demanding even more money after marriage, leading to mental and physical annoyance that can drive the woman to suicide. "The Angry Brides game is our way of throwing a spotlight on the nuisance of dowry." said Ram Bhamidi, senior vice president and head of online marketing for Shaadi.com, a matrimonial website with two million members. "According to a 2007 study, there is a dowry-related death every four hours in India, We condemn this and have consistently run campaigns on social media to help create awareness of the issue". The name of the app, available on the group's home page, is a _ from the globally popular "Angry Birds" game, Its home page shows a red-clad, eight-armed woman resembling a powerful female Hindu goddess. Underneath, there is a caption: "A woman will give you strength, care and all the love you need ......NOT dowry!" To play the game, users have to try and hit three dodging grooms--a pilot, a builder and a doctor. There are a variety of weapons to choose from, including a frying pan, broomstick, tomato and loafer. Each groom has a price tag, starting at 1.5 million rupees($29,165). Every time the player hits a groom, his value decreases and money is added to the player's Anti-Dowry Fund, which is saved posted on their Facebook page. "Since we launched the game last week, more than 270,000 people have liked the app. Both men and women seem to be playing it", said Bhamidi. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the game "Angry Bride"? Answer: Scientific mistakes can live on forever. When 18th-century European museums were first sent specimens of a large furry animal with long curved white claws, they named it"bear-like sloth "because its claws resemble those of South American sloths. Later scientists realized that the species was a tropical bear unrelated to sloths, but its wrongheaded name remains the sloth bear. Rangingprefix = st1 /India,Nepal,Bhutan,Sri Lanka, and possiblyBangladesh, these 150 to 300-pound bears feed on fruits and insects. They sound like bellows when using their flexible noses and lips to blow away dirt and suck up ants. But don't be misled: This gentle-looking bear can be dangerous, occasionally killing villagers who enter the forest. Yognand often talks with villagers to help avoid conflicts."Attacks can be prevented if people avoid certain places." One goal of his research has been to track a dozen radio-collared bears in the dry forests ofIndia'sPannaNational Park. He's discovered that some bears have home ranges of up to 40 square miles. His conclusion:"We need to protect large patches of their _ and maintain links between those patches. Unfortunately sloth bears have to compete with species such as tigers. The bears get far less attention than they deserve." Sloth bears usually live in_. Answer: I was in a strange city I didn't know at all, and what's more, I could not speak a word of the language. On my second day I got on the first bus that passed, rode on it for several stops, then got off and walked on. The first two hours passed pleasantly enough, then I decided to turn back to my hotel for lunch. After walking about for some time, I decided I had better ask the way. The trouble was that the only word I knew of the language was the name of the street in which I lived, and even that I pronounced badly. I stopped to ask a newspaper-seller. He handed me a paper. I shook my head and repeated the name of the street and he put the paper into my hands. I had to give him some money and went on my way. The next person I asked was a policeman. He listened to me carefully, nodded and gently took me by the arm. There was a strange look in his eyes as he pointed left and right and left again. I nodded politely and began walking in the direction he pointed.About an hour passed and I noticed that the houses were getting fewer and fewer and green fields were appearing on either side of me. I had come all the way into the countryside. The only thing left for me to do was find the nearest railway station. From the story we know that the policeman _ . Answer:
"Can't hold a candle to" is a popular expression.When there wasn't electricity, someone would have a servant light his way by holding a candle.The expression meant that the person who cannot hold a candle to you is not fit even to be your servant.Now,it means such a person cannot compare or compete. Another expression is"hold your tongue."It means to be still and not talk."Hold your tongue"is not something you would tell a friend.But a parent or teacher might use the expression to quiet a noisy child. "Hold out"is an expression one hears often in sports reports and labor news.It means to refuse to play or work.Professional football and baseball players"hold out" if their team refuses to pay them what they think they are worth. The expression"hold up" has several different meanings.One is a robbery.A man with a gun may say,"This is a hold up.Give me your money."Another meaning is to delay.A driver who was held up by heavy traffic might be late for work.Another meaning is for a story to be considered true after an investigation.A story can hold up if it is proved true. "Hold on"is another expression,which means wait or stop.As you leave for school,your brother may say,"Hold on,you forgot your book." It is used to ask a telephone caller to wait and not hang up his telephone. Our final expression is"hold the line."That means to keep a problem or situation from getting worse--to hold steady.For example,the president may say he will"hold the line on taxes."He means there will be no increase in taxes. The expression"can't hold a candle to"call be used when _ . A. some footballers refuse to play a game B. someone else is wanted on the phone C. someone is not qualified for a position D. someone was delayed by heavy traffic Answer: C Passage 4 How dangerous it would be if there was a fire! Today is in winter. It's time for us to learn a lot more about fire, especially what to do if we are caught in a fire: 1. Shout out If you smell smoke or see fire, shout out "Fire!" Shout as loudly as you can, because people may be asleep. 2. Call 119 Never try to put the fire yourself, even if it is a very small one! Get help from your parents or call 119. 3. Keep down close to the floor If there is a lot of smoke in your room, keep down close to the floor. 4. Test the door Test the door before you open it. If the door is cool, open it carefully. If the door is hot, do not open it! Try to find a different way out. 5. Get out If you can, get out of your home as soon as possible. 6. Don't use the lift Never use the lift during the fire. It may also go wrong. 7. Don't go back Never go back into a burning building! The passage is mainly about _ A. how to look after yourself when you are on fire B. what to do when you are caught in a fire C. when to leave the burning place D. why to call 119 when there is a fire Answer: B Which protist is a bi-flagellate autotroph? A. amoeba B. euglena C. paramecium D. volvox Answer: D Three men were travelling across the desert when their car broke down. There were no other traffics, so their only hope was to walk. Before they set off, they looked around in the car for useful things to take with them. One of the men took a bottle of whisky. Another took an umbrella. The third unscrewed a door from the car and carried that. After they had been walking for almost a day, they came across a camel caravan travelling towards them. "Let's try to join the caravan," one of the men said. "It's going the wrong way but we'll be safer than if we keep on alone across the desert." The other s agreed, so they asked the leader of the caravan for permission to join it. "You can join the caravan only if you answer three questions," he said. He pointed to the first man's bottle. "What is that and why are you carrying it?" he asked. "It's a bottle of whisky. I decided to carry it with me so that if I feel miserable and want to give up, I can get drunk, cheer myself up and then keep on walking." "Very sensible," the leader of the caravan said. Then he pointed to the next man and his umbrella. "It hasn't rained in the desert for many years," he said. "Why are you carrying an umbrella?" "I don't want to get heat exhaustion," he replied. "The umbrella will give me shade from the sun." "Very sensible," the leader of the caravan said. He pointed to the third man and his car door. "And why are you carrying a car door?" he asked him. "I thought that if I got too hot I could open the window and let some air in," he explained. What happened to the three men's car? A. It fell over a cliff. B. It had an accident. C. It stopped and wouldn't start again. D. They exchanged it for another one. Answer: C I have this old clock that belonged to my mom. My dad gave it to me years ago after mom passed away. I have mixed feelings about having the clock. I love it because it was my mom's, but it also holds some bad memories. You see, it chimes. It counts out the hour and rings once on the half hour. Or at least it used to. Now you never know what number it will ring. When my mother was at home dying from cancer, she asked for the clock to be unplugged. Hearing the hours count down really angered and frightened her. Mom passed away. I decided I wanted to get the clock fixed so I could remember the good hours we had with her. I took it to a local clock shop the other day. "I know this has no particular value as a clock, but it was my mom's and I need to get it fixed," I said to the shop owner. I went on to describe the problem. "We get a lot of these in," he told me. "Here's what I do. We remove the clock works and replace it with a battery-operated movement that chimes electronically," he told me. "You can't fix this?" "No, we don't have the time nor the parts." I thanked him and went home. I called a few other places and was told the same thing. "How incredibly sad," I told the last one disappointedly. How incredibly sad that we have become a society that replaces craftsmanship with convenience and easy fixes. We copy the original instead of creating something new. We duplicate ; we don't originate . Sadly, the same goes for our attitude to life itself. Each of us is an original, one of a kind. But we find it so much easier to copy another style than to develop our own. We are wannabes rather than hey-world-look-at-mes. We fail to see the real value in who we are, so we spend our lives trying to be someone else. What did the clock shop owners tell the author? A. The parts that the clock needed were electronic. B. It would cost a lot to repair the clock. C. They had never repaired a clock like this before. D. They could only make the clock electronic. Answer: D
Every successful independence movement needs a leader. The leader of the Indian independence movement was Mohandas Gandhi. He was born into a Hindu family. As a young man, Gandhi studied law in London. The Hindu leaders had threatened to punish him. But he went to London anyhow. Gandhi believed in fighting without weapons or force. He called his method non-violence . He would simply disobey any unfair law or policy. He was willing to be punished for his actions. Gandhi thought that the law would be changed if enough people protested in this way. It would show how strongly the people felt about his beliefs. Gandhi wanted all Indians to understand the independence movement. He walked barefoot through the villages, speaking to all people. Many people loved and understood Gandhi. His movement grew. The British flag came down in 1947. The Indian people honored Gandhi with the title Mahatma, which means "Great soul". Gandhi was an unusual kind of leader. He promised never to make money for himself. He always wore simple clothes and sandals. He was shot and killed in 1948. At his death, he owned little more than a few clothes, his eyeglasses, a book, and his rice bowl. When did India gain her independence? A. In 1917. B. In 1946. C. In 1947. D. In 1948. Answer: C. In 1947. Some American parents might think their children need better education to compete with China and other countries' children. But how much do the parents themselves need to change? A new book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother written by Amy Chua has caused a debate about cultural differences in parenting. Ms. Chua is a professor at the Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, and a mother of two daughters. She was raised in America by immigrant Chinese parents. In her book, Ms. Chua wrote about how she demanded excellence from her daughters. For example, she threatened to burn her daughter's dolls unless she played a piece of music perfectly. She would scold her daughters if they failed to meet her expectations. Ms. Chua had a clear list of what her daughters, Sophia and Louisa, were not permitted to do: "Attend a sleepover, have a play date, watch TV or play computer games, be in a school play, get any grade less than an A." Many people criticize Amy Chua, saying her parenting methods were cruel and violent. She even admits that her husband, who is not Chinese, sometimes objected to her parenting style. But she says that is the way her parents raised her and her three sisters. Ms. Chua says she eased some of the pressure after her younger daughter _ and shouted "I hate my life! I hate you!" But she also says American parents often have low expectations of their children's abilities. Amy Chua thinks one of the biggest differences between Western and Chinese parents is that Chinese parents take on strength rather than fragility." Stacy DeBroff, who has written four books on parenting, says: "Parents should rethink, what does it mean to be a successful parent and what does it mean to be a successful child?" She says Amy Chua's parenting style is not limited to Chinese families. It represents a traditional way of parenting among immigrants seeking a better future for their children. But she also sees a risk. When children have no time to be social or to follow their own interests, they might not develop other skills that they need to succeed in life. Stacey DeBroff advises parents to develop their own style of parenting and not just repeat the way they were raised. According to Ms. Chua, Chinese way of parenting is powerful because _ . A. parents set good examples to children B. parents understand their children better C. parents usually treat their children as friends D. parents have high expectations of their children Answer: D. parents have high expectations of their children You may have known several kinds of police --- traffic police, fire police and street police. But have you ever heard of energy-saving policeman? A group of 22 energy-saving policemen went to work last week in Beijing. They go around the city to see the use of energy in hotels, office buildings, shopping centers and other public places. One of their aims is to make sure that these places have set their air conditioning no cooler than 26degC. They also set up a special phone line so that people can tell them which buildings fail to follow the rule. "If everyone sets their air conditioning at 26degC, Beijing will save 400 million kilowatthour of electricity in one summer. That's one-third of all the usages of the city in the season," said a TV advertisement. Other Chinese cities, like Wuhan in Hubei Province and Yangzhou in Jiansu Province, are going to follow Beijing's steps in setting up a similar police team. As one of the fastest developing countries, China is using a lot of energy. This has a great effect on the country's environment and limited energy. From 1986 to 2005, the country experienced 20 warm winters continuously . Numbers show that Chinese cities have to spend billions of yuan solving environmental problems every year. At the beginning of this month, China made its first action plan to fight pollution. It aims to reduce energy usage by 20% and increase renewable energy up to 10% from 7% by 2010. To introduce the public to a green life, last week Beijing held a show on energy-saving technology and productions. Environment-friendly machines, such as a vending machine that helps collect used bottles, have attracted lots of attention. "We want to tell people that there are certain ways to protect the environment. Each of us can find effective ways to do it on our daily lives," said Liu Qianguang, an environmental engineer in Beijing. Which of the following years' winters were all warm in China? A. 1968--1988. B. 1999--2003. C. 2002--2006. D. 2005--2009. Answer: B. 1999--2003. It was a Saturday in May. When Mrs. Black opened the door and looked out, she smiled and said,"It's going to be a beautiful day." She woke her little son up at eight thirty and said to him,"Get up, Todd. We're going to the zoo today. Wash your hands and face, brush your teeth and have breakfast quickly. We are going to New York by train. Todd was six years old. He was very happy because he liked going to the zoo very much, and he also liked going by train. He said,"I dreamed about the zoo last night, Mum." His mother was in a hurry, but she stopped and smiled at her little son,"What did you do in the zoo in your dream?" Todd laughed and answered,"You know. You were there in my dream, too." At _ she woke her son that morning. A. 7:15 B. 8:15 C. 8:30 D. 7:45 Answer: C. 8:30 Dent, while eating in a restaurant, noticed that a departing customer at the next table had left a five-dollar bill as a tip for the waitress. Dent reached over, picked up the five-dollar bill, and put it in his pocket. As he stood up to leave, another customer who had seen him take the money ran over to him and hit him in the face with her umbrella. Enraged, Dent choked the customer to death. Dent is charged with murder. He requests an instruction allowing the jury to find him guilty of voluntary manslaughter rather than murder. Dent's request should be A. granted, because the jury could find that Dent acted recklessly and not with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. B. granted, because the jury could find that being hit in the face with an umbrella constitutes adequate provocation. C. denied, because the evidence shows that Dent intended to kill or to cause serious bodily harm. D. denied, because the evidence shows that Dent provoked the assault on himself by his criminal misconduct Answer: B. granted, because the jury could find that being hit in the face with an umbrella constitutes adequate provocation.
What a great project this is, building your own greenhouse! If you're a gardener, then a greenhouse is necessary no matter where you live. As long as you've got some good plans, it's possible to build a backyard greenhouse within just a few days. It's a great way to impress the neighbors! Metal greenhouses are practical, I agree, but they look ugly. If you build your own backyard greenhouse from wood, you'll end up with a lovely looking Victorian-style greenhouse, which will last very long if you treat it with the correct wood protection. Of course you'll save a lot of money in the process too. How much exactly? It's difficult to say as it depends on how much glass costs where you live. After all, there isn't much wood required, as it's only the actual frame that is wooden. To make sure you save the most money, it's best to take your plans to wherever you plan to buy your materials. That way you won't end up wasting any money on unnecessary materials. To be honest, saving money is not the main reason for building your own greenhouse. It's the fun you'll get from building it and the pleasure you'll get from showing it off to your friends and family that makes the project worth doing. Nothing beats the feeling when someone asks you where you bought something and you turn around and say "Oh, actually, I built it myself!" That feeling is priceless! You'll never feel like that over something you've bought! According to the author, it is better to build _ . Answer: a wooden greenhouse A mother came to the police station and put cash totaling $19.53 on a table. Her young son added another 85 cents to the little pile. It turned out that, after two days, they were the only people to return money picked up from a truck that fell over on an overpass and rained more than half a million dollars onto the street below. Police said that witnesses reported seeing people load money into their cars and drive off while the truck driver lay bleeding. Police required people to return the money, but sadly they got nothing but laughter until a mother and a boy came in. "I have children and I need to set a good example," said the mother of six, who could have used a little extra cash to _ her low wage. When this mother one day passes away, she will leave her children a lot to benefit from. Maybe not a pile of money, but she will leave them an example of life of honesty and self-respect. She will leave them something far more important than wealth. Most people talk about values and what they believe to be right and wrong. But I've noticed that our real values can be seen by the way we live. It is the things we do and the choices we make that show what we truly believe. The mother and son went to the police station to _ . Answer: return the money from the truck 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. What kind of games do children probably like best? Answer: running races What if you could fly like a bird just by thinking happy thoughts? Or you could disappear to a faraway land, never grow old and fight pirates every day? For Peter Pan and his friends, the Lost Boys, these dreams come true. More than 100 years after this playful boy was "born", Peter Pan and his friends are to continue their adventure in a sequel to J.M. Barrie's original novel. "Peter Pan in Scarlet" ,written by British author Geraldine McCaughrean, was published earlier this month. The sequel brings all the original characters back. Peter Pan's friends, the Lost Boys, are now grown up and live in the real world. What's more, at the end of the first book, Peter Pan thinks he has killed his enemy, Captain Hook. But ,new readers discover he is not so dead at all. For those who are unfamiliar with the original story, Peter Pan lives in faraway Neverland with a group of orphans. But they are eager for a real mother and Peter Pan flies to London with a fairy , Tinkerbell, to find one. They visit a young girl, Wendy, who loves to read stories, and bring her and her two brothers back to Neverland to live with them. In Neverland, children never have to grow up, and there are no parents to tell them what to do. Many teenagers dream of a world where they don't have to grow old and take responsibility. But, the author explains such a world is not the paradise when it first appears: adventures can be scary and often dangerous, and, though we all sometimes dream of running away, we all need someone to love and look after us too. The passage is written to _ . Answer: introduce novels about Peter Pan Just be happy. Sounds too simplistic, doesn't it? But, in reality, we can have much more happiness if we choose to consider things from a positive point of view. Everyone experiences the ups and downs of life, however, we can make a decision to take advantage of the negative or practice what the old saying says to do:" _ !" It really boils down to your attitude and you have the ability to work your attitude into any shape you like. Here are some tips: Ignore those who tell you life is too difficult to be happy. what do they know? When you awaken each morning, be thankful for another day, even if it's raining. Smile at those you meet, even if they don't return the favor. Don't borrow trouble. Each day has enough of its own. Don't allow trouble to bury you in its gray depth of sorrow. Don't give in to negative thinking. Be positive even when others are not. Refuse to give up on anything worth having or doing. Do something you enjoy each day, even if it's just a walk in your neighborhood. Whistle as you go though the day. *Work at being happy because it's worth it. You're human, like everyone else, and from time to time you need a little pick-me-up in your decision to be happy. When you reach that stage, find someone else who has decided to be happy. Join forces with him and march forward in your decision to be a happy person. Simply speaking, a happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. Choose today to just be happy----as much as it depends on you! The best title for the passage might be " _ ". Answer: Let's cheer ourselves up
My name is Tom. I'm nine. This is my mother.Her name's Linda Johnson. Her telephone number is 13052864515.And this is my father.His name is Mike Johnson. His phone number is 13120884699.And this is my sister.What's her name?Her name is Mary. Look!The boy is my brother Nick. Mary is eight and Nick is six. My brother is _ . Answer: Looking back on my childhood. I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made. Although we were brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon abandoned their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was not an early reader and I could not do mental arithmetic. Before Word War I we spent our summer holidays in Hungary. I have only the dim memory of the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal clear memory of dogs, the farm animals, the local birds and above all, the insects. I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my enthusiasm has led me into varied investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy burning the midnight oil reading about other people's observations and discoveries. Then something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. Suddenly you fancy you see the answer to the riddle. Because it all seems to fit together .This has resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books. Which some may light honor, with the title of scientific research. But curiosity a keen eye, a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do not make a scientist? One of the outstanding and essential qualities required is self-discipline, a quality I lack. A scientist can be made a naturalist. If you can combine the two, you get the best of both worlds. According to the author, a born naturalist should first of all be _ Answer: What does the word iceberg make you think of ? Do you think of a large block of ice in a cold northern ocean? Or do you think of something that ships can crash into? While these are both correct, in truth there's far more to icebergs than meets the eye. According to scientists, only the largest blocks of ice count as icebergs. They must rise at least 5 meters above the water and be 15 meters wide at the water line. But only about 10 percent of an iceberg can be seen. The rest lie beneath the water. Icebergs begin froming when layers of snow fall year after year without melting. The snow is pressed together into large blocks of ice called glaciers. When chunks of ice break off these glaciers, icebergs are born. In Greenland alone, about 40,000 icebergs are formed each year. Since they began as snow, icebergs are made of fresh water, not salty ocean water. Tidy bubbles of air inside the ice give them their white color1. While most icebergs are white, some are blue because they have melted and frozen again. This action allows the air bubbles to escape. Other icebergs have brown, black or yellow parts because of dirt mixed with the ice. Algae can also get trapped in the underwater parts of an iceberg. If the iceberg turns over, all or part of it is green! Icebergs can be flat, cube-shaped, round like a turtle shell or U-shaped. Some even look like mountains. The large underwater parts of icebergs are hard for ships to avoid. They have destroyed and sunk many ships, including the Titanic. As a result, the International Ice Patrol now monitors icebergs in areas with heavy ship traffic. But there's yet another side to icebergs. Many microscopic animals live inside icebergs and in the water around them. These creatures feed on minerals that the icebergs store and release as they melt. Scientists are still studying all the ways icebergs affect sea life. Why does the passage begin with questions? Answer: Bright red post boxes, the Queen and queuing--what do they all have in common? They are all important parts of British life. At least I thought so. However, the ability to queue for long periods of time, once believed to be a traditional characteristic of the British, is no longer tolerated by people in the UK, according to a survey done for British bank Barclays. Once upon a time, queuing was seen as normal. During World WarII, everyone had to queue up to receive their daily supply of foods. In fact, if you didn't stand up and wait in line with all the others, it was seen as uncivilized. The famous English double-decker buses, with only one entrance, might also help explain why queuing was seen as a part of British life. Almost always, there is queue to get on. www.zxxk.com But perhaps the British are tired of being pushed past by the Spanish, the Italians or the French as they queue up to get a table at a restaurant. The people of these other European countries have more than one entrance to their buses, which explains their more relaxed attitude to the queue. Two minutes is now the longest time most British people are prepared to stand and wait. But could it be that the Internet, which allows us to carry out tasks quickly, is the main reason why British people are no longer prepared to queue? "Used to buying without delay, customers are even giving up purchases rather than wait their turn," says Stuart Neal of Barclaycard. "Shoppers are also less likely to queue for long if the item they are buying is of low value." Perhaps I will have to replace "queuing" with "impatience" in my list of things I relate to the British. What can we learn about the tradition of queuing in Britain? Answer: Tech-Camp No.6 Devon Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong a technology day camp for students 12-17 About Tech-Camp Tech-Camp is a day camp with a focus on computers and electronics technology. We offer 2-week summer programmes for students of 12 to 17 years of age. We have a computer lab with the latest and fastest equipment, an electronics lab, and a video production studio. Our staff are special, too. They are experts in computers and electronics, of course, but they are also people who care about children and enjoy working with them. The benefits of Tech-Camp In all of our programmes, we show students how to work in teams and how to solve problems by themselves. We encourage them to think creatively. What students will do at Tech-Camp Each day Tech-camp is filled with useful, interesting and challenging activities. For example, in the Computer Programme, students learn the basic computer programming, and how to use the Internet. In the Tech-Camp Programme, they make radio-controlled model cars and produce their own short videos. Programme Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Computer Programme 15 June-26 June 15 June-26 June 15 June-26 June High-tech Programme 29 June-10 July 27 July-7 August 15 June-26 June Fee: HK $2,000 per student (10% discount available for groups of 10 or more students.) For more information about Tech-Camp, please contact Director of Summer Programmes, Ms Julia Brown, by phone, fax or e-mail. Telephone: 26548898 Fax: 26948850 E-mail: juliab@techcamp.com.hk What would you probably like to ask about if you phone Ms Julia Brown after reading the brochure? Answer:
Mr. and Mrs. Turner live outside a small town. They have a big farm and they are always busy working on it. Their son, Peter, studied at a middle school. The young man studied hard and did well in his lessons. It made them happy. Last month Peter finished middle school and passed the entrance examination . Mrs. Turner was very happy and told the farmers about it. Yesterday morning the woman went to the town to buy something for her son. On the bus she told one of her friends how clever and able her son was. She spoke very loudly. All the people in the bus began to listen to her. "Which university will your son study in?" a woman next to her asked. "In the most famous university in our country!" Mrs. Turner said happily. "The most famous university?" "Oxford University ." Most of the passengers looked at her carefully. Some of them said to her, "Congratulations!" A woman said, "I'm sure he'll know Fred Smith." "Who's Fred Smith?" "He's my son." "Does he study in the university, too?" "No, "said the woman. "He is one of the professors ." Mr. and Mrs. Turner were happy because _ . Answer: their son did well in his lessons Every kid wishes to be an adult. Do you remember playing houses as a child pretending to be a grownup like your parents? Did you imagine you were a doctor, a soldier or a teacher? At that time, anything seemed more exciting than young. But now as grownups, some adults find they cannot leave childhood behind. They become "kidults"(kid+adult). Being a kidult has become a lifestyle choice among young people across Asia. Some kidults collect toys they once played with. Hello Kitty, Garfield, and Snoopy have many adult fans around the world. It is not unusual to see a 20something woman with a big, Garfieldshaped cushion on her sofa or a Hello Kitty mobile phone accessory . Other kidults still enjoy children's stories and fairy tales. For example, even an edition of the Harry Potter novels with an adult cover came out in Britain. That way, no one else on the subway will know that an adult is actually reading a children's book! "Kidults can be like vitamins to society. Adults who value their childhood and hold on to pure, childlike emotion may be needed in such a rough and dry society," said a professor in a Korean University. He added that kidult culture might fill the generation gap between adults and kids. It could give children and their parents books, movies, and cartoon shows to enjoy together. Tim Greenhalgh, a professor in London explained that some kidults just refuse to grow up. They cling to childhood because life in a busy and stressful city frightens them. Kidults would like to forget their age and openly show their fear of society and adulthood. "So, they look for an escape from increasingly complex and stressful life that are hard to deal with," Greenhalgh said. We can learn from the passage that kidults are _ . Answer: grownups who hold on to childlike emotion Our "Mommy and Me" time began two years ago. My next-door neighbor and fellow mother, Christie, and I were our in our front yards, watching seven children of age six and under ride their bikes up and down. "I wish I could take one of my children out alone," said Christie. Then we worked out a plan. When Christie takes one of her children out alone, I'll watch her other three. And when she watched two of mine, I will take someone out. The children were extremely quick to accept the idea of "Mommy and Me" time. Christie's daughter, McKenzie, went first. When she returned, the other children showered her with tons of questions. McKenzie was smiling broadly. Christie looked refreshed and happy. "She is like a different kid when there's no one else around," Christie shared with me quietly. With her mother all to herself, McKenzie didn't have to make any effort to gain attention. Just as Christie had noticed changes in McKenzie, I also discovered something different in each of my children during our alone times. For example, I'm always surprised when my daughter, who is seldom close to me, holds my hand frequently. My stuttering son, Tom, doesn't stutter once during our activities since he doesn't have to struggle for a chance to speak. And the other son, Sam, who is always a follower when around other children, shines a leader during our times together. The "Mommy and Me" time allows us to be simply alone and away with each child--talking, sharing and laughing, which has been the biggest gain. Every child deserves an only child at least once in a while. What's one of the changes the author finds in her children? Answer: Tom has less difficulty in speaking. Thanksgiving time came and all the relatives were gathered around the long table, or seated behind TV trays.The television was on and some folks were watching it while talking with one another.Something on television got their attention and one of the adults said, "Listen at it!" Someone else replied."Well, if that don't beat all." Simple phrases were spoken by folks whose language was simple and brief.They had several idioms that were just as colorful phrases and words that brightened the room and warmed the conversation.In school we were taught to speak differently.The way our relatives spoke was discouraged.Sometimes our parents would say things we weren't taught in school.They'd often correct themselves, as if getting rid of a mistake.Of course we learned some of their phrases and used them.They were comfortable words to pronounce, familiar. Our father's side of the family was from Arkansas and Oklahoma and they spoke with the accents native to their birth states.Their voices musical and often high , it was easy to pick up that effect in our own speech and at school my brother and I were often teased for the way we spoke.Our mother's side of the family came from Illinois and they had a tendency to talk fast.They had an accent, too, and my brother and I added that to our own speech, confusing the kids at school all the more.Our father's side of the family loved to laugh and have a good time.Our mother's side of the family was more serious about how they took life in; their joys more silently experienced and enjoyed.It was a rich picture of culture and it gave my brother and me a colorful view in life. Thanksgiving holiday was always an easy comfortable going day.It was the first real holiday of the season when everyone came together in one place, and a good time was spent happily together by all. Why did the writer and his brother puzzle other kids at school by their speeches? Answer: They added some dialects in their speeches You went to the butcher's for meat, the pharmacy for aspirin, and the grocery store for food. But when I spent the summer with my Grandmother in Warwick, N.Y., she sent me down to the general store with a list. How could I hope to find anything on the packed, messy shelves around me? I walked up to the counter. Behind it was a lady like no one I'd ever seen. Fake-jewel-encrusted glasses teetered on the tip of her nose, gray hair was piled on her head. "Excuse me," I said. She looked up. "You're that Clements kid," she said. "I'm Miss Bee. Come closer and let me get a look at you." She pushed her glasses up her nose. "I want to be able to describe you to the sheriff if something goes missing from the store." "I'm not a thief!" I was shocked. I was seven years old, too young to be a thief! "From what I can see you're not much of anything. But I can tell you've got potential." She went back to reading her newspaper. "I need to get these." I said, holding up my list. "So? Go get them." Miss Bee pointed to a sign on the screen door. "There's no one here except you and me and I'm not your servant, so I suggest you get yourself a basket from that pile over there and start filling. If you're lucky you'll be home by sundown." Sundown was five hours away. I wasn't sure I would make it. I scanned the nearest shelf for the first item on my list: pork and beans. It took me three wall-to-wall searches before I found a can nestled between boxes of cereal and bread. Next up was toilet paper, found under the daily newspaper. Band-Aids --where had I seen them? Oh, ye next to the face cream. The store was a puzzle, but it held some surprises too. I found a new Superman comic tucked behind the peanut butter. I visited Miss Bee a couple of times a week that summer. Sometimes she short-changed me. Other times she overcharged. Or sold me an old newspaper instead of one that was current. Going to the store was more like going into battle. I left my Grandma's house armed with my list--memorized to the letter--and marched into Miss Bee's like General Patton marching into North Africa. "That can of beans is only twenty-nine cents!" I corrected her one afternoon. I had watched the numbers change on the cash register closely, and Miss Bee had added 35 cents. She didn't seem embarrassed that I had caught her overcharging. She just looked at me over her glasses and fixed the price. Not that she ever let me declare victory. All summer long she found ways to trip me up. No sooner had I learned how to pronounce bicarbonate of soda and memorized its location on the shelf than Miss Bee rearranged the shelves and made me hunt for it all over again. By summer's end the shopping trip that had once taken me an hour was done in 15 minutes. The morning I was to return to Brooklyn, I stopped in to get a packet of gum. "All right, Miss Potential," she said. "What did you learn this summer?" That you're a meany! I pressed my lips together. To my amazement, Miss Bee laughed. "I know what you think of me," she said. "Well, here's a news flash: I don't care! Each of us is put on this earth for a reason. I believe my job is to teach every child I meet ten life lessons to help them. Think what you will, Miss Potential, but when you get older you'll be glad our paths crossed!" Glad I met Miss Bee? Ha! The idea was absurd. Until one day my daughter came to me with homework troubles. "It's too hard," she said. "Could you finish my math problems for me?" "If I do it for you how will you ever learn to do it yourself?" I said. Suddenly, I was back at that general store where I had learned the hard way to tally up my bill along with the cashier. Had I ever been overcharged since? As my daughter went back to her homework, I wondered: Had Miss Bee really taught me something all those years ago? I took out some scrap paper and started writing. In the eyes of the kid, Miss Bee was _ . Answer: mean
Which of the following devices relies on electromagnetic radiation in the radio wave region of the spectrum for operation? cellular telephone One of today's hottest topics among women (and to an extent among men too now) is anti aging and how to reverse the signs of age.The beauty industry has responded to this by offering a wide collection of anti aging creams and other anti aging products aimed at all pocketbooks,ranging from economical to highly priced. And the question is "do any of these often much-vaunted anti aging creams actually work?" And if they do,how precisely do they perform their miracles? Well the appropriate response to that is that they do work - after a fashion.There certainly are anti aging creams available for a ly modest price that will reduce the appearance of wrinkles in a comparatively short period of regular application.But this really is the limit of their powers: they won't actually undo skin damage or eradicate all signs of age;they will simply modify them,some more effectively than others. The way they work is like so: they remove upper layers of dead skin cells and make deeper layers absorb water,serving to plump them up and make them look fuller and healthier.But since such anti aging creams only go skin deep,as it were,skin damage will reappear once you stop using the anti aging wrinkle cream. This means fairly heavy regular use,which might be costly depending on your choice of product.However,if you can afford it or think it's worth the cost,it won't be such an issue.After all,what woman wants to look older than her years when looking good is so tied up with many women's self-esteem and sense of identity. A compromise solution for those _ is to use the cheaper creams.In addition,it's always wise to be a little experimental to make sure you end up with the one that suits your skin best. So,to sum up: an anti wrinkle face cream will work within limits,depending on your objective. According to the author,we can infer _ . anti aging creams should be properly used Paul worked as a cook in a restaurant. For Valentine's Day, he made chocolate desserts. He tripled the recipe to feed all the people. He separated the eggs and measured the sugar. Then he melted the chocolate. He mixed the egg whites until they made a thick foam. He mixed the egg yolks with the sugar. But as he was ready to mix everything, his boss asked him to do a different job. Paul chopped some vegetables. When he came back, Greg had taken over his work and made a mistake. The mix was much too thin. It looked like chocolate soup. It wouldn't rise at all. Luckily Paul was ready. He had practiced the dessert recipe before. It looked like it didn't have enough egg whites. Paul separated more eggs and mixed the egg whites. He added the extra egg whites to the mix. His addition worked. The desserts rose high in the oven. He saved the day! What ingredients did Paul use to make the desserts? Eggs, sugar, and chocolate Amazing Rafting Adventures White water rafting is one of the classic, wild, activities in the outdoors. It is also an opportunity for an unbelievable family adventure. Around the country, there are several rivers--and rafting outfitters--that are perfectly suited to the entire family. Here are three of the best: New River Gorge, West Virginia Rafting in West Virginia is renowned for its established infrastructure, reliability, and easy access. These things make it an obvious choice for a family vacation. Famous areas, including the New River Gorge, offer everything from lazy floats to intense Class IV runs. READ MORE: Water Water Rafting: Top 5 U.S. Locations Jackson Hole, Wyoming Jackson Hole provides a full range of opportunities in the outdoors--and white water rafting is certainly one of them. Popular trips include the rough rapids of the Snake River and gentle floats in nearby Yellowstone National Park. READ MORE: What You Need to Know Before Visiting Yellowstone National Park Grand Canyon, Arizona For really bold families, a multi-day trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon is the penultimate adventure. Guided trips typically pack in boats-worth of supplies so the overnight adventures are far from "roughing it." Instead, evenings are catered in a rugged luxury style, allowing everyone to rest up for the next day's activities. Whether looking for a casual float or a challenging adventure, white water rafting is a great option for any active family vacation. What is the author's attitude to white water rafting? Encouraging After spending three days in a wheelchair, I was ready to quit. Not only did I have to battle cracked and uneven pavements, I had to deal with the bad attitude of pedestrians and a cold rain. But I didn't give up because of people like Tiffany Payne. Payne, who has been using a wheelchair for 18 years, laughed at me, "Imagine trying to get around town in the winter," she said. I could see her point: You're battling to get to a doctor's appointment, but no one has shoveled after a big snowfall. Your choices: Move out and risk getting stuck, or reschedule the appointment. Those of us fortunate enough to get around on our own two legs don't give a second thought to the person in a wheelchair next to us at a crosswalk. That would require us to look down. So I decided to try using a wheelchair to get a sample of what their lives are like. It wasn't long before I saw that people who use wheelchairs are forced to deal with a lot of trouble. During my experiment, I was ignored by store staff while shopping and bumped into by inattentive walkers without so much as an apology. Some people even gave me angry looks as if I were the one at fault. Once in a store, a woman bumped into me trying to get to the new iPad. She didn't say, "Excuse me." When salespeople did offer assistance, they talked to people who were with me, instead of me. I wanted to yell, "Hey, I'm down here!" Some salespeople talked to me as though I were a child or acted like they didn't want to be bothered with me. People who use wheelchairs want to be treated like everyone else. They also comprehend, so you don't have to speak to them in a childlike, sing-song voice. It's not very appealing, especially when the person is an adult. And most importantly, remember they have feelings that can be hurt just like yours. Spending three days in a wheelchair made me look differently at those who have to use one. I hope you do the same. The author writes the story to _ . call on people to respect and help those in wheelchairs
An old lady went out shopping last Sunday. She came to a bank and saw a car near the door . A man got out of it and went into the bank . She looked into the car. The keys were in the lock. The old lady took the keys and followed the man into the bank. The man took a gun out of his pockets and said to the clerk , " Give me all the money . " But the old lady didn't see this. She went to the man and put the keys in his hand and said, " Young man , you're foolish . Never leave your keys in your car. Someone's going to steal it . " The man looked at the old woman for a few seconds. Then he looked at the clerk and then he took the keys and ran off the bank, got into his car and drove away quickly without any money . ,. The old lady took the keys and _ . Answer: Surgical teams accidentally leave clamps, sponges and other tools inside about 1,500 patients nationwide each year. The mistakes largely result not from surgeon tiredness, but from the stress arising from emergencies or complications discovered on the operating table, the researchers reported. The study found that emergency operations are nine times more likely to lead to such mistakes, and operating-room complications requiring a change in procedure are four times more likely. It also happens more often to fat patients, simply because there is more room inside them to lose equipment, according to the study. Two-thirds of the mistakes happened even though the equipment was counted before and after the procedure, in keeping with the standard practice. Most lost objects were sponges, but also included were metal clamps and electrodes . In two cases, 11-inch retractors metal strips were forgotten inside patients. In another operation, four sponges were left inside someone. When there is significant bleeding and a sponge is placed in a patient, it can sometimes look indistinguishable from the tissue around it. The lost objects usually lay around the abdomen or hips but sometimes in the chest. They often caused tears or infections. Most patients needed additional surgery to remove the object. In other cases, patients even sensed nothing about the object, and it turned up in later surgery for other problems. To prevent such mistakes from happening, Loyola University Medical Center is becoming one of the first hospitals in the country to use sponges outfitted with bar codes. The new system was brought to Loyola through the efforts of the hospital's operating room nurses. Another effective way is to X-ray patients after surgery to reduce the likelihood of objects being left inside patients. What is the best title for the passage? Answer: It is a plain fact that we are in a world where competition is going on in all areas and at all levels. This is exciting.Yet,on the other hand,competition breezes a pragmatic attitude.People choose to learn things that are useful,and do things that are profitable.Today's college education is also affected by this general sense of utilitarianism . Many colleges students choose Business,Law not Computer Programming as their majors convinced that these professions are where the big money is.It is not unusual to see the college students taking a part--time job as a warm--up for the real battle.I often see my friends taking GRE tests,working on English or computer certificates and taking the driving tests to get a license.Well,I have nothing against being practical.As the competition in the job market gets more and more severe,students do have reasons to be practical. However,we should never forget that college education is much more than skill training.Just imagine,if your utilitarianism becomes the main trend on campus,leaving no space for the cultivation of students' minds,or development of their soul.We will see university is training out well--trained spiritless working machines.If utilitarianism controls society,we will see people lost in the money--making adventures;we will see humanity losing their grace and dignity,and that,would be disastrous.I'd like to think society as encouraging and people regard profit or fame only as a horse that pulls the courage.Yet without the driver picking direction,the courage would go straight and may even end out in a dangerous situation. A certificate may give you some advantages,but not broad horizons,positive attitudes and personal integrity ,which are the wealth you cannot acquire through any quick fixed way. Although in today's world,the highest level of competition may not be that of skills or expertise ,but vision and strategy, your intellectual quality largely determines how far you can go in your career. Many college students choose to major in Business because _ . Answer: What is the definition of "happiness?" Is it material wealth filled with fancy cars, a dream house or jewelry? Or does happiness simply mean having a roof over your head? Food in the fridge? Having a swimming pool? A designer Gucci bag? Love? Money? A perfect job? Do you recall a time----let's say when you were about 5 years old-----what defined happiness back then? Was it getting a puppy for Christmas? Or maybe, you were a child of divorce; and all you wanted was for Mom and Dad to get back together again? Then as you got older, you were hoping that someone would ask you to the party that would have made your day. During college, good grades made you happy, but it was short-lived. Because in the real world, you had to look for a job, and competition was fierce. But then, you got a perfect job, could you be happy? We like having and accumulating things. We work so we can pay our rents, credit card debts, school loans, car payments... The list goes on and on. And at some point, we realize that apart from having most of what we want, we still aren't happy. Now since we've learned to adapt to new standards which we've created for ourselves, we find that we have less time, less patience, less sleep, which leads to more stress and more anxiety. Therefore, don't stupidly make a conclusion that happiness is just based on "things". Sometimes, we trade our lives for not only basic necessities, but for excessive items and services as well. Certainly, you've heard of individuals trying to "find themselves", or to "rediscover themselves". But the point has been missed: happiness is already there. Disappointments and tragedies in life will come and go, but happiness never leaves you. We can lose our jobs, but be grateful for those who love us. We can lose our homes to nature, but be thankful to be alive. If we think we are happy, we are indeed happy. Happiness is merely a perception of each individual. Happiness is part of love, and love is an ocean. Go dive in and get some, and then share it with everyone, which can be an endless supply. But sharing happiness with people around demands skilful techniques. People will feel happy if _ . Answer: For many girls, having long beautiful hair is something to beproud of. Rachel Barrett, 15, recently cut her long hair and lookedlike a boy. But she was also proud of herself. She donated herhair to a charity and raised a lot of money.Barrett is a middle school student in Britain. On Nov. 16 at her school's talent contest, Barrett had her hair cut off in front of around 300 students. The hair would be used to make wigs for children with cancer. She has raised several thousand pounds and the money will help people with breast cancer . Barrett got the idea when she visited her friend's mom with cancer. "All of her hair had fallen out, and it really made me want to do something," Barrett said. When she found out that the charity Little Princess Trust could make wigs for children with cancer, she decided to donate her own hair, even though she loved it. "I saw how sad it was for my friend's mom to lose her hair. So if my hair can go to help a young child with cancer then it's worth it," she said. Cath Stanton, a teacher, felt proud of the girl. "She's always been very well groomed , so for her to cut all her hair off really moves us," she said. "She has done a moving job." Many students were moved by her courage and donated money. When did Barrett want to donate her long hair? Answer:
Question: Every year in America, high-school students who want to go to college take a national examination called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT in a shortened way. Their score is an important factor in determining which colleges will admit them or whether any will be admitted at all. The Scholastic Aptitude Test measures one's mathematical ability and use of the English language. Traditionally, the English portion involved grammatical questions and paragraphs that test reading comprehension. But the SAT folks have added a single question, to be answered in an essay, hand-written on the spot. That's an interesting way to test writing ability, put content aside, have you ever seen young people's handwriting lately? Or anyone's for that matter, in this age of computer keyboards? Students write numbers and sign their names on bank checks. They _ class notes in what can generously be described as the written word. And they hand-write, or more often print, a word or two of identification on luggage and lunch bags. Otherwise penmanship -- once taught so morally and easefully by second-grade teachers, has gone the way of the dodo bird which has died out. Yet today's kids are asked to write, thoughtfully and legibly , for several minutes on this SAT Test. Good luck to the text scorers who must work out difficultly the scrawl of young people who've been typing on computers since the age of three! Teachers insist that good handwriting can not only help one's score on the SAT, but also, later on in life, impress potential employers and earn bigger tax refunds because the tax inspectors can actually read the computations . And don't forget, we all have to turn to handwriting from time to time, as computers go down when power goes out. According to the passage good handwriting can _ . A. help students get high scores in tests B. make a student more popular C. measure students' ability D. assist one to get a job Answer: D. assist one to get a job Question: Chuck Wall teaches management and human relations at Bakersfield College. He walked into class one day and told his students that their homework was to perform one act of random kindness. His students did not understand the homework and didn't know what to do, but the professor would not answer their questions. He encouraged his students to work it out for themselves. One week later, the students entered the classroom excited to share their stories. One student told of giving away blankets to the homeless. Another reported on helping a dog to find its owner, and another student had been trying to find a long, lost friend. Students were energized by the homework assignment and wanted other people to be kind too. With the support of local businesses, the students made stickers to put on cars that invited people to do something kind for others. They sold the stickers and decided to donate the money to a center for the blind---not surprising as Professor Wall is blind. Since then, similar kindness activities have been started in schools around the world. Many schools organize a Random Acts of Kindness Week, around November 13th, to celebrate World Kindness Day. Some schools use each day of Random Acts of Kindness Week to perform a different kind act, such as making a new friend, helping someone, doing community service, or raising money for a charity. Students learn to consider other people and thank about how small actions can make the world a better place. In kindness activities students learn _ . A. to deal with difficult things B. to do great things every day C. to know about the world D. to consider other people Answer: D. to consider other people Question: Mary was waiting for the airplane to take off. She was happy to get a seat by herself. Just then, an air hostess came up to her and asked. "Would you mind changing your seat? A man would like to sit with his wife." The only available seat was next to a girl with her arms broken, a black-and-blue face, and a sad expression . "I don't want to sit there," Mary thought at once. But then a soft voice inside spoke, "She needs help." Finally, Mary moved to that seat. The girl was named Emily. She had been in a car accident and now was on her way for treatment. When the snacks and juice arrived, Mary realized that Emily could not feed herself. Mary thought about offering to feed her but she hesitated , as it seemed too impolite to offer such a help to a stranger. But then Mary realized that Emily's need was more important. Mary offered to help her eat. Although Emily was uncomfortable to accept, _ . They became closer and closer in a short time. By the end of the five-hour trip, Mary's heart had warmed, and the time was really better spent than if she had just sat by herself. Mary was very glad that she sat next to Emily and fed her. Love sometimes goes beyond human boundaries and removes the fears that keep people away. When we reach our hands to help another, we get to live in a larger and more pleasant world. How did Mary feel at first when an air hostess asked her to change her seat? A. She felt glad to do so. B. She was not willing to do so. C. She went mad angrily. D. She was afraid of the man and his wife. Answer: B. She was not willing to do so. Question: The Metropolitan Museum of Art We are currently taking requests for school group guided tours to occur through June 30, 2013. Appointments are required of all school groups visiting the Museum. All requests for guided tours must be sent in using the Guided Tour Request Form. If you have any questions, you may emailschoolvisits@metmuseum.org. Please continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information. Guided Tours Students and teachers may explore the collection with a Museum staff member, who leads discussions and exercises designed to encourage critical thinking in response to original works of art. Tours are appropriate for the group's grade, level of ability, and subject of interest. Guided tours are offered and recommended for students who are at or above first-grade level and last about an hour. Group Size A group may have no fewer than 10 students and no more than 50 students, with onechaperon required for every 10 students. Group Fee All fees arewaived for schools located within the five boroughs of New York City. Schools outside New York City pay regular group rates: l Students: $15 each l One teacher per reservation receives complimentary admission. l Required adult chaperones (one for every 10 students): $15 each l Any additional adults: $28 each l Groups of 15 or fewer: $225 flat fee The Museum reserves the right to limit the number of adults participating in school group guided tours. Membership and other discounts do not apply to group admission. Tour Schedule Guided tours are conducted Tuesday through Friday, 9:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A limited number of guided tours for high school students are available Tuesday through Thursday at 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Cancellation Policy All requests to change or cancel existing reservations must be made in writing via email toschoolvisits@metmuseum.org. Fees cannot be returned to groups that cancel with less than 2 weeks' notice. If two couples of teachers and 21 students from Chicago want to visit the museum, what would the lowest cost be? A. $225 B. $345 C. $373 D. $427 Answer: C. $373 Question: One day in January, my uncle, my cousin and I decided to go hunting.We left by car in the afternoon.It was a Range Rover with four-wheel drive.It took us three hours to get there.After we arrived at 5:15 p.m., we fixed the tent, then made coffee and had a short rest.After that, we went hunting, using a falcon .We spent two hours without finding anything.On our way back to the camp, my cousin saw a rabbit.I removed the falcon's bead cover and let go of the aggressive falcon.When the rabbit saw the falcon, it ran fast, but my falcon was a professional hunter.He flew up and came down to trick the rabbit.After two minutes, the rabbit was caught.We took it back to the camp to cook our dinner.We ate the delicious food, drank Arabic coffee, and sat around the fire talking until 10:30 p.m. We left the camp the next day at 7 o'clock in the morning.We went north.However, around 10:00 a.m.our car got stuck in the sand! We spent about three hours trying to pull out the car without any progress.Finally, we decided to walk.As it was hard for an old man or a young boy to walk more than 40km in the desert, I decided to get help myself.I took a bottle of water with me and started to walk south alone.I knew the way well, but it was a long way in the sand.I walked more than four hours without stopping.When I felt so tired and thirsty, I stopped to rest.I drank all the water and slept for around two hours. When I got up, it was dark.I continued to walk south.I was worried about my uncle and cousin.Suddenly, I met a Bedouin man who was riding his camel.He took me to his house.When I had had enough rest, I asked him to take me to the road where I found a car.It took me to the city to get help.I had one day to get back to my uncle and cousin.When I got back to them, they were so happy because I had gotten help and they were able to see me again. Which word can best describe the first evening of their hunting trip? A. Adventurous. B. Enjoyable. C. Stressful. D. Exhausting. Answer: B. Enjoyable.
Florence,Italy Who should go:Art lovers;Renaissance historians;leather handbag shoppers with high credit limits. When to go:Spring or fall.Travellers usually avoid summer in Florence. Paris,France Who should go:Starving artists;Henry Miler fans;traditional food lovers. When to go:Spring is the best time.That's what they all say,anyway.Autumn isn't bad,either,and I'd rather be rooting around the south of France in search of truffles in autumn.Summer in Paris isn't bad,really. Amsterdam,Holland Who should go:Lovers of Dutch Masters(artists I mean,like Rembrandt,not cigars);bicyclists--it's a bike city in a flat land. When to go:It can rain at any time in Amsterdam,but that's not a reason for not visiting this fascinating city.Off season tourists will be rewarded with good enough weather to stick around.Summer is good for sun lovers. Madrid,Spain Who should go: _ --Madrid never sleeps;art lovers--the Prado is second only to the Louvre in presenting serious art;partygoers. When to go:Spring,when days are warm and the nights are pleasantly cool.Demand for outside eating and drinking starts becoming stronger in March or April.Street life peaks in June,then slows in July and August as the temperature peaks.Autumn is also good,although you'll risk some rain. Venice,Italy Who should go:Romantic dreamers who like walking through automobile-free streets;your mother(she'll want you to take her there,trust me);almost anyone who wants to see something really different and romantic. When to go:February is the time when the famous Venice Carnival is held and the weather is usually cold and foggy--perfect weather for Venice.Summer?A large number of tourists in shorts and whiny children ruin the atmosphere.You'll greatly enjoy yourself there in spring and early fall. What do the cities Florence,Paris,Amsterdam and Madrid have in common? A They are all great cities for female shoppers. B They are all famous for their traditional food. C They are all great cities for art lovers. D They are all famous for cigars. Answer: C. They are all great cities for art lovers. When people talk of a virus these days, chances are that they are talking about computer virus that have the power wipe out all the valuable work people may have stored in their computers. Imagine, the virus has the power to make military systems, giant banks, airports, hospitals and traffic system come to stop! What does a computer virus do? It targets electronic objects that are programmed. The virus spreads through connections between these electronic objects. For virus spreading experts, e-mail is a favorite method of sending their destructive weapon. But scientists warn that this is not the worst that can happen. There is more. People are also connected through phones. The next virus may actually target mobile phones, especially those that are programmed to do many tasks apart from just communicating. It would then be easy for a virus to infect those programs and create major disorder. For example, these virus may have the power to record your phone conversations and make others hear them. They create problems with your electronic money accounts, or they could create a mountain of telephone bills for calls you never made. And that would be a disaster. A report on this was published in the New Scientist recently. One way out would be to have simpler phones with not so many different functions. This would mean there would mean there would be fewer programs for the virus to attack. But mobile phone producers are _ . People on longer want an electronic item to perform just one task. They want more and more functions added. That would mean more software programs to make the mobile phone perform all those functions. And that means the possibility of more viruses. For whom is the passage written? A Government officials B Virus spreading experts C Electronic scientists D Mobile phone users Answer: D. Mobile phone users When a dirty and untidy grey cat showed up in the prison yard, I was one of the first to go out there and pet it. I hadn't touched a cat or a dog in over 20 years. I spent at least 20 minutes, knelt down behind the kitchen as the cat rolled around, relaxed. When he was expressing outwardly, I was feeling inwardly. It was an amazing bit of grace to feel him under my hand and note that I was reaching a life or another creature with something as simple as my care. Over the next few days, there were other prisoners responding to the cat. Every yard period, a group of prisoners gathered there. They stood around talking and taking turns petting the cat. These were guys you wouldn't usually find talking to each other. Several times I saw an officer in the group, not chasing people away, but just watching and seeming to enjoy along with the prisoners. Bowls of milk and water appeared along with bread, wisely placed under the edge of the dustbin to keep the birds from getting it. The cat was obviously homeless and in pretty bad shape. People said that the cat came to the right place. He's getting treated like a king. This was true, but as I watched I was also thinking about what the cat was doing for us. There was a lot of talk about what's wrong with prisons in America. We need more programs. We need more psychologists or treatment of various kinds. Some may even talk about making prisons more kind. But I think what we really need is a chance to practice our own kindness. Not receive it, but give it. After more than two decades here, I know kindness is not a value that's encouraged. It's often thought of as a weakness. Instead, the culture encourages keeping your head down, minding your own business, and never letting yourself be weak. The cat did my heart good to see the effect he had on me and the men here. By simply saying, "I need some help here", he did something important for us. He needed us. And we needed to be needed. I believe we all do. The author mainly wants to tell us _ . A Caring Makes us Human B Prison Culture is Important C Animals Need Care D Everyone Needs to be Cared for Answer: A. Caring Makes us Human What exactly is a lie? Is it anything we say which we know is untrue? Or is it something more than that? For example, suppose a friend wants to borrow some money from you. You say, "I wish I could help you but I'm short of money myself." In fact you are not short of money but your friend is in the habit of not paying his debts and you don't want to hurt his feelings by reminding him of this. Is this really a lie? Professor Gerald Gullion of theprefix = st1 /UniversityofSouthern Californiahas made a scientific study of lying. According to him, women are better liars than men, particularly when telling a "white lie", such as a woman at a party telling another woman that she likes her dress when she really thinks it looks awful. However, this is only one side of the story. Other researchers say that men are more likely to tell more serious lies, such as making a promise which they have no intention of fulfilling. This is the kind of lie politicians and businessmen are supposed to be particularly skilled at: the lie from which the liars hopes to profit or gain in some way. Research has also been done into the changes of people's behavior in a number of small, clearly unimportant ways when they lie. It has been found that if they are sitting down at the time, they tend to move about in their chairs more than usual. To the trained observer they are saying "I wish I were somewhere else now". They also tend to touch certain parts of the face more often, in particular the nose. One explanation of this may be that lying causes a slight increase in blood pressure. The nose is very sensitive to such changes and the increased pressure makes it itch . Another gesture which gives away is what the writer Desmond Morris in his bookMan Watchingcalls "the mouth cover". He says there are several typical forms of this, such as covering part of the mouth with fingers, touching the upper-lip or putting a finger of the hand at one side of the mouth. Such a gesture can be understood, as an unconscious attempt on the part of the liar to stop himself or herself from lying. Of course, such gestures as rubbing the nose or covering the mouth, or moving about in a chair cannot be taken as proof that the speaker is lying. They simply tend to occur more frequently in this situation. It is not one gesture alone that gives the liar away but a whole number of things, and in particular the context in which the lie is told. Which of the following may best betray a liar? A The touching of the tip of one's nose. B The change of one's behavior. C "The mouth cover" gesture. D The situations in which his lies are told. Answer: D. The situations in which his lies are told. Even kids know that we should wait for the traffic light to turn green before crossing a road, but not everybody follows this basic rule. "Chinese style road crossing" has become a hot expression recently. Chinese people "cross roads without thinking about traffic lights, so long as they are part of a crowd", said a post on Sina Weibo. A CCTV news program showed that in only an hour, more than 600 people ran red lights when crossing a road in Shijiazhuang, Hebei. Many people say that they jaywalk because the red light lasts too long. Such an opinion is supported by a research team at Tongji University. The team did research on people's waiting times at different road crossings from 2008 to 2010. They found that Chinese people would wait for 70 to 90 seconds before they lost their patience. "People are likely to run the red light when the waiting time is longer than they can bear ,"said Ni Ying, a member of the research team. However, a survey on Sina Weibo shows that nearly half of respondents believe that people jaywalk mainly because they disregard rules. "I always obey traffic rules. Time is important but safety should come first,"wrote "Qixiaoe"on Weibo. Many countries give out punishments to jaywalkers. In Singapore, the maximum can be three months in prison. Some Chinese cities have started taking some actions, too. For example, the first three people in a jaywalking group will be fined 50 yuan in Shijiazhuang. But calling on people to respect rules is more important. "To completely solve the problem, everyone should realize the importance of obeying the traffic rules,"Wang Jianping, a professor at Sichuan University, said to Huaxi Metropolis Daily. Why do people jaywalk according to the survey on Sina Weibo? A Because there are too many people on the road. B Because the red light lasts too long. C Because people don't pay much attention to rules. D Because people have less patience. Answer: C. Because people don't pay much attention to rules.
Many people are already planning to look for a new position when the job market picks up, but the way you quit can have a long term impact on your career. How to resign on good terms: Be prepared. Review your employee handbook or employment contract before announcing your decision, so you know what company policy is regarding resignations, severance , the return of company property and pay for unused vacation time. If you have another job lined up, be sure to have your offer in writing before you resign. Use it or lose it. If you haven't used vacation time and will lose it if you quit, you might want to use your time before leaving or link it to your resignation date. But if you don't want to burn any bridges, never announce your departure just after returning from vacation. Make an appointment. Be formal and make an appointment with your boss. Prepare what you want to say. Be direct and be transparent. After the discussion, put your resignation in a hardcopy letter that includes your last day and any transitional help you've offered. Keep a copy. Two weeks advance notice is still standard but experts recommend offering more time if you've worked at the company for more than five years. You also need to be prepared to leave right away -- some companies require it. Scrub your digital footprint. Clear your browser cache , remove passwords to websites you use from work, such as your personal email or online bank account and delete any personal files on your work computer that aren't relevant to work. Don't delete anything work-related if you're required to keep it. Stay close. Consider joining an employee alumni association, which often serves as a networking group for former employees. It can be a good way to keep up with changes in the company and industry and find leads to new jobs down the road. Keep in touch with coworkers you worked closely with; they may end up in management roles. You should notice the firm _ in advance if you've worked there for six years. more than two weeks 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! Which of the following words can't be used to describe the writer? tall Although Americans are well known for getting down to business, Indians working in overseas teams, MNCs, and BPOs should know the importance of small talk. While Indians have a true interest in talking to Americans and getting to know them, they also hesitate to do so for some reasons. Americans engage in less personal small talk than Indians. And the topics and questions used in English vary widely based on language differences and cultural differences. Here are three things to keep in mind while you are trying to make small talk with your American clients and colleagues. Amencans love to ask about, and then complain about the weather. They may talk about how the weather prevented them from having fun or how the weather supported their outdoor events. You can talk about the weather with them to begin a conversation. While talking, they always try to follow up on their answer by asking another open-ended question or make a statement, such as "Wow, that sounds like fun ! " or "You went to St. Louis. In which state is that?" Be creative in your questions. Feel free to ask one or two, but not very personal ones about relations. Stick to the facts or events that were already referred to. Sometimes, some words used in India will totally confuse an American. For example, Americans use the word "weekend" instead of "holiday" for Saturdays and Sundays ( non-working days) , and use the word " vacation" or " days off" instead of " out-of-station" . Always be interested, optimistic and happy. Talk with a smile! Vary the sound of your voice. Do not sound like a computer. If you are unsure how you sound, a good tip is to record yourself and listen to it later. Doing this helps you know how your voice sounds, and if you don't sound as you want to be heard, it may be time to work on _ your voice. For Indians, having small talk with American colleagues is _ . important Old Computers Make for Unhappy Workers --- Survey LONDON (Reuters) ----- Dealing with the dissatisfaction of aging and unreliable office computers leads to workers' unhappiness and more sick leave, a survey showed on Wednesday. A survey carried out by caro4free.net of over 2,700 European office workers from the UK, France and Germany found that workplace dissatisfaction increased greatly with the age of the computer equipment. "We do know that job satisfaction is falling in Britain and most advanced nations," said Stephen White, a researcher from the Work Foundation. "The actual reasons for _ are the subject of very heated discussion. It's certainly one interesting theory that technology may be the cause of this in some way," White added. A quarter of these using outdated computers in Britain said they were "quite" or "very dissatisfied" with their everyday job compared to the percent of those who had enjoyed an advantage from up-to-date technology. The survey also said that among workers dealing with outdated equipment, there was a 35 percent greater probability they would take six or more days of sick leave per year compared with the average worker. In France, where more workers use old computers, the probability jumped to 55 percent. Results also showed that women in the three countries were more likely to be using outdated equipment. In the UK, where more workers have up-to-date computers than in the other countries surveyed, the number of women using old equipment doubled that of men. White pointed out that there were two sides to this problem, saying that continuously having to deal with new technology and equipment can also be a source of worry. "Old and faulty equipment is a major cause of office dissatisfaction. There is no question about it; but you also have to say that the frequent change of equipment is also, or could be, a main cause of dissatisfaction." What is the subject of the news story? Influence of technology in the workplace. Every year there is a Spring Festival in China. Usually it is in January or February. It is the most important festival in China. So before it comes, everyone has to prepare things. They buy pork, beef, chicken, fruits and many other things. And they often make a special kind of food--"dumplings". It means "come together". On the day before the festival, parents buy new clothes for their children. Children also buy presents for their parents. On the Spring Festival Eve , all the family members come back to their hometown. This is a happy moment. Some sing and dance, some play cards and others get the dinner ready. When they enjoy the meal, they give each other the best wishes for the coming year. They all have a good time. ,,. (5 ,2,10) What's the meaning of the food "dumplings" for Chinese people in the Spring Festival? Come together.
The common cold is the world's most widespread illness, which is plagues that flesh receives. The most widespread mistake of all is that colds are caused by cold. They are not. They are caused by viruses passing on from person to person. You catch a cold by coming into contact, directly or indirectly, with someone who already has one. If cold causes colds, it would be reasonable to expect the Eskimos to suffer from them forever. But they do not. And in isolated Arctic regions explorers have reported being free from colds until coming into contact again with infected people from the outside world by way of packages and mail dropped from airplanes. During the First World War soldiers who spent long periods in the trenches , cold and wet, showed no increased tendency to catch colds. In the Second World War prisoners at the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp , naked and starving, were astonished to find that they seldom had colds. At the Common Cold Research Unit in England, volunteers took part in Experiments in which they gave themselves to the discomforts of being cold and wet for long stretches of time. After taking hot baths, they put on bathing suits, allowed themselves to be with cold water, and then stood about dripping wet in drafty room. Some wore wet socks all day while others exercised in the rain until close to exhaustion. Not one of the volunteers came down with a cold unless a cold virus was actually dropped in his nose. If, then, cold and wet have nothing to do with catching colds, why are they more frequent in the winter? Despite the most pains--taking research, no one has yet found the answer. One explanation offered by scientists is that people tend to stay together indoors more in cold weather than at other times, and this makes it easier for cold viruses to be passed on. No one has yet found a cure for the cold. There are drugs and pain suppressors such as aspirin, but all they do is to relieve the symptoms . The writer offered _ examples to support his argument. A 4 B 5 C 6 D 3 Answer: B. 5 Put 2 February in your diary! It is World Wetlands Day! It marks the date that the Convention on Wetlands was signed in1971.This special day was first celebrated in 1997 and it is celebrated every year. The celebration is a call for action. It is a way to show people how important and useful the wetlands are for people. On World Wetlands Day, people around the world take part in many wetlands activities. People take trips to the local wetlands. There are talks about how important the wetlands are. People get together to clean up their local wetlands Children draw pictures to advertise the day. People also compete in boat races. The World Wetlands Day is important! If there are no wetlands, there will be no water for anyone in the future. Wetlands help protect nature and resources like fresh water. Already, more than 10000 million people in the world do not have fresh water. Many people do not know how important the wetlands are. They can understand why an elephant or a tiger is important because they are big, beautiful animals. It is much harder for them to understand how important the animals in the wetlands are. These small animals, such as frogs and snails, play a very important part in keeping the balance of nature. All plants and animals are part of the food chain .If the small wetlands animals die, some animals in the food chain will have nothing to eat. They will also die. People need the wetlands to keep the balance of nature in the world. If we do not protect nature today,it will be gone tomorrow. Where do people celebrate World Wetlands Day? A All over the world. B In ships C At home. D In their own way. Answer: A. All over the world. A team of researchers in the UK has shown that children who were taken to the library more often and owned more books at two years old achieved higher scores in school tests when they began primary school. The research also showed that although social background has a noticeable effect on a child's readiness for school, attending pre-school and having their parents teach them a wide range of activities have a positive effect---while extended exposure to television lowers their scores. "One message coming through loud and clear is that how a child learns in his very early years is critical for a smooth transition into the educational system," said Professor James Law. "This is a very positive message, as it gets us away from the belief that a child's educational future is pre-determined by standard measures of socio-economic disadvantage, such as income, housing, or the mother's education." Data from the study shows that children from a positive communication environment had a better expressive vocabulary by their second birthday. These children went on to achieve higher scores in language, reading and maths tests when they entered school. In the early years, the communication environment was a better predictor of children's success with language than their general social background. Most children develop speech and language effortlessly, but some are slow to acquire these skills and go on to struggle with literacy and academic skills throughout their schooling. This project set out to uncover what factors contributed to these problems. Professor Sue Roulstone said, "These findings are an encouragement to all parents to provide a positive communication environment for their children from the very start of their lives. The project did identify particular aspects of the communication environment, such as having children's books around and not having the television on too much. But the main message is that, as parents, we can have an impact on how our children learn to talk by providing a range of communication experiences. And the better our children are at talking by the age of two years, the better they will do when they start school." People can most probably find this passage in the _ section of a website. A environment B education C lifestyle D Science Answer: B. education A school was across the street from our home and I would often watch the kids from my window as they played basketball. One day, among the children a girl attracted me. She seemed so small as she muscled her way through the crowd of boys. Running circles around the other kids, she managed to shoot jump shots just over their heads and into the net with no one to stop her. Sometimes, I saw her play alone. She would practice dribbling and shooting over and over again until dark. One day I asked her why she practiced so much. Without hesitation, she said, "I want to go to college. The only way I can go is that I get a scholarship. If I were good enough, I would get a scholarship. I like basketball. My Daddy told me if the dream is big enough, the facts don't count." Then she smiled and ran towards the court to go on with practice. I watched her through junior high and into high school. Every week, she led her school team to victory. One day in her senior year, I saw her sitting in the grass, head cradled in her arms. I went over there and sat down beside her. The coach told her that as a player as tall as prefix = st1 /5'5"she would probably never get to play for a top ranked college team -- much less offered a scholarship -- so she should stop dreaming about college. She was heartbroken and I felt my own throat tighten as I sensed her disappointment. I asked her if she had talked to her dad about it yet. She told me that her father said those coaches were wrong. They did not understand the power of a dream. He told her that if she really wanted to play for a good college and if she truly wanted a scholarship, nothing could stop her except one thing -- her own attitude. He told her again, "If the dream is big enough, the facts don't count." The next year, as she and her team went to the Northern California Championship game, she was seen by a college recruiter , and was offered a full scholarship, to a NCAA women's basketball team. She was going to college, which she had dreamed of and worked toward for all those years. What can we learn from the story? A Follow your dream and you'll make it sooner or later. B Take our teachers' advice when making a decision. C Whoever wants to succeed must get a scholarship. D Failure is the mother of success. Answer: A. Follow your dream and you'll make it sooner or later. Mr Smith works in a factory in the middle of the city. The factory is not far from his home. It is about 800 meters away. So Mr Smith doesn't go to work by bus. He usually goes there by bike, sometimes he walks to work. It takes him 10 minutes to get there by bike or 20 minutes on foot. He usually leaves home at ten minutes to eight. Today something is wrong with his bike. He wants to walk there. His work starts at half past eight in the morning and finishes at a quarter to five in the afternoon. ,. Mr Smith usually goes home from work at _ in the afternoon. A 4:15. B 4:45. C 4:35. D 4:05. Answer: B. 4:45.
Question: As I grew older, Dad was to build all sorts of things for me as I explored a variety of interests: magic tricks, a toy circus, neighborhood shows and science projects. From as early as I can remember to the time I left home for college, I continued to come to him with a design or an idea, and he would figure out how to build it. In fifth grade, a schoolmate and I wrote a puppet show that we wanted to perform for our class. I made the puppet heads myself, and I made the costumes and curtains with Mon---who was as expert designing and sewing with cloth as my father was designing and working with wood and metal. With Dad I made the puppet stage, in our own invented style between kid and adult with me saying something like, " It has to be this high, and it needs to come apart and fold up so it can fit in the backseat of the car, and it needs to set up fast, and it needs to have different color1ed lights on top with switches you can reach to control them and a curtain you can pull from under it, even if you still have a puppet on your hand." Dad figured out how to make it all work, making plans as we went along. Then with the tools in his shop he built it, and I helped. Dad also spent a lot of time out in the garage or in the driveway working on the family car. I don't remember that he ever took it to a professional auto-repair shop. Maybe to save money, but also because he could usually figure out what needed fixing, just by taking it apart and looking. Though not trained as an auto mechanic, he could look under the engine cover and take parts and pieces out, spread them on a tarp to catch the oil and figure out what was supposed to happen to the machine and then figure out what wasn't happening and then replace the worn-out part or whatever and then put everything back together again. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE? A. The writer's car is always breaking down. B. Father works in a car repairing shop. C. Repairing in a shop can save much money. D. Father was good at mending his car. Answer: D. Father was good at mending his car. Question: Little James likes sports, so he is tall and strong in his middle school. He likes playing soccer very much, he thinks it's interesting. His grandma lives in a village . One day, she comes to school and sees him. Grandma doesn't find the boy in the classroom, so she goes to look for him in the school. She finds James and some boys play with only one ball. Grandma says to him:"Don't play with them, I can buy a ball for you." Grandma sees some boys playing with _ . A. no ball B. two balls C. one ball D. some balls Answer: C. one ball Question: Children of America are getting fatter every time. 13% of the children at the age of 6 to 11 are overweight(too fat). When we look at children's lives today in the USA, we can see the root(origin)of the problem--sports and foods. Young children like sports but they don't have enough around the start of high school. That's especially true for girls. Meanwhile, to make matters worse, schools are becoming much more interested in sports teams. So children are not able to get enough exercise just when they need it the most. There is also the food problem. Children get most of their calories at restaurants or parties or somewhere else away from home. They often drink too many Cokes. Parents have a lot of fears about telling a child he needs to lose weight-- they are afraid it will push a child into an eating disorder. Some parents fear that pushing children to lose weight means their children will think they're not good enough, or not loved because of their weight. Parents need to come to terms with the fact that the family is very important to the children. The most useful program for children is called "family weight control". This is good news. Mom and Dad, even if they don't have weight problems, have to go through the same program as their children and learn how to get some exercise and how to eat healthily. What does "come to terms with" probably mean in the passage? A. ignore B. give in to C. get away with D. do research into Answer: B. give in to Question: The airport in Boswell is twenty-one miles from the city. The banks and business offices are in the center of the city. Read these notes from the diary by Mr. Reg Simpson: March 2004 15 MON Group of 35 French students visiting Boswell -- want cheap holiday 16 TUES Mr. and Mrs. J. Grant arriving from Paris -- only stay a night at Boswell -- leaving early on the 18thby air 17 WED Mr. Nagashima, Tokyo, arriving for a two-day business trip 18 THUR 65 Russian students need two days in a cheap hotel 19 FRI have a group meeting about how to attract travelers from Asia 20 SAT Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, from Washington D.C., arriving by air 21 SUN Dinner with Bella at King Garden and watch King Kong at 9:00 p.m. 22 MON Mr. and Mrs. F. Ray, need cheap hotels for two days Mr. Nagashima is from _ . A. France B. Japan C. America D. Russia Answer: B. Japan Question: Do you know someone who has never been troubled by tests? Yeah, some people are lucky like that. But for most of us, taking tests can cause a lot of icky feelings and sensations, such as: trouble concentrating; low selfesteem; being nervous or anxious; feeling depressed or down on yourself; nausea ,indigestion, diarrheas ,or other stomach problems; racing heartbeat or trouble breathing; trouble sleeping; sweaty or cold hands. Spend a moment thinking about a test you have to take. Does it bring on any of these feelings? If so, that might mean you're having some trouble dealing with the stress of the test. Now that we know what stress feels like, let's talk about where test stress comes from. Here are a few of the biggest causes of test stress: Pressure from yourself.It's important to do your best and study hard, but if you feel like you just can't stop pushing yourself to prepare or that you won't be happy with anything but a high grade, that pressure can't be hard to handle. Pressure from parents and teachers.Most parents want to see great report cards, and they can start pushing when test time comes around. For teachers, many schools want to show high test grades from their students. So they have high expectations for the teachers, who then have high expectations for the students! Competition with friends.You love your best friends, but she's always asking you how you did in the test you both just took. This is normal, but can add to some of the pressure you're already feeling. Past experience.If you had a bad time with a test in the past, or if you've done poorly in one or more tests, you could feel anxious about the next one. Negative thinking.If you're convinced you're going to fail, or you keep beating yourself up with thoughts like"I'm not smart enough"or"I never do well," this can add to a lot of stress. Rumor. Sometimes, other students can spread rumors about a rest. Rumores like "That teacher's tests are totally impossible to pass!" can make you a lot more nervous. What will the next section mainly talk about? A. How to manage and get rid of stress. B. How to prevent pressure from oneself or parents or teachers. C. How to compete with friends properly. D. How to use rumor to release stress. Answer: A. How to manage and get rid of stress.
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 Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? A Most people can't understand why the States makes wars. B The U.S.A has developed a stable central government. C The Afghan considered Americans as undesirable occupiers D American government should make an explanation to the public. Answer: B Dereck Joubert and his wife, Beverly, have made many films about wild animals in Africa. Their films and photographs are very popular and one of the photographs has been on the front cover of a National Geographic magazine. A working day for Dereck and Beverly started very early--at 4:30 in the morning! That's when they get up and start filming. And it's a long day--they often work until 8:30 in the evening. In the winter it's very cold and in the summer it can be 40C. Dereck always does the filming--Beverly never does that, and she doesn't write. But Dereck never takes photographs or records the sound. They work very well as a team, and they both believe we should shoot animals with cameras--not with guns! When they have finished filming and taking photographs for the day, they have dinner and Dereck usually writes while Beverly looks at her photographs. At night, they usually sleep in a small tent, but they sometimes sleep in the Land Cruiser--when they're very close to wild animals, it's sometimes safer to sleep in the car! Dereck and Beverly have also traveled around the world and given talks about their work. Dereck says that the animals are not just something to look at--they play an important role. Beverly thinks the wild animals can teach us a lot about ourselves. Dereck and Beverly usually sleep _ at night. A in a car B in a tent C in a house D in a hotel Answer: B Chinese scientist Tu Youyou on October 5 won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine amongst a trio for discovering parasite therapies . 85-year-old Tu is awarded this world-renowned prize for her contribution to reducing the death rate of malaria, minimizing patients' suffering and promoting mankind's health. This is what science is all about. Tu's finding has saved millions' lives during the 40 years. This also proves the value of her research product. The reward is never too late in that aspect. The moment of joy and satisfaction came when she discovered the artemisinin( ) after all kinds of failures in experiments. As the first Chinese mainland Nobel Prize Winner of natural science award, Tu's winning completely surprised Chinese people, who have long been wondering when the first Chinese Nobel laureate in natural science would appear. Let's backtrack to 40 years ago. Tu accomplished the breakthrough findings without access to any advanced equipment, communication with outside world and papers to research. However, over the 40 years, improvements and innovations have transformed everything. Nowadays, Chinese scientists have the passion to invent. As Premiere Li Keqiang mentioned in his letter, "Tu's winning the prize signifies China's prosperity and progress in scientific and technological field". Tu's record-breaking winning serves as a reminder to those who are too eager for instant success. Science is never about instant success. There is no way to measure how much you spend on scientific research and compare it with how much reward you get. What does this passage mainly talk about? A Tu's experience has made her way up to the Nobel Prize. B China displays its strength in Traditional Chinese Medicine. C Tu honors us Chinese by winning the Nobel Prize. D We should not expect to succeed in a short period of time. Answer: C You are a new manager at the American branch of your German firm in Chicago. With a few minutes to spare between meetings, you go to get a quick cup of coffee. "Hey, David, how are you?" one of the senior partners at the firm asks you. "Good, thank you, Dr. Greer," you reply. You've really been wanting to make a connection with the senior leadership at the firm, and this seems like a great opportunity. But as you start to think of something to say, your American colleague breaks in to steal your spotlight. "So Arnold", your colleague says to your boss, in such a casual manner that it makes your German soul cringe , "So what's your Super bowl prediction? I mean, you're a Niners fan, right?" The conversation moves on, and you walk silently back to your desk with your coffee. You know how important small talk is in the U. S. , and you feel jealous of people who can do it well. There's nothing small about the role that small talk plays in American professional culture. People from other countries are often surprised at how important small talk is in the U. S. and how naturally and comfortably people seem to do it--with peers,men,women,and even with superiors. You can be the most technically skilled worker in the world, but your ability to progress in your job in the United States is highly dependent on your ability to build and maintain positive relationships with people at work. And guess what skill is critical for building and maintaining these relationships? Small talk. What can you do if you are from another culture and want to learn to use small talk in the U. S. to build relationships and establish trust? Work hard to hone your own version of American-style small talk. Watch how others do it. You don't have to mimic what they do; in fact, that would likely backfire because people would see you as inauthentic. But if you can develop your own personal version, that can go a long way toward making you feel comfortable. The author introduces the topic of the passage by _ . A raising an interesting question B telling a small jokes C making comparisons D describing an interesting scene Answer: D Electrical devices could soon use power make by human energy, Scientists say they have developed an experimental device that produces electricity from the physical movement of a person walking , British scientist Max Donelan and other scientists in Canada and the United States developed the device. The device connects to a person's knee, As the person walks, the device captures energy each time the person slows down, To do this ,the device helps with the slowing sown movement of the leg, The movements of the walking person push parts of a small machine that produces electricity, Using the device, an adult walking quickly could produce thirteen watts of electricity in just a minute, Donelan says walking at that speed could produce enough power to operate a laptop computer for six minutes. There are several possible uses for the device ,Developers say it could help people who work in areas without electricity to operate small computers, The deice could also be used in hospitals to operate heart pacemakers ,It could even be used to assist in the movement of robotic arms and legs. The experimental version of the device weighs about one and a half kilograms, but it is too costly for most people to buy, But the researchers hope to make a lighter, less costly version.An improved version should be ready in one year. The developers hope the device will one day help developing countries, Nearly twenty five percent of people around the world live without electric power. A similar product was invented in 2005 by Larry Rome of the University of Pennsylvania,He created a bag carried on a person's back that also produces power from walking, The knee device does not produce as much electricity as the bag ,But the bag requires the walker to carry a load of twenty to thirty kilograms. What is the disadvantage of the experimental version of the device? A It is too heavy for the walker to bear B It is too complex for people to use C It is too expensive for most people to afford D It will slow down one's walking speed. Answer: C
Question: Malls are popular places for Americans to go. Some people spend so much time at malls that they are called "mall rats ". Mall rats shop until they drop in the hundreds of stores. People like malls for many reasons. They feel safe because malls have police stations. Parking is usually free, and the weather inside is always fine. The newest malls have beautiful rest places with waterfalls and large green trees. The largest mall in the United States is the Mall of America in Minnesota. It covers 4. 2 million square feet . It has 350 stores, eight nightclubs, and a large park! There are parking spaces for 12,750 cars. About 750,000 people shop there every week. The first indoor mall in the United States was built in 1965 in Edina Minnesota. People love doing all their shopping in one place. More malls are built around the country. Now malls are like town centers where people come to do many things. They shop, of course, they also eat in food courts that have food from all over the world. They see films at theaters. Some people even get their exercise by doing the new sport of "mall walking". Others go to malls to meet friends. In some malls, people can see a doctor and even go to the church. In other words, people can do just about everything in malls. Now people can live in their favorite shopping center in fact. The writer _ . A. thinks malls make people's life easier B. likes to live in his favorite malls C. is called "mall rats" by others D. often goes to the church in malls Answer: A Question: MEGADIM, Israel (AP)-The worst forest fire in Israel's history on Thursday destroyed one of the country's few forested areas, killing at least 36 guards on their way to rescue prisoners there, destroying homes and forcing the evacuation of thousands. The fire ran through the Carmel forest in Israel's Galilee, reaching the coastal city of Haifa, jumping from place to place in the forest. The fire broke out around midday and quickly spread and was still burning out of control as midnight approached. Investigators supposed that the fire could have been set accidentally, or it might have been a criminal act, but pretty much ruled out some sort of attack by a Palestinian group. "This is a huge disaster," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "The government is using all means to control the fire." He said some countries such as Cyprus, Italy, Russia and Greece agreed to provide backup. Most of the dead were Prison Service guards racing through the fire toward a prison to evacuate the prisoners, most of them Palestinians. A tree fell across the road, blocking their bus. Some guards were burned alive inside, while others died as they tried to escape. Fourteen bodies were found near the burnt bus 10 hours after the fire started. The fire heavily damaged one of Israel's few large forests, made up of natural growth and planted areas, a favorite place for camping and a home for dozens of species of wildlife. Forestry workers tried to evacuate animals from the fire. The forest recovered slowly from a fire in 1989, but experts said Thursday's big fire was many times worse. According to the investigators, which of the following might be the cause of the fire? A. Prisoners set the fire purposely. B. The fire broke out all by itself. C. A Palestinian group did it. D. The fire was started by accident. Answer: D Question: David: I like blue. I have a clothes shop, and I find when I changed the wall's color to blue, my clothes sold better. Someone told me that blue can make people feel safe. Mary: I'm a nurse. I heard that green can make people feel energetic. Because it's the color of nature, it can also give people a feeling of hope. It's my favorite. Li Ming: I like red. In our country, red means good luck. For example, during Spring Festival, most Chinese people like wearing red clothes , because we believe it will bring us good luck in the future. Sam: I like orange because it's a warm color. When I'm sad, if I see something orange buying things that are orange ---- bags, hats, cups, anything! I live in an orange world! Linda: I think black is a powerful color . We know that the leaders of a country always wear black clothes. And, it makes people look thin. Why do the Chinese like red? A. They think red makes them feel safe. B. They think red brings good luck. C. They think red makes them powerful. D. They think red gives them a feeling of hope. Answer: B Question: Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village, though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. From this passage, we know how the weather is EXCEPT _ . A. windy B. frozen C. snowy D. cloudy Answer: D Question: EACH of us fails from time to time. If we are wise, we accept these failures as a necessary part of the learning process. But all too often we convey to our children either by words or by actions that failure is something to be ashamed of, that nothing but top performance meets our approval. Donnie was my youngest third-grader. His fear of failure kept him from classroom games that other children played excitedly. He seldom answered questions - he might be wrong. He seldom finished his work because he repeatedly checked with me to be sure he hadn't made a mistake. I tried my best to build his self-confidence. But nothing changed until midterm, when Mary Anne, a student teacher, was assigned to our classroom. She was young and pretty, and she loved children. My pupils, Donnie included, adored her. But even enthusiastic, loving Mary was _ by this little boy who feared he might make a mistake. Then one morning we were working math problems. Donnie had copied the problems with painstaking neatness and filled in answers for the first row. Pleased with his progress, I left the children with Mary. But when I returned, Donnie was in tears. He'd missed the third problem. Mary looked at me in despair. Suddenly her face brightened. From the desk we shared, she got a canister filled with pencils. "Look, Donnie," she said, "I've got something to show you." She removed the pencils and placed them on his desk. "See these pencils, Donnie?" she continued. "They belong to Mrs. Lindstrom and me. See how the erasers are worn? That's because we make mistakes too. Lots of them. But we erase the mistakes and try again. That's what you must learn to do, too." She kissed him and continued: "I'll leave one of these pencils on your desk so you'll remember that everybody makes mistakes, even teachers." Donnie looked up with love in his eyes and just a glimmer of a smile. The pencil became Donnie's prized possession. That, together with Mary Anne's frequent encouragement and praise for even Donnie's small successes, gradually persuaded him that it's all right to make mistakes - as long as you erase them and try again. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the article? A. Each of us should try our best to be a perfectionist. B. Donnie rarely finished his work because he seldom answered questions and thus had difficulties. C. The story was written mainly to sing high praise for Mary Anne. D. The author seems to believe that failure is an opportunity to learn and make progress. Answer: D
Everywhere man is altering the balance of nature.He is facilitating the spread of plants and animals into new regions, sometimes deliberately, sometimes unconsciously.He is covering huge areas with new kinds of plants, or with houses, factories, slag-heaps and other products of his civilization.He exterminates some species on a large scale, but favours the multiplication of others.In brief, he has done more in five thousand years to alter the biological aspect of the planet than has nature in five million. Many of these changes which he has brought about have had unforeseen consequences.Who would have thought that the throwing away of a piece of Canadian waterweed would have caused half the waterways of Britain to be blocked for a decade, or that the provision of pot cacti for lonely settlers' wives would have led to Eastern Australian being overrun with forests of Prickly Pear? Who would have prophesied that the cutting down of forests on the Adriatic coasts, or in parts of Central Africa, could have reduced the land to a semidesert, with the very soil washed away from the bare rock? Who would have thought that improved communications would have changed history by the spreading of disease-sleeping sickness into East Africa, measles into Oceania, very possibly malaria into ancient Greece? These are spectacular examples; but examples on a smaller scale are everywhere to be found.We make a nature sanctuary for rare birds, prescribing absolute security for all species; and we may find that some common and hardy kind of bird multiplies beyond measure and ousts the rare kinds in which we were particularly interested.We see, owing to some little change brought about by civilization, the starling spread over the English country-side in hordes.We improve the yielding capacities of our cattle; and find that now they exhaust the pastures which sufficed for less exigent stock. The main idea of the passage is _ . Answer: that man is altering the balance of nature Each new school year brings fresh reminders of what educators call the summer learning gap.Some call it the summer learning setback.Simply speaking,it means the longer kids are out of 'school,the more they forget.The only thing they might gain is weight. Most American schools follow a traditional nine-month calendar with winter and spring breaks and about ten weeks of summer vacation.Some schools follow a year-round calendar.They hold classes for about eight weeks at a time,with a few weeks off in between.The National Association for Year-Round Education says there were fewer than 3,000 such schools at last count.They were spread among forty-six of the fifty states. But many experts point out that the number of class days in a year-round school is generally the same as in a traditional school.Lead researcher Paul von Hippel said,"Year-round schools don't really solve the problem of the summer learning setback.They simply spread it out across the year. Across the country,research shows that students from poor families fall farther behind over the summer than other students.Experts say this can be prevented.They note that many schools and local governments offer programs that can help. But calling them "summer school" could be a problem.The director of the summer learning center at Johns Hopkins,Ron Fairchild,said research with groups of different parents in Chicago and Baltimore found that almost all strongly disliked the term "summer school".In American culture,the idea of summer vacation is connected to beliefs about freedom and the joys of childhood.The parents welcomed other terms like "summer camp," "extra time" and "hands-on learning." Why did almost all parents dislike the term "summer school"? Answer: They cherish the children's rights of freedom very much. Nick Santonastasso has one arm equipped with one finger. He has no legs. He also has no limitations . " I know anything's possible ," the 12-year-old told TODAY 's Ann Curry. He can play baseball and football, play the keyboard and drums, and play video games with his brothers. When Nick was born, he suffered a disease only found in 11 other people. The Santonastassos had three other children, and they decided to treat Nick the same as others, with love but without excuse " We're supposed to be heroes to our children, but Nick is a hero to us," his father Michael said. But heroes have heroes, too, and Nick's is Tiki Barber, the former football superstar who retired last year and became a reporter for TODAY. Curry told Nick that for his birthday, the show wanted to give him a new skateboard. The person who presented it to him was Barber. " You're an inspiration," Barber said. " There are a lot of kids who might be at a disadvantage. You give them strength." Curry observed that most parents try to protect their kids from failure, but the Santonastassos didn't do that with Nick. "Absolutely not, "Nick's mother Stacey said. " If you do have a small failure, it just makes you stronger to succeed at the next stop." " It builds self-confidence in yourself to try it again," Nick added. Recently, Nick entered a drawing in a statewide contest in New Jersey. His drawing was a tree with a spreading canopy and deep toots. Above the tree were the words, "The roots of a family are..." Below the ground, the roots spelled out the final word for the message: " Love." It won the contest. The judges didn't know Nick' physical condition. He won on merit , the same way he does everything else in life. According to the passage, _ other people have the same disease as Nick's. Answer: eleven Tom's parents are away for 2 days. So he goes shopping in the supermarket. He makes a shopping list. There are lots of people in the supermarket. He plans to make sandwiches for his lunch. He buys bread and butter. Then he buys ham and cabbages. He also buys two kilos of apples. They are 5 yuan a kilo. The apples look good. He has everything on his shopping list. Then he goes home. , What does Tom plan to make? Answer: Sandwiches. Waller was a liked-by-all fellow full of fun who often went to coffee houses to tell people interesting stories, of which some even brought him some money. One day, asked by an office secretary who told Waller that his boss was a never-seen before serious man and he never even smiled. Waller would tell a most funny story. "Well, sir," Waller said before he began the story, "What will be given in return of my success?""$100,"replied the secretary. "I haven't seen him have a bright face since I worked in his office." "Then _ " Waller went to the man's table and whispered to him, "Please tell your boss that the funny man Waller's hen gave birth to a baby." Three days later a letter reached Mr. Waller in which were $100 and a piece of yellow paper with the words, "Mr. Waller, you have succeeded--When I repeated your $100-worth sentence, my boss burst into frightening laughter, saying that whoever has managed to make him laugh during the business hours will get dismissed!" Which of the following ends is true according to the passage? Answer: The secretary lost his job in office.
during the winter, a man's central heating stops functioning. Which of these could be a lifeline? A cranking on the air conditioner B leaving the oven lid open C leaving the fan on D leaving the window open Answer: B The primary reason that plants are important for an ecosystem is because they A provide energy for consumers. B depend on other organisms for shelter. C break down dead animal matter. D consume nutrients for energy. Answer: A What is a large buildup of moving ice and snow called? A drumlin B delta C glacier D moraine Answer: C I recently read about a wonderful act of kindness. It is about the country singer, Jan Howard, and it happened in the mid 1950s. You can read about it in her autobiography , Sunshine and Shadow. She suffered a lot with her three children, two of whom were babies. She was forced to leave her husband because he didn't care about the family. At one point she suffered a nervous breakdown due to his cruel and uncaring behavior. She took her children with her and decided to leave their home, but didn't know her destination. This all took place in a small town in Kansas, called Frontenac. She had very little gas in the tank and no money at all and she didn't even manage to make it out of Frontenac. As she used up the gas she got into a panic . She then went to a house, not knowing the owner. She "put her pride in her pocket" and went to the door. After she explained her situation to an old lady who answered the door, the lady asked her husband to help Jan carry the children into the house. These kind people allowed her to stay for two weeks until she received some money in the mail from a . They fed and cared for Jan and her children. This is one of the most exciting acts of kindness I have ever come across in my fifty years. These angels were named Henry and Sarah and they would always be warmly remembered by me for what they did for Jan and her children. What is the passage mainly about? A A singer's autobiography. B The life of an old couple. C An act of kindness. D The difficulties Jan met. Answer: C Mobile phones and the internet have improved our live in many ways. However, along with improvements, they have also brought a number of worrying problems. Many car accident are caused by mobile phones. You can use many new mobile phones to get on the internet. This can be very convenient, but some drivers get on the internet while driving. Driving needs all our attention. By looking at their mobile phones and not at the road, these insensitive Drivers are a danger to us all. Many of the dangers of the internet are well known. Children who visit websites without their parents' permission sometimes talk to older people they don't know and put themselves in great danger. People with blogs sometimes post embarrassing photographs of people they don't know on their websites without permission. There are also people who use the internet to get personal information that we do not want them to have. Mobile Phone and Internet Safety Tips If you need to use a mobile phone with you drive use a "hands-free" phone. In difficult driving situations such as rain or snow, do not use your phone at all. Do not make very important phone calls while driving. They take your attention off the road. Tell your children not to talk with anyone they do not know on the internet. In an embarrassing situation, pay attention to people around you. People will be shy about taking your picture if they know you're paying attention. Refuse to give out any information personal information on the internet. What advice is given in the passage to stop someone from taking an embarrassing picture of you? A Pay attention to the people around you. B Don't give out your personal information. C Use a "hands-free" mobile phone. D Wear your camera phone on you belt. Answer: A

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